There’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a soft, warm, luxurious towel after a refreshing shower or bath.
If you’re reading this article then chances are your current towel collection is probably on it’s last leg — scratchy, ratty and maybe even stained from daily use.
In an effort to help you find the perfect new bath towels, we searched the Internet for the most well-loved options, according to rave reviews and popular brands. We even spoke with a design expert on what to look for when buying bath towels online (more on that below).
- Best Overall: LUXOME Plush Performance Towel Set
- Best on Amazon: Lane Linen Luxury Cotton Towel Set
- Best Absorbent: West Elm Plush Fibroblast Towels
- Best Quality: Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towels
- Best Linen: Hawman Linen 6-Piece Towel Set
Our list includes brands from Brooklinen, Parachute, Cozy Earth, Frontgate, Amazon and more for those looking for plush picks, oversized bath towel options, bath sheets (yes, there’s a difference!), hair wraps and even the best choice for kids.
Whether you’re in desperate need of upgrading your old towels or just like to splurge on your bathroom accessories, we’ve you covered with plenty of options.
Click below to jump to our FAQ with the home expert:
Best Overall: LUXOME Plush Performance Towel Set
Pros:
- Towels are oversized for 50% more coverage
- Thick and soft material
- Quick absorbing, and fast drying
- Free and fast shipping
Cons:
- If you like fabric softener, you’ll be upset to find that it’s not recommended for LUXOME bath towels. However, these are so soft, that they really don’t need any
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best towels around, you need to check out the options at Luxome. It’s one of our favorite spots to shop online when we want something luxurious, high quality but still affordable. To upgrade your bath time, we suggest checking out the Plush Performance Towels. They’re soft and dry fast, which means they won’t get all funky after using them. OEKO-TEX certified, they feature a dual-loop technology that makes them ultra absorbent and plush — even after dozens of washings. Boasting a five star rating on the website, one happy customer declared them “the most amazing towels ever!” We recommend getting the 6-piece set. Available in seven gorgeous colors, you won’t want to wrap yourself up in anything else.
Materials: 55% Cotton, 40% Polyester, 5% Polyamide | What’s Included: 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 wash clothes | Available Colors: 7 | GSM: N/A
Best Bath Towels on Amazon: Lane Linen Luxury Cotten Towel Set (24-Pieces)
Pros:
- Available for free shipping for Amazon Prime Members
- The material is lightweight without being thin or feeling “cheap”
- Quick drying and highly absorbent
Cons:
- We had difficulty finding a con for this towel set. For the price, they’re durable and soft. For those who like an extra plush feel, they’ll fall short, but we think most will be impressed with the quality
Amazon has a great variety of budget-friendly, quality towels. We (and 5,000 plus others) are currently obsessed with the Lane Linen Luxury Cotten Towel 24-Piece Set Along with being fast absorbing, quick drying and soft, it’s ideal for a large household or those who like to skip a week (or three) of laundry.
Oeko-Tex Certified and also available in a 16-piece set ($55) and 18-Piece Set ($68), we don’t think they’ll disappoint.
Another choice? The Ten Towels 100% Cotton Bath Towels. Their lightweight with enhanced fluffiness, which means they don’t take long to dry in the machine but are still snuggly. The Amazon Bestsellers are extra long as well, and also have a lovely fuzzy texture that doesn’t get all linty after washing. Honestly, we have more than a few favorite bath towels on Amazon, since it’s one of the best retailers to find microfiber towels, as well as lint free towels, especially at a discounted price. However, if we have to choose one, we’re sticking with the ones from Lane Linen.
Materials: 100% cotton | What’s Included: 2 Bath Sheets, 4 Bath Towels, 6 Hand Towels, 8 Wash Cloths, and 4 Fingertip Towels | Available Colors: 19 | GSM: 500
Best Absorbent Bath Towels: West Elm Plush Fibrosoft Towels
Pros:
- West Elm bestseller
- Free shipping
- Lightweight with a fluffy feel
- Made with a special spin technology that creates air pockets between the fibers for a softer yet more absorbent towel
Cons:
- We wish towel weight (GSM) didn’t vary by color for an easier selecting process
Let’s be real — West Elm has all of the colors we could ever hope for (and, every color that will match all of our bathrooms). Specifically, its Organic Luxury Fibrosoft Towels span from $9 to $49 and are some of the most lightweight yet cozy bath sheets you’ll find.
If you love that spa feel, you’ll adore the brand’s Organic Luxury Fibrosoft Bath Towel Set, ranging from $116 to $174. Not to mention, if you’re hesitant of using a pure white towel (for obvious reasons), there are lovely dark olive, golden oak and gray color options, among others.
