Bathroom radiators - sometimes called towel radiators - are here to help you feel better about stepping out from the hot water - especially during those colder months that we experience here in the UK! From electric to dual fuel, there really is a bathroom radiator for everyone. However, choosing the best bathroom radiator can be challenging if you don’t know a lot about them.
To guide you through the process, we’ve put together a buying guide that breaks down all the essentials, from heat output to floor space. We've also ranked the top products available to order at your door. Moreover, we have partnered with interior designer Belen Dakak for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Bathroom Radiators
Myhomewear
An Extra Slim but Incredibly Spacious Radiator Available in Multiple Sizes
Greened House
A Bathroom Radiator With a Programmable Timer to Make Heating as Simple as Possible
Global Store
A Victorian-Style Radiator With a Chrome Finish for Both Classic and Contemporary Bathrooms
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Belen is an interior designer (residential and retail design), having worked for top retail brands including Estee Lauder, Seasalt and John Lewis, as well as working with private clients on residential projects and RoomLab, an online interior design platform. Belen is also a landscape garden designer with an RHS Level 2 in Principles and Practical Horticulture.
Bathroom radiators that run on electricity are usually best suited to flats or high-rise apartment blocks; this is because it can be difficult to achieve the required water pressure in these properties that other heating sources use. They're also a reliable option for homes that don’t have gas or a central heating system.
Electric options are fairly straightforward when it comes to being installed, although we would always recommend using a qualified electrician. Plus, they’re a more cost-effective option as you're not required to heat the whole house for only one radiator.
As most homes in the UK already have central heating, getting an additional radiator that's powered in the same way does make a lot of sense. All you need is a plumber to install it into your existing system, then it'll work like any other radiator in the house.
Central heating radiators, also known as convector or panel radiators, are designed to be efficient in terms of heat output and distribution, which means you can rely on them to provide consistent, comfortable and fast warmth to the room. There is a big downside, though. When a radiator is fitted alongside the central heating, it'll only be functional when the whole system is on.
Even if you only want to use the bathroom radiator, you'll be required to activate the whole system before closing the valves on all of the other radiators in your home. However, it is now easy to control your heating needs across your home, made even easier with a smart thermostat.
Gas boilers generally require regular annual maintenance from a gas safety engineer. In addition, gas boilers use fossil fuel, and burning it for heat contributes to global warming and climate change.
As the name suggests, this type of radiator uses both central heating and an electric element - it essentially gives you the best of both worlds and eliminates the aforementioned problem which radiators that are solely plumbed into the central heating can have.
In the winter, duel fuel radiators can be run from your central heating system, while in the warmer months they can be powered by an electric heating element. This is ideal for when you want to warm up that one cold room but don't want to turn the central heating on. Dual fuel radiators are well-suited to the unpredictable UK temperatures.
Unfortunately, this is the least common style available on the UK market. That said, there are some out there, and with a little perseverance (or a read through our ranking), you'll be able to find one with all the qualities you desire.
They are also a cost-effective solution compared to standard central heating and electric radiator systems, as they allow you to choose the most efficient heating method depending on the time of year.
The next factor to consider is whether you want your radiator to be wall-mounted or standing. Of course, the main thing to consider here is how much space you have in your bathroom. If you’re lucky enough to have plenty of space, then you can choose any style that you like.
However, if real estate is an issue, opting for a wall-mounted heating rack will be better as it'll save the precious floor space you have. It’s worth remembering that this aspect will also affect the shape and length of the radiator.
Save even more floor space by taking a look at the best Toilet Roll Storage Holders!
Do you want a radiator that’s capable of heating the whole bathroom, or just one that’ll dry your towels? We ask because if it’s the former rather than the latter, then you’re going to require a decent amount of power.
If the radiator is going to be the only source of heat in the bathroom, we’d advise looking for one that has at least 1000 BTU (British Thermal Units) or 300 W (Watts) as this should be enough for the average size UK bathroom.
If you’re hoping for a radiator that’ll warm an even larger space, or if you simply want more heat, then you’ll need even more power. Luckily, plenty of bathroom radiators are available with power outputs even higher than 300 W.
Towel set in need of rejuvenation? Take a look at the best Bath Towels!
The last thing to consider is the colour or finish of your radiator. Classic monochrome shades like white and black are always popular, plus grey has become common too in recent years. You can also decide between a matte painted finish and a shiny metallic surface like steel or chrome.
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, painted radiators tend to be slightly more effective at transferring heat to the rest of the room than unpainted ones. This is because chrome and steel are great insulators, meaning they tend to retain heat rather than conducting it. Most people won't notice much of a difference between the two though.
