Heated clothes airers have become increasingly popular in the UK as energy bills rise and outdoor drying becomes less feasible during winter. These devices promise to dry laundry efficiently without the high costs associated with tumble dryers. Over 18 months, 17 models were tested to determine which ones deliver on their claims.
The top performer overall is the Lakeland Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-tier heated airer with cover, praised for its balance of drying speed and cost. For budget-conscious buyers, the Black+Decker heated winged clothes airer offers good value. The fastest drying model is the Minky SureDri heat pod drying system, which uses a fan heater to speed up the process but costs more to run.
Testing involved weighing laundry every 30 minutes to measure moisture evaporation for both small (4kg) and large (8kg) loads. Room temperature was kept at 19-20°C. Additional measurements included bar temperatures, power usage, and running costs based on the January 2026 default energy tariff of 27.69p per kWh.
Running costs vary: standard barred airers (around 320W) cost about 9p per hour under current tariffs, while the Minky SureDri (915W) costs around 25p per hour. Drying times typically take an afternoon or longer, so costs can add up. However, heated airers remain cheaper than tumble dryers and are quieter.
Some tested models were donated to charities in Southampton: Scratch, which supports families in poverty, and Stop Domestic Abuse, which helps survivors of abuse. Overall, heated airers are a practical solution for winter drying, but buyers should consider both upfront cost and ongoing energy usage.
