Although the new year has begun, 2024 is set to have colder weather than ever in the coming months. Therefore, you've probably been spending a fair amount of time thinking about how to cut the cost of your bills, whether it's only heating certain rooms or reducing the number of times you use appliances that need a lot of energy. If you have a tumble dryer, for example, you've probably already tried to stop using it quite so much. Welcome to our guide to the best heated clothes airers to shop online for 2024.
In the colder months, it's just not possible to dry your clothes effectively outside - and they take a lot longer to dry inside, sometimes leaving a slightly damp after-smell. An airing cupboard is a good solution, although lots of properties don't have one, and another is investing in a heated clothes airer. These look like normal airers except that the rails heat up so that your clothes will dry no matter the temperature.
According to the product description of Dry Soon's, which is available for £103.99 on Lakeland, its heated airer is economical to run with a small footprint and large capacity, kinder to your clothes than a tumble dryer and more efficient than laying laundry on a radiator. Aldi's Easy Home Heated Airer is just £39.99 but is currently sold out online due to high demand.
So, ready to cut down on costs? We've found the best heated clothes airers to shop now.
SHOP: Best Heated Clothes Airers
Editor's Choice
lakelandwww.lakeland.co.uk
The Dry
Pros
- Compact
- Holds 15kg of laundry
- Costs 6p per hour to run
- Foldable
Cons
- Some reviewers say drying time is too long
Best heated clothes airer pod
amazonAnother fantastic option from Dry
Pros
- Fast and efficient drying method
- Auto shut-off timer
- Folds away
Cons
- Not the highest capacity
Best heated clothes airer for flat drying
argoswww.argos.co.uk
For more delicate items such as wool or silk, drying them flat is much safer and kinder to them. Therefore, if you've got a lot of delicate clothing, we suggest opting for the Argos 11.5 Heated Indoor Clothes Airer.
Pros
- Able to hold 10kg of clothing
- Can be quickly folded flat for convenient storage
- Drying capacity 10kg
- Total drying space 11.5m
Cons
- Lower capacity than other tiered dryers
Best heated clothes airer for big drying space
dunelmwww.dunelm.com
If you're looking to dry big pieces of material such as bedding or tablecloths, the Dunelm 3-Tier Heated Airer is your new companion. This three-tier airer features a vertical design that folds away neatly after use, perfect for saving valuable space in your home.
Pros
- With 20m big drying space
- Running cost approx 10p per hour
- Suitable for up to 15kg of washing
Cons
- Rungs on the rack heat up at different levels
Best heated clothes airer with long power cable
robert dyaswww.robertdyas.co.uk
There's nothing worse than buying an electronic and realising you can't put it where it's needed because the power cable is too short. Never be caught short again with the Black and Decker 3-Tier Heated Airer, available on Robert Dyas. It is versatile and holds up to 15kg of washing on 21m of drying space, spread over three tiers.
Pros
- Comes with a 1.6m power cable length
- Max weight load (spread evenly) is 15Kg
- No assembly required, just fold out and plug in
Cons
- Buying the cover bundle dries clothes quicker, but you can chuck a sheet over top and it functions very similarly
Best heated clothes airer with timer
lakelandwww.lakeland.co.uk
If you're worried about forgetting to turn your heated clothes airer off and wasting extra energy on bills, get yourself a timer version. The Dry
Pros
- Timer functionality
- Running cost 9p per hour
- Holds approx. 2 average loads of washing
- Lakeland 3-year guarantee included
Cons
- Shelf rests can be dislodged, which is a bit tricky to fix whilst loading it up with washing
Best heated clothes airer with foot rack
amazonAnother great option you can snap up from Amazon, this three-tier electric air dryer contains high-powered 300w heating mechanisms evenly spread across to efficiently dry your clothes. It also comes with an added foot rack for socks and smaller garments.
Pros
- Highly energy-saving
- Foldable
- Light
Cons
- Not as effective on thick clothes
How does a heated clothes airer work?
A heated clothes airer, also known as a heated drying rack, operates by using electric heating elements to warm up the bars or racks where you hang your clothes. These heated bars provide a gentle and efficient source of warmth, helping to evaporate moisture from your clothing. As the air circulates around your garments, it speeds up the drying process - no more hanging clothes on your radiator. It's an energy-efficient alternative to traditional tumble dryers, and it's especially useful for drying delicate items that can't withstand the heat of a dryer.
Are heated clothes airers safe to use?
Yes, heated clothes airers are generally safe to use when used according to instructions. They are designed with safety features to prevent overheating, and many models have timers and automatic shut-off functions to ensure that they don't operate for extended periods unnecessarily. However, it's important to follow safety guidelines, such as not overloading the airer and ensuring proper ventilation in the room. Also, make sure to keep it away from water sources, and never cover the airer with clothing or any flammable materials during operation.
How much electricity do heated clothes airers consume?
The electricity consumption of heated clothes airers varies depending on the model and its wattage. On average, a typical heated clothes airer consumes between 100 and 300 watts per hour. To put this into perspective, running a 200-watt heated airer for 4 hours would use 800-watt-hours (or 0.8 kilowatt-hours) of electricity. Keep in mind that the energy efficiency may vary between models so it's a good idea to check the product specifications or consult the manufacturer to get a more precise estimate of energy consumption. Generally, they are considered more energy-efficient than tumble dryers.
Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).