Buying Guide
Dehumidifier Bags vs Electric Dehumidifier — Which Do You Need?
Updated July 2026
Dehumidifier bags cost £1 each. An electric dehumidifier costs £85–200. Surely the bags are the better deal? Not exactly. They solve different problems. Bags work in wardrobes, cars and small enclosed spaces. Electric dehumidifiers work in rooms. Use the wrong one and you waste money. This guide explains exactly when to use each — and when you need both.
Quick answer
Our top pick: Devola 12L Electric Dehumidifier + ANSIO Bags
£95 + £12 on Amazon
Rule: if the space has a door you close (wardrobe, car), use bags. If the space has people living in it (bedroom, living room), use electric. Most UK homes with damp problems need both.
Check Price on Amazon →At a glance: bags vs electric
| Dehumidifier Bags | Electric Dehumidifier | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £1–2 per bag | £85–200 one-time |
| Running cost | £0 | £5–15/month |
| Extracts per day | 200–500ml over 4–6 weeks | 6–20 litres per day |
| Best for | Wardrobes, cars, boats | Rooms, flats, houses |
| Noise | Silent | Low hum |
| Electricity needed | No | Yes |
Rule: if the space has a door you close (wardrobe, car), use bags. If the space has people living in it (bedroom, living room), use electric.
When dehumidifier bags are enough
- Wardrobes
- Drawers
- Shoe cupboards
- Cars
- Caravans stored over winter
- Boats
- Garden sheds
- Guitar cases
- Gym bags
Any small, enclosed space where you can shut a door. Bags absorb the small amount of moisture that sneaks in and stop mildew smells developing on clothes, leather and paper.
Our pick: ANSIO 12-Pack Hanging Bags — £10–14 for a year's supply. Check on Amazon →
Full guide: Best Dehumidifier Bags & Moisture Absorbers →
When you need an electric dehumidifier
- Bedroom humidity above 60%
- Visible condensation on windows
- Mould on walls
- Musty smells in rooms
- Drying clothes indoors
Bags cannot dehumidify a room. A single bedroom generates 2–4 litres of moisture a night from breathing alone — bags absorb a few hundred millilitres a month. The gap is not close.
Our pick: Devola 12L Dehumidifier — £85–110, extracts 12L/day, laundry mode included. Check on Amazon →
Full guide: Best Dehumidifiers for Small UK Flats →
When you need BOTH
An electric dehumidifier in your main living area plus bags in every wardrobe is the ideal setup for a UK home with damp problems. The dehumidifier drops room humidity to a safe 45–55% — clearing windows, stopping mould, and drying laundry. The bags catch moisture in the sealed spaces the dehumidifier's airflow can't reach.
Wardrobes are the classic blind spot. Even with a dehumidifier running in the bedroom, a closed wardrobe against a cold external wall traps stale, humid air against your clothes. That's why the "musty jumper" smell survives even when the rest of the room is dry. One £1 bag per wardrobe fixes it.
Cost comparison over 1 year
| Setup | Year 1 Cost | Year 2 Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bags only (12 per year) | £24 | £24 |
| Electric only (Devola 12L) | £95 + £60 electricity = £155 | £60 |
| Both (recommended) | £95 + £60 + £24 = £179 | £84 |
| Doing nothing | £0 (but £200–£2,000 in mould damage) | Same |
How to choose
We recommend
Most UK homes need both
An electric dehumidifier for the living space where the family spends time, plus cheap hanging bags in every wardrobe. Total first-year cost £120–£180 — versus £500+ to repaint and treat mould damage if you leave it.
Frequently asked questions
Bundle
The Complete Moisture Control Setup — Approximately £125
- Devola 12L (rooms)£95Amazon →
- ANSIO 12-pack bags (wardrobes)£12Amazon →
- Goodyear bags (car)£8Amazon →
- ThermoPro hygrometer£10Amazon →