Choose a manual valve if you want to adjust the towel radiator by hand. Choose a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) if you want the valve to respond automatically to the air temperature around it and your installer confirms it suits the system.
How the two types behave
A manual valve holds the position you select. It does not sense when the bathroom warms up. A TRV reduces water flow as the air around its sensor approaches the chosen setting and increases flow again as the room cools. A warm bathroom and a cooler rail can therefore be normal with a TRV.
Will the valve head be able to sense the room?
Check the space around the valve head before choosing a TRV. A towel draped over it or a cabinet close to the sensor can trap warm air and make the valve reduce flow too early. Leave room to read and adjust the dial. Ask your installer how the TRV should work with a room thermostat, particularly if the thermostat is in the same room.
Check the valve shape separately
Both control types can come in different shapes. Take a photo of the pipework and check the fitting drawing for the selected rail. Use our straight or angled valves guide for the geometry, then browse radiator valves for the connection and finish you need. Confirm exactly what is supplied with the selected pair.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning a TRV up make the room warm faster?
A higher setting raises the temperature the valve aims for. It does not make the boiler heat the water faster.
Is the lockshield the same as the manual valve?
The lockshield is normally set during balancing to control flow through the circuit. Use the valve intended for everyday adjustment and ask your installer to set the lockshield.
For the full buying checklist, see the towel radiator valves and fittings guide.