It’s always nice to treat yourself to some luxury in your home, and new towels are one way to make you feel like you’re staying in a five-star hotel every time you step out of the shower.
You might not put much thought into your bath towel purchases, but different kinds (and thread counts) will serve you different purposes. If you’re looking for a towel to use after swimming or gym sessions, opt for a lightweight option with polyester listed on the label. While it won’t have that plush spa-like feel, it will still work as well as a thicker towel and won’t take hours to dry afterwards.
For a more luxurious feel, choose a towel made of 100 per cent cotton that feels heavy when held. The weight of a towel is measured in GSM (grams per square metre), and this will give you an indication of how plush and durable it is. Towels of more than 600 GSM will feel the most luxurious, but they will also take longer to dry than thinner towels.
It's also worth choosing a towel with reinforced edges to prevent fraying and towels with dense, long loops of yarn that will make it absorbent and feel plush on your skin. Whichever you choose, try to air it between uses, wash it with other towels to prevent snagging, and avoid fabric softener, as this reduces absorbency.
It can feel like a lot of effort to find the perfect bath towel, but I’ve done the testing for you. From plush luxury picks to absorbent everyday options, here are the ones worth your money.
How I tested
I spent several weeks testing all these bath towels to find the ones that deserved space in my bathroom. Before use, I washed each towel at 30C, as advised. I then considered the following:
- Drying time: After every wash, bath and shower, I noted how quickly each dried. I favoured those that were absorbent and quick to dry.
- Material: I considered how fluffy each one felt, including after going in the washing machine. I also noted down if any fluff was left behind on the skin.
- Washing results: I also washed and dried each towel several times to check for fraying and any colour run, and to see if it still looked and felt good after several washes.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Siobhan Grogan has been writing review features for IndyBest since 2021. She covers a wide range of topics, but has a particular expertise when it comes to reviewing fabrics and textiles. She’s tested and reviewed mattress protectors, pillows, bedding, and more, so she knows how to identify good materials. When it comes to bath towels, she has a keen eye for detail and quality, using her high standards to ensure our readers get the best advice and value. Beyond this, she loves indulging in a long bath, so the towel she has mustn’t ruin her zen as she steps out.
The best bath towels for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Scooms Egyptian cotton bath towel pair: £55, Scooms.com
- Best budget buy – Dunelm ultimate cotton bath towel: £14, Dunelm.com
- Best for fluffiness – The White Company hydro cotton towel: £30, Thewhitecompany.com
- Best for absorbency – Soak&Sleep luxury Egyptian cotton towels, set of four: £15.50, Soakandsleep.com
- Best for making a statement – Soho Home house pool towel, White City House: £64, Sohohome.com
Scooms Egyptian cotton bath towel pair
Best: Bath towel overall
Size: 70cm x 135cm
Fabric: 100 per cent long-staple Egyptian cotton
Colourways: White, pearl grey, silver grey, creme
Sizes available : Bath sheet, bath towel, hand towel, face cloth
Why we love it
- Feels thick and luxurious
- Dries skin quickly
- No toxins used in manufacture
Take note
- Takes a little longer to tumble dry due to thickness
This heavenly, hotel-like towel lost none of its softness during testing, even after several washes. It’s made from a heavy, 100 per cent long-staple Egyptian cotton with a whopping 720 GSM, using a zero-twist loop to give a smoother finish that won’t irritate your skin. It’s incredibly thick – my only criticism is that it’s so heavy that it takes a while to tumble dry. The towel also meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 to verify that it is free from common toxins and chemicals.
Though I was reluctant to get dry and be parted from it after showers, the towel is amazingly absorbent, so it did the job in half the time. I also liked the fact that it comes with a hook sewn in for easy hanging and double-stitched edging to prevent fraying. Part of a set, it has hand towels, bath sheets and bath mats to match. The only downside: when wrapped in this towel, my youngest tester was even more reluctant than normal to get dressed after bath time.
