By Marci Robin and Annie Blackman
The best bath towels can make or break a relaxing bathroom experience. With the wrong one, your skin can feel dried out and scratchy after even the sudsiest shower. But the right fluffy bath sheet can leave your skin feeling revitalized and soft, and freshly shampooed hair shiny and bouncy as if you just got a professional blowout. And that's not even mentioning the transcendent effect of wrapping yourself up in the plush comfort of a vast, fluffy bath towel — it's enough to transport you to the most luxurious of five-star hotels in the blink of an eye. Microfiber Twist Loop Towel
We've written before about how a super-soft microfiber towel is ideal for your hair because the gentle, low-friction material is able to efficiently wick away moisture without roughing up the cuticle. (Note: Just make sure you're blotting your hair instead of rubbing it, as the latter can cause damaging breakage and split ends.) And when it comes to skin care, Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, says that soft fibers like cotton are great for reducing harmful friction on the skin.
So, whether you're looking for a new set of high-quality, Egyptian cotton towels, quick-drying towels with a sumptuous waffle weave to recreate a spa-like setting right at home, or you want to try your hand at a bathleisure look, we've rounded up our top picks for the best bath towels that are ultra-absorbent, ultra-soft, and straight-up indulgent.
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Why We Love It: Before you ask: Yes, Brooklinen's towels are as good as its sheets. They only use long-staple Turkish cotton for peak smoothness, strength, softness, and durability, and you can really feel it. In addition to its large bath sheet, which is slightly larger than your average bath towel, the collection also features a standard-sized bath towel, hand towel, washcloth, and bath mat. Flex your creative muscles by mixing and match essential colors like Eucalyptus with limited edition colors like Starflower or Striped Midnight Navy.
Product Specs: 100% Turkish cotton, extra thick, z-twist construction, 820 GSM
Why We Love It: Saatva's Plush Towel Collection comes in three neutral colors: White, Sand, and Slate — adaptable to any design scheme. Not only is the fabric super soft on first use, but thanks to the magic of long-staple cotton, it gets even softer after every single wash. Saatva's towels don't compromise plushness for absorbency, which might remind you of the towels they hand out at your favorite spa. Also, the brand is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, meaning it meets the internationally accepted standard for non-toxic textiles.
Product Specs: 100% cotton, 30" x 58" bath towel, 20" x 30" hand towel, 13" x 13" face towel
Why We Love It: The substantial, velvety feel of Boll & Branch's Softest Organic Plush Bath Towel makes for the dreamiest dry-off. The 100% organic cotton towels come in a handful of soothing hues like Pewter, Stone, and Shore. Boll & Branch values sustainability and invests in manufacturing practices free from toxins, GMOs, and pesticides (they use marigold flowers as a natural pest repellent). If you're not in love with the towel after 30 days, you can send it back for a full refund. We doubt that'll happen, but still!
Product Specs: 100% organic cotton, dense weight, low-twist yarn
Why We Love It: Available in a slew of gorgeous colors, you won't have any trouble finding the perfect Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towels shade for your bathroom. But their aesthetic versatility is only the beginning. The 700 GSM of Oeko-Tex-certified Turkish cotton makes these absorbent bath towels as lovely against your skin as they are to look at hanging from the rack. You can add a monogram (which comes in a bunch of typefaces) to your new fave towel for a few bucks extra.
Product Specs: 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, 700 GSM, 30" x 58"
Why We Love It: It's hard to pick our favorite thing about the Riley Spa Bath Sheet, but we'll go with the built-in hanging loops that keep your precious towel off the ground. Everything else about this generously sized bath sheet is a close second, like the two-ply Egyptian cotton, low-lint fibers, easy care, and durability. The towels also feature a sweet, hand-crafted binding along its edges, lending a unique look. Riley also values sustainability and works with family-owned farms.
