Best Overall
Italic Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towels
- Quality5/5
- Absorbency5/5
- Texture5/5
- Durability5/5
- Dry Time5/5
- We were shocked that the price tag wasn’t higher for these high-performing luxurious hand towels.
We were shocked that the price tag wasn’t higher for these high-performing luxurious hand towels.
- They’re only available in four neutral colors.
They’re only available in four neutral colors.
According to our testing, the best overall hand towel is the Serene Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towel. During our lab testing, this hand towel set earned a perfect 5 out of 5 rating for its dry time, durability, and value.
This set of two hand towels is made with 100% Australian cotton and wowed us with its softness, comfortability, and ability to quickly dry. Upon initial inspection, we loved that this set felt high quality and luxurious, and they were comfortable to the touch. At 800 GSM (which stands for grams per square meter), it’s one of the thickest and heaviest hand towels on our list.
After washing the hand towels three times, there were no loose threads or snags, and we were impressed that mascara and other makeup stains lifted from the towels with ease. Since the towel was so thick and plush, we were expecting it to take longer to dry, but the towel was completely dry in just an hour and a half. We also felt that it was absorbent and helped us dry off quickly.
We were shocked that the price tag wasn’t higher than it is—these hand towels felt so high end, we assumed they would be expensive. Because of their high quality, performance, and value, these were our favorite hand towels.
Product Details: Material: 100% Australian cotton | Colors: White, cream, gray, and charcoal | GSM: 800
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Budget
West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels
- Quality4/5
- Absorbency5/5
- Texture4.3/5
- Durability4.7/5
- Dry Time5/5
- This hand towel is lightweight, quick drying, and available in 10 different colors.
This hand towel is lightweight, quick drying, and available in 10 different colors.
- It didn’t feel as soft as other towels we tested.
It didn’t feel as soft as other towels we tested.
For those looking for an affordable option, our top budget-friendly pick is the Everyday Textured Organic Towels. Made with 100% organic cotton, this hand towel is less than $10 and is available in several colors including white, peacock, ocean, pink stone, and charcoal. We also liked that it features a convenient loop, which makes it easy to hang on a hook or cabinet knob.
Our first impression of this towel was that it didn’t seem quite as soft as other ones we tested, but we liked how lightweight it was. However, after washing it, we were surprised that the texture remained consistent and there were no snags or loose threads. The color also remained the same and we didn’t notice any fading or discoloration.
We used this towel to towel dry hair, and we were surprised at how much water it absorbed. But what really impressed us with this towel was the dry time, which earned a 5 out of 5 star rating during our testing. When testing the full-sized bath towel, it was almost completely dry after air drying for just two hours.
Product Details: Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: 10 color options | GSM: 500
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
Best Splurge
CozyEarth Premium Plush Hand Towels
- Quality3.9/5
- Absorbency4.5/5
- Texture4.5/5
- Durability4.7/5
- Dry Time5/5
- This ultra-plush towel dried within an hour, despite its thickness.
This ultra-plush towel dried within an hour, despite its thickness.
- After testing this towel in the real world, we did notice a small discolored spot.
After testing this towel in the real world, we did notice a small discolored spot.
Splurge on a luxurious experience with the CozyEarth Premium Plush Hand Towels. This set of two towels is made from premium viscose from bamboo and cotton, resulting in a super-soft yet quick-drying hand towel. You’ll feel like your bathroom is a spa with these plush hand towels.
When testing this towel in our lab, we were immediately impressed by its thickness and quality. We felt that the heavy weight at 800 GSM contributed to its luxurious feeling, but despite its plushness, it only took about an hour to completely dry. After laundering the towel in our lab, we didn’t notice any discoloration or snags.
However, when testing the towel in the real world, we did note that there was a small discolored spot on the towel after washing it a few times (which could have been from a potent acne wash). Except for this minor flaw, the towel held up well after laundering multiple times.
Available in nine mostly neutral colors, there is an option to match your bathroom aesthetic whether it's modern or coastal. We also appreciated that the towels are made without harmful chemicals, and the brand uses responsible dyeing practices to color the towels.
To make your bathroom experience feel even more luxurious, add this hand towel and your bath towel to a towel warmer before taking a bath or shower.
Product Details: Material: 40% viscose from bamboo and 60% cotton | Colors: Nine different colors | GSM: 800
Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Hand Towels
- It still remained soft after being laundered, and stains came out easily.
