Don’t have a tumble dryer? Or just trying to save some money on utilities? Then you need one of the best clothes drying racks.
When you choose the right one for your clothes, and put it in a space with great airflow, your clothes will be dry before you know it. And — without that horrible musty scent! We’re here to recommend you 13 amazing clothes drying racks.
- Sturdy & durable
- Rotates for easy hanging
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Sock clips included
- Adjustable wings
- No assembly required
- Adjustable pull out system
- Good for large or small items
- Utilizes wasted space
- Added shoe pegs
- Works indoor or outdoor
- Horizontal & vertical air drying
- Spacious for wall-mounted rack
- Coat hooks included
- Sturdy & durable
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Folds up to a compact size
- Made from strong bamboo
- Stackable or can be used alone
- Durable mesh construction
- Large enough to fit big garments
- Budget-friendly
- Expandable design
- Folds up when stored
- Adjustable size
- Wheels for easy portability
- Extra wings & shoe rack
- Space for 36 hangers
- Versatile product
- No assembly required
Types of Clothes Drying Racks
We’ll recap the most common types of drying racks. But keep in mind there are others, such as hanging and bathtub drying racks.
Wall-Mounted
With these, you can drill them to the wall. They pull or fold out when you need them — then just hang your clothes up!
Wall-mounted racks are the optimum space-saving way to dry your clothes. However, they’re best for small items like washcloths, underwear and vest tops since the rack doesn’t get a great amount of air flow. But they’re definitely a good addition to a bigger drying rack.
X-Wing
X-Wing is exactly what it sounds like! It’s an X shape with adjustable wings. You can position the wings to be at the preferred height which is especially helpful when drying long garments, such as towels, dresses or sheets.
There aren’t many X-Wing drying racks on the US market, so if you do find one — you’re in luck! Thankfully, we have one to recommend today.
Tiered
Tiered drying racks are the most common kind. They are available in all sizes, heights and materials! You’ll be able to find something that accommodates your clothing and home decor. They usually range from two tiers up to four. When you’re done using these, they fold up to a slim compact size to save you storage space.
Heated
If you want to speed up your air drying time, a heated drying rack is a great choice! The downside is that heated drying racks can increase the chance of mold and mildew. However, they’re okay for occasional use, especially in conjunction with a dehumidifier (1). For instance, for quickly drying damp towels in between showers.
How Long Does It Take Clothes to Dry on a Heated Airer?
This depends on how wet the clothes were in the first place, and the thickness of the garment. Based on online testing, you can expect it to take anywhere from four to 12 hours (2).
Is It Safe to Leave a Heated Airer on Overnight?
If it’s thermostatically controlled, it should be fine to leave on overnight. Many users leave theirs on overnight so clothes are dry and warm in the morning. But double check with the manufacturer.
How to Choose the Best Clothes Drying Racks
When it comes to shopping for a new clothes drying rack, it’s up to you to find the best match. Here are the top details you should consider before purchasing.
Size
We recommend looking at the size of the rack both when it’s open and when folded. Make sure it will fit your laundry load sizes, but also make sure you’ll be able to store it comfortably in your home.
Material
Drying racks come in a range of materials. This includes stainless steel, plastic, wood, mesh and much more. Stainless steel and plastic are the most durable. Mesh is great for flat drying racks. Wood is aesthetically pleasing, and eco-friendly, but more prone to mold and mildew.
Flexibility
How easy is it to adjust the rack? Some can be widened or narrowed, depending on your space or what you’re drying — such as X wing racks.
Also look at how versatile it is for different garments. Does it have a flat top for heavy sweaters? Does it have a place to hang coat hangers for air drying shirts?
Capacity
How much clothing can it hold? How much weight can it bear? Capacity is super important, especially for large families! Consider how much space the drying rack has.
Extra Features
Some extra features may include:
- Heated racks.
- Clips for socks and underwear.
- Adjustable wings.
- Wheels.
- Folds up small.
If you’re looking for something specific, you should be able to find a drying rack with that criteria!
Sturdiness
Sturdiness is important, especially if you do big loads of laundry. It’s good to get something with ensured balance. We also recommend looking for something with a lock mechanism to keep it standing upright.
The Best Clothes Drying Racks of 2021
Hours of research have gone into this comprehensive list of the 13 best clothes drying racks. We’ve studied real customer reviews, product descriptions, and expert advice. We’ve also applied our experience after many years of using clothes drying racks!
