Ah, the feeling of wrapping yourself in a warm fluffy towel straight out of the shower - pure bliss.
While many of us use radiators to warm towels, the downside is that a typical model can usually only accommodate one or two at a time. Any more and the towels not only look cluttered but risk falling off and lying in a heap on the floor.
Heated towel racks, once the reserve of fancy hotels and B&Bs, are increasingly becoming a domestic must-have. The sleek, compact designs combine a radiator and towel rack in one, making bathrooms big and small appear more spacious in the process. Some even come with drop-down airers, opening up the possibility of drying small items of clothes - think delicates, swimwear and socks - leaving a clothes airer free to dry heavier items.
While the vast majority of heated towel racks are offered in chrome finishes or white to fit in seamlessly with traditional bathroom suites, designs are increasingly pushing the envelope to offer innovative looks that promise to bring character to the room.
We’ve rounded up the best options below to suit a variety of tastes and budgets to help streamline the choice. From ladder-like designs that can accommodate a family’s worth of towels, to small half-size models that make the most of the space in small bathrooms, there are plenty to consider.
Shop our pick of the best heated towel racks below.
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Milano Lustro Sunset Orange Flat Panel Heated Towel Rail
Make a statement out of bathroom heating by replacing a tired old radiator with something far more head-turning. This hand-finished sunset orange heated towel rail promises to become a conversation starter when guests come over, as well as providing a pop of colour to bathroom suites.
The flat panel design is available in a range of sizes to suit all room sizes with free delivery to your door in 20 days or less. It comes with everything you need to fit the rack to the wall - think wall fixings, wall plugs, blanking and a bleed plug - along with a 10-year guarantee.
Buy now £219.95, Best Heating
Milano Ive - Straight White Heated Towel Rail
As well as heating your towels, this ladder-like design is ideal for hanging damp clothes, expanding your drying space from other radiators or a clothes airer. The simple look is made from robust steel covered in a white powder finish to keep it looking great for longer. Along with all the usual wall fixings, this comes with a 10-year guarantee. One for minimalists.
Buy now £47.95, Best Heating
Arredamenti Italia KLAUS heated towel rails
Combining a clothes rack and heat source in one, this beautifully crafted cherry wood rack is perfect for small homes that need design elements to work double duty. The wall-mounted design boasts two independent airers to dry things like underwear, swimwear and socks, while the rungs ensure your towels sit neat and tidy. A stylish solution to make the most of your space.
Buy now £53.48, Amazon
Milano Derwent - Traditional Minimalist Dark Brushed Brass Heated Towel Rail - 966mm x 673mm
For those who favour a traditional look, this design repurposes pipework as towel rails, making it a fitting choice for period properties. There are three levels to hang clean towels for the bathroom, or it could be a useful addition to boot and cloakrooms that need a small multi-heat solution.
Buy now £419.99, Big Bathroom Shop
Greened House Umbria Stainless Steel Electric Heated Towel Rail
If you don’t like the idea of a block-shaped heated towel rail, this squiggle offers a more contemporary aesthetic. It promises to emanate a gentle level of heat for warming your space (a welcome thing on chilly mornings, no doubt) and the stainless steel construction won’t fall victim to rust, helpful in a wet-prone space like the bathroom.
The rail comes with everything needed for swift installation: think adjustable wall brackets, fixing screws, plugs, a blanking plug, and an air vent.
Buy now £55.99, Amazon
Agadon Willow Designer Towel Radiator
Don’t want a heated towel rack taking up the height of an entire wall? This mini version is available at DIY specialist B&Q and offers helpful heated storage for the lower part of the room, keeping the eye-level half feeling less cluttered.
The long-lasting design offers an excellent output of heat and promises to add hotel quality to your bathroom. Fittings and fixtures are included in the purchase, as is a 10-year guarantee for buying confidence. An easy way to elevate your bathroom - especially at this price.
Buy now £69.99, B&Q
Terma Aire Designer Heated Towel Radiator
A heated towel rack that could double as bathroom wall art? Sign us UP. This innovative design looks as far from a boring old radiator as you could imagine. We’d wager most wouldn’t even guess its true function unless they touched it, which makes it an excellent choice for design-focused buyers.
The low-carbon mild steel piece comes in a choice of shades and sizes and is compatible with central heating systems only. Includes an eight-year guarantee.
Buy now £294.99, Drench
Victorian Plumbing Terma Hex H1220 x W486mm Mustard Designer Radiator
A designer radiator promises to add something extra to your bathroom design. Inspired by honeycomb, this Terma Hex Radiator is the winner of the IF Design Award 2017 and it’s easy to see why. The geometric design paired with a warm mustard hue instantly brings character to a room that’s usually overlooked in interior design. There are plenty of small pockets to hang face and hand towels too.
Buy now £599.44, Victorian Plumbing
The Radiator Company Step BDO
For those who feel the cold more keenly than others, a longer heated towel rack means more heat spreading out across the room - no shivering out of the shower or bath for you. There are four levels to line up your towels so they’re ready and waiting when you need them. Colour choices are kept simple with just white and chrome on offer and an electric look-a-like is also available.
Buy now £1758.00, The Radiator Company
Luxury Traditional Victorian Vintage Heated Towel Warmer
Pair a radiator and towel warmer in one with this design that works with existing central heating systems. The chrome and white look means it's suited to most bathroom styles and offers more drying space than traditional racks and radiators.
Buy now £185.00, Amazon
