Buying a dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to tackle excess moisture in your home, but choosing the right size can be confusing.

Many people assume that a 20L dehumidifier is always the better option, while others worry that a larger model will use significantly more electricity or be too powerful for their space.

In reality, the best choice depends on the size of your home, the amount of moisture you need to remove and how you plan to use your dehumidifier.

Whether you're trying to dry laundry indoors, reduce condensation on windows, prevent mould growth or simply create a more comfortable living environment, selecting the correct extraction capacity will improve both performance and efficiency.

In this guide, we'll compare 12L and 20L dehumidifiers side by side, explain what the litre rating actually means and help you decide which model is the right fit for your home.

By the end of this guide you'll understand:

• What the litre rating actually means
• Whether a 12L or 20L model is right for your home
• Which size is better for drying clothes indoors
• Which model is more energy efficient
• Which rooms each model is best suited for
• How to avoid buying a dehumidifier that's too small—or larger than you really need

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What Does "12L" or "20L" Actually Mean?

One of the biggest misconceptions about dehumidifiers is that the litre rating refers to the size of the water tank.

It doesn't.

The 12L or 20L figure refers to the maximum amount of moisture the dehumidifier is capable of extracting from the air over a 24-hour period under standard test conditions.

This means:

• 12L Dehumidifier → Can remove up to 12 litres of moisture per day
• 20L Dehumidifier → Can remove up to 20 litres of moisture per day

In everyday home use, the actual amount of water collected will depend on:

• Indoor humidity levels
• Room temperature
• Ventilation
• Room size
• How often doors and windows are opened

Most homes won't collect the maximum rated amount every day, but the extraction capacity is still a useful way to compare different models.

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Why Choosing the Right Size Matters

Buying the correct size dehumidifier isn't about getting the biggest model available—it's about matching the appliance to your home's needs.

A dehumidifier that's too small may:

• Take much longer to reduce humidity
• Run continuously without reaching your target humidity level
• Be less effective at drying clothes
• Struggle in larger rooms or open-plan spaces

A larger dehumidifier can:

• Remove moisture more quickly
• Cover larger areas
• Dry laundry faster
• Cope better with severe condensation or damp

That doesn't necessarily mean you should always choose the 20L model. For many smaller homes, a 12L unit provides more than enough performance while remaining compact and energy efficient.

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12L vs 20L: At a Glance

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Quick Recommendation

If you're short on time, here's our simple buying advice.

Choose the 12L Dehumidifier if you:

✔ Live in a flat or apartment

✔ Mainly want to reduce condensation

✔ Need a dehumidifier for one or two rooms

✔ Dry smaller loads of washing indoors

✔ Want a compact appliance that's easy to move

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Choose the 20L Dehumidifier if you:

✔ Live in a larger house

✔ Regularly dry multiple loads of laundry indoors

✔ Experience significant condensation or damp

✔ Need to control humidity across larger living areas

✔ Want faster moisture removal

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Which Problems Can a Dehumidifier Help With?

While every home is different, dehumidifiers are commonly used to manage excess indoor moisture and improve everyday comfort.

Many homeowners choose a dehumidifier to help with:

Drying Clothes Indoors

Indoor laundry releases a surprising amount of moisture into the air. A dehumidifier can help reduce drying times while limiting excess humidity in your home.

(Read our guide: Best Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes.)

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Condensation on Windows

If you regularly wake up to water running down your windows, excess humidity is often the cause.

A dehumidifier can help lower indoor moisture levels, reducing the conditions that lead to condensation.

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Damp & Mould Prevention

Persistent moisture creates an environment where mould can develop.

By helping maintain a healthier humidity level, a dehumidifier can support efforts to reduce damp conditions in the home.

(Also read: Does a Dehumidifier Help Mould?)

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Improving Everyday Comfort

High humidity can make rooms feel stuffy or uncomfortable.

Maintaining balanced humidity levels may help create a fresher, more comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.

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How Much Moisture Does the Average Home Produce?

Many homeowners are surprised by how much water vapour is released into the air during normal daily activities.

Common sources include:

• Drying clothes indoors
• Showering and bathing
• Cooking
• Boiling kettles
• Houseplants
• Breathing
• Pets

A typical family home can generate several litres of moisture every day, making effective humidity management an important part of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.

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Before You Buy…

Before choosing between a 12L and 20L model, ask yourself these simple questions:

• How large is the room you want to dehumidify?
• Are you mainly reducing condensation or drying laundry?
• Do you live in a flat or a larger family home?
• Will the dehumidifier stay in one room or move around the house?
• Do you experience occasional humidity or ongoing damp issues?

