When winter rolls around, every household needs a helping hand with laundry, so we’ve put together our guide to the best heated clothes airers. You’re probably thinking: "What’s wrong with my tumble dryer?" Gently heating your clothes once washed, air dryers are the laundry hack of the season, cutting down on drying time and your energy bills.
Staying on top of laundry is hard enough with school uniforms, PE kits, and everything else in between. Heated clothes racks are perfect for larger households, as they allow you to tackle multiple laundry tasks throughout the week. They’re also space-saving, usually able to be folded away when not in use. Made for the indoors, heated clothes racks make a fabulous addition to any laundry room.
Best heated clothes airers at a glance
We’ve spoken to Liz Hunter, Director at Money Expert, about how these nifty laundry accessories can actually help you save money this winter; after all, "tumble dryers are the most expensive household appliance to run," says the expert. So, Closer has found the best heated clothes airers for keeping your winter wardrobe fresh (alongside your new detergent) and keeping your bills from breaking the bank.
Best heated clothes airers to make easy work of laundry
Looking for all-weather practicality? We’ve hand-picked the best of the best, considering budget, lifestyle, drying space, and how much money it costs to run. Less than a tumble dryer, we hope.
Also, below, peruse our super-helpful FAQs, answered.
Best heated clothes airer
The Dry
With a high average star rating of 4.4/5 on Amazon UK, we're sure you'd be interested to see what customers say. Many agree that drying capability and functionality are the strongest factors (the two we'd expect). One customer has a very draught-prone flat, and clothes would (usually) take 2-3 days to dry anything in winter. Now, with this lightweight pick, they can have dry clothes by morning. Another thing reviewers love is how easy to assemble and "ready to use" it is. Additionally, it's also said to be sturdy enough and has a lot of shelf space. However, the cable is said to be too short, and the built-in timer "isn't great." Someone suggested an energy-saving timer plug to help.
Pros
- Economical and costs just pennies to run per hour
- Space-saving airer, folding to just 9cm deep for ease
- User-friendly with built-in timer and easy fold
Cons
- The cable is said to be too short
- The built-in timer is said to be useless
Dimensions | Fully open - 70 x 74 x 132.5cm; 7.7 kg |
Power | 300 W |
Cord length | 1.35 m |
Running costs | 7 - 15p to run an hour, depending on your tariff |
Drying space / capacity | 21 m / 15 kg |
Best overall pick on a budget
www.dunelm.com
We love this budget-friendly Dunelm Heated Airer with Wings. Energy efficient, it runs at 220 W and has a running cost of just 5p per hour. It comes complete with 12 metres of drying space and can hold a large amount of laundry (10kg). With extra space from the fold-out wings, it's a chameleon - and can fold away neatly when not in use. Lucky for you, this Dunelm dryer comes with a cover, making drying a little more efficient - and tidy.
Customers like this airer for its stylish, space-saving design. There are a few mixed reviews online, but most reviewers have rated it five stars. One customer loves it, as it really warms their home up and "saves on heating." Another says it's a "great buy," drying clothes in no time without any need to put the heating on. Customers seem to agree that it works well and is a proper bargain. Any negatives? It's said to be not the sturdiest pick on the list.
Pros
- Super low-cost - running costs at only 5p per hour
- Provides 12m of drying space and 10kg of laundry
- The compact design folds away neatly to give space
Cons
- Not the sturdiest pick of the bunch!
Dimensions | H93 x W52 x L144 cm |
Power | 200 W |
Cord length | Unspecified. |
Running costs | Running costs approx. 5p per hour |
Drying space / capacity | 12 m / 10 kg |
Best mini heated clothes airer
Looking for a mini version? This Dry
With an average rating of 4.2/5, customers seem to like this Dry
Pros
- Compact design ideal for smaller spaces
- Budget-friendly with low running costs
- Perfect for small to medium laundry loads
Cons
- Cover sold separately, which could improve drying efficiency
Dimensions | H113.5 x 10 x 63 cm; 3 kg |
Power | 198 W |
Cord length | 1.3 m |
Running costs | Running cost 6p per hour |
Drying space / capacity | 13m / 15 kg |
Best heated airer for storage
www.lakeland.co.uk
Budget-friendly and portable, the Dry
With an average customer rating of 4/5 stars, this Dry
Pros
- We love the built-in fragrance dispenser for fresh-scented laundry
- Enjoy super quick drying with hot air circulation for up to five items
- Lightweight and portable - folds down for easy storage and travel
Cons
- Some customers found it a little noisy
Dimensions | 150 x 62 x 33.5 cm; 5 kg |
Power | 600W |
Cord length | Unspecified. |
Running costs | Around 13 pence per hour |
Drying space / capacity | Five items of clothes at a time |
Premium heated airer and cover
For ultimate efficiency, the Dry
Customers love this pick - granting it an average star rating of 4.5/5 - thanks to its ease of use, size, and easy set-up. One customer commented that the included cover helps with drying and "absorbs the moisture nicely." According to this reviewer, the dryer has not caused any dampness or mould. Another says it's "much needed" as many items, such as delicates, can not be put through a tumble dryer. Overall a cheap option, which will come in handy during the winter months. Many agree that this dryer "works well" - but be prepared to move clothes around for optimum drying.