Materials: 100% long staple cotton | What’s Included: 1 Bath Sheet, 1 Bath Towel, 1 Bath Mat, 1 Hand Towel, 1 Wash Cloth | Available Colors: 12 | GSM: 550-600
Best Quality Bath Towels: Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towels (6-Piece Set)
Pros:
- Oversized design
- Made with a Spinsoft weaving process to create a towel that’s plush, thick and ultra absorbent
- Available for monogram in non-6 piece sets
- Free standard shipping
Cons:
- Shipping takes longer on personalized towel sets
If you have the perfect towel color in mind for your bathroom, it’s likely that Frontgate’s Resort Cotton Bath Towels (with more than 8,500 reviews) has what you’re looking for. The brand’s towels come in more than 20 shades. The bestsellers are also the best bath towels, according to Wirecutter, if you care about that sort of thing.
“After a lifetime of mediocre to cheap towels I decided to splurge for once and try out one really nice towel. I went on an extensive online search before choosing Frontgate,” said one reviewer. “The towel is very plush. I felt like I was drying myself off using a very soft stuffed teddy bear!”
Materials: 100% fine-combed, long-staple Turkish cotton | What’s Included: 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 wash clothes | Available Colors: 25 | GSM: 700
Best Linen Bath Towels: Hawmam Linen White 6-Piece Bath Towels Set
Pros:
- More than 22,000 ratings on Amazon
- Free shipping for Prime Members
- Towels hold up well in the washer machine
- High quality, especially for the low price tag
Cons:
- Expect some lint from the first few washings
If you’re searching for inexpensive bath towels that look high end, we suggest this Hawham 6-Piece Set.They look like the type of towels found in a hotel, and feel just as nice. While we wouldn’t call them as absorbent as stated on the product description, we would say they’re impressively durable for their price tag. Thousands of Amazon customers own them and are happy with the purchase.
Materials: 100% Tukish cotton | What’s Included: 2 bath towels, 2 face towels, 2 washcloths | Available Colors: 15 | GSM: 580
Best Turkish Bath Towels: Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish Cotton Bath Towels
Pros:
- Spa-like feel in terms of thickness and softness
- OEKO-TEK Certified
- Durable
Cons:
- There’s a return charge of $9.95
- Not as absorbent as some other towels on our list
Brooklinen’s bestselling Softest Super-Plush Bath Towels ($89 $72) are ridiculously soft, luxurious and will definitely help give your bathroom a spa-like vibe. They come in a set of two and are made completely out of Turkish cotton.
“These are so soft and make you feel like you’re cuddling with puppies while you’re toweling off,” said one happy customer.
Brooklinen also has amazing deals on Towel bundles, and an assortment of other great options, including super-plus, organic ribbed, and waffle.
Materials: 100% Premium Turkish cotton | What’s Included: 2 bath towels | Available Colors: 14 | GSM: 820
Best Waffle Bath Towels: Cozy Earth Complete Waffle Towel Bath Bundle
Pros:
- Towels made with sustainable practices and materials
- Durable, and absorbent
- Free shipping
Cons:
- Nothing beyond an 8-piece towel set
Wrap yourself up in Cozy Earth’s premium plush towels and finally know what the brand hype is all about. Not only does the company get rave reviews, but one of them is from Oprah herself, naming them to her Favorite Things list four times in a row.
The Waffle Towel Bath Bundle will make you want to take shower after shower. Made from a combo of cotton and bamboo viscose, it’s soft, highly absorbent, and the sort of thing we’re happy to reach for after a long soak. One happy customer declared them “perfect,” stating that “they are incredibly soft and [dry] fast.” We couldn’t agree more. And again, they’re one of Oprah’s favorite things!
Materials: 60% Cotton, 40% Bamboo Viscose | What’s Included: 2 bath towels, 2 bath sheets, 2 hand towels, 4 washcloths | Available Colors: 5 | GSM: 600
Best Cotton Bath Towels: Coyuchi Cloud Loom Organic Towels
Pros:
- Plush and absorbent
- Woven with long loops to create a softer and exceptionally thick towel
- GOTS Certified
Cons:
- No bath mat included in set
For a thick and fluffy cotton towel, we recommend Coyuchi’s Cloud Loom. Besides being made from organic cotton, it has a special woven design that makes the material feel cuddly and thick. While we like it best for the cooler months (we can’t emphasize how thick these are), the towels, in our opinion, are just as good as a fluffy robe that we’d wear around the house or during a quick cat nap after a shower.
One customer reviewer said they were “worth the investment,” which we happen to agree with. While we like the towels best in a 6-piece set, they’re also available as single towels, so you can build your collection as you see fit.
Materials: 100% organic cotton | What’s Included: 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 washcloths | Available Colors: 5 | GSM: 685
Best Material: Parachute Organic Gauze Terry Towels
Pros:
- Dual-sided
- A great lightweight option for those who dislike a heavier or “thicker” towel
- Absorbent
- Free shipping and 60-day returns
Cons:
- Only available in two colors
When it comes to shopping bath towels at Parachute, it’s difficult to narrow down a favorite. It has a huge selection in terms of material, including waffle, soft rib, spa, fouta and those in organic. The current team favorite is the Organic Gauze Terry Towels.
