The 12 Best Clothes Drying Racks of 2023
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Plus, experts share what types of clothing you should always air dry.
Real Simple / Joy Kim
While it would be great if you could toss all your clothes in the dryer, those hoping to maintain the shape and quality of their favorite pieces know that some clothing requires a bit more care. The best clothes drying racks will keep your valued garments in mint condition—whether you have an extensive collection of sweaters or just want to treat your undergarments with extra care.
“Anything can be air dried, but what should be air dried are fine fabrics, sweaters, and anything that needs to be blocked to keep its shape,” says Leslie Reichert, the Green Cleaning Coach and author of the book The Joy of Green Cleaning. “Blocking means putting the item flat and leaving it to dry just the way it should look when it's dry.”
Not all clothes drying racks are created equally, so we sorted through a wide array of options to narrow it down to only the best. To find out what to look for when searching for the best drying racks, we also spoke with Carmen Lopez, the founder of Current Boutique, and Katherine Lawrence, a professional organizer and content creator.
Best Overall Clothes Drying Rack: Honey-Can-Do Heavy Duty Gullwing Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This one-size-fits-all drying rack can accommodate various items.
What Could Be Improved
The legs could be more steady.
The Honey-Can-Do Gullwing Clothes Drying Rack can fold out to 46 linear feet of space, making it easy to dry every type of clothing. The alloy steel material is lightweight, durable, and easily folds into a three-inch profile so you can store it behind a door or next to your washing machine. The top features metal bars for hanging or laying larger items, like towels.
This rack also features a mesh shelf in the center, which is well-suited for quickly drying sweaters. The bottom of the stand features bars you can use for smaller items, and there’s even a specialized rack designed for drying shoes. Overall, this is a great option for people who air dry a lot of clothes at once, as long as they have somewhere to store it when it’s not in use.
Price at time of publish: $42
Type: Freestanding | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 23.5 x 57 x 37 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds
Real Simple / Joy Kim
Best Budget Clothes Drying Rack: Honey-Can-Do Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This compact pick can hang a lot of clothing.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not ideal for garments that easily stretch.
This stainless steel drying rack is another option from Honey-Can-Do—but instead of folding out to provide a wide surface area, this rack offers ample vertical space to hang all your garments. It weighs under five pounds, has 24 linear feet of drying space, and folds down to only three inches, making it an ideal option for people who live in a small space.
It features six different rungs with each bar at a different height so you can hang lots of clothes without worrying about overlap. You can use this rack to hang blouses or jeans, as those are the items that are least likely to stretch while air-drying. For the best results when drying shirts, support the shirt down the front center to evenly distribute the fabric weight.
Price at time of publish: $33
Type: Freestanding | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 14 x 29 x 42 inches | Weight: 4.8 pounds
Real Simple / Joy Kim
Best Clothes Drying Rack for Small Spaces: Snomel Collapsible Hanging Clothes Drying Rack
What Stands Out
It is convenient for on-the-go use or small spaces.
What Could Be Improved
It can be challenging to fold it back up into its original shape.
This drying rack is an absolute must-have for small spaces. It includes two racks, both of which come equipped with handy hangers that you can adjust to fit over door frames or around shower curtain rods. One of the racks features two tiers, while the other has three. The breathable mesh tiers measure 24-by-30 inches, and can accommodate everything from sweaters to undergarments.
These racks also conveniently fold up when they're not in use—you can compress them flat and twist the support wires to fit into the included round storage bags. If you need to bring them along to travel, this feature certainly comes in handy.
Price at time of publish: $20
Type: Hanging | Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 30.3 x 24.4 x 25.2 inches (2-tier) and 30.3 x 24.4 x 30.7 inches (3-tier) | Weight: 1.8 pounds
Real Simple / Joy Kim
Related: The 10 Best Hangers for Keeping Your Clothes Organized
Best Wall-Mounted Clothes Drying Rack: Step Up Wall-Mounted Retractable Clothes Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This heavy-duty pick can hold 60 pounds of clothing.
What Could Be Improved
Assembly is a bit more extensive, and might not be ideal for renters.
This drying rack can fold neatly into metal mounts under six inches wide for a low-profile look, while simultaneously providing up to 20 feet of linear hanging line and holding up to 60 pounds of weight.
