Towel Radiators & Heated Towel Rails

Discover the Perfect Heated Towel Rail for Your Bathroom

At Heat and Plumb, we stock 200+ different heated towel rail designs, giving you the flexibility to find a model that perfectly fits your bathroom's size, layout, and heating requirements. If you don't quite know what you're looking for, here are a couple of considerations that will help point you in the right direction:

• Choose the right heating output (BTU rating)
• Think about your preferred fuel type
• Select a size that fits your space
• Pick a style that suits your bathroom's decor

Once you have an idea of the heating output, fuel type, size, and style of heated towel rail you need, use the filter system on this page to narrow down your options and only see the models that match your specific requirements.

Why Choose a Heated Towel Rail?

Every bathroom can benefit from a heated towel rail. Here are some of the main reasons why you should consider installing one in your home:

Keep Towels Warm and Dry

One of the biggest benefits of having a heated towel rail in your bathroom is that your towels will always be warm, dry, and ready to use. Not only is it a luxurious feeling you'll quickly get used to, but it also helps prevent dampness and unpleasant odours.

Add Extra Heat to Your Bathroom

A heated towel rail can double up as an additional source of heat, which can greatly contribute to making your bathroom warm and comfortable. This is especially important during the cold winter months and for bathrooms that do not have enough space for a full-sized radiator.

Improve Style and Save Space

Heated towel rails don't just offer heat and comfort. The right unit will also instantly elevate the look and feel of your bathroom. In addition to that, heated towel rails also take up far less space compared to traditional radiators, which makes them a suitable choice for bathrooms of all sizes.

Energy-Efficient Heating Options

The large majority of modern-day heated towel rails are designed to be highly energy efficient. This allows you to keep your towels and bathroom warm and comfortable while keeping your energy usage, and your bills, to a minimum.

Types of Heated Towel Rails

There are many different types of heated towel rails that you can choose from. The most popular options include:

Straight Ladder Heated Towel Rails

The standard towel rail(also known as the ladder rail) offers a great balance between form and function. The most common colours for straight ladder rails are chrome and white, although we have recently started offering black finishes, and the ever-popular stainless steel finish.

If you are looking for a standard straight ladder rail at an affordable price, choosing either a Prestige or a Reina is a safe bet. If you are after a higher-end heated towel rail, then choosing a Radox rail would be well worth the spend.

Curved Ladder Heated Towel Rails

Curved ladder towel rails bow out slightly into the room, giving them a slightly more stylish appearance whilst retaining the practical nature of standard towel rails - the ability to hang and dry towels on them.

Again, the most popular styles include chrome, white, and stainless steel - but black finishes are also available for homes trying to achieve that modern look and feel. If you are on a budget, we'd recommend a Nuie rail. If you want a high-end option, consider a rail from Radox or Just Taps Plus.

Flat Panel Heated Towel Rails

Rather than a bar, these towel rails have several flat panels. This greater surface area means a better heat output, and a greater potential to heat the whole bathroom. Due to their lack of popularity among UK customers, these types of rails are not available in as many designs as some of the options we've covered above.

All flat panel towel rails generally target the same markets, so the prices do not fluctuate much between manufacturers. As with most towel rails, we recommend the Reina and Radox ranges to our customers.

Traditional Heated Towel Rails

As the name suggests, these towel rails combine modern heating technology with traditional stylings of a bygone era and are most suited to period properties. There are a lot of different styles available, but the majority of these rails will be large, with larger joints and a slight ladder rail feel.

There are many brands that manufacture traditional towel rails for their catalogue, although they are by no means specialists. For the highest quality traditional towel rails, Vogue is the market leader by a long distance. However, their handcrafted rails also carry a hefty price tag compared to other manufacturers, such as Prestige, which are a far more popular choice.

Designer Heated Towel Rails

At H&P, we think of a designer towel rail as an item that is 'a bit different' in that it is not a standard ladder rail, or a traditional rail. A designer towel rail includes a more bespoke design; something that is really eye-catching, modern, and sometimes plain crazy.

