By Emma Caplan and Jasmine Harding | Updated Mar 28, 2022 3:44 PM

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Most folks typically let their bath towels air dry after use and then machine wash and dry them weekly. However, this might not be the healthiest practice, as bacteria can quickly breed on towels. You could either wash your towels more frequently, which can be pretty inconvenient, or add a heated towel rack to your bathroom.

The following recommendations for the best towel warmers take into consideration design, size, setup, value, heating power, power source, and additional features. Here are the top picks for the best towel warmer for your bathroom.

Towel warmers come in an array of types and sizes, so consider the features you’ll need before you make this luxurious addition to your bathroom. The three general types of towel warmers available are bucket, cabinet, and rack models.

Many models are electric, although hydronic models heat up via hot water from the bathroom’s plumbing. When choosing the best towel warmer for your needs, consider the style, size, capacity, material, setup, and additional features.

The appeal of a towel warmer is having a warm, cozy towel at your fingertips when you hop out of the shower, and towel warmers create their heat using either an electric or hydronic system.

The towel warmer design can affect its look, functionality, and capacity, and some of the styles available include bucket, cabinet, and rack (either freestanding or wall mounted). When choosing the best towel warmer for your needs, consider the following options.

Towel warmers range in size from compact countertop units to tall freestanding racks. Consider the room size, towel size, and how many towels you want to heat at a time, and pick accordingly.

Larger bath towels fit best on towel racks. Most can hold at least two towels at a time. Choose between a wall-mounted rack or a freestanding unit, depending on available space and your preferred style. Towel warmer buckets, more compact than racks, sit on the floor to hold a couple of towels. Towel warmer cabinets usually sit on a countertop and are best suited to face and hand towels. Some larger cabinets can hold a couple of bath towels.

Buckets and racks usually weigh less than 15 pounds, and cabinets may weigh in at a slightly heavier weight. A lighter weight means the towel warmer will be easier to mount or move around.

Towel warmers are available in different materials depending on the type selected. In most cases, towel warmer racks are made of aluminum, stainless steel, or steel, often with a chrome or powder-coated finish.

Bucket towel warmers are made of a heat-resistant material, and some come with wooden lids. Cabinet-style towel warmers resemble a microwave oven. They’re usually a solid color and are typically made of metal and have a cool-touch exterior. There are some designer options available, too, including towel racks made of copper, some that are gold-plated, and some with a black finish.

When choosing a towel warmer, consider ease of installation, portability, and ease of use. Freestanding, outlet-powered units are the easiest to install. Some may require a handful of steps to assemble the rack or cabinet, but starting the warmer is as easy as plugging it in and switching it on. Wall-mounted towel bars require more setup, but they pay off in saved space.

Installation may vary by power source. Electric towel warmers may plug into a wall outlet or hardwire into the home electrical system. Hardwired warmers take more work to install, but the result is seamless and cord-free.

Hydronic towel warmers, the most complex to install, usually require a professional plumber. Because of their relatively complex setup, which requires connection to the plumbing, hydronic towel rack installation tends to be part of a larger bathroom remodel.

Towel warmers can include a variety of features to save energy and ease use. Consider warm-up time, temperature output, and adjustable power or temperature settings.

The models featured below are among the best towel warmers in a variety of designs and sizes to suit different storage needs. Explore our curated list to find the most suitable warmer for your bathroom style and budget:

Innoka’s freestanding electric towel warmer rack makes an excellent option for those looking for a simple and portable towel rack. The six-bar rack requires just an outlet to install. To start warming, simply turn on the switch and the warmer will reach temperatures up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit within 30 to 40 minutes.

The towel warmer rack can stand on its own or mount to a wall. As a freestanding rack, it measures 21.7 by 14 by 35.3 inches and weighs under 8 pounds, which makes it easy to move about the bathroom or the home.

Get the Innoka towel warmer at Walmart.

For those who are fond of a hot, damp towel after a shave or enjoy the feel of a warm washcloth after an at-home facial, the MIBIHIBI Personal Household Towel Steamer might be just the little luxury item you’ve been looking for. It holds up to 15 washcloths for the ultimate home spa experience. The unit is simple to operate: just fill it with water, plug it in, and wait 10 minutes for it to heat up.

