The Best Bath Towels of 2026

Written by
Camryn Rabideau, writer and product tester with over 8 years of experience. Her work has also appeared in Forbes Vetted, People Tested and Buy Side from WSJ.
Samantha Mangino, home appliance and furniture tester with over two years of experience.

Updated February 12, 2025

Shopping for the best bath towels can get confusing, yet these essential linens are important household staples. We rounded up some of the most popular bath towels made from all types of cotton and subjected them to extensive testing. While we mainly looked at how efficient each towel was at absorbing water, we also took into account the weight, feel and type of each towel.

We also determined how easy it was to remove stains from them, whether they got musty and more. While some products rose to the challenge, others gave a lackluster performance. Our results found that the best towel you can buy is the Parachute Classic Towel (available at Parachute) . It's highly absorbent, plush, and very comfortable. The Threshold Spa Bath Towels ($14 at Target) are our best value pick for plush towels on a budget.

Other Bath Towels We Tested

Brooklinen Classic Bath Towels

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 30 x 58 inches

Brooklinen is known for high-quality linens. In fact, its Luxe Bed Sheet is our favorite bed sheet, so I was excited to see how their Classic Bath Towels fared against the competition. Upon unboxing, I was surprised to find that the towels, which are made from 100% Turkish cotton, are thinner than many other similarly priced options, with smaller terry loops.

However, after using these absorbent, quick-drying towels for several days, I was extremely impressed by their performance. At 30-by-58-inches, they’re just a little bit larger than standard towels, and they wrapped around my body one and a half times, which was ideal for forming a makeshift robe. They picked up every last drop of water in our spill test, and were even comfortable to use as a hair towel thanks to their lighter weight.

The only area where these towels fell down was the stain test. After being washed, there was still a shadow of the stain remaining, but we’re confident it could easily be removed with a bit of pre-treatment. All in all, these oversized towels performed well and were enjoyable to use, making them a worthwhile purchase. However, they are quite pricey at almost $60 a piece.

Pros

• Larger than standard towels

• Extremely absorbent

Cons

• Expensive

Buy now at Brooklinen

The Company Store Legends Regal Bath Towel

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 30 x 56 inches

As our token Egyptian cotton towel in the lot, I had high hopes for the Legends Regal Egyptian Cotton Towel, and it didn’t disappoint. It has the soft, plush feel you expect from a luxury towel, especially one made from specialty cotton, with top-notch absorbance to boot.

Egyptian cotton is supposed to be the most luxurious, absorbent variety—the gold standard of cotton. I was pleased with the weight and texture of this towel, and it was one of the best performers during the spill test, as well. Not a drop of water was left behind!

Additionally, stains come out of this product fairly easily, even without stain remover. However, it didn’t necessarily perform any better than our top pick, so don’t believe all the hype about Egyptian cotton being king.

The reason this towel didn’t take the top spot is that it developed a slight musty smell over the course of testing. This tends to happen with heavier towels, though, as they are not quick drying, allowing mold and mildew to set in.

Still, this luxurious towel will serve you well in the bathroom. It comes in over 15 colors, many of which are rather unique, and there are matching hand towels and washcloths available, as well. However, because these towels are made from the heralded Egyptian cotton, they’re expensive at more than $40 a piece.

Pros

• Available in many colors

• Absorbent

Cons

• Develops a musty smell

Buy now at The Company Store

Coyuchi Cloud Loom Bath Towel

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 27 x 54 inches

At nearly $70 per piece, the Coyuchi Cloud Loom Towels are one of the most expensive linens we tested, and they definitely add luxury to a bathroom. Made from 100% organic cotton from Turkey, their noticeably longer terry loops make them incredibly plush.

At 27 x 54 inches, they’re on the smaller side, but still comfortable to use. When dry, the Coyuchi Towels felt almost cool to the touch, while the lack of any decorative border gives them a very simple, plain look. The linens were comfortable and soft, though they were a bit bulky when used as a hair towel. They absorbed water well, but there was a shadow of a stain left after washing them.

