AS SUMMER in the UK is as unpredictable as ever and there's no access to a tumble dryer, we've rounded up the best heated clothes airers to dry your washing.
Heated clothes airers run by electricity, making it a lot easier to get your clothes dry in lower temperatures or damp weather.
Whether you live in a small flat or a spacious two-up-two-down, when you don't have a tumble dryer and the UK weather takes a turn for the worse, a heated airer can be extremely useful.
Available from a range of brands and stores across the country, we've tried and tested six in a busy household.
1. Lakeland Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer
- Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Airer, £164.99 from Lakeland — buy now
For families with larger loads of washing, this is a great solution for drying indoors without a tumble dryer.
The Lakeland Dry:Soon Deluxe has three tiers of hanging space that can be extended out to dry multiple garments or folded to make space for longer garments such as dresses or jeans.
It can hold up to 15kg of washing on 21m of drying space — however, our washing machine can only hold 8kg and we struggled for space, so we'd say this would be for smaller pieces of clothing such as socks and underwear.
The airer costs less than 6p an hour to run. When we tested it, we had a full stack of clothes drying with the electricity on for half a day, which would have cost 36p.
The clothes were still slightly damp at the end, but they could be left for another couple of hours overnight, ready to be stored the next morning.
2. Tower T25001 230W Y-Shaped Heated Clothes Airer
- Tower T25001 230W Y-Shaped Heated Clothes Airer, 2 Foldable Wings, £51 from OnBuy — buy now
The Tower T25001 has two foldable wings for those days you have an extra bit of washing, meaning that it's a great option for families who have heaps of washing one week and not-so-much the next.
While not the best heated airer for larger families due to its size, it is great for those who have small children. It heats up to a maximum temperature of 55°C, meaning clothes dry quickly.
The heating source operates using a low energy cost for efficiency, meaning no big energy bills. You can also fold this away so it's not taking up much room when not in use.
3. Oypla Electrical Heated Folding Clothes Horse Airer Dryer
- Oypla Electrical Heated Folding Clothes Horse Airer Dryer, £29.99 from OnBuy — buy now
This heated airer is great if you're short on space. It comes in two bits which are easy enough to put together and then take back apart when you need to fold it away.
It is super economical, costing the same as a 120W light bulb to run. The size helps keep the costs of running it down, which makes it a great addition in homes where budgeting is a necessity.
It is ideal for drying jumpers, hanging laundry or even warming up towels. Also good for underwear and socks.
However, it's probably best for single people rather than couples, due to its size.
4. JML Dri Buddi
- JML Dri Buddi, £69.99 from Wilko — buy now
The JML Dri Buddi keeps your clothes dry and crisp, and uses 25% less energy thanks to its 1200W motor unit.
It holds up to 10kg of damp clothing at a time and doesn't damage fabric. The warm air motor helps creases drop out — we thought that it left clothes feeling like they've been dried on the outdoor washing line.
And as a bonus, it's easy to put together; we had it up and running in less than five minutes.
5. Dunelm 3-Tier Heated Airer
- Dunelm 3-Tier Heated Airer, £95 from Dunelm — buy now
Measuring 135cm high and 73cm wide, this heated airer is three-tiered which makes it good for larger families or those who have a lot of washing.
It costs less than 4p an hour to run, which compares well against the other heaters we tried.
Even though it's larger, it can be easier folded away to fit behind doors or under beds. It also comes with a safety-covered, illuminated on and off switch.
There is a shoe storage rack on the airer too, in case you ever need to heat them up or dry them after being outdoors in the wet weather.
6. Dunelm Heated Airer
- Dunelm Heated Airer, £29.99 from Dunelm — buy now
This small heated clothes airer measures 94cm wide and 74cm high. This means it's a great addition to your home if you don't have a lot of space.
It has low electricity costs and runs at 100 watts. This makes it cheaper than the Oypla.
It is also easily storable as it folds and would suit a single person who needs some assistance with drying.
One reviewer wrote: "Great product! Sturdy and big enough for drying clothes. Very good value for money too. I totally recommend."
What is a heated clothes airer?
Heated airers use electricity to heat up clothes and are made from metal. Each heated airer has its own way of getting clothes dry in terms of air flow or airer covers.
Some heated airers have timers to make them safer.
How to use a heated clothes airer
Each heated clothes airer has individual instructions, although they are generally similar to operate — you hang your clothes on the airer (the amount of washing you can fit will obviously depend on how big your airer is), then plug it into the socket and switch it on.
Are heated clothes airers safe?
If used responsibly, heated clothes airers are perfectly safe to use, although they shouldn't be left on overnight or unattended.
For any electrical appliance, always read the instructions and safety advice before using it.
Are heated airers any good?
The airers we tested definitely got the job done. However, it is more to do with energy efficiency and the cost of using them that separates the best ones from the mid-tier models.
We also love heated airer that can be folded and stored easily. This means that people in smaller households can put them away when they're not using them.
Are heated airers expensive to run?
The majority of heated clothes airers are not expensive, with some being as little 3p an hour to run. However, it's best to check with your energy provider how much it could cost to run certain wattages.
Where to buy heated clothes airers
Heated clothes airers can be bought at homeware stores such as Lakeland and Dunelm. Some airers can also be found on Amazon and at stores such as Wilkos.
How much are heated airers?
Heated clothes airers can be priced as little as £29.99 or less, depending on the type or where they are from.
On the higher end of the scale, three-tier heated clothes airers can go for nearly £200.
If you liked this article, consider reading about the best kids' sunglasses. We've also looked at the best dog harnesses and you can read here about the best pre-prepared meals for busy parents.
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