The 10 Best Bath Towels of 2023, Tested and Reviewed by Us

Best Overall

Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towels

4.4

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Thicker than many of the other options we tested, the Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towel has a luxe, hotel-quality feel that will hold up wash after wash. This is a slightly longer-than-average towel, which makes it perfect for taller users or those who like more coverage. Available in a whopping 25 colors, it’s made with 100 percent Turkish cotton, which has been finely combed for a soft, blanket-like texture. The large, loop-pile weave and 700 GSM weight give it a plush feel that’s a step above the rest.

During testing, we were particularly impressed with this towel’s absorbent properties: it was able to absorb up to a quarter of a cup of water in just a few minutes and dried our testers’ hands in two passes. While we weren’t a huge fan of the colorway that we tested, there are more than two dozen options to choose from online—from classic white and Graphite grey to more vivid hues like Terracotta and Mediterranean Blue (pictured below).

Price at time of publish: $34

_{Size: 30 x 58 inches | Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: Oeko-Tex | Return Window: 90 days}

Best Budget

White Classic Luxury Cotton Bath Towels (Set of 4)

4.5

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At $50 for a set of four, the White Classic Luxury Cotton Bath Towels are some of the most budget-friendly options that we tested—but that's not their only selling point. Spun from 100 percent cotton at a weight of 700 GSM (that’s grams per square meter, which correlates with thickness), they proved to be plush and fairly absorbent during testing. Our testers were able to dry their hands after just a few passes, and the towel barely felt damp after wiping.

While they’re not as soft as pricier options, these towels do a great job for the price. They’re a solid option for guest bathrooms or college students—and, because they’re on the smaller side, these towels would also be great for kids.

Price at time of publish: $50

_{Size: 27 x 54 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: None | Return Window: 2 years}

Best Luxury

Coyuchi Temescal Organic Bath Towel

4.8

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Depending on your schedule, bath towels are an item that you’ll use nearly every day—so oftentimes, it’s worth it to splurge. Out of the dozens of towels we tested, Coyuchi’s Temescal Organic Towel was one of our top choices for its quality construction and thoughtful design. Made with 100 percent organic, GOTS-certified Turkish cotton, these towels have a soft and plush feel that you’ll appreciate use after use. They’re available in five colors and a variety of sizes, including a bath mat and a six-piece set.

A main selling point of the Temescal Organic Towel is its absorbency: the lightweight cotton is woven into narrow ribbed channels, which Coyuchi claims contribute additional drying power. During testing, we found that this towel absorbed water from our tester’s hands immediately—and what water it did absorb was barely visible on the towel. After a cycle in the laundry, the towel performed about the same, with little to no changes in its overall look or feel.  "From its feel to its absorbency, it's a good product," said one of our testers. "I would have this as the towel that I used daily."

Price at time of publish: $128

_{Size: 28 x 54 inches | Material: Organic Turkish cotton | Weight: 600 GSM | Certifications: GOTS | Return Window: 30 days}

Best Absorbent

Kohler Turkish Bath Towel with Tatami Weave

4.4

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According to Whitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi, absorbency is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for towels. "A great way to check [a towel’s absorbency] is to just spill a bit of water onto your towel. It should immediately be absorbed—not pill or bead on the towel," she says. "If it doesn’t dry you off post-shower, it’s not doing its job." In this category, Kohler's Turkish Bath Towel was one of our top performers.

Made with extra-long staple Turkish cotton, this towel is soft, absorbent, and made to last. During testing, it soaked up a quarter of a cup of water in less than a minute and dried our testers' hands with ease. We also love the contemporary striped weave, which adds a subtle visual appeal. Besides the bath towel, Kohler also offers bath sheets, washcloths, and hand towels in this style. Plus, the towels are affordable enough for you to stock up on an entire set (or two!).