Pros

• Incredibly plush

Cons

• Expensive

• Plain design

Boll & Branch Bath Towel

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 30 x 58 inches

Right off the bat, this towel seemed different. Its texture was a little rougher than many others, possibly because the Boll & Branch Bath Towel is made from organic cotton. Because of this texture issue, it’s not the most welcoming product. It soaked up water well, but just wasn’t as soft as I wanted it to be.

It also fared poorly in the stain test, leaving behind a visible splotch that would need further treatment. Considering these towels are over $40 each and come in just three colors, there are better options out there, especially if comfort is a priority. However, it performed well enough in technical tests, so if you’re looking for an organic cotton towel and willing to sacrifice softness, maybe don’t rule it out.

Pros

• Soaks up water well

Cons

• Rough texture

• Expensive

Buy now at Boll & Branch

Standard Textile Lynova Bath Towel

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 30 x 60 inches

Standard Textile towels promise to deliver a spa-like experience to your home. We liked the plush feel and oversized form of their Lynova Plush towels, which measure 30 by 60 inches.

These towels are extremely absorbent thanks to their zero-twist cotton construction, which increases water intake by increasing the exposed fiber surface area. They aced our spill test, soaking up all the water off the floor, and came out of the wash stain-free. In addition to our usual soda stain, these towels also got stained with makeup, which also came out easily.

While these are by no means bad towels, they didn’t rank higher simply because their texture was lackluster. Overall, they just didn’t stand out, especially for their high price tag.

Pros

• Absorbent

• Oversized

Cons

• Lackluster texture

Buy now at Standard Textile

American Soft Linen Bath Sheet

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 35 x 70 inches

Sturdy but soft, American Soft Linen’s towel is an affordable option that feels high-quality. Made from 100% Turkish cotton, the cotton is Oeko-Tex certified so towels are not made with harmful substances like flame retardants and formaldehyde.

Dark soda stains wash out of the towels easily. The weight of the towel is well-balanced for everyday use. It’s not too heavy when used as a hair towel but it still has enough cushioning to be absorbent. After air drying, there was no musty scent so it stays fresh after use.

On the downside, this towel did pill substantially. Additionally, I found that it left lots of fabric on my skin which was a real drag when it came time to put on lotion. While this towel is absorbent, it can’t withstand the wear and tear of going through the wash.

Pros

• Soft

• Absorbent

Cons

• Sheds

$29.23 from Home Depot

$27.99 from Amazon

$26.99 from Walmart

JML Microfiber Bath Towel 2 Pack

• Fabric: 100% microfiber

• Size: 30 x 60 inches

JML’s microfiber bath towel checks a lot of boxes. It’s lightweight, absorbent, quick drying, and stain resistant. Made from microfiber, the synthetic material is soft but a little too soft. The towel is quite the thing and the texture is velvety but it does do a good job at absorbing moisture.

If you’re used to using microfiber cloths for cleaning, then it feels a little weird wrapping yourself up in a microfiber bath towel. While we didn’t love using it as a body towel, it’s a great hair towel as it isn’t too heavy and doesn’t pull on hair.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Dries quickly

Cons

• Thin

• Weird texture

$20.00 from Amazon

$22.99 from Walmart

Avoid

Amazon Basics Quick-Dry Bath Towels

• Fabric: 100% cotton

• Size: 30 x 54 inches

Striking the right balance of softness and a light weight, the Amazon Basics Quick-Dry towels seem nice. But these towels are a pilling machine.

After using them in the shower, we were covered in stray yarn, so much so that we had to use another towel just to wipe it all off. Thinking it would get better after running through the wash, we were wrong. Even after being laundered, there was still an array of pilled yarn left behind on our skin.

Overall, these towels should be great—they’re easy to clean, soft on skin, and a comfort size—but the unending amount of pilling makes them a tough sell.

Pros

• Soft

• Lightweight

• Quicky-drying

Cons

• Lots of pilling

$18.50 from Amazon

How We Tested Bath Towels

The Tester

I’m Camryn Rabideau and over the past few months, I’ve put essential household linens to the test—including bed sheets and comforters—and I was excited that my next task was to pit towels against each other. I studied textile science in college, so I‘m well-versed in the nuances of different fibers and construction methods. However, I was really interested to see if I could discern a difference in how certain manufacturing methods impacted bath towel performance.

