To date, we have tested 99 towels both in our Lab and in our homes over several months and assessed them based on their quality, texture, absorbency, durability, and overall value. For expert tips on buying and using bath towels, we turned to Thornburg and Sarah Smith, product education and customer experience manager at Serena & Lily. We also received insights from Elana Frosk, account executive at Hohenstein Institute, the U.S. testing lab for Oeko-Tex.
“Given this is a product that touches your skin daily, [bath towels are] a great item to splurge on as it will be used and enjoyed often,” says Whitney Thornburg, design director at Coyuchi. “Select a towel that you love—in both color and style—so it’s enjoyable to use each day.”
Whether you prefer to wrap yourself up in a plush, spa-like towel or dry off quickly with a lightweight, textured option, choosing the right bath towel can make all the difference in your daily shower experience.
Best Overall Bath Towel
Italic Serene Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towels
Italic
View On Italic.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This towel checks every single box: absorbent, soft, plush, durable, and affordable.
What Could Be Improved
After two months, we noticed one snag.
This towel stood out among all those we tested, because it has a dense, weighty feel that alludes to luxury—but costs less than $20, making it an absolute steal in our book. Italic’s Serene towel earned a perfect score in our absorbency testing, soaking up all four ounces of water in just 10 seconds. Considering it’s the heaviest towel on our list at 800 grams per square meter (GSM), we were sure the dry time would be outrageous. But much to our surprise, the towel was completely dry in just 90 minutes.
After washing, the towel shrank by just four percent and didn’t lose any of its weight (though it was slightly less soft than it was before washing). We have high hopes when it comes to the durability of this towel, especially because it didn’t sustain any significant damage after we ran a scrub brush over it 50 times. (After two months, we did notice one snag—but that was the only difference between the brand new towel and the older towel.) All the stains we applied to the fabric came out easily in the wash.
This towel offers excellent coverage for a standard bath towel, although it’s available in a bath sheet version as well. It comes with the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification, ensuring it has been tested for harmful substances. In the future, we would love to see more color options, as the towels are currently only available in four neutral hues (white, gray, cream, and charcoal). And keep in mind that it’s sold as a set of two and cannot be purchased individually.
Price a time of publish: $39 for 2-pack
Material: Australian cotton | Size: 30 x 54 inches | Weight: 800 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Budget Bath Towel
White Classic Luxury Cotton Bath Towels
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Walmart
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This towel is highly absorbent and is sold in a set of four, making it a great value.
What Could Be Improved
It tends to pick up debris from other items in the washing machine.
This set from White Classic is an impressive value, especially since it comes in a set of four. Made from 100 percent combed cotton, this pick is noticeably plush and stylish and feels like a towel you’d find at a luxury resort.
Each towel weighs 700 GSM, which explains its luxurious feel and ample absorbency. It was able to dry wet hands in two to three passes, and it absorbed an entire 1/4 cup of water without dripping. However, it was still a bit damp after being air-dried overnight—a trade-off for its high GSM. After washing and drying these towels, there was no visible wear and tear. But it’s worth mentioning that they did pick up some debris from the other towels they were washed with, so it’s probably best to wash these separately.
In terms of style, the thick accent stripe gives these towels a spa-like feel, and the set is available in a variety of colors, ranging from neutrals to jewel tones. Plus, the towels are Oeko-Tex-certified. At 27 x 54 inches, these are one of the smallest towels we recommend, so keep this in mind if you typically go for oversized options. It should also be noted that these towels are only available in a set of four, and cannot be purchased individually.
Price a time of publish: $50 for 4-pack
Material: Cotton | Size: 27 x 54 inches | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 and Made In Green by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Best Absorbent Bath Towel
Coyuchi Temescal Organic Bath Towel
Coyuchi
View On Nordstrom
View On Coyuchi.com
View On Madetrade.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
The ribbed texture is very impressive at absorbing water—plus, it’s made with organic materials.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn't have a very fast drying time considering its thinner construction.
For those willing to spend a little more for high quality materials, the Coyuchi Temescal bath towel is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified and made from organic cotton that’s grown and woven in Turkey. We found this towel to be highly absorbent without being overly thick or heavy, thanks to its ribbed texture that helps wick away moisture in less time than a traditional towel.
