January 25th, 2023 by Sarah Miles

If you want an alternative to a standard wet system radiator in a bathroom, there are some excellent electric options. You do have a bit more to think about with a bathroom heater than one for other rooms because, of course, it has to be safe to be used around water. Size tends to be more of a consideration, as bathrooms are often small, plus you may want rails to dry towels.

The following types of heaters are all suitable for bathroom use (IP rated where the second number is a minimum of 4) and may just tick different boxes, depending on what you are looking for:

Electric panel heaters for bathrooms

Benefits: panel heaters offer great heat output and are very energy efficient so low cost to run. They often come with a range of features and functions, such as timers, thermostats and even smart features which allow you to control them using an app. They also come in a range of sizes, so you can choose one suitable for the space you have.

Suitable for: panel heaters are suitable for most types of bathrooms, as long as you have the space on the wall to accommodate them. You will need to have them installed by an electrician but it’s a fairly small job for them.

While you cannot hang towels directly on this type of heater, the warm air that they create in the room should allow towels to be dried elsewhere within the space.

Models you may wish to consider:

• MYLEK Electric Panel Heater with 24/7 Timer and Thermostat
  If you are looking to keep costs low, this MYLEK heater starts at just £71.99 but still comes with features such as a 24/7 timer and thermostat.
• MYLEK Ceramic Electric Panel Heater with 24/7 Timer
  Being Lot20 compliant and with a ceramic heating element, this is a very energy-efficient heater to run and looks really stylish with its vertical lines. There are four size options available, and they start at £139.99. 

Heated Towel Rails

Benefits: towel rails are a really popular choice for bathrooms because you can dry your towels very effectively on them. With multiple rails, there is plenty of space for even large families. They look really modern and, being vertical, they offer plenty of heating area without needing a lot of horizontal wall space.

Suitable for: towel rails suit most bathrooms but they’re especially good for any with wall space restrictions and those who want something really stylish. They don’t tend to come with timers as panel heaters do, so you will need to turn them on as you need them, but they do heat quickly.

Models you may wish to consider:

• MYLEK Electric Ladder Heated Towel Rail
  This attractive tall towel rail will add something to any bathroom décor and offers efficient heat as well as plenty of space for drying your towels. Available in two sizes, prices start at £119.99.

Fan Heaters

Benefits: a fan heater does exactly what you’d expect it to do from its name; it warms the space by pushing warm air out using a fan. They are compact in size and one of the most cost-effective heaters you can buy.

Suitable for: fan heaters are especially good for small bathrooms as they need very little wall space and you would usually mount them quite high, out of the way. They are also good for those on a budget.

Models you may wish to consider:

• MYLEK Electric Bathroom Heater
  Super compact and unobtrusive, this heater has precise thermostatic controls, a timer, an anti-frost setting, and open window detection so you get a huge number of features for just £41.99. You can even use it for cool air in the summer.

Infrared Heaters

Benefits: All the heaters we’ve included so far work using convective heat, just as a central heating radiator does (they heat the air and then the warm air circulates). An alternative to that is an infrared heater, which uses radiant heat. This means it heats objects, rather than air. Radiant heat means less heat is wasted and it’s instant.

Suitable for: they are suitable for any bathroom, especially those that have people coming in and out a lot as the heat won’t escape with the air.

Models you may wish to consider:

• MYLEK Infrared Electric Bathroom Towel Rail Heater
  This heater is great for small spaces as it stands just 6cm from the wall and has a vertical design. It combines a large heating surface with a towel rail and has a 24/7 timer though, as it offers instant heat, you could just turn it on when you want to use it which could save more money on energy. Available in two sizes, prices start from £119.99.