9 best electric heated clothes airers for 2024; tried and tested
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.
AS a mum of two boisterous girls, the amount of washing we get through every week still blows my mind.
It needs a load put on every day if I'm to keep on top of it and wash baskets soon turn into warzones if I dare to take a bit of time out.
More than half the battle is drying, and I have to admit, over the years, I’ve become a ninja clothes horse hanger (this is not something I thought I’d ever be boasting about, but times change and ambitions lower).
Generally, it takes about 18 hours to completely dry a load in my house on a conventional non-heated clothes horse, which is nowhere near a radiator. If you hang it out one day, it's generally dry the next.
So, for a while, I could never really understand the point of heated clothes dryers. But after trying them out for Sun Shopping, I'm now a complete convert.
They massively reduce condensation, which can lead to horrible damp patches around the house.
Plus, if you’re suddenly reminded three minutes before bedtime that the next day is PE and their horrible stained tee is still in a ball in a corner, a heated dryer means you’ll have it washed and ready by breakfast without it costing an arm and a leg.
At roughly 7p to 10p an hour to run, the cost comparison to a tumble dryer is an absolute no-brainer. Studies have shown that it costs £1.51 to run a tumble dryer at a cost of £178 annually.
Best heated clothes airers at a glance:
- Best value heated clothes airer:
- Best energy-efficient heated airer:
- Best foldable heated clothes airer:
- Best heated clothes airer with cover:
Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer and Cover Bundle
Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer and Cover Bundle, £294.98 £224.98 at Lakeland
Pros: Large capacity, saves money in the long run, worth the price, bundle includes cover
Cons: Expensive if you're on a budget
Rating: 5/5
Lakeland's Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer is the priciest airer on this list, so I was intrigued to see if it would significantly speed up drying times.
Its large size means it’s not ideal for tight spaces, but the well-designed cover with zips helps insulate the heat effectively.
After hanging my washing on it and placing the cover on top, each time I went to check up on how things were doing, warm air wafted out from under the cover – so it definitely holds in the heat.
While moving it can be cumbersome due to its size and weight, the savings from reduced dryer and radiator use could make up for the high cost.
And although expensive, I think it’s an investment worth considering – proving that quality often justifies the price.
The is now on, with up to 50% off
Capacity: 15kg, Size: 70 x 74 x 132.5cm H. Folds to 8cm deep, Power: 300W
Review by Julie Cook
Dunelm Heated Airer with Wings
Heated Airer with Wings, £40 from Dunelm
Pros: Cheap, lightweight, packs down flat, boasts 12m drying space
Cons: Cover sold separately
Rating: 4/5
Starting with the plus points of this Dunelm heated clothes airer, it's lightweight and easy to assemble – which are both big ticks.
However, on the downside, it does feel somewhat flimsy.
It also doesn't come with a cover, so heat isn't trapped as efficiently as other airers we tested which came with hoods.
However, its compact design is ideal for small spaces – a huge bonus if you don't have room (or the storage means) for more cumbersome models.
Measuring 144cm in length when extended, it offers ample drying area without being bulky.
The handy foldable wings add versatility, allowing you to adjust it based on laundry size.
One major benefit I found is its portability; moving it around the house was effortless.
With a 10kg maximum load capacity, it’s a practical choice for those who don’t want to spend too much and need a space-saving solution for indoor drying.
The is coming soon: in the meantime, discover the
Capacity: 10kg of washing with a 12m drying space, Size: H 93cm x W 52cm x L 144cm (extended size) and H 6.5cm x W 52cm x L 102cm (collapsed size), Power: 220W
Review by Julie Cook
READ MORE:
Black and Decker 3-Tiered Heated Airer
Black and Decker 3-Tiered Heated Airer from £109.99 at Robert Dyas
Pros: Doesn't take up a lot of room, folds away, six hours to dry
Cons: Unsightly
Rating: 4/5
The daddy of all dryers, this is a large aluminium beast boasting 21 metres of drying space, which is incredible.
