How to choose an electric bathroom towel warmer: tips for choosing and the best options

The best combined heated towel rails

ARBONIA Karomix (KM)

Average price: 132,000 rubles.

The ARBONIA Karomix heated towel rail has a unique, completely unique design. Large size (194x50x22 cm) and a clear geometric structure make this device an original element of any interior.ARBONIA heated towel rails have won many design competitions for sanitary fittings. Available with remote control. When buying, you can choose from a variety of color options. Heat transfer at + 50 ° C - 950 W. If you wish, you can buy a white heated towel rail, reducing the purchase cost by 20 - 30%. Mounted without problems, the temperature is easily regulated.

Our rating: 10 out of 10. High-quality design device with a long service life.

Reviews: “We recently moved from a city apartment to a country house. The bathroom is large, so we decided to buy the best electric heated towel rail - ARBONIA. Reviews are excellent, the device is of high quality and very beautiful. Supplied complete. Thanks a lot!"

Allegro

Estimated price: 10,000-17,000 rubles (depending on size).

The Allegro electric heated towel rail produced at the KZTO "Radiator" is not inferior in quality to the equipment of foreign manufacturers.

Manufactured from high quality stainless steel in two finishes: polymer coated (glossy white) and glossy polished. Polishing is carried out by a plasma-electrolyte method, which allows creating a mirror surface that does not fade during operation. A wide choice of heights (330 - 1290 mm) allows you to adapt the device to a room with any area. Towel dryers are connected with steel brackets. Equipped with a Mayevsky crane and a blind plug.

Our rating: 9 out of 10 (quality is good, cost is competitive, but design is not up to par).

Reviews: “We connected the bathroom with the toilet, the wall of the latter goes to the stairwell, so it is very cold.Heating and hot water are not all year round, so we installed a combined Allegro heated towel rail, which heats up constantly. As long as you're happy."

Towel design.

In addition to differences in form, it is worth noting several main trends in design.

Premium. Premium products are made in various shapes. Also with a variety of coatings. Usually they are mounted in bathrooms. In the manufacture of premium models, high quality materials are used. These models are used (in addition to drying and heating) for beautiful interior design.

Premium heated towel rail

Suite. Can be installed in any room. Their main feature is nickel-plated. The cost of such products is quite high, due to high quality materials and good assembly.

Luxury towel warmer

Retro. Retro products are often covered with a layer of brass and bronze and have non-standard shapes. They give the room the effect of antiquity.

retro towel warmer

Eco. They are used to perform their immediate functions: drying and heating. Usually they have standard shapes and are painted in colors that do not stand out from the shape of the entire interior.

Eco towel warmer

Manufacturing materials

We can distinguish the following materials for the manufacture of heated towel rails:

• Stainless steel. Stainless steel is a classic in sanitary ware: shiny surfaces go well with classic bathroom designs, and the material has stood the test of time. It is worth choosing a device from seamless pipes with a wall thickness of at least 3 mm. Anti-corrosion coating is required. This dryer will last a long time.
• Black steel. It is an alloy of steel with other metals.It looks quite impressive, especially in non-standard design solutions. But such dryers are extremely unreliable: they often burst and do not have an anti-corrosion coating. Manufacturers recommend using black iron models in country houses. But there the problem of overgrowth of the internal section of pipes will become especially acute. Therefore, black steel is best considered only as a temporary solution or not considered at all.
• Copper. Copper is good because it is practically not subject to corrosion. And this means both the internal corrosivity of water and the impact of external factors. Copper heated towel rails withstand pressure drops quite steadily, calmly cope with salts in the composition of water and look great in the interior. The only drawback of copper heated towel rails is the cost.
• Brass. Brass is highly undesirable. This is one of the variations of copper alloys. However, brass is softer, so while maintaining the aesthetic qualities of copper, the metal loses all thermal advantages. The service life of a brass heated towel rail rarely exceeds years.

Black steel towel rail

Choosing the method of fastening and installing the heated towel rail

Another important point to pay attention to is the installation method. While installing any towel warmer is usually not the most difficult task, proper installation often requires the involvement of a qualified electrician or plumber (at a minimum, to maintain the manufacturer's warranty), and this will increase your originally planned costs.