It still remained soft after being laundered, and stains came out easily.
- There are only four colors to choose from.
There are only four colors to choose from.
The Brooklinen Organic Ribbed Hand Towels are made from 100% organic Turkish cotton and have a soft, ribbed texture that feels pleasant to touch.
After being laundered in our lab, we were shocked that we couldn’t tell it had been laundered—its softness and quality remained completely unchanged. There were no traces of makeup or mascara stains, and the fabric showed no sign of being treated with a laundry stain remover.
It wasn’t the fastest drying towel we tested, but it was still almost completely dry after two hours. While it’s not as plush as a few other towels we tested, it’s perfect for adding a bit of visual texture to your bathroom or powder room. It offers a lighter weight towel at 560 GSM and earned a score of 5 out of 5 stars for its absorbency.
Most other towels on our list are available in several different colors, but this set of two towels only comes in four colors: white, vanilla, blue sea, and sunstone red. If you’re looking for more color options, we recommend the Land’s End Premium Supima Cotton Hand Towel.
Product Details: Material: 100% organic Turkish cotton | Colors: White, vanilla, blue sea, and sunstone red | GSM: 560
Best Plush
Boll and Branch Hand Towels
- Quality5/5
- Absorbency4.5/5
- Texture5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Dry Time5/5
- We were impressed by its absorbency and dry time, despite its thick and dense design.
We were impressed by its absorbency and dry time, despite its thick and dense design.
- The makeup and mascara stains did not completely come out.
The makeup and mascara stains did not completely come out.
Experience the ultimate plush comfort with the Boll and Branch Plush Hand Towels. Available in a set of two, these 100% organic cotton towels will add a cozy touch to your bathroom.
Upon initial inspection of these towels, we loved how thick, dense, and plush they were. We also liked the decorative band on the towels, which added an elegant and sophisticated look. When we washed one towel, we were surprised that we couldn’t tell much of a difference between the unwashed towel and the washed one.
It retained its initial softness without getting rough or textured after being washed and dried multiple times. The colors remained unchanged after laundering, and there was no discoloration. However, the stains from the makeup and mascara were still slightly visible after being washed.
We also appreciated how absorbent this towel was. The towel effectively removed water from our skin without causing the material to feel soaked or full. Considering how thick and heavy the towel was, we were shocked that it felt dry to the touch after only one hour. Because of this, it earned a perfect 5 out of 5 star rating for its dry time.
While this towel set is available in six different colors, they are all neutrals so you won’t be able to add a pop of color to your bathroom with this pick.
Product Details: Material: 100% organic cotton | Colors: Six different colors | GSM: Not listed
Best Monogrammed
Restoration Hardware Turkish Towel
- Quality5/5
- Absorbency4.5/5
- Texture5/5
- Durability5/5
- Dry Time4.5/5
- There are 14 font options and 12 thread color options to personalize this hand towel.
There are 14 font options and 12 thread color options to personalize this hand towel.
- While the stains came out after laundering, there were still some mascara flakes stuck in the fibers of the material.
While the stains came out after laundering, there were still some mascara flakes stuck in the fibers of the material.
The Restoration Hardware Monogrammed Ultra-Soft Turkish Towel is an ideal choice if you want to truly customize your space. Available in 15 different colors, you can add one or three initials to the towel to offer a personalized look. There are 14 font options to choose from and 12 thread color options.
Aside from offering a tailored look, this towel is also impressively plush and soft. At 750 GSM, this towel provides a dense yet balanced weight that felt cozy when wrapped around our skin. Even after laundering, the texture of the towel remained unchanged. We also appreciated that there were no loose threads or discoloration after washing and drying, which earned this towel a 5 out of 5 rating for its durability.
The makeup and mascara stains were completely removed, but we did notice a few mascara flakes that were stuck in the fibers of the towel—but this was only noticeable upon a close and slow inspection.
Because of how thick and plush the material was, we assumed the towel would take several hours to dry. However, we were surprised when the towel was almost completely dry after just two hours, earning the towel a 4.5 out of 5 rating for its dry time.
Product Details: Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 15 different colors | GSM: 750
Best Waffle
CozyEarth Waffle Hand Towels
- Quality5/5
- Absorbency5/5
- Texture3.8/5
- Durability3.8/5
- Dry Time5/5
- It provided excellent absorbency, and it dried in just one hour.
