The best heated clothes airers for smart, easy drying

• Reasons to buy: Built like a tank with a seriously impressive capacity, with Wi-Fi smarts to match.
• Dimensions: 39cm x 77.5cm x 149cm
• Capacity: 20.5m/30kg
• Running cost: 4p per hour

With a gargantuan 30kg capacity, this is one of the most spacious heated airers on our list, serving up the spatial equivalent of a 20.5 metre washing line. With a top-notch build for durability and stability, the built-in racks cleverly fold flat, letting the whole unit slot nicely against a wall with a slim profile when not in use. It’s extremely energy-efficient too, and is even smart enough to be controlled remotely via an Android or iOS app. Combined with an optional cover for retaining even more warmth, this is one of the most formidable airers you can currently buy. £135. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: Incredibly compact, great for drying clothes and shoes while travelling
• Dimensions: 20.3cm x 71.1cm x 10.2cm
• Capacity: One shirt, one pair of shoes, smaller items on pegs
• Running cost: Info N/A

And now for something completely different – a compact little electric airer that resembles a high-end Bluetooth speaker. Designed to quickly dry one large garment, such as a shirt or t-shirt, its extendable and adjustable arms can also be used to dry out soggy shoes, while included pegs let you dry multiple smaller items like socks for added convenience. If you’re forever travelling and washing your threads in the hotel bath, this is a beautifully-designed must-buy. £75. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: A sturdy build and solid capacity, from a well-known name, at an affordable price. What’s not to like?
• Dimensions: 50cm x 74cm x 94cm
• Capacity: 11.5m/10kg
• Running cost: 6.2p per hour

With a rather attractive panda-like black and white finish, this is a clothes airer one wouldn’t mind leaving out on display, although it easily folds up for popping out of the way when not in use. A 10kg capacity should be enough to put a solid dent in the average wash for most people, with 18 frying bars providing plenty of space for hanging up wet clothes. Lightweight and energy efficient, it’s a cracking vertical wing-folding airer that won’t disappoint. £47. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: Energy efficient and with a compact folding design for easier storage when not in use.
• Dimensions: 94cm x 50cm x 74cm
• Capacity: 15kg
• Running cost: 4p per hour

Priding itself on its low operating costs, Status’ electric drying rack will help speed up post-wash drying time without busting a hole in your electricity bill. It has a generous capacity when fully opened up, but can easily slot under beds or into cupboards when fully folded, ensuring it’s out of the way when not in use. Its non-rust aluminium frame not only makes it sturdy and durable, but also means that it’s light too, letting you move it around with ease. £38. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: A tiny footprint makes for an easy way to speed up drying in smaller spaces.
• Dimensions: 53cm x 90cm x 148cm
• Capacity: Info N/A
• Running cost: Info N/A

Oypla’s heated clothes horse is one of the smallest items on our list. And while that’s a disadvantage in the capacity department, it makes it one of the best options for situations where space is at a premium. While small apartments and bedrooms come to mind, another useful scenario is camping, letting you dry clothes/warm up your surroundings to help keep your essential garments in tip-top shape. £30. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: You can fit up to 50 smaller items hanging over two tiers in this electric drier, making it ideal for dealing with the never-ending pile of children’s laundry.
• Dimensions: 48cm x 70cm x148cm
• Capacity: 15kg
• Running cost: Info N/A

This handy electric drier lets you hang around 15kg or 25 items’ worth of clothing on its top rack, and this can be more than doubled to 50 items if you make use of both racks. This gargantuan capacity makes it an absolute godsend for parents, letting you keep on top of the infinite supply of dirty clothes that can all too easily take over your life if you’re not careful. Foldable for storage and with castor wheels for easy manoeuvrability, it’s bound to be your new favourite household purchase. £60. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: Both space-saving and money-saving, this heated towel rail style number is surprisingly efficient. It’s also perfectly sturdy and promises not to topple over when loaded up.
• Dimensions: 89cm x 57cm x 5cm
• Capacity: 2m
• Running cost: 2p per hour

For those without a huge amount of weekly washing, this ladder-style clothes airer more than does the job. Like a free-standing towel rail, the airer is simple in design and proves a great space-saver. It’s made from a tough aluminium with sturdy plastic-covered feet that ensure there are no wobbles. Simply plug it in, switch it on and let it do its drying magic. Incredibly, this one costs less than 2p per hour to run, making it one of the most energy-efficient models on the market. Expect a satisfyingly speedy dry – and an even one at that. £55 £50. At amazon.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: This nifty pod not only dries your clothes in a flash, it also keeps them upright and crease-free, all the while going easy on your electricity bill.
• Dimensions: 160cm x 70cm x 70cm
• Capacity: 10kg/18 items
• Running cost: N/A

Boasting a natural air-drying effect, the DriBuddi is an innovative product that claims to use up to 25 per cent less energy than other airers. It does this by producing waves of hot air via its warm vortex action. The retro-styled pod is also lightweight and easy to use, opening up like an umbrella with its pronged design. This one holds up to 10kg of damp washing and has a timer on its digitally controlled motor, meaning you’ll save even more money ensuring it doesn’t run for longer than it needs to. With your freshly dried laundry already on hangers, it can go straight into the wardrobe, saving you precious time, too. £79. At argos.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: This innovative pod style design saves on energy, money, and time – thanks to its simple design that relies on hot air and clothes hangers.
• Dimensions: 62cm x 146cm
• Capacity: 12 items
• Running cost: 7p per hour

It might look like a punchbag, but this smart cylindrical number is in fact an effective dryer that relies on trapped hot air circulating your clothes to get them done in no time. With its upright pronged design, it can hold up to 12 items at a time and boasts a timer function with a handy auto shut-off. It’s also lightweight and can fold down for easy storage. Best of all, clothes are dried on hangers within, meaning there’s little (if no) ironing needed once your washing’s dry, and your freshly laundered clobber can go straight bck into the wardrobe. £110 £88. At lakeland.co.uk

• Reasons to buy: For those with space to spread out laterally, this winged design uses a combination of low-cost heat and ambient air to get your clothes dry in a jiffy.
• Dimensions: 94cm x 148 cm x 54cm
• Capacity: 12m/10kg
• Running cost: 4p per hour

As much as a bit of heat helps speed up the drying process, so too does a bit of open air, which is why you get the best of both worlds in this winged design. Admittedly, the Minky Wing takes up some space when it’s opened and loaded up, but the lightweight airer folds compactly and neatly for easy storage. There’s also the option of using the airer folded flat without the wings, for smaller basketfulls of washing. Costing less than 4p per hour to run, it’s also impressively economic with its electricity usage. Altogether, the airer offers a total drying space of 12 metres and comes with its own cover designed to retain heat. £60. At argos.co.uk

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