Whether you prefer the ocean, a swimming pool or some quiet time by the lake, having a great beach towel is a must-have during the summer months. Your towel is isn’t just there when you need to dry off—the best beach towels also work as a warm blanket when temperatures drop and can serve triple-duty as a seat or a pillow as you soak up the summer sun.
Of course, there’s a wide range of options out there when it comes to picking the best beach towel. Do you want one that’s plush or microfiber? Are you after something with a cool design or are you more into classic stripes? And what about size—do you want something standard or an extra long towel to accommodate a taller build?
Price matters, too. Maybe you’re OK with spending a little more for the right towel, or perhaps you’d rather get something for less. (Either way, no judgment.) To find the best beach towels on the market, we took at look at bestselling options and narrowed down the field by features like comfort, size and value. There’s a little something in here for everyone, so you can find your ultimate beach accessory, whatever your individual needs.
- Best Beach Towel Overall: Serena & Lily Mallorca Beach Towel
- Best Turkish Beach Towel: Wetcat Turkish Beach Towel
- Best Beach Towels On Amazon: Kaufman Multi-Color Oversized Plush Premium Cabana Stripe Beach Towel
- Best Beach Towel For Sand: Sand Cloud Boho Towel
- Best Oversized Beach Towels: Laguna Beach Textile Co. Oversize Plush Cabana Towel
- Best Beach Towel For Travel: L.L. Bean Seaside Beach Towel
- Best Lightweight Beach Towel: Serena & Lily Capri Fouta Beach Towel
- Best Beach Towel Set: Breakwater Bay Chrissie 2 Piece 100% Cotton Beach Towel Set
- Best Budget Beach Towel: Dock & Bay Beach Towel
- Best Beach Towels For Kids: Sunnylife Summer Games Beach Towel
Best Beach Towel Overall
A Sizable And Plush Towel Available In A Range of Pretty Colors
- Size: 40 x 70 inches
- Material: Turkish Aegean cotton
- Color options: Navy, coastal blue, French blue, canary, poppy
This nautical-inspired towel from Serena and Lily soaks up excess water and dries quickly while remaining soft to the touch—all the qualities you want in a beach towel. Woven from Turkish Aegean cotton, this towel has thick navy blue and white stripes and accents of hand-knotted fringe for a unique flair. At a little over 500 grams, it’s thick but still lightweight enough for day trips to the beach and other on-the-go summer activities.
Best Turkish Beach Towel
A Lightweight Towel That’s Long Enough For Tall People
- Size: 38 x 71 inches
- Material: Turkish cotton
- Color options: 33 options
Available in a huge array of colors, this 100% Turkish cotton towel from Wetcat boasts fast-drying properties and a smooth and soft feel, thanks to its pre-washed fabric. When it comes to taking a trip to the beach, this compact and lightweight towel easily folds and can be placed into a beach bag for easy handling, and since it dries so quickly, you don’t have to worry about unwanted odor or moisture when you get home.
Best Beach Towel On Amazon
A Classic Towel Set That’s Just $10 A Pop
- Size: 32 x 62 inches
- Material: Cotton
- Color options: Multicolor stripes
Thanks to more than a thousand positive reviews, this set of four oversized beach towels is Amazon’s Choice. Each 32 x 62-inch towel is big enough to wrap around you, and is ultra-soft and absorbent to quickly dry you off post swim. The set includes one towel in each color, and at just over $40 for all four, the price per towel can’t be beat.
Best Beach Towel For Sand
A Cool Turkish Towel That Actually Repels Sand
- Size: 38 x 64 inches
- Material: Turkish organic cotton
- Color options: Purple
There’s nothing more annoying than laying on a towel covered in sand. While there’s no perfect solution, this beach towel from Sand Cloud comes close. As seen on Shark Tank, Sand Cloud’s ultra-absorbent and sand-resistant towels dry three times faster than others and repel sand, so you always have a soft, dry place to sunbathe. Made from Turkish cotton, this purple boho towel has a unique pattern and twisted-tassel design specific to the brand.