I managed to get two whole loads on one dryer - and that's the ultimate time saver.
It comes flat and then slickly folds out with shelves you click in, and although it's 140cm high and 73cm wide, it folds down really smoothly.
It's activated with a simple switch without timers, and, as with all these products, I never think the (1.6m) power cable is long enough; unless you start involving extension leads, you're trapped into where you can put it.
And although it doesn’t take up a huge amount of room, once it’s got the cover on top, it's rather imposing and not that attractive, which is not ideal if you live out of one room.
However, one load dried in only six hours with the hood on, which is absolutely brilliant.
I don’t think I’d use the cover unless I needed really speedy drying, as it works very well without it.
The is now on, with 1000s of deals on Garden, DIY, Electricals & Homeware
Capacity: 15kg, Size: 140cm H x 73cm W x 68cm D Power 3000W
Argos Home 11.5m Heated Electric Indoor Clothes Airer
Home 11.5m Heated Electric Indoor Clothes Airer £50 at Argos
Pros: Sturdy, easily hang a family load of washing on it, 10kg capacity, lightweight
Cons: Basic
Rating: 4/5
This Argos heated clothes airer does exactly what it says on the tin.
It folds out nicely, looks sturdy, and boasts a large drying area over 18 smooth-to-the-touch racks.
You could easily hang a family load of washing on there; it says it can take up to 10kg.
It folds up small, and crucially, it's lightweight, so it can be carried and stored away when you don’t need it.
Also, this is ideal for taking outside in the summer when you don’t need to heat it.
It's basic but decent and heats to a nice temperature; a really good budget buy.
The is now on, with new deals added weekly
Capacity: 10kg, Size: H93 x W84 x D54cm Power: 120 watts
Lakeland Dry Soon Mini 3-Tier Heated Airer
Dry Soon Mini 3-Tier Heated Airer, £119.99 at Lakeland
Pros: Great size, good for smaller spaces, fit a week's worth of washing on it
Cons: Pricey cover not included
Rating: 4/5
This Lakeland heated clothes airer comes without a cover, unlike the other two I tried.
You have to buy the separately, which is available from the retailer for an extra £39.99 - pricey!
But what’s great about this airer is its size.
It has three layers and is tall, rather than folding out like the Aldi one, which can be extremely beneficial for smaller spaces.
It also has more bars to dry clothes on than the two from Amazon and Aldi I tested, holding a week’s worth of washing.
Lastly, it uses only 229Wph, which means it costs 62p for eight hours of usage.
The is now on, with up to 50% off
Capacity: 15kg Size: 60 x 63 x 113.5cm Power: 198W
Review by Hayley Minn
Amazon Concise Home Electric Clothes Dryer
Concise Home Electric Clothes Dryer, £59.99 at Amazon
Pros: Only takes two hours to dry clothes, can double as a heater
Cons: Unsightly, burning smell, loud
Rating: 3/5
This dryer from Amazon is slightly different to the other ones I tested, as it uses an electric fan rather than heated rails to warm up the clothes.
While this dryer uses considerably more energy (940Wph), it dries clothes a lot quicker, needing at the most two hours of run time.
Once it's done, it turns itself off automatically, so despite its higher energy use, it still costs just 64p to run.
The fan can also double as a heater, although it was quite loud and had a slight burning smell.
The other problem with this dryer is that the cover is quite ugly, bright blue. It also doesn’t fold away, which means you’re stuck with an unsightly box in your home at all times - there's no hiding this one.
Amazon Black Friday week lands on 21 November: in the meantime, discover
Capacity: 15kg, Size: 140 x 45 x 60cm Power: 1000W
Review by Hayley Minn
Minky Wing 12m Heated Clothes Airer with Cover
Minky Wing 12m Heated Clothes Airer with Cover, £60 at Argos
Pros: Decently priced, folds away very compact, lightweight but sturdy, includes cover
Cons: Takes up to eight hours for clothes to try
Rating: 4/5
This Minky heated clothes airer is a sturdy yet lightweight option, with 12m of drying space that can hold up to 16kg of laundry.
