7 Best Towel Warmers, According to 30+ Hours of Testing
Bring a touch of the spa to your everyday bath routine.
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Adding a towel warmer to your bathroom is a simple upgrade that you'll appreciate after every shower — or anytime you want to luxuriate in the warm, fluffy embrace of a heated bath towel. And when it comes to available designs on the market, there are more options than ever, from freestanding bucket warmers to wall-mounted racks.
Our experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute spent more than 30 hours putting a dozen top models to the test. While we arrived at a best overall pick, the right towel warmer for you will depend on a few factors, including the size of your bathroom and how many towels you want to keep warm at once.
Don’t miss our other expert advice for bringing a spa-like experience to the bathroom, including the best towels to add to your warmer and our favorite rain showerheads for a soothing, full-body soak.
Our top picks:
Zadro Ultra Large Towel Warmer
Pros
- Fast warm-up and even heat distribution
- Multiple timer settings
- Hot surface warning
Cons
- Takes up floor space in the bathroom
WHY WE LOVE IT: Zadro came out with the first bucket-style towel warmer about a decade ago, and the brand is still tops with our testers for anyone in the market for this easy-to-use type of warmer. After evaluating several Zadro products, we like the size and versatility of its Large Towel Warmer most of all.
Style-wise, the Zadro bucket has clean, simple lines for an unobtrusive presence in the bathroom (the bamboo handle and feet are understated flourishes). If you’re looking to make a statement with your towel warmer, the Zadro comes in seven color schemes, including a bolder bamboo/gray combination.
HOW IT WORKS: Like all bucket warmers, the Zadro is plug-in, so you simply need to find a convenient spot for it in the bathroom near an outlet. The 20-liter tub can handle a pair of large bath towels. Its timer has more settings than many warmers (15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes) and we like the hot surface warning light, since the interior of the unit climbed above 170°F in our tests, enough to leave a mark upon prolonged skin contact.
TESTER NOTES: “Buckets, in general, perform the best and this one heated up especially quickly in our tests and maintained steady temperatures for the duration of the set amount of warming time,” said Alec Scherma, test engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute. The obvious downside noted by consumer testers is that it takes up floor space in the bathroom.
| Type | Bucket |
| Dimensions | 21.5" x 12" x 12" |
| Timer settings | 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes |
| Towel capacity | 2 |
| Warm-up time | 5 minutes |
Pros
- Competitive price
- Easy set-up
- Can be freestanding or wall-mounted
Cons
- Less durable construction
WHY WE LOVE IT: If you're on a budget, many of the best deals on towel warmers are in the rack-style category. With its curvaceous design, Costway's value-priced version serves up a decent amount of hanging space, whether for warming towels or to dry garments.
HOW IT WORKS: In addition to that double duty, our experts like how easy the unit is to put together, plus the fact that it can be freestanding or wall-mounted. Constructed of white painted steel, the towel warmer is not as durable as the top-quality, stainless-steel racks in our round-up.
TESTER NOTES: Great functionality for the cost, was the consensus with our review team. "And as long as you’re not too rough with it — no overloading it with heavy items, for example, or dragging it around with one hand — the bargain warmer should deliver many years of service," added one of our experts.
| Type | Rack (freestanding or wall-mounted) |
| Dimensions | 23" x 13" x 36" |
| Towel capacity | 4 |
| Timer settings | None |
| Warm-up time | 15 minutes |
LiveFine Plug-in Freestanding Towel Warmer
Pros
- Takes up less space than most buckets
- Multiple timer settings
- Good price
Cons
- No hot surface warning light
WHY WE LOVE IT: This compact towel warmer from LiveFine is perfect if you're only looking to warm up a single standard-size bath towel. You'll save money as well as space with the bucket warmer. Standing just over 13 inches tall, it's about half the height and cost as many full-size bucket warmers.
HOW IT WORKS: Despite its diminutive size, the LiveFine will still do a solid job of warming up a large bath sheet, and you might be able to squeeze a couple of smaller towels in there, depending on their dimensions. The LED display makes it easy to choose between four timer settings — 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
TESTER NOTES: "Given its smaller cavity, the warm-up timer was exceptionally swift," said our tester. "Just be careful touching the interior, since there's no hot surface warning light."
| Type | Bucket |
| Dimensions | 13.4" x 12.6" x 12.6" |
| Timer settings | 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes |
| Towel capacity | 1 |
| Warm-up time | Under 5 minutes |
Pottery Barn Classic Towel Warmer
Pros
- Elegant design
- Space efficient
- Excellent brand reliability
Cons
- Pricey and requires professional installation
WHY WE LOVE IT: This high-end towel warmer from Pottery Barn is worth the splurge, thanks to its elegant design and choice of three handsome finishes (chrome, brushed nickel and matte black). Though we didn’t test the warmer in our Lab, our experts highly rate Pottery Barn based on years of evaluations across all product categories, from sofas to diaper bags; the brand is also our top overall pick in our current round-up of best bath towels.
