Best Heated Clothes Airers
A heated clothes airer is the cheap, space-saving way to dry washing indoors when you have no tumble dryer and no garden. It gently warms the bars so clothes dry far faster than on an ordinary airer, for a running cost measured in pennies per hour rather than pounds.
They come in a few shapes — flat winged airers, tall tiered towers and models with a zip-up cover or pod that traps the heat to dry even faster. This guide compares the types and picks the best of each.
QUICK ANSWER
A heated clothes airer dries washing indoors quickly and cheaply. A winged airer is compact and flexible; a tiered tower holds a full load in a small footprint; a model with a cover or pod traps heat to dry fastest. Running costs are a few pennies per hour.
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Who this guide is for
Anyone without a tumble dryer or outdoor space who wants to dry laundry indoors quickly and cheaply.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| Status Heated Winged Clothes Airer | Flexible, compact drying |
| Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer | Drying a full load in a small footprint |
| PurKeep Heated Airer with Cover | The fastest drying for the money |
| Neo Electric Winged Heated Airer | A simple, low-cost heated airer |
Our picks in detail
BEST WINGED — Status Heated Winged Clothes Airer
Best for: Flexible, compact drying
A flat heated airer with fold-out wings for extra hanging space, easy to store flat against a wall when not in use.
Pros: Compact, flexible wings, low running cost.
Cons: Less capacity than a tower.
BEST TIERED TOWER — Lakeland Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer
Best for: Drying a full load in a small footprint
A three-tier heated tower that holds a whole wash in a small floor area — the go-to for flats. Add the optional cover to dry even faster.
Pros: Big capacity, small footprint, cover available.
Cons: Taller; pricier than a basic airer.
BEST WITH A COVER — PurKeep Heated Airer with Cover
Best for: The fastest drying for the money
Comes with a heat-retaining cover that traps warmth around the clothes, cutting drying time noticeably.
Pros: Cover included, fast drying, good value.
Cons: Cover adds a little bulk to store.
BEST BASIC — Neo Electric Winged Heated Airer
Best for: A simple, low-cost heated airer
A straightforward winged heated airer for occasional loads without spending much.
Pros: Cheap, simple, folds flat.
Cons: Smaller capacity; no cover.
Prices and availability on Amazon are accurate as of the date of publication and are subject to change.
How to choose
- Type: winged for flexibility, tiered tower for capacity, covered for speed.
- Capacity: match it to a typical wash load.
- Running cost: most use around 200–300W — pennies per hour.
- A cover traps heat and cuts drying time; some include one.
- Folds away: check the folded size for storage in a flat.
- Pair with a dehumidifier to capture the moisture and dry even faster without damp.
Common questions
How much does a heated clothes airer cost to run?
Most draw around 200–300W, so running one costs only a few pennies per hour — far less than a tumble dryer. Using a cover speeds up drying, which keeps the cost down further.
Do heated airers cause damp?
They release moisture as clothes dry, so ventilate the room or run a dehumidifier alongside to capture it. Used sensibly they are much less damp-prone than draping wet washing over radiators.
How long does a heated airer take to dry clothes?
Typically a few hours, and faster with a cover that traps the heat. Thicker items like towels and jeans take longer than shirts and underwear.
Which type is best for a flat?
A tiered tower holds a full load in a small footprint, which suits most flats. If space is very tight, a winged airer that folds flat is more flexible.
Our recommendation
For most homes a tiered heated tower like the Dry:Soon holds a full load in little space; add a cover to dry fastest. Tight on space? A winged airer folds flat. Whichever you choose, run a dehumidifier alongside to avoid damp.