This towel proved to be very effective, drying off our hands instantly and soaking up an entire quarter-cup of water in one minute. However, we do wish it was a bit faster to dry, especially given its thinner construction. After washing, the towel remained just as soft and absorbent. Coyuchi suggests washing it in cold water on the delicate cycle and either air drying or drying on low. However, we found it to hold up just fine when dried on medium heat.
We tested the towel in the Deep Ocean color, and it remained just as vibrant after six months of use. The towel is also available in Alpine White, Undyed, Shadow (a dark gray), and Terra (a deep terracotta color). Although this isn’t the towel to opt for if you like a thick, plush feel or resort-style towels, it offers excellent absorbency in a much lighter package.
Price at time of publish: $78
Material: Organic Turkish cotton | Size: 28 x 54 inches | Weight: 600 GSM | Certifications: GOTS
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Best Quick-Dry Bath Towel
Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Bath Towel
Pottery Barn
View On Pottery Barn
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It has a midweight feel and dries very quickly.
What Could Be Improved
It picks up lint from other items in the washing machine.
This bath towel from Pottery Barn is made from zero-twist cotton loops, as opposed to twisted strands, which means it’s fluffier than others. It’s super soft to the touch, and it remains that way post-wash. In our testing, we found that this bath towel was able to dry wet hands extremely fast.
Although the towel was able to absorb all the water from a bowl both before and after washing, it was a bit wet and dripping after our absorbency test. That said, we still think that this towel would be sufficient for drying off after a shower.
The fibers themselves are 100 percent organic, long-staple Turkish cotton, which is less prone to piling and tearing with use. At 550 GSM, it’s a nice middle ground that’s quick to dry while staying soft to the touch. It did pick up some lint from other towels in the washing machine, so this is another pick that we suggest washing separately. The towels are available in over a dozen neutral colors, and you can make it a set by purchasing matching hand towels, wash cloths, or bath sheets.
Price at time of publish: $35
Material: Organic Turkish cotton | Size: 28 x 55 inches | Weight: 550 GSM | Certifications: GOTS
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
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Best Plush Bath Towel
Boll & Branch Plush Bath Towel
Boll & Branch
View On Bollandbranch.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It’s plush without being heavy and cumbersome.
What Could Be Improved
It is one of the more expensive towels we tested.
If a spa-worthy experience is what you’re looking for when you step out of the shower, this towel from Boll & Branch will deliver. During our initial inspection, we immediately noticed the plush, thick, and velvety hand feel of the towel, which only grew softer after a month of regular use and laundering. Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, the yarns have a low twist, meaning some of the fibers have a twist while others are loose enough to create space, which adds plushness, softness, and absorbency.
The towel was able to absorb four ounces of water in one minute. Afterwards, it took 60 minutes to fully dry, which is reasonable given how thick and plush this towel is. And at 30 x 58 inches, the towel provides plenty of coverage without being unwieldy.
After laundering, the already plush towel grew even softer, and only shrank 2.8 percent in length and 4.6 percent in width. Overall, its high GSM (700) and low-twist construction give the feel of a luxury product, but unfortunately it has the price tag to match. Still, if you’re looking for a hotel-like towel, this luxurious option can’t be beat.
Price at time of publish: $49
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, GOTS
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Best Lightweight Bath Towel
West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels
West Elm
View On West Elm
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This towel has an eye-catching texture and is durable and quick-drying.
What Could Be Improved
It's on the smaller side in terms of size.
If you prefer towels with a rougher feel, this pick from West Elm is right up your alley. While it’s not as soft and plush as other towels, the GOTS- and Oeko-Tex-certified fabric has a nice bite to it, which helps you dry off quickly. The textured weave also has some nice visual appeal, and we like how it comes in a variety of colors to match any bathroom. It absorbed five ounces of water in 10 seconds and was virtually dry after two hours.
This towel held up remarkably well in the wash, especially compared to other lightweight options. We didn't notice any discrepancies between its pre- and post-wash quality: No piling, fading, or rips occurred. It did show signs of wear after running a scrub brush over it 50 times, but the underlying fabric remained in good condition. Plus, stains lifted easily.
