The best beach towels for 2026, according to editors
Our favorites include absorbent towels made of cotton and microfiber, as well as oversized options for sprawling in the sun.
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Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to get in the warm-weather groove than by giving your dingy, fraying beach towels a vibrant update? We love to dip our toes in the water as much as anyone, so we rounded up the best beach towels for 2026: a mix of absorbent, lightweight and colorful picks.
In this story
As one of Yahoo's home writers, I've tested dozens of bath towels over the past few years, and I relied on that experience to create this guide. I started with top-performing brands from our tests that also sell beach towels, then I rounded out our picks with shopper favorites. Whether you're planning an island getaway, hitting the shore, hanging by the pool or just want to give your bathroom a playful refresh, I've got you covered .
Best beach towels for 2026
Dimensions:30" x 60" | Material:Cotton | Colors:Yellow | Care:Machine wash, tumble dry low
If you want the cabana look on a budget, this top-rated, resort-quality duo from Amazon Basics is where it's at. Customers love it for the chic stripes, fluffy cotton feel and amazing value. Last time we checked, a two-pack cost just over $20.
"They are like what you get at any nice resort. Nicely finished edges give them a classy feel; nobody would ever think they were this price!" shared one satisfied shopper . "Very soft!" exclaimed another . "And super absorbent. This was a great deal. I’m off to buy a couple more!"
- About $10 per towel
- Classic striped pattern
- Nice quality, according to shoppers
- Only available in one color
Dimensions:35" x 63" | Materials:Recycled polyester and polyamide | Colors:Bondi Blue (shown), Cancun Green, Cayman Khaki, Ipanema Orange, Kamari Charcoal and 13 more, including patterns | Care:Machine wash cold (under 30 degrees), tumble dry if needed
For a lightweight option, consider this compact, travel-friendly beach towel from Dock & Bay. The brand has a near-perfect Amazon rating for sand- and odor-resistant, quick-drying towels made from recycled materials, with a drawstring bag for easy packing.
"I have been purchasing Dock & Bay Beach towels for years. These are my family's favorite towels for the pool, beach or lake," wrote one loyalist . "These towels are lightweight, absorbent, sand-resistant, and take up hardly any space in your beach bag," confirmed this five-star fan .
I pack one of these in my suitcase when I go on vacation to ensure I’m never without a towel (eek!). I always get compliments when I use it in public, and I love that there are three sizes to choose from. This also makes a great gift, FYI.
- Sand-resistant
- Comes with a travel bag
- Lightweight and absorbent
- Microfiber isn't as plush
Dimensions:34" x 70" | Material:Cotton | Colors:Surfside Stripe in French Blue (shown), Surfside Stripe in Poppy, Surfside Stripe in Pineapple, Drifting Blooms in Waikiki, Drifting Blooms in Melon Pop and two more patterns | Care:Machine wash warm, tumble dry low
As a home writer who’s tested a lot of towels, I’ve found Brooklinen’s among the plushest, softest and most absorbent, even after countless wash-and-dry cycles. Its beach towels are made completely of cotton and, despite being so cushy (and, ahem, thirsty), dry fairly quickly.
Plus, I love the limited-edition prints, which currently include multicolor stripes and florals. Bonus: These towels are reversible, so you can flip them over and flop onto an equally stylish side. There is also a hanging loop so you can let your towel dry after a swim or even keep it on display in your bathroom.
While Brooklinen towels can be somewhat pricey, they're often available at a discount through email sign-ups and other promotions. And the reversible options give you two looks in one!
- Super soft and absorbent
- Hanging loop for easy storage
- Reversible, with a different design on each side
- Pricey
Dimensions:39" x 78" | Materials:Cotton | Colors:Navy/Blue/White Stripe (shown), Lake Blue/White/Navy Stripe, Glade Green/Blue/White Stripe, White/Red/Blue Stripe | Care:Machine wash cold
Have a penchant for personalization? Don’t sleep on Lands’ End towels (although you totally can; I have some in my collection and they’re incredibly soft). Tangent aside, the brand remains one of the biggest names in the customization game, boasting an impressive assortment of fonts, logos and colors to create a towel that’s not just cozy and stylish, but all your own.
"Best beach towel ever! I have purchased these towels on numerous occasions over the past 10+ years, both for myself and as gifts," exclaimed one reviewer. "This towel is so plush! I use it after swimming and while sitting on the beach. It’s great!" wrote another.
