Best Towel Rails

best towel rails

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.


Towel rails are a useful addition to any bathroom. Having your towels within reach makes your day-to-day routines easier and your household more organised. Hanging damp fabrics properly also helps to dry them out faster, keeping them fresh and ready for next use.

How We Compared Towel Rails

To find the right towel rails, we considered multiple factors, including:

  • Capacity
  • Materials
  • Ease of Installation
  • Additional Features
  • Freestanding or Wall-Mounted Options

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Towel Rail Reviews

KES Bathroom (Editor’s Choice)

This durable and versatile model is our number one pick and Editor’s Choice. It features high-quality materials and a rustproof design, which makes it a great solution for keeping your towels handy and your shower room tidy. 

The KES Bathroom towel rail is constructed from strong and secure aluminium. It boasts an 8mm thick and toughened glass shelf above, ideal for storing other essentials such as your toothbrush, soap and skincare products. The glass is also child-friendly, so should it accidentally break, it would crumble into large pieces rather than sharp, dangerous shards.

Measuring 15.8″(L) x 5.1″(W) x 5.4″(H), this towel rail projects from the wall by 5.08 inches. The generous dimensions give you plenty of space to hang a bath towel or a pair of face towels within easy reach. It has a strong load-bearing capacity of up to 5kg and comes with all the necessary hardware for installation. 

Pros:

  • Durable choice
  • Strong glass shelf
  • Child-safe
  • Rustproof
  • 5kg load capacity

Cons:

  • The glass could shatter if bolts are over-tightened
  • It may be awkward to install

Relaxdays Curved (Luxury Choice)

Our luxury pick is worth checking out if you’re looking for the ultimate towel rail. Beautiful and functional, this product provides plenty of space for storage and drying. The modern design will suit any bathroom, while the freestanding structure makes it simple to move around as needed.

The Relaxdays Curved model is crafted from stainless steel, which is chrome-plated for extra durability. It offers three separate rails at different heights for hanging towels, so you can space them out for better air circulation. This feature helps dry them faster and reduces the potential for musty odours.

It has a sturdy plastic base to prevent damage to your floors and can be assembled quickly and easily. The curved rails don’t take up much horizontal space, making this item a good choice for compact bathrooms. It also comes with all the hardware and instructions needed to put it together. 

Pros:

  • Modern, freestanding design
  • Small footprint
  • Three rails
  • Dries towels fast
  • Sturdy base

Cons:

  • It might not be big enough for several bath towels
  • It may be prone to rust

YIGII Self Adhesive (Best Value)

Looking for a simple yet elegant option? Then our next pick could be just what you need. This curved bar is perfect for organising your towels in no time. The self-adhesive installation also removes any need to make holes in the wall, so it could be ideal if you’re renting accommodation. 

The YIGII towel rail has a sleek design which boasts an attractive sheen. This is the result of the highly-polished stainless steel that gives it a remarkable modern look. It is a one-piece structure that curves to create a discreetly compact hanging space. At 37 × 5cm, it’s suitable for several small towels or a single large towel. 

While this model has a drill-free installation, you must wait for 24 hours to allow the adhesive to take effect before use. It can be mounted onto all smooth surfaces but isn’t compatible with attachment to wallpaper or painted walls.  

Pros:

  • Sleek design
  • Compact dimensions
  • Polished stainless steel
  • Easy to install
  • Holds multiple small towels

Cons:

  • The adhesive could be stronger
  • It might be too small for some towels

Command Hand Towel Bar (Best for Easy Mounting)

If you hate DIY or don’t wish to make holes in your walls, this easy-mounting pick is for you. It uses special water-resistant adhesive strips for effortless installation, so you can set it up without any drilling or damage required. 

The Command towel rail is made from sturdy metal and can support up to an impressive 1.3kg weight. The single cylindrical bar is suitable for hanging face or hand towels within easy reach of your bathroom sink. The satin nickel colour also complements any style of decor. 

Resistant to water and UV damage, the material is resilient and long-lasting. The strip adhesive backing secures the rail better than suction cups and can be applied to most smooth surfaces, including painted ones. Furthermore, if you ever need to remove it, it will come away without leaving marks or residue on your walls. 

Pros:

  • Tough metal design
  • Water and UV-resistant
  • 1.3kg weight limit
  • Tool-free installation
  • It doesn’t leave marks

Cons:

  • It may be a bit limited in space
  • The adhesive may fail in high humidity

Relaxdays Bamboo (Best for Large Families)

This option makes an excellent choice if you have a big family and several towels to dry at once. Measuring 85 x 51 x 31cm, this freestanding model offers plenty of storage space to keep your bathroom clutter-free and organised. 