The very nature of these towel rails means that fewer standard sizes are available, and they are usually purchased as an eye-catching centrepiece rather than for their heat outputs. We have many such options available, so browse freely and choose the one that best suits your preferences

Radiator-Style Heated Towel Rails

Much like a traditional towel rail, a radiator towel rail contains an insert in the middle of the body to give extra heat output and provide an extra function. These towel rails are best used in a period home, although modern alternatives with a standard panel radiator would not look out of place in any modern house.

For a traditional radiator towel rail, Prestige, MaxHeat and Reina manufacture some great styles at affordable prices. For the highest quality radiator-style heated towel rails, Vogue is once again the market leader.

Choosing the Right Heat Source

Heated towel rails are available in a number of different heat sources. Each option offers its own advantages, so the best choice will depend on your bathroom's setup and how you plan to use the rail. Here are your options:

Central Heating Towel Rails

Most towel rails on our website are designed to be installed in conjunction with a typical central heating system. This means they will be connected to central heating pipes (usually 15mm) and will require valves to control the flow and temperature.

Most people opt for a centrally-heated towel rail because it would work with the rest of the heating system and only provide heat when needed (in the winter months, for example).

Electric Heated Towel Rails

An electric towel rail is not associated with your central heating system in any way, and is factory-filled and supplied with an appropriate electric element that is deemed suitable for that size of towel rail.

Because of the electrical nature of the rail, certain restrictions might apply that mean it has to be installed a certain distance from a water source (such as your shower space). For more information on this, consult IP regulations or contact us. It's also worth mentioning that towel rails that we only describe as 'electric' are not 'thermostatic' as well.

Thermostatic Electric Towel Rails

Operating in much the same way as an electric towel rail, a thermostatic electric towel rail includes a thermostatic control that can accurately alter the temperature of the rail. This is particularly useful if you wish to maintain an ambient temperature or heat output in your room.

By setting the thermostat to a pre-set temperature, the rail will shut off once the temperature has been reached, saving you money while keeping the room at a perfect temperature.

Dual Fuel Towel Rails

A dual fuel towel rail gives the best of both worlds; a centrally-heated rail when your central heating is switched on (usually in the winter), and an electric back-up if you wish to use the heated towel rail in the summer.

In essence, the towel rail would be connected to an electrical element on one side, and a radiator valve on the other, allowing both options to be used if needed. If you are not sure whether your chosen towel rail is suitable for dual fuel, we recommend contacting the manufacturer first.

Heated Towel Rail Buying Considerations

When buying a heated towel rail, there are several considerations that you need to make, including:

Size and Dimensions

When choosing a heated towel rail, it's important to consider its size and dimensions carefully. So, be sure to measure the height and width of the space to make sure the unit will fit without obstructing windows, doors, or any other fixtures in the bathroom.

Heat Output (BTU)

Heated towel rails can vary a lot in terms of heat output. So, consider your bathroom's heating requirements and choose a heated towel rail with a BTU that can heat the space effectively.

Material Options

Different materials offer different levels of durability, heat retention, and resistance to corrosion. Here are some of the most popular options that you can choose from:

• Mild Steel: This is the most common and cost-effective option. It heats up quickly and retains warmth well. It may require proper coating to prevent corrosion in the long run.
• Stainless Steel: This material is highly durable, resistant to rust, and ideal for bathrooms that are high in moisture. It's typically costlier but offers excellent longevity.
• Aluminium: This material is lightweight, fast-to-heat, and energy-efficient. It's a great option if you want quick heat-up times and lower running costs.

Colour and Finish Options

Heated towel rails are available in many different colours and finish options. So, consider the current or planned aesthetic of your bathroom and choose a model that will complement the look of the space.

Mounting Style

Heated towel rails can be mounted either on the wall or to the floor beneath them. So, consider your bathroom's layout and the space you have available before making a decision.

Best Heated Towel Rail Brands

At Heat and Plumb, we supply heated towel rails from many of the industry's leading brands, each of which is known for their quality, performance, and reliability. Some of the top bathroom towel radiator and rail brands we work with include:

• Reina
• Prestige
• Heatwave
• Nuie
• MaxHeat
• Just Taps Plus

Each brand that we supply products from has been carefully selected after rigorous research and testing. That way, when you shop from H&P, you can do so with confidence knowing that your investment will deliver long-lasting performance.

