The Best Bath Towels To Buy In 2020

There’s nothing like getting out of a relaxing bath or refreshing shower and cocooning yourself in a luxe bath towel. But not all bath towels are created the same, and we can all agree that there are so many options out there. So we’ve compiled a list of our favorites, at all different price points, to help you choose the best one that works just for you.

What to Consider Before Buying

There’s a whole wide world of bath towels on the market, which means it can be hard to figure out exactly what you’re looking for. Depending on the material, bath towels can be plush, lightweight, heavy, textured, and everything in between. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular types:

Besides considering the material of the towel, you’ll want to think about weight, longevity, and ease of care. Pretty much all bath towels are machine washable, but some require more care to keep them in good shape—especially white towels, which can get dingy rather quickly. When it comes to weight, towels are measured by GSM (grams per square meter). Most towels range between 300-900 GSM, with 900 being the heaviest. It’s good to remember that a lower GSM doesn’t mean lower quality—it just means the towel has a lighter weight (and most likely dries faster).

And of course, there’s the whole bath towel vs. bath sheet dilemma. Simply put, bath sheets are just larger bath towels, and they’re best for taller people or those who really like to wrap themselves up in their towel. Bath towels are typically 52″ x 27″ while bath sheets are around 60″ x 35″ (most of the options on this list fall somewhere in between).

What We Look for in a Bath Towel

We tested a wide range of bath towels for our list, judging them on the follow criteria:

We know, we know—Parachute again? The popular DTC brand has dominated our lists of the best linen sheets, best bathrobes, best duvet covers, etc., but it really is one of the best bedding and bath companies out there. This bath towel hits the sweet spot: It’s warm and plush, yet textured and absorbent. It’s a also perfect mid-weight, soft, and cozy. Out of all the towels we tried, this is the one we keep reaching for weeks later—and it’s only gotten better with washing.

Who It’s Best For: Those who are looking for something warm and weighty but not overly plush; those who like a clean, modern look.

Good to Know: Parachute’s towels are free of synthetic dyes, making them safer for you and healthier for the planet. However, this makes them susceptible to discoloration when exposed to certain harsh chemicals found in certain skincare items (thinks benzoyl peroxide) so if you’re worried about possible discoloration, opt for a white set.

If price is the most important factor to you, we heartily recommend Bed Bath & Beyond’s Wamsutta towels. We first tried them years ago and still prefer them over many of the more expensive brands we’ve tried since. Absorbent, soft, and available in an array of colors, you really can’t go wrong here—and after 2+ years of using them, we found that they haven’t changed in quality.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want to stick to a budget; those who dislike ultra plush towels.

Good to Know: This towel is pretty lightweight and a tad textured, so skip if you prefer fluffiness.

Snowe’s Honeycomb towel was the first waffle weave we tried, and we were so excited about it that we wrote a one-off review. The benefit of waffle weave is the lightweight feel and unbeatable absorbency, and this towel delivers on all counts. Not only that, but it also just looks really good too, which doesn’t hurt. We were worried about how well it would wash, but after several months, it’s still absorbent and hasn’t started looking worn (a problem you can run into with lightweight towels).

Who It’s Best For: Those who want something different from typical terry cloth towels; those in warm, humid climates who need something fast-drying and lightweight.

Good to Know: The thin, lightweight feel takes some getting used to (it’s not exactly warm and cozy), but the absorbency more than makes up for it.

Then again, there’s nothing wrong with a classic. Ralph Lauren’s Sanders towel is mid-weight and soft, with a ribbed cotton dobby and a turned hem. They last a long time, too—we have a friend who has had these for three years and still swears by them. Unfussy, simple, and always in style. Plus, they’re pretty much always on sale at Macy’s.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want to stick to the classics at a decent price.

Good to Know: Keep an eye out for discounts and coupons to score an even lower price. Also available at Neiman Marcus.

Boll & Branch’s bath towel has the classic look you know and love, but it’s made with organic materials so you can feel better about your purchase. Therefore, it’s more expensive than non-organic options, but worth the higher price if you want something that’s made of organic materials and produced in ethical conditions. Plus, it holds up well after several months of washes.

Who It’s Best For: Those who care where their products come from; those who like a plush feel.

Good to Know: All of Boll & Branch’s products, including the towels, are made without harmful chemicals, in factories that prioritize workers’ livelihoods and practice responsible waste and water management. Plus, all of their packaging can be recycled or repurposed.

If you’re searching for the fluffiest, plushest, coziest towel on the market, let us introduce you to Brooklinen’s Super-Plush towels. Available in a set of two, these towels are the key to turning your tiny bathroom into a home spa. They’re thick (820 GSM—most towels fall between 300-900 GSM) and honestly could be used as a throw blanket.

Who It’s Best For: Those who want luxury.

Good to Know: Brooklinen also has Mid-Plush and Ultralight towels. We’re big fans of the Mid-Plush if you don’t love the plush feel, but we recommend skipping the Ultralight—there are better lightweight options out there.

A modern update to traditional Turkish towels, Serena & Lily’s Fouta towel is lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, and absorbent. It’s double-sided, with a smooth front and terry cotton back, and features subtle striping for a unique look. The double-weave makes them a bit plusher than other Turkish towels, and they’re still holding up after several months.

Who It’s Best For: Those who like the look of Turkish towels but want something slightly more substantial; those who live in warmer climates and need something fast-drying and absorbent.

Good to Know: Many people use their Turkish towels at the beach as well as after their showers.

If luxury is what you’re after, you can’t do much better than Matouk. The Massachusetts-based heritage luxury brand has been around for nearly 100 years, and their plush bath towels are made with the high quality and craftsmanship you’d expect. They’re also a longtime favorite of Maxwell Ryan, our Founder and CEO.

Who It’s Best For: Those who value quality and craftsmanship; those looking to invest in towels that they’ll have for years; those who prefer a plush feel.

Havly is a newer towel brand that we recently discovered, and we have to say that we’re pretty wowed. They currently sell just one towel, but what a towel it is! It features a softer, plush section for drying your face, and a more textured section for drying your body. It’s designed to dry fast, and it really does—we noticed a difference right away. The only downside is that it does come at a higher price.

Who It’s Best For: Those grossed out by using the same towel to dry your face and your body; those who have tried it all and want something new.

Good to Know: These towels are expensive. Comparably priced towels on this list are made of organic materials or come from luxury brands; this one is neither. Havly says they’ll last for 1,000 washes, so if that’s the case, then they’re definitely worth the premium price.

This post was originally published on August 16, 2018, and was last updated on December 10, 2020, to reflect current prices and offerings.