The Best Towel Warmers for Keeping Bathers Toasty, Tested

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Add luxury and health benefits to your bath with a top-notch towel warmer that suits your style, space, and budget.

There’s nothing like wrapping up in a warm towel after a shower, and a towel warmer (also known as a towel heater) is the perfect way to build in some at-home pampering. To help you weed through the numerous options available, we tested some of the most popular towel warmers available.

Our recommendations for the best towel warmers consider design, size, setup, value, heating power, power source, and additional features. During a month of testing, we put the following towel warmers to the test; here are all of our top picks for towel warmers.

1. BEST OVERALL: Keenray Bucket Towel Warmer 
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mibihibi Personal Towel Steamer and Warmer
3. BEST BUCKET: Zadro Large Towel Warmer Bucket
4. BEST RACK: Odass Towel Warmer – Wave I 
5. BEST FREESTANDING: Keg Towel Warmer
6. BEST LARGE: Heatgene 12 Curved Bar Hardwired/Plug-In Towel Warmer
7. BEST COMPACT RACK: Amba Radiant Small 7 Bar Towel Warmer
8. BEST COMPACT BUCKET: Sharper Image Towel Warmer
9. BEST FOR GIFTING: Live Fine Towel Warmer

How We Tested the Best Towel Warmers

Before diving into our tests, we reached out to an expert for their advice. We spoke with master electrician Christopher Haas, owner of a family electrician business in Pasadena, Maryland, Haas & Sons Electric, boasting over two decades of experience in the industry. His main advice is that “electric towel warmers need to be GFCI-protected,” so we took this in mind when selecting our top picks. He also says that shoppers should “be mindful of how much power the towel warmer consumes. Some are as low as 100 watts while others we have seen are 800 watts. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need a dedicated circuit to prevent overloading your circuitry. We recommend consulting with your local electrician if the warmer uses 500 or more watts.” With all of this on our radar, we got our hands on the best towel warmers to see how they fared with our testing team.

To test the best towel warmers, we began by choosing popular models in different categories. We included options for various setups, including wall-mounted, floor buckets, and freestanding models.

Upon receiving the warmers, we observed the quality, weight, and durability of each, recording our first impressions into our testing rubric. To test the sturdiness of each, we knocked into the floor units while passing to see whether they tipped over or stood up to a bit of wear and tear.

To start testing the warmers, we assembled each according to the manufacturer’s directions and noted how many towels each could hold. We added the recommended number of standard or oversize bath towels and powered it on before taking a shower, noting whether it was warm when we were out or if it needed more time.

For those with different timing options, we tried warming our towels at various intervals, observing the increase in warmth. We folded the towels differently and added fewer towels to see if it affected the functionality. Finally, we felt the unit to see how hot it got and noted any safety considerations.

Our Top Picks

The models featured below are among the best towel warmers in a variety of designs and sizes to suit different needs. Read on to find out how these popular options stood up to our rigorous testing. For reference, we define oversize bath towels (also known as bath sheets) as towels that range in size from 60 to 70 inches long by 35 to 40 inches wide; we define standard bath towels as those that measure between 52 to 58 inches long by 27 to 30 inches wide.

Best Overall

Keenray Bucket Towel Warmer

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Bucket
• Capacity: 2 oversize bath towels

Pros

• Heats up by the time the user is out of the shower
• Offers 60 minutes of heating time with an automatic shutoff
• The sleek design is available in 6 colors with faux-wood accents
• Unit comes with an aromatherapy tray to add essential oils

Cons

• The unit has a mild plastic or chemical smell that did not dissipate after multiple uses
• Cost for this bucket warmer is on the higher side

The extra-large 20-liter bucket holds up to two 70-inch-long by 40-inch-wide bath towels at once, with room for some extras like socks or mittens. During our testing, we found this unit the fastest and most efficient at warming our towels, heating up in just 6 minutes. We popped our towel in before showering and loved that it was toasty by the time we finished.

Once turned on, the unit offers up to 60 minutes of heating time before it shuts off automatically. We left the towels in for the entire running time, and they were nice and warm for use, but there wasn’t much of a difference in temperature between leaving it for 15 minutes or 50.

The unit gets warm while heating up, but a red indicator light alerts users to the hot surface. However, we didn’t find the exterior temperature worrisome. One drawback is that we noticed a mild chemical smell after taking the cover off, which didn’t seem to dissipate after multiple uses.