- Highly giftable
- Comes in four colors and a wide variety of fonts and designs
- Oversized
- No solid colors available
Dimensions:35" x 70" | Material:Cotton | Colors:Blue (shown), coral, gray, yellow, navy and four more | Care:Machine wash, cold to warm; dry on low to medium heat
For a sophisticated burst of color, consider this spa-worthy find from Kassatex. The brand's long-staple cotton towels feature sleek piping and come in striking hues — including Sunset Yellow to Pacific Blue — with the option to add a monogram (for an additional $10).
These towels are dyed using a waterless method that makes for saturated, bleach-resistant colors, so you don’t need to worry about them fading from exposure to the sun or from the washing machine. "Great quality and hue. Bought eight and planning on buying more," noted one happy customer. "Very soft and durable," confirmed another.
- Made from durable long-staple cotton
- Designed to resist fading
- Can add a monogram
- A few colors are out of stock
Dimensions:40" x 72" | Materials:Cotton | Colors:Pale Blue (shown), Chambray, Cobalt, Deep Emerald, Seabreeze and 7 more | Care:Machine wash warm on gentle, tumble dry low
Pottery Barn is home to bedding and bath linens that exude preppy style even in the offseason. Made from cotton, these Awning Striped Beach Towels are also Oeko-Tex certified , meaning they've been vetted against a long list of potentially harmful chemicals. The fibers are yarn-dyed to help brilliant hues stay vibrant over time.
Similar to the striped number from Lands' End, you can have this towel embroidered to make it all your own. Choose between 21 cursive and block-style fonts, and 19 colors for the text. Some designs let you spell out an entire first or last name, while others introduce creative ways to list your initials.
- Oeko-Tex certified
- Choose between beach or pool towel
- Available in over a dozen striped colorways
- Customize designs, text and color of personalization ...
- ... however, it will cost you $17
Dimensions:30" x 54" | Materials:Recycled polyester | Colors:Summit Coast Blue (shown), Lazy Daisy Dusk, Switchback Multi, Palms Coral, Big Flowers Expedition Orange and 11 more patterns | Care:Machine wash cold, tumble dry on low heat
Brighten — and lighten! — your beach load with Nomadix’s very notable, very portable Ultralight Towel. It's not only lightweight (a mere 8 ounces) but also sand- and odor-resistant, thanks to its special microsuede construction made from recycled polyester.
"My new favorite towel to travel with. Dried quickly and looks cool. So big I can use it as a small blanket to keep warm," shared one verified shopper. "Very bright colors and dries so quickly. Best towels on the planet!" exclaimed another. I gifted this towel to my young nephews, who live by the beach and are active in sports, and they use it all the time.
The towel is available in 18 prints and colors. Consider it the perfect companion for the beach, gym or your next camping adventure.
- Sand- and odor-resistant
- Versatile size (beach towel by day, picnic blanket by night!)
- 16 unique patterns available ...
- ... but no solid colors
Dimensions:37" x 71" l Materials:Cotton | Colors:Beige (shown), army green, black, blush pink, dark blue and two more | Care:Machine wash
Escape to the Mediterranean (or at least feel like you are) with this top-rated towel from Smyrna, backed by more than 4,500 customers for its minimalistic, sand-resistant design. Available in seven neutral shades and ringing in at under $20 for a pack of two, this set has endless pool- and beach-going possibilities. I also know from personal experience that this towel doubles as a chic shawl or wrap in a pinch!
“Cute, stylish, functional and a good value! Give them a try … you’ll be glad you did!” shared one reviewer. “I have two of these towels, love them, and they take up less space in your beach bag or luggage,” noted another . “Care is much easier than those thick towels that take forever to dry.”
- Affordable
- Under $10 per towel
- Stylish design moonlights as a shawl
- Some shoppers report the material is scratchy or rough
Dimensions:72" x 76" l Materials:Organic Turkish cotton | Colors:Prism Turtles (shown), Crush Turtle Fuchsia, Manta Ray, Whale Fin, Whale Shark and six more patterns | Care:Machine wash cold on gentle, tumble dry on low
Sand Cloud has been making waves with its pretty patterns, lightweight yet absorbent materials and sustainable practices. Designed to resist sand, this towel is made from GOTS-certified organic yarn, and 10% of profits go toward saving marine life.
Whether used as a towel or a blanket, the extra-large size shown has enough room for sharing. One enthusiastic reviewer purchased the towel for a Hawaiian vacation and confirmed it lived up to the hype , boasting enough room for two people and a backpack. This Amazon shopper found it to be “just what we need to help control the sand effect at the beach," adding "the design we ordered is beautiful.”