Popular Heated Towel Rail Sizes

Similarly to bathroom radiators in the UK, heated towel rails also come in a wide range of sizes to suit different bathroom layouts and heating requirements. Choosing the right size is key to not only keeping your towels dry, warm, and ready to use, but also providing enough heat output (BTUs) to keep your bathroom at a comfortable temperature.

With that in mind, here are some of the most popular sizes (in terms of height) for heated towel rails among UK homeowners:

• 600mm: Ideal for cloakrooms and very small bathrooms
• 800mm: The most popular size for standard-sized UK bathrooms
• 1200mm: Perfect for large bathrooms where more towels need to be dried

Before choosing a size, measure the available wall space you have and check clearances around windows, doors, and other fixtures nearby.

Shop Heated Towel Rails by Colour

The heated towel rails we stock are available in many different colours, allowing you to choose the finish that best suits your bathroom. Some of the most popular colours for heated towel rails that we have available include:

• Chrome
• Black
• Anthracite
• White
• Brass
• Gold

If you already know what colour heated towel rail you want, we've made it easy to shop by colour. Simply navigate to the filter system on the left side of this page, go down to "Colour Group" and select the finish you want to instantly view all matching models.

Why Choose Heat and Plumb?

At Heat and Plumb, your satisfaction is our number one priority. That's why over the last 20+ years, we have worked tirelessly to supply the highest-quality heated towel rails at the most competitive prices.

Today, we stock over 200 different heated towel rails from many of the industry's leading brands, making it easy to find the perfect heating solution for your bathroom. Other reasons why you should choose Heat and Plumb for your heated towel rail include:

• Fast, free, and reliable delivery to 98% of UK addresses
• All heated towel rails come with long manufacturer guarantees
• Over 25,000 positive reviews across Google and Trustpilot
• World-class customer support team

FAQs About Towel Radiators

What size heated towel rail do I need?

That will depend on the size of your bathroom and its heating requirements. We recommend you use the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating as a guide. The larger your bathroom is, the higher the BTU output you'll need to keep the space warm.

If you have a relatively small bathroom, a compact rail will usually be enough. However, if your bathroom is larger than normal, you may require a taller or wider towel rail radiator to heat up the space effectively.

Can heated towel rails heat a bathroom?

Yes, many heated towel rails are perfectly capable of keeping a bathroom warm, even during the colder winter months. Of course, it is important to ensure that the BTU of the heated towel rail is high enough to match the size of the space.

What is the difference between electric and dual fuel towel rails, and which should I choose?

Electric towel rails are by far the simplest option you can choose. They can run independently of your central heating system and can be used all year round. Dual fuel towel rails, on the other hand, can run on both your central heating system and mains electricity, giving you a little bit more flexibility.

If you're looking for a simple DIY installation and independent control, choose an electric model. If you want a little bit more flexibility and want to use the towel rail even when your central heating is off, opt for a dual fuel option.

Are heated towel rails expensive to run?

Generally speaking, no. Most modern heated towel rails are designed to be energy-efficient. This is especially true for electric models with integrated timers or thermostats. To keep your running costs down to a minimum, choose a model of the appropriate size and use it only when needed.

What is the best colour for modern bathrooms?

That will depend on your personal preference and the aesthetic you're trying to achieve. The large majority of our UK customers who are transforming their bathrooms into modern spaces tend to choose heated towel rails in four main colours - black, white, chrome, and anthracite.

How do I install a heated towel rail?

The installation process will depend on the fuel type of the heated towel rail. The simplest to install and the only option we would recommend for DIY installation are plug-in electric heated towel rails. Here are the steps you should take when installing a plug-in electric heated towel rail:

• Make sure that the power supply is turned off at the socket
• Measure and mark the position of the brackets on the wall
• Make sure that the marks are perfectly aligned
• Drill the holes and fix the mountain brackets securely
• Hang the towel rail on the brackets
• Plug in the electric towel rail
• Switch the power on and test if the rail heats correctly

If you're considering installing a dual-fuel model or a towel rail that will be connected to your central heating system, you should hire a professional to handle the installation for you. This will give you complete peace of mind knowing that your bathroom radiator towel rail has been installed properly and will perform at its best for many years to come.