The easiest to install, especially when it comes to non-professional work, are electric models with a plug.Most of them use a standard plug and can be plugged into an outlet just like any other household appliance. From this point of view, those who are puzzled by the question of how to choose an electric heated towel rail for the bathroom may be moving in the right direction.

There are three main types of installation of heated towel rails:

wall

Wall-mounted can be both electric and water heated towel rails.

floor standing

These are usually water heated towel rails.

Portable

These are electrical devices that can be moved freely.

All water heated towel rails are wall or floor mounted as they must be connected to an existing water supply.

Wall-mounted towel warmers are a great option for space-constrained spaces where they can take the place of a conventional towel rail. Wall models available in water and electric options.

When choosing between fixing the heated towel rail to the wall or the floor, it is better to give preference to mounting on the wall. This is especially true for small bathrooms, where a lot of appliances and furniture can be located on the floor anyway. If your bathroom has only the bottom of the wall tiled, you'll have to decide if you want the towel warmer to be above or below the boundary, or you might be able to find a fixture that can be wall-mounted with a level difference.

A portable towel warmer offers more flexibility in placement and use. In addition, its installation is very simple: even a person who has never held tools in his hands can handle it! All portable heated towel rails are electric, to connect them you just need to plug the plug into the socket.

If it comes to installing more complex heated towel rails, then this work should be entrusted to a professional electrician or plumber. Electrical products are potentially subject to fire hazards and therefore must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

How to choose the right water heated towel rail?

The heated towel rail determines the level of warmth and comfort in the bathroom. Therefore, you should not install the first device that comes across. Fortunately, the variety of the assortment allows you to choose a model that will successfully combine operational parameters and aesthetic qualities.

Production material

Traditional clothes dryers, made of little presentable cast-iron pipes covered with a thick layer of oil paint, have long supplanted the so-called "design radiators".

The main color of modern models of “design radiators” is metallic silver, although there are also white water heated towel rails.

The material of manufacture for such devices is:

• protected black steel;
• stainless steel;
• non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper or brass).

Dryers made of black protected steel are easily corroded, so products made from such material are purchased more when arranging country houses, where an autonomous heating system is provided.

Non-ferrous metals are also famous for their good heat dissipation. But the service life of non-ferrous metal structures is limited to 5-10 years.

Towel dryers made of copper or brass are quite attractive and are a worthy decoration of the bathroom interior.

If we talk about structures made of non-ferrous metals, then they are rather preferred due to their interesting appearance. Due to the precipitation and dissolution of impurities during the operation of a brass product, wear of the material will be visible on the bends and walls of the structure even after the first five years of service.

Matte materials in noble shades look harmonious in bathrooms decorated in a classic style, as well as modern or art deco

The most popular, albeit the most expensive, are stainless steel towel warmers. As a rule, seamless seamless pipes with a wall thickness of 3 mm are used for their production. Due to this manufacturing method, the product acquires high resistance to the aggressions of hard water and pressure drops.

To give an external presentability, stainless steel products are additionally polished or chrome plated.

Regarding the price issue: painted models are more affordable, while the purchase of a polished device can “hit the pocket”.

The shape and size of the structure

Equally important is the shape of the water heated towel rail for the bathroom. Modern leading manufacturers offer the following product configurations:

• Classic models in shape resembling the letters "P" and "M", as well as combined versions of "PM";
• "S"-shaped products, outwardly resembling a curving snake;
• Upgraded models equipped with one or two shelves;
• Decorative versions in the form of ladders, drops, loops and cascades.

Wide and narrow models, overall designs and compact heated towel rails equipped with miniature shelves are on sale.The choice is limited only by your preferences and the amount of funds that you are ready to allocate for an attribute that is so necessary in the household.

The popularity rating is headed by unusually shaped decorative models, which are a real highlight in the bathroom interior.

Design decoration

The appearance of modern towel dryers can be both tritely simple and pretentiously complex. Depending on the finishing materials involved in the design and the color palette that sets the tone for the walls of the bathroom, you can choose products in matte colors or silver shades.

