Imagine yourself stepping out of your steaming hot shower or bath and immediately wrapping yourself in the warmth and softness of a heated towel. This is the spa experience of dreams, and perhaps the luxury detail we all secretly wish we had in our lives.
Fortunately, towel warmers are not beyond your grasp anymore; you just need to know where to look for the affordable, yet quality and feature-rich, ones. We’ve taken the hard work out of finding the best electric towel warmers, such that all you’ll need to do is pick out the one that matches your lifestyle and home decor.
We’ve also composed a short guide that details who would love towel racks if they are actually worth it, the considerations you should take into account while browsing for one, as well as common questions and answers.
Are electric towel warmers worth it?
Electric towels are completely worth the purchase, if not simply to treat yourself to one of life’s finer experiences: a spa or hotel experience at home.
Of course, if you pick out a towel rail from our top list of the best ones on the market, you will have a functional decor item that performs as promised and lasts for years to come.
Considerations when Buying an Electric Towel Warmer
As with any investment you make, it is important to take care to choose a high-quality towel rail that performs up to your expectations. While we have composed a list of the premium electric towel warmers below, there are still some crucial aspects to consider while looking at a particular one:
- Hydronic or Electric: Although we know you are mainly interested in electric towel warmers, it is worthwhile to know about hydronic towel rails as well. They work similar to a radiator, using hot water to heat your towel. This is energy efficient yet it requires a complicated installation into your existing plumbing. On the other hand, an electric towel warmer can be plugged into an outlet or hardwired. It is the most popular and most convenient type of towel rack.
- Freestanding, Wall-mounted, or Floor-mounted: This choice truly comes down to preference and the layout of your bathroom or laundry room. A freestanding or floor-mounted towel warmer may be ideal for larger bathrooms, while wall-mounted towel racks may suit smaller sizes. The freestanding version also can be moved around, which may be best for those who plan to use it for various purposes (such as delicate clothes).
- Bucket, Cabinet, or Rack: A bucket towel warmer looks exactly as it sounds like, a large bucket or barrel in which you can place towels and other fabric items to heat up. While they are quite convenient, they aren’t multipurpose; you can’t place wet or damp items in them. A cabinet towel warmer appears as a shelf with a door that can sit on a surface or be wall-mounted. You can place other items inside besides towels, such as slippers and robes. Finally, the most common type of style is a rack style, which is a series of bars on which you can lay your towel and other items to be heated.
- Size: When considering the size of your unit, be certain to take into account your intended space as well as how many items you would regularly place on or in your towel rack.
- Warm-Up Time: Since the whole purpose of your towel rack is to heat up your towels during your shower, it’s important to make sure you know the warm-up time! Generally, electric towel warmers heat up pretty quickly.
- Safety: Safety is the last on our consideration list, but it should never be your last priority! Since you are dealing with electricity with running water around you (showers, tubs, faucets), safety should be a top concern. Some towel rails feature auto-off timers, while others may have a waterproof casing.
The Best Electric Towel Warmers
Amba RWH-CP Radiant Hardwired Curved Towel Warmer
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 31.9 x 5.75 x 24.4 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $336.00 (Check price on Amazon)
This sleek wall-mounted towel rack is made up of lightweight and durable stainless steel, complementing any bathroom decor style as it can come with either a polished or a brushed finish.
It is quite large, making it ideal for warming up your towel and bathrobe before getting out of the shower. Alternatively, it is also excellent for drying damp clothing or delicates. Further, it is on the low-priced end of the spectrum for towel warmers so we consider this an excellent deal!
INNOKA 2-in-1 Heated Towel Warmer & Drying Rack
- Style: Freestanding or Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 27.1 x 35.2 x 14 inches
- Materials: Aluminum
- Price: $139.99 (Check price on Amazon)
If you are looking for versatility and affordability, this heated towel warmer accomplishes both goals effortlessly. You can easily transform this rack from freestanding to wall-mounted.
It has a modern look, with a sleek base if you choose the freestanding style. Additionally, it has a built-in thermostat to make sure an optimal temperature is reached and to save on energy, however, there is no auto shut-off feature.
Pottery Barn Classic Towel Warmer
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 18 x 40, 24 x 27, 24 x 40, 24 x 60 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $599.00 (Check price at Pottery Barn)
You can easily find a towel warmer that matches your home decor style with the Pottery Barn Classic Towel Warmer. It comes in a wide range of sizes, perfect for accommodating any bathroom layout.
Further, you can choose from three different finishes: chrome brushed nickel or matte black. Equally important, it is made up of stainless steel and all the available finishes are water-resistant which means this rack will never rust.
WarmlyYours Tahoe Electric Hardwired Stainless Steel Towel Warmer
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 26.7 x 4.3 x 29.5 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $449.00 (Check price at Warmly Yours)
Endlessly searching for an affordable option of those beautiful, sleek towel warmers you see on Pinterest? This electric towel rack is the one to fit your dream aesthetic! Coming in the classic gold finish or polished silver finish, this stainless steel beauty is perfect for any bathroom or laundry room wall.
Since it is hardwired, you won’t have to worry about unsightly and inconvenient wires either. You can also add a programmable timer, sold separately, to make it fully custom and luxurious.
