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Best heated clothes airers and drying pods to dry clothes quickly and cheaply
Trying to dry laundry in the winter months can leave your head spinning like a rinse cycle. If drying indoors is the only option, a heated clothes airer could save you time, space and money. We've rounded up the best airers to add to your home.
By Lucy Cotterill & Rachel Erdos | Last updated Mar 21, 2024
Picking the best heated clothes airer for your home is the perfect solution when it’s too wet outside to use a rotary washing line, and the energy crisis has rendered your washer-dryer off limits. Costing around a third of the price of running a tumble dryer, it's no wonder they sell like hot cakes in the winter months.
When used correctly, the best heated clothes airer can revolutionise your laundry routine, drying an entire laundry load in hours while taking the chill off the room you’re in - great news for your heating bill. Mumsnetters recommend throwing a cover on top to trap heat (an old bed sheet will do the trick) and positioning the best dehumidifier underneath to absorb evaporated water. It's a hack that will speed up drying times considerably, although you should still expect it to take about a day to dry a full load (using a winged or tiered airer).
When choosing the best heated clothes airer for your family, it's worth thinking about the following questions before investing:
Do I have space for a winged airer, a tiered airer or a drying pod?
Where can I put it up at home (near a plug socket)?
Do I have space to keep it up or will I need to fold it away when not in use?
Where can I store it when not in use?
How much washing do I need to dry each week?
How much do I want to spend?
We've spent hours putting winged heated airers, tiered heated airers and drying pods to the test in busy family homes, wading through piles of laundry to put together a definitive guide to the best heated clothes airers to buy. We assessed drying times, energy efficiency, ease of use as well as how easy they were to set up, move around and store. And of course, we cross-referenced models that Mumsnetters love, rate and recommend on the forums.
We've got the lowdown on all things laundry: check out our guides to the best washing machines, the best fabric softeners, the best laundry baskets, the best rotary washing lines and the best clothes pegs.
Large enough for one big load, or two small loads of washing
Lightweight and foldable, easy to move around when not in use
On/off switch is at the base of the unit
It’s a little bit wobbly
It's incredibly popular, so it's frequently out of stock
Size: H137 x W75 x D73cm | Capacity: 15kg | Energy use: 300 watts | Cost per hour: 10p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: 1.35m | Tiers: Three
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer
Released in 2008 by Lakeland, the Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer stormed to the top of its bestsellers list and has remained there ever since (and for good reason). It's raved about on the Mumsnet forums. And thanks to some rigorous testing over the course of seven years, it gets our vote too.
This large airer provides ample drying room for damp washing – 21 metres to be exact. Enough space to dry 15kg of washing in one go (or roughly two seven kg loads from your washing machine), a godsend for above-average-sized households. If you have a smaller space or only a few items to dry, you can opt to only open the shelves on one side. It can dry a full load of washing overnight and smaller items within a couple of hours.
Simple to set up, easy to use day to day, lightweight and long-lasting, it's a great all-rounder and deserves its title as the best heated airer on our list.
Read next: The best retractable washing lines, tried and tested
Great price and cheap to run (around 8p per hour)
Holds a full load of washing
Lightweight but not flimsy
Takes up a lot of space when wings are extended (more than upright versions)
No timer
Feels a little stiff to set up and disassemble
Size: 94H x 148W x 54D cm | Capacity: 16kg | Energy use: 230 watts | Cost per hour: 8p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: 1.35m | Tiers: Winged (three sections)
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Minky 12M Electric Heated Airer
We tested this popular heated airer and found it simple to set up, lightweight without being flimsy and effective at drying clothes quickly. Pretty much what you want from an affordable airer! It's around half the price of many of the products that feature on this page and sturdier than other basic models we've tested.
It does take up quite a bit of space (bear in mind that once the wings are extended, it measures 148cm in length) and the folding mechanism is a little stiff but it dries clothes cheaply and swiftly, helping you to blitz through the laundry pile.
It heats up within minutes and there's enough space for a full load of washing. Just be careful when hanging things on the outer rails, particularly heavy items like jeans and towels, as it can feel like it can easily topple over. But this is an issue with the winged design in general rather than this particular model.
Easy to use, effective and affordable - this gets our vote as our favourite budget buy.
