Radiators vs Heated Towel Rails – The Pros and Cons of Each

When redesigning our bathrooms it can be hard to know what are the best pieces of furniture and equipment to implement, not just for the design and aesthetic of your room, but also for your lifestyle and how you plan to use the space. A particular decision that often has people struggling is choosing between the traditional radiator or a heated towel rail. Both have their pros and cons, and we’re here to offer you a radiators vs heated towel rails guide, so you can be sure to make the best decision for you and your space.

Radiators

Radiators are the optimum way of heating the whole room when implemented in a bathroom. They’re great for larger spaces if you’re searching for a way to ensure every inch of the space is heated. Their large surface area provides the perfect heat source to cover all areas. They use water that gets heated inside the radiator, which then conducts the heat and radiates in around the rest of the room.

matt black horizontal radiator at the bottom of staircase.
Above, Athens Matt Black Triple Column Horizontal Traditional Radiator 600x1190mm

Heated Towel Rails

Heated towel rails are a great alternative to the traditional radiator style. They do what their name suggests, in that they heat your towels, but are not as effective at heating your whole room. Standard heated towel rails will connect to the same central heating system as your traditional radiators, but tend to emit less heat. Electric heated towel rails come with an electric element which is what heats up the fluid inside, warming the towel rail and the area near to it.

Matt black designer electric heated towel rail in marble bathroom.
Above, Madrid Electric Matt Black Designer Heated Towel Rail 1200x450mm

What are the benefits of radiators?

  • They provide heat coverage to the whole room
  • They can be controlled using your normal thermostat
  • Radiators can offer dry air for damp bathroom environments, protecting the room from mould
  • Ideal for larger rooms
  • They provide an optimal amount of warmth in the colder months
  • Provide adjustable temperatures for comfort

What are the benefits of heated towel rails?

  • They save space in smaller rooms
  • Allow for more installation opportunities
  • Heat up quickly
  • They can be more eco friendly compared to gas options
  • Provide an additional storage option for towels
  • Prevents damp and cold towels
  • Can be wall mounted to save floor space
  • More design options available
Anthracite grey wall mounted heated towel rail in modern bathroom.
Above, Santorini Anthracite Flat Panel Heated Towel Rail 1200x600mm

What are the disadvantages of radiators?

  • They can dictate your room layout
  • Can be slow to heat up
  • Don’t offer many design choices
  • Can be bulky in smaller spaces
  • Can result in draughts/ cold spots
  • Not overly energy efficient
  • Have sharp corners

What are the disadvantages of heated towel rails?

  • Can require professional installation
  • They aren’t overly efficient at heating the whole room
  • Can get too hot to touch
  • Confusing options on the market
  • Can’t be easily moved around after first installation

We hope we’ve given you enough to make an educated decision on which is the better option for you and your bathroom in our rundown of radiators vs heated towel rails. Don’t forget to tag us in pictures of your decision on Instagram, @Bathroommountainuk. If you do have further questions about which is the better option for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Lucy Tillyard
Lucy Tillyard