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The Best Bathroom Radiators (Heated Towel Rails) in 2022

Written by :
Heating Wise
Last updated: December 13, 2021
Table of Contents
  • 1 1. Requena Heated Towel Rail
  • 2 2. WarmeHaus Minimalist Heated Towel Rail
  • 3 3. ZanGe Vertical Column Designer Radiator
  • 4 4. WarmeHaus Traditional Bathroom Heated Towel Rail
  • 5 5. NRG Contemporary Heated Towel Rail Radiator
  • 6 6. WarmeHaus Designer Bathroom Flat Heated Towel Rail
  • 7 7. NRG Vertical Column Radiator

What could be better than a toasty bathroom while unwinding in your bath or shower at the end of a long hard day? Well, we think a deliciously warm towel would take your bathroom experience to a whole new level! Which is why a heated bathroom towel radiator is the perfect addition to any bathroom. From traditional bathroom radiators and compact heated towel rails to ultra-modern column radiators with a towel heater built in, there is a heating solution for all bathroom sizes. We turn up the heat in the search for the best bathroom radiators in our latest buyer guide.

1. Requena Heated Towel Rail

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Key Features
  • Ladder-style towel heater with anthracite finish
  • Compatible with tank fed or combi heating systems
  • BTU rating – 870
  • Includes wall brackets and fitting

With its modern anthracite looks and clean design, this heated towel rail from Requena is a style winner for more contemporary bathrooms. And with a decent 870 BTU heat output, there’s enough heat to warm those towels with extra to spare. Which means for smaller bathrooms, the Requena is a good pairing with your existing radiator for when you need a little extra heat. 

We like the sleek vertical styling and well-spaced rails, there’s also enough room for multiple towels so a good choice for the busy family. And it heats up quickly too, and will keep your towels dry. For extra flexibility, the towel rail comes in a choice of different sizes so you can find your perfect fit. For the price, this bathroom radiator feels substantial and is relatively easy to fit. And once in place, it does feel nice and sturdy. When it comes to best bathroom radiators, this is a good value buy.

Check price on Amazon

2. WarmeHaus Minimalist Heated Towel Rail

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Key Features
  • Chrome-finish flat ladder towel heater
  • Heat output – 1772 BTU
  • For use with dual fuel or central heating
  • Includes a 10-year guarantee

Made from lightweight material with a lovely chrome finish, there is a nice minimalist look about this flat panel ladder style towel radiator from WarmeHaus. And, as it is available in a good choice of different sizes, it should fit in both smaller as well as large modern bathrooms.

Reviewers report it is pretty easy to fit, although as it is lightweight you do need to take extra care but once in place it looks and feels nice and stable. The heat output is an impressive 1772 BTU heat output so plenty of warmth to dry out those soggy towels. And it can either be connected to your central heating system or for added flexibility, you can opt to convert it to dual fuel. A good choice for on-the-go families, this WarmeHaus radiator also comes with a handy ‘fit and forget’ 10-year guarantee. 

Check price on Amazon

3. ZanGe Vertical Column Designer Radiator

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Key Features
  • Sleek contemporary design
  • Made from lightweight carbon steel
  • Space-saving flat panel design
  • High heat output – 1962 BTU

If space in your bathroom is at a premium but you still want to feel the heat, then this modern column radiator could be the one. One of the best bathroom radiators if you are on a budget, this horizontal bathroom radiator looks more expensive than its less than £50 price-tag. Made from carbon steel, it is not too heavy. But it is a heavyweight when it comes to heat output as it can blast out 1962 of BTUs.

The dark anthracite finish is super smart and while not a specific towel heater, there’s enough space to drape over a wet towel or two to get them dry. Suitable for all UK heating systems, including combi, it also comes complete with an installation kit, although you will need to buy the bathroom radiator valves as extras. 

Check price on Amazon

4. WarmeHaus Traditional Bathroom Heated Towel Rail

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Key Features
  • Traditional Victorian styling
  • Chrome towel rail with gloss white bathroom radiator
  • High 2138 BTU heat output
  • Connects to the central heating system

If you like the more traditional bathroom look then this elegant radiator and towel rail certainly looks the part. Styled on a Victorian radiator, you get high shine chrome pipework, surrounding the white double radiator panels for a gorgeous-looking traditional heating treat. But the heating output is bang up to date, as it pumps out a cosy bathroom warmth of 2128 BTU. As a towel rail, you don’t get bags of space but there’s still room for a towel or two. Used alone, this is the perfect radiator and towel heater for a downstairs loo or small bathroom, or you can combine it with a larger bathroom radiator for the best of both worlds. 

