The best bath towels for 2025 will make every day feel like spa day. (Frontgate)
As a home editor who tests a lot of home products — and a person who takes her bath (aka "me") time very seriously — I'd like to think I know a thing or two about what makes the best bath towels. Softness, cushiness and a thirsty nature are a must, with bonus points if they're quick-drying, aesthetically pleasing and, to get your money's worth, long-lasting.
For this guide, I evaluated 18 bath towels over the course of a couple of months, assessing them for look and feel (read: plushness and smoothness). I plunged them into buckets of water to gauge their absorbency and put them through several laundry cycles to see how well they could keep their shape and color in the washing and drying process. Ultimately, I found that the best bath towels are made of long-staple Turkish cotton, though I included options of different weights and plushnesses, so if you want something lofty and fast-drying, we've got you covered.
Update, July 3, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. Our number one pick for the best bath towel remains unchanged.
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 28" x 55" | Colors: 11 options | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
For a slightly plusher, slightly heavier, slightly more absorbent towel, I recommend Garnet Hill's Cloud-Loft.
Design and feel: The dreamy towel features a half-inch hem and 2.25-inch dobby on both ends for a look that's classic, though still minimalist. It's woven of soft, long-staple Turkish cotton and feels more like a lofty throw blanket than a towel.
Absorbency: In my absorbency test, the towel held as much as four liters of water at a time, more than any other towel I tested. Despite how much it guzzled, it was out of the dryer in about 45 minutes.
Durability: Garnet Hill's Cloud-Loft retained most of its softness and plushness throughout five wash and dry cycles. The only con is that it did shrink a bit — in this case, down to 51.5 inches in length — but this was fairly typical among the towels I tested.
It comes in 12 colors (I tested the Sage Green) and is available as a bath towel, hand towel and bath sheet, with or without custom embroidery. (See here for more plush towel favorites.)
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 28" x 55" | Color: 15 options | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex; Ecocert Greenlife
If a fluffy, fast-drying towel is what you seek, look no further than this bestselling Pottery Barn pick.
Design and feel: The first thing I noticed upon delivery was just how soft the Hydrocotton was, made of ultra-smooth, long-staple Turkish cotton. And for a regular towel (versus one marketed as plush), it's pretty thick. Like with my other top picks, I couldn't stop touching it. The design is fairly classic: There's a narrow hem, just shy of an inch, and it has a dobby measuring just over two inches wide.
Absorbency: In my absorbency test, the towel was able to hold two liters of water without dripping, on the higher end for a towel in the traditional (versus plush) cotton/terry category. The clincher: It dried faster than any towel I tested, in only 30 minutes.
Durability: After five wash and dry cycles, the towel was just as absorbent and almost as soft as it was initially, plus it felt fluffier. It shrank to 52.5 inches in length after some use, but maintained its color saturation.
The towel is not only cozy, but cost-conscious when compared to the other luxury towels, ringing in at about $35 and often on sale. It comes in a generous range of colors (16 total), complete with optional monogramming.
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 58" | Colors: 27 options | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Topping my list is the Frontgate Resort Towel, a large and cushy, but still breathable towel that comes in a cornucopia of colors and iterations.
Design and feel: It's woven of long-staple Turkish cotton and was among the softest towels I felt in early assessments. It features a quarter-inch hem and a four-inch honeycomb-like dobby (the row of threading at a towel's top and bottom) for a look that's classic yet modern.
Absorbency: This towel was able to retain about three liters of water in my absorbency test. Despite its thickness, it also dried fairly quickly, taking about 40 minutes in the dryer, compared to similar styles that typically took close to an hour.
Durability: The Resort towel maintained nearly all of its softness and color throughout the laundry process, and most of its shape: It initially measured 30" x 58", and measured 29" x 55.5" after washing and drying. I noticed shrinking with nearly all of the towels I evaluated, so this didn't really affect my opinion.
Last time I checked, this Frontgate towel was available in 25 colors — with or without monogramming — and several sizes. It's meant for the bathroom, but its bold, bright hues would make it a great pool or beach towel in a pinch.
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 58" | Color options: 3 core options, plus seasonal shades | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
For a touch of texture, it doesn't get much better than this "Dreamweave" from Brooklinen.
Design and feel: The Dreamweave is constructed like a typical waffle towel in that it has fairly deep, spongy square pockets. But it's much cushier and cozier, made of long-staple Turkish cotton that, according to Brooklinen, has been prewashed for softness. The gauzy weave extends to its borders, giving it a more cohesive texture and look than waffle towels with more traditional hem stitching.
Absorbency: The towel is fairly absorbent, holding about one liter of water. And it was the fastest drying: When tumble-dried on low, it was ready to go in about 10 minutes, whereas other waffle towels took 30 minutes or so.
Durability: The Dreamweave was the softest in my initial waffle towel assessments and remained so after five wash-and-dry cycles. The brand states the dimensions as 30" x 58" (I measured 30" x 57.5", which indicates that it only shrank a little over an inch in length during my testing). From the naked eye, the towel didn't seem to lose any color saturation.