Buy now £55.00, Scooms.com
Dunelm ultimate cotton bath towel
Best: Budget bath towel
Size: 70cm x 127cm
Material: Cotton
Colours available: Red ochre, mosaic blue, cypress green, henna, chambray, slate, chocolate, lilypad, space blue, blue, latte, bottle green, ocean, black, natural, paprika, cerise, vintage pink, teal, ochre, grey, white, thistle
Sizes available: Face cloth, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, XL bath towel, supersize bath sheet
Why we love it
- Great range of sizes and colours
Take note
- Not as absorbent as some other towels we tested
There’s no need to break the bank to update your bathroom. This fantastically priced bath towel comes in a huge selection of colours, so you can choose one to suit your décor. Plus, there’s a whole range of sizes available if you want a matching set.
This towel ticks all the same boxes as more expensive options. The zero-twist yarn reduces fibre-shredding; the long pile offers extra fluffiness, and the weighty 600 GSM cotton provides a luxurious feel. I found the towel still dried fairly quickly after use, too.
The edges are reinforced to stop fraying, though there were a couple of loose threads when I received mine. However, no others came loose even after repeated washing and drying. I found this towel is a little less absorbent than some others, so if you need to dry quickly after swimming or when rushing to work, it might not be the best option. Still, it gets extra marks for being produced in Oeko-Tex-certified factories, meaning they meet set environmental, social and chemical standards.
Buy now £14.00, Dunelm.com
The White Company hydro cotton towel
Best: Fluffy bath towel
Size: 70cm x 125cm
Fabric: 100 per cent cotton
Colourways: Slate, white, pearl grey, soft grey, oatmeal
Sizes available : Face cloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, super jumbo
Why we love it
- Feels super-soft
- Ribbed pattern adds interest
- Dries quickly
Take note
- Lighter weight than some other towels
There’s no need to compromise on softness just because you need a fast-drying towel. Made of luxe 100 per cent cotton, this bestselling option from The White Company has clever low-twist technology that makes it extra fluffy, yet quick to dry. At 500 GSM, it’s not quite as heavy as some of the other towels I tested, which means it was much speedier to dry when hung up on an unheated towel rail after use. This makes it an excellent option if your bathroom is prone to dampness, but it’s noticeably spartan compared to the other towels I tested.
I assumed this softness would fade with washing, but it stayed just as snuggly as the very first use and felt divine after a shower. I especially loved the ribbed texture, which looked elegant in the bathroom, making it a great choice if you want a medium-weight towel. It comes in four neutral colours and all sorts of sizes, from a face cloth to a bath sheet, but I’ve got my eye on the superjumbo option for major hotel-bathroom vibes.
Buy now £30.00, Thewhitecompany.com
Soak&Sleep luxury Egyptian cotton towels, set of four
Best: Absorbent bath towel
Size: 70cm x 140cm
Fabric: 100 per cent certified Egyptian cotton
Colourways: White, light grey, mid grey, smoke, taupe, mink, dusky blue, teal, mineral blue, mustard yellow, olive green
Sizes available : Face cloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, jumbo bath sheet
Why we love it
- Attractive colours available
- Good price
- Looked good as new after washing
Take note
- Quite bulky to store
Proof that a top-quality towel doesn’t need to have a wince-inducing price tag, this large, luxe towel from Soak&Sleep is a dream to dive into after a long bath. Available in 11 colours, including dusky blue, light grey and classic white, the towel can also be paired with matching bath mats and face cloths. I also love the fact that they’re sold in bundles at a discount.
Made from 100 per cent certified Egyptian cotton, the towels have ultra-smooth yarns and are terry woven to an impressive 700 GSM using a twisted loop pile. This makes the towel astonishingly absorbent and durable, so you won’t spot annoying snags within a few washes. I also found it dried us fast yet was still ready to use again in no time. There’s a sewn-in hook for hanging up the towel after use, but if you have a towel this nice, I’d recommend airing it properly instead.
Buy now £15.50, Soakandsleep.com
Soho Home house pool towel
Best: Statement bath towel
Size: 100cm x 180cm
Fabric: Heavyweight Turkish cotton
Colourways: 16
Sizes available : One size only
Why we love it
- Colours are bright and distinctive
- Real heavyweight feeling
- Oversized
Take note
- Takes a little longer to dry after washing
Say no to bog-standard towels and make a statement with this super-swish option from Soho Home, the interiors collection from Soho House. Its covetable bath towels are the very same classic cabana stripe towels used in the House swimming pools, so you’re guaranteed that decadent hotel feel (without the membership fee). Several houses have their own colours, so you can choose the shades or destination you prefer, from the bold red and white of Shoreditch House to the turquoise candy-stripes of the Little Beach House, Barcelona.
