The 14 Best Bath Towels of 2024, According to Testing

Best Overall

Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Quick-Dry Bath Towel

View On Pottery Barn $15

The Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towel is our top pick for the best bath towel because it feels and looks high quality. During our testing, we found that it absorbed water well and dried quickly as its name promises. 

Though this towel only has a GSM of 550, it is made with a 100% organic long staple Turkish cotton that feels soft, plush, and luxurious. We also love that these bath towels are available in 14 different colors, which makes it easy to match these classic towels to your existing bathroom decor. 

During testing, we found that this towel lived up to its quick-drying name—it dried in less than an hour. We were surprised by its drying efficiency, especially due to its dense and fluffy texture, which usually takes longer to dry completely. 

We loved that the quality of these towels was virtually the same before and after washing three times—they still felt brand new after laundering. We did note that, after abrading one piece of the towel with a scrub brush, it was slightly matted compared to the rest of the towel, but it was barely noticeable.

The mascara and foundation stains were gone after just one wash, which is impressive and bodes well for a towel that gets a lot of use day-to-day. It does need to be washed in a delicate cycle, so be sure to follow the laundering instructions to help keep it plush over time. 

Product Details: Material: Organic Long Staple Turkish Cotton | Dimensions: 28 x 55 inches | Colors: 14 | GSM: 550 

Runner-Up

Garnet Hill Cloud-Loft Towels

View On Garnethill.com $24

True to its name, the Garnet Hill Cloud-Loft Towel scored rave reviews for its wonderful soft-as-a-cloud texture. We appreciated the towel’s thickness and overall quality and felt that it was the ideal combination of plushness and softness. 

It’s made of long-staple Turkish cotton, a material that’s known for being luxurious and soft. We liked that it felt thick and spa-like without being overly bulky. The high-quality details are a selling point, too, especially the detailed border that gives the towel a stylish look and feel.

Even after multiple washes, the Garnet Hill Cloud-Loft Towel retained its high-end texture. There was only the slightest difference in softness post-wash, but overall the towel still felt very plush and cozy.

There were some visible signs of wear after the abrasion test (the brush produced a grape-sized amount of fabric debris, though there were no holes or loose loops). We were impressed that the fabric fully repelled the mascara and foundation stains, too.

Price-wise, this is on the higher end of the bath towels we reviewed, but we felt that the cost was reasonable given the quality. The only thing to keep in mind with this towel is dry time; even after two hours, the thick, plush fabric remained damp, so it’s definitely not the fastest-drying towel on our list. 

Product Details: Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 28.25 x 51.5 inches | Colors: Six | GSM: 750

Best Budget

Threshold Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towel Set

View On Target $12

For less than $20 for two towels, the Threshold Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towels pleasantly surprised us during testing. Made of 100% cotton with a terry construction, these bath towels have a ribbed design and come in classic colors like white, washed black, light gray, gold, and aqua. They may be affordable, but they look luxurious. 

This towel promised to be quick-drying, and we found that it was completely dry after an hour. Combined with the fact that it is absorbent, this would be a great towel for everyday use—it absorbs quickly and effectively, but also dries quickly to prevent any mold or mildew smells. 

After washing the bath towels three times, these towels felt less plush and, though there were no visible snags or loose threads, felt slightly more coarse. We found that the abraded area—which we caused while testing durability with 50 swipes of a scrub brush—was very noticeable.

While the mascara stains were completely gone after being put through the wash, the foundation stains were still slightly visible after washing. We found that it may be necessary to treat both sides of the towel with laundry stain remover as the foundation seemed to leak through. 

Overall, we were impressed with the absorbency and dry time of the towels since they have a much lower price point that other towels on our list. 

Product Details: Material: 100% terry cotton | Dimensions: 30 x 54 inches | Colors: Five | GSM: 450 to 550

Best Splurge

Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels

View On Frontgate

After testing, we found that the Frontgate Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel is well worth the higher price tag thanks to its softness, absorbency, and ability to dry quickly. Made of 100% Egyptian cotton that’s stronger and more absorbent than regular cotton, it’s available in multiple colors: white, ivory, khaki, carbon, pewter, steel blue, midnight blue, and sage green. 

This towel weighs in at 800 GSM, making it one of the plushest and densest towels we tested. While some towels shed or lost the plush texture after the first wash, this towel retained its plushness and quality after three washes.

Even after we abraded the towel, we could not see any signs of wear in that area after washing. Additionally, the mascara and foundation stains were completely removed after one wash. 

This towel impressed us during the absorption and drying tests, passing with flying colors. Where it really shined was the drying test. Sometimes, plush towels can take longer to dry, but we found that is not the case with this towel. After 60 minutes, the towel was completely dry. 

Keep in mind that these towels have a 4-inch decorative jacquard chain-link dobby on both ends (which you can have monogrammed, if you choose) and we found that these were rather rough in comparison to the super soft weave. 

