Investing in high-quality bath towels is a small change that can make a big difference in your bathing experience. If you’ve ever wrapped yourself up in a luxuriously soft towel at a spa or hotel, and thought, “why can’t I get this at home?” Well—you can. The best bath towels are plush, absorbent and easy to launder. Unlike cheaper options (which can lose their fluff quickly) all the towels on this list will stay sumptuous and cozy long after their first wash. What’s more, a number of top picks are discounted thanks to Presidents’ Day sales this weekend, including Brooklinen (save 15%) and Hotel Collection (60% off).
I’ve been a product tester for more than five years, and in that time I’ve tested dozens of bath towels. While my all-around top pick is the classic towel from Parachute, most of the products included on this list are linens I’ve personally tested and highly recommend due to their quality and durability. In the case of any options I haven’t used myself, I’ve read dozens of user ratings and professional reviews to ensure they’re worth your money. I’ve also consulted with Forbes Vetted staff for their personally tested picks. From the super-plush to the ultra-lightweight and everything in between, the following are hands-down the best towels that are sure to elevate your bathroom.
- Best Bath Towels Overall: Parachute Classic Towels
- Most Absorbent Bath Towels: Nordstrom Hydrocotton Bath Towel
- Best Plush Bath Towels: Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels
- Best Extra-Plush Bath Towels: Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towels
- Best Budget Bath Towels: Hotel Collection Ultimate Micro Cotton Bath Towel
- Best Large Bath Towels: Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towels
- Best Waffle Bath Towels: Hawkins New York Simple Waffle Towels
- Best Quick-Drying Bath Towels: The Company Store Green Earth Quick-Dry Towels
- Best Organic Bath Towels: Coyuchi Cloud Loom Organic Towels
- Best Bath Sheets: Land’s End Turkish Cotton Spa Bath Sheet
- Best Bath Towels On Amazon: Chakir Turkish Linens Luxury Bath Towels
Best Bath Towels Overall
Classic Towels That Are Plush, Absorbent And Quick-Drying
- Size: 30 x 56 inches
- Weight: 700 gsm
The Classic Towels from Parachute are simple yet luxurious. These linens come in seven neutral colors, and they’re made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton that’s super soft, plush and absorbent. The quick-drying towels are free from harmful synthetic dyes, so they’re also eco-friendly. Each bath towel is finished with a ribbed dobby design that adds a modern touch and also helps prevent the ends from fraying. If you want to make a complete set, you can go for the matching washcloths, hand towels or bath sheets as well. It’s available as a bundle with two towels, two hand towels and two wash cloths for $346.
Most Absorbent Bath Towels
Towels That Are Specially Woven To Dry You Off Quickly
- Size: 30 x 54 inches
- Weight: 650 gsm
The Nordstrom Hydrocotton Bath Towels come in 10 pretty colors and are ultra-soft thanks to 100% cotton fabric. They’re made using a unique weaving process that leaves the yarn untwisted, creating greater surface area to help absorb water more quickly. Plus, they’re designed to get softer with each wash, so they’ll only get better over time.
Best Plush Bath Towels
Egyptian Cotton That’s Plush And Highly Absorbent
- Size: 30 x 58 inches
- Weight: 800 gsm
These extra-plush bath towels provide a drying experience like no other. They’re made using a special spinning process that increases absorbency and makes them super quick-drying. They’re also made from Egyptian cotton, which is known to be the softest and most durable. Available in seven neutral colors, the design is adorned with four inches of jacquard chain link dobby for a high-end look. You can opt for the towel size (30 x 58 inches) or the bath sheet (40 x 72 inches), while hand towels and wash cloths complete the set. Personalization is available in 15 different fonts and monograms for an additional $7 charge.
Best Bath Sheets
Thick, Heavy Towels That Feel Like Pure Luxury
- Size: 40 x 65 inches
- Weight: 820 gsm
If you prefer extra-thick, extra-large and heavy towels, you’ll love the Super-Plush Bath Sheets from Brooklinen. Note that they are heavier than your average bath towel, weighing 820 grams per square meter, which may be a pro for some and a con for others. The fabric is made from luxuriously soft 100% Turkish cotton for maximum absorbency, and they are available as a bath towel (30 x 58 inches) as well as a bath sheet (40 x 65 inches). The default is a set of two towels, or you can purchase a bundle of four towels, two hand towels and one bath mat to save 16%. Choose from five classic colors (varying shades of white and grey) or four limited-edition ones, including aqua blue and goldenrod.
