Best Overall
Brooklinen Beach Towel
- The plush towel is absorbent and it was easy to shake sand off of it.
The plush towel is absorbent and it was easy to shake sand off of it.
- The color bled on the first wash.
The color bled on the first wash.
The Brooklinen Beach Towel is the best beach towel overall for its absorbency, large size, and soft feel. While testing, we found the towel has a soft and relaxing feel that makes it ideal for lounging on the beach.
The towel feels plush but still durable, and it had no loose threads or changes in quality after we washed it. The texture actually became even softer after washing. However, the dye on the towel bled slightly after the first wash. Although the colors remained vibrant, we suggest washing the towel with like colors to prevent the dye from spreading.
The towel is made of 100% cotton and feels high quality and luxurious. We appreciated that the thickness of the towel adds padding for lying down on the sand.
Despite the thick weave, the towel was still very absorbent and dried us off quickly after a dip in the pool. During testing, the towel easily released sand with just a few shakes and will dry quickly in the sun or hanging indoors.
At 70 inches in length, the towel was large enough for us to wrap around ourselves and lie on comfortably. The towel comes in four color options with several retro patterns and can be purchased individually, as well as in a set of two or three.
How It Performed After Six Months
Besides some slight warping on the edge, this towel remained in good condition throughout testing. Despite using it 4-5 times a week during the testing period, the color never faded and there were no loose threads.
Even though it's quite absorbent, it seemed to take longer to dry than some other beach towels we had used. Despite the drying time and that it's a bit heavy when it's wet, we ended up buying another one to add to our collection.
Product Details: Size: 34 x 70 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: Four | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KIMBERLY SOUZA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KIMBERLY SOUZA
Key Terms to Know
- OEKO-Tex Standard 100: If a towel has an OEKO-Tex certification, that ensures that the product is free of any substances that the OEKO-Tex institute has deemed harmful.
Best Budget
Better Homes and Gardens Quick Dry Travel Beach Towel
- The fabric is lightweight and absorbent.
The fabric is lightweight and absorbent.
- The microfiber fabric is not as plush as cotton.
The microfiber fabric is not as plush as cotton.
The Better Homes and Gardens Ultimate Travel Quick-Dry Beach Towel is compact and portable, and it includes a reusable tote bag to take the towel on the go. The towel is less expensive than other options and is ideal for travel since it is easy to pack and dries quickly.
The 72-inch size is large enough to lay down on or wrap around your body, so it’s a great option for a day at the beach or pool. The moisture-wicking fabric is absorbent and dries quickly, especially in the sun. However, the polyester fabric doesn’t offer the plush feel of thicker materials like cotton.
The fabric did not have any loose threads or snags even after washing, and the colors remained vibrant. The colors did not fade or bleed at all during the testing period. The beach towel comes in six different colorways, including a variety of designs and prints.
How It Performed After Six Months
We used this towel for lounging and were happy to report that we didn't notice any changes in quality during the testing period. Sand did cling to this pick, but it didn't seem out of the ordinary and it was easy to shake off. We also love the size of the towel and would recommend it overall.
Product Details: Size: 38 x 72 inches | Material: Polyester | Colors: Six | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MORGAN GLAZE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MORGAN GLAZE
Best Luxury
Anthropologie Out to Sea Beach Towel
- It repels sand and absorbs water almost instantly.
It repels sand and absorbs water almost instantly.
- It’s only offered in one design.
It’s only offered in one design.
The Anthropologie Out to Sea Beach Towel is one of the highest-rated beach towels on our list and worth investing in. While the texture and appearance of the beach towel are similar to some others, it is unmatched in terms of absorbency. During testing, it absorbed moisture almost instantly and didn’t leave any water behind.
Sand easily fell off the towel when we shook it, so it is one of the best or people who like to lie on the sand. It’s worth noting that the towel is only offered in one design and is 68 inches long, which is a few inches shorter than some other styles.
The beach towel is thick and feels luxurious with a different texture on the top and bottom of the fabric. The quality and durability of the towel are apparent as the towel didn’t have any loose threads after washing and drying.
Product Details: Size: 35 x 68 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: One | Certifications: Oeko-Tex
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Travel
Dock and Bay Cabana Quick Dry Towel
- It’s lightweight and thin, making it easy to pack in a bag.
It’s lightweight and thin, making it easy to pack in a bag.
- It’s shorter than some other towels.
It’s shorter than some other towels.
The Dock and Bay Cabana Quick Dry Towel is the best choice to travel with. Thanks to the thin fabric, the towel can easily fold up to squeeze into a beach bag or suitcase for a tropical vacation. Because of how compact it is, it's also easy to store in a bathroom or linen closet.
Although the fabric is thin, the beach towel has a soft texture and a comfortable feel. The fabric is absorbent, and it dried our hands quickly during testing. We also noticed that the material doesn’t cling to sand, so you can easily shake off your beach towel and go without the hassle of carrying sand around.