A touch of sophistication and sophistication in the interior can be brought by a water heated towel rail, made using mirror chrome plating

In the presence of metallized decor elements in the interior, designers recommend opting for chrome-plated equipment. Quite roomy "seat" arches and circles equipped with shelves.

If there are no chrome parts in the design of the bathroom, and a light arch or ladder harmoniously fits into the overall design, it is better to choose a white painted model. Dryers look gracefully, outwardly resembling a sinusoid.

Do not get carried away with overly elaborate options. Fashion for them can pass in 2-3 years, and time-tested classics will delight with conciseness of forms for several decades.

Made of brass

Brass heaters have a pleasant golden color due to the copper included in the alloy. The material is very plastic, and therefore brass water radiators take intricate shapes.Significant disadvantages of the devices are the high price, weak resistance to pressure surges, up to 6 bar in total; and the operating range ranges from 3 to 4 bar.

Margaroli Vento 405 705×600

pros

• rotary sections
• aesthetic design, choice of colors
• max T 1100С

Minuses

• vertical connection only
• pressure 2 bar, max 6 bar

From 16002 ₽

Lightweight (4 kg) Italian snake has 6 bends that rotate 1800. Colors to choose from: gold, bronze or chrome. This beauty is suitable for central heating or water supply systems, but only with a maximum load of 6 bar.

Domoterm Stefano P8 40×80 bronze

pros

• heat dissipation 652 W
• weight 3.3 kg
• 8 sections
• Mayevsky's crane

Minuses

operating pressure 3 bar

From 7496 ₽

The Russian heater of the color of antique bronze takes the 2nd place in our top, but is not inferior in quality to the Italian. For example, its price is half that of the leader, and there are more sections, and even a Mayevsky crane is included. Sections are stationary, by the way. And the warranty is 2 years.

MIGLIORE Colosseum 670x480

pros

• 5 year warranty
• 2 Mayevsky taps
• retro style

Minuses

price

From 69750 ₽

A 100-watt 4-section heated towel rail from Italy is equipped with as many as two Mayevsky taps to remove air from the pipe. Its dimensions are only 53x72 cm, and the center clearance is 48 cm: it is suitable for small bathrooms with a closed heating system.

The best water heated towel rails

The classification of units is based on the division according to the type of coolant. Water heated towel rails are devices that are connected to a hot water supply or heating network. They work on the principle of a conventional radiator, they heat up without energy consumption.Models of this type are considered cheaper and more economical, but their installation is associated with a number of difficulties. Among the many models, only four options were selected.

Terminus VegaP5 575×606

Stainless steel water heated towel rail is the cheapest representative of the rating. Made in the form of a ladder with 5 sections. The instrument stand is equipped on the side with 2 branch pipes, which are necessary for connection. The level of heat transfer is 230 W, the wall thickness is 2 mm, it is designed for heating 2.3 m2. It is completed with telescopic fastenings, Mayevsky's crane, a cap. According to the instructions, you need to connect the device to the hot water supply system.

Advantages:

• Stylish appearance;
• High level of heat transfer;
• Resistant to pressure drops;
• Good wear resistance;
• Possibility of turning.

Flaws:

The complexity of connecting to the coolant.

Consumers note a discrepancy between the diameters of the nozzles of the Terminus heated towel rail and hot water pipes in apartment buildings, which creates problems when connecting the unit. Requires purchase of an additional jumper.

Tera Foxtrot PM 500×600

The device of the original form made of stainless steel is equipped with 6 sections. In terms of dimensions, it is smaller than the previous model, but is designed for heating 2.6 m2. The water heated towel rail with lateral connection maintains pressure about 15-25 atm. The heat carrier heating level is 5 degrees higher than that of Terminus VegaP5 575×606. Connection to the central heating system and hot water supply is acceptable.

Advantages:

• Warranty 5 years;
• A practical way to connect to the coolant;
• Resistant to pressure drops;
• Good wear resistance of the material.

Flaws:

• The absence of additional elements in the kit;
• Rotation is not provided.

According to experts, the absence of Mayevsky cranes in the kit is a serious drawback. Users have no complaints about the operation of the heated towel rail, it heats well, the price corresponds to the quality.

