Bray Heated Towel Rails: The Complete Guide
Bray heated towel rails, done properly.
The complete guide to the Sol*Aire Bray range: electric, dual fuel and central heating heated towel rails in chrome, white, black and anthracite, sold by Adax by Solaire since 2009.
Fifteen years of the same honest ladder rail.
The Bray is our longest-running heated towel rail, a classic ladder design with round tubes and grouped bars that suits bathrooms and kitchens of every style. Every Bray towel radiator is made from 1.5mm steel, around 50 percent thicker than the average towel warmer. That extra steel does two jobs: it holds and emits more heat, and it protects the rail against rust and pinhole leaks for years longer than budget alternatives.
The Bray is available in four finishes (polished chrome, gloss white, black and fine-textured anthracite), in 400mm and 500mm widths, and in heights from 800mm up to 1500mm. Whether you need a compact towel dryer for an en-suite or a tall bathroom radiator that heats the whole room, there is a Bray to fit.
Three ways to run it. One right answer for your bathroom.
No plumbing at all.
A purely electric heated towel rail runs independently of your central heating. The rail arrives pre-filled with a sealed blend of water and anti-corrosion glycol, so there is no plumbing at all: a qualified electrician connects it to a fused spur and it is ready to use. Electric is the right choice for en-suites, cloakrooms, and any bathroom where you want warm towels in summer without running the boiler.
Best of both seasons.
A dual fuel towel rail connects to your central heating system and also has an electric element. In winter it heats with the rest of the house; in summer, or whenever the boiler is off, you switch to the element and still get dry towels. Every dual fuel Bray is supplied as a complete kit with radiator valves and the electric element included. If you already own a central heating rail, our dual fuel conversion kits can add electric operation to it.
Plumbed in, boiler-led.
A central heating towel rail plumbs into your existing wet system like any other radiator, heating whenever the boiler runs. It is the simplest option if your bathroom heating already comes from the boiler and you do not need summer towel drying.
From simple switch to full schedule.
Standard element
Simple constant-power heating with no timer. The most affordable way into an electric or dual fuel Bray. See the electric no-timer rails and dual fuel no-timer rails.
Thermostat and timer
A thermostatic element with 24 hour timer programs lets you set exactly when the rail heats and to what temperature, so you are not paying to warm towels overnight. These elements are Eco Design / Lot 20 compliant, meeting European energy efficiency regulations.
WiFi app control
The Bray itself is currently offered with thermostat and timer control. If you want full smartphone scheduling through the Solaire app, our WiFi controlled towel rails include the stainless steel Sulby, the round-tube Alpine and the Greeba.
Every reference. One overview.
All live Bray straight models by finish and heating type:
| Finish | Electric | Electric + Thermostat/Timer | Dual Fuel | Dual Fuel + Thermostat/Timer | Central Heating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | View | View | View | View | View |
| White | View | View | View | View | View |
| Black | View | View | View | View | View |
| Anthracite | View | View | View | View | View |
Or browse the full Bray collection in one place.
Two questions decide it.
How much wall space you have, and whether the rail is warming towels or heating the room.
Towel warming only
A compact rail (400 or 500mm wide, 800mm high) is enough. Smaller rails are also cheaper to run because they are not trying to heat the whole room.
Room heating too
Allow roughly 80W of output per square metre of bathroom floor. A tall Bray (1200mm to 1500mm) works much like a conventional radiator, warming the room as well as the towels.
Bathroom safety
Electric Bray models are suitable for standard bathroom installation, connected to a fused spur by a qualified electrician in line with UK wiring regulations.
Looking for a curved or WiFi Bray?
Two parts of the Bray family have been retired, so here is where to go instead:
Bray curved: the curved version is no longer made. The straight Bray is the direct replacement, built from the same 1.5mm steel in the same finishes and configurations, and the table above covers every option. If you specifically want a curved profile in stainless steel, call us on 01325 717 899 and we will advise on current alternatives.
Bray WiFi: the WiFi version of the Bray is not currently available. For app-controlled heating the closest matches are the Sulby stainless steel rail (dry element, chrome, black, brass or brushed steel) and the Alpine WiFi, both controlled through the Solaire app with thermostat, timer, and open window recognition. The full range is in WiFi app controlled towel rails.
In their words.
Gave excellent customer service and a very good quality radiator.
Verified Bray customerAppears to be a good product, very pleased so far.
Verified Bray customerShould do the job nicely, looks good as well, very happy.
Verified Bray customerGreat looking item. Well packed. Swift service. Thank you.
Verified Bray customerGood service, product and speedy delivery. Thank you.
Verified Bray customerBefore you buy.
What is the difference between the Bray and the Alpine?
Both are round-tube ladder rails. The Bray has grouped bars in the traditional style, while the Alpine has evenly spaced bars for a more contemporary look. The Bray offers more finishes (chrome, white, black and anthracite against the Alpine’s chrome, anthracite and brass options) and more size choices.
Do electric Bray rails need filling?
No. Electric Bray rails arrive pre-filled with a sealed mix of water and anti-corrosion glycol, set at the factory. There is nothing to top up in normal use. Dual fuel models are filled from the central heating system in the usual way.
Can a Bray towel rail heat the whole bathroom?
Yes, if sized correctly. Allow around 80W per square metre of floor space. The taller 1200mm to 1500mm models have enough output to act as the room’s main radiator in a typical bathroom, as well as drying towels.
Who can install an electric Bray?
A qualified electrician should connect the rail to a fused spur in line with BS 7671 and Part P of the Building Regulations. There is no plumbing on a purely electric model. Dual fuel models also need a plumber or heating engineer for the central heating connection.
Is delivery free?
Yes. Free next working day delivery applies to mainland UK and Isle of Man orders. Call 01325 717 899 for delivery to other areas or for advice on choosing the right model.
Ready for warm towels every morning?
Every Bray, Alpine, Sulby and Greeba towel rail, in all finishes and heating types. Free next working day delivery to mainland UK and Isle of Man.
Shop All Heated Towel Rails