I’m Samantha Mangino, a staff writer here at Reviewed. I’ve tested a boatload of household goods from trash bags to steam irons. Showering is one of my favorite parts of the day, and a good bath towel can make or break your steamy bliss.

The Tests

We've already found the best kitchen towels and beach towels, but how do you determine which bath towel is the best? Naturally, we wanted to evaluate how each towel performed when used after a shower, whether it could dry quickly, and how well it soaked up a puddle of water.

To do this, I used each product after my nightly shower for two days, to see how well would the towel feel, whether it would dry me off, and evaluate its size, texture, and weight. I also tried each one out as a hair towel to see whether it was comfortable, or if it weighed down my head.

Next, I evaluated how effectively each towel soaked up a cup of water. I poured the water onto a hard surface, then placed the towel on the liquid, letting it sit for 10 seconds of dry time. When I picked the towel up, I evaluated how much water, if any, was left behind.

We also ran more technical tests, like weighing the towels when dry and then while completely saturated to determine just how much water they could absorb. After these tests, the products were left to air dry, then I checked for any musty smell. (This smell develops if mold and mildew grow while the towel is drying—yuck.) I ran a stain test, too, spilling some soda on the towels and seeing if the spot came out in the wash with just regular laundry detergent.

Finally, I logged my own thoughts about the overall experience of each towel. I weighed in on things like how comfortable each was, how easy they were to store, and if I’d want to use them again.

What to Consider When Buying Bath Towels

Material

Most super plush bath towels have a few things in common. For one, the majority of towels you see are made of cotton, as it’s one of the softest and most absorbent fibers. Some specialty products are made from bamboo and polyester, but they’re not widely sold.

Similarly, the vast majority of bath towels are constructed of terrycloth, which is a fabric made from cotton and recognizable by all its little loops. Terrycloth is preferred for towels because the loops make it soft and absorbent, creating more surface area to soak up water.

However, bath towels can be surprisingly complicated from a manufacturing standpoint. Several kinds of cotton and yarn-construction techniques can be used to make towels, and these nuances can result in a different look, feel, and performance.

What Material Makes the Best Bath Towels?

There are several types of cotton, and while they’re all similar plants, the fibers they yield can be rather different. Egyptian and Turkish cotton plants are known for producing longer strands of fiber—also called staples. As such, the fibers don’t need to be wound as tightly when they’re made into yarn. This results in a softer, more plush fabric.

By contrast, cotton grown in the U.S. generally has a shorter staple and must be wound tighter to stay in place. If you see a label that just says “100% cotton,” it’s probably made from this standard cotton.

Additionally, “organic” cotton has risen in popularity in recent years. This fiber is grown from non-genetically modified plants, without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. The appeal here is that the process is more eco-friendly.

As if the many faces of cotton aren’t confusing enough, there are also differences in how the yarn for towels is spun. Cotton can be combed or ringspun. These processes remove any short, rough fibers, creating long strands of yarn that are as soft and durable as can be. That’s not to say regular cotton yarn is rough or weak—ringspun yarn is just slightly more luxurious.

Many different combinations of fibers and construction methods can go into making a bath towel. Certain decisions, such as using high-end Egyptian cotton or ringspun cotton yarn, result in significantly higher manufacturing costs, which explains the wide range of towel prices.

What's the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?

Just like you want to buy clothes in the right size, do the same with your bath towels. The measurements of a standard bath towel are around 30 x 58 inches, although you’ll likely come across a variety of sizes when shopping for your perfect bath towel.

The next most common size is a bath sheet, which measures 35 x 70 inches.

Bath towels can run on the smaller side so be careful to read the dimensions before purchasing. Since they're both longer and wider, bath sheets are a more suitable option for taller or plus-size people.

Weight

The weight of a bath towel is measured in grams per square meter (GSM). The weight of a bath towel typically falls anywhere between 300 and 900 GSM. If you’re looking for a lightweight option, you might prefer a towel that weighs below 500 GSM.

However, the higher the GSM, the thicker and more plush (and oftentimes more absorbent) a towel tends to be. So, if you’re someone who likes a super thick towel that feels almost blanket like, you should aim to purchase a bath towel that weighs over 600 GSM.

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