Sunerzha M-shaped 500×650

The coils that were installed in the USSR in apartment buildings had a similar shape. Therefore, this design of a heated towel rail will not be new. The unit has 4 sections, the collector wall thickness is 12.7 mm, it can withstand pressure up to 60 atm. At the same time, the indicators of the maximum temperature of the coolant and the area of ​​the heated room are lower. By the type of connection, the unit is identical to Tera Foxtrot PM 500×600. The manufacturer gives a 7-year warranty.

Advantages:

• Low price;
• Side connection method;
• wear-resistant material;
• Light;
• High quality build.

Flaws:

• Inability to turn;
• No additional accessories provided.

The demand for Sunerzh's water heated towel rail is due to reliability, ease of use and low price of construction. Over the years of operation, the pipes are not covered with rust, which eliminates the occurrence of leakage.

Margaroli Sole 442-4 720×535

Ladder heated towel rail is equipped with 4 sections, made of brass. The lower mounting scheme eliminates the gating of the circuits, but has a number of disadvantages. Also, there is no possibility of rotation of the structure. The kit includes an eccentric and fasteners. The device withstands pressure up to 15 atmospheres, the coolant heats up to 110 degrees.

Advantages:

• Stylish and comfortable design;
• Good indicator of heating of the coolant;
• High quality build;
• Functions flawlessly.

Flaws:

• Heavy;
• Shorter service life compared to other models;
• High price.

Consumers confirm the high-quality assembly and good functioning of the device. The disadvantages include the high cost of the unit and the need to purchase a pump to enhance circulation.

Benefits of Electric Towel Warmers

The heated towel rail belongs to technological means that make life more comfortable. Beautiful and functional - they are a good alternative to hot water models. Their main advantage is autonomy. While the operation of a water appliance is completely dependent on the supply of hot water and with its end (summer shutdowns) it turns into an ordinary hanger, an electric one maintains comfort in the bathroom all the time.

To install an electric heated towel rail, only a few fasteners are enough

An electric dryer is aesthetically pleasing and convenient, and in addition, such a dryer has a number of other advantages:

1. Easy installation - no welding, just the presence of an outlet in the right place.
2. No permits are required.
3. Mobility - installation is possible anywhere. If there is a need, then in the bathroom there is always a place for another such device.
4. Profitability - it consumes electricity in the range of 25-100 W, i.e., like a simple electric lamp.
5. The ability to regulate the temperature within 30-70 degrees C, however, the regulator is not available on all models.

6. Manageability - you can turn it on and off when necessary, and some models are also programmed for a specific temperature at a specific time.Using this function, in the morning you can not wait until the heated towel rail heats up, but immediately enter a warm bath, take a shower and put on a warm bathrobe.

   At any necessary time, such a heated towel rail can be connected to the network

7. Durability - do not corrode from the inside of salts and chemicals present in the water pipe.
8. No problems with air pockets and pressure due to the closed circuit of the electric dryer model.

Sunerzha (Sunerzha)

Sunerzh products will appeal to those who are looking for a high-quality Russian-made electric heated towel rail. This St. Petersburg company has been operating since 1996 and supplies products to the CIS and the EU. The main direction is the production of various types of heated towel rails made of stainless steel. For the original stylish look of products, it is often called designer. It is not the chromium alloy coating, as is often the case, but the multi-stage polishing process that gives the products shine. This approach is more technologically advanced, allows you to get a more durable product and minimize environmental damage. Warranty - 5 years. The company's product range includes a dozen electric models of dryers. The most popular: Bohemia, Bohemia with a shelf, Modus.

