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We've Tested Over 90 Bath Towels. These Are the Best.
We spent six years evaluating countless styles in the Lab and at home.
Tested by Grace WuTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Product AnalystExpert consulted: Emma SeymourTextiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director
While everyone has their own idea of what the "perfect bath towel" is, one thing I bet we can agree on is that it should be absorbent enough to dry you off, feel comfortable against your skin and stand up to repeated use and laundering. Though, it doesn't hurt to have one that dries quickly after it gets wet.
As a fiber scientist in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I have tested more than 90 different towels with my team over the past six years, both in our Lab and at home. Not only do we test for absorbency, drying time, durability (including washability and fabric strength) and more using specialized equipment, but we also work with hundreds of consumer testers across the nation to find out which towels are truly the best of the best.
Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towels
Pros
- Ultra-absorbent
- Holds up well to repeated laundering
- Testers loved the appearance
Cons
- Not quick-drying
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 3/5
- Softness: 4.3/5
- Durability: 4.2/5
Frontgate's towel uses long-staple Turkish cotton fibers (which are smoother and more durable than traditional cotton) for a thick, luxurious texture that outperformed over 90 different towels in our tests. Every component feels substantial, from the base fabric to the fluffy pile. And as an added bonus, it comes in 27 colors, so there's something for every preference.
This one earned perfect scores in our absorbency tests. Usually, absorbent towels take a little longer to dry, so they're not "quick-drying," but Frontgate earned moderate scores for drying speed. I noticed some shrinkage after 20 washes, but the fabric proved strong and durable, with no signs of wear after laundering, which is impressive for such a thick towel.
While many heavyweight towels can become stiff after repeated use, this one notably maintained its plushness.
At-home users praised the towel's softness and said it looked great after repeated use. One described it as having "a classic, plush feel and a substantial hand," while adding, "These have stayed soft after months of use thus far." Users also highlighted the appearance and one called it "a perfect size to wrap around my body."
| Material | 100% Turkish cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | 700 GSM |
| Colors | 27 options |
| Dimensions | 30" x 58" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet |
Pros
- Low cost for a set of two
- Soft and lightweight
- Users said it looks more expensive than it is
Cons
- Not ideal for those who prefer thick, substantial towels
- Some shrinkage after laundering
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 3.5/5
- Drying speed: 3.5/5
- Softness: 4/5
- Durability: 3.8/5
If you're looking to save or prefer to buy towels on Amazon, this one was a surprising standout in our tests and costs under $10 per towel. It feels lightweight — it's thinner and less dense than other towels — yet is still super soft.
I've been using this one at home to get a sense of how it compares to the others we recommend and have been impressed that it feels more expensive than it actually is. Other analysts agreed: One of them called it similar to a towel three times the price upon initial touch.
During in-Lab tests, it was somewhat absorbent, though it didn't soak up fluid as easily as other options and shrank a bit after laundering. Still, its performance for the price can't be beat; it even managed to hold up alongside towels more than two or three times the price, maintaining its softness over time.
Not all testers loved its lightweight feel, especially those that prefer the heftier weight of a luxe towel. Still, they agreed that it feels soft and absorbent during real use after showers.
RELATED: The Best Bath Towels on Amazon
| Material | 100% cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not listed |
| Colors | 4 options |
| Dimensions | 30" x 54" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet |
Pros
- Lightweight and soft
- Aced absorbency and drying time tests
- Loved by GH Textile pros
Cons
- Showed signs of wear in wash tests
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 5/5
- Softness: 4.4/5
- Durability:4.1/5
This quick-dry towel is my personal favorite, thanks to its unique construction. I especially love how it has cotton on the outside for softness, but microfiber on the inside for enhanced performance. The result offers an excellent balance of absorbency, quick-drying, strength and shrink-resistance.
It's soft too: One tester highlighted its plush yet lightweight feel and said, "It was like being wrapped in a cloud." Another remarked, "If I could replace all my home towels with this one, I would." Testers also noted that they liked the texture, which looks different than typical cotton loops. Some testers found this towel fared best when hung on a rack; it didn't stay put as well on a hook.
One thing to note is that the fabric surface showed fuzzy signs of wear more quickly than other towels in our laundering evaluations. Still, it was a top performer and the only towel to ace both absorbency and drying time tests.
Along with bath towels and bath sheets, you can purchase separate packs of wash cloths and hand towels. We're fans of the brand's Hokime Ribbed Towels, also top performers in our tests, for those who prefer even more of a textured feel.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Everplush Diamond Jacquard
| Material | 48% polyester, 40% cotton, 12% polyamide |
|---|---|
| Weight | Not listed |
| Colors | 9 options |
| Dimensions | 30" x 56" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet |
Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towels, 2-Pack
Pros
- Plush and thick
- Super absorbent
- Earned the GH Seal
Cons
- Some shrinkage in the wash
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 3/5
- Softness: 4.8/5
- Durability: 3.9/5
This style is ideal for anyone who prefers the comfort of a soft, dense towel: Its cotton fabric has the heaviest weight of all our picks at a whopping 820 GSM. This helped it achieve excellent absorbency in Lab evaluations and superior softness ratings in our consumer tester reviews.
