As winter sets in across Britain, hanging washing outside becomes impractical, leaving many households searching for efficient indoor drying solutions. Heated clothes airers have emerged as a popular alternative to expensive tumble dryers, offering significant energy savings while effectively drying clothes indoors.
Why Choose a Heated Clothes Airer?
Drying laundry indoors during colder months presents two main challenges: extended drying times and increased moisture levels that can lead to dampness. While dehumidifiers help manage humidity, heated airers provide a faster, more direct solution to drying clothes efficiently.
Heated airers typically cost between five and eight pence per hour to run, compared to approximately 30 to 50 pence for a tumble dryer. This represents substantial savings, especially for families doing multiple loads of laundry weekly. Although the initial investment is higher than standard clothes horses, most heated airers pay for themselves within one to two years through reduced energy bills.
Our Top Tested Heated Clothes Airers
After extensive testing of numerous models with various laundry loads, we've identified the best performing heated airers across different categories. Our evaluation considered drying effectiveness, build quality, size, capacity, and overall value for money.
Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer - Best Overall
The Dry:Soon Deluxe stands out as our top recommendation for its exceptional performance and features. Priced at £199.99 from Lakeland, this model offers 15kg capacity across 21 metres of drying space, measuring 70 x 74 x 132.5cm when fully extended.
What makes this airer exceptional is its speedy drying capability, capable of drying a full load in just two hours under optimal conditions. The built-in timer and automatic shut-off feature prevent energy waste, addressing a common oversight with many competing models. While it requires considerable space when in use, it folds down to a slim 8cm depth for convenient storage.
Currently, Lakeland offers a Black Friday deal reducing the price to £159.99, with bundle options including a heated cover available for less than £40 extra.
Black & Decker X-Frame - Best for Space Saving
For households with limited space, the Black & Decker X-Frame folding heated airer provides an excellent solution at £99.99 from Amazon. Its unique X-design might not appeal aesthetically to everyone, but its practical benefits are undeniable.
This lightweight model offers 12.5 metres of drying space and folds down to an incredibly slim 7.5cm profile. While it lacks a timer and requires manual switching, it heats quickly and maintains energy efficiency, costing approximately nine pence per hour to operate. Drying a full load takes around six hours, though pairing it with a cover could reduce this time significantly.
Daewoo Foldable Heated Winged Airer - Best Budget Option
At just £39.99 from Robert Dyas, the Daewoo foldable heated airer offers an affordable entry point into heated drying. With 10 metres of drying space and dimensions of 6 x 55.5 x 114cm, it's ideal for smaller loads like t-shirts, socks, and undergarments.
While it feels somewhat flimsy compared to premium models, its lightweight design makes it easy to move between rooms. Operating at approximately six pence per hour, it represents excellent value for occasional use or smaller households where storage space is limited.
Dunelm Extra Large 3-Tier - Best XL Capacity
Large families will appreciate the Dunelm extra large heated airer, priced at £125 and offering substantial 15kg capacity over 25 metres of drying space. Measuring 85 x 74 x 135cm, it can handle washing for up to four people, drying clothes in approximately four hours when not overloaded.
This model operates hotter than many competitors, contributing to faster drying times but increasing energy consumption to around 11 pence per hour. The significant size means it's unsuitable for smaller homes, but for those with adequate space, it provides exceptional drying capacity.
Minky SureDri Heat Pod - Best Cover System
If you already own a standard clothes horse, the Minky SureDri heat pod system at £73.98 from Amazon transforms it into a heated drying solution. The system consists of a heat pod (28 x 17 x 33cm) and cover (68 x 60 x 135cm) that fits over most standard airers.
This combination dries clothes within a few hours while costing approximately eight pence per hour to operate. The included timer prevents energy waste, and the compact pod is easy to store. While the design isn't particularly stylish, it provides an economical alternative to purchasing a complete heated airer system.
Expert Advice on Indoor Drying
Drying clothes indoors releases significant moisture into your home's atmosphere, potentially causing dampness issues if not managed properly. James Kane, Head of Social Housing at EnviroVent, emphasises the importance of proper ventilation: "Drying clothes indoors releases litres of moisture into the air. Avoid drying clothes in rooms without airflow."
He further explains how heating affects moisture levels: "Every 1 degree change in temperature can impact moisture levels in your home. If the heating in your home is reduced in temperature by just 2 degrees, humidity levels will increase by 10%."
Stephen Hankinson, heating expert at Electric Radiators Direct, recommends simple ventilation strategies: "Of course, keeping your windows open in winter is easier said than done. But just five minutes a day could make a difference. Regularly opening windows can improve ventilation, creating airflow of fresh air and decreasing room humidity."
Safety Considerations and FAQs
Modern heated airers incorporate numerous safety features, including automatic shut-off mechanisms that activate if units overheat. However, experts recommend using them during daytime hours when someone is present, rather than overnight or when the house is empty.
When used correctly with proper ventilation, heated clothes airers provide an energy-efficient solution to winter laundry challenges. The combination of low operating costs and effective drying performance makes them an increasingly popular choice for British households seeking to reduce energy bills while maintaining drying efficiency during colder months.