Also great: You can’t go wrong with the Lands’ End Turkish Cotton Spa Bath Sheet. Designed to resemble the linens you’d find at a fancy spa, these bath sheets are a whopping 36 x 70 inches and have a substantial weight of 750 grams per square meter. They’re made from Turkish cotton that’s been ringspun for extra strength and silkiness, and the product is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s been tested for and found free of over 100 harmful substances.
Best Bath Towels On Amazon
A Budget-Friendly Option That Combines Luxury With Affordability
- Size: 27 x 54 inches
- Weight: 700 gsm
Made in Denizli, Turkey, these absorbent bath towels combine luxury and affordability. They’re made of high-quality cotton and have a double-stitched hem, so they don’t fray or wear out on the edges, even with regular use. And they’re designed to fluff up and get softer after each wash, so you’ll have them for the long haul.
At 700 grams per square meter, they’re thick and plush like the kind you’d find at a high-end spa. And they’re made without harmful dyes or chemicals, so you can fully relax after your bath or shower. With a dozen colors to choose from, you’ll find a set that fits in with any decor.
Best Budget Bath Towels
A Basic, Mid-Weight Towel That Comes In Many Colors
- Size: 30 x 56 inches
- Weight: 450 to 550 gsm
For a more affordable option, consider the Hotel Collection Ultimate Bath Towels, which come in a rainbow of colors and are classified as mid-weight (at 450 to 550 grams per square meter). These budget-friendly towels are made from 100% cotton, and they’re Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certified, which means they’re free from more than 300 harmful substances. They feature embroidered stripes along the edges for decoration and are very soft to the touch. Available at Macy’s, these are currently on sale for Presidents’ Day weekend.
Best Large Bath Towels
Oversized Towels For A Spa-Like Experience At Home
- Size: 30 x 58 inches
- Weight: 700 gsm
These Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towels are thick and luxurious—the perfect combo for a spa-like vibe at home. They’re crafted from 100% fair trade-certified organic cotton that’s also Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certified, which means it’s free of potentially harmful chemicals. The towels are a bit oversized at 30 x 58 inches, and they’re extremely absorbent and soft.
Best Waffle Bath Towels
Airy, Lightweight Towels With A Unique Texture
- Size: 32 x 55 inches (bath towel) and 45 x 75 inches (bath sheet)
- Weight: 240 gsm
While we also liked the softness of the Parachute Waffle Towel, which has an airy, honeycomb-textured weave, the Hawkins New York waffle towels held up better over time during testing. (The Parachute towels developed some loose threads due to washing and sharp puppy nails). This lightweight, quick-drying waffle weave towel is made in Portugal and comes in a dozen on-trend colors like sage, terracotta, blush and peacock. Choose from a bath towel, sheet, hand towel, wash cloth or “essentials set” which includes two bath towels, two hand towels and two wash cloths. Note, waffle towels feel more absorbent after a few washes so make sure you launder them before using.
Best Quick-Drying Bath Towels
Mid-Weight Towels Made From Special Fast-Drying Cotton
- Size: 30 x 54 inches
- Weight: 400 gsm
Heavy towels often take a while to dry, which can result in having to dry off with still-damp cloth—not a pleasant experience. If you regularly struggle with this issue, you might want to consider The Company Store’s Green Earth Quick-Dry Towels.
These linens are made from specially constructed 100% Micro Cotton, which is lighter in weight, quick to dry and more absorbent than traditional ring-spun towels (and won’t pill or lint, either). The towels have a subtly chic ribbed appearance and come in nine neutral and pastel hues, and are perfect for creating a serene vibe in your bathroom.
Best Organic Bath Towels
Extra-Fluffy Towels Made From Organic Cotton
- Size: 27 x 54 inches
- Weight: 685 gsm
Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals, and if this gives you peace of mind, you’ll want to consider the Coyuchi Cloud Loom Towels. These linens are pricey, but they’re made from 100% organic cotton that’s grown and woven in Turkey. They’re certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard, which means the brand has passed inspections proving it uses organic practices throughout its entire textile supply chain.
