Towel warmers aren't just for the one percent. Bring some much-needed coziness to your bathroom with these towel warmers regardless of your budget.
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With icy temperatures across the country, you're probably like me and looking for ways to stay cozy indoors. Sure, wrapping yourself in one of my editor-tested robes helps, but experts say investing in a towel warmer is another worthwhile move. These electric devices leave your favorite towels warm and toasty while you're showering, making them both a functional and aesthetic upgrade to your bathroom. "Towel warmers are practical in colder climates and for homes with limited heating options," says Aldo Ceja, Thumbtack's home care expert. "They help keep towels dry and free from mildew in humid climates or bathrooms with poor ventilation."
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman, M.D., FAAD adds that damp towels left for long periods of time in warm, humid environments, like in our bathrooms, are also typically exposed to bacteria, mildew, fungi, and odors. She credits towel warmers with helping to create a more hygienic bathroom environment because they also help to prevent the growth of these unwanted microorganisms. Spearman adds that warming devices ensure towels can stay fresher and will smell clean for longer by reducing their over exposure to moist air that can negatively impact fabric fibers which can also ruin the overall look of towels over time.
Plus, towel warmers aren't limited to just heating up our face and bath towels. According to Ceja, they also are ideal for warming blankets, clothes, and even baby items like swaddles and bibs. He highlights that some higher-end models can integrate with your smart home systems with voice assistant control like Amazon Alexa or scheduling with a smartphone app. Sounds pretty sweet, no? After chatting with Ceja and fellow home expert Gary McCoy, a store manager at Lowe's, I put together this handy guide on how to shop for the best towel warmers and included some noteworthy recommendations.
Before you buy, our experts say you should examine outside factors in your home, like children or pets, that may impact your ability to use the warmer. They also advise you to think about what kind of space your towel warmer will be placed in and the size of your towels.
Two types of towel warmers are available—each one can suit a different towel size, ranging from small face cloths and rags to large bath sheets. (Psst: If you need some new towels to kick off the new year, I'm a fan of Brooklinen and Cozy Earth towels. Our team also evaluated a variety of towels for several weeks to put together our guide to the best towels.)
These warmers, including the Paraheeter Rail Tower Warmer, are great for quickly warming up big bath towels and bath sheets. "While towel warmers are often associated with upscale bathrooms, there are budget-friendly models available that suit a wide range of households. Portable and freestanding units are especially accessible," says Ceja. And since freestanding warmers are typically larger, consider them for your primary bathroom versus a guest or half bathroom. Of course, there are some compact models available, like the Tasalon, which is ideal for smaller face towels and suited for apartment dwellers who want to indulge in a towel warmer without dealing with a bulky fixture.
This option is more generalized and suitable for all your towel warmer needs, so if you’re unsure where to start, opt for this type, including KEG. Given their typically bigger size, these warmers are also helpful for larger spaces, for first-time home buyers, or your parent’s anniversary gift. “A wall-mounted towel warmer saves space and can be hardwired or plugged in, so it’s best for permanent use,” says Ceja, adding that they're also suitable for those with kids and pets because these warmers are out of their reach and minimize the chance of accidental burns.
The pros promise parents can still enjoy the benefits of towel warmers but should be cautious.
Look for safety certifications like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Electrical Testing Laboratories ETL to ensure the product meets safety standards, advises Ceja.
Ceja notes that adjustable temperature controls will allow you to customize your towel warmers for different climates or personal preferences. “These are super important as they increase safety and energy efficiency by preventing overheating.”
Both McCoy and Ceja suggest automatic shut-offs for a peace of mind. “These are super important as they increase safety and energy efficiency by preventing overheating,” says Ceja.
These are beneficial for preventing accidental burns for both babies and pets. If you're an adult and are a bit clumsy then it wouldn't hurt to prioritize a towel warmer with child-lock settings either.
As Ceja previously highlighted, wall-mounted units are great if you have kids and pets because this type of warmer is out of their reach and minimizes the chance of accidental burns. He also recommends choosing models with low-surface temperatures or child-lock settings.
Once you pick a towel warmer, avoid overloading it with heavy or wet towels, as it could strain the unit. Also, it’s important to place freestanding units on stable, non-slip surfaces to prevent tipping.
"You should make sure your towel warmer is not placed on the floor and that only adults can access the area. It may be helpful to explain the purpose of the warmer to children living in the home and educate them on any safety features or measures," McCoy explains.
After consulting the pros, I was curious about their suggestions for the best towel warmers of 2025. While Ceja preferred to just focus on the general shopping and safety guidance, McCoy was keen on the LiveFine Towel Warmer. Given McCoy has 10 years of experience as a Lowe's store manager, plus the model has impressive features, and is well-priced, I felt comfy naming it our best overall recommendation.
Since I live in a tiny New York studio apartment and don't have room to store or install a towel warmer in my bathroom, I carefully researched hundreds of models. I considered the above pro suggestions — the type of towel warmer, certifications, temperature, kid-proof settings, and automatic timers — to help me narrow down my standout contenders. I further refined this roundup by factoring in each towel warmer's capacity size and price to ensure you can find a model that won't stretch your gifting budget. Plus, to help keep the installation process simple, I only featured plug-in towel warmers versus those that need to be hardwired.
