For residents of compact UK homes, the perennial winter struggle of drying laundry without resorting to expensive appliances or enduring days of dampness has finally met its match. The Independent's senior shopping writer, Daisy Lester, has revealed her definitive solution after more than a year of testing: the Dunelm three-tier heated clothes airer.
The Space-Saving, Cost-Effective Laundry Revolution
In a detailed review published on Monday 5 January 2026, Lester explained her complete conversion to using a heated airer since moving into a small flat. She highlighted the frustrating dichotomy of traditional methods: expensive-to-run tumble dryers that spike energy bills versus slow, odour-prone clothes horses. The Dunelm model, she found, strikes a perfect balance, being affordable to purchase—often from around £40—and remarkably cheap to operate.
"Now, my three-tiered heated airer can dry up to two loads of laundry in just a couple of hours," Lester reported, noting it eliminates the constant "airer-shaped eyesore" in her living space. This particular model from Dunelm stands out as one of the most budget-friendly three-tier options currently available on the market.
Putting the Dunelm Heated Airer Through Its Paces
Lester's testing methodology for IndyBest was rigorous. She assessed drying performance with a variety of laundry, from towels and bedsheets to delicate items, checking for dryness, creases, and shrinkage. Usability, setup, storage, and portability were all examined. Crucially, she monitored drying times and the direct impact on her household energy expenditure.
The airer, which arrives fully assembled, boasts generous dimensions of 138cm high by 72cm wide and 78cm deep, with a capacity for up to 15kg of washing. Its space-saving design features folding wings, allowing it to be tucked into a cupboard. Lester found smaller items like underwear dried within two hours, with T-shirts ready in three. Larger garments such as jumpers and jeans benefit from being spread across multiple rails.
"For larger items... these take around six hours to dry fully," she noted, adding that the appliance is considered safe for overnight use or while away at work. An unexpected bonus in colder months is that the airer gently warms the immediate area around it.
The Verdict: A Must-Have for Winter Laundry Days
The most compelling statistic is the running cost. Dunelm calculates the airer costs approximately 7p per hour to run. Lester confirmed that even after six hours of use, her energy bills remained low, a stark contrast to the noticeable spike caused by using a tumble dryer.
Her final verdict is emphatic. If you need a space-saving method to dry clothes quickly and cheaply, particularly during the winter months, investing in the Dunelm heated airer is a decision you won't regret. Its efficient design handles full loads in a few hours, can be left on safely, and with such minimal operating costs, it represents a significant upgrade for any laundry routine.
The wider IndyBest team, known for its stringent product testing, stands behind this review. Daisy Lester applies consistent, critical criteria to all reviews, from air fryers to mattresses, ensuring trustworthy recommendations for creating a more efficient and cosy home.