Beyond its stellar performance, the bucket-style warmer also looks stylish and modern. We love that it comes in a few color options, while the sleek bucket shape and attractive faux-wood handle give it a simple and warm aesthetic that will suit most bathrooms.

Get the Keenray towel warmer at Amazon or Keenray.

Best Bang for the Buck

Mibihibi Personal Towel Steamer and Warmer

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Bucket
• Capacity: 10 standard (12-inch square) washcloths

Pros

• Damp towels heat up very quickly to high temperatures
• The compact design makes it suitable for countertop use
• An auto-off timer shuts the unit off after 60 minutes

Cons

• Not suitable for warming bath-size towels or larger items
• Towels get very hot and need time to cool before handling
• Makes a ticking sound while counting down the time

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 towel steamer and warmer is a great option. Users could even host friends for a spa night since the unit holds multiple washcloths. The company says it can hold 15, but we found that number to be a bit high unless the towels are tiny.

After unboxing this warmer, we quickly assembled it by placing the towel cabinet on top of the heating system per the directions. Next, we added water to the max-fill line and dampened our towels. Finally, we plugged it in and waited the recommended 10 minutes for it to heat up. The towels got extremely hot—most likely too hot for many users. We recommend letting the towels sit to cool or using tongs.

This unit is compact, measuring only 10.7 inches long by 10.7 inches wide by 9.5 inches high, and weighs just 2.55 pounds, making it perfect for countertop use. Though it’s not big enough to heat bath towels and it only holds about 10 washcloths, it’s still an excellent product for a home pampering session.

This counter-size towel warmer has an auto-off timer for safety and shuts itself off after 60 minutes. One drawback is that the timer makes a ticking noise while counting down, which takes away from the spa-like atmosphere. It’s not overly attractive, but the compact white design will blend into most bathrooms.

Get the Mibihibi towel warmer at Amazon.

Best Bucket

Zadro Large Towel Warmer Bucket

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Bucket
• Capacity: 2 oversize bath towels

Pros

• Easily fits 2 oversize towels with room for extras such as socks or mittens
• It has a built-in timer with 4 time settings and an automatic shutoff
• A sleek body and natural bamboo feet give the unit a luxurious look

Cons

• The price point is on the high side

We were impressed with the sleek look of the Zadro electric towel warmer out of the box. We tested it in gray, but it’s also available in white. The tall, narrow shape and faux bamboo wood feet and handle make it a perfect addition to modern-style bathrooms. It was also simple to use with zero assembly time.

The extra-large insulated bucket can hold two 70-inch-long by 40-inch-wide oversize bath towels and robes or blankets. There are options for heating in 15-, 30-, 45-, or 60-minute cycles before the unit automatically shuts off.

We started our testing by loading in two standard bath towels and found there was still extra room for socks and hand towels. (In fact, it would have fit two oversize towels and those extras, as well.) For the first run, we chose the 15-minute timer. Once it was finished, our towel was amply warm, but we preferred the heat level the second time around at 30 minutes.

We didn’t find a substantial change from the 30- to 60-minute cycles. The inside of this large towel warmer did get hotter after each cycle, but the exterior remained warm—not hot—to the touch. We suggest placing the towel loosely folded inside the container to avoid cold spots. There was some brief clicking later in the heating cycle but not every time we used it.

Get the Zadro towel warmer at Amazon, Target, Crate & Barrel, or Zadro.

Best Rack

Odass Towel Warmer – Wave I

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Rack
• Capacity: 2 standard bath towels

Pros

• The unit’s stainless steel body is attractive and feels sturdy
• Dries towels to help avoid the buildup of mildew and mold
• 10 bars offer plenty of room for towels, pajamas, or robes

Cons

• Some users may prefer more heat for their bath towels
• Automatic shutoff is after 2 hours at a minimum

Out of the box, this model looked great and felt sturdy. Users can hardwire the unit for a seamless look, but we opted to test it plugged in. Installation parts and a user manual are included, and the directions are straightforward. The cord has a sufficient length to reach the outlet.

The stainless steel body has a built-in timer with LED indicators. Users can opt for 2 or 4 hours of heating time before automatic shutoff. The surface temperature of this towel warmer rack reaches about 86 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

During our testing, we hung one standard towel at the top of the unit and one midway down the bars. We tested it in 15-minute increments, according to the directions. After the first 15 minutes, the towel felt slightly warm. After 30 minutes, it was more to our liking, but we still would have liked a bit more heat. However, it dried our towels efficiently after a 2-hour cycle.