Since towel warmers can take up sizable real estate in your bathroom, I factored in the look and material used. "I like stainless steel towel warmers because they’re durable and rust-resistant, making them ideal for bathrooms. But you should choose a finish that complements your bathroom décor, such as chrome, brushed nickel, or matte black," advises Ceja.
Also, keep scrolling for our FAQ section, which includes more general towel warmer safety tips from the experts.
Kicking off our picks is McCoy's go-to towel warmer. "It doesn’t take up too much space and completely warms my towels, socks, and robes without leaving any cold spots," says McCoy of LiveFine. He notes that the extra large model is also popular with customers who appreciate the custom heat settings, timers, sleek and modern design, and the handy automatic shutoff feature.
It boasts a spacious extra-large interior to store all of your fabric essentials, ranging from small face, neck, and hand towels to robes and spa hair wraps. (The brand says it can also accommodate up to two large 40- by 70-inch towels.)
Our best overall pick features an LCD display screen with simple buttons to power on the device, adjust the timer, and adjust temperature settings. Unlike other models, this one keeps your towels warm for up to 20 minutes after the heating cycle ends, so you'll stay warm even if your shower or bath goes longer than planned.
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You don't need to shell out big bucks for a towel warmer. Costing just under $30, this pretty pink towel warmer is still effective. It heats up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (the boiling point for water), so you can rest assured your favorite towels will be toasty whenever you use them.
When taken apart, it kinda looks like a small Crockpot. You've got the glass water basin and an adjustable dial to set the temperature and run time. Then you place down the black, pink, or white lid that has an small indent to hold your optional essential oil. (I recommend lavender to unwind, eucalyptus for cold season, and citrus to energize.). Be sure to close the lid before use.
Despite it's relatively smaller capacity, this warmer can hold up to eight small towels. It's a practical option when you want to incorporate a warm towel in your morning and nightly skincare routine, before applying hand cream or prior to giving yourself a manicure. Skincare professionals and lash techs can also incorporate this towel warmer into their services.
This fast-warming towel warmer works in literally one minute using the rapid heat function, making it a welcome treat for anyone who lacks patience or is a last-minute decision maker. (Ahem, it's me!) The device will reach it's peak temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit in six minutes if you've got a few extra minutes to spare. This straightforward-to-use device has a single button to control the heating time for up to 60 minutes.
Similar to the Tasalon, this towel warmer can also add a welcome fragrance to your portable bucket. Each order includes a pack of scented aromatherapy discs, but you'll need to buy the 12-pack replacements separately. The brand promises these unique discs are made with non-toxic ingredients and emit a light, gentle Ocean-inspired aroma for major spa vibes.
Techies will appreciate this smart towel warmer equipped with all the fixings. From basics like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility to voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Home, it's a wonderful option for hands-free convenience. For example, you might be in the bath or shower and decide last-minute you want to enjoy wrapping yourself in a toasty towel. Now you can simply use your voice command to power it on while you're enjoying some precious me time.
This device also comes with a smartphone app dubbed Smartlife that's compatible with both iOS and Android devices. (Because, of course it does.) You can use the app to power on and turn off the towel warmer, plus control the temperature range from 100 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Available in three sizes and three finishes of stainless steel, you're sure to find a towel warmer that complements your bathroom decor. The stainless steel warmer also has an IP56 waterproof rating indicating "water from heavy seas or water projected from jets shall not enter the machine in any harmful quantity."
Parents of young kids and fur babies alike, listen up: I found your new favorite towel warmer, and it's less than $100, and is the only featured winner to boast a child-proof lock for additional safety and peace of mind.
In addition to showing off the automatic timer, the LCD screen showcases the temperature and displays a green light when it's safe to use. Anything above the single pre-set heat setting of 140 degrees Fahrenheit (which is more than enough to keep your belongings nice and toasty), and the green light turns red.
You'll also appreciate that it's relatively easy to clean since it's equipped with a bottom drainage hole to help remove any unwanted condensation from the bucket.
The 20L bucket can hold about five medium-sized bath towels, and there is even a wall hook so you can easily hang or grab your favorite towels and fabric items, like socks and baby clothes
Fully understanding your new towel warmer and all its capabilities are the first steps to device safety, according to McCory. Here are additional general towel warmer safety tips to keep in mind.
Regardless of which type of towel warmer you order, McCory says your gadget should always rest on a heat-resistant surface far away from anything flammable. "It’s also crucial that your towel warmer is located somewhere with great ventilation to help prevent overheating," he says.
I know towel warmers sound awesome, but too much of a good thing can actually be a problem. "Resist the temptation to throw all your towels, robes, and items into the warmer at once. Overloading your towel warmer can cause overheating issues and compromise the effectiveness of your device, so it’s better to heat items one or two at a time," explains McCory.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.
Aldo Ceja is a Home Expert at Thumbtack with over 15 years of experience as a general contractor, specializing in renovations and home maintenance. He is dedicated to guiding people through the entire homeowner journey, emphasizing the importance of regular upkeep and delivering expert advice on improvements that can enhance a home’s value. Aldo is based out of San Francisco, CA.
Gary McCoy is a Lowe’s retail leader with over a decade of experience with the brand. With practical experience leading people and managing trends McCoy is an influential leader in the home improvement space and resides in Charlotte, NC. McCoy’s projects and specialties include gardening and garden design, home design and inspiration, hospitality management and real estate development.
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