With its bamboo frame and beautiful wood-grain effect, this Relaxdays towel rail features three metal stepped rails and a built-in shelf at the base for additional storage. This is perfect for keeping extra rolled towels or other essentials like bath products, toilet paper or cosmetics. 

Each rail has a different height, which is ideal for improving airflow, thus accelerating drying times and avoiding nasty damp odours in your fabrics. The lowest rail stands at 58cm from the ground, while the highest is at 85cm. It comes in several pieces but is simple to assemble in a few minutes. 

Pros:

  • Large capacity
  • Wood-grain effect bamboo frame
  • Metal rails
  • Integrated shelf
  • Improves airflow

Cons:

  • It can be a little wobbly
  • Very large towels may still touch the floor

BESy Adjustable (Best Customisable)

If you’re undecided about how much storage space you need, our best customisable pick has the answer. It can be expanded or retracted as required, so you can judge how much length you require before installation. 

The BESy rail can be adjusted between 37.2cm and 69.6cm, so whether you need to hang a single hand towel or two bath towels, this model has you covered. The rustproof construction is made from top-quality, solid 304 stainless steel, which is also resistant to scuffs, scratches or tarnishing. 

The silver colour with concealed screws looks sleek and attractive in any environment, so it’s sure to make a beautiful addition to your bathroom. The material is simple to clean with a cotton cloth and comes with all the required hardware for installation. 

Pros:

  • Versatile option
  • Easy to adjust
  • Made from 304 stainless steel
  • Resistant to rust
  • Simple to clean

Cons:

  • Installation could be a bit fiddly
  • The centre of the rail may be prone to weakness

Flybath Towel Rail (Best for Sturdiness)

This heavy-duty option is a top choice if you prefer thick, heavy towels. It is crafted from tough double-layer brass, making it strong enough to easily handle big, sodden items. 

The Flybath rail measures 57 x 11 x 2.8 cm, so it has a good width to accommodate large towels without bunching. The durable construction has a nickel finish resistant to rust, even if repeatedly exposed to high humidity. Thanks to the brushed nickel colour, rectangular shape and gently curved edges, it has an attractive modern feel. 

Concealed screws further enhance this model’s sleek look and seamless design. It features two rails to accommodate several towels, while the thickened base mounts ensure it remains stable when removing and replacing them. All hardware and detailed instructions are included for installation to make the process easy.

Pros:

  • Made from high-quality brass
  • Resistant to rust
  • Dual bars
  • Brushed nickel colour
  • Sleek design

Cons:

  • It may not sit perfectly flush with the wall
  • The included fixings could be of a better quality

How to Choose a Towel Rail

Finding the best towel rail isn’t easy, with such a range to choose from. Read our below buyers’ guide to find out how to make the right selection for your needs.

Capacity

When choosing your next bathroom fixture, capacity is perhaps the most crucial point to keep in mind. If you have a large household, you’ll need a bigger rail or one with more bars so everyone can hang their towels at once. For singles or couples, a smaller choice may be suitable. Make sure to measure the dimensions before buying, as the product images can sometimes be a little deceiving.

Materials

Bathrooms are naturally humid environments, so looking for a rail that uses rustproof and damp-resistant materials for longevity makes sense. The best options are made from stainless steel, which can also be chrome-plated for extra durability. Bamboo and wooden alternatives are also great choices, so long as the materials are properly sealed against moisture. 

Ease of Installation

Few enjoy spending hours battling with power tools and bolts to put up a towel rail, but sturdiness is also important. When shopping for your new accessory, take the time to read the installation instructions and user reviews to understand how difficult the setup process is likely to be. Some models will need to be fixed into the wall, requiring you to drill holes. Others offer a strong adhesive backing, which may be a better solution if you do not want to damage surfaces.

Additional Features

Some towel racks come with extra useful features, such as integrated shelves for keeping other products close to hand, such as hand washes, toothbrushes or soap. This can be convenient if your bathroom often feels disorganised and cluttered. Other freestanding options feature a base shelf that you can use to place more freshly rolled towels so they are available for your guests.

Freestanding or Mounted

Freestanding options are good if you don’t wish to make any holes or marks on your bathroom walls. They can also be useful if you own long towels and don’t have a suitably high space to mount a rail for hanging. Freestanding rails can also be easily moved around as needed, which can be convenient if you have a compact living space. 

Mounted options usually require some installation, although some use adhesive rather than screw mounts. They are often sturdier and tend to be made from more durable materials like stainless steel. 

Summary

Our top pick and Editor’s Choice is the KES Bathroom. This model impressed us with its durable materials and the integrated glass shelf that provides welcome storage for all your essentials. The child-safe materials bring peace of mind if you have curious little hands in the home. Thanks to its rustproof metal pieces, you can be sure it will last in humid bathroom environments, and the 5kg load capacity means it is a sturdy choice that won’t let you down. 

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