The beach towel is available in 32 bright color options and patterns that will add flair to your beach day setup. The towel is a good size for drying off and even lounging, but it’s a bit shorter than some other styles. If you need a longer towel, it comes in an extra-large option for a slightly higher price.
Product Details: Size: 35 x 63 inches | Material: Microfiber | Colors: 32 | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Sand-Free
NovForth Oversized Microfiber Beach Towel
- The microfiber material repels sand and it’s less expensive than other styles.
The microfiber material repels sand and it’s less expensive than other styles.
- It felt thinner than other options.
It felt thinner than other options.
The NovForth Oversized Microfiber Sand-Free Beach Towel is made with a sand-resistant microfiber material that’ll make cleaning up after a beach day a breeze. During testing, we could easily brush sand off or shake out the towel to remove sand particles.
Although we felt that the material was thin, we found that it was still absorbent and comfortable to use. During testing, the towel dried our hands quickly without leaving any dampness. The fabric feels soft to the touch, so it is perfect for lying on the sand. The towel is about 6 feet in length, making it long enough to stretch out or wrap around your body.
The microfiber fabric had no visible flaws or loose threads, even after washing. The colors remained vibrant and didn’t bleed when it got wet either.
Product Details: Size: 41 x 73 inches | Material: Microfiber | Colors: Six | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Microfiber
Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel
- It’s soft, absorbent, and fast-drying.
It’s soft, absorbent, and fast-drying.
- The fabric is thin, so it may not offer much padding from the sand.
The fabric is thin, so it may not offer much padding from the sand.
The Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel is constructed with soft, absorbent fabric that dries quickly and is the best beach towel if you want a microfiber pick. The material is thin enough to easily fold up and fit in your beach bag or suitcase. However, the beach towel also includes a carrying case and is offered in six colorful designs.
The material is soft to the touch, and the microfiber fabric feels durable. The fabric didn’t have any snags, color fading, or changes in texture after washing.
During testing, sand came off of the towel effortlessly when we lifted it to shake it out. The sand-repelling fabric is great for lounging on the beach, but the thin fabric doesn’t provide a lot of cushioning if you like to lay on the sand for long periods.
How It Performed After Six Months
We used this pick at the beach and at a pool during the testing period. We mainly used it to dry off, so we appreciated how quickly it dried and that it was absorbent. Although the towel remained soft, we did notice some normal wear and tear and that some of the bright colors had faded a bit. We still continued to use it, however, and it became one of our favorite beach towels.
Product Details: Size: 35 x 73 inches | Material: Microfiber | Colors: Six | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / STEPHANIE PETIT
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / STEPHANIE PETIT
Best Oversized
Ocoopa Diveblues Microfiber Beach Towel
- It’s absorbent and dried fairly quickly.
It’s absorbent and dried fairly quickly.
- It felt thinner than some other options.
It felt thinner than some other options.
At 80 inches in length, the Ocoopa Sand Free Beach Towel offers enough space to lay down and lounge. The beach towel is comparable to the size of a blanket, so it can comfortably fit two people laying on it. We also found that it’s sand-resistant, making it a great option for the beach.
The towel folds up easily into its carrying case for convenient traveling. The fabric is thin and absorbent, and the microfiber material dries quickly in the sun. While the oversized pick is ideal for lounging, it is almost too large for drying off after a dip in the pool or ocean, so you may still need another towel to use as well.
The beach towel is offered in 31 different colors, patterns, and prints. The microfiber material is soft and smooth to the touch. It is also very durable, and there were no changes to the quality, color, or texture after we washed and dried the towel. The vibrant color did not bleed or fade at all after laundering.
How It Performed After Six Months
We used this towel for both lounging and drying off. Although we noticed some fading over time, the quality remained the same overall. We were particularly impressed with how quickly it dried and noted that you never have to worry about packing up wet towels to leave the beach. We also liked the large size which allowed two adults to lay on it at once.
Product Details: Size: 57 x 80 inches | Material: Microfiber | Colors: 31 | Certifications: Not listed
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ANDREA TENBORG
Best Comfortable
Laguna Beach Textile Co. Cabana Towel
- The fabric is thick and provides cushiony comfort for the beach.
The fabric is thick and provides cushiony comfort for the beach.
- The towel felt heavier than other options, which could take up more room in your beach bag.
The towel felt heavier than other options, which could take up more room in your beach bag.
The Laguna Beach Textile Co. Cabana Towel is crafted with soft cotton that feels high-quality and luxurious, making it ideal for lounging by the beach or pool. The fabric is thick and cushiony, offering a comfortable surface to sit and relax on the beach.
The plush fabric is very soft and absorbent. It quickly soaked up water during testing, drying our hands instantly and easily absorbing a cup of water. The only downside to this towel is its heaviness. The fabric is very thick, so it may take up more space and be more difficult to travel with.
