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Great for reducing reliance on your tumble dryer, a clothes horse offers an energy-efficient way to dry out clean garments. The ideal options make it easy to organise items and minimise the risk of creases and wrinkles. The challenge is in choosing the solution well-suited to your specific household needs. That’s why we created this list to help.
How We Compared Clothes Horses
To find the right clothes airers, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Capacity
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Durability
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews, and comparing features to come up with this list.
Clothes Horse Reviews
Leifheit Pegasus 200 (Editor’s Choice)
With a large drying space of up to 20m, this clothes airer allows users to conveniently dry two loads of washing at once. The durable plastic and metal device is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with rustproofing materials and chip-resistant paint. There’s also a set of convenient fold-out wings for keeping longer garments away from the floor.
The convenient design of this Leifheit Pegasus 200 clothes horse ensures you can get the most out of your drying space without the need for an extra storage room. The whole system folds down flat, so it’s easy to keep out of the way when not in use. The product is sturdy and durable, with a set of two parallel feet to prevent tipping.
Two convenient holders for small pieces make it easy to organise socks, underwear and other garments. Plus, it is wonderfully easy to use, with a simple unfolding mechanism.
Pros:
- Extra-large drying space of up to 20 metres
- Sturdy and reliable with rustproof materials
- Helpful folding wings for longer clothes
- Compact for storage
- Small parts holders for socks and underwear
Cons:
- The middle bars can be quite thin and bouncy
- The plastic hinges may not be durable enough for some users
Foppapedretti Supergulliver (Luxury Choice)
Both visually appealing and reliable at the same time, our next pick is ideal for larger quantities of laundry. It comes with 35 metres of wire and a hanger rod to help lessen the risk of wrinkles and creases in your garments. The solid wooden frame with painted aluminium rods ensures a highly durable experience when airing your garments.
This convenient Foppapedretti Supergulliver clothes airer is a versatile product suitable for any home. There are four swivel wheels on the feet, so you can easily move it to the right position. Two of the wheels also have brakes to hold the device in place.
The foldable device easily converts into a compact shape between uses, so you don’t have to worry about finding a storage room. There are even separate hanging areas specially designed for small items, longer clothes, and more.
Pros:
- Folds down for easy storage
- Sturdy wood and aluminium frame
- Easy to move with a set of four wheels
- Hanger rod for no-crease drying
- Up to 35 metres of space
Cons:
- It may be too large and heavy for some users
- The side wings may be too short for some clothes
Amazon Basics Foldable (Best Value)
This foldable clothes horse is ideal for compact homes with limited floor space and delivers excellent results without taking up much room. The lightweight structure weighs only 3.9lbs and comes with 11 sturdy rods for sorting all kinds of clothes. The accordion-style design also allows for quick and easy assembly. What’s more, everything folds down neatly for convenient storage.
This high-performance AmazonBasics Foldable clothes horse features fantastic materials throughout, including steel for durability. Four robust rods are on the top segment for smaller pieces or hanging long garments. Each section provides plenty of hanging space.
The chrome surface ensures this airer will be rust and mildew-resistant, while the high-strength materials allow the item to hold significant weight.
Pros:
- Folds flat for easy storage
- Multiple rod sections for garments
- Steel structure for durability
- Excellent chrome finish
- Lightweight for portability
Cons:
- It may be too small for some users
- Some of the poles may feel a little thin
Minky Extra Wide (Best for Smalls Spaces)
This three-level clothes horse is great for people with limited space in their homes and a large amount of laundry to work through. Each section comes with multiple rods where you can organise your clothing however you choose. The entire frame delivers up to 18m of drying space, with tubular steel construction for incredible durability.
Compact and convenient, the Minky Extra Wide clothes airer makes the most of your available space. It folds neatly for easy storage and comes with an autolocking mechanism, so it doesn’t collapse under the weight of your garments. The top section of the item is specially designed for flat drying and longer items.
Lightweight, this option is easy to move around when looking for the perfect position in your home. The tiers are also slightly angled, so you can ensure your garments remain separated during the drying process.
Pros:
- Up to 18m of drying space
- Folds flat for simple storage
- Tubular steel construction for durability
- Lightweight and easy to lift
- Dedicated top area for flat drying
Cons:
- It can be quite difficult to fold for some users
- The plastic components may have a slightly rough finish
Vileda Sprint (Best for Sturdiness)
With 20m of secure drying space for all kinds of garments, this three-tiered clothes airer is ideal for busy households. The device is easy to open and close and locks into place when it’s fully unfolded. Moreover, it can be compressed into a compact shape for simple storage. A set of non-slip feet on the bottom of the legs even protect wooden floors.
This high-quality Vileda Sprint clothes horse is a sturdy and reliable tool for managing your laundry. The steel construction can accommodate up to 20kg of clothes. There are even extra-strong poles for holding heavier pieces.
