Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
Amba Radiant Hardwired + Plug-in Combo Straight 10 Bar Heated Towel Rack vs Keenray Towel Warmer CL1 PLUS
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Towel Warmers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Amba publishes everything a buyer should check on a heated rack, from the cETLus listing and 120 to 180 F surface range to the GFCI requirement in its installation guide, and the same unit works plugged in or hardwired. Keenray costs far less, needs no installation and adds a 24-hour delay timer, which is the feature that makes a bucket useful on busy mornings.
Amba Radiant Hardwired + Plug-in Combo Straight 10 Bar Heated Towel Rack
Buy itA 10-bar stainless wall rack that plugs in or hardwires, is cETLus listed and is designed to run continuously.
- Ships as a plug-in unit with the parts for hardwire conversion, so it suits a finished bathroom now and a remodel later.
- Amba lists it as cETLus listed, with a 150 W, 1.25 A rating at 120 V and a 120 to 180 F surface temperature range.
- Comes with an illuminated on/off switch on the rack and a two-year limited warranty, and offers six finishes.
- Amba rates it for two towels, and a rack warms them more gently than a closed bucket does.
- There is no built-in timer; Amba's timers and smart switch are add-on wall controls listed for hardwired installs.
- The installation guide calls for a certified electrician, a GFCI-protected circuit and, for plug-in use, a grounded outlet with no extension cord.
Keenray Towel Warmer CL1 PLUS
Buy itA 20 L bucket for two 40 x 70 inch bath towels with a delay timer of up to 24 hours, three heat settings and a child lock.
- The delay timer adds time in 30-minute steps up to 24 hours, so a towel can be hot when you get out of the morning shower.
- The manual lists three heat settings (75, 80 and 85 C), a temperature view and a child safety lock.
- Keenray rates it for two 40 x 70 inch bath towels in a 20 L tub, with a 450 W maximum draw and a 6 ft cord.
- The product page summary lists 30/45/60/90 minute heat times while the manual lists 15, 30, 45 and 60, so expect 60 minutes as the safe assumption.
- Neither the product page nor the manual we read names a safety listing such as ETL or UL.
- No warranty term is stated on the product page.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Amba Radiant Hardwired + Plug-in Combo Straight 10 Bar Heated Towel Rack Our pick | Keenray Towel Warmer CL1 PLUS | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Homeowners who want towels dried and kept warm on the wall every day, with the option to hide the wiring later. | Anyone who wants a hot towel or robe on a schedule without installing anything. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Type | Wall-mounted 10-bar rack | Freestanding bucket |
| Power | 150 W | 450 W max |
| Capacity (maker rating) | 2 towels | 20 L, two 40 x 70 in towels |
| Timer | None built in (add-on wall controls) | 15 to 60 min per manual, plus delay up to 24 h |
| Heat control | None (120 to 180 F surface range) | 3 settings: 75, 80, 85 C |
| Safety listing named | cETLus | None found |
| Installation | Plug-in or hardwire; GFCI circuit | Plug in, 6 ft cord |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | Not stated on page |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Amba Radiant Hardwired + Plug-in Combo Straight 10 Bar Heated Towel Rack if
homeowners who want towels dried and kept warm on the wall every day, with the option to hide the wiring later.
Know before buying: amba rates it for two towels, and a rack warms them more gently than a closed bucket does.
Pick the Keenray Towel Warmer CL1 PLUS if
anyone who wants a hot towel or robe on a schedule without installing anything.
Know before buying: the product page summary lists 30/45/60/90 minute heat times while the manual lists 15, 30, 45 and 60, so expect 60 minutes as the safe assumption.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Amba Radiant Hardwired + Plug-in Combo Straight 10 Bar Heated Towel Rack - A 10-bar stainless wall rack that plugs in or hardwires, is cETLus listed and is designed to run continuously. Choose the Keenray Towel Warmer CL1 PLUS instead if anyone who wants a hot towel or robe on a schedule without installing anything.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Towel Warmers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).