Upgrade Your Bathroom With the 7 Best Bath Towels We’ve Ever Tested

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As a fiber scientist, I have strong opinions about towels: I want one that is plush but washes well; soft but doesn’t shed; and absorbent but dries quickly. After testing more than 90 styles in the Good Housekeeping Textiles Lab , these are the best bath towels, whether you prefer cloud-like and plush or quick-drying.

Our top picks:

• Best Overall: Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Quick-Dry Towel

• Best Value: Amazon Basics Quick-Dry Bath Towels, 2-Pack

• Best Plush: Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel

• Best Quick Dry: Everplush Diamond Jacquard Quick Dry Bath Towel

The other Lab analysts and I assess towels in-Lab using specialized equipment for the following criteria: absorbency, drying time, durability (including washability and fabric strength), and softness. Unlike many reviews based solely on at-home use, we conduct evaluations like measuring absorbency using a standardized runoff apparatus and conducting 20 wash cycles before scoring durability. We also work with hundreds of consumer testers across the nation to try the towels at home and provide us with feedback on their experiences.

Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Quick-Dry Towel

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:5/5

• Drying speed:4/5

• Softness:4.7/5

• Durability:4/5

✔️ This towel from Pottery Barn outperformed more than 90 other bath towels in our tests.It's luxurious yet not too heavy, with a soft, fluffy pile and lightweight backing fabric. Testers gave it high ratings for softness, absorbency, and appearance, and they especially loved its plush feel. "This is the softest bath towel I've ever used, so I loved drying off with it," shared one tester. I regularly reach for this towel because it is soft, but not too thick and heavy.

✔️ It's made of Turkish cotton and is certified organicby the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Testers loved the 100% cotton terrycloth material. One tester said, "I like the soft texture—it's a very fluffy towel, and the cotton pile loops feel very soft on my body after a nice shower."

✔️It earned perfect absorbency ratings and it received high scores for softness.The material soaked up all fluid without any liquid runoff. The soft plush quickly dries me off post shower while feeling so soft it creates a spa-like environment. Beyond that, the towel held up well to wash testing—the fabric looked and felt good with just minor shrinkage, even after 20 wash cycles.

✔️The towel took longer to dry.Although the towel is named "Quick-Dry," it did take longer to dry than some other towels during our evaluations. One tester said, "It absorbs water quite well (although I think it does make the towel a little slower to dry)."

Amazon Basics Quick-Dry Bath Towels, 2-Pack

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:3.5/5

• Drying speed:3.5/5

• Softness:4/5

• Durability:3.8/5

✔️ They cost just under $9 per towel when bought in a two-pack.This towel is an impressive value and is available on Amazon with convenient two-day shipping for Prime members.

✔️ During in-Lab tests, the towel was somewhat absorbent, but it didn't soak up fluid as easily as other options, and it also shrank a bit after laundering. Still, its performance for the price can't be beat; it even managed to hold up alongside much more expensive towels, maintaining its softness over time in the wash. It did shrink a bit after extensive laundering though.

✔️ The towel feels lightweight—it's thinner and less dense than other towels—yet it's still super soft.Some testers liked its lightweight feel, while others wished it was plusher. Although they agreed that it feels soft and absorbent during real use after showers. "It seems to be very good quality and very absorbent and softer than my normal towels," said one tester.

✔️ Many testers guessed this towel was over three times the price.I've been using this one at home to get a sense of how it compares to the others we recommend, and have been impressed by how it feels more expensive than it actually is. Other analysts agreed: One of them said it felt similar to a towel more than three times the price upon first touch.

Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:5/5

• Drying speed:3/5

• Softness:4.3/5

• Durability:4.2/5

✔️ Frontgate's towel uses long-staple Turkish cotton fibers(smoother and more durable than traditional cotton) for a thick, luxurious texture. This quality towel has a substantial feel with a sturdy base fabric and fluffy pile, and comes in 20+ colors to coordinate with your bathroom decor. "The fluffy pile and thick backing fabric feel very luxurious," shared one tester. "Every towel should feel like this towel."

✔️It performed exceptionally well in our absorbency tests, but like most highly absorbent towels we evaluate, it wasn't the quickest drying we evaluated. It earned moderate scores for drying speed. When I tested this towel at home, I was impressed with its super thick, absorbent material, but I also noticed that it felt heavy after use and took longer to dry than my previous towels.

✔️Itshrunk a bit after 20 washes,but the fabric proved strong with no major signs of wear after laundering—impressive for such a thick towel.

✔️ Many heavyweight towels start to feel stiff after repeated use, but this one notably maintained its plushness. At-home users highlighted the towel's softness and said it looked great after repeated use. "[It is] insanely soft and cozy, ideal to wrap up in out of the shower," said one tester. "It's decently absorbent and dries my skin easily."

