Best bath towels: Quick Menu
1. Bath towel reviews
2. More bath towels
3. What to consider
4. FAQs
5. How we test
If you're in the market for some fancy new bath towels for your home, to take to college, or for your new apartment, then let me help make this job a whole easier. Because a bath towel isn't just a bath towel — the reality is that a good one should last for years of use with proper care, to help save the planet and to help keep your bank balance looking healthy.
Whether you're looking for plain bath towels to hide away in between uses or you want plush towels that wow guests (to put all of those towel storage ideas, I bet!) — maybe you're on the lookout for Christmas bath towels, ready for the holiday season? I've got you covered, no matter if your budget is $3 per bath towel or $30.
As a team, we've been working to test a bunch of bath towels, noting how soft they are and how well they wash, among so many other things. So, the first three bath towels in this guide are rated by team Real Homes, while the other nine picks have been featured purely based on their stellar customer ratings.
This guide covers all bases — thin and thick towels, colorful and plain white picks, luxurious price tags, and cheap and cheerful bath towels from just $3. I'd always recommend choosing a bath sheet instead of a bath towel (it's slightly bigger and feels a little more luxurious). And just an FYI: some towels in this guide come on their own, others in sets, and some in pairs so be sure to compare prices. This is an easy way to perfect your bathroom design, along with the cute bathroom decor finds we love atm.
These are the best bath towels
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
Bath towel reviews
We've featured a range of bath towels just below, but first up are the three we have reviewed. These have been ranked by our rating.
Material: 100% Egyptian cotton
GSM: 720
Sizes: Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet, Bath Mat
Colors: Silver Grey, Pearl Grey, White
Bath towel price: $72 (for 2)
Real Homes rating: 5/5 stars
This pair of bath towels is thick, absorbent, and super fluffy — in fact, they are actually the softest towels I've ever used. Think hotel quality but even softer. I can recommend the bath sheet size, and IMO, even if you don't have a tumble dryer, they'll still come out fluffy. On first use, you might find them too soft, but once they've been washed a couple of times they'll be perfect. They're fitted with hooks, too, and even though they are thick they're still easy to roll. They also arrive in plastic-free packaging! Without a doubt, the best bath towel you can buy.
Material: 100% Cotton
GSM: 500
Sizes: Face Cloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet, Super Jumbo
Colors: White, Pearl, Grey, Soft Grey, Slate
Bath towel price: $65
Real Homes rating: 5/5 stars
The Real Homes team are big fans of The White Company towels (and bedding!) and these ribbed ones are particularly luxurious. In fact, our editor is totally obsessed with them. They feel supremely soft and hold their warmth super well after hanging on a heating rack. The towels don't shed and their plush material doesn't feel thin or flimsy. Actually, after washing and drying them for months, they just seem to be getting fluffier. They're nice and lightweight and are perfect for year-round use, and their ribbed effect means they dry you so much faster. They're bestselling for a good reason.
Material: 60% Bamboo Rayon, 40% Cotton
GSM: 600
Sizes: Wash Cloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet
Colors: White, Cream
Bath towel price: $26
Real Homes rating: 4.5/5 stars
These ultra-soft bamboo towels are so fluffy they're almost fleece-like. They were absorbent from first use and even after washing they still hold their absorbency so well. Our reviewer tumble dries hers and they come out nice and fluffy every time. They're a great everyday bath towel at a reasonable price, while they might be a little thinner than you might think — but this does make them nice and lightweight. And it means you can store more in a smaller bathroom. Oh, and do note they don't have a hanging hook! Otherwise, their 60% bamboo construction makes them an eco-friendly pick at an affordable price tag.
Bath towels highly rated by shoppers
Ranked by customer rating.
Material: 100% soft cotton fabric
GSM: 550
Includes: 4 x Bath Towels
Colors: 12
Bath towel price: From $39.99 (for 4)
Customer rating: 4.8/5 stars
These Walmart towels are highly rated by shoppers and when considering their price tag, they're a great dorm-friendly towel that you won't be worried about losing or ruining. They come in a pack of four and in so many different colors, with a three-stripe pattern. With a high 4.8-star rating from almost 500 reviewers, shoppers mostly comment about how you need to wash them initially for them to go properly fluffy, FYI, and how absorbent they are. Ideal for use as guest towels or as your main towels, you won't regret this purchase.