The Coyuchi Towels have a wonderfully fluffy and soft texture, as well as a substantial weight that’s nice to wrap up in after a shower. They come in several muted and earthy colors, and you can buy them individually or in a set of four.
Best Bath Towels On Amazon
Oversized, Heavier Weight Linens For Extra Luxury
- Size: 27 x 54 inches
- Weight: 700 gsm
Made in Denizli, Turkey, these absorbent bath towels combine luxury and affordability. They’re made of high-quality cotton and have a double-stitched hem, so they don’t fray or wear out on the edges, even with regular use. And they’re designed to fluff up and get softer after each wash, so you’ll have them for the long haul.
At 700 grams per square meter, they’re thick and plush like the kind you’d find at a high-end spa. And they’re made without harmful dyes or chemicals, so you can fully relax after your bath or shower. With a dozen colors to choose from, you’ll find a set that fits in with any decor.
What Are The Best Quality Towels To Buy?
The gold standard for towels is 100% cotton because it’s durable, soft and absorbent. You may come across Turkish or Egyptian cotton in product descriptions, and these varieties are often considered the best of the best because their fibers are longer, giving a softer feel and added durability. On the other end of the spectrum is microfiber, a synthetic material crafted from nylon and polyester. While this fabric makes for much more affordable, very quick-drying towels, it’s not usually as soft or absorbent as cotton.
What Should I Look For When Buying Bath Towels?
There are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for bath towels. First, look for options that are made from 100% cotton, as these tend to be the most durable and absorbent. There are also additional factors to consider, including color, size and style—which will help you find an option that fits your personal preferences and bathroom decor style. And if you’re looking for beach towels, we’ve got recommendations for those, too.
When buying bath towels, it’s all about the details. Two towels might look the same when stacked on the store shelf, but there are some key things that will set them apart. First, look at the size of each towel, which is typically printed on the tag. An average bath towel is typically around 30 x 56 inches, give or take a few inches, and anything smaller will probably be insufficient for the average person. If you like your towels on the bigger side, you might consider opting for bath sheets when available, which usually measure closer to 40 x 70 inches.
Another factor to consider is towel weight, which is measured in grams per square meter or gsm. For most people, these numbers will seem fairly abstract, since we have nothing to use as a point of reference. Just keep in mind that an average bath towel is usually in the ballpark of 500 grams per square meter. As this number goes up, towels get heavier and more plush, which means they’re soft to the touch, but they’ll take longer to dry. And as the number goes down, towels may feel thinner and less plush, albeit quick-drying.
How Do You Wash Bath Towels?
Bath towels require regular laundering, and if you want your linens to last as long as possible it’s important to wash them properly. Check the instructions on your towel’s care tag for specific guidelines, but in general you’ll want to wash bath towels by themselves in cold water—mixing them with clothes will increase the chance of snagging. Dry towels on low heat to prevent damage to the cotton fibers, and instead of using dryer sheets, use dryer balls to increase air circulation to cut down on dry time, prevent clumping and help fluff and smooth fibers.
Avoid using any kind of fabric softener on your bath towels—that includes both liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets. Fabric softener actually reduces the absorbency of fabric and, in turn, will reduce the effectiveness of your bath towels.
Bath Towel Deals For Presidents’ Day Weekend
High-end bath towels can be surprisingly expensive, especially if you’re investing in a full set. While the above options are our top picks and we stand by the recommendations regardless of price, if budget is a factor, a long weekend sale is a great opportunity to score luxury towels on sale. While we have not personally tested the towels featured below, all come from brands we trust based on our experience with their other items.
Towels On Sale At Riley
Towels On Sale At Brooklinen
Towels On Sale At The Company Store
These plush, absorbent towels are the Company Store’s most popular. You can nab the whole set, which includes two bath towels, two hand towels and two washcloths, for over 30% off, or mix and match individual towels to make your own bundle. These towels come in 30 colors and most are on sale, but pay attention to ship dates. Some are backordered.
Another highly rated option from The Company Store, these quick dry bath sheets are more than 30% off through Presidents’ Day weekend. If you like larger bath sheets, now’s a great time to stock up a discounted price. You can also add some regular bath towels to your collection with the same savings.
