8 Best Quick-Dry Towels That Will Transform Your Bath Routine
Musty smell, be gone!
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No joke, showers are my sanctuary. Whether it’s my weekly everything shower that includes my favorite hair mask or the quick five-minute rinse I get amid a particularly busy day, it gives me time to peel away from the outside world, if only for a bit. The quickest way to snap out of your good mood and into a bad one? Reaching for a towel only to realize it never dried properly. Simply put: It’s gross and leaves a musty smell. But that’s where the best quick-dry bath towels come to the rescue! These game-changing towels ensure your spa-like oasis is never interrupted.
Look, there could be a number of reasons why your towels didn’t dry properly. However, replacing your current lineup with quick-drying ones can help avoid the uncomfy situation altogether. These towels are highly absorbent, lightweight, and designed to have a fast dry time. It’s not your job to wait around for them to dry off! Also, they are pretty darn chic, too. Take a peek below.
Our top picks for the best quick-dry bath towels in 2024:
Obsessed? Same. If you’re ready to break up with your current towel (it’s not you, it’s them!!), keep on scrolling for some picks that would never do you dirty.
Pros
- Available in six different colors
- Plush
- Oversized
Cons
- Some shoppers noticed that towels began to pill over time
The feel of these 100 percent Turkish cotton towels from Quince can’t be beat. Aside from the material, its efficacy is largely due to the ribbed texture that enhances its overall drying power. It’s soft, plush, and absorbent—aka basically everything you’d want in a towel.
Pros
- Has a loop for easy hanging
- Free shipping
- Affordable
- Available in a six-piece set with two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths
Cons
- Color might fade over time
These towels are made in Portugal of two-ply organic cotton yarns. The result? A durable blend of softness and absorbency that you’ll appreciate having in your bathroom routine. The ribbed texture is a classic one you can’t go wrong with. And if you’re looking for matching washcloths or hand towels, those are available to purchase separately or as a bundle! At less than $20 each, these classic ribbed bath towels are a pick you can’t go wrong with.
Pros
- 100% long-staple Turkish cotton
- Durable
- Comes in three different colors
Cons
- Some shoppers note that the weave construction makes them difficult to fold properly
There’s something about a waffle construction that just feels luxurious. Can you say at-home spa much?! Parachute’s selection is lightweight and has a minimalist look that fits any aesthetic. These towels are textured with a soft honeycomb weave that not only looks mega chic but also is very quick-drying. Since the towels are made of 100 percent Turkish cotton, you can feel confident that they will hold up nicely even after multiple washes.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Mesh bag included
Cons
- Some shoppers noted it was too small for them
Planning on collecting another stamp on your passport soon? This compact microfiber towel is a travel must-have. It's lightweight and easy to pack. You’ll love having this on hand for any and all adventures to come.
Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels
Pros
- Comes in 16 different colors
- Woven of 100% organic long staple Turkish Cotton
Cons
- Not recommended to use with facial products
Never pass up on a chance to add some color into your home, at least, those are my thoughts! Pottery Barn’s selection offers you various different hues to choose from in a range of muted pastels that aren’t too loud but give just the right amount of boldness. Aside from color, the towels themselves are woven with 100 percent Turkish cotton which results in them being highly absorbent. It’s also super plush
Pros
- Comes in a set of two
- Affordable
- 100% Turkish Cotton
- Comes in four different colors
Cons
- Some reviewers mention that the towels feel too “flimsy”
If you’re looking for a supremely thin, lightweight type of towel, you don’t need to look any further. Brooklinen’s Ultralight Bath Towels have all the info you need in the name itself, and they don’t disappoint. Compact and fast-drying, these are low-maintenance towels you won’t have to think twice about.
Pros
- Comes in seven different colors
- Thick
- Available in a six-piece set that includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths
Cons
- Some shoppers noticed stains after delivery
- Reviewers note it might pull over time
Plush towels feel like a hug, and these thick ones from Parachute certainly deliver. Although they are very plush, they’re also more quick-drying than most highly absorbent towels on the market. This is because it uses Parachute’s innovative Aerocotton Technology, which means the fibers are spun so air passes through the cotton.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Has a twist and loop elastic design
- Comes in a set of four
Cons
- Some shoppers note it might not work as well for those with thick or long hair
Ensuring your hair doesn’t poof up minutes after getting out of the shower is a constant struggle for many. This cutie towel wrap will make it so your hair dries and helps prevent static. It’s gentle enough that it won’t cause breakage either. Unlike standard cotton fibers, microfiber materials are gentle and minimize hair breakage. Keeping your hair healthy as it dries? Sign us up!
How to choose the best quick-drying towels:
Despite what you might think, choosing quick-dry towels for your home isn’t a one-size-fits-all purchase. In fact, shopping for quick-dry towels requires a bit of a different process than other traditional towels on the market. Here’s what you should look out for.
Material: Truth be told, there are several types of quick-drying towels available. However, we recommend opting for a cotton or cotton blend towel when possible. This can include Turkish cotton, organic cotton, Supima cotton, Egyptian cotton, and more. It’s our favorite material because they are super soft and absorbent, more so than other options such as linen or microfiber. One thing to note: Because of its high-quality construction, cotton quick-drying towels usually come at a slightly higher price point as well. However, in our opinion, it’s definitely worth the investment.
Fabric weight: All towels measure weight through GSM (grams per square meter). When shopping online for towels, the GSM will almost always be available for your reference. But what does it mean? Generally speaking, the average towel weight is between 300 to 900 GSM. The rule of thumb when it comes to GSM is that the lower the number, the lighter the towel is. It’s also typically quicker to dry. This doesn’t mean that a higher GSM towel is impossible to dry though, it just means that since it’s thicker, the towel itself is more absorbent and can hold more moisture. Therefore, possibly making the drying process a bit slower. In the end, it’s all about your preference and whether you prefer a towel that’s on the plushier side or one that is super lightweight instead.
Size: I’ll be the first to say it: Hopping out of the shower only to realize the towel you grabbed is too small is the worst. To avoid this, you should always check the size of your bath towels before you buy them. Overall, towels that are somewhere around 30 x 60” seem to be the sweet spot for most adults. If you want to be completely wrapped and cozy, we suggest going for an oversized towel.
Why trust Cosmo?
Daisy Maldonado is the associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan with over four years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle stories that range from home decor items to the best bedding. She’s an authority in all lifestyle categories, but is an expert when it comes to bath and bedding after testing hundreds of products throughout her career.
Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram.
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