Dries items within 2-3 hours
Great for delicates
Helps to reduce creases
Fiddly to move around and take apart
Sounds like an electric heater when in use
Items need to be hung on rails
Size: 146H x 62W cm | Capacity: 10kg | Energy use: 1000 watts | Cost per hour: 30p | Drying time settings: Timer (up to 3 hours) | Foldable: No | Cable length: 1.85m
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Dry:Soon Drying Pod
Part of Lakeland’s much-loved Dry:Soon range, this drying pod regularly sells out for good reason. When testing we found that it dried clothes in around two to three hours thanks to the electric heater base unit (that circulates hot air around the pod). It's a fantastic way to keep on top of your laundry basket and it can reduce the ironing pile too as items are hung on hangers which helps to smooth out creases. The timer can be set up to run for up to three hours.
Perfect for delicates that you can’t put in a tumble dryer, it’s worth noting that it’s better suited to shirts, tees, jumpers and trousers rather than towels and smaller items like baby clothes and underwear.
We found it a little fiddly to set up and take apart and it sounds like an electric heater when in use but it’s a speedy way to dry clothes, is cheaper to run than a tumble dryer (around 30p per hour vs £1.50-£1.70 per cycle) and takes up far less space than a winged or large tiered airer. A win-win-win that lightens your laundry load at home.
Cheapest of the three-tier airers on our list
Unique feature
Sturdy, lightweight and foldable
Some previous customers felt it was hard to collapse
Short cord (unclear how short in product specifications)
Size: H135 x W66 x D72.5cm | Capacity: 15kg | Energy use: 300 watts| Cost per hour: 10p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: N/A | Tiers: Three (with shoe rack)
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer
Whether you've had to wash your favourite pair of slippers or your youngest has been jumping in puddles in their school shoes, John Lewis' 3-Tier heated airer has a shoe rack that could really come in handy. You'll even be more surprised to find out that even with this additional unique feature, it is the cheapest on our list, too!
With a fantastic reputation for the quality of their household goods, John Lewis' heated clothes airer is no exception. Able to fit 15kg of clothing, its robust design makes light work of large loads perfect for any family. Although, some previous customers think it is a little too sturdy, as it can be stiff to fold (nothing a little bit of UB40 can't fix). It also doesn't come with a cover like other options, but one previous customer recommended tucking a fitted sheet around it for a money-saving hack! For toasty toes and warm, dry clothes, we recommended this three-tier heated clothes airer as an excellent budget alternative.
Related: The best moth repellents for clothes, carpets and cashemere
Easily holds two large washes
Can be folded flat for easy storage
Built-in timer with an eye-level control panel
Sturdy
Expensive
Accessories like the cover and castors are sold separately
Size when open: H132.5 x W74 x D70cm | Capacity: 15kg | Energy use: 300 watts | Cost per hour: Approx. 10p | Drying time settings: Timer can be set up to 12 hours | Foldable: Yes, 8cm deep when folded | Cable length: 1.35 metres | Tiers: Three
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated airer
While the original Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer takes the top slot on this list, Lakeland’s larger, deluxe version is a brilliant buy for families. It might be more expensive than the original but for its size, lightweight design, and drying space, it’s a great option for large loads of washing.
When it comes to drying solutions for larger families, bigger truly is better. Mumsnetters agree that the deluxe version has all the reliability and effectiveness of the original design, but with a few innovative enhancements including an eye-level, built-in timer, allowing you to customise the heating duration and time to suit your needs without breaking your back.
It also features an integrated carry handle and storage clips, making it easy to move around and store. And it costs pennies to run (approximately 10p per hour), which is far more affordable than running the tumble dryer every other day when it’s too cold to get the washing on the line.
Black + Decker 3 Tier Heated Airer, £155
Easy to set up and use
Sturdy
Heats up to a high temperature
Small footprint, so doesn't take up much space
Takes a while to heat up
Shelves have to be folded in a particular order, otherwise you risk breaking them
Doesn't come with a cover
Size: 140H x 73W x 68D cm | Capacity: 15kg | Energy use: 300 watts | Cost per hour: 9p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: N/A | Tiers: Three
Tested by Mumsnet: Black + Decker 3 Tier Heated Airer review: a good sturdy airer for rapid drying
If you're fed up with flimsy clothes airers that turn to jelly at the mere sight of wet bath towels, then we have found the airer for you.
