Heated clothes airers have become a popular solution for drying laundry without high energy costs, especially as rising bills and persistent drizzle make traditional methods less appealing. A recent test of 17 models found that the Dunelm heated clothes airer, sold as the Lakeland Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-tier heated airer and cover, performed best overall.
The test, conducted over 18 months, measured drying time, energy use, and cost for both small (4kg) and large (8kg) loads. The Dunelm airer dried clothes efficiently and evenly, with running costs as low as 9p per hour under current energy tariffs. For budget-conscious buyers, the Black+Decker heated winged clothes airer was recommended, while the Minky SureDri heat pod drying system was fastest but costlier at 25p per hour.
All airers work similarly—plug-in clothes horses with heated bars—but differences in design, such as covers or fan heaters, affect performance. The tests were conducted at a steady room temperature of 19-20°C, with clothes weighed every 30 minutes to track moisture evaporation. Power usage was measured with a wattage meter, and costs calculated using the January 2026 default energy tariff of 27.69p per kWh.
Despite some brands claiming running costs as low as 6p per hour, the tests found that standard barred airers (around 320W) cost about 9p per hour. Faster-drying models like the Minky SureDri (915W) cost 25p per hour, totalling 75p per load. The popularity of these devices is evident; for example, Aldi's winged heated airer sold out within days of its September launch, leaving testers waiting four months for a sample.
Used airers from the test were donated to charities in Southampton: Scratch, which supports families in poverty, and Stop Domestic Abuse, which aids survivors of abuse and stalking.
