I put plush bath towels through the wringer. These 4 are the most absorbent.

Few things are as relaxing as taking a hot shower or bubble bath after a long day, especially when you get to wrap yourself in a cushy towel at the end of it. The best plush bath towels also make a difference during the colder months, when we're all seeking a little extra warmth. Thicker terry towels go from being an indulgence to a necessity.

As a home writer who has tested dozens of bath towels , I've found that plush bath towels are not just soft and thick, but also super-absorbent and relatively quick-drying. I put oversized and textured options through the wringer, dunking each towel in a bucket of water to evaluate absorbency and loading multiple wash-and-dry cycles to observe any shrinkage. The following plush towels are bound to transform your bathroom into an at-home spa , starting at around $60 for a set of two.

Best plush bath towels for 2026

Factors to consider when choosing a bath towel

✓ Dimensions:Most of the bath towels we tested measured around 30" x 58", which we'd consider standard. Their bath sheet counterparts typically measure in around 40" x 65", so if you like more coverage, they're the way to go. Thicker, plusher towels tend to be more absorbent. Smaller, thinner towels take up less room when storing and transporting and are often fast-drying.

✓ Fabric:Most towels are made with 100% cotton, some with other materials such as bamboo for added strength or sustainability. Long-staple cotton has longer fibers, which typically equate to greater strength and durability. Turkish cotton towels are made from long, strong, smooth fibers for a heavier weight and feel. Common labels include "organic" and/or " Standard 100 by 0 eko-Tex ," which is a certification that indicates a given textile has been tested and cleared against more than 1,000 harmful substances.

✓ Weave:Traditional terry is typically lightweight, fluffy — ranging from rough to soft (it may not absorb as much as long-staple or Turkish blends, but it can be quicker to dry). Long-staple or Turkish terry tends to be thicker and heavier, similar to what you might experience at a high-end hotel. Waffle towels, which have a textured pattern, are generally the lightest and fastest drying of all. A thicker dobby (the row of threading at a towel's top and bottom) lends a more classic feel, whereas thinner stitches (or no dobby at all) have minimalistic appeal.

✓ Size and color assortment:Many brands offer their towels in a variety of sizes and versions, such as hand towels, washcloths, bath sheets and bath mats, for creating a 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.

How we tested

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 wool balls when drying — in the same quantities — for consistency. I washed 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 it's likely to fare over time.

Other plush towels we tested

Threshold Spa Plush Bath Towel :This towel — a personal favorite — is similar to Brooklinen in weight, feel and dry time. It's slightly less absorbent (soaking up 2.5 liters of water) and shrank more in length (down from 56.5 inches to 53.5 inches). But it retained most of its softness and seemingly all of its color saturation. All in all, I'd consider it a good budget pick given the quality and low cost.

West Elm Plush Fibrosoft Towel :West Elm's "Fibrosoft" towel lives up to its name — it was among the softest I felt. I like the minimalist, wide-dobby towel and that it comes in 16 colors, including rosy neutrals and earthy shades (my favorite is Dark Olive, which I use in my own home around the holidays). Its plushness is on par with Brooklinen and Luxome, but it didn't retain quite as much water as the top picks in this list. At 54 inches (52.5 inches post-washing and drying), it's also on the smaller side.

Frontgate Resort Collection :Made of long-staple Turkish cotton, Frontgate's Resort towel is ultra-soft, absorbent, and quick-drying. It's offered in an impressive 29 colors, available in different sizes and even as a bath mat. While it was a smidge less soft than Garnet Hill and Luxome post-wash/dry and a smidge less plush than Brooklinen, I rated it "best bath towel overall" in our larger category guide to the best bath towels of 2026 .

Boll & Branch Plush Spa Towel :This towel is similar to Brooklinen in terms of texture, weight, and size. The same goes for absorbency (it sopped up three liters of water). It shrank about an inch more than Brooklinen in length, measuring 30 by 55.5 inches post-wash/dry and there are fewer colors available, though it is slightly quicker to dry and there's also a loop for hanging.

Cozy Earth Ribbed Terry Bath Towel :Made of a cotton-viscose blend, this towel from Cozy Earth is among the softest and silkiest I've experienced. I found it to be slightly fluffier post-wash than Luxome's ribbed towel, and soaking 3.5 liters of water, slightly more absorbent. Cozy Earth's version took a bit longer to dry — and shrank about an inch more — than Luxome's ribbed variety (last time I checked, it also came in fewer colors). But it has a similar look and heftiness should you happen to find it on sale, you like having a hanging loop, or just prefer one of Cozy Earth's shades.

Dusen Dusen Reversible Bath Towel :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, so it's kind of like getting two towels in one, and it doubles as a great beach towel . The catch: You're going to have to pay a pretty penny in the name of comfort and style.

Bath towel FAQs

What is the best way to wash a bath towel?

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, especially bleach, when washing colored textiles to help towels last longer. Some of the brands recommended avoiding dryer sheets as well.

What is the fastest-drying bath towel?

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.

What is the best bath towel?

The best bath towel is soft, absorbent and quick to dry — one that will look good in your bathroom, feel good on your skin … and last a long time. Aside from this, it typically comes down to the one that best suits your personal budget, needs and style.

We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.

Update, Oct. 26, 2026: We checked all product prices and availability. Our No. 1 plush bath towel remains unchanged.