Heated clothes airers: are they cheaper than a tumble dryer? (November 2026)
A heated airer dries washing indoors for a few pence an hour. What it costs to run, how it compares with a tumble dryer and which one to buy.
The ranking for November 2026
| # | Model | Type | Power | Per hour | Per month* | Controls | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Status 230W Heated Winged Clothes Airer Most-reviewed airer | Heated clothes airer | 230 W | 6.1p | £4.72 6 hours, 3 times a week | — | 9.7 | Check price → |
| 2 | Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer The original | Heated clothes airer | — | 7.9p (typical) | £6.16 6 hours, 3 times a week | Timer | 7.3 | Check price → |
| 3 | BLACK+DECKER 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer with Cover 300W Cheaper than a tumble dryer | Heated clothes airer | 300 W | 7.9p | £6.16 6 hours, 3 times a week | — | 6.2 | Check price → |
BLACK+DECKER 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer with Cover 300W
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* Typical use shown under each figure, 30 days, at the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Typical means the seller does not publish the power, so we use a typical figure for that kind of appliance. Recalculated every update.
- Running cost: What each one costs per hour and per month at the Ofgem price cap (26.32p/kWh). Watt for watt, every electric heater costs the same to run: the one that saves money is the right size and switches itself off.
- Controls: Thermostats, timers, weekly schedules, eco modes and Wi-Fi score highest: they are what actually cuts the bill.
- Safety: Tip-over and overheat protection, and splash protection (IP24) for bathrooms.
- What buyers say: Amazon UK sales and what buyers repeat in their reviews, summarised in our own words. Newer models with few reviews score lower until they have them.
We don't test products at home: we combine manufacturers' specifications, Amazon UK listings and buyer feedback with the running-cost maths. How we compare.
The best for each situation
Status 230W Heated Winged Clothes Airer
The lowest wattage: pennies an hour.
Check price on Amazon →BLACK+DECKER 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer with Cover 300W
The cover traps the heat so clothes dry faster.
Check price on Amazon →Dry:Soon Deluxe 3-Tier Heated Clothes Airer
Built-in timer and lots of drying space.
Check price on Amazon →If you buy through our links, Amazon pays us a small commission. The price is the same for you.
How to dry faster for less
- Use the cover: it traps the heat around the clothes.
- Spin the washing at the highest speed your clothes allow.
- Put the airer in a small room with a dehumidifier in laundry mode, or open a window a crack, to avoid condensation and mould.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heated airer cost to run?
A 300 W airer costs about 7.9p an hour at the price cap. Six hours, three times a week, comes to about £6.16 a month.
Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer?
Usually much cheaper per load. Lakeland quotes a Which? estimate of around £55 a year for a heated airer used three times a week, against around £140 for a standard tumble dryer. It is slower, though.
Running costs use the Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026: average unit rate for electricity paid by Direct Debit (26.32p/kWh, standing charge 54.83p/day) and gas (7.97p/kWh). National averages; your region and tariff may differ. Prices on Amazon change: check the live price before you buy.