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We have got to that time of year when drying clothes on the washing line is becoming increasingly impractical.
However, this year, we all face significantly higher energy costs, and we all want to find ways to be more economical with our gas and electricity. Sadly, many people will be reducing energy by simply not heating their homes (or significantly reducing usage). This makes drying clothes even harder.
Heat pump tumble dryer vs heated clothing rack – Cost to run
I have previously covered the running costs of tumble dryers, and I was surprised to find that a heat pump-based tumble dryer didn’t use quite as much electricity as I expected. It is the condenser and vented tumble dryers where the bad reputation comes from.
A heat pump tumble drier will use about 1.1kWh for a half load or 1.85kWh for a full load. Heated racks use between 200-300Wh, meaning they will use about the same electricity in around 5 hours.
Heated clothes airers and drying racks can still be expensive to run
We don’t have room for a tumble dryer, so we are reliant on radiators and clothes racks.
Heated clothes racks have become hugely popular as an affordable alternative to tumble dryers and avoid having to use central heating to get your clothes dry.
We have used one for years, and they are effective. However, I would warn you that they can use more electricity than you planned if you are not careful. I find it is easy to switch the heating rack on and then just forget about it, I have left mine on for 24 hours before, and it uses about 200W per hour.
If you are forgetful like me, I’d recommend pairing it up with a smart plug and setting a timer or schedule.
Some of the more premium options below have timers that you can use to minimise electricity usage.
Best Heated Clothes Drying Racks and Airers
Lakeland Dry:Soon
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer |
£219.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- RRP: £179.99
- Washing held: 15kg of washing on 21m of drying space
- Size: H137 x W73 x D75cm
- Power Usage: 300W
- Timer: Yes
- Foldable: Yes, folds down to 8cm deep
Buying direct from Lakeland appears to be your best bet.
This range of 3-tier dryers appears to be the gold standard of heated clothes racks and they are priced accordingly. Considering the cost of living crisis, many people probably don’t have the spare cash to be parting with £150 for a clothes dryer, and it will likely take a while to see a return on investment. However, they are supposed to be superb. You can also get a cover with it, which helps contain the heat while allowing moisture to vent through.
For smaller homes, there is also the Dry:Soon Mini which is a bit more wallet-friendly at £120
BLACK+DECKER 3-Tier Heated Clothes & Cover
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black+Decker 63091 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer with Cover &... | £209.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- RRP: £119.99
- Washing held: 15kg of washing on 21m of drying space
- Size: H140 x W73 x D68cm
- Power Usage: 300W
- Timer: No
- Foldable?: Yes
This is basically a clone of the Dry:Soon system with a three-tier design and cover. It is well reviewed but costs about the same as the Dry:Soon, and it lacks a timer.
It has been as low as £120 back in 2021, but I expect it is unlike to drop back down to this price again.
While this is good, I’d only buy it if the Dry:Soon is out of stock.
Eezy-Dry Electric Clothes Dryer
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMOS Eezy-Dry Electric Clothes Dryer, Heated Clothes Airer,... | Buy on Amazon |
- RRP: £90
- Washing held: 15kg of washing on 21m of drying space
- Size: H140 x W73 x D68cm
- Power Usage: 1300W
- Timer: No
- Foldable?: Yes
This works slightly different, you have a frame that provides two layers to hang your clothes, then a heater that sits on the floor. This is then enclosed within a cover to contain the heat.
With it heating the air, the power usage is quite high, but it should only take a couple of hours to dry your clothes.
This used to retail for around £70 but has since gone up by over £20
The Dry:Soon Drying Pod is a similar product, but it has a smaller capacity.
Minky Heated Clothes Rack – Or any generic brand
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minky Electric Heated Clothes Airer | Clothes Drying Rack |... | £59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- RRP: £55
- Washing held: 10kg
- Size: H93, W84, D54cm
- Power Usage: 230W (for the Minky)
- Timer: No (model dependant)
- Foldable?: Yes
There has been a huge amount of demand for clothes airers this year, for obvious reasons. This has meant a lot of the cheaper ones with a common design are out of stock.
The Minky Heated Clothes Rack is the most commonly recommended rack, but all the winged design racks are practically the same.
They are all about the same in terms of build quality and the electricity they use. They will all benefit from being covered up or rotating the clothes regularly. As I learned, it would be best to use a smart plug or any sort of timing plug to ensure you don’t leave these on for too long.
Alternative Options
Drying Rack + Dehumidifier
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoAir DD1 Simple Blue MK3 Desiccant Dehumidifier Rotary... |
£229.98 | Buy on Amazon | |
| HOMIDEC Airer Clothes Drying Rack,4-Tier Foldable Clothes... | £28.99 | Buy on Amazon |
One of the issues with drying clothes indoors is that it will increase the humidity in your home. If you are then also keeping your heating to a minimum, this can increase the likelihood of mould growth.
An alternative option is to use a clothes rack and a desiccant dehumidifier to dry your clothes.
You need to be cautious with how you use a desiccant dehumidifier as they use a lot of electricity, but they also give off a lot of heat. You can either use it in a room you want to heat, or put your clothes in a small box room, reducing the amount of moisture the dehumidifier will try and remove.
You could use a clothes rack with a cover and a dehumidifier under it to maximise the drying performance. This would likely provide superior performance vs Dry:Soon Drying Pod and other heated airers.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