Check price on Amazon

5. NRG Contemporary Heated Towel Rail Radiator

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Key Features
  • Contemporary ladder design
  • Eight flat panels made from carbon steel
  • Compatible with UK heating systems
  • Wall brackets and fixings included

This flat panel radiator and towel heater from NRG will add a stylish industrial vibe to your modern bathroom. And it can easily fit up on the wall, thanks to its low carbon steel construction. We also like the quality of the powder coated finish which gives the whole radiator a stark anthracite grey look that will make a white tiled bathroom really pop. 

The eight wide bathroom radiator bars are well spaced to give you enough room for several large towels and the whole radiator warms up consistently. It can also work with all UK heating systems, including the popular combis. For the price, you get one of the best bathroom radiators for smaller rooms for your money. 

Check price on Amazon

6. WarmeHaus Designer Bathroom Flat Heated Towel Rail

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Key Features
  • Flat panel ladder style bathroom radiator
  • 2+3+3+4 bar formation
  • Heat output – 1644 BTU
  • Made with a durable chrome finish

This lager version of the WarmeHaus Juva has handy extra bars well-spaced on the ladder design to make this a family-friendly towel rail radiator. Made with a durable chrome finish, the towel rail looks super smart but can withstand the knocks and bangs of a busy family life. With space for large as well as smaller towels, the heat output is pretty generous, coming in at around 1644 Btu. This means it can warm up as well as dry out your towels, while complementing the output of other radiators in your bathroom. The result is a toasty room and towels that will make bath-time a joy for you all!

As one of the best bathroom radiators for under £200, the Juva can be DIY fitted and comes complete with its own fixing pack, although the radiator valves will have to be bought separately. 

Check price on Amazon

7. NRG Vertical Column Radiator

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Key Features
  • Six panel flat column bathroom radiator
  • Powder coated carbon steel construction
  • Brackets and fixings included
  • 15-year guarantee 

Our final bathroom radiator is this imposing column radiator that will make a real style statement in any contemporary bathroom.

The flat six panel design means it sits nice and flush on a wall to create a warm vibe in your bathroom. While it doesn’t have a towel rail, this column radiator from NRG can take a large towel or two and will help to keep your bathroom toasty. The panels have been powered coated in durable anthracite which will make an eye-catching feature in any bathroom with sufficient wall space. This large bathroom radiator will also synch with an existing central heating system for seamless warm and efficiency. And with an impressive 15-year guarantee, this radiator will create a wonderful bathroom vibe for years to come.

Check price on Amazon

Best Bathroom Radiators Buying Guide

Here's what you need to know!
Types of Bathroom Radiators

It’s not a case of one type fits all when it comes to bathroom radiators as there a choice of designs and styles, that can also include a towel rail section. Or you can opt for a stand-alone towel rail. Whichever way you choose, here are the main types of radiator designs:

Horizontal Radiators

These radiators are designed to sit horizontally along a wall and are a good choice as they can also be located under windows and so are versatile enough to work with most bathroom designs. They also work well with pipework that comes through the floor and some models can include an integrated towel rail for double convenience.

Vertical Radiators

Ideal for making the most out of your bathroom space, vertical radiators are a modern choice and come in a range of contemporary styles, including built-in towel rails. Vertical radiators also work well in smaller bathrooms where you need to maximise on the available space.

Floor Standing Radiators

Available as either horizontal or vertical, this type of radiator comes complete with a floor stand, making them a good option if the walls in your bathroom are weak or you have stud walling. They are free-standing and many come in lovely traditional styles. 

Single and Double Radiators

Bathroom radiators can also come in single or double options. Single radiators offer a single row of heating panels, meaning they are slimline and are good for more limited bathroom spaces that don’t need excessive heating. As the name suggests, double radiators have two rows of heating panels to give out double the amount of heat so are ideal for larger rooms that need a little extra when it comes to warmth. 

