According to Bedding and Bath Pros, These 9 Bath Towels Are The Best (original) (raw)

I never thought much about the quality of my bath towel before I began testing products for a living, and now I play favorites. Some towels sit in my linen closet on reserve for a week when I'm behind on laundry—which is a motivator to do my laundry so I don’t have to suffer through using those towels. I prefer a thick, fluffy bath towel that feels equivalent to wrapping up in a warm bathrobe, and I like to stick to white towels too for easy washing.

Our team has tested over 150 bath towels over the past two years, and we’ve discovered some standout designs that stay soft and absorbent over months and years of use. We’ve also found the designs that no one wants: scratchy and stiff, or so thin and unabsorbent you wouldn’t even use it to bathe your dog.

Ahead, I’ve laid out the best bath towels for every category that you may play favorites with: soft, heavyweight, or quick-drying. We’ve even given a spotlight to two of our favorite bath towels that are especially wallet-friendly, and a waffle weave bath towel I personally approve of (as a fluffy towel snob).

Now Testing

We're currently testing the Buffy Deluxe Cotton Bath Towels and Quince Turkish Ribbed Quick Dry Bath Towel. We'll update this list accordingly with our findings when testing concludes.

Editor's Note: This list was updated in January 2025 with additional expert tips from our team.

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

I recently got married, and when I was creating my wedding registry, there was no doubt in my mind which bath towels I was adding to my list. The Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towel has been our team’s favorite for over two years. In that time we’ve re-tested it twice, and it still holds up to our initial high praise.

Now that I’ve had my own set of Hydrocotton towels for about a month, I completely understand the excitement. This towel offers a premium feel without sacrificing performance and dependability.

The texture is fluffy and dense, but not overly so. It has a substantial construction but isn’t too heavy, which makes it both comfortable and effective. I’m always so excited to wrap up in this towel after a shower. It’s the perfect balance of plushness without being too heavy.

I messaged my teammate who has been using this towel for over nine months, and she agrees that it’s one of the softest towels she owns even after many washes. We have noticed a slight change in softness, but it still feels great against the skin, with no rough texture or scratchiness.

The towel is made from organic long-staple Turkish cotton, which gives it a standout texture and impressive absorbency. It has a notably luxurious and high-end feel, and we think it offers great value considering its price point.

The only downside of this towel’s softness is it releases a significant amount of lint in the dryer during the first few washes. While this is normal for most bath towels, you may notice a little bit of loose lint on your hands and body after the initial use of this towel.

This is a towel design that we’d readily put out for overnight guests to use so they can be as comfortable as possible.

Size: 55 x 28 inches | Material: Organic long-staple Turkish cotton | Weight: 550 GSM | Return Window: 30 days

Tip From Our Team

Bath towels may become rougher after the very first wash (or before you even use them for the first time). Manufacturers often treat the fibers so they feel extra fluffy and luxurious while you're shopping. - Heather Adams, senior editor on the bedding, bath, and home decor team

The Spruce Team Finds the Best Bath Towels

Best Budget

If you’re looking for a towel you can easily replace when needed, these two picks are our favorite budget bath towels we’ve tested. I used the Threshold Quick-Dry Ribbed Bath Towels in college and they lasted me all four years. While I saw some bleach stains from skincare products, they maintained their texture through unreliable college dorm laundry machines. We also love the Better Homes & Gardens Signature Soft Melange Bath Towel, which have been added to my teammate’s regular towel rotation. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by The Spruce’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.)

The Threshold Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towel Set inside of a cabinet

Walmart Better Homes & Gardens Signature Soft Mélange Bath Towel

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

A close runner-up to Pottery Barn’s Hydrocotton towel, the Southern Living Turkish Cotton and Modal Bath Towel has maintained its soft texture for over one year (and many trips to the laundromat). (Southern Living is owned by The Spruce’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.)

While our favorite Pottery Barn towel has a middleweight of 550 GSM, this fluffy pick from Southern Living has a higher weight at 700 GSM. This means that the towel is slightly more absorbent; however, the downside is that it takes a little longer to dry. This is standard for plusher, heavier towels.

This towel has held up to aggressive laundromat washing and drying, which we attribute to the cotton-modal blend of its fibers. Modal is a type of synthetic material, often added to cotton for further strength. Additionally, the zero-twist fibers (a technique where the cotton fibers are wrapped together without breaking them) allow the cotton to maintain its soft texture longer and ensure its absorbency.

As the cherry on top, I especially love how this towel doesn’t have a band, unlike many other designs on our list. Banded towels inevitably warp with washing and lose their nice rectangular shape. This towel’s decorative five-stripe border actually plays double duty by also allowing the towel to maintain its shape more easily through a wash cycle.

All in all, my teammate said she’s always sad when this towel goes into her dirty laundry pile and can’t wait to get it back from the laundromat so she can use it again. Sounds like she needs to purchase another set.

Size: 56 x 30 inches | Material: 80 percent cotton, 20 percent modal | Weight: 700 GSM | Return Window: 30 days

Best Heavyweight

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

There’s little more frustrating than when a towel can’t handle large amounts of water or—worse—loses its absorbency after appearing to be a promising design. Luckily, neither of these horrors is true for the Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towel.

We’ve been testing this bath towel for over a year now, and it’s still just as absorbent and thick as it was when we first received it. While my teammate did note that the towel had lost its initial softness, this hasn’t impacted the absorbency.

This towel is made from low-twist long-staple cotton fibers, as opposed to the Pottery Barn Hydrocotton and Southern Living towels, which are both created with no-twist yarns. This difference is the reason for the Boll & Branch losing its initial softness. While low-twist cotton yarns are still durable, they are slightly more likely to lose their softness with use.

The low-twist yarns also help this towel to dry within a reasonable amount of time, despite its weight, because there is more air between the cotton fibers. We are a little disappointed that Boll & Branch doesn’t actually list this towel’s GSM on the product page; although we will vouch for its thickness against other towels we’ve tested.

My teammate had to swap this towel out in the California summertime because it was a bit too thick to dry between uses. Despite a slightly longer dry time, we do think this towel is a great option for larger and taller bodies or those who prefer an ultra-absorbent towel.

Size: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Organic long-staple cotton | Weight: Not listed | Return Window: 30 days

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

The Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel is aptly named because it still reminds us of a spa towel even with over a year of use. While this towel is not oversized in dimension, it does feel oversized because of its 700 GSM weight. This higher weight means the towel is ultra-absorbent and its Turkish cotton composition makes it very soft.

While the Frontgate product page doesn’t disclose whether this towel’s yarns are no-twist or low-twist, it does include that these towels are made with Frontgate’s proprietary Special Spinsoft weave. This weave is supposed to result in a durable, absorbent, and soft cotton yarn. Based on our experience, we can vouch for this towel’s durability, which washes well and is still absorbent.

Similar to our other favorite heavyweight towel, the Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towel, this design from Frontgate is quite fluffy. You may find that you want to swap it out in the summer if you live in a particularly muggy region. It’s also best to hang this towel on a towel bar between uses to ensure it has plenty of room to fully dry.

Size: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Weight: 700 GSM | Return Window: 90 days

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

If you hate the transition from your steamy shower area to your cold bathroom, Brooklinen's Super-Plush Bath Towel is another great cozy heavyweight design. This towel has a thick and fluffy texture that’s also great for colder winter mornings.

It’s also the heaviest pick on our list with a weight of 820 GSM, making it a workhorse that absorbs water really well. However, because of its heaviness and thickness, it isn't as quick-drying as a waffle towel or the Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel (our best quick-drying pick). We found this Brooklinen towel to still be damp the next day. So, we wouldn't recommend using it as your hair towel but as a body towel instead.

We've been particularly impressed by this towel’s stain resistance and easy maintenance. My teammate who’s used this towel at home for over a year said it has remained bright white and even her blue retinol doesn’t leave behind stains.