Product Specs: 100% premium fine-combed Egyptian cotton, two-ply construction, 40" x 70"
Why We Love It: This set of two fast-drying towels is neck and neck with its more expensive counterparts, thanks to a super soft terry cloth construction and 100% cotton. A Target exclusive available in colors like Aqua and Gold, the Threshold Quick Dry Ribbed Bath Towel Set is durable enough for the main bathroom, stylish enough for the guest bathroom, and affordable enough to pick up a second set just for drying off the dog.
Product Specs: 100% cotton, quick-drying, 54" x 30"
Why We Love It: Pottery Barn's Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Bath Sheet sounds sophisticated because it is. The special method with which the Turkish cotton is woven makes its fabric 10X more absorbent than regular cotton terry. Still, the towel stays super smooth, pill-resistant, and remarkably strong. The extra-large 40" x 72" monogrammable design is available in several tranquil colors. You can count on Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Oeko-Tex certification, too.
Product Specs: 100% organic long-staple Turkish Cotton, 550 GSM, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Why We Love It: Parachute promises the fluffiest of fluff with its soft and absorbent Aerocotton technology. The 100% Turkish cotton towel set comes with a washcloth, hand towel, bath towel, and bath sheet that dry quick, thick, and soft. The towels also feature a modern-looking ribbed dobby design and come in grounding colors like Moss, Bone, Dusk, and Coal. We also love how Parachute's products are free of synthetic dyes and are shipped using carbon-neutral transportation. As of 2022, the company is also Climate Neutral Certified.
Product Specs: 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, 700 GSM, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Why We Love It: You can almost feel the creaminess of The Company Store's Turkish Cotton Bath Towel through your screen. The long-staple Turkish cotton gives these bath sheets, hand towels, and washcloths an extra cushiony feel, and they come in every color of the rainbow. These towels are finished with dobby striping and are monogram-ready. Opt for whichever shade best fits your B-room, but we can't get enough of Raspberry.
Product Specs: 100% combed Turkish cotton, 620 GSM, 30" x 54"
Why We Love It: Hudson Park Luxe Turkish Towels are the ultimate shortcut to pampering. The hydrocotton blend in these 35" x 68" towels promises unparalleled absorbency and softness and comes in a lovely array of colors. You can also count on the sturdiness of the bath rug, which features a non-slip, latex backing. They're exclusive to Bloomingdales, and you can pick them up in-store or add them to your cart online.
Product Specs: 100% Turkish cotton, unique spinning technology, 30" x 56"
Why We Love It: These Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towels from Italic are resort-ready and luxurious at a non-luxury price. Italic uses the same manufacturer as Chanel and Calvin Klein. The brand defines "high end" as "high quality" and doesn't rely on a recognizable label to do it. Go for the whole bundle, or grab a quick-drying bath sheet, which is so cozy you'll put off getting dressed — but that's one of our favorite forgivable offenses. You'll also get a complimentary hand care gift with every purchase that includes a Serene Towel Collection item (yay).
Product Specs: 100% Australian cotton, 800-1100 GSM, 40" x 65"
Why We Love It: Add The White Company's Rib Hydrocotton Towels to your bathroom rack for a standout towel that doesn't compromise on quality. The handsome, ribbed design combines a unique, fluffy, yet low-pile design for a quick, soft, dry. Not too thin and not too thick, this is an excellent option if you prefer a slightly lighter-weight towel. Pick from a handful of earthy colors like Pearl Grey, White, Soft Gray, Oatmeal, and Slate.
Product Specs: 100% Cotton, 500 GSM, Made in Turkey
Why We Love It: A good bundle always captures our hearts; this one from Quince is no exception. At $80, the brand's Organic Turkish Waffle Towel Bundle is a delightful steal — two bath towels and two hand towels — and its waffle design is especially attractive. Grab these towels for the perfect finishing touch for your bathroom aesthetic and shower routine. Quince believes that luxury should be affordable and sustainable, which makes it a go-to brand for thoughtful shoppers.
Product Specs: 100% organic long-staple Turkish cotton, Bath: 27" x 54," Hand: 20" x 30"
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