Almost any bath towel will do, but the best towels are absorbent, soft to the touch and quick-drying, which makes the difference between a regular shower and a luxurious bath. important. Towels come in a variety of materials, weights, and styles—and browsing the different options online can be a challenge.
To help you narrow down your choices, the Well+Good team tested some of the most popular bath towels on the market, reviewing them for absorbency, texture, and overall quality. Bonus points if they are sustainably produced or made from eco-friendly materials.
From luxurious plush towels to quick-drying towels, these six options are the best choices to upgrade your showering routine.
Best bath towels, at a glance:
Best bath towels
best stuffed animals
Brooklinen, Super Luxury Towel Pack — $64.00
- Ingredient: 100% Turkish cotton
- Weight: 820GSM
- Certificate? Yes (Oeko-Tex certified)
- Size: 58 x 30 inches
Brooklinen bath towels live up to their name: At 820 GSM, they deliver ultimate softness. Our reviewer noted that the bath towel was “heavy and warm”, making it feel like you were curled up in a heavy blanket after a shower. The towel is also absorbent, so you can expect it to quickly absorb water. Furthermore, according to our reviewer, it makes the drying process of wet hair much faster. Made from 100% Oeko-Tex certified Turkish cotton, it feels soft, if slightly glossy, on skin—ideal if you’re looking for something gentle for the face and body. One trade-off with using this plush towel is that it takes longer to dry, although our reviewer mentioned it didn’t smell musty between washes. Additionally, towels are sold in sets and come in a variety of classic and seasonal colors.
best budget
Frontgate, Resort Collection Towels — $40.00
- Ingredient: 100% Turkish cotton
- Weight: 700GSM
- Certificate? Yes (Oeko-Tex certified)
- Size: 58 x 30 inches
If you’re looking for luxury at a reasonable price, look no further than Frontgate’s plush towels. Our reviewer raved: “Probably the most luxurious, beautiful scarf I’ve ever used in my life. They are woven from Oeko-Tex certified Turkish cotton, combed to reduce shedding, thereby making them extremely soft and smooth. According to our reviewer, they have a “memory foam-like feel,” which can largely be attributed to its 700 GSM weight. However, while luxurious, these towels can be heavy when wet and can take a while to dry. Another thing our reviewers pointed out? All color options—“they come in a wide variety of colors, allowing you to mix and match to your specific style.” Choose from over 20 options, from neutrals to bright colors.
Fastest drying
Umbrellas, Waffles — $49.00
- Ingredient: 100% Turkish cotton
- Weight: 240GSM
- Certificate? Yes (Oeko-Tex certified)
- Size: 56 x 30 inches
If you prefer towels that dry faster than cotton towels, Parachute’s cotton towels are a great choice. According to our reviewer: “These towels absorb moisture quickly, but due to their soft, thin, and slightly stretchy texture, these towels dry faster than thicker towels.” At 240 GSM, you will lose some fluff, but this does not mean that the towels are any less soft. Our reviewer said: “I was expecting the waffle texture to be firmer (think: hotel white towels), but I was wrong. “Made with 100% Turkish cotton, they are soft, airy and feel like they aren’t heavy at all.” They are also attractive, she added. “These light, airy towels look more like expensive duvets than bath towels.”
The best Supima cotton
Hot Springs, Towels — $50.00
- Ingredient: 100% Cotton Supima
- Weight: 470GSM
- Certificate? Yes (Oeko-Tex certified)
- Size: 57 x 31 inches
Another alternative to the waffle weave, this bath towel from Onsen is lightweight at 470 GSM but it can wick water away from the body without much effort. Also, our reviewer mentioned that it doesn’t take long to dry after use. Its textured style gives a pleasant invigorating feel to the skin, yet is completely non-abrasive. The bath towels are made from 100% US-grown Supima cotton, known for their soft and incredibly smooth feel on skin (our reviewers confirmed this) and are Oeko-Tex certified. Our reviewer said: “Bonus: It’s not bulky so it hangs beautifully, which really elevates the look of my bathroom. You can buy it in a variety of options, from classic neutrals to eye-catching colors, like denim blue and ocher yellow.
