14 best bath towels for absorbency, colour-fastness and wrapping yourself up in

Score: 95/100

Combining bamboo with cotton to silky-smooth effect, these towels were a hit in the lab and with our testers at home. They scored full marks for absorbency and for how well they washed, keeping their shape nicely. Testers were also impressed with their colourfastness.

The towels shed a little initially, but overall, our panel found the thick design made showering a treat. And they liked the loop that helps when hanging them up in the bathroom.

Panda deserves an honourable mention for its environmental efforts too; the towels boast an Oeko-Tex Made in Green accreditation, which means that they have been made using sustainable processes and in socially responsible conditions.

Score: 92/100

Our (joint) runner-up, these pure cotton towels shone for their stellar absorbency, leaving our panel of testers toasty and dry in no time. They were soft too, and you can choose between a timeless array of shades to find your bathroom’s perfect colour match.

In the lab, there was a small amount of fading and shrinkage detected by our experts, but nothing that would be too noticeable in day-to-day use. In fact, the well-sized and snuggly design is now a mainstay in our panellists' bathrooms.

For added peace of mind, the towels are certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, which means the organic claims have been independently verified throughout the supply chain.

Score: 92/100

Soft, fluffy and absorbent, these thick bath towels come in several classic shades. They aced our lab tests, absorbing water impeccably, and holding their colour.

They shrunk a little after the first wash (stabilising for subsequent cleans), but nothing that would make too much of a difference. In fact, one of our testers described the size as “perfect”, wrapping around their body well and sitting just above the knee.

Price is for a set of two

Score: 90/100

The White Company is always our go-to for hotel-quality furnishings, and these towels didn’t disappoint. Our panel described them as “super soft with a luxurious feel”, adding that the stitching and construction remained pristine throughout testing.

Our in-house testing reinforced our panel’s findings; the towels had a perfect score in our absorbency and shrinkage tests, and dropped less than a point in our fading tests because the darker towel dulled a smidge. Overall, if you’re looking to invest, these premium towels should provide inviting comfort for many showers to come.

Score: 90/100

With no fewer than 29 colours to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the right shade for your bathroom. But that’s far from the only reason our testers rated this towel; it scored full marks for its impressive absorbency and in our shrinkage tests, maintaining its shape well after washing.

There was some minor fading detected by our machine and our panel noted some initial shedding, but this isn't unusual with brand new towels. Our testers liked the coverage provided, declaring the towels soft and fluffy (even after a few washes!) and said they’d continue to use them after the test period had ended.

Score: 90/100

With their striped design, these towels will bring the beach to your bathroom (or look classy on the sand). They’re thick and super soft, so they felt gentle against our testers' skin.

They excelled during our in-house tests too, maintaining their vibrant colour, holding their shape, and absorbing water well.

And they’re Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, so you can wrap up safe in the knowledge that there are no chemicals next to your skin.

Score: 90/100

This towel aced our lab tests, scoring perfect marks for its impressive absorbency, colourfastness and reliability in the washing machine. It is also impeccably finished, with no loose stitches or threads detected.

It proved a hit in our panellists' bathrooms as well– they found it lightweight and soft, praising how its generous size wrapped around the body. Again, there are a lot of colours to choose from, pleasing your design sensibilities as well as being soft on your skin.

Score: 89/100

Available in eight chic colour combinations, this striped towel is another reliable buy. Our panel found it soft and stylish. Some said it wasn’t the thickest towel they’ve used, but all found it well-sized for maximum coverage and comfort.

In our wash tests, our experts noted mixed results. The towel scored full marks for its absorbency, and impressed with its lack of fading, but they measured some slight shrinking. That said, washing on a cooler temperature, rather than the suggested 60C, should limit this.

On balance, it’s a towel that will look just as good hanging in your bathroom as it will on the beach.

Score: 88/100

Described as "one of the best towels I have ever owned,” by one tester, this plush design pleased with its soft and cosy feel. It's made from organic cotton that’s OEKO-TEX certified, and held its shape and retained its colour in our lab.

Testers liked its absorbency too, and the size meant people could snuggle up in it after their shower. The flecked design and neutral shade are unique, too.

Score: 87/100

If you’re concerned about fading, these are the towels to plump for, as our software didn’t detect any loss of colour after multiple washes. They also scored full marks for their effective absorbency and lack of shrinkage.

Our panel said the towels felt soft and gentle against the skin, liked how they wrapped around them and were impressed with the clear care instructions provided. They’re a great value buy.

Score: 82/100

Whether you’ve enjoyed a soak or are stepping out of the shower, these are a treat to snuggle up in. They’re absorbent, wash well and come in an array of timeless colours. Not to mention, they were thicker than most of the other towels we tested – something our panel felt gave them a luxurious feel.

While pleasingly fluffy, the towels did shed to begin with, but this should stop before too long, especially if you wash the towels a few times before use. We also detected some fading via our in-house testing. This aside, the premium texture and weight of these towels make them a high-quality buy, which, according to our panel, “felt like hotel towels”.

Score: 82/100

If you ever wonder whether the towels you see on your weekly shop are worth adding to your trolley, then our testers have the answer, and it’s a simple “yes”. These felt soft to touch, absorbed water well and washed reliably too, with minimal shrinkage, while maintaining their fluffy feel.

They weren’t as colourfast as some and did malt to begin with. But overall, our panel were pleased with the towels and given their low price, they are a savvy buy.

Score: 81/100

Made with a combination of cotton and modal, these towels were so soft, testers described them as “velvety”. They fared well in most in-house tests, standing out for a lack of shredding. But we did detect some shrinkage after a few washes.

That said, the bath sheet is sizeable so should still provide good coverage. It’s also lightweight, which may come in handy if you’re travelling and want to take your own towel with you. It’s not the cheapest we tested, but its luxury finish certainly makes it an appealing pick.

Score: 81/100

Panellists described this bath sheet as “soft, thick and fluffy” and loved its generous size, commenting that it covered the whole body well. There was limited shrinkage in our lab wash tests too, so you can be confident it will stay that size, use after use.

It took until its fifth wash to perform in our absorbency test though, so definitely follow the guidelines on washing your towel before use. However, this will mean having to sacrifice that soft-to-touch feel as it lost some of its fluffiness once it had gone through the wash multiple times.

We also noticed the darker coloured towels began to fade around the edge so stick to lighter colours if you’re concerned about that.