Option A
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer dries clothes quickly using a heated drum. Vented and condenser models often cost more to run, while heat pump dryers use less energy but cost more upfront.
Tumble dryer vs heated airer: which is cheaper?
Updated June 2026 6 min read
Quick verdict
On running cost the heated airer is the clear winner. Drying a load costs roughly 20p to 36p, against about £1 to £1.50 for a condenser or vented tumble dryer. The catch is that it is much slower and releases moisture into the room.
Option B
Heated airer
A heated airer is a low-power drying rack. It is cheap to buy and run, but drying takes several hours and moisture remains inside the room unless ventilated.
Side-by-side comparison
A heated airer is usually much cheaper to run than a tumble dryer for everyday laundry, but it takes hours and needs ventilation. A tumble dryer is faster and better for heavy loads, towels and bedding, especially in a busy household.
Cost to dry a load
Tumble dryer
About £1 to £1.50 for a condenser or vented dryer, around 50p for a heat pump
Heated airer
About 20p to 36pBetter
Power used
Tumble dryer
Around 2,000 to 5,000W
Heated airer
Around 200 to 300WBetter
Drying time
Tumble dryer
Around 45 minutes to 2 hoursBetter
Heated airer
Around 4 to 6 hours or more
Upfront cost
Tumble dryer
£200 to £1,000 depending on type
Heated airer
£30 to £100Better
Big or heavy loads
Tumble dryer
Handles large loads, towels and beddingBetter
Heated airer
Best for light to medium loads
Effect on the home
Tumble dryer
Vents moisture away from the roomBetter
Heated airer
Releases moisture indoors, so needs good ventilation
| Compare | Tumble dryer | Heated airer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to dry a load | About £1 to £1.50 for a condenser or vented dryer, around 50p for a heat pump | About 20p to 36pBetter |
| Power used | Around 2,000 to 5,000W | Around 200 to 300WBetter |
| Drying time | Around 45 minutes to 2 hoursBetter | Around 4 to 6 hours or more |
| Upfront cost | £200 to £1,000 depending on type | £30 to £100Better |
| Big or heavy loads | Handles large loads, towels and beddingBetter | Best for light to medium loads |
| Effect on the home | Vents moisture away from the roomBetter | Releases moisture indoors, so needs good ventilation |
Pros and cons
Tumble dryer pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Fast, drying a load in around 45 minutes to 2 hours
- ✓Large capacity that handles towels, bedding and heavy loads
- ✓Dries clothes whatever the weather
- ✓Heat pump models are far cheaper to run than older dryers
Cons
- -Condenser and vented models are expensive to run, often £1 or more a load
- -Heat pump dryers cost more to buy, from around £350 up to £1,000
- -Takes up space and a higher upfront cost overall
Heated airer pros and cons
Pros
- ✓Very cheap to run, roughly 5p to 10p an hour
- ✓Cheap to buy, from around £30
- ✓Low power draw, designed to be left on for hours
- ✓Gentle on clothes and easy to move or store
Cons
- -Slow, often taking 4 to 6 hours or more for a full load
- -Smaller capacity, so less suited to big or heavy loads
- -Releases moisture into the room, which can cause condensation and damp without good ventilation
Cost examples
Everyday mixed laundry
For regular light to medium loads, a heated airer can dry clothes at a fraction of the running cost of many tumble dryers.
- Heated airer
- 20p-36p
- Dryer
- £1+
Towels and bedding
A tumble dryer is much faster and handles bulky loads better, especially when you need laundry dry the same day.
- Likely winner
- Dryer
- Key reason
- Capacity
Frequent dryer user
If you tumble dry often, a heat pump dryer can narrow the running-cost gap, though it costs more to buy upfront.
- Heat pump load
- Around 50p
- Trade-off
- Upfront cost
When to choose Tumble dryer
- ›You need clothes dry quickly
- ›You regularly dry towels, bedding or heavy loads
- ›Your household does a lot of laundry
- ›You have space and budget for a dryer
- ›You want moisture removed from the room rather than released indoors
When to choose Heated airer
- ›Running cost is your main priority
- ›You can wait 4 to 6 hours or more
- ›You usually dry light to medium loads
- ›You want a low upfront cost
- ›You can use it in a well-ventilated space
Calculator
Calculate your own figures
Use the calculator below for a personal estimate, or open the full tool for the complete calculator page.
FAQs
Is a heated airer cheaper than a tumble dryer?
Yes. A heated airer dries a load for roughly 20p to 36p, while a condenser or vented tumble dryer often costs £1 or more. Switching to an airer for everyday drying can save around £200 to £350 a year.
How much does a heated airer cost to run?
Heated airers draw around 200 to 300W and cost roughly 5p to 10p an hour to run. A full load that takes 4 to 5 hours therefore costs about 20p to 36p at current electricity prices.
How much does a tumble dryer cost to run per load?
A condenser or vented dryer typically costs about £1 to £1.50 for a full cotton load. A more efficient heat pump dryer costs around 50p a load, sometimes less, because it uses far less energy.
What is the downside of a heated airer?
It is slow, often taking 4 to 6 hours or more, and it releases moisture into the room as clothes dry. Without good ventilation that can lead to condensation and damp, so it is best used in a well-aired space.
Is a heat pump tumble dryer worth it?
If you dry clothes often, yes. A heat pump dryer costs more to buy but uses far less energy, around 50p a load against over £1 for older dryers, so the savings can pay back the higher price over time.
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