The unit is midsize compared to others on this list, measuring 33.88 inches long by 20.88 inches wide by 4.88 inches deep. The 10 bars are handy for warming or drying multiple smaller items such as clothing or hand towels. It is available in brushed nickel, chrome, and powder coated.

Get the Odass towel warmer at Amazon.

Best Freestanding

Keg Towel Warmer

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Freestanding rack
• Capacity: 2 standard bath towels

Pros

• Unit is an affordable option among rack towel warmers
• Versatile, with options to use it freestanding or wall-mounted
• Spacious enough to heat 2 standard bath towels or a large robe

Cons

• The lightweight design will slide if knocked into during use
• The freestanding version is only available in a brushed silver color

Stabilizing feet keep the towel warmer upright but can be removed for those who prefer a hanging rack. The brushed aluminum body has a nice modern look and is super lightweight; we found it simple to unbox and move around. In testing, bumping into it made it slide out of place, but it didn’t tip over.

The 6-foot cord plugs into standard outlets but has limited reach. Once it’s plugged in, users can press the 2- or 4-hour buttons to dry towels. During testing, our damp towels were dry after 2 hours. It automatically shuts off after the selected time.

We set up the rack with one oversize towel during our testing and left it to heat for 15 minutes. Once the timer was up, the warmer itself felt hot to the touch and the towel felt warm. After 30 minutes, it didn’t feel much warmer. As with most rack warmers, we found the best result after wrapping the towel through multiple bars for maximum surface contact.

The standing unit is only available in silver, but Keg has similar wall-mounted models in various finishes. The Amazon product listing mentions that it comes with a free bath towel in the package, but we did not receive one.

Get the Keg towel warmer at Amazon.

Best Large

Heatgene 12 Curved Bar Hardwired/Plug-In Towel Warmer

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Wall-mounted rack
• Capacity: 2 oversize towels or 2 bathrobes

Pros

• 12 stainless steel heated bars offer plenty of space for towels
• Mounting was straightforward using the included hardware and directions
• Durable construction gives this unit a solid look and feel

Cons

• Bath towels may not get hot enough for some users

This pick looked great out of the box and felt durable and weighty. We liked the brushed stainless steel design, which should coordinate with most bathroom designs.

The mounting was straightforward with the included hardware, and the unit felt sturdy on the wall. The Heatgene can also be hardwired for those who want a sleeker look.

The plug easily extended to our outlet with a coiled wire, which has a 6-foot reach. We didn’t love the look of the coil, but it worked well. The unit can hold two towels or a towel and bathrobes around the eight bars. We tried it with two bath towels, and the items were slightly warm after the recommended 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, the heat level was more to our liking, but still not hot. We wrapped the towels through the bars for more efficient heating. Even though they didn’t get very hot, the unit was effective at drying damp towels after use.

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 was the largest we tested, measuring 40 inches long by 24 inches wide and weighing 13 pounds.

Get the Heatgene towel warmer at Amazon, Wayfair, or Heatgene.

Best Compact Rack

Amba Radiant Small 7 Bar Towel Warmer

Product Specs

• Type: Electric
• Style: Wall-mounted rack
• Capacity: 1 standard bath towel

Pros

• Available in 5 different finishes to suit modern bathrooms
• Compact design makes it ideal for small bathrooms and mudrooms
• Can be plugged in or hardwired depending on user preference
• Consumes minimal power; rated at 110 to 150 watts, similar to a few light bulbs

Cons

• Unit does not have an automatic shutoff option
• Some of the finishes come in at a high price point
• The wire to plug in the unit is only 5 feet long

From polished gold to matte black, this rack-style warmer is ideal for designer bathrooms. We chose the black, which looked great in person. We loved its modern and sleek appearance.

The compact size, measuring just 21.25 inches long by 20.38 inches wide by 4.75 inches deep, worked perfectly in our bathroom. We liked that it didn’t overwhelm the space yet provided ample room for one standard-size bath towel. The rungs are closer together than other models, making it a bit more challenging to wrap thick towels for more surface contact.

Our testing found that it heated up slightly after 15 minutes but was warmer after 30 with a max temp of 149 degrees Fahrenheit. It was warm, not hot, and worked great on smaller, thinner towels. This option is also perfect for drying out items like gloves and bathing suits. In testing, our kids’ swimsuits were dry in 1 hour.

Get the Amba towel warmer at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair