A soft, luxurious towel turns a daily shower into a spa experience. However, if your towels are looking more threadbare than Zen, there are options aplenty. From Turkish cotton to lightweight waffle weaves, towels come in a variety of designs and fabrics, all of which affect their feel and absorbency.
Everyone has their personal preferences, so we reviewed a variety of towel types to bring you six of the best, most absorbent towels available. To make sure you feel sufficiently pampered, we’ve also included a shopping guide to help you find towels in colors and fabrics that work for your lifestyle.
6 Best Bath Towels of 2024
Best Bath Towels Overall:
Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towels
Oversized, high pile, 700 gsm Turkish cotton makes these towels ones you’ll want to wrap up in long after taking a bath. Made with a “zero-twist” process, more surface area of each cotton thread contacts the body for better absorbency.
$34 from Frontgate.comBest Bath Towels Overall: Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towels
Best Extra Plush Bath Towels: Abyss Super Line Towels
Best Turkish Style Bath Towels: Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towels
Best Quick-Drying Bath Towels: Polyte Quick Dry Microfiber Towels
Best Oversized Bath Towels: Utopia Towels Jumbo Bath Sheet
Best Ribbed Bath Towels: Classic Turkish Towels Ribbed Bath Towels
Best Bath Towel Overall:
Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towels
- Made of long-staple, 700 gsm Turkish cotton
- Wide color selection
- “Zero-twist” process to expose more cotton surface in each thread
Frontgate’s Resort towels really do bring the amenities of the resort into your home, with every square meter of these towels saying opulence. They’re made of some of the finest 700 gsm, long-staple Turkish cotton. Long-staple cotton has superior strength and durability, so they typically last longer than average. These 700 gsm weight towels feel plush and have the surface area to soak up a lot of water.
If you love to really wrap up in your towel, their oversized design will more than hug every inch of your body. Their high-quality includes an OEKO-TEX certification, which means they’re free of chemicals harmful to humans and the environment.
Tip: Extend the life of your towels by only washing them with other towels and separating them into lights and darks.
Best Extra Plush Bath Towels:
Abyss Super Line Towels
- Heavyweight — 1,200 gsm — for extra absorbency
- Made of high-quality Egyptian cotton
- Wide color selection
An extra plush towel should feel heavy and offer incredible absorbency, and the Abyss Super Line does just that. A heavy 1,200 gsm gives the towels a weight (and surface area) that feels almost like a blanket. High-quality Egyptian cotton, with its naturally extra-long staples, makes the entire surface area incredibly absorbent.
A wide color selection means you can match the towels to your existing decor, pick two complementary colors, or add a variety of color in the bathroom. A word of caution — the high pile on these towels makes them easy to snag.
Tip: A cotton’s staple refers to the length of each cotton fiber. Longer staples create greater strength within each thread for a softer, more durable fabric. Combed cotton is another durable cotton alternative. It has had all the short fibers removed or “combed,” so it’s a less expensive but soft alternative.
Best Turkish Style Bath Towels:
Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towels
- Made from GOTS-certified, organic Turkish cotton
- High/low weave to reduce weight and maximize absorbency
- Hand-knotted fringe trim
Turkish cotton rivals Egyptian in quality. However, Coyuchi’s Mediterranean design adds an exotic vibe and spa-like feel. A high-low weave increases the surface area of each towel to maximize absorption while keeping the towels relatively low weight. Hand-knotted fringe trim provides a stylish touch. More importantly, these towels are soft with a luxurious feel against the skin.
These bath towels are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, which means they’ve been independently tested and certified to be made of 70 percent organic fibers. With this organic cotton, you’re not going to encounter chemicals harmful to humans or the environment.
Tip:To maintain the soft feel and overall integrity of the Coyuchi towels, they must be washed on a gentle cycle in cold water and dried on low heat.
