Help me choose a clothes airer!

[GarlicPound]

I live in a tiny, cluttered, disorganised flat. I have access to a communal tumble dryer, but nowhere to flat-dry knitwear or to air wet coats. Limited funds: the famous Lakeland airers are not an option, my max is £100 but preferably much less.

I started off looking at Brabantia unheated airers because I know they're stable & sturdy - then realised you can get heated ones for the same price. I'm currently dithering between a Black & Decker heated one, which I assume will be stable and durable, at £80, and a cheap unheated Argos one at £30.

I like that you can use only half the unheated one (less floor space) but am worried it would be all weak and wobbly. What do you think? Have you experience of either the Black & Decker or the Argos one? Got a better idea?

https://www.dunelm.com/product/black-and-decker-3-tier-heated-airer-1000270497?defaultSkuId=30994297

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7763890

bump?

Honestly I’d go for the heated one, throw a sheet over the whole thing and it dries quicker too. The non heated one looks quite flimsy and I’m not convinced it would hold well on a half setting.

Thanks. I know I've only got five votes, four for the heated one - but I'm going for it. I agree the non-heated one looks flimsy. I'll drive myself nuts if I keep dithering and searching for a better unicorn!

My MIL has a heated one (not this make) that came with a cover. She lives in a flat and drys everything except towels on it. ( towels go in the washer/dryer).

Is it just you?
I used to do very well years ago with an old caravan airer which I hung from the back of one of the doors. So it was sort of out of sight rather than taking over everything. I think what makes it so good at its job is the extra flap that can either hang down or stick out but I don't recall not having enough drying space. But it was only my washing, not a whole family. Photo attached of the type I used to have.

Are heated airers cheaper to run than a tumble drier is?

This one very sturdy, can see it lasting forever, takes no room at all when folded.

Very pleased with this one from Amazon, it’s not huge and if you only need one side the sides can be dropped and moved nearer the wall. Can also flat dry jumpers I don’t use it for towels or bedding.

Wowcher are doing a heated one for £39.99 from Vivo mounts

I don’t have a heated airer. I use a normal clothes horse and dehumidifier. Takes about 4 hours to dry a load, but it means it sucks the water out of the air to avoid condensation.

I’ve had the Lakeland heated airer for about 8 years and use it constantly overnight in winter. I throw a duvet cover over it to trap the heat in and next morning it’s all dry and I can left things off the next morning and bonus they don’t need ironing

I've got an heated airer (Lakeland, but the Black and Decker one would probably be just as good). I love it, and use it almost every day at this time of year. As PP said, if you drape a sheet or duvet cover over the top, it traps the heat and everything dries really fast. It also makes the room warm!

I've got this one, it's very good. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-x-wing-indoor-clothes-airer-black/p111473453?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20155422167&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1z1_jHvxwWynlC9znCmby2DR&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzMmKnPSokAMVIoCDBx0XggWaEAQYBSABEgJV3fD_BwE

Some good ideas here - thank you. My dehumidifier broke last year; I did think I should get another one instead of a heated airer, but then I'd still need an airer! Once I've replaced it - and cleared out the box room, which is a massive challenge - I do agree I probably won't need to use the tumble dryer.

I'm quite glad I went ahead and ordered the Black & Decker one because, following all your links and suggestions, I keep discovering new things and would've gone into an indecision tailspin 🤔 It's lovely to hear all the affection for heated airers!