- GOTS-certified cotton
- Sand-resistant fabric
- Lightweight yet oversized so you can fit multiple people without hauling a heavy blanket
- Pricey
Dimensions:26" x 50" | Materials:Cotton | Colors:Green Blue (shown), Cabana Stripe Multi, Navy Blue, Pink Hearts, Navy White and four more patterns | Care:Machine wash, tumble dry
If you’re looking for a beach towel for little ones, we can’t get over the cuteness of Original Kids’ variety. Each set includes two bath/beach towels, two hand towels and two washcloths. The terry is yarn-dyed for lasting color and pre-washed for a soft, fluffy feel. Not to mention, kiddos can choose from a bunch of adorable patterns, ranging from alligators to polka dots.
“These are cute and soft and perfect for kids,” said one verified purchaser . “Great quality. Not thin. The price was perfect,” added another reviewer , whose purchase was such a hit with their 3-year-old that they plan to purchase more.
- Available in fun, kid-friendly patterns
- Versatile bath set for beach and home
- Towels are pre-washed for a fluffy, soft feel
- Some shoppers report issues with fading or fraying
Dimensions:21.3" x 24.4" | Materials:Cotton | Colors:Rose, mustard and sage (shown from left to right) | Care:Machine wash cold, tumble dry.
A hooded beach towel provides toddlers and babies with protection against harmful sun rays . We love this striped design from Zicoto for a colorful option that doubles as a towel and poncho, and comes in sizes for little ones aged 18 months to 3 years. It's made of Oeko-Tex certified cotton, meaning the production process has been vetted against harmful chemicals.
“This is so cute and a perfect cover-up for my son when we leave the pool,” wrote one reviewer . “It is easier for him to wear rather than trying to hold up a towel around him. With this cover-up, he can be hands-free. It is also great when he is still too wet to put his normal clothes back on.”
- Oeko-Tex certified
- Two-in-one towel and poncho design
- Only available in three colors
Factors to consider when choosing a beach towel
While it's certainly tempting to grab the brightest, most colorful beach towel and forget the rest, here are some important things to keep in mind when shopping:
✓ Size:A smaller towel is great for drying off and traveling, while an oversized option is ideal for lounging and sharing. Most of our top picks measure around 30 inches wide and 60 to 70 inches long. Travel towels and those for kiddos will obviously have smaller dimensions, while our oversized pick from Sand Cloud is almost twice as wide as the standard.
✓ Material:Which fabric you choose will likely reflect your desired use and feel. Microfiber towels are usually lightweight and smooth, while terry cotton blends are known for their fluffiness and texture. Turkish and Egyptian cottons tend to be a bit heavier and more plush. That said, Turkish towels are often lightweight and thin, and dry quickly. Some fabrics are woven extra tightly to resist sand, such as the option from Sand Cloud above.
✓ Durability:Long-staple and extra-long staple cotton tend to be more durable. It also pays to look for brands that say their dyes are fade-resistant. To help prolong the life of your beach towel, machine-wash it in cool or warm water (not hot) and dry it on the lowest temperature possible.
✓ Cost:We tend to think of a well-made towel as an investment that will pay off with frequent use, though we found plenty of options that will help you de-stress or impress guests for less. For the most part, you can expect to spend somewhere between $20 and $30 for a quality beach towel that will hold up to frequent use.
How we chose these beach towels
We pooled our picks from towels our home editors have personally tested by the sea with top-selling styles that verified online shoppers confirmed as absorbent, soft and high quality. We pulled from our expertise testing bath towels to narrow down these selections, focusing on cotton and microfiber towels that are designed with longevity in mind.
Beach towel FAQs
How often should you replace beach towels?
If you're wondering if your beach towels are due for an upgrade, your linen closet or cabinet is a good place to start. Assess your current supply based on condition (is there excessive fading or other signs of wear and tear?), convenience (are they compact and quick-drying enough to tote around?) and look (do the colors and patterns reflect your current taste?) to identify any gaps or towels that need replacing. You may also want to take a glance at your calendar (are you set for upcoming vacations and visitors?), and take stock of any new or growing family members (a hooded baby towel is a rite of passage, but only for so long).
What beach towel doesn't get sand in it?
If you like to frequent the shore but don't necessarily want to take it home, a smoother fabric such as synthetic microfiber may be your best bet. In addition to being more compact —and odor-proof! — microfiber towels are known for their sand-resistant, quick-drying benefits, meaning you won't need to worry about transferring all that wet sand to your beach bag or car.
Update, April 16, 2026: We confirmed prices and availability for all products. For out-of-stock beach towels, we swapped in new styles from Brooklinen and Pottery Barn.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