The one area we think this towel could improve in is its size. It's on the smaller end of the towels we tested, so if you're on the tall side, it may not completely cover you (but it’s still slightly larger than the average 27 x 54 inches). That said, if you're looking for an eye-catching towel that's durable and quick-drying, we think this would be a good pick.
Price at time of publish: $19
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 28 x 54 inches | Weight: 500 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, GOTS
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Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Heavyweight Bath Towel
Restoration Hardware Ultra-Soft Turkish Towel Set
Restoration Hardware
View On Rh.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This towel is super thick and luxurious, and despite its weight, it dries pretty quickly.
What Could Be Improved
It doesn’t have any certifications, which is disappointing considering the high price.
We were immediately impressed by how soft, plush, and luxurious this RH towel felt. It's made from long-staple Turkish cotton and is slightly oversized, so you can completely wrap yourself in its cozy fabric. It maintained its quality even after laundering; we didn't notice any fading or signs of wear after washing it multiple times, though it did shrink slightly (around six percent in length and three percent in width). However, it was easy to remove stains after spilling mascara and foundation on it.
There was some noticeable damage that occurred after abrading it with a scrub brush, though the towel remained in good condition overall. While the fabric became frizzier, the loops didn't unravel, and no loose fibers fell off. Unless you regularly rub your towels with a scrub brush, we think this one will hold up to years of normal use.
This towel has a hefty GSM of 750, but despite its weight, it dried fairly quickly—it took two hours for it to be about 80 percent dry, likely due to RH’s special spinning technique that creates untwisted loops. This technique also makes this towel extra-absorbent. In our tests, it absorbed all four ounces of water we poured into a bowl in less than 10 seconds. Given its luxe fabric and durability, we think this towel is a stand-out option.
Price at time of publish: $48
Material: Cotton | Size: 30 x 56 inches | Weight: 750 GSM | Certifications: Not listed
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
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Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Most Durable Bath Towel
Lands' End Premium Supima Cotton Bath Towel
Lands' End
View On Landsend.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It sustained no damage after we ran a scrub brush over it 50 times.
What Could Be Improved
It's not Oeko-Tex certified.
We put all the towels we tested through the ringer, including multiple launderings and 50 swipes with an abrasive scrub brush. Out of all those we tested, we were most impressed with how well the Lands’ End Premium Supima Cotton Bath Towel held up. Post-wash, the towel was very fluffy and shrank by less than four percent. The color (of which there are 21 to choose from) remained just as saturated, and the stains came out easily. There was not a single pull or loose thread either, and after two months of consistent use the towel’s texture didn’t change whatsoever. What’s more, after running a scrub brush over the towel 50 times, there was no damage to the towel that we could see or feel, so we can almost guarantee that it will stand up to whatever abuse you put it through.
Made from American-grown Supima cotton, the towel is plush with a medium-heavy weight (650 GSM). In our absorbency tests, it was able to collect all four ounces of water from a bowl in a matter of seconds, leaving the bowl bone dry. Afterwards, it required about 85 minutes to dry, which is on par with the weight of this towel. The Lands’ End towel has a generous size at 30 x 56 inches. Plus, it’s available for monogramming, making it a great choice for a gift. Given the size, durability, and quality of the materials, we think the pricing is more than reasonable.
Price a time of publish: $35
Material: Supima cotton | Size: 30 x 56 inches | Weight: 650 GSM | Certifications: N/A
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Softest Bath Towel
Luxome Spa Collection Towel Set
Luxome
View On Amazon
View On Luxome.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It’s made from a blend of bamboo viscose and cotton, which makes it feel light yet incredible soft.
What Could Be Improved
It’s slow-drying, and it’s not currently OEKO-TEX certified (although other towels from the brand are).