Best Quick-Drying Bath Towels:
Polyte Quick Dry Microfiber Towels
- Soft texture
- Lightweight with high absorbency
- Folds down to a compact size
Wet climates, heavy use, or travel are all a few reasons you may need a towel to dry quickly. The Polyte Quick Dry Microfiber Towels dry the user quickly, but the towels themselves dry fast too, so there are no smelly, sour towels left behind. A high pile microfiber maximizes surface area to absorb more water away from the body. All that absorbency and drying come with a soft texture that feels far higher-end than the price suggests.
These microfiber towels are relatively lightweight, and they fold down to a small compact size, making them perfect for trips to the beach or for traveling.
Tip: Be careful when using skin products with benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. If you don’t thoroughly wash your hands before drying, the peroxides can bleach the towel.
Best Oversized Bath Towels:
Utopia Towels Jumbo Bath Sheet
- 100 percent cotton
- 35 x 70-inch bath sheets
- Holds color well
29.99 from Amazon.com
If you want to be completely enveloped in a bath towel, the Utopia Towels are for you. These large 35 x 70-inch towels wrap around at least 1.5 times or more depending on your size. They’re made with 100 percent cotton in a ringspun design to increase the overall surface area and absorbency.
Despite their large size, these towels are relatively lightweight. You can pack them to the beach without feeling like you’re taking along a winter blanket. They’re also an affordable option for those who love a large towel but have a tight budget.
Tip: Do not use fabric softeners or irons on bath towels, as they can damage the fibers.
Best Ribbed Bath Towels:
Classic Turkish Towels Ribbed Bath Towels
- Turkish cotton
- Large-sized, standard towel
- No harmful chemicals used during the manufacturing process
In the towel world, Turkish cotton rivals Egyptian cotton. The Classic Turkish Towels use cotton that’s grown and manufactured in Turkey. The ribbed style is reminiscent of spas and high-end hotels, giving your bathroom a touch of luxury at home. Like most towels, they come in hand towels and bath sheets as well as different colors.
These are great towels if you prefer the ribbed style. However, you may want to wash them once or twice before the first use to remove the factory finish and maximize their absorbency.
Tip: Be careful with how much detergent you use on your towels. Too much detergent can leave behind residue that makes the towels feel rough and stiff.
Types of Bath Towels
A towel is a towel, right? Not exactly. New towels in a ribbed or waffle weave might be the perfect look for one bathroom but not for another. And there may be a type that feels better to you based on personal preferences.
| Fabric | |
| Cotton | Microfiber |
| Cotton is a naturally absorbent material. It also gets softer with each washing. However, the type and quality of the cotton make a big difference in a towel’s absorbency, durability, and comfort. Pima, Egyptian, and Turkish cotton are higher quality cottons with long and extra-long staples (ELS). The staple is the length of the individual cotton fibers. Longer fibers feel softer and are tougher, making them more durable. They’re also more expensive. Combed cotton is made of shorter fibers, but the fibers have been “combed” to remove the shortest threads. They don’t have the durability of the more expensive kinds of cotton, but they feel just as soft and absorb well. Be aware that cotton shrinks, so cotton towels will lose some size in the first few washings. | Microfiber has many pieces of splayed fibers that increase the absorbent surface area. They’re lightweight and dry quickly. With the right treatments, it can also be very soft. Microfiber costs less than natural materials like cotton or bamboo. Keep in mind that microfiber attracts hair, lint, and everything else you might find in the dryer. It should only be washed with other microfiber textiles to prevent getting unwanted additions to your towel. |
| Bamboo | |
| Bamboo feels much like cotton and naturally resists mildew and mold. There are claims that it’s more sustainable, but that’s debatable due to the processing the bamboo goes through to become a textile. Bamboo towels are not quite as absorbent as cotton but typically perform better than microfiber. However, if softness ranks high on your priority list, a bamboo towel will work well. | |
| Special Weaves | |
| Ribbed | Waffle Weave |
| Ribbed towels can be made of microfiber or cotton, but their ribbed design gives them a distinct feel. Their absorbency depends on their material type. Some people prefer a ribbed design because it noticeably rubs on the skin. However, it really is a matter of preference. | A waffle weave increases a towel’s surface area without adding weight by creating pockets that look like a honeycomb within the fabric. The overall absorbency of a waffle weave towel will depend on the fabric, with cotton providing the best absorbency. |
What Makes a Good Bath Towel?