The pre-drilled holes and included hardware make these racks easy to mount, whether you place them in your laundry room, walk-in closet, or patio. The stainless steel is safe to mount outdoors without worrying about rust or wear over time, so you can even hang these drying racks next to an outdoor pool—they're perfect for drying very heavy items like beach towels.
Price at time of publish: From $90
Type: Wall-mounted | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 13.8 x 27.5 x 3.9 inches or 20 x 39.3 x 5.1 inches | Weight: 5 or 9 pounds
Related: The 5 Best Steam Irons, According to Our Tests
Best Over-the-Door Clothes Drying Rack: mDesign Over the Door Fold Out Drying Rack
What Stands Out
It’s compact and space-saving while providing ample drying space.
What Could Be Improved
This rack isn’t suitable for heavy or bulky items.
When it comes to space-saving drying solutions, it is hard to beat over-the-door drying racks. This option from mDesign folds out to provide different surfaces so that you can dry different types of clothing and delicates. It has two fold-out tiers, each of which has three 14-inch wide bars ideal for hanging items. The bars can also be used as shelves to lay clothing if you want to avoid stretching from hanging.
In addition to the rungs, this over-the-door drying rack features bars to create 22 linear feet of drying space. The sturdy hooks fit any standard door, so you can hang up this rack in any room when needed.
Price at time of publish: $32
Type: Over-the-door | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 18.75 x 20 x 47.5 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds
Best Wooden Clothes Drying Rack: Home-It Bamboo Clothes Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This rack is prettier than most, and made of durable bamboo.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn’t provide as much space to hang items flat.
This classic lightweight bamboo drying rack is stain and rust-resistant and has nine bars, including four bars on the top level for laying or hanging items. The rack collapses flat for easy storage and requires no assembly—it's ready to go the second it arrives at your house.
This rack weighs four pounds, making it easy to move around your home. While bamboo is lightweight, it’s also incredibly sturdy and can hold all your clothing securely. This drying rack is ideal for large items like towels, thick sweaters, or sweatshirts, as well as your everyday T-shirts and blouses.
Price at time of publish: $50
Type: Freestanding | Material: Bamboo | Dimensions: 14.5 x 29.5 x 41.75 inches | Weight: 4 pounds
Related: The 5 Best Clothes Steamers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Large Clothes Drying Rack: Brabantia Drying Rack Tower
What Stands Out
This versatile rack can accommodate all types of laundry.
What Could Be Improved
This pick is more expensive than most clothes drying racks.
This foldable, rust-resistant steel rack from Brabantia stands 52 inches tall, has non-slip feet to keep it from sliding around, and can hold an impressive 44 pounds. If you need to dry an entire load of laundry, the three-tiered racks on this option are ideal for various clothing sizes and weights. This rack supplies ample space to lay sweaters and has smaller bars for hanging smaller items and garments. Once you finish your laundry, the rack conveniently folds in so that none of your storage space goes to waste—just make sure you have an area big enough to fit it.
Price at time of publish: $121
Type: Freestyle | Material: Powder-coated steel | Dimensions: 26.4 x 2 x 51.2 inches or 33.5 x 2 x 51.6 inches | Weight: 14 pounds
Best Clothes Drying Rack for Sweaters: Storage Maniac Sweater Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This affordable pick can dry delicate and heavy items without stretching them out.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn’t fold down.
If you have an impressive collection of sweaters, then this Storage Maniac rack will be your new best friend. It includes two or four stackable table-style surfaces with lightweight plastic legs and mesh panels that promote air circulation. Since it’s stackable, you can use each tier individually or pile them on top of each other.
The soft mesh won’t scratch or stain your delicate garments, and the 27.95-square-inch panels provide plenty of room for oversized clothing pieces. While each tier stands at 5.7 inches tall, you need to break down the racks to store them, making this a less-than-ideal option for people who want a foldable rack.
Price at time of publish: $27 for 2-pack
Type: Freestanding | Material: Mesh and plastic | Dimensions: 28 x 28 x 5.7 inches each | Weight: 2.1 pounds
Related: The 9 Best Laundry Detergents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Outdoor Clothes Drying Rack: Brabantia Lift-O-Matic Rotary Dryer
What Stands Out
People with families or large loads of laundry.
What Could Be Improved
People who want to dry items that need to lie flat.