HOW IT WORKS: Boasting high-grade, stainless-steel construction, the Classic Towel Bar is available in four sizes, ranging from 18” x 40” up to 24” x 60”. (Go as large as you can, our experts say, to accommodate more and bigger bath towels.) The warmer must be hard-wired, which probably means the added cost of an electrician.
TESTER NOTES: Customization was the big appeal with our engineers. “You’ll be able to get the size and placement just right," said Scherma. He added that the hardwiring involved makes this a good fit for bathroom remodels. "It’s just another fixture for your contractor to install, so you won’t be paying a huge mark-up on labor,”
| Type | Rack (wall-mounted) |
| Dimensions | 18" x 40" (multiple sizes available) |
| Timer settings | None |
| Towel capacity | 3 (more with larger sizes) |
| Warm-up time | 30 minutes |
Zadro Large Aromatherapy Hot Towel Warmer
Pros
- Gives towels a pleasant scent
- Large capacity
- Excellent warming performance
Cons
- Limited color choice
WHY WE LOVE IT: Zadro, the brand that introduced the bucket towel warmer continues to innovate, as evidenced by this recent launch that features a built-in aromatherapy diffuser. That adds to the sensory experience, if also to the cost.
HOW IT WORKS: When filled with a few drops of the included lavender oil (or other essential oil of your choice), the unit imbues towels and blankets with a soothing scent as it warms them up. The 20-liter towel warmer has all the same features and dimensions of our top overall pick from Zadro, including multiple timer settings and built-in cord storage beneath the footed base. It can accommodate two large bath towels.
TESTER NOTES: "The aromatherapy definitely takes the spa experience to the next level," said one tester. Others noted that design options are more limited, as the aromatherapy unit only comes in the ivory with bamboo accents shown here.
| Type | Bucket |
| Dimensions | 21.5" x 12" x 12" |
| Timer settings | 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes |
| Towel capacity | 2 |
| Warm up time | 5 minutes |
Pros
- Steams towels for effective cleaning
- Extra soothing effects
Cons
- Not designed for large bath towels
WHY WE LOVE IT: While it’s fair to say that all towel warmers are a luxury, ones designed specifically for hand and face towels, like this unit from LKT COBTAC are next-level extravagance. If you wear makeup, a warm towel can help with removal and even give your skin a moisturizing boost.
HOW IT WORKS: Like what you might see at the nail salon, this version holds up to 12 small hand or face towels. The countertop warmer works best when you presoak the towels before placing them inside, unlike other towel warmers, which are designed for dry fabrics. A built-in drip pan corrals any moisture, and according to the brand, an internal temperature control prevents the unit from overheating.
TESTER NOTES: "Basic, yet effective," concluded one tester, who evaluated a similar model. She added that there are no controls to automatically shut the warmer off after a set amount of time, so she got into the habit of turning the unit off after each use.
| Type | Cabinet |
| Dimensions | 13" x 11" x 10" |
| Timer settings | None |
| Towel capacity | 12 (small hand towels) |
| Warm-up time | 20 minutes |
Amba Cape Model Straight Bar Towel Warmer
Pros
- Space-efficient design
- DIY-friendly assembly
Cons
- Slower heat-up time
WHY WE LOVE IT: If you're working with limited space, you can't go wrong with this sleek, wall-mounted towel warmer, available in a trendy matte black finish, as well as brushed or polished stainless steel. Featuring two sets of six bars, the warmer has room for multiple towels of varying sizes.
HOW IT WORKS: We tested the plug-in version, which will save you on the cost of hiring an electrician, though you'll have to live with a dangling cord. It can be also be hard-wired for a cleaner look. There's even a wet-rated installation kit that's UL-certified for use inside showers or wet rooms, making a warm towel within reach for those who may have mobility issues.
