As one of those accessories that's simple-looking yet actually plays a significant role in the home, our lives would be so much messier without a rail to hang and dry our towels. Even if you have a small bathroom, there's a towel rail for you. Whether you're looking for a free-standing or wall-mounted design, vintage wood or modern stainless steel, you'll be thrilled with the options available.
Even if you're not able to use drills and screws to put the rail brackets into place, there's always the option of adhesive or suction pads. Some even come with a shelf! After our handy guide, make sure you stick around for our ranking list, where we review the best products from KES, John Lewis and more to buy online from Argos, eBay, Amazon and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Towel Rails
John Lewis & Partners
Practical, High-Quality and With a Lifetime Guarantee
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Table of Contents
Who doesn't want a nice dry towel every morning? A suitable towel rack is the best way to ensure this. In our buying guide, we're going to tell you how to choose the perfect one, considering the mounting style, the total number of rails and the length of the rail.
Depending on the size of your bathroom, you'll want to choose a towel rail that suits your needs and the available space at the same time. Take a look at these various holder styles and mounting methods and see which one is best for you.
If you happen to have sufficient space in your bathroom, you can always consider a freestanding towel rail. Not only do they hold more towels, but you can straighten your towels completely which will dry them quicker! They're an ideal choice if you have several people in the house.
For those with less bathroom space, you've still got the option of wall-mounted rails. Compact and space-saving, they'll still do the job of drying your towels, but the majority of them come in a single rail, so you might need a few if you use two towels or share a bathroom.
In addition, if you're planning to hang your bath towel, remember that it will also need to have enough room vertically to dry properly. If you don't have a suitable space on the wall that can achieve this, perhaps a standing rack would be better.
More decisions need to be made if you choose a wall-mounted rail and there are three different methods to weigh up which require various levels of skill in terms of DIY. If you're looking for a strong and sturdy rail and you're confident using tools, go after the drills and screws method which should only take you five minutes to complete the work.
Don't worry if you do not wish to drill holes to the wall, as there is always the option of adhesive – just make sure to follow all the instructions and let it dry for 12 hours before hanging towels on it. And if neither of these methods appeals, there's a suction method that uses physics to hold the rail in place!
It's always preferable to hang one towel per rail as this will ensure maximum drying and eliminate the possible growth of bacteria and smells in a damp environment. Hence, it's very important to know the total rails included and their size so that you can match this with the headcount of the household.
Freestanding racks tend to come with at least three rails, but if you're wanting a wall-mounted bar for more than one towel, you might want to look for a double rail featuring hooks or even shelves for extra storage.
The rail's length is possibly the most crucial information as it determines what sizes of towel it might fit. While they should be able to comfortably fit at least one towel, shorter rails still have their place for face or hand towels. We've included the dimensions of each product so you can estimate how well each will fit in your bathroom.
Buying towel rails can be made a tad more exciting when you get to consider how each design might look in your bathroom. Wooden rails have a nice vintage look but most of the time these products are not polished with a protective layer, meaning they are moisture absorbent. Therefore, it's best to ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated to minimise the damage caused.
Metals such as chrome and stainless steel are corrosion-resistant, and chrome especially is very lightweight and much shinier than stainless steel. However, chrome is also more prone to scratches.
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is tarnish-resistant and very easy to maintain due to its durable properties. Steel has properties similar to stainless steel and chrome but it will oxidise eventually and cause rust, so be sure to take extra care to avoid that.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners ANYDAY Bathroom Towel Rail | ![]() | Practical, High-Quality and With a Lifetime Guarantee | |
2 | KES Self-Adhesive Towel Rail | ![]() | Minimum Effort Required for Installation | |
3 | Mennyo Double Towel Rail With Hooks | ![]() | A Thoughtful Product for First-Time Installers | |
4 | Home Discount 3-Tier Free Standing Towel Holder | ![]() | Dries Three Large Bath Towels With Ease | |
5 | Habitat Freestanding Towel Ladder | ![]() | A Great Mix of Fashionable and Functional | |
6 | Argos Home 2-Tier Wall Mountable Towel Rail With Shelf | ![]() | Includes a Useful Top Shelf for Organisation | |
7 | KES Black Towel Rail | ![]() | Contemporary Design With a Matte Black Finish | |
8 | Showerdrape Vertex Super Suction Bathroom Towel Rail | ![]() | No Adhesives or Drilling Needed | |
9 | Apollo Housewares Rubberwood Standing Bathroom Towel Rail | ![]() | Quality Victorian-Style Stand for Big Towels | |
10 | Argos Home Wooden Freestanding Towel Stand | ![]() | A Stylish, Sturdy Frame at a Budget Price |
Practicality and affordability are what makes this towel stand strong as our top product. Not only are you promised the quality, but you also get a lifetime guarantee in case any metals parts are damaged. Handily, it comes with all wall fixings included as well.