1. Tosnail 2 Pack Stainless Steel Clip and Drip Hangers
This is our top pick for air drying small garments. It’s the perfect solution for air drying washcloths, underwear, socks, and vest tops.
We love that it’s made with quality rust-resistant stainless steel. Each rod is four millimeters wide and can hold up to 10 pounds of clothing. So you can rest assured that this product will last a long time.
Hanging clothes up is a breeze with this product. You can easily rotate the rack because of the swivel hook. The safety lock prevents the hook from falling off, so your clothes are secure all day.
The clips are strong enough to withstand a hefty weight, but also strong winds. So you can hang this outside on a sunny day, or if you’re away camping!
- Each rod can hold up to 10 pounds of clothing.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Rotates for easy hanging.
- Indoor and outdoor use.
- Not a solution for all clothing. Can’t hold heavy or big items.
Additional Specs
Size | 16.46 x 12.13 x 1.34 inches |
Material | Stainless steel |
Capacity | Large — 10 pounds per rod |
Special features | Rotates, included clips |
Type | Hanging |
2. SONGMICS Foldable Clothes Drying Rack
Do you want something that saves you space but still provides enough room to dry big batches of laundry? Look no further! This drying rack has 33 rails across two layers so you can hang everything up without any overlapping.
This drying rack is made with a sturdy stainless steel frame. It can hold up to 77 pounds of clothing. So you’ll definitely be able to dry an entire load of laundry on this rack.
You can also adjust the wings to provide enough height for longer items such as towels or dresses.
When you’re done using it, just fold it up and slot it into a cupboard or down the side of the washing machine. It folds up to a narrow size, saving space even in the tiniest of homes.
Please Note
- Two tiers to hold up to 77 pounds of laundry.
- Included sock clips.
- Adjustable wings to accommodate longer garments.
- No assembly required.
- Quite pricey.
- Not wide enough for XL clothes.
Additional Specs
Size | 46 x 24.8 x 2.5 inches |
Material | Stainless steel |
Capacity | Large — 77 pounds of clothes |
Special features | Adjustable wings and sock clips |
Type | Tiered and x-wing |
3. Bartnelli Accordion Wall Mounted Drying Rack
Wall-mounted drying racks are great space-saving choices, especially if you live in a small home or dorms.
The Bartnelli has an accordion style pull-out system. When you’re not using it, it hardly takes up any space at all. You can even adjust it depending on how many rods you need to use. So if you’re not utilizing the whole unit, just pull it out a bit at a time.
This works well for heavy towels or small delicate garments. Although there’s not a huge amount of space, it pulls out far enough to provide good air flow. And it’s strong enough to support heavy items.
In total, it has 22 feet of space over eight rods. You should be able to hang up almost a full load of laundry. It can hold 60 pounds of weight which is a workhorse, especially for a wall-mounted rack.
- Holds up to 60 pounds of laundry.
- Adjustable pull out system.
- Good for large or small items.
- Utilizes wasted space.
- Challenging installation.
- The installation pieces didn’t work for many customers.
Additional Specs
Size | 34.5 x 9.25 x 5.5 inches |
Material | Stainless steel |
Capacity | Medium — 60 pounds of clothes |
Special features | Accordian style pull system |
Type | Wall-mounted |
4. Sunbeam Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack
The Sunbeam drying rack provides so much space, so you can dry a couple of loads of laundry at once.
With a large drying surface, you can vertically or horizontally dry clothes. So whether you have light items, like t-shirts, or heavy sweaters, you can dry them all on this rack.
It has 13 horizontal rods for drying lingerie, delicates and sweaters. The bottom tier gives you additional storage. It even has plastic soles for drying shoes and slippers, too.
We love that you can use this indoors or outdoors. The thick rust-proof steel means it can withstand rain or bright sunshine.
This lightweight drying rack is easy to transport. It’s a breeze to store, too, since it folds up to a narrow size.
- Added shoe pegs.
- Works indoor or outdoor.
- Works for horizontal and vertical air drying.
- Adjustable wings.
- Not big enough for extra wide clothes.
- Customers found it was a little smaller than expected.
Additional Specs
Size | 71 x 22 x 41 inches |
Material | Steel |
Capacity | Large |
Special features | Adjustable wings |
Type | X-wing |
5. brightmaison Wall Mounted Drying Rack
The brightmaison drying rack takes wall-mounted to a whole new level. Not only does it have your classic wall-mounted shape, but it has additional rods for hanging clothes up to dry.