Size: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Weight: 820 GSM | Return Window: 365 days

Tip From Our Team

If you prefer a heavyweight towel like one of the three designs we’ve listed above, you may find that a towel warmer will help the towel dry faster and prevent musty odors.- Emma Phelps, associate editor on the bedding, bath, and home decor team

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

In addition to the Pottery Barn Hydrocotton bath towel, I also have the Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Bath Towel sitting in my linen closet. As a waffle bath towel skeptic, this design has set the bar high. The airy waffle weave makes this towel super quick to dry, so it’s our go-to during muggy summer days.

One of my teammates has also been testing this towel for nine months and says it’s still absorbent, despite being a pretty thin design. It also holds up well in the wash, which is a true feat for any waffle bath towel, as they tend to lose their shape with washing.

We’ve both noticed that “holes” may appear in the waffle weave from other towel fibers getting stuck in the towel during the wash cycle, but they aren’t actual holes in the towel itself and go away with gentle fluffing of the material. I will also note that my fingernails and jewelry tend to catch on this towel, so it may not be conducive to every lifestyle.

While I prefer a fluffy towel, my husband is a big fan of this towel for its stretchy and absorbent nature. He even asks if there’s a clean one in the linen closet when he’s swapping out his towel each week.

My last word of caution for this towel is that I've noticed some persistent bleach stains (I have the ocean blue color). I’m not sure if the stains are from a skincare product or the washing machine, but be sure to keep this in mind if you’re eyeing one of Brooklinen’s brighter color options.

Dimensions: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Turkish cotton | Weight: 290 GSM | Return Window: 365 days

Tip From Our Team

Always wash your dark towels separately from white ones, especially if you see frequent stains from makeup and face cleansers. This will also ensure no color bleeding happens during the wash or dry cycles. - Bianca Pineda, writer on the bedding, bath, and home decor team

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

Despite the Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel’s impressive 800 GSM weight, it is very quick to dry, making it one of our favorite designs with this quality. This towel doesn’t feel quite as luxurious as Frontgate’s Resort Collection towel, which is why we’ve noted its quick-drying properties as opposed to its heavy weight.

We’ve been using this towel at home for nine months, and love how absorbent it is, and we haven’t noticed any change in this with washing. While we wouldn’t describe this towel as soft as our favorite from Pottery Barn, it’s also not scratchy, so this may be the perfect towel for people who don’t love overly plush options.

The one flaw we have noticed with this towel is that it has begun to shrink around the dobby band at each end. While shrinkage in this area is typical for towels, we suggest avoiding a high-heat dryer setting to mitigate shrinkage with this particular design.

Size: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Long-staple Egyptian cotton | Weight: 800 GSM | Return Window: 90 days

Final Verdict

Our overall best bath towel is the Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towel, a well-priced and well-designed towel that we think most users will enjoy. If you prefer a thinner towel that’s lightweight and still soft, we recommend the Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Bath Towel.

How We Tested the Bath Towels

We’ve tested over 150 bath towels over the past two years, and our testing methods have evolved several times to focus on texture and absorption. When we were initially testing towels in The Lab, we had no way of measuring how the towels would feel with repeated use or whether they’d dry in damp bathroom-like conditions. This led us to focusing our testing at home so our team of editors had more time to truly evaluate the towel’s performance against typical wear and tear.

We’ve learned that towels that weigh more than 600 GSM take longer to dry, especially in warmer climates and bathrooms with poor ventilation. We’ve also learned that mid-weight towels are most comfortable and practical for everyday use. Towels in that 600+ GSM range can feel too stifling on some bodies and can also be difficult to wrap around your body and keep it wrapped when completing a post-shower routine.

Additionally, the way you wash your towels can make or break their long-term performance. Washing your towels in hot water can degrade the cotton too quickly, causing them to become scratchy and lose their absorbent properties. Similarly, too many high-heat dry cycles can shrink the towels (especially the band), which also lessens their absorption. We also like to steer clear of fabric softeners and dryer sheets when laundering our towels as this can leave a thin coating on the fibers which changes their texture.