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
GSM: 700
Colors: 24
Sizes: Wash Cloths, Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet
Bath towel price: $44
Customer rating: 4.7/5 stars
These towels come in 24 colors, to inject more than a luxury look into your bathroom. They are zero-twist to offer a plump look, plus their absorbency is second to none. The best part? They can be monogrammed with your initials. They're made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton and woven to a thick 700GSM. With a total of 10,000 reviews on site, these towels have a 4.7-star rating from shoppers, with everyone raving about how soft, plush, and thick they are.
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
GSM: 820
Includes: 2 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels
Colors: 10
Set price: $120
Customer rating: 4.5/5 stars
Crafted from 100% Turkish cotton using the strongest and tightest 820GSM ultra-durable weave, this thick towel set is the perfect just-moved-in buy. This way, all of your towels will be the same, and even better: you'll have two of everything. Included in this bundle are two bath towels and two hand towels. Super thick, super fluffy, and super high quality. You can even mix and match colors. With a whopping 21,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating from shoppers, with so many people claiming they wash really well.
Material: 100% Cotton
GSM: 500
Sizes: Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet
Colors: 15
Bath towel price: From $26.06 (for 4)
Customer rating: 4.5/5 stars
Highly rated by 80,000+ reviewers, these Amazon brand towels are fade-resistant and super affordable, plus you can choose from 15 colors to complement your washroom. Admittedly, they're not the most luxurious option on our list but for the price, what can you expect? They're absorbent, soft, and they have a simple pique border. They also come as a set with more sizes, if you don't need four bath towels. They're ideal for dorms and shoppers claim they are great value for money.
Material: 100% Turkish Cotton
GSM: 650
Sizes: Wash Cloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel
Colors: 15
Bath towel price: From $27.99 (for 2)
Customer rating: 4.5/5 stars
Don't just take our word that the Trident Bath Towels are a brilliant buy, also check their 14,000+ reviews to hear from happy shoppers who are swooning over this household staple. These towels are ultra-absorbent and they come in at a medium thickness. You can choose from a whopping 15 color choices and they are made from 100 percent air-rich cotton yarn and with a climate pledge-friendly seal of approval.
Material: 100% cotton
GSM: Not listed
Sizes: Wash Cloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel, Bath Sheet
Colors: 13
Bath towel price: From $2.94
Customer rating: 4.4/5 stars
This is the best Walmart bath towel you can buy, just ask the 5,000+ reviewers who rave about it. You can choose from 13 colorways and rest assured that although it's cheap it's still Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. That and shoppers say they are decent for the price, and they're a great spare towel to have just in case. Otherwise, they'd be ideal if you're off to college or want something for when you go on vacation. Customers also say they wash well.
Material: 100% ring-spun cotton
GSM: 600
Sizes: Wash Cloth, Bath Towel
Colors: 15
Bath towel price: From $22.99 (for 4)
Customer rating: 4.4/5 stars
Almost 18,000 Amazon reviewers are calling these towels a great purchase, and it's quite easy to see why. They're nice and thick at 600GSM and they come in 15 color options. Plus, they are super affordable. Shoppers say they wash well for the price and that they are nice and absorbent. A luxury product for a not-so-luxury price tag as they work out at around $8/towel at their cheapest price.
Material: Cotton
GSM: Not listed
Sizes: Hand Towel, Bath Towel
Colors: 1
Bath towel price: From $32
Customer rating: 4.4/5 stars
Okay, so you might be thinking: A Christmas bath towel, are you sure? But trust me when I say that your guests will think this is an extra cute touch around the holidays. Its cute embroidered pattern will bring a charm to your bathroom that plain towels won't, and they are super soft as they're velour. You can get a bunch of matching items to go with it, from a bath rug to a shower curtain, too! Let this towel take you back to your childhood Christmases.
Material: 90% cotton, 10% polyester
GSM: 400 – 450
Sizes: Wash Cloth, Hand Towel, Bath Towel
Colors: 5
Bath towel price: From $3
Customer rating: 4.1/5 stars
Surprisingly enough, these $3.50 towels are the highest-rated at Target. And we think they are perfect if you live in a flatshare or dorm as they're so budget-friendly, it doesn't matter if anything happens to them or if you lose them. We'll be honest, they aren't the most luxurious towel out there but considering their price tag they are a total bargain. Plus, they come in lots of colors (including a cute pink!) and shoppers say they're nice and soft and also lightweight. The best Target bath towel, without a doubt.