Four hanging hooks are included within the design, giving you a useful space to place items you want to keep free from creases and wrinkles.
Pros:
- Sturdy steel structure
- Non-slip feet to protect your floors
- 20m of drying space
- Four hanging hooks included
- Folds flat for storage
Cons:
- The plastic components can fall off the frame
- Some of the bars may seem a little too thin
HOMIDEC 4-Tier (Best for Versatility)
This 4-tier oversized drying rack has plenty of space for all your clothing. There are four sections, each with eight posts. In addition, seven hooks are included on a set of two side wings for longer suits and dresses. The structure is easy to build and install, with detailed instructions included. Plus, you can use the same device indoors or outdoors.
Stable and sturdy, the HOMIDEC 4-tier clothes horse is made with high-quality stainless steel and thick plastic. There are durable double columns on both sides to reduce the risk of tipping. So you can move your clothing easily around the home, it also includes a set of four caster wheels. Two of them have their own brakes for locking the device in place.
For washing shoes, there’s extra storage space on the bottom where you can place your footwear as it dries. The foldable design also ensures you can flatten the airer when it’s not in use to keep it out of the way.
Pros:
- Durable steel structure
- Set of four wheels for movability
- Numerous sections for storing clothes
- Set of hooks for longer suits and dresses
- Folds flat for storage
Cons:
- It may be a little fiddly to assemble
- The plastic hanger sections may not be suitable for heavy garments
Lakeland Concertina (Best Design)
Both visually appealing and practical, this clothes airer is sure to look excellent in any setting. It comes with six metres of drying space, distributed over a selection of aluminium rungs. The frame itself features high-quality hardwood for a traditional appearance. There’s even a space on the bottom for drying wet shoes.
This Lakeland Concertina clothes horse is ideal for compact spaces, as it can fold down almost completely flat for storage. It’s also lightweight enough to move around effortlessly. The product uses premium materials for excellent stability without marking your clothes.
The grooves in the base of this item also mean you can choose from various height settings. You can simply twist the wooden polls to fold everything down when you’re done.
Pros:
- Compact enough for easy storage
- Stable and durable poles
- High-quality wood and aluminium
- Attractive design
- Extra section for drying shoes
Cons:
- This option may not have enough hanging space for big families
- It can be a little difficult to put up
How to Choose a Clothes Horse
The ideal clothes horse for your needs will depend on how much laundry you tend to do daily. Larger families will likely benefit from a versatile option with several different sections. Alternatively, for a small home, a compact device which can easily fold away between uses will take up less floor space.
Here are some points you may need to consider when picking your clothes airer.
Capacity
The larger your family, the more laundry you may need to place on your drying rack at one time. A durable and versatile product should offer a number of different poles and compartments for your clothes. Some options include extra hanging sections to place shirt hangers alongside your other garments.
Depending on the type of device you choose, you may be able to dry multiple loads of laundry at once. Certain solutions will also include a space on the bottom for drying shoes. Some units also include additional clips for smaller pieces.
Design
Clothes horses can come in a variety of shapes to suit different needs. Some feature an accordion-style structure with angled tiers to separate a range of clothing items. Others have multiple sections with a lot of spacing in between or wings you can fold out.
When looking at the design, you may also want to consider how they will look in your home, particularly if you use these devices daily. A traditional appearance featuring wood and metal is often a popular choice.
Ease of Use
The best clothes airers are often easy to assemble and use. They have a natural folding ability, so you can quickly get everything set up after a laundry load is finished. Plus, some solutions will also automatically lock into place to avoid tipping.
If you need to move your laundry around from time to time, it may be a good idea to look for something with a set of wheels on the bottom. It’s also worth finding a product which is easy enough to wipe clean between uses.
Durability
The stability and strength of your clothes horse will depend on various factors, including the materials throughout the piece. Steel, wood, and aluminium can all offer excellent levels of durability for heavier clothing items.
Check to ensure the poles, hinges, and other components are sturdy enough to withstand regular use. Depending on what you have in mind for your clothes horse, you may also need to consider whether it is suitable indoors and outdoors.
Summary
We chose the Leifheit Pegasus 200 as our top pick from this list. It comes with up to 20 metres of drying space, enough for managing two loads of laundry simultaneously. The durable metal-plastic structure has a set of fold-out wings for longer garments. This airer also folds down completely flat, so it’s easy to store when you’re not using it.
Rebekah is a writer who loves to explore new products and find hacks that make life easier. She has a knack for all things home improvement, health and fitness. So you’ll often find her on Pinterest or browsing Houzz for ideas.
She’s always looking for the next thing to fix up around the house or what gadget might be just right for her lifestyle. Rebekah enjoys exploring new recipes, taking care of her family, and making sure she stays healthy with regular workouts at the gym.