Is Dry:Soon’s heated clothes airer a laundry hero or a lot of hot air?

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping expertsSign up for our free IndyBest emailLet’s face it, the UK experiences more than its fair share of damp weather, so anything that ramps up the efficiency when it comes to drying our clothes will always be of interest.This type of drying pod works by circulating warm air inside a tent-like capsule containing a hanging rail. The warm air is provided by a small fan, and the cover (in theory) not only means quicker drying times but prevents damp, warm air escaping.Although, it’s worth noting that drying pods should only be used to dry damp clothes that have been spun in a washing machine (we’re hoping we don’t need to remind you that water and electricity aren’t exactly great bedfellows).Other advantages include less need for ironing (hurrah!), because the clothes are hanging, which means fewer creases; and the gadget’s suitability for delicate items, due to the lack of tumble drying. They’re also great for the environment, because less energy is required – news that is even more welcome during the cost-of-living crisis.The best bit? They do all of this incredibly quietly. Most drying pods will dry between 5 and 14 items of clothing in one session, and will produce noise levels of between 50 and 60 decibels (to put that into perspective, the average fridge produces 50 decibels).How we testedWe dried a range of clothing – from freshly washed jumpers that couldn’t be tumble dried to the sodden jacket we’d been wearing when caught in an unexpected downpour – using the various settings. We evaluated everything from drying times to noise levels and portability, too. Here’s how the Dry:Soon pod fared.Dry:Soon drying pod: £89.99, Lakeland.co.uk (Dry:Soon)Weight: 3.54kgPower supply: Mains poweredSize: 62cm diameter x 146cm HGuarantee: Three yearsMaximum load: 10kgRating: 4.5/5DesignThe first thing we noticed when the Dry:Soon turned up on our doorstep was the weight. At just 3.54kg, we knew instantly this was a device we’d be able to move around without putting a shoulder out of joint.Information provided by the brand reinforced the airer’s energy-efficient credentials, stating it costs 34p an hour to run, and that the air that will circulate has a temperature of 70C. A fun fact? That’s around the same temperature as a sauna’s lowest setting (although to be perfectly clear, a full-sized human is one thing the Dry:Soon drying pod definitely can’t accommodate).It took us less than a minute to build the entire thing (Tamara Hinson)When it came to assembling, no tools were required. The central pole – which has six fold-out arms from which to hang items, and which supports the canvas exterior – slid easily into position and was quick to screw into the top of the unit. The three supporting legs then simply clicked into the base of the fan, forming a sturdy tripod base.There are two zips on the canvas – one at the top, and one at the base – which stretches vertically and seals in the hot air. All in, it took us less than a minute to build the entire thing.Drying powerUsing this mains-powered dryer is incredibly simple – the dial on the unit beneath the fan can be tweaked to set drying times of between 30 and 180 minutes, and it can also simply be turned on and off as required. We were surprised by how quickly it heated up, as, within seconds, we could feel the entire pod had filled with hot air.Read more: Best ironing boards to steam through your laundry pileThe instructions stated the pod has room for 12 hangers. We easily loaded 12 damp items onto the extending arms but actually suspect we could have added at least two more. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that less material means better air circulation, so we’d recommend taking a moment to consider the materials you’re hanging, and how damp they are before trying to cram more in.The zips do a great job of keeping in the hot air – proof of which came in the way the sides and top puffed out slightly when the fan was turned on. And it was also surprisingly, and pleasingly, quiet – we’d say it had a similar output to the noise produced by our dishwasher.We got 12 hangers inside, but we suspect two more would fit (Tamara Hinson)Our testing suggests the average shirt will dry in around an hour, while thicker garments, such as jeans, take up to two hours, although it’s worth remembering drying times get shorter when there are fewer garments inside. In other words, this isn’t a tumble dryer – no matter how quickly you want that damp load of washing to dry, overloading the arms is never going to be an efficient approach.We also loved the crease-free results – we were sceptical that clothes spun-dried in a machine would relinquish their deepest folds, but our shirts and jeans were surprisingly crease-free when they emerged from their canvas cocoon.The verdict: Dry:Soon drying podWe were sceptical about the Dry:Soon drying pod, mainly because we were worried it would be cumbersome and space-sapping. We were proved wrong on both counts. It’s incredibly easy to set up, which means it can be quickly dismantled when not in use. And the ease with which it powers up meant it could start drying our damp clothes in less than a minute after we’d pulled the part-filled box out from under our stairs.The canvas cover does a great job of minimising dampness, too. In the past, when we have dried clothes in our kitchen overnight, we can usually feel the moisture in the air, but this wasn’t the case here. If anything, it seems to produce less moisture, and does a great job of preventing any dampness it does produce from escaping. Although we’re hardly ready to throw out our tumble dryer, the Dry:Soon drying pod is a great extra option – especially for those items that can’t be tumble dried. Its lightweight, collapsible design supercharges its efficiency and it really impressed.Buy now £89.99, Lakeland.co.ukWe’ve also found the best clothes airers and drying racks to suit every spaceWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.Already subscribed? Log in