Model	Type of	Power	Size (HxWxD)	approximate price
Ascetic	The name speaks for itself: a product from the category of "minimalism in the flesh." This is a vertically mounted heating tube that dries towels hung on a hook. Takes up minimal space.
1650	stationary	32 W	1650x50x122.5mm	from 7300 rub.
Compact	Convenient model for installation in the corner of the room, which allows you to use the plane of two walls.An indicator button, a built-in sensor and a heating cable are all that is needed to operate such a device.
640x580	turning	71.6 W	637x50-975x84-577 mm	from 10200 rub.
Bohemia	A range of classic discreet dryers that look appropriate in any bathroom. Many different sizes.
500x300	stationary	300 W	560x350x75-95mm	from 14700 rub.
Bohemia with a shelf	An evolutionary continuation of a successful design. The presence of one or more shelves allows you to dry not only towels, but also hats, and even shoes.
500x400	stationary	300 W	560x450x214-229 mm	from 17600 rub.
Modus	Design radiators with strict straight lines that successfully fit into the high-tech interior concept.
500x300	stationary	300 W	583x358x70-90mm	from 22000 rub.

We invite you to watch a short video about the products of the Sunerzha company.

According to the material of manufacture of the heated towel rail

If, when choosing a water-type product, one is guided not only by its shape and technical characteristics, then one more important nuance can be noted

When buying, always pay attention to what material it is made of.

Tips on how to choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom according to the material of manufacture

Today you can find products that are made of iron, steel, stainless steel, as well as various kinds of non-ferrous metals. What is the best material to choose this plumbing fixture for drying clothes in the bathroom, we want to tell below.

Water heated towel rails made of iron and then painted are among the cheapest products, but at the same time their service life is very short.If you do not have enough funds, then it is the iron unit that is the most suitable option for you.

Towel warmers that are made of stainless steel are very reliable and can serve their owner for a very long time. The advantages of these products include the fact that they can withstand sufficiently high pressure and are not susceptible to corrosion. The disadvantages include their high cost, because they are several times more expensive than copper or steel products. But on the market you can also find a budget analogue - this is a painted version for stainless steel. Although such a product, with frequent use, very quickly loses its attractive appearance.

Non-ferrous metal water heated towel rails - bronze photo

If we talk about brass or copper heated towel rails, they are not susceptible to corrosion and are much cheaper than their stainless steel counterparts. At the same time, the allowable pressure that such a water device can withstand is 5-6 bar. In this connection, they are suitable for those private houses where the water pressure does not exceed 2 - 4 atmospheres.

Steel units have gained great popularity due to the fact that they have a fairly low cost. This is where the advantages of steel heated towel rails end. After some time after operation, the first traces of corrosion can be seen on them. Ideally, such a device would be completely filled with water. Otherwise, even in small voids, an active accumulation of oxygen will begin, which causes very rapid oxidation of the pipes.

Towel rail made of steel ladder type photo

A very simple example can be given in this situation. For example, a steel water heated towel rail was purchased for a private house and connected to a hot water supply system, and installed directly in front of the washbasin. After a while, you may notice that rather cloudy water begins to flow from the tap. This can be explained by the fact that the pressure that needs to be applied in relation to the mixer is several times less than that needed to fully fill the plumbing fixture with water.

This leads to a gradual accumulation of oxygen, then an oxidation process occurs, which causes very cloudy water. Experts recommend connecting such a water appliance to a central heating system.

Towel rail with shelf

Devices equipped with a shelf are considered the most practical to use. The heated towel rail with a shelf is lightweight and presentable in appearance.

In addition, such electric heated towel rails differ in small dimensions, which is their main advantage. Due to the small size of such devices, there is a saving of usable space in the bathroom.

Consider other advantages of electric heated towel rails with a shelf:

• such models are able to maintain a normal microclimate in the bathroom. First of all, this concerns the level of humidity;
• the use of such models allows you to get rid of the unpleasant smell of dampness and prevent the occurrence of fungus and mold on the walls of the room.

Devices equipped with a shelf are more functional than conventional models, so the demand for them is quite high.Experts recommend using heated towel rails with a shelf that is located on top. This option is considered the most appropriate, as it allows you to save useful space in the bathroom.

In addition, the presence of a shelf allows you to speed up the drying of towels. This is due to the fact that water does not get on the towel from the laundry, which is located on other elements of the device.

Consider other advantages of electric models equipped with a shelf:

• high heat transfer coefficient;
• ease of installation;
• as a rule, such models have a white color, which allows you to organically fit into the interior of the bathroom. However, as mentioned above, the white heated towel rail has the main disadvantage of darkening the paint.

