Best Clothes Drying Rack
Washing clothes is a chore. The cycle never ends: we wear our clothes, wash dry them, and then wear them again. It’s mundane and sometimes nerve-wracking.
To make this daily task easier on yourself as well as more affordable, one investment you can make is in a clothes drying rack. You can also save money on dry cleaning with garments that can’t go in the dryer. So, we’ve got the best clothes drying rack ideas for you to consider!
1. Honey-Can-Do Deluxe Metal Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack – Editor's Choice
- Price Range: $30-$40
- Capacity: 50lbs
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Best Feature: Collapsible Six-Level Structure
2. Amazon Basics Folding Laundry Rack
- Price Range: $30-$40
- Capacity: 32lbs
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Best Feature: Easily Collapsible Structure
3. Bigzzia Clothes Drying Rack
- Price Range: $55-$65
- Capacity: 77lbs
- Material: Painted Galvanized Steel Tube + Plastic
- Best Feature: Foldable Hanging Wings and Wheels
4. SmartSome Clothes Drying Rack
- Price Range: $60-$65
- Capacity: 35lbs
- Material: Heavy Duty Stainless Steel
- Best Feature: Adjustable rods
5. ZdwCyl Wall Mounted Clothes Drying Rack
- Price Range: $35-$45
- Capacity: 220lbs
- Material: Aluminium
- Best Feature: Wall-Mounted Installation
6. Growsun Sweater Drying Rack
- Price Range: $45-$55
- Capacity: 18lbs
- Material: Polyester and Metal
- Best Feature: Flat Mesh Surface
7. Bartnelli Bamboo Laundry Drying Rack for Clothes
- Price Range: $50 – $80
- Capacity: Not specified
- Material: Natural Bamboo Wood
- Best Feature: Sturdy Wooden Structure
8. SHAREWIN Clothes Drying Rack for Laundry
- Price Range: $44 – $48
- Capacity: 165 lbs
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Best Feature: Large Space for Hanging Clothes
Table Of Contents
- Best Clothes Drying Racks
- 1. Honey-Can-Do Deluxe Metal Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack
- 2. Amazon Basics Folding Laundry Rack – Runner Up
- 3. Bigzzia Clothes Drying Rack – Best Bathroom Clothes Drying Rack
- 4. SmartSome Clothes Drying Rack – Best for Towels and Blankets
- 5. ZdwCyl Wall Mounted Clothes Drying Rack – Best for Small Spaces
- 6. Growsun Sweater Drying Rack – Best Fabric Mesh
- 7. Bartnelli Bamboo Laundry Drying Rack for Clothes – Best Wooden
- 8. SHAREWIN Clothes Drying Rack for Laundry :– Best Large
- <strong>What are Clothes Drying Racks Made Of?</strong>
- Benefits of Using a Clothes Drying Rack
- What to Look for in a Clothes Drying Rack
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Clothes Drying Racks
All of these are great options and I picked them based on their quality of construction, size, and price range.
1. Honey-Can-Do Deluxe Metal Collapsible Clothes Drying Rack – Editor's Choice
Highlights
- Price Range: $30-$40
- Capacity: 50lbs
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Best Feature: Collapsible Six-Level Structure
Pros
- Rust-resistant steel frame
- Accordion-style collapsible design
- Six layers for hanging clothes
Cons
- Faulty deliveries with broken or used products
Our first option comes from Honey-Can-Do. This clothes drying rack is made from steel and provides 24 feet of drying area. It also has a rust-resistant white finish to prevent staining and deterioration. It helps to save time, money, and energy by investing in this rack as it takes no electricity or time to use it to air dry clothes.
The clothes rack is collapsible accordion-style for easy assembly and storage. It locks into place when you open it and drops down easily when you’re done. You can drape your clothes over the rods or lay them flat on the larger levels with two parallel rods. In total, this rack can hold up to 50lbs at once.
2. Amazon Basics Folding Laundry Rack – Runner Up
Highlights
- Price Range: $30-$40
- Capacity: 32lbs
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Best Feature: Easily Collapsible Structure
Pros
- Six layers
- Powder-coated alloy steel
- Accordion-style folding design
Cons
- Cannot be taken outside
Quality can come affordable, as proven by Amazon Basic’s Folding Laundry Rack. This rack comes with six layers for hanging all your wet clothes. It’s made from alloy steel for a strong structure and is powder-coated to prevent stains and rust development. The coating is waterproof, so your clothes won’t stain or ruin the rack.