It was a hit for those who liked a substantial feel. One tester noted, "It is a very thick towel that absorbs the water off your body practically in one pass," while another proclaimed, "It's the best towel I've ever used." I've personally used this one at home and can attest to its thick and absorbent construction.
Another highlight is that it didn't shed lint in the wash, which is a common concern with plush towels. It did have some shrinkage after laundering and it wasn't quick-drying, but it still held its own compared to other towels in our test.
Plus, it's backed by our Good Housekeeping Seal, which means we stand behind it with our limited warranty. The brand also carries a variety of sizes of Super-Plush towels for an entire matching set.
| Material | 100% Turkish cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | 820 GSM |
| Colors | 16 options, with additional limited edition colors |
| Dimensions | 30" x 58" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet, bath mat |
Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Quick-Dry Towel
Pros
- Plush without feeling heavy
- Highly absorbent
- Fabric held up to repeated laundering
Cons
- Not quick-drying compared to other towels we tested
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 3.5/5
- Softness: 4.7/5
- Durability: 4/5
If you prefer a luxurious towel that's not too heavy, this one is your best bet. While the pile feels soft and fluffy, the backing fabric is lightweight. It's made of Turkish cotton that's certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), plus it stood out in our tests for being super soft and ultra-absorbent. In fact, it earned perfect absorbency ratings in our evaluations, soaking up all fluid without any liquid running off.
Our testers unanimously gave it high scores, especially for its plush feel, referring to it as "comfy," "so fluffy" and the "ideal towel." One said, "I thought I had pretty soft towels until I tried this one. It is soft, buttery, fluffy, just pure amazingness on skin." I tried it at home and agree: It has stayed soft despite repeated use and feels lighter than other absorbent towels I've tried.
Beyond that, it held up well to our laundering tests — the fabric looked and felt good (despite some shrinkage) even after 20 wash cycles. Just note that although the name claims these towels are quick-dry, they actually took longer to fully dry than other bath towels in our test.
RELATED: The Best Turkish Towels
| Material | 100% organic Turkish cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | 550 GSM |
| Colors | 15 options |
| Dimensions | 28" x 50" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet |
Pros
- Perfect softness rating from all testers
- Strong fabric
- Highly absorbent
Cons
- Some shrinkage after laundering
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 4/5
- Softness: 5/5
- Durability: 4.1/5
Riley's towel uses a zero-twist combed cotton construction, meaning the fibers are longer and stronger so it's softer, more absorbent and more durable.
At-home users unanimously gave it perfect scores for softness and loved its luxurious feel. In fact, one tester said, "It was the softest towel I've ever used," while another commented, "I expected the softness to disappear with washing, but it stayed soft. And the fluffiness didn't decrease with washing either."
Beyond the glowing feedback from our testers, we were amazed by how soft it remained after repeated laundering, though it did shrink a little. It also earned perfect absorbency scores in the Lab and dried fairly quickly, which is impressive for a plush, 100% cotton towel.
We've seen occasional inventory issues with this style with certain colors and sizes sold out online, so don't wait too long if you see a color you like, especially if you're looking for a full set. We also recently tested Riley's Spa Towel Collection, which is more of a low-pile towel (i.e. not as plush or dense) and was well-loved by testers for its quick-dry nature.
| Material | 100% cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | 650 GSM |
| Colors | 9 options |
| Dimensions | 30" x 58" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet, bath rug |
Pros
- Soft, fluffy and lightweight
- Gentle on skin and hair
- Good appearance after laundering
Cons
- Expensive
LAB TEST RESULTS:
- Absorbency: 5/5
- Drying speed: 4/5
- Softness: 4.9/5
- Durability: 4.6/5
Though it's certainly not for everyone, this one's a great choice for anyone who's looking for the most luxurious option that's worth the splurge. The towel size is longer than average at 60 inches, plus it's soft, fluffy and fairly lightweight. The brand says it uses a long-staple cotton and zero-twist construction, which helps the towel become softer and more absorbent.
One tester described this towel as feeling like a "soft, fluffy cloud" and added, "I liked drying my hair with it (it felt less harsh)." Others liked the generous size, which felt luxe without feeling too large (like a bath sheet), and how gentle it felt on their skin.