This outdoor clothesline will make drying your clothing a total breeze. The rotary clothesline design splays out in the shape of an upside-down umbrella, with four arms to hang all your clothing. In total, this rack provides up to 196 feet of space, so it can accommodate everything from T-shirts and dresses to bulky sweaters and even duvets.
The rack can be adjusted to stand between 50 and 74 inches tall and comes with a closable concrete spike for added stability. The coated steel arms are weather-resistant, and you can collapse the entire dryer and protect it with a cover when not in use.
Price at time of publish: $183
Type: Mounted | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 78 x 74 inches | Weight: 14 pounds
Related: The 5 Best Clothes Dryers of 2022
Best Rotary Clothes Drying Rack: SONGMICS Clothes Drying Rack
What Stands Out
Because you can break it down, it is convenient to carry for camping and road travel.
What Could Be Improved
Assembly may be tedious because it has many parts.
If you don’t own a dryer, a rotary drying rack like this Songmic Clothes Drying Rack makes it easy to dry clothing indoors or on a balcony. “I personally love this type of rack because you can easily turn it and access all sides without having to maneuver too much,” says Carmen Lopez, the founder of Current Boutique.
The Songmic features a stainless steel base and three rotating plastic arms that can hold up to 27 items of clothing. Note that you can only use hangers with this rack because it has specially designed grooves that securely hold them in place. To ensure the rack doesn’t topple over, distribute your clothing evenly across the arms. The maximum load capacity is 33 pounds.
This rack has seven parts you can break apart for storage, which might be a hassle for everyday use, but is a beneficial option for campsites and beach outings.
Price at time of publish: $38
Type: Rotary | Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic | Dimensions: 25.6 x 25.6 x 59 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds
Best Clothes Drying Rack for Delicates: Annalkin Foldable Clip Hangers
What Stands Out
Even though the rack comes in two sizes, it’s still a compact option.
What Could Be Improved
The clips are fragile.
Delicates tend to last longer when hung up to dry, which is why we love this drying rack from Annalkin. It is an ideal choice to air dry small items like bras, ties, hats, undies, and socks and is compact enough to fit in your closet, room corner, or shower curtain rod. When you’re done using it, the rack folds in half for easy storage.
You can hang up to 26 pieces of clothing, allowing you to dry all your laundry in one go. The rack features a rotating swivel neck and evenly spaced elastic-spring clip hangers for maximum airflow. Each clip also fully rotates to dry your laundry from all angles. The racks come in two colors: blue and white, but the blue rack is a bigger size and more expensive than the white version.
Price at time of publish: $11
Type: Clip hanger | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 6.7 x 13 x 2 inches | Weight: 10.4 ounces
Best Heavy-Duty Clothes Drying Rack: Latitude Run Wall Mounted Drying Rack
What Stands Out
This wall-mounted drying rack is built to last.
What Could Be Improved
You might need professional help to install it.
The Latitude Run Wall Mounted Drying Rack is designed to be a permanent part of your cabinetry. This 18 x 36-inch wall-mounted wooden drying rack makes a nice addition to any laundry room and is especially useful if you don’t have a lot of space to spare. The rack extends from the wall and can hold everything from delicates to towels—once your laundry is dry, simply tuck it away. The rack also has five metal coat hooks ideal for hanging dresses, sweaters, and jeans and a built-in shelf for laundry detergent and other wash-day essentials.
If you are a DIY type, installing it is pretty straightforward, you just need a screwdriver and about 30 minutes of your time. Just note that it’s quite heavy, so it might be a good idea to have someone help you with assembly. The rack also has a 90-day warranty and is available in two colors: gray and white.
Price at time of publish: $169
Type: Wall-mounted drying rack | Material: Metal, wood | Dimensions: 18 x 36 x 10 inches | Weight: 17 pounds
Final Verdict
Our top pick is the Honey-Can-Do Gullwing Clothes Drying Rack because it’s easy to store and gives you plenty of space to dry all types of clothing. If you’re looking for a rack that’s better suited for extra small spaces, we recommend the Snomel Collapsible Hanging Clothes Drying Rack, which can accommodate lay-flat items and be easily disassembled for storage.
How to Shop for Clothes Drying Racks Like a Pro
Type
When thinking about the type of drying rack you need, consider the type of clothes you frequently air dry and the amount of storage space in your home. For those who need to air dry sweaters, a rack with lay-flat space and mesh for air circulation is optimal. If you have a smaller space, an over-the-door rack or a low-profile rack you can disassemble and pack away will be best.