Our first impression of this towel was that it was one of the softest we tested. It’s made from a blend of bamboo viscose and cotton, and the former gives it its silky, soft texture. Though to be clear, we do not consider this towel to be plush—it’s surprisingly light and airy, proving that your bath towel doesn’t need to be super plush in order to be soft
This towel was able to absorb the entire four ounces of water in one minute, though it did require a full two hours to dry afterwards (but it never developed a musty odor). After the first wash, the towel lost some of its initial sheen. We also found that the appearance of the color changed a bit after washing, which is likely because it lost some of the smoothness it had straight out of the package. However, it shrank by less than four percent, and the stain we applied was completely removed in the wash. Even better, it remained soft and absorbent for the entire two months we tested it.
The towel is available in eight different colors and comes with a thick, decorative border that adds to its luxurious appearance. It’s sized somewhere between a bath towel and a bath sheet, offering plenty of coverage for people of different sizes. After months of regular use, this towel has become a part of our regular rotation, and we miss it when we’re using a different towel.
Price at time of publish: $100 for 2-pack
Material: 60% bamboo viscose, 40% cotton | Size: 30 x 56 inches | Weight: 600 GSM | Certifications: N/A
Best Waffle Bath Towel
The Citizenry Mara Organic Waffle Towel
The Citizenry
View On The-citizenry.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
The texture helps cut down on drying time.
What Could Be Improved
It feels very different from a typical plush towel, so it may take some getting used to.
When it comes to bath towels, terry cloth towels will always win in a popularity contest. But waffle weave towels are gaining a fan base now, too. The Mara Organic Waffle Towel features a unique honeycomb texture that increases the towel’s surface area and helps to trap moisture, speeding up the drying process significantly. Plus, it’s much more lightweight and airy than your typical terry cloth towel, reducing the amount of storage space it takes up in the linen closet.
In our Lab tests, this towel was able to absorb all four ounces of water from the bowl, and despite its textured surface, it still had a cushioned feel that managed to grow softer with each wash. Given the lightweight nature of the towel, we expected to see a fast dry time. It ended up taking two hours to dry completely, which was longer than expected but not terrible. In our long-term testing, we consistently found that the towel was dry enough to be used again in the evening if we used it in the morning.
After washing, the towel sustained no damage and all stains came out easily. Even after two months of constant use, this towel didn’t change at all in appearance, looking exactly the same as it did out of the box. Scrubbing the towel with an abrasive brush caused some pilling, but otherwise the abraded spot remained intact. And even more impressively, it didn’t shrink at all after the first wash.
The towel, which comes in a set of two, is made with 100 percent organic Turkish cotton. While we acknowledge that the unique construction of this towel takes some getting used to, we’ve grown to love it. Overall, the quality of the materials as well as the soft feel make this bath towel an excellent value, especially for those who like a lighter weight towel that’s good for wrapping hair.
Price a time of publish: $98 for 2-pack
Material: Organic Turkish cotton | Size: 27 x 56 inches | Weight: 300 GSM | Certifications: GOTS and Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Best Turkish Bath Towel
Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel
Coyuchi
View On Nordstrom
View On Wayfair
View On Anthropologie
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This light and airy bath towel can also be used at the beach.
What Could Be Improved
The tassels can unravel with regular washing.
Turkish towels, also called Hammam, Fouta, or Peshtemal towels, are made from 100 percent Turkish cotton that is usually flat-woven, lightweight, and fast-drying. They more resemble a throw blanket or a tablecloth than a bath towel, but don’t be fooled by appearances—they can still be very effective at drying you off. The Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel absorbed four ounces of water from a bowl in just 10 seconds, and was fully dry within the hour. It comes with a lightly textured, high/low weave that helps to wick away moisture for faster drying.
The towel is made from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic Turkish cotton that grew softer and more pliable after washing. Plus, there was no snagging after laundering, and all the stains we applied came in the wash. After running a scrub brush over a portion of the towel 50 times, there was no visible damage, giving us confidence that this is a towel that will provide years of use. And at 320 GSM, it's very lightweight and will take up little space in a linen closet.
We can’t help but note how gorgeous the towels are, with their white striped border and knotted fringe around the edges. It’s available in five different earthy colors, and according to the brand, can be used as a beach towel, too.