TESTER NOTES: "A great-looking towel rack," said one tester, who opted for the polished stainless steel finish. "The towel warmer is lightweight, durable and perfect for a small space, like behind the bathroom door," added another. The only complaint was that the warm-up time on the rack was a little slow.
| Type | Rack (wall-mounted) |
| Dimensions | 34'' x 24.875' x 5.75'' |
| Timer settings | None |
| Towel capacity | Three |
| Warm-up time | 15 to 45 minutes |
How we test towel warmers
Our product specialists kicked off this project by reviewing the market to find the towel warmers with the widest availability in stores and online. To assemble this round-up, we focused on brands and retailers that have stood out through decades of bathroom product testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute. The initial review process covered close to 30 towel warmers.
Hands-on testing took place in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab (with insights from the Institute’s Textiles Lab, whose experts know all things towel-related). In evaluating each towel warmer, we considered ease of setup, including the clarity of the user manual and the intuitiveness of the controls. For wall-mounted and hardwired systems, we went through with an actual installation when possible, but at the very least, reviewed the instructions and assessed the wiring and mounting hardware.
To assess performance, we used a temperature gun to measure warm-up time and to determine how evenly heat is distributed throughout the warmer. In our evaluation, "warm-up time" refers to how long it takes for a towel to be suitably heated up for use after bathing. We also considered any safety features, for example, the presence of a hot surface warning light.
What to consider when shopping for the best towel warmer
Here's your checklist for making sure you end up with a towel warmer that serves your wishes and needs.
✔️ Type: There are three types to choose from.
- Bucket: As you’ll guess from the name, these towel warmers are shaped like a bucket. The freestanding units are designed to sit in a corner of the bathroom. That takes up a bit of floor space, so they’re not ideal in tight quarters and there’s a limit to how many towels they can hold. But they tend to do the best job of warming up towels, plus the plug-and-play design makes for a simple, installation-free setup.
- Rack: This is the more traditional type of towel warmer, the kind often seen in hotels and spas, as well as home bathrooms. The flat, rectangular unit typically features six to eight racks that towels hang on. Racks can either be hardwired or plug-in. Hardwired units are the most space-efficient, though they tend to be on the expensive side, plus we recommend hiring a professional for installation. Freestanding racks take up a little extra floor space, since they need a base to stand on, but they’re often the most affordable of all towel warmers.
- Cabinet: This type of towel warmer is almost exclusively intended for small hand and face towels. The cabinets typically measure about the size of a toaster oven, so they’re ideally placed on a countertop or table (think larger bathrooms with ample surface tops). Since towels are meant to be damp when placed in a cabinet warmer, most have a drip pan or other element designed to capture moisture.
✔️ Capacity: This factor tends to track with type, but it’s not always so cut and dry. In theory, racks can warm up the greatest number of towels, since each rack is another holding spot. But overloading a rack with towels will cut down on efficacy. Still, a good rack warmer with widely spaced racks should be able to handle three or four towels, while most buckets max out at two towels.
✔️ Features: Towel warmers don’t have a ton of bells and whistles, but our experts say the following features are worth looking out for:
- Timer settings: Helpful if you want to start warming towels ahead of other activities, such as your morning jog. Also, a timer will automatically shut off the warmer, so you don’t have to worry about leaving the house with it still running hot.
- Hot surface warning: Though towel warmers aren’t serious safety hazards, they do get very hot to the touch (on the order of a curling iron) so the visual reminder is a beneficial feature.
- Scent diffusers: If you’re into aromatherapy, consider a model with a built-in diffuser that will imbue towels with the smell of lavender, eucalyptus or other essential oil.
Are towel warmers safe?
Yes, towel warmers are safe for home use. Because they don’t generate the same extreme temperatures as other devices, like space heaters and irons, there's no risk of fire. But the internal temperature of bucket-style heaters can reach around 170°F, so it’s important to avoid prolonged skin contact. That's why our experts like bucket towel warmers with hot surface warnings. To prevent any risk of electrocution, it’s important to ensure that corded towel warmers are always plugged into a GFCI outlet, which is required in bathrooms and other wet locations.
Is it OK to leave towel warmers on all the time?
In theory, yes, since as noted above, they don't pose a fire risk. However, they do draw energy, so we don’t recommend leaving them on all the time. Most bucket towel warmers have timer settings that turn them off automatically. With a towel rack, you’ll need to remember to turn it off yourself. But they use less energy than bucket warmers, so it shouldn’t break the bank if you forget every now and then.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including bath fixtures and accessories. In his role as director, Dan DiClerico brings 25 years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like Consumer Reports and This Old House. He also helps oversee the testing of numerous bath products, including toilets, showerheads and flooring.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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