Everplush Diamond Jacquard 6-Piece Bath Towel Set

LAB TEST RESULTS:
Absorbency:5/5
Drying speed:5/5
Softness:4.4/5
Durability:4.1/5

✔️ It was the only towel to ace both absorbency and drying time tests.The towel quickly soaked up liquid at different angles. It dried faster than any of the other featured towels.

✔️This towel features a unique construction for improved performance.The brand uses two loops with an outer cotton loop and then an inner microfiber loop. This helps the towel both be absorbent and quick drying. Testers also noted that they liked the texture, which looks and feels different than typical cotton loops. While I loved the feel of this towel, I didn't love the speckled appearance.

✔️This towel was a favorite among consumer testers."It was like being wrapped in a cloud," shared one tester. Another remarked, "If I could replace all my home towels with this one, I would." All testers said they would continue using this towel because of its soft feel and quick-drying abilities.

✔️ This towel is a blend of microfiber and cotton, which led to more pilling on the surface.The outer surface showed fuzzy signs of wear more quickly than other towels in our laundering evaluations.

Know that the inventory is limited depending on color and size preference.

Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels, 2-Pack

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:5/5

• Drying speed:3/5

• Softness:4.8/5

• Durability:3.9/5

✔️I deal for anyone who prefers the comfort of a soft, dense towel,the Super-Plush towel from Brooklinen is made with cotton fabric that has the heaviest weight of all our picks at a whopping 770 GSM.

✔️ The towel just received an upgrade, but when we tested the former iteration in the Textiles Lab, itaced our absorbency tests,thanks to its Turkish cotton material and thick pile. This updated version is made of Turkish cotton as well. "I liked that the towel absorbed water from my body very quickly and when wrapping my wet hair after washing, it absorbed water [extremely] well," shared one tester.

✔️This towel was a hit among consumer testers and Lab analysts.I've been using the former version of this towel for multiple years and it's held up great and maintained its softness. It also doesn't shed much lint in the dryer, which is impressive for such a plush towel. One of our testers noted, "It is a very thick towel that absorbs the water off your body practically in one pass," while another proclaimed, "It's the best towel I've ever used."

A Textiles Lab analyst who has tried the newer version commented, "I can't believe it, but it's even softer and somehow more absorbent than before."

✔️ The older version of the towel did have some shrinkage after laundering, and it wasn't quick drying, yet it still earned moderate scores for dry time, which is impressive for a towel that's just so plush.

Riley Home Plush Towel Collection

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:5/5

• Drying speed:4/5

• Softness:5/5

• Durability:4.1/5

✔️ Riley's bath towel uses a zero-twist combed cotton construction, meaning the fibers are longer and stronger, so it's softer, more absorbent, and more durable. During our tests in the Textiles Lab, we were amazed by how soft it remained after repeated laundering,

✔️ We've seen occasional inventory issues with this style, with certain colors and sizes sold out online, so don't wait too long if you see a color you like, especially if you're looking for a full set. We also recently tested Riley's Spa Towel Collection , which is more of a low-pile towel (i.e., not as plush or dense) and was well-loved by testers for its quick-dry nature.

✔️ Our consumer testers unanimously gave it perfect scores for softness.In fact, one shared, "This bath towel is extremely soft and feels buttery smooth against your skin! It's oversized and thick, which makes for a very luxurious experience."

✔️ The material maintained its softness after 20 wash cycles in the Textiles Lab, but did shrink a little."I expected the softness to disappear with washing, but it stayed soft. And the fluffiness didn't decrease with washing either," shared one tester. It also earned perfect absorbency scores in the Lab and dried fairly quickly, which is impressive for a plush, 100% cotton towel.

Matouk Milagro Bath Towel

LAB TEST RESULTS:

• Absorbency:5/5

• Drying speed:4/5

• Softness:4.9/5

• Durability:4.6/5

✔️ This towel is a bit pricier than our other picks, but is highly luxurious.All testers reported that they will continue using it and gave perfect scores for softness and durability after laundering. Multiple commented that it was fluffier and lighter than their previous towels.

✔️ The towel is longer than average at 60 inchesand is fairly lightweight for its size. Testers appreciated the generous size, which felt luxe without feeling too large (like a bath sheet), and how gentle it felt on their skin.

✔️ It features long-staple cotton and zero-twist construction, which helps the towel become softer and more absorbent. In the Lab, our analysts were impressed: The towel was super absorbent, yet didn't take too long to dry compared to other absorbent styles. It came out looking like new after extensive laundering.

✔️Testers applauded its cozy and spa-like feel.One tester described this towel as feeling like a "soft, fluffy cloud" and added, "I liked drying my hair with it (it felt less harsh)." Comparing this towel to other towels she has at home, one tester said, "This towel is much softer, and it feels so cozy."

