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Short answer: at 12 litres, the Meaco Arete One 12L and the Ebac 2150e cost the same to run (151 W and 150 W, about 4p an hour) and were listed at the same £179.99 on November 14. Meaco publishes a quieter figure (from 35 dB against 44 dBa) and its test conditions; Ebac lists a bigger tank and a lower working temperature. The Ebac store showed every model we read as out of stock that day; B&Q had the Ebac 2650e.
Side by side
| Model | Extraction (as published) | Power | Per hour [calc] | Noise | Weight | Tank | Lowest temp | Price (Nov 14) | Seller |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meaco Arete One 12L | 12 L/day (30°C, 80% RH) | 151 W | 4.0p | from 35 dB(A) | 11.5 kg | 2.5 L | 5°C | £179.99 | Meaco UK store |
| Meaco MeacoDry ABC 12L | 12 L/day (30°C, 80% RH) | 165 W | 4.3p | from 36 dB(A) | 10.2 kg | 2.6 L | 5°C | £149.99 | Meaco UK store |
| Ebac 2150e (12L) | 12 L/day (conditions not published) | 150 W | 3.9p | from 44 dB(A) | 13 kg | 3.5 L | 3°C | £179.99 (out of stock) | Ebac store |
| Ebac 4150 (12L) | 12 L/day (conditions not published) | 190 W | 5.0p | from 44 dB(A) | 13 kg | 3.5 L | 3°C | £219.99 (out of stock) | Ebac store |
| Meaco Arete One 20L | 20 L/day (30°C, 80% RH) | 216 W | 5.7p | from 38 dB(A) | 15.2 kg | 4.8 L | 5°C | £255.00 | B&Q |
| Meaco 20L Low Energy | 20.38 L/day (30°C, 80% RH) | 219 W | 5.8p | from 46 dB(A) | 13.5 kg | 6 L | 5°C | £229.99 | B&Q |
| Ebac 2650e (18L) | 18 L/day (conditions not published) | 190 W | 5.0p | from 44 dB(A) | 13 kg | 3.5 L | 3°C | £215.99 | B&Q |
| Ebac 4650 (18L) | 18 L/day (conditions not published) | 190 W | 5.0p | from 44 dB(A) | 13 kg | 3.5 L | 3°C | £309.99 (out of stock) | Ebac store |
| Ebac 2850e (21L) | 21 L/day (conditions not published) | 190 W | 5.0p | from 44 dB(A) | 13 kg | 3.5 L | 3°C | £309.99 (out of stock) | Ebac store |
How we compare: criteria, sources and dates
Where they differ, on paper
- Noise. Meaco publishes "from 35 dB" for the Arete One 10L and 12L and "from 38 dB" for the 20L. Ebac publishes 44 dBa across the 2000 and 4000 series pages we read. Neither says how or where the figure is measured, and "from" means the quietest setting.
- Litres a day. Meaco gives two conditions: the Arete One 12L removes 12 litres at 30°C and 80% RH and 7.5 litres at 27°C and 60%. Ebac names its models by litres (2150e "12L", 2650e "18L") without conditions. Ebac's own buying guide argues you rarely need much: "almost all damp and condensation problems will be solved by removing 1.5 to 2 litres of moisture per day" (ebac.com).
- Cold. Ebac lists a minimum operating temperature of 3°C; Meaco lists 5°C for its compressor models. Below about 10°C, Meaco's own tables show compressor extraction falling sharply (see cold rooms).
- Tank and weight. Ebac: 3.5 litres and 13 kg on the 2000 series. Meaco Arete One 12L: 2.5 litres and 11.5 kg; Arete One 20L: 4.8 litres and 15.2 kg.
- Control. Meaco uses a humidistat (40 to 70% RH on the Arete One). Ebac uses Smart Control, which it says saves "£80 to £100 per year" against humidistat models: a maker's claim we cannot check.
- Warranty, as each brand describes it on its Awin affiliate profile (read November 14, 2026): Meaco, two years, five on the Arete range; Ebac, "Free FIVE YEAR warranty provided with every Dehumidifier".
Prices on November 14
Meaco's store had the Arete One 12L at £179.99 and the 20L at £259.99; B&Q listed the 20L at £255. Ebac's store showed the 2150e at £179.99, the 2650e at £269.99 and the 2850e at £309.99, all marked out of stock when we read them, with a Black Friday code displayed on the page; B&Q listed the 2650e at £215.99. We do not apply codes: prices are as shown.
Which to choose
For a bedroom or a living room where noise matters, the published figures favour Meaco. For an unheated room that drops to single figures, Ebac's 3°C minimum is the better paper figure, though a desiccant model is built for that job. For running cost, the difference is a fraction of a penny an hour: check it on the running cost calculator, or see every model on the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Meaco or Ebac?
On the figures each publishes: Meaco's Arete One models are quieter on paper (from 35 dB against Ebac's 44 dBa) and lighter, and Meaco publishes the conditions behind its litres a day; Ebac's 2000 and 4000 series list a lower minimum working temperature (3°C against Meaco's 5°C) and larger tanks. Running costs are within a fraction of a penny an hour at 12 litres.
Do Ebac dehumidifiers cost more to run than Meaco?
Per hour, no: the Ebac 2150e (12L) is published at a maximum of 150 W and the Meaco Arete One 12L at 151 W, both about 4p an hour at 26.32p per kWh [calc]. At 18 to 20 litres, Ebac's 2650e is listed at 190 W and Meaco's Arete One 20L at 216 W.
What is Ebac Smart Control?
Ebac's own control system, which it says learns the humidity pattern of the home and runs the dehumidifier only when needed. Ebac's product page claims it "can save £80 to £100 per year in running costs compared with humidistat controlled dehumidifiers". That is the maker's claim; we have not measured it.