The rack folds up and down in an accordion style for easier assembly and storage. You can tuck it out of sigh and out of mind once all your clothes have finished air drying. It’s best to only use this clothes rack inside since it’s not made to withstand outdoor elements. It’s also comparatively lightweight, so you might risk it getting ruined in stronger winds.
3. Bigzzia Clothes Drying Rack – Best Bathroom Clothes Drying Rack
Highlights
- Price Range: $55-$65
- Capacity: 77lbs
- Material: Painted Galvanized Steel Tube + Plastic
- Best Feature: Foldable Hanging Wings and Wheels
Pros
- Two foldable 7-hooks wings
- Removable casters
- Wheels on the bottom
- Three layers of rods
Cons
- Assembly can be confusing
There’s so much happening in the bathroom, with hand towels, face towels, shower towels, and clothes all clinging to any available hanging space. This drying rack will not only make it easier to dry these daily household items but store them as well.
With three shelves, you can layer your clothes and towels based on who needs them. There are also two wings that fold out to hang your clothes from. There are seven hooks from which you can hang your clothes, making 14 in total. The frame is made with coated stainless steel, so you can comfortably keep this rack in the washroom without the worry of rust.
The castors on the rack are removable for quicker storage. They also have locks to keep them in place when they are being used. No tools are required for assembly. Another bonus point, this rack comes with wheels for easier transportability!
4. SmartSome Clothes Drying Rack – Best for Towels and Blankets
Highlights
- Price Range: $60-$65
- Capacity: 35lbs
- Material: Heavy Duty Stainless Steel
- Best Feature: Adjustable rods
Pros
- X-shape style folds compact
- Large and tall structure hold blankets and towels
- Adjustable rods for more hanging space
- Patented locking system
Cons
- Joints may be weak, be careful with assembly and folding
Bigger, longer pieces such as blankets and towels can be tricky to clean. You want them to retain their original softness and plush feel, but they take up so much space. This is where SmartSome’s clothes drying rack comes into play.
With 20 feet of drying space, and adjustable rods to make way for more clothes’, drying space is not going to be a foreseeable issue. It’s a comparatively taller frame as well, so you can allow your biggest blankets to comfortably hang down and air dry. Don’t worry about damage to your towels and blankets when they air dry at their own pace.
When you’re done using this rack, the X-shape style allows it to fold incredibly thin so it’s never in the way! The rods have patented locks that keep them secured when you have them opened fully. Made from stainless steel, you can use this clothes rack both indoors and outdoors!
5. ZdwCyl Wall Mounted Clothes Drying Rack – Best for Small Spaces
Highlights
- Price Range: $35-$45
- Capacity: 220lbs
- Material: Aluminium
- Best Feature: Wall-Mounted Installation
Pros
- Installed both indoors and outdoors
- Three-folding design
- Wall-mounted structure
- Can hold up to 220lbs of weight
Cons
- Not a mobile drying rack
If space is something you’re tight on, then this clothes rack is the perfect choice for you. Install it both indoors and outdoors, wherever’s easier for you to dry your clothes. The three-folding design allows you to move the rack around to make way for all your clothes. Once done, just fold it up against the wall, where it’s out of the way.
It can hang plenty of clothes at once, and it holds up 220 lbs worth of weight. No need to drill holes in walls, depending on the material to install this clothes rack. Installation is quick and easy for immediate use. There are no worries about rust either, as this rack has been coated over several times for optimal protection.
This clothes rack can go anywhere you need it to; bathroom, laundry room, bedroom, outside, anywhere! As long as there’s a wall and some space in front of it, you can air dry all your clothes with ease.
6. Growsun Sweater Drying Rack – Best Fabric Mesh
Highlights
- Price Range: $45-$55
- Capacity: 18lbs
- Material: Polyester and Metal
- Best Feature: Flat Mesh Surface
Pros
- 6 fabric mesh layers
- Even airflow and drying
- No-tool assembly
Cons
- Extremely lightweight, cannot hold heavy loads
This clothes rack has six layers of 28×28 inch mesh fabric which you can lay your clothes on top of to dry. It’s a comparatively different approach to drying your clothes, but as efficient as any other clothes rack. It can even prevent your clothes from stretching as they would when they hang while they’re wet.