The bath towels have a soft gauzy front that feels velvety smooth, while beneath is fuzzy terrycloth. If you didn’t know, the latter material is highly absorbent, so regardless if you’re drying sopping wet hair or grabbing to wipe up some spillage, this towel has got your back.
Materials: 96% organic cotton, 4% linen blend | Available In: Bath towels, Hand Towels | Available Colors: 2 | GSM: 400
Best Lightweight Bath Towels: Magic Linen Waffle Towel (3-Piece Set)
Pros:
- Stone washed for a softer feel
- Handcrafted
- Oeko-Tex certified
Cons:
- Towels are on the smaller sideAt 190 GSM, the towel is on the thinner and lighter side
Magic Linen, a brand known for its amazing linens that even Meghan Markle is a fan of, definitely did not drop the ball on its waffle-knit towels ($49). The puffy waffle weave not only increases absorbency but also gently exfoliates your skin. Plus, linen is naturally antimicrobial and allows for easy airflow ensuring your towels dry quicker and stay free of mildew, germs or unpleasant odors.
“Love these towels! Love the size and the way they feel against the body. Also love that they are absorbent and dry quickly,” said a reviewer. For more bang for your buck, we suggest grabbing these towels in a set, which includes a hand towel and washcloth.
Materials: 53% linen, 47% cotton | What’s Included: 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel, 1 washcloth | Available Colors: 11 | GSM: 190
Best Reviewed Bath Towels: Mainstays Bath Towel
Pros:
- Given 4.6 out of 5 stars by Walmart customers, and more than 8,000 ratings
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified
- A la carte option makes it simple to build towel bundles to your specific liking
Cons:
- At a 450 GSM, the cotton towels are too thin to have a luxurious feel. However, they will get the job done, especially for those seeking a more affordable option
As you may know, Walmart is one of our favorite places to bargain hunt. The retailer has a huge selection of everything, including the Mainstay Solid Bath Towel. “Affordable” and “absorbent” are just two things customers have to say about them, which is accurate.
We can’t get over how inexpensive these 100% cotton towels are. For less than $10, they’re surprisingly fluffy, come in lots of colors, and can be bundled with a click of a button. We like these for the guest bathroom, as well as to send to the kids away at school. More than 8,000 shoppers have given them a rating. Maybe you’ll be next.
Materials: 100% cotton | What’s Included: 1 bath towel | Available Colors: 9 | GSM: 450
FAQ with the home experts
How to look for when buying bath towels online
The golden question, right? Luckily, we have some hot-button tips for you to browse online bath towels like a pro.
“The best thing to look for with towels is high quality, well-crafted materials,” Katie Elks, director of design and product development at Brooklinen, told the New York Post. “Look for products made with long staple cotton, which creates the strongest and smoothest feel, and single-ply yarns, which minimize breakage and increase the lifespan of your towel.”
The different types of bath towels, explained
From plush to waffle and heavy duty to lightweight, there’s no surprise bath towels come in a variety of options. Here’s a comprehensive list breaking them down:
- Plush towels: These offer a higher GSM, or grams per square meter, for more thickness and an extremely fluffy and luxurious feel.
- Waffle towels: These have a large surface area due to their unique weave style –like a waffle! Each of the towel’s “floats” make for faster water absorption and drying times. They are also much more lightweight.
- Regular towels: These have a more midrange GSM and those same high quality materials when shopping for these.
The different types of bath towel materials, explained
Additionally, Elks breaks down the difference between different types of cotton so you know exactly what online product descriptions mean:
- Combed/Ring-spun cotton: These both indicate additional processing of the cotton fibers, which can create a smoother, softer, or more dense yarn.
- Hydrocotton: This is another advancement in weaving that creates an incredibly absorbent towel.
“With any changes to the cotton, you can maximize some properties — like absorbency — but may have to compromise on dry time or linting,” she notes. “Be sure to read details about the product to determine what suits your needs best.”
What determines the price of a bath towel?
Above all else, there are two attributes that add to a specific bath towel’s price, per Elks: the quality of materials and the weight of the towel.
“Purchasing a towel with 100% long-staple cotton and single ply yarns may bump up the base price, but this is well worth the investment!” she adds. “From there, as you move up in weight you can expect the cost to rise as well — a heavier, plusher towel is going to cost more than a lightweight towel, for example.”
A bath towel vs. a bath sheet
Though they sound the same, bath towels and bath sheets differ slightly. “These are extremely lightweight towel and are ideal for warm weather or to throw in your gym bag,” Elks explains. “Look for a lightweight GSM.” We highlight some below, too.
For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section.