Price a time of publish: $68
Material: Organic Turkish cotton | Size: 28 x 54 inches | Weight: 320 GSM | Certifications: GOTS, Made Safe
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Oversized Bath Towel
Matouk Milagro Cotton Bath Towel
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
View On Bloomingdales
View On Matouk.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It offers significantly more coverage than your standard bath towel.
What Could Be Improved
The dry time could be faster given its weight, and it’s very expensive.
At 550 GSM, this is not the thickest towel we tested; but what it lacks in thickness, it more than makes up for in surface area. While it’s not quite a bath sheet, it still provides significantly more coverage than your standard bath towel (although it is also available in a bath sheet size). We really liked the size of this towel and found that it was never too short when wrapped—it actually made us look forward to stepping out of the shower.
In terms of absorbency, this towel was able to absorb an entire half-cup of water from a bowl in one minute, though its dry time was just average at 58 minutes. After washing, this towel shrank by less than 5 percent, which is well under what you would expect from a 100 percent cotton towel, and it never lost its soft feel. It has a plush, cloud-like feel without being overly heavy, thanks in part to the zero-twist fibers that make it fluffy and absorbent. This towel is also available in a wide variety of colors, and comes with the option to add a monogram, too.
Price at time of publish: $54
Material: Cotton | Size: 30 x 60 inches | Weight: 550 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Best Textured Bath Towel
Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Bath Towels
Brooklinen
View On Brooklinen
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This towel is extra-absorbent thanks to its ribbed texture, yet is still quite plush.
What Could Be Improved
The dry time is on the longer side.
The thin-ribbed texture isn't the only thing that makes the Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Bath Towel towel a stellar pick, though it definitely helps. That extra texture adds a cozy, luxe touch to this towel, and makes it extra absorbent. In fact, it had an absorbency percentage of 150 percent in our tests, which is one of the highest on this list, and it soaked up eight ounces of water in under one minute. It didn’t dry as quickly as others though, but we found it to be mostly dry within two hours.
This towel is made from GOTS-certified organic Turkish cotton, which has a remarkably soft hand. The plushness of the fabric stood out during our first impressions and added some noticeable comfort. After laundering it three times and staining it with foundation and mascara, the fabric still felt as buttery as ever, and there was zero indication that it had even been stained in the first place.
The size of this towel is somewhere in between a bath towel and bath sheet, which is great for those who prefer an oversized towel. Despite its size, it didn't take up too much space when folded up, though the fabric was a bit hefty, and there isn't a loop for hanging. All in all, if you're looking for a thick, plush towel with some visual flair, you can't go wrong with this ribbed towel.
Price at time of publish: $89 for 2-pack
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 560 GSM | Certifications: GOTS, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
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Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Colorful Bath Towel
Ralph Lauren Payton Bath Towel
Bloomingdale's
View On Bloomingdales
View On Dillards.com
View On Horchow.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
This is a weighty towel with an extremely fast dry time and over 20 color options to choose from.
What Could Be Improved
It had a few loose threads after washing, so it’s probably not the most durable.
This 100 percent cotton bath towel has a weighty, plush feel that immediately signals luxury and absorbency. In fact, it was able to soak up an entire half-cup of water in just one minute. Given its weight (700 GSM) and absorbency, we were sure it would take a long time to dry, but it proved us wrong: It dried in just 11 minutes—one of the fastest dry times of any towel we’ve ever tested. This is thanks in part to its high-loop terry weave, which creates air pockets for faster drying.
While already thick and plush to begin with, the Payton bath towel became softer and more plush with each wash. It suffered no wear or tear during washing, aside from a few loose threads here and there, which we found to be pretty standard among bath towels. We also found that stains came out of the fabric very easily, and the color remained rich after washing (we tested it in a vibrant shade of red).
This towel comes with the Oeko-Tex Made In Green certification, meaning it is made without harmful substances and made in environmentally-friendly facilities. The sateen weave hem and double–banded border add to its luxurious appearance, and it’s available in 23 different colors. Plus, monogramming is available, making this an excellent wedding or housewarming gift. For those who prefer additional coverage, the Payton is available in an oversized “body sheet” version, too.
