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What we would compare first
We compared Meaco's extraction and wattage figures at identical temperature and relative-humidity conditions, then checked airflow, noise, tank volume, dimensions, weight, controls and stated operating range.
MeacoDry Arete Two 12L
Best paper fit: Flats, bedrooms and smaller heated homes with a moderate moisture load
The more proportionate starting point when one compact machine can cover the measured problem and family-scale laundry throughput is not the priority.
- Removal at 20°C / 60% RH
- 5.40 L/day
- Power at that condition
- 136 W
- Maximum airflow
- 140 m³/h
- Noise
- 35 / 38 / 44 dB(A)
- Tank
- 2.5 L
- Weight
- 10.9 kg
- Lower hourly draw
- Lower published noise
- Smaller and lighter body
- Wall-mount option
- Lower extraction
- Less airflow through a clothes rack
- Smaller tank
MeacoDry Arete Two 20L
Best paper fit: Regular family laundry, larger areas and sustained moisture loads
The stronger throughput choice when the extra compressor capacity, airflow and tank volume will be used rather than merely left idling in one small room.
- Removal at 20°C / 60% RH
- 8.50 L/day
- Power at that condition
- 207 W
- Maximum airflow
- 255 m³/h
- Noise
- 38 / 40 / 50 dB(A)
- Tank
- 4.8 L
- Weight
- 15.1 kg
- Higher condition-matched extraction
- Much higher maximum airflow
- Larger tank
- More headroom for repeated laundry loads
- Higher hourly draw
- Larger and 4.2 kg heavier
- 50 dB(A) published maximum
The short answer: choose by throughput, not bedroom count alone
Meaco positions the 12L for flats and one-to-three-bedroom homes, but bedroom count is only a starting point. Open-plan layout, closed doors, temperature, occupants, indoor laundry and the moisture source decide how much work the machine must actually do.
Start with the 12L when the problem is one normally heated room or a modest connected area. Move to the 20L when you repeatedly dry towels and bedding, need more air movement through a rack, or a humidity log shows a sustained load that a compact machine would have to chase continuously.
Compare extraction at the same conditions
The 12L and 20L names come from warmer, wetter rating conditions and do not predict what either machine will collect in an ordinary UK room. Meaco's condition-specific data provides the fair comparison.
At 20°C / 60% RH, the 20L publishes about 57% more extraction while drawing about 52% more power. At 10°C / 60% RH, it publishes about 70% more extraction. That is useful headroom, but it does not mean every task finishes 57% faster because airflow, room mixing and moisture release also matter.
| Condition | Arete Two 12L | Arete Two 20L |
|---|---|---|
| 10°C / 60% RH | 1.97 L/day · 111 W | 3.35 L/day · 176 W |
| 20°C / 60% RH | 5.40 L/day · 136 W | 8.50 L/day · 207 W |
| 20°C / 80% RH | 8.51 L/day · 142 W | 13.85 L/day · 217 W |
| 30°C / 80% RH | 11.99 L/day · 182 W | 20.45 L/day · 271 W |
The 20L advantage is airflow as well as extraction
The 12L reaches 140 m³/h maximum airflow; the 20L reaches 255 m³/h. That difference is relevant for laundry because water must leave fabric and enter the room air before the refrigeration circuit can collect it. The 20L also holds 4.8 litres rather than 2.5 litres, reducing tank-emptying interruptions during a heavy task.
For one bedroom or an occasional light load, the extra airflow can be unnecessary and noisier. The published three-speed figures are 35, 38 and 44 dB(A) for the 12L against 38, 40 and 50 dB(A) for the 20L.
Running cost depends on completion, not one hour
The 12L consumes less electricity per running hour at the common published conditions. The 20L may still use less energy for a demanding completed task if its higher extraction and airflow shorten the run enough, but the specification table alone cannot prove that outcome in your room.
Compare total kWh over the same job: one laundry load, one overnight bedroom pattern or one day maintaining a target humidity band. Our selector lets you test an equal-hours scenario, while a plug meter provides the useful real-home result after purchase.
A practical buying rule
Choose the 12L when portability, bedroom noise and one-room proportionality matter most. Choose the 20L when regular family laundry, a larger connected space or measured recovery time makes throughput the priority. Both share app control, a louvre, three fan speeds, laundry and night modes, HEPA filtration and a stated 5–35°C operating range.
Neither model repairs a leak, penetrating damp, inadequate extraction or a cold bridge. Keep a humidity and temperature log first, investigate local staining or rain-related damp, and buy with a usable return route in case the real noise or capacity does not suit the home.
Common questions
Questions this guide should answer
Is the Meaco Arete Two 20L better than the 12L?
It has higher extraction, airflow and tank capacity, but is larger, heavier, louder at maximum speed and uses more power per hour. It is better only when the workload can use that throughput.
Is the 12L enough for a three-bedroom house?
It may be for a modest, normally heated area with good air movement, but bedroom count cannot guarantee coverage. Closed doors, laundry frequency, temperature and the measured moisture load matter.
Which model is better for drying clothes?
The 20L has the stronger paper case for frequent family laundry because it combines higher extraction with 255 m³/h maximum airflow and a 4.8-litre tank. The 12L can remain proportionate for smaller or occasional loads.
Which is quieter, the 12L or 20L?
The 12L has lower published figures at all three fan settings: 35, 38 and 44 dB(A), compared with 38, 40 and 50 dB(A) for the 20L.
Does the 20L cost more to run?
It uses more watts per hour at the published matching conditions. A demanding job may finish sooner, so compare total kWh for the same completed outcome rather than hourly power alone.
Sources and review trail
We favour primary public guidance and link to the exact source so you can inspect it yourself.