Saving Energy But Are Heated Clothes Driers Better Than Tumble Driers

4th January 2025

In terms of energy efficiency and garment care, heated clothes dryers (often called heated airers) are generally considered better than tumble dryers, as they use significantly less energy, cause less damage to clothes. They can produce less wrinkles, making them a more gentle drying option; however, tumble dryers are typically faster at drying clothes, so the best choice depends on your priorities regarding drying time and garment care.

Key points about heated clothes dryers compared to tumble dryers:

Energy efficiency:
Heated airers are significantly more energy-efficient, often costing considerably less to run than a tumble dryer.

Heated clothes airers can be cheaper to run than tumble dryers. For example, a heated clothes airer might cost around 10p per hour to run, while a tumble dryer might cost around £2 per load.

Gentleness on clothes:
Tumble drying can be harsh on clothes, causing shrinkage and wear and tear, while heated airers are gentler, helping to prolong the life of your garments.

Wrinkle reduction:
Clothes dried on a heated airer tend to have fewer wrinkles, potentially reducing the need for ironing.

Drying time:
Tumble dryers generally dry clothes much faster than heated airers.

When to choose a heated clothes dryer:
If you prioritize garment care and want to reduce your energy consumption

If you have delicate clothes that can't handle tumble drying
If you want to minimize ironing needs

When to choose a tumble dryer:
If you need to dry large loads of laundry quickly
If you have limited space for drying clothes