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Meaco Arete One vs Arete Two

Compare the generations at the same capacity before paying extra for new controls.

By Dehumidifier UK · Updated 6 October 2026 · Sources linked below

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Our answer

The Arete Two 20L adds app control, a DC fan motor, a third fan speed, adjustable louvre and scheduling. The Arete One 20L remains worth considering at a meaningful discount. The matched-condition power difference is small; choose the Two for its extra functions rather than expect the upgrade to repay itself quickly through electricity savings.

20L versus 20L: the useful comparison

FeatureArete One 20LArete Two 20L
Extraction at 20°C/60% RH8.50 L/day8.50 L/day
Power at 20°C/60% RH216 W207 W
Tank4.8 L4.8 L
Fan airflow145 / 160 m³/h150 / 175 / 255 m³/h
Noise by fan speed38 / 40 dB(A)38 / 40 / 50 dB(A)
App / voice controlNoYes
Manual louvre / on-off timerNo / noYes / yes
Dimensions H × W × D618 × 366 × 272 mm618 × 366 × 272 mm
Weight / stated warranty15 kg / 5 years15.1 kg / 5 years

The headline “20L” identifies the nominal size. The 8.50 L/day figure above is the manufacturer’s matched 20°C/60% RH result, not a household water-collection promise. Five-year warranties are subject to the manufacturer’s terms.

What you gain with the Two

The additional fan setting and adjustable louvre give more control over air movement around a clothes rack. The app and timer make it easier to check or change settings without standing beside the machine. Those are practical benefits if you use it for laundry often or keep it in a utility area.

The extra high fan setting is also the loudest: Meaco lists 50 dB(A). It is misleading to take the quietest quoted level and imply it applies to maximum laundry airflow. At low speed, the stated sound figure is the same 38 dB(A) for both 20L generations.

What you do not gain

At the specified 20°C/60% condition the two machines have the same stated extraction. A DC motor and more airflow may help a laundry setup, but the product table alone cannot establish how many minutes faster a particular load will dry. The footprint and tank capacity are effectively unchanged.

Will lower power cover the price difference?

The 9 W difference saves about 0.24p per active hour at 26.32p/kWh. Over a scenario of 1,000 hours at those powers, that is about £2.37. If the Two costs £40 more, that narrow calculation would need roughly 16,900 such hours to recover the difference. Actual cycling and workload will vary, so this is not a payback forecast.

The sensible reason to pay extra is the additional control and airflow, not the one-penny rounded hourly-cost difference sometimes used in marketing. Compare current selling prices and use the calculator without rounding the watts first.

When we would buy each

  • Arete One: a substantial discount, straightforward controls and ordinary household humidity management are your priorities.
  • Arete Two: app access, scheduling, directional airflow or more laundry airflow would be used regularly.
  • Already own a working Arete One: there is little basis to replace it solely for the stated 9 W reduction at one test condition.

Do these conclusions apply to the 12L?

This numerical comparison is specifically for the 20L versions. Do not transfer its wattage, dimensions, noise or extraction to the 12L. Compare the specifications of your intended exact capacity and generation. If the real question is capacity, start with Arete Two 12L vs 20L instead.

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Sources and evidence

  1. Meaco Arete Two 12L specifications and extraction table
  2. Meaco Arete Two 20L specifications and extraction table
  3. Meaco Arete One 20L specifications
  4. Ofgem October–December 2026 electricity example
  5. Meaco Arete Two 10L/12L official manual

Sources checked 6 October 2026. Manufacturer specifications are claims under their stated conditions; they are not our household measurements.