Aldi is bringing back its Ambiano Winged Heated Airer as part of its 'Keep Cosy' range in the upcoming Middle Aisle refresh. The gadget will be available in stores from Thursday, November 19, priced at £29.99, and will only be sold while stocks last, with Aldi noting "once it's gone, it's gone".
Budget-Friendly Drying for Winter
The product description on Aldi's website states: "Dry clothes faster, whatever the weather". The airer features a large drying surface, a free-standing design, a foldable and compact aluminium body, an included cover, an approximate 1.4m cable length, and an open size of approximately 148 x 54 x 93cm.
Based on its estimated 230W power rating and the UK Ofgem average electricity price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh, the airer costs roughly 6.05p per hour to run. Drying a typical load takes between six and eight hours, bringing the total cost per load to between 36p and 48p. Leaving the unit on for a full 24 hours costs about £1.45.
Comparison with Tumble Dryers
By comparison, a standard condenser or vented tumble dryer typically costs between £1.18 and £1.37 per cycle, while a modern heat pump tumble dryer costs around 57p per load. The heated airer is slower than a tumble dryer but speeds up winter drying compared to a standard unheated clothes horse, where damp washing can take up to two days to dry. The included fabric cover traps warm air around garments to help them dry faster.
Giving clothes an extra spin cycle in the washing machine beforehand also removes excess water and reduces drying time. However, there are practical trade-offs to consider.
Practical Considerations
Heavy items such as bath towels and thick jeans take longer to dry on heated bars and usually need repositioning halfway through the drying cycle. Unlike a condenser tumble dryer that collects moisture in a tank, a heated airer releases water vapour directly into the room. Using it in a well-ventilated space, cracking a window, or pairing it with a dehumidifier helps prevent condensation and dampness during winter.