Of course, with it being on the wall, you save space. Perfect if you live in a tiny house or dorms!
It has a flat top for horizontal drying. But it’s also suitable for drying t-shirts, tea towels and underwear. The additional rods are perfect for towels, bed sheets, and hanging up coats or shirts. So you can air dry a lot more clothes in a smaller space with this unit.
The rack even comes with little hooks underneath the flat top. You can hang clothes on coat hangers to dry or use the hooks for some extra storage space!
Lastly — if you’re a parent, this is a must-have product for air drying baby clothes. It’s the perfect size for big loads of laundry.
- Spacious for a wall-mounted rack.
- Included coat hooks.
- Horizontal and vertical drying.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Expensive.
- Difficult assembly.
Additional Specs
Size | 17.7 x 12.6 x 3.4 inches |
Material | Metal |
Capacity | Medium |
Special features | Extra arms and coat hooks |
Type | Wall-mounted |
6. Home-it Clothes Drying Rack
Many people opt for a wooden drying rack because face it — they’re cute. When your clothes are drying, it’s not always a pretty sight. So spruce it up with a lovely drying rack, such as the Home-it option.
This rack has space for vertical and horizontal drying. The flat top is perfect for heavy items such as sweaters or jackets.
Plus, this rack is lightweight and easy to transport, even while the clothes are drying. When you’re finished with it, it folds up to a nice compact size for easy storage.
It’s made from strong, durable bamboo. It will resist warping and splintering, but if not dried thoroughly between uses, it could grow mold and mildew.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Folds up to a compact size.
- Horizontal and vertical drying.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Prone to mold and mildew if not dried properly.
- May need sanding down as some customers reported the wood wasn’t smooth.
Additional Specs
Size | 29 x 19.5 x 3.25 inches |
Material | Bamboo wood |
Capacity | Medium |
Special features | None |
Type | Tiered |
7. STORAGE MANIAC Flat Sweater Drying Rack
Did you know heavy clothes should be air dried flat? This includes sweaters, jackets, and embellished dresses. Otherwise, the clothes could stretch. For heavy clothes, we recommend using the Storage Maniac flat sweater drying rack to zap moisture out your clothes.
This is made from a durable frame and handy mesh. The mesh netting will be kind on your delicate clothes and provide quick results.
The product comes with four tiers. You can stack them up or use them independently. If you use them together, you save space and still get quick results. There’s a good amount of room between the layers for optimum air flow.
These are also lightweight so you can easily bring them with you on your camping trip or to a hotel.
- Stackable or can be used alone.
- Durable construction.
- Quick results due to the mesh material.
- Large enough to fit big garments without them hanging off.
- Hard to assemble and disassemble.
- Quite big, so it’s hard to store.
Additional Specs
Size | 27.95 x 27.95 x 5.7 inches |
Material | Plastic and mesh |
Capacity | About four sweaters — small |
Special features | Stackable |
Type | Tiered |
8. Sunbeam Expandable Clothes Drying Rack
For something suitable for all budgets, we recommend the Sunbeam Expandable Clothes Drying Rack. Not only will it fit all your clothes, but you can expand it when needed.
It can be expanded from 17 inches wide to 29.5 inches. So you can stretch it out when you need more space, or collapse it a little when you are drying less clothes.
It’s made from enamel-coated steel which is extra durable, even when you have a heavy load of laundry hanging up.
There are 11 rods total, so you can hang up a whole load of laundry and forget about it until later. The tiered design allows great airflow for clothes on the top, middle and bottom. So leave your clothes out to dry during the day and when you get home from work, you can snuggle into your cozy pyjamas!
It comes pre-assembled so you don’t have to do any construction when it arrives.
- Budget-friendly.
- Expandable design.
- Folds up when you need to store it.
- Sturdy design.
- The expandable knobs in the middle dent clothing as it dries.
- It’s quite narrow, so you can’t lay garments completely flat.
Additional Specs
Size | 29.5 x 14.5 x 41 inches |
Material | Enamel-coated steel |
Capacity | Large |
Special features | Expands |
Type | Tiered |
9. bigzzia Clothes Drying Rack
Just because you have a lot of people in your family doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune at the laundromat. The bigzzia drying rack has enough space for most sizes of families!
It has three tiers with six retractable trays and two side wings. Each rack can be folded down to save space, or you can have it all open it once for maximum drying capacity. It even has a base for shoes.