What to consider when buying new bath towels?
There are a couple of factors you need to consider before deciding on a bath towel to buy.
1. Absorbency
Typically speaking, thicker is better, as it's easier to absorb more water than lighter, thinner towels; however, it's crucial to read reviews. Sometimes, thicker towels are prone to retaining water, meaning they're one-and-done, and you will have to repeatedly wash them, or worse, it doesn't get all of the water off of you.
2. Softness
A towel's plush factor is also extremely important; you don't want the material to be too hard or stiff, as that's the last thing that will feel comfortable on your body. Instead, gravitate toward cotton or linens to ensure the fluffiest, most comfortable towels.
3. Weight
Another consideration is how much your towel may (or may not) weigh. Typically speaking, the higher the weight, the denser it is, meaning the more water it will absorb. Towels are measured in grams per square meter, with top-performing towels weighing anywhere from 500-700 GSM, heavy-weight towels from 600-900 GSM, and medium-range being 400-600 GSM. Anything lower than that is most likely not worth your time.
4. How do they wash?
First, consider how often to wash your towels (it's probably more than you think). Then, depending on how you like to wash your towels and bedding, whether hot or on an eco-cycle, it's always a good idea to check how the towels you've chosen can be washed. You don't want to accidentally damage your new towels after their first wash.
5. Colors
This factor isn't as important as the others, but it's always a good idea to choose a towel color that matches your bathroom, whether your fluffy new towels will be on display or hidden in a cabinet. White towels can be difficult to keep looking clean, especially if you often dye your hair or use fancy colored bath products, just something to keep in mind.
FAQs
Bath towel vs bath sheet — what's the difference?
The difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet is size. A bath sheet is a lot bigger than a towel, and a lot more luxurious in our opinion. If you can afford the extra expense, go for a bath sheet instead of a towel as you'll be able to fully wrap yourself in it.
What does GSM mean?
GSM stands for grams per square meter. The higher this number, the weightier the towel, essentially.
Where possible, we've listed each towel's weight in GSM. If you live in a hot climate then you might want to invest in a set of low-weight towels for the summer and some high-weight towels for the winter.
What is combed cotton?
If your towels say they are made from combed cotton means that the cotton has been brushed to separate short fibers for a softer, more durable substance.
What is ring-spun cotton?
If your towels say that they are made from ring-spun cotton, this means that they are made from from deep and tiny fibers that are tightly twisted, producing towel loops that are strong and smooth.
What is towel twist?
In the context of bath towels, twist refers to how much the loop's yarn is twisted. A good tip to remember the higher the twist, the more reliable and stable it will be (like GSM), but the lower it is the plusher and more drying it will be.
How we test bath towels
Where we can, we've actually used these towels in our own homes. How exactly do we do this?
- By feel: How soft are they? Are they thick or thin? What's their quality like?
- By look: Do they have a design? Do they have a texture? Are they available in lots of colors?
- By washing: How well do they wash? Do they have to be tumble-dried?
- By size: Do they come in just a bath towel size or also a bath sheet, and maybe a hand towel?
- By extra features: Do they have a hanging hook? Are they fast-drying? How many washes do they last?
We will all use these towels and wash them around 10 times before making a final verdict. If we wouldn't keep them in our bathroom and use them every day, then we won't feature them in this guide. It's that simple.
Meet our bath towel reviewers:
Our head ecommerce editor Annie has tested a bunch of towels, but the Scooms Bath Sheet is by far her favorite. This towel has been washed so many times and it forever stays fluffy. She says it's super absorbent, but does recommend the bath sheet size.
Our editor Melissa has taken a fancy to The White Company bath towels. In fact, the Rib Hydrocotton Towels now have a solid place in her main bathroom. While she initially bought them for guests, after pulling them out of the dryer post-visit (and trying them for herself), there was no going back. She's gone as far as kicking her bathrobe to the curb and only wrapping up in these after showering.
Beth has been testing the Comphy Bamboo Bath Towels for us in white, in her bathroom along with her fiance. She loved them, not just because they are eco-friendly, but because of how absorbent they are which means she can get extra uses out of them.