It provided excellent absorbency, and it dried in just one hour.
- Because of its waffle knit texture, it’s not as soft as other towels we tested and it lost some of the softness after laundering.
Because of its waffle knit texture, it’s not as soft as other towels we tested and it lost some of the softness after laundering.
For those who prefer the texture of a waffle knit towel, we loved the CozyEarth Waffle Hand Towels during testing. With a weight of 600 GSM, this lightweight hand towel set was quick drying and absorbent.
While most towels we tested took at least two hours to completely dry, we were floored that this towel dried within just one hour. Although it’s not marketed as a quick-dry towel, we were impressed and gave the towel a 5 out of 5 rating for its dry time. We also appreciated how absorbent the towel was—it was able to leave freshly washed hair damp instead of soaking wet.
After laundering the towel three times, there was no sign of discoloration, snags, or loose threads. We were also impressed that the stains from the makeup and mascara weren’t visible at all.
We do want to note that this towel wasn’t as soft as other towels we tested due to its waffle knit texture. Additionally, we found that after washing and drying it a few times, it lost some of the softness it did have. But because of its durability, absorbency, and ability to quickly dry, it’s the best waffle knit hand towel we tested.
Product Details: Material: 60% cotton, 40% viscose from bamboo | Colors: Light gray, white, charcoal, harbor mist, and sand | GSM: 600
Land’s End Hand Towel
- It’s available in 18 different colors, and the color didn’t fade after multiple washings.
It’s available in 18 different colors, and the color didn’t fade after multiple washings.
- This hand towel has a weight of 650 GSM, so it may not be the best option if you prefer a heavier weight.
This hand towel has a weight of 650 GSM, so it may not be the best option if you prefer a heavier weight.
If you love color or a maximalism style, make your space even brighter with the Land’s End Premium Supima Cotton Hand Towel. Available in 18 colors, this hand towel has the most color options out of the towels on our list.
Our first impression of this hand towel was that it was soft, plush, and thick. We also appreciated the decorative band on the towel that added a touch of sophistication. We were impressed with the dry time—the towel was completely dry within 85 minutes.
We washed and dried the towel several times, and were pleasantly surprised that the color was still saturated and even, and there was no discoloration. It also still maintained its plushness and softness after laundering, and we didn’t find any snags or loose threads.
There were also no traces of the makeup and mascara stains, and the color wasn’t discolored from the stain remover. While the towel did shrink a bit, the decorative band also shrunk so it decreased in size proportionately and didn’t bunch up.
With a GSM of 650, we found that it was a bit lighter in weight so if you prefer a heavier feeling, a hand towel like the CozyEarth Premium Plush Hand Towels may be a preferable option for you.
Product Details: Material: 100% cotton | Colors: 18 colors | GSM: 650
Best Striped
Parachute Fouta Stripe Towels
- Quality4.8/5
- Absorbency4.5/5
- Texture5/5
- Durability4.5/5
- Dry Time4.5/5
- We appreciated the light weight and modern look of this hand towel.
We appreciated the light weight and modern look of this hand towel.
- Despite its thinness, it took two hours to completely dry.
Despite its thinness, it took two hours to completely dry.
We love the look of a striped hand towel in a minimalist or modern bathroom. The Parachute Fouta Stripe Towels will add a subtle pattern to your space while providing functionality and comfort.
Upon first glance, we immediately fell in love with the style of this hand towel, but we also appreciated the texture. One side felt soft and slightly plush, while the other side offered more of a terry cloth feel. At 450 GSM, keep in mind that this is a thin towel and is the lightest weight towel on our list.
It did take longer than we expected to dry at two hours, but that was still a relatively quick dry time. After washing the towel three times, the quality and color remained consistent, and the only indication that it had been laundered was slight wrinkling.
Since this towel is lighter in color and has white stripes, we were expecting to see evidence of makeup and mascara stains. However, we were shocked when both stains were completely removed after laundering one time with a stain remover.
Additionally, because of its lightweight construction, we thought this hand towel (or the matching bath towel) would be a pleasant towel to use during the summer months. Overall, we were impressed with its quality, modern style, and comfort.
Product Details: Material: 100% Turkish cotton | Colors: Coal and cream | GSM: 450
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HENRY WORTOCK