John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer review: the perfect indoor drying solution for city living

Price: RRP £100 | Buy now from John Lewis

Key specs

Size: H135 x W66 x D72.5cm | Capacity: 15kg | Energy use: 300 watts | Cost per hour: 9p | Drying time settings: No timer | Foldable: Yes | Cable length: N/A | Tiers: Three (with shoe rack)

What we like

• Heats up quickly

• Shoe rack is a handy extra feature

• Does not take up too much space

• Foldable

What we don’t like

• It feels a bit stiff when folding down

• Size is more suited to a couple or small family

• No cover included

What Mumsnet users say

"Bought the John Lewis 3-tier airer and used it for the first time on Monday. I think it's going to be a game changer between washing less often, using economy 30 min wash for everything except bedding and towels, and me going back in the office four days per week. I guess time will tell, but so far, so good" (Loved by Mumsnet user Glorieta)

"I have this John Lewis one, and it's fantastic. I wouldn't be without it." (Tried and trusted by Mumsnetter HiHoHiHoBackToSchoolWeGo)

Our verdict

Ease of use - 4.5/5

Features - 5/5

Results - 4.5/5

Design - 3/5

Value for money - 4/5

If you are looking for a quick and affordable way to dry your clothes indoors over the winter months, then the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer is a great investment.

Our tester Izzy Laws lives in a small London flat with her partner. A lack of outdoor space meant that drying laundry quickly and efficiently had always proved a bit of a challenge for the couple.

Izzy says: “We needed to dry our clothes quickly and without having to put the heating on.

“We have had the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer for over a year, and it’s been great for us. It also doubles as a heater for those colder months. It doesn't take up too much space, so it is perfect for city living.” 

So, little wonder then, that the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer is a fixture on our best heated clothes airers round-up.

What’s the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer like to set up?

“It’s very easy to set up. Just plug in and switch on,” says Izzy, which is great if you are not DIY-minded. No tools or an extra pair of hands are required.

What is the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer like to use day-to-day?

Able to fit 15kg of clothing and heating up in an impressively quick time, this robust airer makes light work of large loads.

Izzy says: “I find it gets very hot and will dry items quickly when laid directly on the rack. If you have items hanging over the edge it will take longer to dry 

“I like how quickly it heats up. If I leave it overnight, the items are usually dry by the morning.”

However, sometimes this impressive airer has proved a little too sturdy for Mumsnetters who say they found it stiff and tricky to fold. Izzy agreed, adding: “Collapsing it down, it can sometimes get stuck.” So this is something to bear in mind if you struggle with issues like arthritis.

It is worth noting that the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer does not come with a cover, as Izzy observes: “This item might be more efficient if it came with a cover, but I'm not sure how that would affect dampness and smell.” But if the lack of a cover is a problem then you can always fall back on the old money-saving hack of tucking a fitted sheet around the airer. 

Read next: Best steam irons to buy in 2023

Does the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer have any special features?

Good news for those of you who love cosy toes - the heated shoe rack is perfect for warming up slippers, drying soggy wellies and heating up your favourite snuggly socks.

Although there are plenty of Mumsnetters who love this special feature on this John Lewis airer, others may feel it is a bit of a gimmick.

Izzy says: “Originally the warming hooks did play a part in my decision to buy the airer as I thought that they would be useful. But there are only four of them and realistically no one is only ever washing four pairs of socks! So we rarely use this feature. But it does help when drying long items such as dresses or trousers.”

Read next: Best tumble dryers 2023: heat pump and condenser dryers for every budget

Does the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer offer value for money?

So, does the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer offer value for money?

“Yes and no,” says Izzy. “We went for it because of the two year warranty that John Lewis has on its items. Next time I would probably go for a winged one as you can spread the clothes out which promotes more air circulation.”

But if your heart is set on a three-tiered airer, rather than a winged one, this John Lewis option is a whole £60 cheaper than Lakeland’s popular Dry:Soon 3-Tier Heated Airer (which can also hold 15kg). It is even cheaper than the own-brand Argos Home 3 Tier Heated Airer, which has the same capacity and is currently on sale for £105 (as of September 2023).

Overall, the John Lewis 3-Tier Heated Indoor Clothes Airer gets the thumbs up from Izzy and her partner: “I would recommend one of these to anyone who lives in a small space and has no access to outside areas," she says.

If you are looking to shave even more drying time off your laundry this winter, you may want to check out our list of the best dehumidifiers for a cost-effective indoor drying solution.

Read next: How to dry clothes indoors: 10 savvy tips

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on home care content.

Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021 and has recently taken over responsibility for laundry content. She writes buyers guides, including how to care for jumpers and knitwear, cleaning articles and tests products, including the Wilton London laundry range, to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.

Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.