Price at time of publish: $19

_{Size: 30 x 58 inches | Material: 100% Turkish cotton | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 45 days}

Best Turkish

Serena & Lily Fouta Bath Towel

4.2

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Turkish towels are generally a lighter weight and faster-drying option than terry towels—but if you aren't ready to make the full transition, Serena & Lily’s Fouta Towels are a great option. With woven Turkish cotton on one side and super-plush terry on the other, they combine the best of both options, earning it our top spot for this category. The subtle herringbone weave pattern adds visual appeal, and they're available in a handful of sophisticated and versatile colors.

Thanks to their plush material, these towels proved to be more absorbent than other Turkish towels we’ve tried. "I appreciate that this towel is lightweight and absorbent enough to dry me off efficiently," said our home tester, who lives in Florida. "Less bulky than most standard bath towels, it’s perfect for summer use and warmer climates."

In the lab, the terry material dried our tester’s hands in just one pass, while the striped side took a few more tries. After washing, it maintained basically the same look and performance—no loose threads or pilling here.

Price at time of publish: $48

_{Size: 56 x 30 inches | Material: Long-staple Turkish Aegean cotton | Weight: 420 GSM | Certifications: Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days}

Best Spa

Riley Spa Bath Towel

4.3

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Bring the spa home with the Riley Spa Collection Bath Towels, which are made in Portugal with 100 percent long-staple Egyptian cotton. Each towel is prewashed for added durability, and the material is Certified STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex.

Our testers gave this towel high marks for its plush feel and high-quality construction. It was able to remove water from their hands in just one pass, and, after laundering, barely changed in terms of look and performance. Extra points for the handy hanging loop, which works great for maximizing space in smaller bathrooms.

Price at time of publish: $200

_{Size: 58 x 30 inches | Material: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Weight: Not listed | Certifications: Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 60 days}

Best Waffle

Casaluna Waffle Bath Towel

4.4

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Made of 100 percent cotton, the Casaluna Waffle Bath Towel flaunts a delicate waffle weave that will add a stylish touch to your bathroom. It’s a lightweight option that’s surprisingly absorbent, drying our testers in just one pass. "Getting out of the shower, I was thoroughly impressed with the absorbency, especially considering how lightweight the fabric is," said our home tester. "I don't usually think about how long it takes me to towel off, but right away, it was clear waffle towels could shave off a minute or two from my 'getting ready' time."

At 56 x 28 inches, this lightweight towel is slightly narrower than average, though it folds compactly and takes up minimal space on racks, hooks, and shelves. However, due to its texture, this towel isn’t perfectly rectangular: when folded or even laying flat, the edges get quite wavy. While this didn’t affect the towel’s overall performance, if you’re a perfectionist about the look of your bathroom, it’s worth keeping in mind.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Size: 56 x 30 inches | Material: Cotton | Weight: 450 GSM | Certifications: Oeko-Tex | Return Window: 365 days}

Best Quick-Dry

Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Bath Towel

4.5

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If you live in a hot, humid climate or have a bathroom with limited ventilation, quick-dry towels are a must—and Pottery Barn’s Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels are some of the best.

Made with 100 percent organic cotton, these towels have a soft feel that absorbed all of the water from our tester’s hands with just one pat. The long-staple material adds a smooth finish that resists pilling and tearing, so you won’t have to worry about any damage while washing and drying.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Size: 28 x 55 inches | Material: 100% organic Turkish cotton | Weight: 550 GSM | Certifications: GOTS | Return Policy: 30 days}

Best Oversized

Hammam Linen Jumbo Large Bath Sheet

4.4

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No matter the season, sometimes you just want to wrap yourself up in a nice, roomy towel. Bath sheets are perfect for that, and the Hammam Linen Jumbo Bath Sheet was one of our favorites. At 35 by 70 inches, this towel is large enough to accommodate a variety of body types. It earned high marks from testers for its absorbency and generous size—and the price point is reasonable, too. 

One of our only issues with this bath sheet was its durability: After washing and drying, there were a number of snags and pulled threads. While this didn’t affect its absorbency or overall feel, you might want to take extra care when washing.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Size: 35 x 70 inches | Material: Cotton | Weight: 600 GSM | Certifications: None | Return Policy: 30 days}