Pros
- Economical to run - costing just pennies to run (per hour)
- Cover will improve drying speed and double as storage
- Hols up to 15 kg of wet clothes and folds down for storage
Cons
- Be prepared to move clothes around for optimum drying
Dimensions | 137 x 73 x 75 cm; 5.5 kg |
Power | 300W |
Cord length | 1.35 m |
Running costs | From 9p per hour |
Drying space / capacity | 21 m / 15 kg |
Premium heating hub
www.lakeland.co.uk
Last - but certainly not least - the mega-money-saving Dry
Customers like this pick, having granted it a 4/5 star average rating. Though said to be a little heavy, it's a stable airer, and the remote comes in handy for easy programming. Another customer says changing the temperature of each rail is a great feature, as some materials are sensitive to high heat. However, customers weren't sure about the top rail not being heated (the theory being that the heat would rise), and the covers were a little tricky to attach. Set-up seems to be tricky overall.
Pros
- Complete with three flexible drying modes for different spaces
- Tailor to your clothes' needs with custom temperature and timer
- Surprisingly quite energy efficient - costing around 8p per hour
Cons
- Set up seems to be a little tricky
Dimensions | 152 x 70.5 x 72 cm (Standard Mode); 23 kg |
Power | 360 W |
Cord length | Unspecified. |
Running costs | Around 8 pence per hour |
Drying space / capacity | 22.5 m / 30 kg |
Are heated air dryers worth it?
Yes - we think so. For those based in the UK, you can only know that outside drying isn't possible all year round, and inside, well, that can take days in some cases. Liz calls heated airers the "solution" - as they use "less energy (and therefore cost less) than tumble dryers, but dry clothes significantly faster than air drying alone." They are said to be significantly cheaper than running a tumble dryer.
If you're interested in the savings, Liz has broken down the figures for us (keep scrolling).
Features to consider in a heated clothes airer.
Perhaps you're thinking: "What should I look for when shopping for a heater airer to make it truly worth my while?" When shopping for a heated clothes airer, look at the size and capacity based on your laundry needs. How much do you put on during a load, or what size drum do you have?
Liz recommends looking for pricier, energy-efficient models with low wattage and built-in timers for ease, which "will save you money in the long run." Foldable designs are a great feature to reduce clutter when not in use, and covers can help trap heat, enhance drying, and keep everything neat.
Remember: opt for a lightweight yet sturdy model, and ensure your chosen airer includes overheating protection for safety. Lastly, make sure to set a budget and stick to it. You'll find a bargain here.
Are heated clothes airers safe?
Though a popular alternative to drying clothes in tumble dryers and outdoors on a line, a heated clothes rail may cause some concern, especially around condensation, dampness, clothing damage, and curious fingers. Below, we have some thoughts on how to keep safe around this convenient gadget.
Condensation and damp
Whether heated or not, clothes airers are known to cause both damp and condensation in the home.
As your beloved garments dry, they will release moisture into the air. Heated air dryers fare much better than the traditional kind. Some of our heated picks, above, are designed to reduce the risk of condensation and damp. If you’re worried about damp, we have some advice: pop your heated airer in a well-ventilated room and use it alongside a dehumidifier.
Clothing damage
Need some reassurance about protecting your favourite garments? We’ve got you.
Are you worried about a musty odour? There's no need. The gentle warmth of these heated gadgets actually speeds up the drying process, preventing moisture from lingering and causing mould.
Plus, heated airers should be gentle with your fabrics. They don’t get as hot as tumble dryers, so the risk of burns and damage to clothes is actually quite unlikely. As the low-medium heat is evenly distributed throughout the heater, shrinking is not common either.
As long as garments are hung correctly, you will have very few problems.
General safety
Luckily, heated clothes airers aren't known to reach dangerously high temperatures - but, may still be a little too warm for your little one (and yourself, also). These airers tend to be a little sturdier than the ordinary air-drying racks - so, don't worry about any scorches to your perfectly-cleaned carpet. To prevent any accidents, keep the airer away from busy areas of the house with a safety barrier.
Are heated clothes airers expensive to run?
Not in the slightest. Based on the average energy price cap in the UK for October 2024, Liz Hunter at Money Expert says you can expect 150-watt heated airers to cost around 5 to 10 pence an hour. She adds that if you "use it for 8 hours a day, it'll cost you around £0.40 to £0.80".
Unlike a tumble dryer, a heated clothes airer is portable and can be placed in warmer parts of the house - near radiators and electric heaters (air conditioners may help, too, if you'd prefer). Plus, heated airers are gentle on clothes and can even make them last longer. They're an environmentally friendly gadget that uses less energy, reducing your household's carbon load.
A typical 8kg tumble dryer running a full load is estimated to cost about £1.40 to £1.76 per cycle. Liz adds that if you have PE kits, school uniforms and baby clothes to contend with, you'll probably have to put on four loads per week at least, which will "set you back £7 per week – it’s certainly not cheap".
This is significantly cheaper than running a tumble dryer. For example, if you use a tumble dryer for 4 loads per week, it could cost you around £360 per year. In contrast, using a heated clothes rack for the same amount of laundry could cost as little as £140 per year.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for Closer, specialising in interior design and wellness. When she’s not writing about homeware trends or mindfulness, she’s at yoga or tending to her houseplants.