Answering these questions will make it much easier to choose the right model—and avoid spending more than you need to.

Comparing the Hangsun 12L & 20L Dehumidifiers

Both the Hangsun 12L and Hangsun 20L Dehumidifiers are designed to help create a healthier, more comfortable indoor environment by reducing excess humidity, condensation and dampness.

They share many of the same smart features, including:

• Intelligent humidity control
• Continuous drainage option
• Quiet operation
• Auto defrost
• Timer function
• Easy-to-use digital display
• Portable design with wheels
• Modern energy-efficient compressor technology

The biggest difference isn't the technology—it's how much moisture they can remove and the size of the space they're designed to manage.

Let's compare them in more detail.

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Hangsun 12L Dehumidifier Review

Best for Everyday Homes & Apartments

The Hangsun 12L Dehumidifier has been designed for homeowners looking to control everyday humidity without buying a larger commercial-style appliance.

It comfortably handles common household problems such as:

• Condensation on windows
• Damp bedrooms
• Bathroom humidity
• Indoor laundry drying
• Small areas affected by mould

Its compact footprint makes it easy to position in almost any room while still delivering impressive moisture extraction performance.

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Key Features

• Removes up to 12 litres of moisture per day
• Ideal for small to medium rooms
• Intelligent humidity sensor
• Digital LED display
• Continuous drainage option
• Automatic shut-off when tank is full
• Auto restart after power interruption
• Auto defrost function
• Laundry Dry mode
• Portable wheels and carry handle
• Quiet everyday operation

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Advantages

✔ Compact size

✔ Easy to move between rooms

✔ Lower purchase cost

✔ Excellent for flats and apartments

✔ Great for bedrooms

✔ Suitable for occasional laundry drying

✔ Energy efficient

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Considerations

Although the 12L model performs extremely well in normal household conditions, larger family homes with persistent damp or multiple laundry loads may find themselves emptying the water tank more frequently.

For higher moisture levels, the 20L model may be the better long-term solution.

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Best For

The Hangsun 12L is ideal if you:

• Live in a flat
• Own a small or medium-sized home
• Want to reduce condensation
• Need a bedroom dehumidifier
• Dry washing indoors occasionally
• Want an affordable everyday solution

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Hangsun 20L Dehumidifier Review

Best for Larger Homes & Faster Moisture Removal

The Hangsun 20L Dehumidifier is designed for households where humidity levels are higher or moisture needs to be removed more quickly.

With almost 70% greater extraction capacity than the 12L model, it's capable of dealing with larger living areas and more demanding environments.

It's particularly effective for:

• Large family homes
• Open-plan living areas
• Heavy indoor laundry drying
• Persistent condensation
• Damp-prone properties

If your dehumidifier will be running frequently throughout the year, the additional capacity can significantly reduce the time needed to reach your desired humidity level.

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Key Features

• Removes up to 20 litres of moisture per day
• Suitable for medium to large rooms
• Intelligent humidity control
• Digital control panel
• Laundry Dry function
• Continuous drainage capability
• Automatic shut-off
• Auto defrost
• Child lock
• Timer function
• Wheels for easy movement

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Advantages

✔ Faster moisture removal

✔ Excellent for larger properties

✔ Better for frequent laundry drying

✔ Handles higher humidity more effectively

✔ Larger water collection capacity

✔ Less frequent emptying

✔ Better suited to year-round use

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Considerations

For very small rooms with only occasional condensation, the additional extraction capacity may not always be necessary.

If your humidity issues are relatively minor, the 12L model will often provide everything you need while taking up slightly less space.

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Best For

Choose the Hangsun 20L if you:

• Live in a detached or semi-detached house
• Dry washing indoors regularly
• Have recurring condensation problems
• Want faster results
• Need to treat larger rooms
• Want a dehumidifier that can comfortably handle changing seasons

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Room Size Comparison

One of the easiest ways to choose between the two models is to think about where you'll use it most often.

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Laundry Drying Comparison

Many customers buy a dehumidifier primarily to dry clothes indoors.

Both Hangsun models include a dedicated laundry mode, but there are some differences depending on the amount of washing you typically dry.

Hangsun 12L

Ideal for:

• Small households
• Couples
• One washing load
• Occasional indoor drying

Expect:

✔ Faster drying than air drying alone

✔ Less condensation

✔ More comfortable indoor humidity

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Hangsun 20L

Ideal for:

• Families
• Multiple washing loads
• Winter laundry drying
• Frequent indoor drying

Expect:

✔ Faster moisture removal

✔ Reduced drying time

✔ Better performance in larger utility rooms

✔ More efficient handling of heavy moisture loads

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Running Costs

One of the most common questions people ask is:

"Will the larger model cost much more to run?"