Its compact foldaway design makes it ideal for limited spaces.
I was impressed with how the included cover fit effortlessly over the airer, creating an insulating effect that helped to retain heat and enhance drying efficiency.
The 230W power output means it's cheap to run.
Plus, moving it around was easy due to its manageable size, and my heaviest clothes (jeans) were dry within eight hours.
Overall it's a reliable and practical solution for indoor drying if you need something that's easy to pack down after use.
The is now on, with new deals added weekly
Capacity: 16kg, Size: H94 x W148 x D54cm Power: 230W
Review by Julie Cook
Aldi Ambiano Heated Upright Airer
Aldi Ambiano Heated Upright Airer, £79.99 - no longer available
Pros: Cheaper than others on the market, includes drying cover and extra racks, heats up fast, dries up to 30kg of washing
Cons: Bulky and hard to store, not very lightweight, average drying results
Rating: 3/5
This Aldi heated clothes airer was released in stores on October 20th and flew off the shelves.
Priced at £79.99, it's more affordable than competitors – and with running costs under 9p per hour, it's an appealing budget-friendly option.
However, is it worth switching from a traditional airer and dehumidifier?
The unit is large, cumbersome, and requires assembly with a screwdriver.
While it boasts multiple racks and accessories like mesh shelves and peg hangers, these additions don’t all heat up.
And though effective for up to 30kg of laundry, thicker items need rotating for full drying.
My overall verdict is that it’s good – but not exceptional.
You can read more in my Aldi heated air tried and tested review.
Shop Aldi's current
Capacity: Up to 30kg, Size: 140 x 45 x 60cm Power: 300W
Review by Rebecca Miller
Aldi Easy Home Heated Airer
Easy Home Heated Airer - currently unavailable
Pros: Affordable, 75p to leave on for eight hours
Cons: Small capacity, wide and long so takes up more space
Rating: 3.5/5
Aldi’s electric airer is extremely popular - and sells out extremely quickly every time it’s brought back in stock, so if you're looking to get your hands on one, you'll need to be quick.
Costing £39.99, including a cover which will help clothes dry faster, this is a great value alternative to an energy-guzzling tumble dryer.
When I tested the airer, it consumed 274Wph, which means it would cost just 75p to leave on all night for eight hours.
However, the downside of this airer is its shape and size, as it wasn’t big enough to hold an entire load of washing. It may be better when you're in a rush and need certain items of clothing dried quickly.
It’s also very wide and long, rather than tall and narrow like other clothes airers on the market, which means you need quite a bit of space in your home.
In my small one-bed flat, I found it took up a lot of room and, while it does fold away very neatly and tidily, I always find I have so much washing the airer is never stored away.
Shop Aldi's current
Capacity: 3kg, Size: 147 x 54 x 94cm
Review by Hayley Minn
How we tested the best heated clothes airers
Our reviewers tested the heated clothes airers in real-life situations at home, using them to dry their family wash.
They took account of how practical the airers were to use, how much space they took up when in use, if they were foldable or easy to store away, how they looked and how much energy they consumed.
Factors such as cable length, whether the airer came with a cover for quicker drying and extras, such as different temperature and time settings, were also considered.
How much they were able to dry at any one time depended on the size of the appliance, with some airers able to handle full wash loads, while others had limited capacity so were better suited to one or two-person households rather than families.
Where to buy electric heated clothes airers in the UK?
Heated clothes airers can be bought from homeware stores or most mainstream online retailers.
The advantage of ordering online is that the airer is delivered right to your door, saving you time and energy carrying such a large item home.
Whether you're looking for an Amazon heated clothes airer, B&M heated clothes airer, John Lewis heated clothes airer or want to shop elsewhere – we've listed some popular places below:
How to use an electric heated clothes airer
Each heated clothes airer has individual instructions, although they are generally similar to operate — you hang your clothes on the airer, plug it in and switch it on.
The amount of washing you can fit on to it obviously depends on how big your airer is.