More bath towel types to consider

In our evaluations, we found that the traditional bath towel style made with cotton terry loops performed best in terms of absorbency, softness, and overall tester satisfaction. That being said, there are other types of towels that have been gaining popularity for their unique attributes. Here are some that we evaluated and recommend if you're looking for something new:

• BEST WAFFLE TOWEL:The Parachute Waffle Towel is super lightweight at 220 GSM and dried quickly in our tests. The downside is that it wasn't as absorbent as traditional towels, which is true of every waffle towel we've tested. We also recently tested the popular Onsen Waffle Weave Bath Towel . It stood out for its durability, but didn't earn high scores in our absorbency, drying speed, or softness tests.

• BEST ORGANIC TOWEL:Not only is the Coyuchi Temescal Organic Towel certified by GOTS (so you know the entire production process follows strict standards), but it was also one of the top performers in our softness and absorbency tests, proving that you don't need to sacrifice towel quality when shopping for sustainability. The drawback is its high price tag.

• BEST LINEN TOWEL:Linen towels are not common, but they stand out for having a crisp, textured feel. We recently tested the Linoto Linen Spa Bath Towel , which was overall durable and well-liked by at-home testers. However, it wasn't rated as soft as cotton bath towels in comparison tests and didn't soak up water easily in our absorbency tests.

How we test bath towels

My team of product analysts and I have tested more than 90 bath towelsin the past six years. Each one is put through the wringer in both Textiles Lab tests and consumer evaluations. While most other review sites rely solely on personal experience or at-home assessments, our review utilizes standardized methods that are common in the textiles industry. Here's how the bath towels are scored:

✔️Absorbency:Using the apparatus pictured here, we set up a towel sample at a 60-degree angle and pour water onto it from a standard distance. Any water that the towel doesn't absorb rolls off the fabric and into the container below, which we weigh to measure how much runs off. This test is performed multiple times on each towel, including after repeated wash cycles, because absorbency can change after extended use. A towel with perfect absorbency doesn't have any runoff.

✔️Drying speed: We apply a standard amount of water to a towel swatch, then hang it to dry. We reweigh the swatch every 30 minutes until it reaches its original weight, indicating that the towel has fully dried.

✔️Washability:Our analysts wash and dry each towel 20 times, measuring shrinkage and appearance throughout this process. We also measure weight loss from laundering to see how much lint each towel sheds.

✔️Fabric strength:A specialized machine called the Instron pulls swatches of towel fabric apart and measures the force needed to break each one.

✔️Consumer tests:Dozens of consumer testers use the towels at home and rate them on factors like softness, appearance, whether they were dried off quickly, and more. We also set up blind softness tests in our Lab, during which additional consumers feel and rate each one in a side-by-side comparison.

How to choose the right bath towel for you

One thing we've learned from extensive consumer testing is that picking out the best bath towel is largely based on personal preference. Here's what you should consider:

• If you want a super soft, ultra-absorbent towel,look for 100% cotton with dense, plush loops on the surface. You can also look at fabric weight, which is shown in GSM (grams per square meter). Over 600 GSM is considered heavy, so these will typically be the plushest. Lighter towels like waffle or ribbed weaves typically weren't as soft in our test.

• If you want a towel that's quick drying and more durable,consider a cotton-poly blend or a lighter fabric with a low pile (short loops). Fluffy loops help the towel feel soft and absorb water, but they can take longer to dry and may show more wear from laundering.

Which is better: Turkish or Egyptian cotton towels?

It’s not a rule of thumb, but towels labeled as “Turkish cotton” or “Made in Turkey” performed better in our teststhan those claiming to be made of “Egyptian” cotton. In theory, they’re very similar: Both are long-staple fibers, helping to make the fabrics softer and more durable.

However, Turkish cotton is more popular in bath towels and is known for drying faster than Egyptian cotton, which is more commonly seen in bed sheets. Plus, there have been instances of bedding fabrics mislabeled as Egyptian cotton, especially because it's difficult to verify this claim.

How do you stop towels from shedding fluff?

My best tip is to wash them before use. Sometimes there are loose fibers left over from the production process, but laundering the towels a few times should helpget rid of them. Not to mention, washing also makes the towels more absorbent because it gets rid of leftover finishes from production.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Emma Seymour is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab. She has been testing towels and other textiles products since 2018. Seymour has personally tested dozens of towels following standardized methods and coordinating hundreds of consumer testers.

Testing and evaluations for this article have also been conducted by Textiles Product Reviews Analyst Grace Wu ,and Home and Reviews Analyst Amanda Constantine .

More on towels

• Best Bath Towels on Amazon

• Best Bath Sheets

• Best Quick Dry Towels

• Best Turkish Towels

• Best Beach Towels

• Clever Uses for Old Towels

• Best Waffle Towels

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