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While you may only think of them for spas or nail salons, a portable towel warmer is one of the more luxe items you can gift to yourself, family or friends to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Below are some great towel warmers that will ensure everyone has a perfectly warm towel whenever and wherever needed. We are featuring a few different style warmers including a premium one that not only heats up towels but provides UV sanitation as well, two different towel-rack style ones that can be wall-mounted, and a mini-version that will warm up all your washcloths and face towels.
We have also found some stylishly chic, bucket-style warmers with streamlined designs that will blend perfectly into any style bathroom. These heaters can hold larger-style bath sheets or towels and you can even throw in a robe or clothing whenever the need arises.
Comparing the Top Towel Warmer of 2024 in Detail
ForPro Premium — Best Overall
This premium towel warmer features a UV sterilizer in addition to warming towels, to keep towels clean and fresh. This warmer heats to about 180 degrees in about 30 minutes, has a large capacity that can hold up to 24 washcloths at a time, and includes a water-drip tray and two stainless steel racks that will not rust. The warmer can also be used for various wellness accessories including hot packs, neck warmers, and massage stones.
Pros
- This warmer will also sterilize medical masks to help remove germs and contaminants.
Cons
- Washcloths are not included.
DOACE — Most Innovative
The DOACE Towel Warmer is a state-of-the-art appliance that uses temperature regulation to kill germs and promote a healthy lifestyle by warming towels, underwear, and face masks. The high-end towel warmer stands out from the competition thanks to its many innovative features and cutting-edge design. There is plenty of room for two extra-large bath towels, blankets, and robes, and four hooks provide convenient storage for items like face masks, underwear, and headscarves.
The convenience of a large-capacity heating bucket makes using heated towels a pleasant experience for the whole family. The warmer bucket is aesthetically pleasing and can be placed practically anywhere in the home, as it will not detract from the decor. It's also convenient because it has large, straightforward controls, a digital LED display, and a flip-top lid.
Pros
- Innovative design with temperature regulation
- Spacious enough for two large bath towels
- Aesthetically pleasing to blend with home décor
Cons
- May not last long
Live Fine — Best Design
This personal warmer has a slightly different size and shape than other traditional towel warmers as this one has a more streamlined, bucket-style design. This spa-quality warmer has an extra-large capacity with room for up to two large towels at a time and you can also fill it up with washcloths, robes, pajamas, sheets, and more. A sleek LCD display provides for easy operation, safety indicator lights illuminate to indicate when the device is hot and a super chic design makes an ideal accent for any size or style bathroom.
Pros
- The compartment keeps towels warm for up to 20 minutes after the cycle ends.
Cons
- There is only one color option.
WELLUR — Honorable Mention
This is another great streamlined, bucket-style towel warmer with an extra-large design that can accommodate two oversized towels. The built-in heating element thoroughly warms the entire towel inside and out while a timer lets you heat towels in 15-minute increments all the way to an hour before it automatically shuts off.
Pros
- You can also warm robes, blankets, and sheets.
Cons
- Only one bath size sheet can fit.
Brandon Basics — Also Consider
Another towel warmer option is a wall-mounted, electric style one with a sleek, unobtrusive design. This particular one comes with a built-in timer with LED indicators and comes with the options of hardwiring or plug-in, depending on preference. This warmer has thought of everything and has even routed the power through one of the available mounting legs to hide the hard-wired installations and to maintain the beauty and elegance of the design.
Pros
- The use of towel warmers can help remove moisture and prevent bacteria growth.
Cons
- Warmers should not be installed anywhere it can be exposed to water.
Odass
Another great towel warmer rack is this option, similar to the one above, except this one has a useful heated top shelf. It comes with all the bells and whistles including a built-in timer with LED indicators, fast heating technology, and convenient wall mounting that saves precious floor space. A hardwired or plug-in installation is also an option and it comes with an easy-to-read manual for fast installation.
Pros
- In addition to towels, you can warm robes before and after a bath or dry any damp clothes.
Cons
- There are no color options.
Elite
This mini towel warmer is a great option for both professional and home use as it is compact and holds up to12 small washcloths. This unit also contains an internal temperature control to ensure it does not overheat, will keep towels warm all day long, and has an insulated cabinet with a padded heating element for safe, consistent heating.
Pros
- This warmer comes with a water-drip pan and interior towel rack.
