Heated towel racks have now become so popular that people want them everywhere they
go. But until every house, hotel, RV and cabana has one installed, a portable, freestanding
heated towel rack may be the only way to go.
What are the benefits of freestanding heated towel racks? Are they a better choice than a
wall-mounted heated towel rack?
Best of both worlds in your bathroom
The fact that you can transport a freestanding heated towel rack to wherever there is a
source of power is its number one plus point. Yes, you can take it with you on holiday to St
Kitts (baggage limit allowing) or shove it in the U-Haul as you move all your belongings up to
resettle in the woodsy wilderness of Coos Bay.
Being freestanding has benefits for homebodies too. If, for instance, you don’t have enough
free wall space in your bathroom to install a wall-mounted heated towel rack, a freestanding
one can easily be placed next to the bath or shower.
Dry towels here, dry towels there, dry towels everywhere
The pickup, plug-and-play nature of a portable heated towel rail means you can schlep it
from one room to the other like a favorite blankie. Think of mudrooms, utility rooms, pool
rooms, laundry rooms, changing rooms, hobby rooms, babies’ rooms, guest baths, garages,
and holiday homes.
It’s also a good option if you’re renting and want dry towels around the clock without
increasing your landlord’s property value for him. You can even loan it to your neighbor if
they’d like to test out the benefits of a heated towel rack before buying a mounted one.
Another advantage of a freestanding, heated drying towel rack is it saves you on installation
costs. That said, a wall-mounted heated towel rack with hidden wiring is always going to be
easier on the eye and, being tucked neatly against the wall, means less clutter in what’s
supposed to be a free-flowing, safe and serene space.
Buying tips for the best freestanding heated towel rack
Believe it or not, you can get a model that can both be freestanding or, by removing the feet,
be mounted on your wall. There are even free-standing racks with special heated-glass
technology that replaces metal bars. Prices range from $60 to over $1,500. Be warned: you
get what you pay for.
As with a quality wall-mounted heated towel rack, pay heed to the material it’s made of (we
recommend Grade 304 stainless steel), and the quality of workmanship.
Also, consider the number of towels it can dry at once (generally less than wall-mounted
racks), whether it has a power-saving timer switch, and if the design profile suits your
bathroom accessories and style. Other considerations are the product warranty, whether it
has a sturdy base (rubber feet are best), and the cord length.
PS: While we’re on the topic of all things that make your towels dry and warm, you may want
to read up on the difference between a heated towel rack and a towel warmer. Yep, they’re
not the same thing
PS: While we’re on the topic of all things that make your towels dry and warm, you may want
to read up on the difference between a heated towel rack and a towel warmer. Yep, they’re
not the same thing.