The best alternative textiles
Cultiver, Pure Linen Bath Towels — $80.00
- Ingredient: 100% European flax
- Weight: 550GSM
- Certificate? Yes (Oeko-Tex certified)
- Size: 55 x 28 inches
If you’re interested in purchasing a bath towel made from an alternative textile, this option from Cultiver is a great choice. Our reviewer said: “If you love linen sheets, you’ll love this linen bath towel. “It’s not soft and smooth, but it feels incredibly luxurious.” It is made from 100% flax, grown in Europe and Oeko-Tex certified. This material is known for being lightweight yet absorbent, ideal for anyone who wants the best of both worlds. At 550 GSM, this towel is also quite thick—but it’s not thick enough to get wet for long periods of time. Our reviewer added that it was “probably the most beautiful bath towel I have ever owned,” noting that the fringed edges are a nice touch. “This is a premium bath towel, that’s for sure.”
best organic
Coyuchi, Temescal Organic Bath Towel — $59.00
- Ingredient: 100% Turkish cotton
- Weight: 600GSM
- Certificate? Yes (GOTS certified)
- Size: 58 x 25 inches
Our reviewer stated: “Coyuchi bath towels are where softness meets function. At 600 GSM, they are neither too thick nor too thin but fall within the Goldilocks “just right” category. In addition to their sheer beauty, our reviewer noted, “these have a soft, ribbed texture that makes them great for absorbing small water droplets that a regular towel might miss.” What may be one of the best features of these towels is that they are made with 100% GOTS certified Turkish cotton, “meaning that they comply with global sustainability standards specific to with textile manufacturing,” reported our reviewer—a big bonus for those looking to shop sustainably. While only a handful of neutrals are available, they’re versatile enough to match any bathroom.
Homebird Luxury Towel Complete Set — $167.00
- Ingredient: 100% organic cotton
- Weight: 700 GMS
- Certificate? Yes (GOTS certified)
- Size: 58 x 30 inches (towels); 30 x 20 inches (hand towel); 13 x 13 inches (wipes)
If you want to make the switch to sustainable towels, the Homebird bath towel set comes with everything you need. Included in this set are two bath towels, two hand towels, and two face towels, all made from GOTS certified primary long organic cotton. Our reviewer said: “When I step out of the shower, I want to step into a fluffy towel—the thicker the better. These towels fit the bill. At 700 GSM, our reviewers describe them as “thick and waterproof”, plus “[they] Always smooth and soft after use. While in terms of stuffing, they don’t stay damp for long. Our reviewer said: “When hung in my bathroom with the exhaust fan running, they don’t take long to dry. “In general, if you want your towel to feel like it’s hugging you, then Homebird’s plush bath towels will do the trick.” However, she recommends the brand’s Classic line if you want a super-fast drying towel.
What to look for when buying a bath towel
Parima Ijaz, founder of linen brand Pure Parima, who has drawn from years of knowledge in the textile industry, tells Well+Good that there are three things to consider when buying towels: material, weight and style.
But related story
Ingredient
First, you’ll want to think about the material of the towel. Bath towels are usually made from cotton or a cotton blend. If you’re looking for a pure cotton bath towel, look for options made with long fibers, like pima cotton and turkish cotton, which create soft and strong fibers and are gentle on skin. Thrifty shoppers may want to opt for cotton-blend towels. They are also soft, although according to Ijaz, they are not as absorbent as pure cotton options. If you’re specifically looking to buy towels made from eco-friendly materials, choose ones made from organic cotton, which typically requires less water and doesn’t require synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to grow, or alternative textiles, such as linen.
Those interested in sustainability when shopping may also want to choose options with environmental certification that involve third-party verification to check that the company is in compliance with sustainability practices. No. Reputable certifications include Oeko-Tex certification (which ensures textiles do not contain substances potentially harmful to humans and the environment) or the Global Organic Textile Standard or GOTS certification (verifies demonstrate that at least 70% of the fibers in textiles are organic and meet environmentally responsible processing standards).
Weight
The weight of the towel, measured in grams per square meter (GSM), is another factor to consider. Typically, higher GSM corresponds to thicker towels, with the trade-off being that it may take longer to dry. Those who prefer quick-drying options may want to opt for one with a lower GSM — or alternatively, a loose woven bath towel that, thanks to its breathable design, won’t get wet for long periods of time and risk moldy. odor between washes.
Style
Functionality aside, you may want to choose a bath towel that suits your aesthetic sensibilities. Luckily, there are plenty of options on the market, from neutrals to bright hues, so you’re bound to find a color that makes you look forward to your shower and next moment, aka “time.” towel wrap”.
How to take care of your towels
A quality towel, says Ijaz, will last for 5 to 10 years with regular use. If you want to make sure they last Long With time, proper care is essential. Follow the specific care instructions on your towel label as they can vary widely between brands. For example, many towels can be safely machine washed while others require air drying — or at least the manufacturer recommends.
Our editors independently select these products. Purchases through our links can earn Good+Good commissions.