Product Details: Material: Egyptian cotton | Dimensions: 30 x 58 inches | Colors: Eight | GSM: 800

Best Bath Sheet

Italic Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towels

View On Italic.com $16

The Italic Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towels weighs in at a whopping 800 grams per square meter, making it a super dense option. It is well-made and high-quality—there were no loose threads, snags, or defects either before or after washing during testing. 

Its size is impressive, being large enough to cover a taller person with room to spare. It’s thirsty, too, soaking up ample water in our absorbency test. We found that it released makeup stains with no residue left behind. 

For all this heft, one might think it would take a long time to dry, but not so—it was dry within 90 minutes. And it handled our abrading test with ease, with no significant changes to the towel’s surface or appearance. It looks and feels like absolute luxury, which makes its price for a pack of two all the more amazing. Our only complaint is that it’s not as soft as other towels we tested.

Product Details: Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 64.5 x 40 inches | Colors: Four | GSM: 800

Best Waffle

Boll & Branch Waffle Terry Bath Towel

View On Bollandbranch.com $49

Towels made with a waffle weave have a texture that is absorbent and fast-drying. Typically, they can be a bit rougher and less plush than their terry counterparts, but the Boll & Branch Waffle Terry Bath Towel impressed us by combining the two. It has a dual-texture design that features a waffle weave on one side, while the other is soft terry loops. 

Made of 100% cotton, this bath towel is slightly longer than most standard towels at 58 inches long, with a width of 30 inches. It comes in four neutral colors, and has a hook loop for easy hanging, which we felt helped the towel dry more quickly. 

This towel was very absorbent, soaking up 4 ounces of water entirely with no problem. When it came to drying time, the towel showed no moisture at the end of the hour-long dry cycle, during which we left it hanging on a drying rack to air dry. 

Per the care instructions, shedding on the first wash and dry cycle is natural, and will eventually dissipate over time. We didn’t notice that the towel shed, but we did notice that it became slightly less soft after the first wash when comparing the washed towel to an unwashed towel. The two stains were completely gone, and we couldn’t tell where the abraded or treated areas were. 

Product Details: Material: 100% organic cotton | Dimensions: 30 x 58 inches | Colors: Four | GSM: 450 to 550

Best for Guests

Quince Turkish Spa Bath Towels

View On Onequince.com $50

If you reserve the best bath towels in your house for guests, you’d be proud to offer them the Quince Turkish Spa Bath Towel. We loved this terry cloth towel’s plush texture and the soft, spongy feel of its 100% long-staple Turkish cotton. 

Although the retailer doesn’t list GSM, we found this to be a medium-weight towel that felt very substantial. At 27 x 54 inches, it may not be quite big enough to qualify as a bath sheet, but it’s still roomy enough to feel luxurious. We found the proportions were generous, and easily wrapped around us with extra length to spare. 

In tests for durability, the Quince bath towel fared very well. The fabric didn’t develop any loose threads or snags, and the color resisted fading and discoloration. And while we did feel that the fabric became just slightly less soft, overall it remained lovely and plush after multiple washes. 

Appearance-wise, this is a well-constructed towel with an attractive banner that you’d be happy to display in a guest bathroom. It’s worth noting, though, that there are no other extra features or decorative embellishments, if that’s something that’s important to you. Color options are more limited, but it’s offered in classic neutrals like ivory, silver, and mineral.

Product Details: Material: Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 27 x 54 inches | Colors: Five | GSM: Not listed

Softest

Cozy Earth Ribbed Terry Bath Towels

View On Cozy Earth

If you’re looking for a soft towel to cozy up with after a warm bath or shower, we loved the Cozy Earth Ribbed Terry Bath Towel during testing. Made from 60% cotton and 40% bamboo viscose, we liked how soft and plush this towel was, despiste the ribbing. 

Upon first inspection, we were a little concerned with how this towel would perform since there were a few snags and loose threads. Despite these flaws, we were otherwise impressed with the 800-GSM towel during testing.

After washing and drying the towel, we liked that there wasn’t a noticeable difference in the texture compared to how it felt right out of the box. The color didn’t fade at all, and the stains we intentionally added to the towel were completely removed after washing—we couldn’t even tell where they had been on the towel. 

How It Performed After One Month

In addition to evaluating this towel in our lab, we also tested in the real world. After using it for a month, we appreciated how absorbent it was, and we noticed that it soaked up moisture well from both skin and hair. 

We also liked that this towel has a loop for hanging, which helped it dry faster in our bathroom. It was always completely dry by the time we went to use it again.

Since our lab tested towel had a few snags, we ordered a new one for real world testing, and that one didn’t have any snags or threads, which led us to believe we may have gotten a faulty product the first time. After consistently using, no snags or loose threads appeared, and there were no stains after laundering. 

Product Details: Material: 60% cotton and 40% bamboo viscose | Dimensions: 30 x 57.5 inches | Colors: Charcoal, white, light gray | GSM: 800

Best Organic

Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Bath Towels

View On Brooklinen View On Zola $89

Made from GOTS-certified Turkish cotton, the Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Bath Towels stands out from the rest with its plush ribbed texture and its hefty size (about 58 x 30 inches). That puts it somewhere between a typical bath towel and the larger bath sheet—plenty of cotton for drying off while still small enough to fold and easily store in a linen closet.

