Best Towel Warmers 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Stepping out of a hot shower into a chilly bathroom isn’t exactly the best feeling—just cue the goosebumps and the shivers. To make the drop in temperature a little less jarring, the best towel warmers can safely and gently heat your linens to the perfect degree while you bathe, so you can feel comfortable as soon as you get out of the shower. Our top pick overall is the Zadro Large Towel Warmer, a bucket-style device that can heat up two big bath towels at once, though it’s not the only model we recommend.

There are both bucket-style towel warmers and heated towel racks, and the right design for you ... [+] depends on your space and budget.

While a towel warmer isn’t a bathroom essential, per se, “they provide luxurious comfort by allowing you to wrap yourself in a warm, cozy towel after a shower or bath,” says towel expert Dan Akkins of Tauwel. Some premium models even have an aromatherapy function built right in to add an extra dash of luxury to your bathing experience. When deciding between towel warmers, you want to consider each model’s footprint and capacity; you can find both wall-mounted and freestanding designs, and some can heat more towels than others. Ahead, here are the best towel warmers in 2024.

Amazon

Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 21 inches | Towel capacity: Two large towels

Older generation towel warmers were basic racks that barely heated a portion of your towel. Zadro is a leader in bucket-style towel warmers, which focus on heating the entire towel—not just the part that touches the warmer. The brand’s large towel warmer features a 20-liter tub that can house two 40 x 70 inch oversized bath towels at once, and it can also be used to warm up robes and pajamas for an equally luxurious feel. This device has a timer for 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes. While it takes up some floor space in your bathroom, Zadro’s warmer has a chic, upscale design, complete with bamboo feet that looks good in any bathroom.

Amazon

Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 19 inches | Towel capacity: Two large towels

While even the most basic towel warmer is an investment, this popular bucket-style model from Sameat is reliable and relatively inexpensive. Like our top pick overall, it can heat up two oversized bath towels at once, gently warming your linens in under 25 minutes. An automatic timer offers options from 30 minutes up to four hours, giving you the ability to toss your towels in and warm them up in the time frame that works for you. It’s designed with thoughtful features like intuitive controls, a hot surface light and a wooden handle that gives the warmer a slightly elevated look. There’s even a space to add an aromatherapy tablet if scented towels are what you’re after.

Rejuvenation

Dimensions: 24 x 5 x 35 inches | Towel capacity: Not listed

Rejuvenation’s wall-mounted towel rack has quite a lofty price tag, but this piece doubles as a towel rack and fixture in your bathroom—it’s fully functional décor. Featuring a traditional ball-and-tube design made from stainless steel, this design has ample racks to hold both large bath sheets and smaller linens. It also has a programmable controller with a built-in timer to have warm towels at the ready. Choose between three finishes—trendy matte black, polished chrome and polished nickel—and if you want to upgrade the rack, Rejuvenation also sells a Wi-Fi–equipped controller for $159. With it, you can turn on your towel warmer from anywhere you have internet.

Home Depot

Dimensions: 33 x 15 x 38 inches | Towel capacity: Two large towels

Freestanding towel warmers can be moved around easily as needed—and at 12 pounds, this warming rack is a breeze to relocate from your laundry room to bathroom and back. Featuring 10 bars to provide ample warming space for two large towels, it can also serve as a drying rack for damp clothes and delicates. It’s also sleek, thanks to its stainless steel design that comes in multiple finishes including brushed, polished, matte black and satin. To use it, all you have to do is plug in the 5-foot–long cord and flip on the power switch, then wait for it to warm up.

Crate & Barrel

Dimensions: 10.5 x 12 x 12 inches | Towel capacity: One large towel

Not everyone needs a spacious warmer to heat up multiple towels at once. If you’re seeking something more compact, this model from Zadro—the brand behind our favorite pick overall—can warm up a 40 x 70-inch towel, a robe or a pair of pajamas at once. In fact, it’s so petite, it can fit on your bathroom counter (or you can always tuck it into a corner of the room). But despite its small build, it doesn’t skimp on features: It has four timer settings, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, and the wooden details at the base and handle give it a modern look.

Amazon

Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 21.5 inches | Towel capacity: Two large towels

Another model from Zadro, this towel warmer has an extra special feature: It doesn’t only heat up your linens, but it also infuses them with your favorite calming scents. The heating container—which can accommodate two large bath towels at once—features a built-in diffuser for essential oils. (The device actually comes with lavender oil, though you can add whatever kind you prefer.) It also, like many picks on this list, has multiple timer settings: You can heat your towels for 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes, after which the machine automatically shuts off. One last thoughtful design touch is located in the warmer’s base, where a built-in cord storage space helps hide the power cord.

Amazon

Dimensions: 23.7 x 32 inches | Towel capacity: Two large towels

If your bathroom is short on floor space, this pick from Heatgene mounts directly onto the wall, just like a normal towel rack—this one just warms your linens when you turn it on. Made from sturdy stainless steel composite, it features 10 bars, providing plenty of room for two large towels or robes (or multiple smaller linens). While it isn’t the fast option out there, it still heats up to 110 degrees in 15 minutes and 130 degrees in 30 minutes, plus it has overheat protection to give you peace of mind. Lastly, it comes in three sleek finishes: brushed, matte black and mirror-polished.

The editors and writers at Forbes Vetted have spent years researching, testing and writing about the best products for your home and bathroom. (Check out our lists of the best bath sheets, towels and towels on Amazon, for starters.)

While a towel warmer is an investment, these devices are “no longer considered a luxury reserved for a select few,” says Akkins. Instead, “they have become more accessible to the average homeowner.” Here’s how we determined the models worth purchasing.

There are a few elements to look for when choosing the right towel warmer for your home. Keep these details in mind as you shop.

Temperatures can vary between towel warmers and not every device will state exactly how hot it can get. However, it’s important to keep an eye on how well your towels tolerate the heat. “If the towels are cotton [and overheat], they would not melt, only scorch,” says Deborah Young, assistant chair of textile science at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and author of Swatch Reference Guide for Interior Fabrics. “If they had poly[ester] in them, the temperature might matter.” If your towels are a blend of fabrics, read the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure your warmer of choice won’t damage your linens.

Towel warmers can generally be divided into two camps: bucket style and racks. Bucket style warmers have become more popular over the last few years for their ability to evenly heat towels. However, they tend to have a larger footprint and not every bathroom has enough space for them. Racks will often heat one side of your towel more than the other. This style of warmer can be mounted onto your wall or freestanding, and may take up less space than the bucket style version.

There is a range of capacities with towel warmers. In general, most warmers will hold two large towels at once. However, a countertop warmer will often only hold one towel at a time. It’s worth noting that warmers can also heat up pajamas, hats and gloves, blankets and other linens. Consider the size of the items you plan to heat before investing in a warmer.

Some towel warmers have extra features like multiple timers that count down to an automatic shutoff. Others have a hot surface indication light to warn people nearby about the potential heat hazard, and certain devices even have the capacity for aromatherapy. While these features can be helpful, they often raise the price of a warmer. Figure out in advance if you’ll actually use these options before spending the extra money.