This counter-size towel warmer has an auto-off timer for safety and shuts itself off after 60 minutes. Compact at just 10.8 inches by 10.7 inches by 9.3 inches and weighing just 2.55 pounds, it won’t take up much space in your bathroom. Although it’s not big enough to heat up bath-size towels, it’s a nice addition for a home pampering session.

Get the MIBIHIBI towel warmer on Amazon.

Fans of large, fluffy towels, take note: This extra-large insulated bucket towel warmer holds and heats two 40-by-70-inch oversized bath towels—as well as robes or blankets—for the ultimate in luxury. But the high-capacity Zadro electric towel warmer is also lightweight and freestanding, so it moves with ease about the bathroom or the home.

A built-in timer indicates when the towels are warm. This bucket-style luxury towel warmer heats the entire towel evenly to an optimal temperature with no cold spots. Then the unit automatically shuts off at preprogrammed 15-, 30-, 45-, or 60-minute intervals. Natural bamboo feet help keep the extra-long power cord neatly out of sight when not in use.

Get the Zadro towel warmer on Amazon and at Walmart.

This wall-mounted towel warmer is easy to use: Once it’s mounted to the wall (it comes with all the tools and hardware needed and full instructions), just plug it in and arrange two towels or two bathrobes around the eight bars. Within 15 minutes, the items are warm and cozy. Give the towel rack 30 minutes to reach its maximum temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit for an even warmer experience.

The HEATGENE towel warmer is made of a brushed-finish stainless steel and has a power cord with a 6-foot reach. A waterproof safety cover on the switch ensures safe use, and the seamless welding of the bars provides a better bar-to-bar seal for a longer product life. This towel warmer is 33.4 inches by 26.75 inches by 3.5 inches and weighs 10 pounds.

Get the HEATGENE towel warmer on Amazon and at Walmart.

Enjoy spa-style luxury anywhere with the compact, lightweight, and portable Elite Hot Towel Warmer cabinet. This countertop model won’t take up precious floor or wall space, which makes it ideal for small bathrooms. It holds one full-size towel or up to 24 washcloths on its interior rack.

Elite’s electric towel warmer cabinet gets its heat from padded elements on the internal walls and not light bulbs that will need to be replaced, as with some cabinet models. It won’t overheat since it uses an internal temperature control that brings it up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit to warm towels in about 20 to 30 minutes and completely dry them in about an hour and a half. An included drip pan keeps everything neat.

Get the Elite towel warmer on Amazon and at Walmart.

Bring the spa experience home with this luxury towel warmer cabinet from Salon Sundry. The countertop unit stores up to 72 washcloths or two large bath towels on a removable interior rack. Made for use in spas, gyms, or massage studios, the electric towel warmer maintains an average interior temperature of 176 degrees Fahrenheit for truly toasty towels.

Installation is simple. It comes fully assembled and plugs into a three-prong outlet. The metal cabinet, which comes in a choice of black or white, has a composite door that remains cool to the touch, even when the chamber is hot inside. A double-sealed door with a magnetic latch keeps heat in and keeps the door safely closed.

Get the Salon Sundry towel warmer on Amazon and at Walmart.

Warm oversize bath towels, bathrobes, blankets, and more in a roomy bucket-style towel warmer from Keenray. The extra-large 20-liter bucket holds up to two 40-by-70-inch oversize bath towels at once. This unit reaches heating temperature in just 6 minutes. Once turned on, the unit offers up to 60 minutes of heating time before it shuts off automatically.

Beyond its stellar performance, the bucket-style warmer also looks stylish and modern. A round shape, white finish, and attractive faux-wood handle and base give it a simple and warm aesthetic that suits most bathrooms.

Get the Keenray towel warmer on Amazon.

Tangkula’s five-bar towel rack features a simple white finish and contemporary design to suit modern bathrooms. The sturdy iron rack has a smooth painted finish. Iron retains heat well, quickly heats up, and keeps items warm.

The curved rack can stand alone or mount to a wall. When used as a freestanding rack, it only needs a nearby outlet to set up, which makes it simple to warm towels, blankets, and clothing in a jiffy. A midsize rack, it comfortably holds one oversize towel or a few smaller ones.

Get the Tangkula towel warmer on Amazon.

