Heated clothes airers have become a must-have for UK households, offering a cost-effective alternative to tumble dryers. The Lakeland Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-tier heated airer and cover emerged as the overall best in a comprehensive test of 17 models, praised for its efficiency and low running costs.
Testing involved weighing identical 4kg and 8kg loads every 30 minutes at a steady 19-20°C room temperature. The Lakeland Dry:Soon dried clothes quickly and evenly, with minimal energy consumption. At approximately 320W, it costs about 9p per hour under current energy tariffs, making it a budget-friendly choice.
Other top performers included the Black+Decker heated winged clothes airer for budget-conscious buyers and the Minky SureDri heat pod drying system for fastest drying. The Minky, however, uses 915W and costs around 25p per hour, adding up to 75p per load.
Heated airers generally cost less to run than tumble dryers, but drying times can be longer. The Lakeland Dry:Soon strikes a balance between speed and economy, earning its reputation as a game changer in laundry care.