Cons
- The towels should be pre-soaked prior to placing them inside the unit.
Finding Your Next Towel Warmer: A Buyer’s Guide
A towel warmer is one of the top-tier enhancements you can customize your bathroom with. It is truly a worthwhile purchase for chilly seasons and cold shower enthusiasts, although there are some aspects you should consider before buying a towel warmer to ensure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. In this guide, we’ll explore some key considerations you ought to examine and some useful features to look for in a towel warmer to boost your experience.
What Are Towel Warmers?
Some people haven't ever heard of a towel warmer before, and if you’re one of them, let us explain. A towel warmer is a bathroom enhancement that heats up and dries your towel while also providing heat to the room. Not only can towel warmers be used to dry towels, but they can also be used to dry fragile garments and clothes that require handwashing. You can also use a towel warmer to warm up winter clothes such as gloves, beanies, scarves, etc. The standard towel warmer model usually resembles a rack-like structure made from metal with multiple placements for warming towels in one go. They can also be mounted on the bathroom wall for easy access.
What Are the Different Types of Towel Warmers?
There are numerous types of towel warmers that you’ll encounter in the market. Aside from the traditional rack design, towel warmers also come in a bin-like structure that keeps your towel out of sight while it warms them up for you. Let's look at the most popular types.
Rack towel warmers
This type of towel warmers is one of the most commonly used and loved versions in the market. Besides being extremely accessible and convenient, these towel warmers can also warm multiple towels in one round. Rack-style towel warmers also add a modern feel to your bathroom while also being versatile enough to be used with different pieces of clothing. One prominent advantage is that they can also be used for drying in addition to warming, which is a feature unique to these types of towel warmers. It should be noted, however, that since these warmer models are open and exposed, unlike bucket warmers, they may take slightly longer to heat and dry your towels
Bucket towel warmers
Bucket-style towel warmers are closed and sit on the floor or shelf. They include a lid that can be opened to put in or take out towels. A prerequisite for these towel warmers is that the towels inserted inside need to be dry to ensure proper warming. The warming process takes a reasonable amount of time, after which the towels can be removed.
Commercial towel warmers
These are also called cabinet warmers and are not unlike a standard closet. The primary source of warmth for the towels comes from the inside. Once the cabinet is closed, the mechanism can work its magic and warm your towels as per your liking. As soon as the towels are warmed, you can remove them by simply opening the door and picking them out. A unique benefit of these types of towel warmers is their small and compact sizes, making them incredibly portable and travel-friendly. On the flip side, you can also opt for a larger cabinet warmer if you have lots of towels to warm up.
Key Things to Consider in a Towel Warmer
Size
One of the first and foremost things you ought to consider when shopping for a towel warmer is its size. It's essential to make sure it fits your bathroom space well without cramping up the space and taking too much room. Generally speaking, wall-mounted towel warmer models tend to take up more space than other models. Therefore, if your bathroom is on the smaller side, it’s best to choose a more compact and portable towel warmer that won't take up too much space while also fulfilling its purpose. Some great options include cabinet and canister towel warmers.
Location
Another thing to keep in mind before investing in a towel warmer is where you will be installing it. It's crucial to select the location of your towel warmer wisely, making sure that it is not close to any water source. To avoid accidents, make sure your towel warmer does not get in the way, as it can get very hot. This goes for all models, especially the wall-mounted ones.
Capacity
A towel warmer should be spacious enough to warm all your towels in one go. If you have minimal towels that need warming, a compact towel warmer will do. If you have enough space, a large towel warmer is typically better since it comes with the advantage of warming multiple robes, towels, and other bathroom essentials more efficiently and cutting down the warming time by eliminating the need for batching. On the other hand, you may not need to batch if you have minimal items that require warming. This factor is directly linked to how much space your bathroom offers. It’s important to note that larger towel warmers will also come with loftier price tags.
Types of Heating Methods
It is critical to know which heating method each towel warmer uses to find a suitable model for you. The two most basic and widely accessible forms of heating for towel warmers are hydronic and electric heating. Electric heating elements typically utilize resistors to turn the electricity into heat. This heat is then radiated out and supplied to the towels. You can either opt for mounted or standing models in these towel warmers. Hydronic towel warmers heat towels using hot water. They are typically mounted to your plumbing, making them considerably more expensive.