It absorbed lots of water in our testing, and it dried pretty quickly (in less than two hours), which is great considering its larger size. Makeup stains washed out of it easily and left behind no traces, and multiple washes did not compromise the towel’s good looks one bit. The GOTS certification means the cotton is organic and its processing was environmentally and socially responsible.

We did notice some pilling and loop breakage during the durability test, where we abraded the towel with a brush. As for value, its price is in the middle of the pack for two towels, but we weren’t quite sold that this pick is worth that much, especially compared to other options.

Product Details: Material: Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 58x30 inches | Colors: Four | GSM: 560

Best Turkish

Restoration Hardware Turkish Towel Set

View On Rh.com $110

Both before and after washing, the Restoration Hardware Turkish Towel Set boasted major loft, super softness, and deep terrycloth loops. It didn’t fade or wear with a turn through the washer and dryer, and maintained its handsome appearance and dense pile. It released makeup stains with ease, and it performed well in our durability test, with no loose fibers or fuzz. 

This might be due, at least in part, to the long-staple Turkish cotton, whose fibers are longer and don’t pill as easily as other fabrics. Towels made with long-staple cotton maintain a tighter weave and smoother surface.

This beauty also comes in an array of 15 really lovely colors (several neutrals and a few pretty blues), so you’re likely to find just the one to match your bathroom. It exceeded our expectations in terms of washing, durability, and overall feel, and it’s definitely worth the price.

The only issue we noticed with this Turkish towel: It wasn’t as absorbent as other towels, and it took a bit longer to dry—which might be because it’s so thick and dense.

Product Details: Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 56 x 30 inches | Colors: 15 | GSM: 750

Best Colors

West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels

View On West Elm $19

Coordinating towels are a budget-savvy way to put the finishing touch on a bathroom, but it can be hard to find well-priced towels in sophisticated colors. That’s why we’re taken with the 10 high-end hues on the West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels, which range from pale pastels to rich darks, every last one of them stylish and attractive. 

In addition to the great color options, these towels feature a loop for hanging them to dry, a lighter weight, and nice softness. The color did not fade with washing, and the towel let go of makeup stains completely, leaving no marks behind. It’s also priced competitively and certified by GOTS and OEKO-TEX.

At first feel, the towel comes across as a bit thin, and its woven texture looks like it could snag with regular use. When we abraded the towel with a bristle brush for a durability test, the towel pilled and degraded somewhat, though the underlying fabric did not appear stressed. 

Product Details: Material: Organic cotton | Dimensions: 54 x 28 inches | Colors: 10 | GSM: 500

Best Set

Crane & Canopy Plush Towel Bundle

View On Craneandcanopy.com

The soft, fluffy, high quality Crane & Canopy Plush Towel Essentials Bundle9 is our pick for the best set. This set includes two washcloths, two hand towels, and two bath towels which, considering the quality of these bath towels, is well worth the price tag. We also love that the towel set can be monogrammed, which will add a personalized touch to your bathroom. 

During testing, this towel set impressed us with its softness. Made of long staple Turkish cotton, these towels have a GSM of 600, which makes them feel dense and plush. 

When it came to absorbency and dry time, this set performed well and absorbed water with ease. The towels were completely dry after one hour, which impressed us, considering how plush they are—we had anticipated them taking longer to dry. 

On top of feeling luxurious, the bath towel, hand towel, and washcloths all passed our durability test, barely showing signs of abrasion. They had no visible stains left in the fabric after laundering, and we found that they actually managed to become even softer after washing and drying. 

We liked that this towel featured a loop that can be used to hang the towel, we felt that it was flimsy and weak compared to the loop featured on the Boll & Branch Waffle Terry Bath Towel. 

Product Details: Material: 100% long staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 30 x 56 inches | Colors: Four | GSM: 600

Best Textured

Nate Home by Nate Berkus Cotton Terry Bath Towel Set

View On Target $22

With a handsome band on one end and a loop for hanging, the Nate Home by Nate Berkus Cotton Terry Bath Towel Set is simple, modern, and attractive.

It's absorbent but still very quick-drying—it took just an hour to dry completely, which was the fastest of the towels we tested. It also held up well in our durability test, with almost no pulling or fuzzing after we abraded it with a bristle brush.

Because bath sheets can take up a lot of space in a linen closet when they’re folded, we liked having a loop as an option for hanging the towel on a hook. And the price for two bath sheets is quite affordable.

However, the drawbacks were evident early on. Out of the package, the towels had several snags in the fabric, though these snags did not worsen with multiple washes. And makeup stains did not come out with laundering; traces of both mascara and foundation were clearly visible even after washing. 

Product Details: Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 70 x 40 inches | Colors: Two | GSM: 608