Price at time of publish: $39
Material: Cotton | Size: 30 x 58 inches | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: Standard 100 and Made In Green by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Best Organic Bath Towel
Parachute Organic Cotton Bath Towel
Parachute
View On Parachute
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
Even though it’s thick and oversized, it’s not heavy, and it has a loop for hanging.
What Could Be Improved
For the price, we wish the fabric was a bit softer.
For those who like to cocoon themselves in a buttery soft towel after a relaxing shower, this pick from Parachute is a great choice. While it comes in several size options, including a standard towel, we tested the bath sheet size. Initially, we found its size to be a little overwhelming, but it was surprisingly light, and it has a loop so you don't have to wrestle with it to hang.
This towel is made from GOTS- and Oeko-Tex-certified cotton, which means the materials and supply chain are free from harsh chemicals and pesticides. While the fabric wasn’t the softest or thickest that we tested, it is quite absorbent; in our tests, it soaked up all four ounces of water in 10 seconds. Even though this towel is larger and thicker than others we tested, it still dried in two hours.
Like many of the towels we tested, this one did show some wear during our abrasion test where we scrubbed it with a scrub brush. However, the fabric remained intact overall, and it held up well after multiple washes—plus, the foundation and mascara stains appeared to completely fade away. Overall, while this towel is pricey, we think its size, fabric quality, and durability live up to the hype.
Price at time of publish: $49
Material: Organic cotton | Size: 30 x 56 inches | Weight: 600 GSM | Certifications: GOTS, Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Modern Bath Towel
Hay Mono Cotton Bath Towel
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
View On Design Within Reach
View On Hay.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It has a loop which makes it easier to hang up.
What Could Be Improved
It’s not very plush.
There are a few details that made us feel like we were at a posh hotel while using this terry-cloth towel. It's made with soft, silky Oeko-Tex certified cotton and has its logo discretely displayed on one side of the towel. We appreciated that it has a loop to make it easier to hang and that it comes in a few unique color options that are a welcome change from your basic neutrals.
There were several loose threads when we first unboxed it and after we washed it, but they didn't affect the construction of the towel. After washing, we noticed the fabric quality was slightly less silky, but it only shrank 4.6 percent in length and 3.6 percent in width.
This towel had one of the fastest dry times out of all the options we tested, clocking in at an hour and 30 minutes. Considering its slightly plush texture, that's not shabby at all. It also absorbed all four ounces of water when placed in a bowl, and it performed well in our abrasion tests. There was only a slight difference in the fabric after rubbing it with a scrub brush, and stains lifted with ease. While we wish this towel was a touch larger and thicker, we still think it's a great option thanks to its durability and modern style.
Price at time of publish: $35
Material: Cotton | Size: 27.5 x 55.25 inches | Weight: GSM not listed; 1.2 pounds | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
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Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Best Cotton-Blend Bath Towel
Southern Living Turkish Cotton and Modal Bath Towel
Dillard's
View On Dillards.com
Our Ratings
What Stands Out
It offers the feel of cotton with the durability of a synthetic fabric.
What Could Be Improved
It requires a full two hours to dry completely.
Made from 80 percent Turkish cotton and 20 percent modal—a semi-synthetic fabric that’s even more absorbent than cotton—this towel from the Southern Living line at Dillard’s combines the softness of cotton with the durability of synthetic fabric. (Southern Living is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.) It is constructed with soft and absorbent zero-twist fibers, meaning the fibers are longer and can be looped through the towel as opposed to being twisted out from the towel. It was among the most absorbent towels of all those we tested, although we did find it had a long dry time, requiring a full two hours to fully dry.
After laundering, it felt more plush and had very little loose threading or damage. It shrank just 3.8 percent in length and 4 percent in width, right around the median amount of the towels we tested. At 30 x 56 inches, it’s generously sized without overdoing it, which is important considering it’s on the weightier side. The towels are available in a wide variety of colors, each of which comes with a decorative border. Given the price, performance, and durability, this is an excellent choice if you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of the softness you get with all-cotton towels.
Price at time of publish: $28
Material: 80 percent Turkish cotton, 20 percent modal | Size: 30 x 56 inches | Weight: 700 GSM | Certifications: N/A
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
Real Simple / Henry Wortock
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