Black + Decker, known for its power tools and DIY solutions, also knows a thing or two about making a sturdy, durable heated clothes airer.
There are no fancy features on this airer - no timer, no special heated shoe rack to warm slippers and dry wellies - but it is a good, solid, dependable model that dries clothes quickly. It’s easy to set up, easy to use and folds down for easy storage.
Read next: The best tumble dryer balls to buy
Transforms a standard three-tiered airer into a heated drying pod
Dries clothes in around three hours
Holds a full load of washing
Fiddly to set up
Top frame is quite large to store
Cable feels quite short
Size: 28H x 33W 17D cm | Capacity: Dependent on heated airer | Energy use: 850 watts | Cost per hour: 25-30p | Drying time settings: Timer (up to 3 hours) | Foldable: N/A | Cable length: 1.5m | Weight: 4.6kg
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Minky Sure Dri Heat Pod Drying System
A cross between an electric clothes dryer and a drying pod, the Minky Sure Dri Heat Pod Drying System is a nifty gadget that can transform any standard three-tiered drying rack into a brand-new heated airer.
When testing, we found that it dried clothes in around three hours - quicker than a winged airer and on par with a drying pod. But unlike a drying pod where you typically have to place a limited number of items on hangers, this setup allows you to dry a full load of washing in one go.
It’s a little fiddly to set up but it’s a clever design that extends the life of an existing product. And it dries clothes quickly and cheaply when it’s cold and damp. A smart buy for the winter months.
Read next: Looking to get more out of your best integrated washing machine? Our guides to the best fabric softeners and the best laundry detergents for babies are sure to help.
Sturdy
Simple to set up and use
Folds away for easy storage
Dries clothes quickly
Takes up less space than a winger airer
No timer function
Doesn’t come with a cover
Size: L 70cm x W 73cm x H 147cm | Capacity: 30kg | Energy use: 300 watts | Cost per hour: 10p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: 1.4 m | Tiers: Three
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Swan 3 Tier Heated Clothes Airer
Fast-drying and simple to fold down for easy storage, the Swan 3 Tier Heated Clothes Airer would make a great addition to your laundry routine. Although you may like a few more extras for the £130 price tag, the Swan is remarkably speedy at getting laundry dry, which may prove a godsend for getting school uniforms and PE kits ready to wear at short notice (hey, we’ve all done it).
Read next: For any problems keeping your home free of damp, mould and your appliances free of limescale, we've got guides to the best mould removers, the best water softeners and the best washing machine cleaners.
What is an electric heated clothes airer?
Unlike a traditional clothes horse or airer, heated airers are electric powered and have bars that heat up. When used with a cover, the drying effects are maximised. Some styles of heated dryers have fans that blow hot air inside a covered stand that looks like a small wardrobe. These are generally more expensive to run but can dry a small laundry load in under two hours. The terms 'heated airer' and 'heated dryer' are often used interchangeably.
Is a heated clothes airer worth it?
In a word, yes. The UK’s unpredictable climate can wreak havoc on our laundry plans, which is why many families see the humble heated airer as a household hero that’s well worth splashing out on and which they couldn’t live without, particularly on cold or rainy days.
Priced from as little as £60 and relatively cheap to run, one of these appliances will soon pay for itself – you won't need to use the tumble dryer or leave the central heating on for longer when damp washing is hung over radiators. It’s also a worthy purchase for its minimal environmental cost.
How much do heated dryers cost to run?
In the current energy crisis, heated airers aren't as cheap as they used to be but are still relatively low on energy use.
A heated clothes airer or dryer currently costs between 7p and 45p per hour to run, making the cheaper models extremely economical compared to even the most energy-efficient tumble dryer – even if it takes several hours longer than expected to dry your washing.
Heated dryers with a fan cost more to run than non-fan models, but as a result, they also complete the drying process more quickly. As well as being more economical, heated clothes airers and dryers can also leave garments crease-free, cutting down ironing time. Unlike their spinning rivals, heated clothes airers also pose little risk of clothes damage or shrinkage, particularly to delicate items like underwear or woollens.
Do heated clothes airers use a lot of electricity?
While a heated airer cannot compete with a tumble dryer in terms of speed, it’ll nevertheless dry laundry in a matter of hours and use up to 90% less electricity depending on appliance models – welcome news when energy bills are soaring. For the heated clothes airers on our list, electricity use varies from around 200 watts to 1500.