The frame is made from coated metal which keeps the whole rack standing, while also preventing rust, staining, and scratches. The fit for every mesh is tight enough that there is no sagging, and it can hold your clothes up properly. Once it needs washing, the mesh can easily slip off the frame.
The mesh fabric allows for greater and even airflow, so your clothes dry out quicker and water filters out better. No tools are required to assemble this clothes rack and it goes up as quickly as you can take it down for convenience.
7. Bartnelli Bamboo Laundry Drying Rack for Clothes – Best Wooden
Highlights
- Price Range: $50 – $80
- Capacity: Not specified
- Material: Natural Bamboo Wood
- Best Feature: Sturdy Wooden Structure
Pros
- Accordion-style collapse
- 100% natural bamboo wood
- 21 feet of drying space
- 8 layers
Cons
- Do not place outside, potential development for smell and mold
Our one and only wooden clothes rack comes from Bartnelli. This clothes rack is made from 100% natural and sustainable bamboo wood. The structure is strong, durable, and long-lasting. You don’t have to worry about typical problems such as rust with this rack.
There is approximately 21 feet of drying space on this rack, with 8 layers to hang your clothes on. You can easily fit all of your laundry onto this rack. This rack will come delivered to you preassembled, so you can use it right out of the box! It collapses accordion-style, saving you both space and time when you’re using it and when it’s put away.
8. SHAREWIN Clothes Drying Rack for Laundry :– Best Large
Highlights
- Price Range: $44 – $48
- Capacity: 165 lbs
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Best Feature: Large Space for Hanging Clothes
Pros
- Large structure for more clothes
- X-shaped style folds for maximum space-saving
- Can carry heavier clothes and accessories
Cons
- Sharp parts when assembling
Our final drying rack comes from SHAREWIN and comes in a choice of two sizes. Depending on how much laundry you’re used to, you can choose between a 59” and 79” drying rack for more space. It’s made from stainless steel for a strong, sturdy structure. You can place this drying rack both indoors and outdoors.
For greater convenience, this rack is foldable so you can tuck it away when it’s not in use. There are three rods in total from which you can hang your clothes to dry. The X-shaped folding style allows it to fold up nicely and compact for maximum space-saving when you’re not using it.
This drying rack can hold up wet blankets and quilts, jackets, and jeans, so you don’t have to worry about your heavier clothes weighing it down. The structure allows it to properly balance the weight out, standing tall for longer.
What is a Clothes Drying Rack?
A clothes drying rack, also known as a clothes horse or a clothes rack is used to dry wet clothing. A clothes rack is an indoor alternative to a clothesline that would be placed outside. Clothes racks are used for clothes that can only be air-dried or are recommended not to place in the dryer.
Indoor vs Outdoor Clothes Drying Rack
Whether to place your clothes rack indoors or outdoors is entirely dependent on your situation. You may have a flimsier clothes rack in which case you shouldn’t risk placing it outside in the first place.
If you get plenty of sunshine, wind, and the air is dry, then placing your clothes rack outside is a better idea. If you get a ton of overcast more often, doesn’t experience gushes of wind, or you’re surrounded by chilly temperatures, then keep your clothes rack inside. It’ll do you more justice indoors.
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What are Clothes Drying Racks Made Of?
You can find clothes racks mostly bouncing between wood and metal. Depending on your requirements, you’ll find that each material caters to demands differently.
• Wooden Clothes Racks
Wooden clothes racks are easy to use and easier to customize. Many people enjoy making their own clothes racks out of wood as well! This option does come at a higher price when you buy it commercially. Wood clothes racks may be higher maintenance since you need to take extra care of wood in constant contact with damp or wet clothes, and in the long-term may find a smell coming from the frame.
• Metal Clothes Racks
Metal, and more specifically stainless steel, is a heavier-duty material that can hold more weight at once and handle the outdoor climate if you leave your clothes outside more. The common metal you’ll find for household use is powder-coated or chrome. This is lighter metal, so it may hold less as well.