Are heated clothes airers worth it?
Think of electric heated clothes airers as an upgrade from your bog-standard drying racks.
Often, letting clothes dry on an ordinary airer can leave them smelling damp because they just take too long to dry without the help of sunshine. Britain's not reliable for that either.
Heated clothes airers are definitely worth spending money on in terms of saving time and money on central heating.
In fact, you don't actually need to spend much when you know where to look. You can pick up a middle-range version for around £70.
Are electric heated clothes airers safe?
If used responsibly, heated clothes airers are perfectly safe to use, although they shouldn't be left on overnight, or unattended.
For any electrical appliance, always read the instructions and safety advice before use.
Are electric heated clothes airers any good?
The airers we tested definitely did the job and the best of the mid-tier models were distinguished by their energy efficiency and the low cost of running them.
We also love heated airers that can be folded and stored away easily. This means if your room is small you don't have to have the airer constantly in your view and you can put it out of sight when you're not using it.
How long does it take to dry clothes on an electric heated airer?
How long it takes to dry your clothes really depends on the wattage and size of your airer.
Cotton or linen will usually dry in three to four hours on your heated airer, whereas thicker fabrics such as knit jumpers might take ten hours.
But that's much quicker than an old-fashioned, non-electric one.
How hot does an electric heated clothes airer get?
Maximum temperature varies between brands and even between products, however the top temperature seems to be around 60 degrees.
If the space your airer is situated in is breezy, then the temperature will drop.
Are electric heated airers expensive to run?
The majority of heated clothes airers are not expensive, with some costing as little as 3p an hour to run.
However, it's best to check with your energy provider to get an estimate on how much it costs to run a heated clothes airer.
Are heated airers energy efficient?
Did you know that heated airers are actually more environmentally friendly than having your heating on and drying your clothes on a non-electric drying rack?
You can save money on energy bills by investing in one, that's for sure.
Can I leave my electric clothes dryer on overnight?
Just to be safe, it's best to not leave your electric clothes dryer on when you are out or if you are sleeping.
As with anything that emits heat, electric clothes dryers can be fire hazards when left on for too long.
Best way to dry clothes/ hang clothes on a heated airer
The best way to use a heated airer?
Think of it as playing Tetris with your laundry!
Start with heavier items like jeans or towels on the outer bars – they need all the extra heat they can get.
Hang shirts and PJs in the middle, where they can soak in the warmth.
The key is not to cram everything; your clothes need their personal bubble to dry properly.
Pair the lightest items like socks and underwear together on the smaller bars, as they'll be the quickest to dry.
And for best results, you'll want to rotate your clothes halfway through for an even finish.
Dehumidifier vs heated airer
Wondering what's best for drying laundry: a dehumidifier or heated airer?
Well, when it’s too cold and wet to dry laundry outside, both dehumidifiers and heated airers offer indoor solutions.
Dehumidifiers work by absorbing moisture from the air surrounding wet clothes.
The dried air is then warmed back to room temperature and blown out, which lowers the humidity in the room and encourages moisture from the clothes to evaporate more quickly.
It also helps to prevent dreaded mould, which can often rear its ugly head in the winter with all that excess wet laundry indoors.
A heated airer meanwhile, dries wet laundry by using electric heating elements within its bars to generate warmth.
When clothes are draped over the bars, the heat is transferred directly to the fabric – speeding up the evaporation of moisture.
Some heated airers also come with a cover or hood to trap heat, creating an insulating effect that further boosts drying efficiency.
Both options can be a lot cheaper and more energy efficient than running the tumble dryer.
For the fastest results, using both can be highly effective: running a dehumidifier will help to circulate dry air and prevent moisture buildup from using a heated airer alone.
Our writer, Harriet Cooke, put both options to the test (plus a fan hack) in our heated airer dehumidifier fan test.
She ultimately preferred using a dehumidifier, 'as it not only dries clothes but also deals with the mould and moisture - all for similar energy consumption, around 245 - 250watts.'