I tested the towel from White City House in west London and loved the distinctive, broad burnt-orange, black, and white stripes, which mean it will always be a talking point. It’s embroidered with the White City House logo and has a smart monochrome trim inspired by the TV test card.
Made of heavyweight Turkish cotton, it was one of the smoothest towels I tested but still dried wet skin in a flash. I also loved how huge it was, making it a dream to wrap up in after a bath. Don’t worry if you like to dry washing on the line – this towel has been tested and developed not to fade in sunlight.
Buy now £64.00, Sohohome.com
Hampton & Astley Egyptian cotton luxury bath towel
Best: Hotel-style bath towel
Size: 70cm x 125cm
Fabric: 100% Egyptian cotton
Colourways : Pure white, subtle grey, charcoal grey, pink
Sizes available : Face cloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet
Why we love it
- Excellent price for the quality
- Long-lasting
- They get even softer after being washed
Take note
- Worth being aware that the towels get thicker after the first few washes if space is a problem
Fancy feeling like you’re in a five-star hotel every single morning? This gorgeously soft towel feels far more expensive than it is and will make even the pokiest bathroom seem extravagant. Available as a pair, the towels are made from 650 GSM Egyptian cotton and are exceptionally fluffy.
I found that they actually get even softer after the first couple of washes and lose none of their absorbency after regular washing, thanks to tightly woven fibres – there’s no colour fade or shedding, either. I think this towel will last well, as it has a double-stitched border and a weighty quality. Though mixed-size bundles are available, I think the Hampton & Astle Egyptian cotton seven-piece luxury bath towel set (£89, Hamptonandastley.com) is especially good value and includes two bath towels, two hand towels, two face cloths and a bath sheet.
Buy now £50.36, Hamptonandastley.com
Marks and Spencer super soft pure cotton antibacterial bath towel
Best: Colourful bath towel
Size: 68cm x 130cm
Fabric: Cotton
Colourways: 40
Sizes available: Face towels, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet
Why we love it
- Huge range of colours
- Excellent price
- Dries quickly
Take note
- Lighter weight than some towels
Towels come in a huge range of colours at M&S. This range also has StayNew technology to keep the towels looking good, even after several washes. It sounds like a gimmick, but the towels I tested showed no colour fade or fraying.
Though the bath towel feels soft to the touch, it’s not as luxuriously heavy as some of the others I tested, with a rating of 550 GSM. It dried us just as well as thicker towels, but this meant it didn’t sit around in the bathroom feeling damp for ages between uses. Plus, it fits easily in my gym bag without weighing me down. It’s also worth noting that the towel is made from responsibly sourced cotton and has a plant-based antibacterial finish made of linseed oil. On top of that, it’s reasonably priced.
Buy now £18.00, Marksandspencer.com
Lusso Varese Egyptian cotton bath towel
Best: White bath towels
Size: 70cm x 120cm
Fabric: Egyptian cotton
Colourways: White
Sizes available: Face towel, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet
Why we love it
- Gold threading looks expensive
Take note
- Only available in one colour
Nothing says ‘spa break’ quite like a pristine white towel. This one from Lusso will add a five-star touch to any bathroom. Made of 650 GSM Egyptian cotton, it has a glamorous feel, thanks to the gold embroidery on every towel. That sounds a little gauche, but it’s understated enough that it lends the towel a little luxury.
I especially loved the neatly reinforced edges and embossed pattern, which helps keep it in tip-top condition. Plus, it was one of the most absorbent towels I tried – I was dry in a flash.
Bath towels also come in a bundle (£97, Lussostone.com) with a face towel, hand towel and bath sheet, all wrapped up in tissue paper and smart individual boxes, if you’re looking for a wedding gift with the wow factor. Just be aware that the towels only come in white, so they’re probably not best suited to fake-tan devotees.