Towels have direct contact with delicate skin. You need something that dries you, but the best bath towel should also feel wonderful when it touches the body.
| Pile | Pile fabrics have loops or tufts of fabric that extend from the body of the textile, increasing the absorbent surface area of a towel. The higher the pile, the more surface area this is to absorb moisture. Look for thick, densely packed piles/loops for a truly luxurious bath experience. If you can see the fabric between the loops, the towel won’t absorb as well and probably won’t last as long. Keep in mind that a long, high pile may take longer to dry in between uses. |
| Size | There’s some variation in standard towel sizes from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they’re generally: – Washcloth – 12 x 12 inches – Hand towel – 15 to 20 x 25 to 30 inches – Bath Towel – 25 to 30 x 45 to 60 inches – Bath Sheet – 30 to 40 x 50 to 70 inches Some people love to completely wrap up in a large bath towel, while others just like to dry and move on. Base your choice on what you prefer. Towels often come in sets that include one or two bath towels or sheets along with a hand towel and washcloth. Some manufacturers sell items separately in case you need one size over another. |
| Absorbency | Towels need maximum surface area to absorb more water without adding too much weight and size. The material and weave of the towel determine the absorbency. That’s why terry towels and other cotton or microfiber pile fabrics increase absorbency without making the towel overly bulky. Cotton boasts the best absorbency with microfiber and bamboo coming in behind it. The quality of the materials matters, too, with high-quality, long-staple cottons making the most luxurious and absorbent towels. |
| Drying Time | We’re referring to how long it takes the towel to dry after use, not how long it takes to dry the user. Drying times vary by fabric and weave, just like absorbency. Fast-drying towels tend to be lightweight and made of microfiber. If the towel is too plush for your climate, the towel may not dry between uses, retaining moisture and may start to smell. A heavy, luxurious cotton may take too long to dry in a wet environment, so consider your climate when deciding on a fabric and towel weight. |
| Weight | Fabric weight is measured in grams per square meter (gsm). A towel with a high gsm (450 or higher) will weigh more than a towel with a low gsm (450 and below). Washcloths and hand towels typically have a lower gsm, and generally speaking, absorbent bath towels have a higher gsm. There are instances when you may want a low gsm, like when traveling or going to the beach. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a towel based on how soft it feels right out of the packaging?
Towels can feel deceptively soft right out of the packaging because manufacturers often add softeners or finishes before shipping. The softeners wash off after one or two trips through the washing machine, leaving you with a towel that doesn’t feel nearly as soft as it once did.
A better indicator of softness is the weave and fabric content. High-quality towels are typically made of 100 percent cotton. Egyptian, Turkish, and Pima cottons have ELS or long-staple fibers, making them even more luxurious. Cotton also gets softer with age and use.
Look at the pile and the pile density to determine how heavy and “full” the towel will feel. High-quality cottons with a high pile and density will feel the best, especially after a few washes.
How can I keep the edges of my towels from fraying?
Look for towels with double-stitched hems at the ends and on the sides. They’ll stand up to more washing, lasting longer. Some designs, like traditional Turkish towels, have features like tassels that look great but may not hold up as well to frequent washes.
What should I look for in my towel if I have sensitive skin?
A rough towel can wreak havoc on sensitive skin. High-quality organic cotton works well if textures cause your skin trouble. In addition, organic cotton hasn’t been exposed to harsh chemicals to potentially irritate the skin. Mold and mildew can also cause skin problems. For that reason, if you live in a wet climate, a quick-drying towel made of microfiber is a good option.
Final Advice
A plush, luxurious towel can give you a spa-like experience at home. Consider the weaves and fabrics that feel the best to you but also have good absorbency. And, with the right bath towels, you can pamper yourself every day.