How hot do heated clothes dryers get?
Whilst the exact temperature will vary from one brand to the next, the average heated clothes airer can reach temperatures of up to 60 degrees. You may need to turn clothes regularly as the part in contact with the bars will dry more quickly.
For maximum efficiency, covers can keep the generated heat contained, creating a bubble of warmth that helps speed up the drying process.
Are heated clothes airers safe?
Heated clothes airers are generally safe but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety advice. Many have timers and are thermostatically controlled to avoid overheating.
While the bars do become warm (the clue's in the name), they shouldn’t be too hot to touch, which is good news for parents of curious infants and toddlers.
Can you leave a heated clothes airer on overnight?
Leaving any plug-in electrical item on overnight is risky, but many heated airers have a timer that will switch the appliance off once the time is up. In contrast, others have a thermostat that automatically shuts off beyond a certain temperature. The best we can say is always to check the safety features of your particular model and try as much as possible to dry clothes during the day.
How to choose the best heated clothes airer
There are a variety of different heated airers on the market, so here are some things to consider when making your choice:
Cost to run - To ensure your airer is economical, most brands now give an estimated cost per hour based on the average usage.
Capacity - How much washing do you want to hang? Do you wish to dry a full load or focus on the essential items you need the next day? Some dryers have a 10kg capacity, whereas others have up to 15kg – enough to carry a big load.
Ease of use - How easy is the heated airer to run? Does it have a timer? Can you set a drying time that auto shuts off once reached?
Size - How big is the heated airer, and how much space do you need? Some airers can be on the large side, whereas other tiered dryers tend to be more compact.
How easy is it to store? - Does the heated airer fold? Does it lie flat to enable simple storage?
Does it come with accessories? - Some heated airers come with accessories such as covers and casters included, whereas other brands have them available as an optional extra.
Read next: The best vacuum storage bags for freeing up wardrobe space
Which is the best heated clothes airer?
Mumsnetters, previous customers and experts all agree that the Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer is the best heated clothes airer available (hence the expensive price point). With a decent size capacity, and a lightweight and easily foldable frame, it’ll whizz through your laundry in no time and save you money on your energy bills.
Although it is often out of stock, it's worth checking with Lakeland and Amazon regularly, as stock often comes back in.
How we tested the best heated clothes airers
Mumsnet Editor testing
We've tried and tested every single product on this page, putting each heated airer through its paces in a busy family home. We've waded through hundreds of piles of laundry, drying everything from jeans to school uniform, bed sheets to baby clothes. We looked at how long each airer took to thoroughly dry items and how easy the airer was to set up. We also assessed how much each airer cost to run per hour and how easy it was to store and move around the house.
We tested and discounted products that we didn't think made the cut so we're confident that we're only recommending heated airers that are designed to make parents' lives that little bit easier by saving time and money when drying laundry.
Recommendations from real parents
The most useful reviews always come from parents that have been there and bought the products. Before recommending anything, we always check what Mumsnet users have tried, tested and loved and which products they've hated. We don’t believe in recommending products off the back of press releases; we think trusted reviews from real people are worth so much more. We spent hours sifting through heated clothes airer recommendations on the Mumsnet forums before deciding which products to put through a thorough testing process in family homes.
Expert advice
We always ensure our information represents the latest recommendations from experts so you can rely on it. We research each product thoroughly to ensure it follows the latest expert advice and stands up to scrutiny. Here, we consulted information from the Energy Saving Trust on buying energy-efficient products and tips on getting laundry done more easily from helpwiththewashing.co.uk.
Authentic consumer reviews
We also scoured the internet for authentic reviews from customers who have bought the products themselves, assessing both positive and negative feedback to ensure every product we recommend has many good reviews. This also helps us weigh the pros and cons of each product so you can make an informed purchase.
Celebrated best products
Finally, we checked to see which heated laundry airers had won industry awards and accolades or received recognition from trusted sources and fed this into our analysis too.
About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on product reviews, homeware roundups and family travel.
She’s written buyer’s guides for publications including Expert Reviews and Coach as well as reviews and features for the Guardian, TripSavvy and Visit London.
As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting appliances and gadgets to the test to highlight best buys for families.
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