The Cozy Bathroom Gem I’m Buying Everyone This Year (It’s So Spa-Like!)

After living in Chicago for a decade, I’ve learned that the only way to survive the long and brutal sub-zero Midwest winters is by romanticizing all the time I spend indoors — and making my home feel like a self-care getaway in itself. In my ongoing quest to create pockets of warmth and relaxation throughout my apartment, my bathroom has slowly transformed into a hygge spa-like oasis, complete with a decked-out bath tray with room for my Kindle and a glass of red wine, fresh eucalyptus in the shower, a curation of candles on every available surface, and plush bath linens that are toasty warm, thanks to my towel warmer.

Nothing makes me feel like I’m at a hotel more than wrapping myself in a just-warmed bath towel and bathrobe. Most towel warmers tend to be on the expensive side (and can be a bulky addition for small bathrooms), so I did a double take when I saw that Walmart is selling a sleek and compact rack towel warmer that’s under $75 — and I’ll be buying this well-reviewed small-space hero for all my friends and family this year. 

While most retail towel warmers (including mine) are standalone bucket containers that you put your linens and clothes in, Walmart’s Gymax Freestanding Wall Mounted Towel Warmer looks just like the hanging towel racks you see on the walls of a five-star hotel bathroom. Plus, the sleek chrome appliance is just a fraction of the price compared to competitors, while still delivering the same indulgent experience as your winter spa-cation.

A quick Google search showed that most well-rated towel warmer racks tend to cost between $150 to $1,000 online, making Walmart’s $74.99 appliance one of the cheapest options I was able to find. And, unlike my beloved yet bulky bucket towel warmer, which I’ve struggled to find a designated space for in my bathroom, Walmart’s ultra-compact version easily tucks away in a corner or can be mounted on the wall with the included installation kit.

Measuring 21.5 inches in length, 36 inches in height, and 13.5 inches in width with the attached non-slip legs (or 21 inches in length and 34 inches in height without), the Gymax Freestanding Wall Mounted Towel Warmer is a surprisingly lightweight 4.2 pounds that offers a lot of surface area for hanging the bulky items that don’t fit in traditional towel warmer containers. The all-aluminum six-rack design can also hold up to 22 pounds at a time, making it ideal for heavier pieces, or multiple towels and robes.

According to Walmart’s website, the durable aluminum material is rustproof and conducts heat more efficiently than steel. It takes just 10 minutes to get to its hottest temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can set it anywhere between there and 86 degrees. The appliance features overheating protection and energy-saving features, while the LED control makes it easy to adjust your desired temperature and also set a timer for up to eight hours. 

This hanging towel warmer ensures that you’ll be wrapped in the cozy embrace of a warm towel or bathrobe whenever you’re done bathing or want a pick-me-up during chilly mornings, but you can also use it to heat up cozy pajamas, bulky blankets (which don’t fit in my container towel warmer), socks, slippers, or even wet clothes and jackets (it has an IP44 waterproof rating). 

Based on the rave reviews online, any gift recipient will appreciate how this towel warmer effortlessly infuses a little extra luxury and hygge energy into their winter routine. Walmart shoppers called out the “amazing” towel warmer’s “quick and easy” setup, the failproof digital design, and how well it makes linens “warm and cozy,” with one saying it works better than the bucket warmer designs. 

Buy: Walmart Gymax Freestanding Wall Mounted Towel Warmer, $74.99