The answer is:

Not necessarily.

Although the 20L model has greater extraction capacity, it often reaches your desired humidity level more quickly.

Once that target humidity is achieved, both models cycle on and off automatically to maintain comfortable conditions.

This means a larger dehumidifier isn't simply "using more electricity all the time."

Instead, it may complete the job faster, particularly in damp homes.

Your actual running costs depend on:

• Electricity prices
• Humidity levels
• Room temperature
• Daily usage
• Target humidity settings

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Noise Levels

Both models are designed for comfortable everyday home use.

Typical applications include:

• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Home offices
• Utility rooms

Most users describe modern compressor dehumidifiers as producing a steady background sound similar to a desk fan or refrigerator.

For overnight use, many customers place the unit outside the bedroom with the door slightly open to balance humidity control with personal comfort.

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Ease of Use

Both Hangsun dehumidifiers have been designed to be simple to operate.

Features include:

✔ Clear digital display

✔ Easy humidity adjustment

✔ Automatic operation

✔ Water tank full indicator

✔ Timer function

✔ Continuous drainage compatibility

✔ Wheels for portability

Whether you choose the 12L or 20L model, day-to-day operation remains virtually identical.

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Feature Comparison

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Which One Offers Better Value?

This depends entirely on your home.

Choose the 12L if:

• You don't need maximum extraction.
• You mainly want to reduce condensation.
• Your property has normal humidity levels.
• You're buying your first dehumidifier.

The 12L model offers excellent value and will comfortably meet the needs of many UK households.

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Choose the 20L if:

• You have a larger property.
• You frequently dry clothes indoors.
• Damp is a recurring issue.
• You want quicker moisture removal.
• You prefer buying one model that can cope with changing seasons.

For households with greater humidity demands, the additional extraction capacity often makes the 20L model a worthwhile investment.

Which Dehumidifier Should You Buy?

By now, you've seen the specifications and compared the features of both models—but which one is actually right for your home?

The answer depends less on the size of the appliance and more on how you plan to use it.

Some homeowners simply want to stop condensation appearing on their windows each morning, while others need a powerful solution for drying laundry indoors or managing damp throughout a larger property.

Below, we've matched each Hangsun dehumidifier to different lifestyles and homes to help make your decision easier.

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Best Dehumidifier for Flats & Apartments

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 12L Dehumidifier

If you live in a flat or apartment, you probably don't need the largest extraction capacity available.

Most apartments have:

• Fewer rooms
• Smaller living areas
• Lower overall air volume
• Less moisture being produced

The 12L model provides more than enough extraction for most modern flats while remaining compact enough to move between rooms when required.

Ideal For

✔ One-bedroom apartments

✔ Two-bedroom flats

✔ Couples

✔ First-time buyers

✔ Small rental properties

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Best Dehumidifier for Family Homes

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 20L Dehumidifier

Larger homes naturally produce more moisture.

Cooking, showers, laundry and everyday living all contribute to higher humidity levels, especially when several people live under one roof.

The 20L model has been designed to cope with these greater demands.

Ideal For

✔ Three or four-bedroom houses

✔ Detached properties

✔ Semi-detached homes

✔ Busy family households

✔ Open-plan living spaces

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Best Dehumidifier for Drying Clothes

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 20L

One of the biggest reasons people buy a dehumidifier is to dry washing indoors during colder months.

A typical washing load can release around 2–3 litres of moisture into the air as it dries.

If you regularly dry clothes indoors, the 20L model can remove that moisture more quickly, helping to:

• Speed up drying
• Reduce condensation
• Prevent damp smells
• Improve indoor comfort

Choose the 20L if you:

• Dry several loads each week
• Have children
• Use a clothes airer regularly
• Don't own a tumble dryer
• Dry washing indoors throughout winter

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Best for Bedrooms

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 12L

Bedrooms usually don't require extremely high extraction rates.

Instead, most homeowners simply want to reduce:

• Morning condensation
• Humidity
• Stuffy air

The compact size of the 12L makes it ideal for:

• Bedrooms
• Guest rooms
• Home offices

Its smaller footprint also makes it easier to position discreetly.

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Best for Bathrooms

🏆 Winner: Tie

Bathrooms naturally produce large amounts of moisture after showers and baths.

Both models perform well in these environments.

Choose 12L if:

You only need to manage one bathroom.

Choose 20L if:

Your bathroom regularly fills with steam or forms condensation throughout the home.

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Best for Open-Plan Living Areas

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 20L

Larger rooms contain significantly more air.

