This towel warmer buying guide covers the four decisions that actually matter: plug-in or hardwired, wall mounted or freestanding, how many bars you need, and what it costs to run. Get those right and the finish and style are the easy part.
A quick note on what we sell: every ANZZI towel warmer we currently list is a plug-in model, according to its product page. We still explain hardwired units below so you can choose with the full picture.
Plug in vs hardwired towel warmer: which one fits your bathroom?
The difference is how the unit gets power. A plug-in warmer has a cord and plugs into a wall outlet. A hardwired warmer connects directly to your home’s wiring inside the wall, so there is no visible cord.
WarmlyYours, a towel warmer maker, sums it up in its installation guide: plug-in models “take minutes and require no electrician,” while hardwired models give a cord-free finish and “require a licensed electrician for the final connection.”
| Factor | Plug-in | Hardwired |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Mount it to the wall (or set it on the floor) and plug it in | Mounting plus a permanent electrical connection by a licensed electrician |
| Look | Visible cord running to the outlet | No cord; cleaner finish |
| Best for | Renters, retrofits, bathrooms with an outlet in the right spot | Remodels where the walls are already open |
| Moving it later | Easy | Needs an electrician again |
If you already have an outlet near where you want the warmer, plug-in is the simpler, cheaper route. If the walls are open for a remodel and the cord would bother you, hardwired may be worth it.
Towel warmer installation and safety basics
Whichever type you choose, treat this as a bathroom electrical appliance and follow the manufacturer’s installation manual first. A few points from the manuals we opened:
- GFCI protection. ANZZI’s wall mount install guide says the power supply must be used with a ground fault circuit interrupter, and that the unit’s three-wire cord must be properly grounded. WarmlyYours likewise says its warmers must be on a GFCI-protected circuit or outlet.
- Distance from water. WarmlyYours advises keeping at least 24 inches from the edge of any tub or shower enclosure and never installing a warmer inside one. Check your own model’s manual for its clearances.
- Height. The same guide suggests placing the bottom bar 24 to 36 inches off the floor for easy reach.
- Cords and extension cords. ANZZI notes the original cord cannot be replaced; if it fails, the whole unit should be replaced. If an extension cord or portable outlet device is used, ANZZI says to keep it away from splashing and excess moisture.
For hardwired units, hire a licensed electrician and follow the National Electrical Code (NEC) and your local code, which can vary by city. We cannot tell you whether a specific installation is code compliant; your electrician and local inspector can.
Wall mounted vs freestanding towel warmer
Wall mounted warmers save floor space and look built in. The ANZZI install guide calls for drilling four holes and setting wall anchors, so plan to hit solid wall or use the right anchors for your wall type.
Freestanding (floor mounted) warmers need no drilling, so they suit renters or anyone who wants to move the warmer between rooms. They take up floor space and sit lower.
A few ANZZI options by style:
- ANZZI Kiln Series 6-Bar Floor Mounted Towel Warmer: freestanding, plug-in, 65 watts, 21.85 in. L x 13.98 in. W x 35.2 in. H, with a 2 to 4 hour timer per the listing.
- ANZZI Naples 6-Bar Aluminum Towel Warmer: does both. It mounts to the wall or stands on the included legs, 100 watts, 120 volts, made of aluminum rather than stainless steel.
- ANZZI Bali Series 10-Bar Wall Mounted Towel Warmer: wall mounted, plug-in with an on/off switch, 80 watts, 20.07 in. L x 4.2 in. W x 31.49 in. H.
How many bars does a towel warmer need?
More bars means more hanging space and more surface touching the towel. Fewer bars means a smaller footprint. Think about how many towels you want warm at once and how much wall you have.
- 4 bars: a compact choice for a powder room or one hand towel. The ANZZI Magnus Series 4-Bar measures 17.71 in. L x 19.69 in. H and is rated at 35 watts.
- 6 bars: a middle ground for one or two bath towels. The ANZZI Note 6-Bar in Matte Black is 23.62 in. L x 25.2 in. H and 90 watts.
- 7 to 8 bars: room for a bath towel plus a hand towel or robe. The ANZZI Gown 7-Bar in Polished Chrome is 31.5 in. H x 23.6 in. W and 70 watts. We also carry the ANZZI Bell 8-Bar in Brushed Nickel; check the manufacturer spec sheet or call us for its wattage and dimensions before you order.
- 10 bars: the most hanging space in our ANZZI lineup, like the Bali above, for shared bathrooms.
Measure the wall first, allowing for the clearances in the manual and the reach of the cord.
Do towel warmers use a lot of electricity?
Not much, judging by the listed wattages. The ANZZI models above are rated from 35 to 100 watts. Here is how to work out your own cost:
Watts x hours used per day / 1,000 = kWh per day. Then kWh x your electricity rate = cost per day.
Example with the 80 watt Bali, run 4 hours a day:
- 80 x 4 / 1,000 = 0.32 kWh per day
- 0.32 x 30 days = 9.6 kWh per month
- If your rate were $0.20 per kWh (use the rate on your own bill), that is about $1.92 per month
Left on around the clock, the same unit would use 80 x 24 / 1,000 = 1.92 kWh per day, or about 57.6 kWh per month. That is why a timer helps. The Kiln’s 2 to 4 hour timer lets you warm towels before a shower without leaving it on all day. For models with only an on/off switch, a plug-in timer rated for the load is one option; follow the manufacturer’s manual on what can be connected.
Expect to wait: ANZZI lists a 20 minute warm-up for these models, and the install guide gives a surface temperature of 104 to 122 degrees F. Thick towels take longer than the warm-up time to feel warm.
Material and finish
Most ANZZI warmers we list are stainless steel (described as RHINO ALLOY certified, rust resistant), in finishes like brushed nickel, polished chrome, matte black and oil rubbed bronze. The Naples is aluminum. ANZZI’s care guide recommends mild soap, hot water and a non-abrasive cloth, and its install guide warns against hard scrubbing. If you are planning a full bathroom refresh, our freestanding bathtub buying guide covers the tub side.
You can browse the full range on our ANZZI brand page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install a plug-in towel warmer myself?
For many plug-in models, yes: mount it per the manual and plug it into a GFCI-protected outlet. If you need a new outlet or GFCI added, that is a job for a licensed electrician.
Can a towel warmer heat my bathroom?
Towel warmers are designed to warm and dry textiles. ANZZI’s manual says to use the unit only for drying textiles dampened by water. At 35 to 100 watts, these models are not room heaters. For space heating, see our comparison of an electric fireplace vs a space heater.
Is it safe to leave a towel warmer on all the time?
Follow your model’s manual. Leaving it on raises energy use (see the math above), so a timer is a practical middle ground.
Can I use a towel warmer outside the bathroom?
ANZZI describes its warmers for household bathrooms and kitchens. If you are warming up a bedroom instead, our guide to putting an electric fireplace in a bedroom may help.
Towel warmer buying guide: next steps
Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, and we can confirm specs on any model. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and smaller orders ship for a flat $200. See our return and refund policy before you buy, and find more guides on our buying guides hub.