“You might want to look for a rack with a higher height if you frequently need to dry longer items like dresses or pants,” says Carmen Lopez, a laundry expert and the founder of Current Boutique. “Alternatively, you might want to opt for a rack with special spaces for hanging items with hangers, or a wall-mounted or over-the-door-drying rack if you're short on floor space. Space savers, foldable, and collapsible options are also worth considering if you need a rack that's easy to store when not in use.”
Assembly
Most of the racks on our list come assembled or require very few steps to set up. For those with limited space or those who prefer minimal clutter, a rack that can fold into a compact size for storage can clear space when it isn't laundry day.
“Generally, setting up drying racks is straightforward, as they are designed to be user-friendly and easily fold down for convenient storage when not in use,” says Katherine Lawrence, a professional organizer and content creator.
Capacity
If you only need to air dry a couple of sweaters or workout clothes, then capacity doesn't need to be a huge concern. That said, if you have a family or a large amount of laundry every wash, consider racks that offer ample amounts of hanging space. A large outdoor rack or fold-out rack would be a great option, as they provide plenty of lay-flat and hanging space.
“The capacity of a drying rack depends on the types of clothing items being dried. It's essential to consider that bulkier items occupy more space,” says Lawrence. “For instance, three bulky sweaters may take up as much room as thirty pairs of no-show socks.”
“When dealing with a small to medium-sized wash load, opting for a large-capacity rotary or gullwing drying rack is recommended, as it allows for better spacing and minimizes overlapping,” according to Lawrence. For light knits and cotton fabrics, she advises “plastic hangers and spreading them out over a clothesline to maximize space.”
Questions You Might Ask
How should you hang clothes on a drying rack?
Since hanging clothing incorrectly can cause damage or stretching, the way you dry your items is essential to preserve their quality. “I recommend laying them flat on top,” says Leslie Reichert, the Green Cleaning Coach and author of the book The Joy of Green Cleaning. “Some people like to hang their clothes on a drying rack with a hanger, but I find that they get pulled out of shape by the weight of the wet fabric, and also it leaves hanger marks.”
What types of clothing should be dried on a drying rack?
Dryer heat is the usual culprit that leaves clothing looking shrunken and misshaped, which a rack reduces to a net zero. You can use a drying rack for every item of clothing, but if you want to prioritize the most delicate items (such as hand-wash-only garments like warm tights), Reichert says that fine fabrics and sweaters should be air-dried. She also explains that items made of heavier fabrics should be blocked, which means laying them flat in the desired shape as they dry. (FYI: We have a handy guide to decoding the laundry symbols on clothing tags.)
How long does it take for clothes to air dry on a drying rack?
Reichert explains that the exact amount of time it takes for your clothing to dry can depend on a few factors, including “humidity, fabric weight, and airflow in the area.” That said, the general guidance is to allow undergarments to dry overnight and to allot about two full days for heavier sweaters.
Where is the best place to use a clothes drying rack?
“In an ideal scenario, the best place to utilize a clothes drying rack would be within a spacious laundry room, offering ample floor space," says Katherine Lawrence, a professional organizer and content creator.
“Unfortunately, not all homes have the luxury of such roominess,” she continues. “In that case, consider using a room where any potential dripping from the clothes will not damage the floors. Good options include a bathroom, kitchen, or even a clean outdoor space that is shielded from direct sunlight."
Can using a drying rack stretch out clothes?
If used improperly, drying racks can stretch out your clothing, according to Lawrence. “Traditional accordion-style drying racks have the potential to stretch clothes, especially when heavier or bulkier items like sweaters are not evenly spread out,” she says. She recommends distributing the weight of clothing evenly across the rack to avoid stretching.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Brittany Loggins, a contributing writer for Real Simple who specializes in lifestyle and beauty content, and updated by Nor’adila Hepburn, also a contributing writer for Real Simple. To come up with this list, they thoroughly researched the clothes drying racks on the market and narrowed down the options based on factors like type, assembly, capacity, and more. For expert tips, we spoke to a panel of laundry experts including Leslie Reichert, the Green Cleaning Coach and author of the book The Joy of Green Cleaning, Carmen Lopez, the founder of Current Boutique, and Katherine Lawrence, a professional organizer and content creator.
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