This means a dehumidifier must work harder to lower humidity levels.

The 20L model has the capacity to manage:

• Open-plan kitchens
• Large lounges
• Kitchen diners
• Conservatories

If your downstairs is mostly open plan, the larger model is generally the better investment.

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Best for Condensation

🏆 Winner: Depends on Severity

If your condensation is:

Mild

The 12L is likely to be more than sufficient.

Typical signs include:

• Small amounts of moisture on windows
• Occasional damp patches
• Seasonal condensation

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Severe

Choose the 20L.

This is particularly beneficial if:

• Windows stream with water every morning.
• Several rooms suffer from condensation.
• You notice mould beginning to appear.
• Laundry contributes to excess humidity.

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Best for Mould Prevention

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 20L

Mould develops when moisture levels remain consistently high.

Although a dehumidifier cannot remove existing mould, reducing excess humidity helps create an environment where mould is less likely to thrive.

The higher extraction capacity of the 20L model makes it particularly suitable for homes with ongoing moisture issues.

Read next:

➡ Does a Dehumidifier Help Mould?

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Best for Energy Efficiency

🏆 Winner: Tie

Many buyers assume:

"Bigger dehumidifier = bigger electricity bill."

In reality, it's not that simple.

Because the 20L removes moisture faster, it often reaches the desired humidity level sooner before cycling off.

Likewise, the 12L uses less power but may need to run for longer in larger spaces.

The most energy-efficient dehumidifier is the one that's correctly sized for your home.

Choosing the right model is often more important than choosing the smallest one.

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Best Budget Choice

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 12L

If you're mainly tackling:

• Seasonal condensation
• Occasional damp
• Bedroom humidity
• Smaller rooms

The 12L offers excellent value without paying for capacity you may never use.

It's an ideal first dehumidifier for many UK households.

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Best Long-Term Investment

🏆 Winner: Hangsun 20L

If you're planning ahead or expect your needs to grow, the 20L gives you additional flexibility.

It can comfortably handle:

• Larger laundry loads
• More humid weather
• Multiple rooms
• Growing families
• Changing seasons

For many homeowners, it provides peace of mind knowing they have extra capacity available when needed.

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Buyer Personas

Sarah – One-Bedroom Flat

"I mainly get condensation on my bedroom windows and occasionally dry washing indoors."

✅ Recommendation: Hangsun 12L

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James & Emma – Young Family

"We have two children and always seem to have washing drying indoors."

✅ Recommendation: Hangsun 20L

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David – Working From Home

"My office gets humid and I occasionally notice condensation."

✅ Recommendation: Hangsun 12L

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The Williams Family

"Our detached house suffers from condensation in winter and we dry washing indoors every week."

✅ Recommendation: Hangsun 20L

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Holiday Home Owner

"I need something reliable for a small apartment that's occasionally left empty."

✅ Recommendation: Hangsun 12L

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Quick Buying Guide

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Which One Would We Choose?

If someone asked us:

"What's the best dehumidifier overall?"

We'd answer:

🥇 Hangsun 20L

If:

• You have the space
• You regularly dry clothes indoors
• You have a medium or large home
• Moisture is an ongoing issue

The additional extraction capacity simply gives it greater versatility.

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If someone asked:

"What's the best value?"

We'd answer:

🥇 Hangsun 12L

It delivers excellent everyday performance for smaller homes while remaining compact, efficient and affordable.

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Our Recommendations

Choose the Hangsun 12L if you want:

✔ Compact design

✔ Excellent value

✔ Apartment-friendly performance

✔ Bedroom humidity control

✔ Everyday condensation reduction

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Choose the Hangsun 20L if you want:

✔ Faster laundry drying

✔ Greater moisture extraction

✔ Larger room coverage

✔ Better performance during winter

✔ A solution for heavier humidity levels

Frequently Asked Questions

What size dehumidifier do I need?

The right size depends on:

• The size of your home
• The room you're using it in
• Your humidity levels
• Whether you're drying clothes indoors
• How often you use it

As a general guide:

12L Dehumidifier

• Flats and apartments
• Bedrooms
• Small to medium rooms
• Light to moderate condensation
• Occasional indoor laundry

20L Dehumidifier

• Medium to large homes
• Open-plan living areas
• Utility rooms
• Frequent indoor laundry drying
• Persistent damp or condensation

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Is a 20L Dehumidifier Better Than a 12L?

Not necessarily.

A larger dehumidifier isn't automatically the better choice—it simply has a higher moisture extraction capacity.

If you live in a one-bedroom flat with only occasional condensation, a 20L model may be more capacity than you need.