Brooklinen sells its waffle pattern as a hand towel, a wash cloth, a bath sheet and a robe, along with towel bundles that can save you up to $100 (full collection here). At the time of the last update, the brand was offering the Botanical Green shown, plus seven other colors. (Here's our guide to the best waffle towels for more options.)
In need of a refresh? Here are a few things to consider when scanning the bath towel aisle:
Dimensions: Most of the bath towels we tested measured 30" x 58", which we consider standard. Their bath-sheet counterparts typically measure 40" x 65", so if you like more coverage, the bath sheets are the way to go. Thicker, plusher towels tend to be more absorbent. Smaller, thinner towels take up less room and often dry faster.
Fabric: Most towels are made with 100% cotton, but some are blended with other materials for enhanced performance. Long-staple cotton features longer fibers, which generally result in increased strength, softness and durability. Turkish cotton, known for its long-staple, smooth and strong fibers, produces towels that are heavier in weight and have a plush, luxurious feel. Many cotton towels carry the “Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex” label, which is a globally recognized certification that ensures the textile has been tested for and is cleared against over 1,000 harmful substances.
Weave: Traditional terry cloth is typically lightweight and fluffy, with a texture that can range from soft to slightly rough, depending on the cotton quality and weave. While it may not be as absorbent as long-staple or Turkish cotton varieties, it often dries more quickly, making it a practical choice for everyday use. In contrast, long-staple and Turkish terry towels are generally thicker, more absorbent and heavier, offering a plush experience similar to what you’d find in luxury hotels. Waffle towels, characterized by their textured pattern, are usually the lightest and fastest-drying option. The dobby border — a decorative weave near the towel’s ends — can vary in style: a thicker dobby provides a traditional, elegant look, while thinner stitching or the absence of a dobby gives a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Size and color assortment: Many brands offer their towels in different versions, such as hand towels, washcloths, bath sheets and bath mats, to lend a more cohesive look. Tentpole collections/colors (versus seasonal options) tend to stick around longer and are therefore easier to replenish (i.e., you can scoop up a replacement without having to invest in a whole new collection in order to match). Consider mixing and matching a few colors to give yourself some options. It can also be helpful to designate a different towel color for each person living in your house so you don't have to worry about who's using what (same goes for repeat overnight guests).
Cost: Like many home essentials, we consider quality bath towels a worthy investment that will hopefully pay off over time. That said, you don't necessarily have to splurge in the name of good quality: See the "others we tested" section to get a sense of what's available across budgets.
So many bath towels, so few top spots! Below, some honorable mentions that made an impression in my testing:
Lands' End Premium Supima Cotton Bath Towel ($40): This is a fairly large towel with good absorption, available in 17 colors. It's almost as soft as Pottery Barn (though not as fluffy) and as silky as Frontgate (though not as thick), but became slightly less so after five wash/dry cycles, with a 40-minute dry time.
Casaluna Organic Bath Towel ($15): This one felt a tad rougher and thicker than the Lands' End towel. It absorbed just over two liters of water and dried in about 40 minutes. It's not as soft as what you'll find in my top options — and it comes in only eight colors — but it's a solid budget bet for someone who prefers a cleaner design (it doesn't have a dobby). I've used this towel for about two years and can confirm it holds up with regular washing.
Riley Spa Towel ($60): I consider this towel a traditional terry towel, meaning it's less soft. It has a minimalistic style and some serious absorption capabilities: It soaked up three liters of water, the most of any towel that wasn't marketed as "plush," and still dried in about 40 minutes. I like that it has a loop for hanging, but I wish it came in more more than six colors. That and the hefty price tag knocked this out of the list of top contenders for me.
West Elm Everyday Textured Towel ($18): I scooped up a set of these towels a few years back and have added multiple colors to my collection since. Though it's one of my favorites, it's lightweight and therefore not as absorbent as some others on this list — it held just over 1.5 liters of water in my test — so it didn't make the top spot. That said, I use mine in spring and summer months, and even with regular use, I can attest my towel colors are still vibrant.
Threshold Performance Plus Bath Towel ($10): Another personal favorite, this towel from Threshold pulled its weight in my absorbency test (2.5 liters, to be exact) and was done drying in 40 minutes flat. It's not as soft and plush, though, as the towels from Garnet Hill and Frontgate, and it did shrink. Last time I checked, it came in 24 colors, so it's a decent option if you want to mix and match towels without breaking the bank.
Boll & Branch Plush Spa Towel ($49): Like many towels in this section, this traditional terry towel isn't as soft as Garnet Hill and Frontgate, but it's among the thirstiest I tried (it sopped up three liters of water) and was surprisingly quick to dry (around 45 minutes). I also like that it's made of organic cotton and has a loop for easy hanging.
Brooklinen Super-Plush Towel ($84 for two): This towel is similar to Boll & Branch's plush offering (same original length; absorbed about three liters of water). It felt a tad softer and measured a little over an inch longer. Brooklinen offers more color and pattern options, but the tradeoff is that this towel took longer to dry than Boll & Branch's version.