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Bathroom Radiator

Before you buy, you need to take the following into account to ensure you are getting the best bathroom radiators for your needs.

Your home’s heating system

Some radiators can be powered by electricity while others can be hooked into your home’s central heating system. You can also get dual fuel bathroom radiators which can be powered by both. You will need to choose the bathroom heater that works best with your home heating set up. 

The size of your bathroom

Radiators come in a wide range of sizes so it is important to ensure your new radiator or towel rail will fit within the available space in your bathroom, without cluttering or getting in the way of other appliances or bathroom furniture. The heat output of the radiator also needs to be sufficient to heat the whole of your bathroom. 

Your bathroom walls

As radiators come in different sizes as well as weights, you need to ensure that your chosen model is appropriate to the type of walls in your bathroom. If you have brick or concrete walls, there should be no problem fitting a larger radiator as the walls can withstand the weight. But for weaker walls or partitions, you will need to opt for a lightweight radiator or choose a floor-standing design.

Bathroom layout

When choosing a radiator, consider how your bathroom is laid out, how many walls and windows there are and where’s the best available space. All of these considerations will also help you decide the heat output you will require. 

Radiator material

When it comes to deciding on the appropriate size and weight of radiator for your bathroom, you also need to consider the material it is made from. Bathroom radiators are typically made from aluminium, stainless steel and steel, giving you options for lightweight designs or the more substantial and heavier.

Pipework

The radiator valves will also need to work with your bathroom’s pipework so check your pipes before buying! If your pipes run across or along the walls you will need a radiator with straight valves; for pipework coming out of the floor, you will need angled radiator valves. 

Preferred style

And finally, you need to like the aesthetics of your new bathroom radiator! Many radiators come in a choice of colours and finishes, from gloss white or modern chrome to matt raw metal so opt for a design and colour that works well with your bathroom’s décor. 

FAQ

Q:Are towel rails as warm as radiators?

A:

Towel radiators tend to have a lower energy output than column or electric radiators and so won’t give out as much heat. Towel radiators are designed to warm up your towels and also to help them dry out quickly and so don’t require the same BTU (British Thermal Unit) as full-sized radiators. But if you choose the right sized towel rail for the size of bathroom, they can also be a good source of supplementary heat, especially during the colder winter months and so work to complement your main radiator system. 

Q:Can you leave a heated towel rail on overnight?

A:

As heated towel rails are designed to be left running all the time or as needed, there should be no problem with leaving it on overnight. The question is whether you need to, as you could be wasting energy when it is not being used. Heated rails that are part of your central heating system are the ideal solution, as they can be timed to come on along with your other radiators, ensuring it is toasty warm when you – and your towels – need it!

Q:Where is the Best Place to Hang My Towel Rail?

A:

The ideal place to hang your heated towel rail is actually on the coldest wall in your bathroom, which will typically be the wall that is on the exterior side of your home. By placing the rail on this wall, you will get the best distribution of heat around the bathroom. Another consideration should be easy access – say from the shower or bath – while maintaining a safe minimum distance, so you can easily reach the rail to get your warm towel as you get out. 

Q:What Size Heated Towel Rail Do I Need?

A:

The size of heated towel rail you buy will depend on your needs as well as size and layout of your bathroom. You will need to consider the heat output (typically measured in BTUs) and whether the warmth the rail generates is sufficient for the size of your bathroom. The rail should also fit neatly in your bathroom’s available wall space and also accommodate the normal number of towels you (and your family) will use on any given day. 

Q:Can I Use a Heated Towel Rail to Heat My Bathroom?

A:

It does depend on the size of your bathroom as well as its layout, as heated towel rails are not designed to be your main source of warmth in the room. If you have a small bathroom, and the heater gives out sufficient BTUs, then it is possible to use it as a radiator, but for larger bathrooms you will need an additional radiator to ensure you have sufficient heat. 

Q:Is a Heated Towel Rail Expensive to Run?

A:

Most heated towel rails are designed to be energy efficient as they heat up quickly and, especially if you don’t leave them on all the time, are not expensive to run. The larger the output, the more energy the rail will use but overall, heated towel rails are efficient and cost-effective additions to any bathroom. 

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