We think this has a great construction, too. It’s made of premium iron pipe and plastic to endure high capacity of clothing. It also has wheels so you can transport it from room to room with total ease.
When this arrives, you’ll be surprised at how easy the assembly is. If you feel it’s too big, you don’t have to add every tier. You can add them on later, as you please.
- Great for large families.
- Adjustable size.
- Wheels for easy portability.
- Extra wings and additional shoe rack.
- It’s quite large so takes up a bit of space.
- May break or tip if overloaded.
Additional Specs
Size | 28.7 x 25.1 x 70 inches |
Material | Iron pipe and plastic |
Capacity | Large |
Special features | Added wings, shoe rack and wheels |
Type | Tiered |
10. Whitmor Garment & Drying Rack
Some clothes do better being dried on their hangers — such as shirts. It helps the garment hold their shape while receiving optimum air flow.
The Whitmor drying rack is a top choice if you’re looking for something suitable with clothes hangers. In fact, it can double as a storage rack, since you use this to display clothes, too.
Keep your garments neat and organized. It has three wings, so you can use them for different purposes such as “need to be washed,” “need to be dried” or “ready to wear!”
There is space for 36 hangers, 12 on each arm.
When this arrives, it’s ready to go! There’s no assembly required, so you can get straight to using this.
- Space for 36 hangers.
- Versatile product.
- Three arms. You can use them for separate uses.
- No assembly required.
- Lightweight, so not super sturdy.
- Tips if overloaded.
Additional Specs
Size | 28 x 28 x 64.5 inches |
Material | Plastic and metal |
Capacity | Large |
Special features | Holds coat hangers |
Type | Standing |
11. Heat Rails PA002T Towel Warmer
A heated drying rack can save you time, especially if you’re in a rush. The Heat Rails towel warmer is a great and compact addition to most households.
We especially recommend this for towels and washcloths. You can zap out moisture in no time, so bacteria won’t harbor. This makes your overall shower or bathing routine much more hygienic.
But you can also use this for quickly drying underwear or socks so they’re warm and dry for you in the morning!
This rack reaches 122 degrees Fahrenheit and can be plugged into a 110-120V outlet. You may want to keep it in the bathroom where it will provide additional heat, too, especially in the wintertime.
- Can be installed to the wall or freestanding.
- Speeds up air drying time.
- Great for towels, socks and underwear.
- Heats up a room, too.
- It’s not super spacious.
- Warranty period not disclosed.
Additional Specs
Size | 35 x 22 x 2 inches |
Material | Aluminium |
Capacity | Small |
Special features | Heats up to 122°F |
Type | Heated |
12. BONBON 3 Tier Clothes Drying Rack
Did someone say wheels? The Bonbon three tier drying rack has you covered! Ultimate drying space and wheels for easy portability.
This awesome drying rack is available in two colors: white and grey. So you can match it with your interior decor.
The rack itself has enough space for large loads of laundry. It has three tiers with two side wings for hanging clothes up. The six shelves are foldable, so you can tuck them away to make room for draping items.
The steel construction gives you great durability. Lastly, it has wheels with lockable rolling casters so it’ll stay put when you need it to.
Lastly, when you’re done using it, you can fold down the shelves to save storage space. Keep in mind that it’s still a big unit so it’s not ideal for small homes or dorms.
- Lots of room for air drying.
- Two color choices.
- Six foldable shelves and two wings.
- Durable steel construction.
- Instructions are almost impossible to interpret.
- Wheels aren’t strong. They get stuck in the carpet.
Additional Specs
Size | 33.25 x 25.25 x 66.5 inches |
Material | Steel |
Capacity | Large |
Special features | Wheels |
Type | Tiered |
13. Better Houseware Bathtub Drying Rack
If you’re low on space, you can’t go wrong with a bathtub drying rack! Simply connect this to the rim of the bathtub, hang your clothes up and you’re good to go.
This utilizes dead space during the day while you’re at work or out with friends. No need to have a drying rack getting in your way as you move around the house.
This particular one from Better Houseware adjusts to the specific size of your bathtub. It’s also great because if the clothes drip water, it goes right down the drain.
Customers love using this for air drying their towels between showers. It’s also great for privacy while your clothes are drying. Close the shower curtain and keep your undergarments totally private when guests are over.
- Adjusts to the size of your bath.
- Prevents mold and mildew on the floors, since water goes down the drain.
- Good for air drying towels between showers.
- Has a locking mechanism for sturdiness.
- The rungs are close together so not good airflow for lots of garments.