Anzzi Gown Plug-In Stainless Steel Towel Warmer
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 23.6 x 4.3 x 36.25 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $242.99 (Check price on Amazon)
If you are looking for an electric towel rail that you don’t need to fuss with, opt for this easy plug-in wall-mounted towel warmer! With a brushed nickel finish and thick bars, this towel warmer can be used in both a contemporary and traditional style bathroom.
Additionally, it is one of the most energy-efficient electric towel warmers with only a 70-watt output that can still effectively and powerfully heat your towels.
Jerdon Warmrails Regent Wall Mount Towel Warmer With Five Bars
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 18.15 x 5.25 x 25.25 inches
- Materials: Chrome
- Price: $149.99 (Get it at Jerdonstyle.com)
Smaller bathrooms and laundry rooms can be elevated to the ranks of elegance and extravagance too! This wall-mounted towel warmer is a small and sleek, incredibly affordable option that comes with a nickel or chrome finish.
Frankly, although it can only hold one towel or a few pieces of clothing, we don’t always need more than that in any case.
Acona Svelte 13-Bar Electric Towel Warmer and Drying Rack
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 18 x 4.75 x 40 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $499.99 (Get it at Lowes)
The Acona Svelte is the ultimate luxury towel warmer, featuring 13 large bars accommodating large and thick towels, bathrobes, or multiple items of clothing.
It also has numerous safety features including its hardwire installation, stainless steel composition, dry-lined electric power bars, and a humidity-protected on/off switch.
ICO Bath Tuzio Savoy Hydronic Steel Towel Warmer
- Style: Wall-mounted
- Type: Rack
- Dimensions: 19 x 3.25 x 31 inches
- Materials: Stainless Steel
- Price: $770.95 (Check price on Amazon)
If you would rather try out a hydronic towel warmer, instead of an electric towel warmer, the ICO Tuzio Savoy is an ideal option. It is a large, stainless steel towel rack with either a silver or white finish, perfect for modern bathrooms.
It is excellent for anyone who is interested in reducing their environmental impact by using water-power, instead of electrical power.
Zadro Luxury Ultra Large Towel Warmer
- Style: Freestanding
- Type: Bucket
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 21.25 inches
- Materials: Plastic, metal
- Price: $171.70 (Check price on Amazon)
A bucket towel warmer is easy to use, simply throwing your towels and bathrobes into the barrel. You can place this bucket anywhere, as it features an extra-long cord, which is absolutely part of its charm. It even features a preset timer and auto-off setting for safety.
FAQ
Who are electric towel warmers for?
Electric towel warmers may be the in-demand item for 2022, as more Pinterest vision boards and Instagram influencers showcase their stunning bathrooms equipped with shiny gold heated towel racks and their pristine laundry rooms complete with the coveted stainless steel towel rack.
Apart from making all your home decor dreams come true, electric towel warmers are perfect for anyone who likes to feel a touch of cozy and warmth after a nice, long shower.
If you simply must justify it further than that, they are ideal for drying your damp towel after your shower too; say goodbye to towels that just don’t seem to dry properly after you hang them up, or that funky mildew smell they seem to attract after a few days!
Since they work quite well for drying light, airy towels, they are also exceptional at drying swimsuits, underwear, and any other delicate clothing you can’t throw in the dryer after a wash.
What is an electric towel warmer?
An electric towel warmer is a rack that contains electric-powered elements that supply heat in order to warm and dry towels and other types of clothing.
Do towel warmers use a lot of electricity?
Electric warmers do not use a large amount of electricity, making them an energy-efficient item. They are low wattage, drawing power comparable to that of an 80-watt lightbulb.
Is an electric towel rail expensive to run?
Although you may consider the initial electric towel rack an investment, their use is low cost. Although it depends on the size of the unit, an average towel warmer only uses 100-200 watts of electricity an hour.
Can you leave the heated towel rail on all the time?
A heated towel rail is designed to be left on for extended periods of time or all the time, although the safety precautions will depend on your specific brand and model of the towel rack.
How do you control the heat on an electric towel rail?
Most electric towel rails do not have an adjustable thermostat, however, some models do feature auto-off timers which can perform the function of heat control.
Do electric towel warmers heat the bathroom?
Depending on the size of your electric towel warmer, and the size of your bathroom, it can also provide supplemental heat to the area. Some people do use electric towel warmers as radiators.
What liquid is in electric towel rails?
There are two ways electric towel rails can work: dry elements or wet elements. A dry element towel rack uses electric wires to heat the rails or bars of the unit. Alternatively, a wet element towel warmer uses electricity to heat oil or a water-based solution inside the rails or bars.
Do you need to bleed electric towel rails?
A normal wet element electric towel warmer needs to be bled once annually, in order to maintain efficient performance and lengthen its lifespan. Essentially, bleeding your electric towel rack will extract air that becomes trapped in the water-based solution.
How long does an electric towel rail take to heat up?
It does not take a long period of time for an electric-powered towel rack to heat up. In approximately ten minutes, you should be able to feel the warmth radiating from the unit. That said, it typically takes between 30-60 minutes to receive the maximum heat.