Likewise, if you regularly dry laundry indoors in a family home, a 12L model may take longer to reduce humidity.

The best dehumidifier is the one that's appropriately sized for your home.

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Will a Larger Dehumidifier Cost More to Run?

This is one of the most common misconceptions.

Although the 20L model has a higher extraction capacity, it often reaches your target humidity more quickly before switching to maintenance mode.

That means running costs aren't simply determined by extraction capacity alone.

Factors that affect electricity usage include:

• Room temperature
• Humidity level
• Usage time
• Target humidity setting
• Home insulation

Choosing the correct size is usually more important than choosing the smallest appliance.

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Can a Dehumidifier Help Dry Clothes Faster?

Yes.

When clothes dry indoors, they release moisture into the surrounding air.

A dehumidifier helps remove this excess moisture, allowing water to evaporate from fabrics more efficiently.

Many homeowners use a dehumidifier during autumn and winter when outdoor drying isn't practical.

For larger households drying several loads each week, the Hangsun 20L Dehumidifier generally provides faster drying performance.

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Will a Dehumidifier Help Reduce Condensation?

A dehumidifier helps lower indoor humidity levels, reducing the conditions that cause condensation to form on windows and other cold surfaces.

If you regularly wake up to condensation on bedroom windows, using a dehumidifier may help create a drier and more comfortable indoor environment.

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Can a Dehumidifier Prevent Mould?

A dehumidifier doesn't remove existing mould, but it can help reduce the excess humidity that allows mould to develop.

If mould has already appeared, it should be cleaned safely and the underlying cause investigated.

Reducing humidity is an important step in preventing future mould growth.

Read our guide:

Does a Dehumidifier Help Mould?

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Can I Leave My Dehumidifier Running Overnight?

Yes.

Both Hangsun models are designed for everyday home use.

Many people choose to run their dehumidifier overnight in:

• Bedrooms
• Hallways
• Utility rooms
• Living rooms

If using it overnight, position it on a stable surface with adequate airflow around the unit and follow the manufacturer's safety guidance.

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Where Should I Place My Dehumidifier?

For the best results:

✔ Place it near the source of excess moisture.

✔ Keep doors and windows closed where possible.

✔ Allow space around the air intake and outlet.

✔ Avoid positioning it directly against walls or furniture.

✔ If drying clothes, place the unit near the clothes airer while maintaining good airflow.

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Should I Empty the Water Tank Every Day?

Not always.

How often you'll need to empty the tank depends on:

• Indoor humidity
• Weather
• Laundry drying
• Property size
• Time of year

Many users connect the continuous drainage hose for uninterrupted operation, particularly during winter or when using Laundry Mode.

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Can I Move My Dehumidifier Between Rooms?

Absolutely.

Both the Hangsun 12L and 20L models include wheels, making them easy to move around the home.

Many homeowners use their dehumidifier in:

• The bedroom overnight
• The utility room while drying clothes
• The living room during the day

This flexibility allows one appliance to support multiple rooms as needed.

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Tips for Getting the Best Performance

To get the most from your dehumidifier:

Close Windows & Doors

Running a dehumidifier while windows are open allows humid outdoor air to continually enter the room, reducing efficiency.

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Set a Realistic Humidity Level

For most UK homes, maintaining indoor humidity between 40–60% RH creates a comfortable environment and helps minimise excess moisture.

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Clean the Air Filter

Dust can reduce airflow and efficiency.

Clean the removable filter regularly following the manufacturer's instructions.

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Empty or Drain the Water Tank

If you're using the water tank, empty it when full.

For continuous operation, consider using the continuous drainage option where suitable.

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Position It Correctly

Avoid placing the unit directly against furniture or walls.

Allow sufficient airflow around the appliance for optimum performance.

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Comparison Summary

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Our Final Recommendation

Both Hangsun dehumidifiers deliver excellent performance and share many of the same smart features, including digital humidity control, continuous drainage, laundry mode and quiet everyday operation.

The decision ultimately comes down to your home's moisture levels and the size of the areas you want to treat.

Choose the Hangsun 12L if:

✔ You live in a flat or apartment.

✔ Your main concern is everyday condensation.

✔ You occasionally dry clothes indoors.

✔ You want a compact, easy-to-move appliance.

✔ You're looking for excellent value.

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Choose the Hangsun 20L if:

✔ You have a medium or large family home.

✔ You regularly dry washing indoors.

✔ Your property experiences persistent damp or heavy condensation.

✔ You want faster moisture removal.

✔ You prefer buying a model with greater long-term capacity.

Both models are designed to help create a more comfortable indoor environment and provide an effective solution for managing everyday humidity in UK homes.