Tera M-shaped 600x500 E

Main characteristics:

• Material - stainless steel;
• Power - 40 W;
• The maximum heating temperature is 70°C;
• Possibility of rotation - no;
• Dimensions - 62.5 × 50 cm.

Construction and material of manufacture. The “dry” type heated towel rail is a pipe bent in the shape of the letter M with smoothed corners. It is made of stainless steel with a galvanized layer of mirror chrome. It is rigidly attached to the wall using several brackets, occupying a space of 60x50 cm. The product weighs 3.3 kg. The conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy takes place on a heating cable protected from dust and moisture.

Settings and connection. The model is adapted for open type connection. In operating mode, it consumes power up to 40 W, which, according to the manufacturer, is enough for drying towels and heating rooms up to 1.9 sq.m.At the same time, the outer walls are heated to 50-70 ° C, which does not cause burns in case of accidental contact with human skin.

Advantages of a water heated towel rail over an electric one

Installation of equipment in the bathroom should be carried out on the basis of feasibility and technical capabilities. Before starting repairs, you should develop a plan for installing equipment, an interior, calculate an estimate and determine the price range for each purchase. Outline the shape, size, cost and choose a heated towel rail for the bathroom along with all the equipment. To make the right choice between a water and electric heated towel rail, you need to know their main technical features and differences.

• Water.
• Electrical.
• Combined.

The simplest water heated towel rail is a metal pipe of small diameter bent into a coil connected to a hot water supply (DHW) or heating system.

Hot water is passed through the inner lumen of the pipe under slight pressure, thereby heating it, creating the effect of a radiator. If the house has a source of hot water or the ability to connect to it, then such a heated towel rail will be the best of all offered on the plumbing market.

An electric towel warmer can be in the form of a curved tube, lattice, spiral, depending on the model, requirements or design solutions. Inside, instead of hot water, there is a spiral or tubular electric heater (TEN). The supply of electricity to the heating element leads to its heating and the generation of heat, which passes to the walls of the heated towel rail. The structure can be stationary or portable and, depending on requirements, comes in different sizes.

The combined heated towel rail works on the principle of water and electric. It is also connected to the DHW and acts as a radiator. Its design includes a built-in heating element or a heating coil during the absence of hot water. Suitable for those who often experience interruptions in the supply of hot water, but there is a need for constant operation of the heated towel rail.

Now consider which heated towel rail is better, electric or water, depending on their design and principle of operation.

Water heated towel rail

A constant flow of hot water will heat it up in the bathroom without any additional investment. The design feature allows you to install on the pipeline of any diameter and water quality.

Maintenance of such heated towel rails is necessary due to leaks or blockages after decades of service. But this rarely happens, because they are changed to new models before the problem appears. Profitability, practicality, durability - the distinctive qualities of the product among analogues.

Electric towel warmer

The only way out is in the bathrooms, where there is no access to the hot water or heating system. On sale there are many models suitable for the interior features in any bathroom. Previously, they were very popular, but now every owner is trying to install a water heater or an individual heating system, to which a more economical model of a water heated towel rail is connected. The increase in electricity prices encourages the abandonment of such models altogether.

Combined heated towel rail

This type of heated towel rail will be relevant when there is access to hot water, but sometimes there are interruptions.Then it can be connected to the mains and enjoy dry towels. The combined towel warmer is a good choice if you want to have constant comfort at home.

Summarizing

Let's summarize how to choose a good heated towel rail. If this is an electrical device, then first there is a choice of what the heating element will be (heating element or cable). In heating elements, water or antifreeze can be used as a coolant. Then you need to calculate the required power (150 watts per 1 square meter), determine the connection method (portable or stationary), select the design and manufacturer. Also decide if you need features like thermal management and an on/off timer, which will naturally affect the price.

If this is a water heated towel rail, then first you need to choose the design and connection method (side, bottom, back)

Then check the wall thickness of the product (at least 2 mm), make sure that the welds on the pipe are not visible. Also, the product should not have scratches and dark spots.

In addition, the operating pressure of the heat exchanger must correspond to the pressure in your DHW circuit, and the test pressure must be at least three times higher.