Buy now £35.00, Lussostone.com
Christy supreme towel
Best: Luxury bath towel
Size: 75cm x 137cm
Material: Hygro supima cotton pile, combed cotton base
Colourways: Bay leaf, almond, graphite, spruce, stone, silver, deep sea, mocha, mineral, blush, lavender, white
Sizes available: Face cloth, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, bath mat, jumbo towel
Why we love it
- A little larger than most towels
- Lovely colour range
- Extremely absorbent
The name Christy is synonymous with luxury towels. This 650GSM cotton supreme towel is a bestseller and comes in a great range of colours. The towel’s smooth, short-loop construction makes it extra-absorbent, yet it’s still dreamily soft. I found that it actually gets fluffier after washing.
If you need to dry even faster, I also rate Christy’s attractive trellis towel (£31.50, Christy.co.uk). It is naturally antimicrobial and will dry you in a jiffy.
Buy now £35.00, Christy.co.uk
Dusk Monaco plush ribbed cotton towel
Best: Bath towel for softness
Size: 70cm x 130cm
Material: Cotton
Colourways: Light grey, charcoal, white
Sizes available: Face cloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet
Why we love it
- Attractive ribbed design
- Extremely soft
Take note
- Limited colour range
This towel is so unbelievably soft that you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a blanket. It’s made with a zero-twist technique to maintain its softness. Even though I expected it to lose some of its plushness once it had been through my washing machine and tumble dryer, it was just as fluffy afterwards.
Made with 500 GSM cotton, it’s a touch more lightweight than some of the other towels I tested, but I didn’t feel it was any less indulgent. In fact, this meant it dried in double quick time after use, so I didn’t have a soggy towel hanging around our bathroom. I was also really impressed by the ribbed design – one visitor to my home even commented on how attractive the towel was, which has to be a first. The absorbency is excellent, too.
Buy now £14.50, Dusk.com
Your questions about bath towels answered
What is the best bath towel?
Give yourself a treat every day, and dry off in the Scooms Egyptian cotton bath towel pair for serious hotel softness, a generous size and fantastic absorbency. However, if good looks trump all else, you won’t be disappointed by the gorgeous Soho Home House pool towel, White City.
What should I look for when buying bath towels?
Don’t get too distracted by how soft a towel is when you first see it. Instead, lift it up and feel the weight. GSM is a measure of how heavy a fabric is in grams per square metre. Towels of 600 GSM or more will feel fairly weighty, like those in five-star hotels. Also, make sure to check that the edges are neatly folded and secured with close, secure stitching. This is a sign of high-quality craftsmanship and reassurance that the towel won’t fray over time.
The softest and most absorbent material you can go for is 100 per cent cotton. While more premium Egyptian and Supima cotton fabrics are often sought after, they aren’t as absorbent and soft as pure cotton (but are far more expensive).
If you want a lighter (and cheaper) towel that will dry quicker, go for a mix of cotton and either linen or polyester. These less expensive options can often be more durable, too.
How can you tell a good quality towel?
Generally, heavier towels are better quality, but they will take longer to dry after use. If you want to up the plush quota, look out for 100 per cent cotton towels with dense yarn. It’s also worth checking the edges to make sure they’re sealed well to prevent fraying. Twisted terry pile makes towels stronger, while putting polyester in the mix will help them dry speedily, which is useful if you want to take one to the gym.
How often should you buy new bath towels?
This varies depending on the quality of the towels, how often they’ve been used and how well they’ve been looked after. As a general rule, it’s worth buying a new bath towel every three to four years, but they may last longer if you have more than one set that you can rotate. If you notice lingering smells despite washing, pulled threads or just don’t feel dry after using one, it’s definitely time to ditch it. Remember, old towels can be disposed of in dedicated textile recycling banks or given to local animal shelters.
How often should you wash bath towels?
Experts reckon bath towels should be washed every three to four uses to keep them hygienic, so that works out to around twice a week if you’re showering every day. Spread out the towel and air it properly between uses to help it dry rather than just slinging it on a hook. It’s also essential that you always wash every towel before its first use to stop it from shedding and to maximise absorbency.
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