Cozy Earth Luxe Bath Towel ($140 for two): Out of dozens of towels tested, Cozy Earth's "Luxe" is the only one that felt as silky post-washing and drying as it did when I first got it. But it's not quite as fast-drying, big or plush as some of the other options here, and at $70 per towel, it definitely falls in the pricey category.
Baggu Bath Towel ($44): Patterned towels shimmy from the bathroom to the pool to the beach, making them a great choice for those who don't have a lot of storage — plus, they're fun! This one from Baggu didn't feel as silky as those in my top picks, but it's fairly absorbent (it soaked up two liters), and it's sizable: I measured 57.5" long, post-wash and dry cycles. I've given this towel, along with the brand's funky hand towels, as gifts.
Dusen Dusen Reversible Bath Towel ($62): This bath towel from Dusen Dusen comes close to what I experienced with premium brands like Boll & Branch and Brooklinen. Despite its heavier weight, it dried in about 40 minutes and the saturated colors remained vibrant. It's reversible — you can find it in various patterns including stripes — so it's kind of like getting two towels in one. But it's expensive.
Casaluna Waffle Bath Towel ($15): This waffle bath towel from Target's elevated home brand, Casaluna, is similar in aesthetic to Brooklinen's, complete with deep, square pockets. It measured around the same size (30" x 58.25", larger than its stated dimensions) and was as absorbant. It took slightly longer to dry (about 20 minutes), but still took second place in the waffle race. And it's not as soft — more along the lines of a linen-flax — but it appears more durable than softer waffle fabrics and you can't beat the price.
Parachute Waffle Towel ($49): I referred to Parachute's waffle towel as the "Tigger" of my waffle towel testing group because it was the bounciest and stretchiest by a long shot. It was absorbent, quick to dry and appeared to retain all of its color, though it did lose more length (about five inches) than Brooklinen's waffle towel, and wasn't as cozy-soft.
Onsen Waffle Towel ($59): Onsen has made a name for itself in the waffle weave category, and after testing its offerings, I can see why: The fabrics are soft, absorbent and seemingly durable, with a flatter weave. The towel shrunk only about half an inch in length and width, but it took about 30 minutes to dry, thanks to its stitched borders. Though I love the extensive color range, this towel is not quite as billowy as some (like Brooklinen), and it's on the costlier side.
Boll & Branch Waffle Terry Bath Towel ($49): Boll & Branch's hybrid offers the texture of a waffle towel and the absorption of a terry towel in one package. It was among the largest waffle towels I evaluated — a true 30" x 58". It was also among the thirstiest: In the absorbency test, it could make three liters of water disappear in no time. It's not cheap, but it's a worthy investment if you want something versatile and high-quality. It was also beautifully packaged — wrapped in a bow, inside a decorated box — for an impressive gift.
I tested these towels by — you guessed it — doing a lot of laundry! Here's a more detailed rundown of my evaluation process:
Design: I assessed each towel carefully upon arrival, taking note of things like softness, fluffiness, thickness, color and various design elements. I also laid each towel flat and used a ruler to measure the actual size versus what was stated on brand websites.
Absorbency: With first impressions out of the way, it was off to the bathtub. Each towel was dunked in a bucket of water and balled up gently to assess how much water it could hold.
Laundry: I then headed to the laundry room, putting each towel through five wash-and-dry cycles to see how they held up to water, heat and being tossed around. I used the same laundry detergent when cleaning and used wool balls when drying — in the same quantities — for consistency. I washed all of the towels in warm water and tumble-dried them on low.
Longevity: After the fifth drying, it was back to the drawing (er, assessment) table. I compared each of the tested towels with a fresh version for look and feel and remeasured size to surmise how each would stand up over time.
Most of the brands we featured recommend washing towels in cold or warm water, using a gentle cycle, and tumble-drying them on low. Using dryer balls helps separate laundry pieces for better aeration and quicker drying times. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach when washing colored textiles to help towels last longer. Some of the brands recommended avoiding dryer sheets as well, so always read the label and follow care instructions.
Waffle towels typically dry the quickest because they have a more breathable weave. Thick edges/borders and dobbies (bands of stitching along the top and bottom of a towel) can also affect a towel's drying time.
Turkish cotton is primarily grown in Turkey, known for its long fibers that produce strong, smooth yarns. Egyptian cotton, while traditionally cultivated in Egypt, may also come from other countries such as China, the United States or Peru. The label “Egyptian cotton” can be misleading — brands only have to use as little as five percent Egyptian cotton in a blend to label it as such. To ensure a product is made from 100% Egyptian cotton, check the label for a full fiber content breakdown. Egyptian cotton towels tend to be thicker and plusher but slower to dry, while Turkish cotton towels dry more quickly and become softer with every wash.
Hotels wash their white towels in high-quality laundry detergent in a commercial-grade washer. The key is washing them in hot water with added chlorine or oxygen bleach to keep them white and sanitized. They get that subtle, incredible smell by using a small amount of scented fabric softener in the rinse cycle.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective and unbiased criteria.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.