For the perfect way to round out that sleek aesthetic, check out the best Bathroom Mirrors!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | DuraTherm Heated Towel Rail | ![]() | A Dual Fuel System That’s as Practical and Powerful as It Is Pretty | |
2 | Myhomewear Heated Towel Rail Radiator | ![]() | An Extra Slim but Incredibly Spacious Radiator Available in Multiple Sizes | |
3 | Greened House Electric Chrome Curved Towel Rail | ![]() | A Bathroom Radiator With a Programmable Timer to Make Heating as Simple as Possible | |
4 | Global Store Traditional Victorian Style Heated Towel Rails | ![]() | A Victorian-Style Radiator With a Chrome Finish for Both Classic and Contemporary Bathrooms | |
5 | WarmeHaus Flat Panel Dual Fuel Radiator | ![]() | A Radiator That’s Large Enough to Hold Towels for the Whole Family | |
6 | Requena Heated Towel Rail | ![]() | A Trustworthy Wall-Mounted Option Suitable for Those With a Central Heating System | |
7 | WarmeHaus Flat Panel Heated Towel Rail | ![]() | Inexpensive but Economic Bathroom Radiator That’s Available in Several Sizes | |
8 | Homefront Clothes Dryer | ![]() | A Quirky Modern Heating Rack That’s Easy to Install and Has Space for 4 Towels | |
9 | DuraTherm Electric Heated Towel Rail Radiator | ![]() | An Excellent Dual Fuel Radiator That’s Perfect for a Smaller Second Bathroom |
First of all, let's take a look at the technical features of this gorgeous grey radiator. It uses a dual fuel heating system so you can choose how it performs, it's wall-mounted (and therefore space-saving), and it pumps out plenty of heat. Sure, it's on the large side, but it's not too big and should easily fit in most UK bathrooms.
Not only is the overall design sleek, but it's also available in a range of different sizes - this gives you more control over how it will look in your bathroom. For all of these fantastic reasons, the heated rail from DuraTherm takes our top spot!
This bathroom radiator from Myhomewear comes with loads of different rails, so it can store towels, flannels, clothing - whatever you need to warm up! This makes it perfect for placing your pyjamas and slippers on while you enjoy a long soak in the bathtub.
This product has a flat design and is extra slim, meaning that despite having plenty of room for storage, it shouldn't take up too much wall space. If the dimensions on this particular model are a bit too big, don't worry - it's available in several other sizes too!
While many modern designs tend to have flat rails, this radiator from Greened House instead provides curved ones. Not only does this feature look smoother, but it also makes putting your towel back easier when you've finished showering.
Our favourite features, though, are the 7-day programmable timer and built-in thermostat. These save you the hassle of having to turn it on and off every day and allow you to view the temperature so you can check if it's at a suitable level. We're honestly wondering why more companies don't incorporate these brilliant details!
This unique offering from Global Store combines a Victorian-style design with a modern chrome finish. This makes it versatile enough to fit in with all kinds of décor - whether you've got a classic bathroom or a contemporary one, it'll look great!
This radiator uses central heating to warm up and comes with an impressive 10-year warranty, which is always appreciated when buying home DIY products online. Our only concern is that the manufacturer doesn't specify exactly how much heat it gives out, although we expect it to be plentiful due to the power source.
Coming in at 160 x 60cm, this is the largest of all the radiators in our ranking - so if you're looking for something to fit a big bathroom, this could be the one for you! It has several towel storage racks, which should be enough to accommodate the whole family.
While it may be the biggest in terms of space, this surprisingly isn't the most powerful radiator around. If you're simply looking for something to keep towels toasty then it's a good shout. For those looking to heat their whole bathroom, however, there are better options on our list.
This wall-mounted bathroom radiator from Raquena is suitable for all UK home central heating systems, has been safely tested up to 15 bars of pressure, and complies with European Standards - although we're unsure if this is even required anymore after Brexit!
One thing to be aware of is that the package doesn't come with radiator valves, so you'll need to pick them up separately. Still, this is a trustworthy radiator that's available in a range of different sizes with varying levels of heat.
With a name like WarmeHaus, you can easily get a picture of what this economical radiator aims to do! It comes in various sizes, but we've opted to review the smaller 65 x 40cm one. While the power on this size isn't super high, that's because it's designed for smaller bathrooms.
Naturally, the bigger the model, the more BTU you can expect - so it's worth checking the larger versions out if you like this particular design but require more heat. The only potential downside is the quality of the finish, which sadly isn't scratchproof!
With its freestanding design, this clothes dryer from Homefront certainly stands out from the crowd! It has five different hanging racks, so there's space for at least that many towels - depending on their size, of course.
We like that this product is easy to install and is slim enough to fit in even the most narrow bathroom. Again though, it's not very powerful - but as long as your expectations aren't too high, you shouldn't be disappointed with this affordable radiator.
The first radiator in our ranking is this offering from Romano. As you can probably tell, it's not made with big bathrooms in mind - hence the space-saving dimensions and lower heat output. While it's not powerful enough to warm a large area, it could be perfect for a second bathroom if you happen to have one.
It's an electric radiator, so you may need an electrician's help when fitting it. This option won't be for everyone, but those with a smaller bathroom will love the low price!
Put down sheets, then cover the radiator's pipes and valves with masking tape and the back of the radiator with cling film. Then wiggle your paintbrush down behind the radiator - at the top, sides, and in between any spaces if it has them - and drag it along until all of the visible areas are covered.
Moreso than any other, bathroom radiators are prone to rusting because of the large amount of moisture created in bathrooms. Luckily, regular cleaning can prevent rust formation. You can remove any rust that forms with white vinegar and a cloth.
Written and researched by Lewis Clark
No. 1: DuraTherm|Heated Towel Rail
No. 2: Myhomewear|Heated Towel Rail Radiator
No. 3: Greened House|Electric Chrome Curved Towel Rail
No. 4: Global Store|Traditional Victorian Style Heated Towel Rails
No. 5: WarmeHaus|Flat Panel Dual Fuel Radiator
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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