The ultra glossy chrome will add a stylish touch to your bathroom, making this towel rail irresistible for everyone. There's a whole range in the same design too, so you can order everything at once and have it match perfectly. You don't want to miss out on this product!
The installation of this product requires minimum effort which is perfect for those who don't have drilling tools at home – simply remove the protective film and attach the adhesives onto a smooth surface. Then, wait for 12 hours before hanging your towels.
This sleek, minimalist rail is available in black, chrome and this stunning brushed brass. However, it's not all good looks, as it can comfortably dry a couple of towels too. With satisfied customers all over Amazon, some even said the adhesive is still going strong after 2 years of installation!
Installing a towel rail for the first time can be tricky, but this product comes with the entire package. Besides having the option of using adhesives or drilling, you'll find a pair of replacement stickers and some gloves for protection. How thoughtful!
The pair of double hooks also makes this product stand out as you can keep your loofahs, flannels or other items organised (and dry) on the rack. It can hold up to 20 kg too, so you could always buy an extra one for beside the kitchen sink.
If you need a stand that allows big bath towels to dry, then this is the one. With its sufficient height and length, you can easily straighten your towel which aids faster drying and even prolongs its lifespan.
You can utilise the space of your bathroom better with the fair and square rectangular frame. Of course, we also like the neat chrome lines that add a sense of tidiness to your bathroom on top of effectively doing its job.
The ladder storage trend is still going strong, and this chic metal offering from Habitat is a great buy for the bathroom. It's a good space-saver for smaller rooms as it utilises upwards rather than outwards floor space, fitting four or even more towels on its rungs and top corners.
Other plus points include grips on the legs to prevent it from slipping as well as the option to screw it to the wall if you want to. This modern rack comes highly rated and could be used almost anywhere in the home in future, too!
Do you have a small bathroom or one that you'd like to be better organised? This clever rail and shelf combination will be a great help. With a double rail to boot, you can hang and dry a few towels at once. We think this product will be just right for a household of two.
Despite having a shiny surface, this towel rail is made from steel, meaning it could rust over time if it gets too wet, so be sure to take care to maintain its silver reflection. But otherwise, this additional storage solution will be very handy.
Less is more, so they say, and the simplicity of this contemporary rail is a perfect example of that. The matte black finish adds an extra touch of chicness and will surely upgrade the look of any bathroom. Rust-proof as well, this rail will only need minor maintenance.
Although it has a maximum load of 5 kg, it can only function well when mounted on a solid concrete wall. With a shorter length of 26 cm too, this might be a better option for face or hand towels.
You're never too lazy nor demanding if you want to put minimum effort into setting up a towel rail! The super suction system of this product is excellent in that it can hold up to 10 kg. There's also a reinstall indicator that will tell you when it needs to be reapplied.
Its pads only stick efficiently on smooth, non-porous surfaces, but if you really like this product, you can always buy a separate self-adhesive mounting disc to attach it to bumpy tiles or other rougher surfaces.
Made from rubberwood – hence the lovely natural light pine colour – this Victorian-style towel stand doesn't look too old-fashioned at all. With quality materials used, the majority of buyers are very pleased and satisfied with this product.
It is an attractive way to hang towels, however, make sure to check the dimensions as some customers noted that this stand looks slightly smaller than anticipated from the photo. But what we can guarantee is that it dries big towels exceptionally well!
With four long rails and two shorter ones that are suitable for smaller objects, this sturdy six-railed towel stand comes at a reasonable price. It's easy to put together too, as all you need is a screwdriver to get the job done.
Made from plain wood, this stand is stylish but not waterproof, meaning that the material will absorb water and eventually warp after a few years if placed within a damp bathroom. High heat will also effect the frame, so be sure to locate the stand away from the radiator.
Besides a towel rail to keep your bathroom neat and organised, we think you might be interested in these other related products as well. From loo roll holders to soap dishes, even smaller items like this can go a long way when you're upgrading your bathroom.
It might not be the most exciting of purchases when doing up your bathroom, but it will be worth the time and investment when you've found the perfect towel rail that suits your needs. Be sure to choose one that has all your desired features and you'll have cosy, warm towels to hand every time.
Author: Angina Chow
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners|ANYDAY Bathroom Towel Rail
No. 2: KES |Self-Adhesive Towel Rail
No. 3: Mennyo|Double Towel Rail With Hooks
No. 4: Home Discount|3-Tier Free Standing Towel Holder
No. 5: Habitat |Freestanding Towel Ladder
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