In the Lab, our analysts were impressed: It was super absorbent, yet didn't take too long to dry compared to other absorbent styles. And while it did have notable shrinkage in laundering tests, it came out looking like new after each repeated wash.
| Material | 100% cotton |
|---|---|
| Weight | 550 GSM |
| Colors | 17 options |
| Dimensions | 30" x 60" |
| Matching pieces | Washcloth, hand towel, bath sheet, bath mat, fingertip towel |
More types of bath towels to consider
Our tests show that the traditional bath towel style made with cotton terry loops performs best in terms of absorbency, softness and overall tester satisfaction. That being said, there are some novel types of towels that have been gaining popularity for their unique attributes. Here are some that we tested and recommend if you're looking for something new:
- Best Waffle Towel: The Parachute Waffle Towel is super lightweight at 220 GSM and dried quickly in our tests. The downside is that it wasn't as absorbent as traditional towels, which is true for every waffle towel we've tested. We also recently tested the popular Onsen Waffle Weave Bath Towel. It stood out for its durability, but didn't earn high scores in our absorbency, drying speed or softness tests.
- Best Organic Towel: Not only is the Coyuchi Temescal Organic Towel certified by GOTS (so you know the entire production process follows strict standards), but it was also one of the top performers in our softness and absorbency tests, proving that you don't need to sacrifice towel quality by shopping more sustainability. The downside is that this one is extremely pricey.
- Best Linen Towel: Linen towels are not common, but they stand out for having a crisp, textured feel. We recently tested the Linoto Linen Spa Bath Towel, which was overall durable and well-liked by at-home testers. However, it wasn't rated as soft as cotton bath towels in comparison tests and didn't soak up water easily in our absorbency tests.
- Best Hybrid Towel: Boll & Branch's Waffle Terry Bath Towel has a unique construction with a traditional terry fabric on one side and a waffle fabric on the other. It was fairly absorbent with an average drying speed, and at-home testers unanimously loved using it.
How we test bath towels
My team of product analysts and I have tested more than 90 bath towels in the past six years. Each one is put through the wringer in both Lab tests and consumer evaluations. Here's how the bath towels are scored:
✔️ Absorbency: Using the apparatus pictured here, we set up a towel sample at a 60-degree angle and pour water onto it from a standard distance. Any water that the towel doesn't absorb rolls off the fabric and into the container below, which we weigh to measure how much runs off. This test is performed multiple times on each towel, including after repeated wash cycles because absorbency can change after extended use. A towel with perfect absorbency doesn't have any runoff.
✔️ Drying speed: We apply a standard amount of water to a towel swatch then hang it to dry. We reweigh the swatch every 30 minutes until it reaches its original weight, indicating that the towel has fully dried.
✔️ Washability: Our analysts wash and dry each towel 20 times, measuring shrinkage and appearance throughout this process. We also measure weight loss from laundering to see how much each towel sheds lint.
✔️ Fabric strength: A specialized machine called the Instron pulls swatches of towel fabric apart and measures the force needed to break each one.
✔️ Consumer tests: Dozens of consumer testers use the towels at home and rate them on factors like softness, appearance, whether they were dried off quickly and more. We also set up blind softness tests in our Lab, in which additional consumers feel and rate each one in a side-by-side comparison.
How to choose the right bath towel for you
One thing we've learned from extensive consumer testing is that picking out the best bath towel is largely based on personal preference. Here's what you should consider:
- If you want a super soft, ultra-absorbent towel, look for 100% cotton with dense, plush loops on the surface. You can also look at fabric weight, which is shown in GSM (grams per square meter). Over 600 GSM is considered heavy, so these will typically be the plushest. Lighter towels like waffle weaves or ribs typically weren't as soft in our test.
- If you want a towel that's quick-drying and more durable, consider a cotton-poly blend or a lighter fabric with a low pile (short loops). Fluffy loops help the towel feel soft and absorb water, but they can take longer to dry and may show more wear from laundering.
Which is better: Turkish or Egyptian towels?
It’s not a rule of thumb, but towels labeled as “Turkish cotton” or “Made in Turkey” performed better in our tests than those claiming to be made of “Egyptian” cotton. In theory, they’re very similar: Both are long-staple fibers, helping to make the fabrics softer and more durable.
However, Turkish cotton is more popular in bath towels and is known for drying faster than Egyptian cotton, which is more commonly seen in bed sheets. Plus, there have been instances of bedding fabrics mislabeled as Egyptian cotton, especially because it's difficult to verify this claim.
How do you stop towels from shedding fluff?
My best tip is to wash them before use. Sometimes there are loose fibers left over from the production process, but laundering the towels a few times should help get rid of them. Not to mention, washing them also makes the towels more absorbent because it gets rid of leftover finishes from production.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy & operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has been researching, testing and writing about bath towels for over a decade. Sachs has developed proprietary evaluations while also following standardized industry test methods to review dozens of styles both in the Textiles Lab and in the homes of consumer testers.
Testing for this article has also been conducted by Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director Emma Seymour, textiles product reviews analyst Grace Wu and former contributing analyst Rachael Chen.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