The fabric did not have any loose threads or snags even after washing, and the colors remained vibrant. The colors did not fade or bleed at all during the testing period. The beach towel has a simple striped design that is available in 19 colors.
Product Details: Size: 35 x 70 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: 19 | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Turkish
Kassatex Block Pareo Fouta Beach Towels
- It has a soft, plush fabric and a luxurious feel.
It has a soft, plush fabric and a luxurious feel.
- It’s more expensive than other options.
It’s more expensive than other options.
The Kassatex Block Pareo Fouta Beach Towel is the best if you prefer a Turkish-style towel. During testing, the towel stood out for its plush and luxurious fabric that felt like a towel from a resort hotel. The minimal design is timeless, you’ll be able to choose from six color options as well.
The towel is much larger than a standard beach towel and is particularly wide at 40 inches. While it’s more of an investment than other towels, the soft fabric feels high-quality and durable, so we’re will last for many vacations to come.
The beach towel has a different texture on either side, but both sides are soft and comfortable. The front of the towel features a flat weave, while the back is a terry weave. It released sand quickly during testing, and no sand was left behind after a couple of shakes.
The beach towel absorbed water immediately and remained soft even after washing. Even when the towel was soaked with water, it retained its texture and shape. The material is also high-quality as the towel had no loose threads or seams.
Product Details: Size: 40 x 70 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: Six | Certifications: Oeko-tex
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Round
Band.do All Around Giant Circle Towel
- It’s lightweight and has a fun, eye-catching design.
It’s lightweight and has a fun, eye-catching design.
- The size is on the smaller side for laying down.
The size is on the smaller side for laying down.
The bright colors and eye-catching design of the Band.do All Around Giant Circle Towel are sure to impress your fellow beach-goers. The beach towel has an elevated look thanks to its round design and tassel detail around the border.
The cotton terry cloth fabric is lightweight and easy to pack up for travel. It has two textures: one softer and one rough side that helps it absorb water. The beach towel is quick-drying and absorbent despite the thin, lightweight material. During testing, it soaked up the water almost instantly with just a couple of pats.
The material did not have any snags or loose threads, and the tassels did not fray after washing. The circular shape is large enough to fit multiple people if they are sitting. However, the towel is only 60 inches in any direction, so it is probably too small to lie down on.
Product Details: Size: 60 x 60 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: One | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Cotton
Better Homes and Gardens Cabana Beach Towels
- The set includes four towels, each of which has a loop to hang it up to dry.
The set includes four towels, each of which has a loop to hang it up to dry.
- It takes a few pats to get fully dry.
It takes a few pats to get fully dry.
The Better Homes and Gardens Cabana Beach Towels Four-Pack includes four oversized cotton beach towels that offer quality and comfort on a budget. The set is ideal for families who need a beach towel for every kid. Plus, the material is soft and comfortable to sit on, and the fabric easily repels sand.
The towels absorbed water and dried our hands quickly during testing. However, we noticed that it took a few pats to get fully dry. The towels are easy to fold and include a loop at the corner to hang the towel up to dry. After washing and drying, the towels had no snags or loose threads.
The beach towel is 6 feet long and more than 3 feet wide, so it has plenty of room to lay down on. The set is available in a pack of either black and white stripes or assorted multi-color stripes.
Product Details: Size: 38 x 72 inches | Material: Cotton | Colors: Two | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Striped
Cozy Earth Classic Stripe Resort Towel
- This lightweight and soft beach towel dried quickly in the sun.
This lightweight and soft beach towel dried quickly in the sun.
- Avoid using bleach and fabric softener when laundering the towel.
Avoid using bleach and fabric softener when laundering the towel.
For a luxurious resort feel, we loved the Cozy Earth Classic Stripe Resort Towel during our real world testing. The striped beach towel is made from 60% cotton and 40% viscose from bamboo, resulting in a soft, lightweight, and absorbent fabric. It’s available in three different striped options: breeze, coral, and sage stripe.
We inspected the towel when we received it, and we didn’t see any snags, loose threads, or other flaws. We were impressed with how lightweight it felt compared to its size, and it didn’t feel heavy carrying in our beach bag. Because of the lightweight material, it also dried quickly when it was draped over a lounge chair in the sun.
We dried off with this towel after swimming in a pool, and we found that it sufficiently dried us off and absorbed the water well. The material was also soft to lay on, and it wasn’t scratchy, itchy, or irritating.
After washing the towel a couple of times, the quality and texture of the fabric remained the same, and the color didn’t fade. However, you’ll want to pay special attention to the care instructions with this towel—avoid using fabric softeners and bleach.
Product Details: Size: 40x70 inches | Material: 60% cotton, 40% viscose from bamboo | Colors: Three | Certifications: Not listed
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BRANDI FULLER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / BRANDI FULLER