• Plastic Clothes Racks
Plastic is another option, though it’s not as strong as wood or metal. It does come cheap, however, which is a huge bonus for people who don’t want to invest too much into a clothes rack. You’ll find it easier to overlook the lightweight material thanks to its convenience. They fold easier and are lighter to carry around. PVC racks are the best option, but it is inevitable that plastic racks do start to droop and lose shape over time.
Benefits of Using a Clothes Drying Rack
There are plenty of advantages to a clothes rack in your home. Listed below are just a few which you can think over if you’re considering a drying rack instead of a clothesline or dryer.
• Takes Up Less Space
Clothes racks take up less space than a clothesline and a dryer. They are easily accessible, and you can place them wherever is most convenient in your home or outside. You can keep them to the side or keep them in a specific room where the rack will bother no one.
• Mobility and Storage
Clothes racks are mobile, lightweight, and easy to store. Most models are foldable so you can tuck them out of sight when you’re not using them. Being made of plastic, metal, or wood with a hollow structure makes it easy to carry around your home, in case you need to put clothes outside. It’s a lot more mobile than a dryer or a pinned clothesline.
• Cost-Effective Purchase
Clothes racks don’t cost much, and they come with no additional expense. Clothes racks are a one-time payment that will help you for months or even years to come, depending on the material you invest in and the way you use it.
• Less Damage to Clothes
There is a risk compared to placing your clothes in the dryer. They may shrink, pill, or rip throughout the cycle. When placing them outside, there is a chance of the clothes being snatched on passing critters, there is a chance of them falling onto the ground, they may even blow away in stronger winds or be caught in unexpected rains.
With a clothes rack, you don’t have to rely on nature being in your favor, nor do you have the risk of your clothes ripping or pilling when they air-dry.
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What to Look for in a Clothes Drying Rack
A clothes rack is a great investment, but only if you make the right choice. Hence, here are some pointers to getting the perfect clothes drying rack for your requirements.
— Size
You don’t want a clothes rack which takes up all of your free space. You want something portable, compact, and big enough to hold your load. Always keep in mind the dimensions you can afford in your given space at home, and don’t just look for the biggest clothes rack you can find.
— Adjustability
An adjustable clothes rack which can fold and easily be taken apart and put back together is the ideal choice. This makes it easy to store and fix up once you need it. It also makes it easier to take the clothes rack with you in case you need to travel for some time and need a quick solution for washing clothes.
— Capacity
This is the life-changer consideration when choosing your clothes rack. What is the capacity that it can carry? This will tell you how many pieces of clothing you can place on it at once without straining the frame.
Most people will have a rough estimate of how much laundry they do in a week and work with that for finding capacity, but keep in mind: your clothes in the winter are thicker/heavier than your clothes in the summer.
If you want to use your clothes rack throughout the year, it might be wise to weigh some of your loads in the future to get a better idea and be sure they’re wet. Wet clothes are heavier than dry clothes.
— Cost
A clothes rack should not be expensive. It’s a daily utensil for you that has no additional consumption. If you find a clothes rack over $100, then you’re most probably being ripped off. If you find a clothes rack under $20, raise suspicions since this is a considerably cheap price for quality and durability. Keep a frame of $30 to $80 for a decent clothes rack.
Bottom Line
Now that you know all the ups and downs of a clothes drying rack, choosing one will be a breeze. It’s an extremely cost-efficient purchase which will save you electricity and money with every use. A clothes rack is convenient and affordable, so there really is no reason to not consider it. Now, have a peek at our list of the best underbed storage!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Clothes racks allow you to spread your clothes out and leave them to air dry. They don’t have an additional cost, they don’t need supervision, they need nothing extra. The only factor which will manipulate performance is the temperature and dryness surrounding your clothes while they’re drying.
These racks are typically called a clothes horse (since it looks like you’ve mounted your clothes onto a steed) or simply a clothes rack. It’s better to specify that you need a drying rack however since the term ‘clothes rack’ is used interchangeably with ‘garment racks’, which are used for displaying clothes, not drying them.
Yes. Over time, steel clothes drying rack would rust due to the constant exposure to moist surfaces and the surrounding climate. This is why most metal options have powder-coating which helps the metal resist rusting, extending the lifespan of your clothes rack.