Tip From Our Team

If your bath towels have gotten considerably rougher after months of use and washing, try washing them with a little vinegar. It can remove detergent buildup on the fibers and restore some of the original feel. - Heather Adams, senior editor on the bedding, bath, and home decor team

A quality towel can withstand regular washing, maintains its original texture (or only wears slightly), and continues to absorb water months after it was purchased. All of these towels on our list are favorites among our editors for their texture, dry times, and durability.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

How to Choose the Best Bath Towel

Identify Durable and Absorbent Materials

We’ve learned that cotton towels made with long-staple yarns are going to be the most resilient options to ensure they stay fluffy and absorbent for months. Despite testing a range of fabrics, including microfiber, bamboo, and linen, we really do prefer cotton because of its durability.

All of the picks on our list (except our best budget options) are made from Egyptian or Turkish cotton, meaning the fibers won’t break and become scratchy with use. Both of these cotton varieties are known for their durability and softness, which means they’re slightly more expensive than other options on the market

I like to consider bath towels an investment staple for my home, so purchasing a towel that’s guaranteed to last with proper care may be worth the higher upfront cost. It’s especially easier than continuously replacing towels each year because they can’t hold up to typical wear.

My favorite towel, the Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towel, is made from 100 percent organic long-staple Turkish cotton, and you can feel the quality of the material even after several washes.

You’ll also notice that some of our towel picks have organic certifications—GOTS being the most common. These are just as soft and plush but offer added peace of mind that the materials have been vetted to be free from pesticides and other chemicals throughout the finishing process. Multiple products on this list are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, including one of our best heavyweight options, the Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towel.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Prioritize Larger-Sized Towels

Standard bath towels are usually between 27 to 30 inches wide and 52 to 58 inches long. The majority of the picks on our list are 58 inches long and 30 inches wide, so they’re at the larger end of standard towel sizing to ensure they fit all body sizes.

Since I’m shorter, the Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towel is a great size for me at 55 x 28 inches because I can still comfortably wrap it around my body without the fabric overwhelming me.

The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

If you want to bundle yourself up in a towel, look for bath sheets, which are larger, spa-like towels that typically measure between 35 to 40 inches wide and 60 to 70 inches long.

As you might expect, bath sheets generally cost more than standard towels. Many of our favorite bath towels also come in bath sheet sizes, including the Frontgate Resort Collection.

Pay Attention to Fabric Weight

All fabrics, including towels, have a weight that’s measured in GSM, or grams per square meter. In general, towels typically weigh between 300 and 900 GSM—the lower the number, the lighter the towel will be (and the quicker to dry).

There’s no “right” towel weight; it’s simply a matter of personal preference. Some people like lighter towels, while others prefer heavy, dense ones.

Tip From Our Team

If you don't have great ventilation in your bathroom, towel rods are better than towel hooks for storage and efficient drying. Using a towel rack prevents a mildew smell from developing too. - Bianca Pineda, writer on the bedding, bath, and home decor team.

As a general rule of thumb, towels with a GSM of 300-400 are great for humid areas, while products between 400 and 600 GSM offer a happy medium between plush and lightweight.

While heavier towels typically take longer to dry, we were surprised to find in our testing that our best quick-drying pick, the Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel, is our heaviest option at 820 GSM.

Don't Overlook a Towel's Absorbency

Absorbency may be important, but it's often hard to discern when you’re shopping in-store or online. There’s no way to measure a towel’s absorbency without trying it, but you can look for a few indicators that a towel will soak up plenty of water.

For one, thicker, heavier towels are generally more absorbent, as previously noted. This means towels with a higher GSM will soak up more water—but, remember, they take longer to dry out.

Further, towels made from premium cotton varieties, such as Egyptian or Turkish cotton, tend to be more absorbent, as are products made from a cotton-rayon blend.

One of the most absorbent towels we’ve tested is the Southern Living Turkish Cotton and Modal Bath Towel (our softest pick), which has a medium-weight construction. It’s also a blend of cotton and modal fibers, which gives it added absorbent properties.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Why Trust The Spruce?

Emma Phelps is an associate editor at The Spruce specializing in bedding and bath content. Phelps owns several of the towels on this list and prefers a medium-weight density that’s quick to dry in her bathroom. As a former competitive swimmer, she can’t stand a towel that won’t quickly dry her off and maintain its absorbency with repeated washing.