The 2 Best Towel Warmers, Tested by Our Experts

By design, towel warmers are supposed to heat up during use, but José found that many models reached unsafe temperatures after just an hour of continuous use. With temperatures reaching up to 274° F on the inside surfaces and 158° F on the exterior of some of the bucket towel warmers, these devices could pose a burn hazard during use, especially if left unattended with children and pets around.

A 1947 study in the American Journal of Pathology (AJP) was the first of its kind to investigate the lowest temperatures capable of causing skin burns. Researchers found that contact with surfaces at 140° F required only a few seconds of contact before causing injuries. At 158° F, burns can happen almost instantaneously. Think of the last time you bit into a hot slice of pizza or were too eager when trying the first bite of a bowl of pasta with a sauce. The hot food touches the roof of your mouth for only a second before you pull the bite out, but the damage has already been done–your mouth is scalded for days.

The amount of time spent in contact with a hot surface and the material (plastic versus metal) determine the severity of a burn, but at very high temperatures just a few seconds of contact can cause serious burns. The relationship between temperature and contact time was first established by researchers in this study and served as the basis for many safety standards that are still in effect today.

A burn incident occurred during testing. While reaching into the SereneLife towel warmer bucket, Amézquita accidentally touched the inside of the warmer and sustained a minor burn on his hand. While you are not technically supposed to touch the inside, it is pretty common to do so with these towel warmers, and this one registered the highest temperature in our tests. We contacted the brand for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication. All of the models reached temperatures above 158° F, the temperature that can cause instant burns, according to the AJP study.

Each model included warnings in its user manual about avoiding contact with hot surfaces, but, for example, say you’re reaching into a bucket from inside a shower without looking out past a shower curtain. It’s not difficult to imagine a scenario in which you accidentally come into contact with the hot surfaces of the warmer.

The two towel warmer racks we tested reached temperatures over 170° F and lacked auto-shutoff features. These models remain on as long as they are connected to power and switched on. Like with the bucket-style warmers, this temperature could pose a safety risk.

One final safety note about these products: in their user manuals, most models list delicate fabrics that you shouldn’t place in or on the heated warmers. This includes silk, wool, nylon, and any other fabric that states you should use a cool iron on it. The high temperatures could damage the fabric or the machine itself.

All seven models made towels feel cozy and warm, but the two models we recommend below had several features that set them apart from the rest. Still, you should exercise caution when using them, especially around children and pets. Ensure that models without automatic shutoff functions are turned off, unplugged, and that children and pets are kept away from all models until they have completely cooled down (we measured the cool-down time for each model below, too).

If your showers tend to last 15 minutes or more, the best way to use a bucket-style towel warmer is to turn it on just as you’re entering the bathroom for a shower. Be sure to place the lid on securely if you’re using a bucker-style warmer, to keep the heat inside and speed up the heating process. 

All but one of the bucket towel warmers we tested reached their maximum temperature within 21 minutes of being turned on, but we found that towels felt warm to the touch even before the maximum temperature was reached. Just 15 minutes in, the bath towels I removed from all of the buckets felt cozy enough to wrap myself in. 

The towels on the two racks took about 25 minutes to warm up enough for me. If you tend to take long showers, these might suit you better. 

Safety note: When you’re ready to grab a towel, avoid reaching for one without peeking from behind your shower curtain. This is the best way to avoid accidental contact with the hot surfaces that could cause burns. Immediately after your shower, turn the towel warmer off, disconnect it from power, and allow it to cool completely before letting children and pets into the bathroom.