I love my home. It has a beautiful view of the waterway and a bedroom balcony — rare features among HDB flats in Singapore. Every evening, I get to enjoy unobstructed sunsets. Living next to the park connector, I’m surrounded by greenery, joggers, and cyclists. On weekends, it almost feels like I’m on vacation.
But all that beauty comes with a trade-off: bugs, high humidity, and the constant threat of mould. I’ve even had the unpleasant surprise of centipedes crawling into my home despite living on a high floor. My blackout curtains have suffered from sun and moisture damage. And most recently? A booklice infestation.
Fun fact: booklice aren’t just found in books. In my case, they colonised the white walls and ceiling of my master bedroom. I tried everything — ventilating the space by keeping the windows open, running the aircon on “dry” mode, diffusing peppermint essential oil, setting out trays of Hungry Hippo moisture absorbers, and even hiring a pest control company. After two rounds of fumigation, the booklice were still stubbornly there.
The Mistral MDH2065.
While researching my next move — which included repainting the walls with oil-based sealer and anti-mould paint — I discovered that what I truly needed to complement these remedies was a proper dehumidifier. That’s what led me to the Mistral MDH2065.
*The product was sent as a press gift. The views and opinions of the reviewer are independent and purely editorial.
First impressions: the Mistral MDH2065 Dehumidifier
At first glance, the Mistral MDH2065 ticked all the right boxes. Living next to the water means I deal with high humidity levels daily, so I needed a unit that could run efficiently without sending my electricity bills through the roof. It also had to be quiet enough not to be disruptive and powerful enough to make a noticeable difference.
What stood out to me about the MDH2065 was its large water tank capacity at 6.5L and the option for continuous drainage — great for days when I want to keep the machine running 24/7. Its sleek, compact design was a bonus, blending easily into my home without being an eyesore.
Performance and ease of use
From the first day I plugged in the Mistral MDH2065, I noticed a difference. The air felt noticeably drier and lighter. Within a few days of consistent use, the number of booklice did visibly reduce.
What impressed me most was how well the Mistral MDH2065 handled the intense humidity in my home. It’s tough to keep humidity levels down. My house hovered between 70% to 80% at the beginning, and the ideal range to prevent mould is typically between 50% and 60%.
The sleek and neutral design of the Mistral MDH2065.
In the first few days, the unit brought it down to 63%. With consistent use, it managed to stabilise the humidity at 56%. The low humidity doesn’t feel uncomfortable, but I’d recommend you moisturise your skin and hydrate more (as you should) if you’re staying in the house with the unit running the whole day.
At 42dB, it emits a hum that’s almost like white noise — even while its high-performance compressor works to extract up to 20L of moisture per day. I leave it running overnight in the living room, and it doesn’t disrupt my sleep, which is a big plus for a light sleeper like me. That said, while it’s one of the quieter models out there, I still find the sound a bit too noticeable for bedroom use.
I typically run the dehumidifier on auto mode, which intelligently adjusts based on the room’s humidity level. For extra damp days, I make use of the continuous drainage option — a lifesaver since I no longer need to constantly monitor or empty the water tank. A drainage hose is included, though I do recommend getting a longer one if your floor plan requires it.
Left - The large 6.5L water tank. Right - The soft-touch button controls.
The MDH2065 does not have an app or Wi-Fi control, if you’re into smart features. The soft-touch button controls, on the other hand, are intuitive, and I love the inclusion of a 24-hour timer, which lets me run the unit around my schedule. The built-in ionizer and UV function add an extra layer of air purification, which is great for keeping the room feeling fresh and clean. There’s also an activated carbon filter, which helps reduce odours, especially on stuffy days.
In terms of portability, it’s designed with two indented handles at the side and four castor wheels, so I can easily roll it between rooms when needed. While it does have a bit of bulk to it, the sleek design and neutral look allow it to blend into most spaces without drawing too much attention.
Final verdict
For a clean and comfy home.
To fully get rid of the booklice, a repaint of my walls was necessary — but given the existing infestation, stricter, longer-term measures were needed. That’s where the dehumidifier came in. It’s a key part of the long game in mould and booklice prevention.
With the Mistral MDH2065, I no longer wake up to musty air, damp walls, or unexpected pests. It’s powerful, efficient, and thoughtfully designed for humid environments like Singapore. If you live near water — or anywhere with constant humidity — do your home a favour and invest in this dehumidifier.
The Mistral MDH2065 is priced at SGD699 and is available via Mayer.
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