- The blue feet crack easily.
Additional Specs
Size | 25.75 x 2 x 26 inches |
Material | Metal and plastic |
Capacity | Small |
Special features | Can be used flat, adjusts to your bathtub size |
Type | Bathtub |
Product | Best | Size | Material | Capacity | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tosnail 2 Pack Stainless Steel Clip and Drip Hangers | Stainless Steel | 16.46 x 12.13 x 1.34″ | Stainless steel | Large | Hanging |
SONGMICS Foldable Clothes Drying Rack | Two-Tiered | 46 x 24.8 x 2.5″ | Stainless steel | Large | Tiered & x-wing |
Bartnelli Accordion Wall Mounted Drying Rack | Wall-Mounted | 34.5 x 9.25 x 5.5″ | Stainless steel | Medium | Wall-mounted |
Sunbeam Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack | X-Wing | 71 x 22 x 41″ | Steel | Large | X-wing |
brightmaison Wall Mounted Drying Rack | Small Space | 17.7 x 12.6 x 3.4″ | Metal | Medium | Wall-mounted |
Home-it Clothes Drying Rack | Wooden | 29 x 19.5 x 3.25″ | Bamboo wood | Medium | Tiered |
STORAGE MANIAC Flat Sweater Drying Rack | Heavy Clothes | 27.95 x 27.95 x 5.7″ | Plastic & mesh | Small | Tiered |
Sunbeam Expandable Clothes Drying Rack | Budget Pick | 29.5 x 14.5 x 41″ | Enamel-coated steel | Large | Tiered |
bigzzia Clothes Drying Rack | Large Families | 28.7 x 25.1 x 70″ | Iron pipe & plastic | Large | Tiered |
Whitmor Garment & Drying Rack | Hangers | 28 x 28 x 64.5″ | Plastic & metal | Large | Standing |
Heat Rails PA002T Towel Warmer | Heated | 35 x 22 x 2″ | Aluminum | Small | Heated |
BONBON 3 Tier Clothes Drying Rack | Wheeled | 33.25 x 25.25 x 66.5″ | Steel | Large | Tiered |
Better Houseware Bathtub Drying Rack | Bathtub | 25.75 x 2 x 26″ | Metal & plastic | Small | Bathtub |
Is Drying Clothes Indoors Bad?
Air drying clothes indoors can raise moisture levels by up to 30 percent (3).
This can increase the chances of mold and mildew. It can also be irritating for people with allergies or asthma. While drying your clothes outdoors isn’t always an option, it’s the best option when it’s available.
However, if you are going to be drying clothes indoors, make sure to choose a well-ventilated area and avoid using bedrooms or living rooms.
Why Do Clothes Smell When Dried Inside?
If your clothes still smell after being air dried inside, it’s most likely because they’ve taken too long to dry. As a result, they’re clinging to their damp smell.
What Is the Best Way to Dry Clothes Indoors?
We’ll share our top tips for air drying clothes indoors so you can have bone dry clothes that don’t smell.
- Always use a well-ventilated area. Opening windows and using fans can help speed up the drying time.
- Don’t hang clothes in your bedroom or living area as this can increase the moisture in the air.
- Wash clothes overnight or in the morning so they have all day to air dry.
- Put larger items at the top of the drying rack and small ones at the bottom. The larger items receive better air flow.
- Don’t hang clothes over the radiator. This can fade or damage the clothing and increases moisture levels in the home, which leads to mold and mildew.
- Do use coat hangers to dry certain garments, such as shirts. This keeps the clothes in the correct shape and allows great air flow.
- Spray the clothes with a white vinegar and water mix with added essential oils. This will remove damp smells.
- Do begin air drying the clothes as soon as the washing cycle is over. Leaving clothes in the washing machine for too long can lead to damp smelling clothes.
- Never overlap the clothes while they’re air drying. This will slow down the drying time.
How Do You Hang Clothes on a Drying Rack?
Always start with the bigger items first. They go on the top to ensure optimum airflow, otherwise they’ll dry too slow.
Smaller items, like socks and underwear, go on the bottom of the drying rack since they’ll dry quicker. Otherwise, you can clip these up to dry if your drying rack supports that.
If the item is heavy, always make sure to dry it flat so it doesn’t stretch.
Air Drying Goals
Air drying is a great solution for many people. It works, whether you’re trying to save money, energy or just don’t have a tumble dryer.
With the best clothes drying racks on the market, air drying your clothes has never been easier.