Best Oversized Beach Towel
A Thick Beach Towel Even Tall People Can Lounge On
- Size: 35 x 70 inches
- Material: Cotton
- Color options: 10 options
Made with 50% thicker cotton than a standard bathroom towel, this oversized plush cabana towel is super absorbent and quick-drying. Whether you wrap yourself up after hopping out of the ocean or lay it down on a beach chair, you’ll be free from excess droplets in minutes. Measuring 35 x 7o inches, it’s big enough to stretch out and fully lounge. Plus, it’s made to last with its reinforced edges that help keep it intact after multiple uses and washes.
Best Personalized Beach Towel
A Customizable Towel With A Fun Design
- Size: 36 x 68 inches
- Material: Cotton
- Color options: Bright Elm
If you’re looking for something you can monogram, this option from L.L. Bean is a good place to start. You can add up to 10 characters to the towel—enough space for most first names or, at least, initials. At 36 x 68 inches, it’s large enough to provide full body coverage, but it’s also ultra-fast drying so you can roll it up and bring it with you on the go. The towel is made with 100% ring spun cotton and dyed yarn that stays true to color even after several washes.
Best Lightweight Beach Towel
An Easy-Breezy Towel That Doubles As A Sarong
- Size: 40 x 70 inches
- Material: Pergamon Aegean cotton
- Color options: Yellow, green, pewter, midnight, harbor
Wrapping yourself in a thick towel might not be ideal on scorching hot days. This option from Serena & Lily is made of a jacquard weave for a breezy feel. It’s also Oeko-Tex certified, eco-friendly and free from harmful chemicals, so it won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin. The towel’s sizable length makes it perfect for use as a sarong when the need strikes. Choose from a range of pretty striped options.
Best Beach Towel Set
A Plush Set With A Classic Striped Design
- Size: 34 x 64 inches
- Material: Cotton
- Color options: Aero blue, sorbet
This two-piece cotton beach towel set from Breakwater Bay has you and a friend covered. Crafted from cotton with 2-ply yarn, these towels are super absorbent and soft to the touch. Worried about sand? This towel set is made with a soft velour designed to ward off sand and water—and wet sand—for a clean and dry feel all day. Additionally, at 34 x 64 inches, this towel is lightweight yet large enough to keep you dry without dragging you down.
Best Budget Beach Towel
An Inexpensive Find That Neatly Packs Into A Travel Bag
- Size: 35 x 63 inches
- Material: Microfiber
- Color options: More than 40 options
Designed with reactive dye and thick stripes, this microfiber towel quickly absorbs water for a moisture-free feel in minutes. At 35 x 63 inches, it’s big enough to cover you but lightweight enough to bring with you to the beach or for a long day poolside. The towel has special repellency features to help prevent you from ending up caked in sand when you wrap up. It even comes with its own carrying case.
Best Beach Towels For Kids
Part Towel, Part Gameboard
- Size: 35.5 x 63 inches
- Material: Microfiber polyester
- Color options: Mint
When your kids get tired of playing with their buckets and shovels, give them this summer games beach towel. This polyester towel has a checkerboard printed onto it to serve as a surface for playing games while on the beach or at the pool—and it comes with the playing pieces to keep kids (and adults) distracted for hours. Oh, and it dries quickly, too.
Things To Consider When Buying A Beach Towel
A beach towel is your constant companion during the warmer months, and it’s important to find one that meets your needs. Consider these features while you shop.
Size
Not all beach towels are created equal when it comes to sizing. Taller people will want a towel that’s at least over 65 inches long, while more petite people can fit comfortably on a towel that’s shorter.
Material
Cotton is a popular choice for material due to its durability and softness. However, microfiber and polyester also have value for their quick-drying and sand repellent properties.
Absorbency
If you’re an avid swimmer, a more absorbent towel, like one made of cotton or microfiber is probably your best bet. More of a waterside lounger? Other, thinner fabrics will work well and keep you from overheating.
Portability
Whether you travel a lot or just want something that fits easily into your bag, something thinner, like a Turkish towel, is a safe bet. These towels are also known for their speedy drying times, making them easy to use and go.
Other features
There are plenty of other features out there you can enjoy with a beach towel. Tassels add a stylish element and help transform your towel into a sarong when the need strikes, while sand resistancy allows you to wrap yourself up without ending up coated in the stuff. Ultimately, the need for these features and more comes down to personal preference.
