When it is too cold or wet to dry washing outside, most people end up choosing between a heated airer and a dehumidifier. Both work, and they work differently.
A heated airer is a clothes rack with warm bars. It dries the clothes you hang on it, usually in a few hours, and costs less to buy. A dehumidifier pulls moisture out of the air, so washing dries on any ordinary airer and the room gets drier at the same time, which helps with condensation and mould.
We picked the best-reviewed models of each on Amazon UK. We haven't tested them ourselves. This comparison is based on the Amazon listings and customer ratings, so check the latest price and details before you buy.
| Heated airer | Dehumidifier | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| What it dries | The clothes on it | Clothes and the room's air |
| Helps with damp and condensation | No | Yes |
| Adds warmth to the room | A little | A little |
| Best for | One or two loads a week | Damp homes and heavy laundry |
The best setup: dry clothes on an airer in a small room with the door closed and a dehumidifier running. A heated airer on its own releases moisture into the room, so open a window or ventilate, or add a dehumidifier. Never leave a heated airer running unattended overnight.
1. Dehumidifier: best all-rounder
The Pro Breeze 12L has a 4.6 rating from more than 5,000 buyers, and it is one of the most-reviewed models in our dehumidifier guide. A sensible size for a bedroom, living room or drying washing in a spare room.
Check Price on AmazonAlso consider: Pro Breeze OmniDry 12L/Day Dehumidifier — £130 (4.6★, 4,809 reviews)
Compare more in our Best Premium Dehumidifiers UK 2026 guide →
2. Dehumidifier: for big loads and larger rooms
A larger 25L-a-day compressor model with a 4.7 rating, listed for laundry use. It costs a little more than the 12L models but removes more moisture, so it suits big washes and bigger rooms.
Check Price on AmazonCompare more in our Best Premium Dehumidifiers UK 2026 guide →
3. Dehumidifier: compact and cheap
A small, low-cost dehumidifier. Compact models remove far less moisture than the compressor models above, so it suits a wardrobe, a small bedroom or a bathroom, not a full load of washing.
Check Price on AmazonAlso consider: NETTA Dehumidifier 500ml — £27 (4.3★, 1,029 reviews)
4. Heated airer: best-reviewed
The Dry:Soon 3-tier has a 4.4 rating from more than 1,300 buyers and is the best-known name in heated airers. It costs more than the budget airers, and the three tiers hold a full load.
Check Price on Amazon5. Heated airer: best value
The Innotic airer has a 4.2 rating from more than 2,700 buyers and costs less than half the price of the Dry:Soon 3-tier. The Dry:Soon pod is a compact alternative.
Check Price on AmazonAlso consider: Dry:Soon Heated Drying Pod Indoor Electric Clothes — £80 (4.2★, 2,387 reviews)
6. Heated airer: compact pod
A pod-style heated dryer with a 4.4 rating, though only about 75 buyers have rated it so far. Good for small flats, and a cheaper way into heated drying.
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