A wall-mounted towel warmer makes the perfect solution for bathrooms lacking in floor space or to create a more finished look. Tangkula’s plug-in electric wall-mounted rack offers a good-looking and functional option for warming towels, blankets, and clothing.

When it’s time to warm items, switch on the rack, and within 10 minutes, it reaches a stable temperature up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. The 10-bar design provides space for two regular towels or an oversize bath sheet. Made of stainless steel, this rack has a simple look and a shiny chrome finish to suit modern bathrooms.

Get the Tangkula towel warmer on Amazon.

Bucket towel warmers make a great choice to warm towels quickly and evenly, but they take up a lot of space in small bathrooms. This mini bucket towel warmer takes up no more space than a small waste bin but still gets towels toasty warm.

Select from a 15-, 30-, 45-, or 60-minute heating time with the built-in timer. After it’s done, the timer switches the unit off automatically to conserve energy. The insulated compartment keeps towels warm for up to 20 minutes once it’s turned off.

Live Fine’s compact towel warmer measures 12.6 inches across and 13.4 inches tall, which makes it easier to squeeze into crowded bathrooms. It holds one oversize bath towel or several smaller ones.

Get the Live Fine towel warmer on Amazon and at Walmart.

For a reliable, easy-to-use option, the freestanding INNOKA electric towel warmer also acts as a dryer, is portable enough to move around if necessary, and can hold up to 6 towels at a time. Alternatively, the bucket-style MIBIHIBI hydronic towel warmer can hold up to 15 washcloths, heats up quickly, and has an auto-off timer.

We researched the most sought-after towel warmers in their respective categories and discovered that the best models are determined by their type, style and size, capacity, ease of installation and use, as well as other special features included by top brands.

While searching for the best options available, the most popular type of towel warmer among users were the electric models for their ease of use and installation. While not as popular, the hydronic models are also viable for their effectiveness and ability to heat the bathroom if needed. To fit in a variety of bathroom sizes and designs, our featured picks include bucket, rack, and cabinet-style towel warmers that reach temperatures of 122 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most racks are capable of fitting at least 1 bath-sized towel or multiple washcloths, while others can hold up to 3 bath-sized towels, a bathrobe, clothing, or a blanket. For ease of installation, many of these units simply need to be placed on a bathroom floor and plugged in or wall-mounted to save space.

With the best hot towel warmer, you’ll always have a warm towel for a spa-like experience. More practical than a dryer, towel warmers keep towels warm just steps from your shower. These appliances add a luxurious last step to your shower routine, especially during fall and winter. Beyond keeping your towel toasty warm, a heated towel rack also helps towels dry faster, which keeps them cleaner for longer and reduces odor, bacteria, and mildewing that can come with dampness.

Best of all, the right towel warmer aids in a range of tasks. A freestanding warmer can gently dry delicate items or swimwear or warm clothes, bathrobes, and bedding. Use one in a mudroom to heat gloves, socks, or coats; in a laundry room to dry delicate items; or in the bedroom to make blankets extra cozy before bed. In short, a towel warmer is a worthy addition to your home for the following reasons:

A towel warmer can take your post-shower routine to the next level. Beyond keeping towels and other items cozy and warm, these compact appliances are affordable to run and easy to maintain. Ahead are some frequently asked questions to consider when using your new towel warmer.

Towel warmers require minimal maintenance. An occasional wash with a damp cloth (soaked in mild detergent, if needed) is often enough to keep the warmer clean.

For bucket or cabinet-style warmers, regular wipe-downs with a soft, dry cloth can help reduce moisture buildup. Also, make sure to check and empty the drain tray as recommended by the manufacturer.

No, towel warmers are generally considered low-energy appliances, with most costing only a few cents per day to operate.

While it won’t replace a heater, a hot towel rack often radiates heat from both its horizontal and vertical bars, which means it will add some extra heat to a cold bathroom. Towel warmer buckets or cabinets hold their heat inside and contribute less heat to the room.

Most heated towel racks are safe to leave on, but check the manufacturer’s recommendations to be sure.

Towel warmers are useful for much more than just warming towels. They can warm up almost any fabric item, including blankets, swimsuits, outerwear, and other clothing. They can also help dry items like swimsuits and delicates.

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