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Quality Bath Towels for Long Lasting Absorbency

Danielle Mcleod

Absolutely nothing is worse than stepping out of a hot shower and finding your towel is thin, stiff, scratchy- or refuses to absorb water well. Wrapping yourself in a warm, fluffy towel should be an enjoyable end to your bathing rituals, and if you find yourself struggling to dry off, you need better towels. This is also true if your towel is too small!

There truly is quite a range of towel options out there, and you want to take a look at the quality of the make and materials, as well as the sizes offered before making a purchase. We’ve gathered up some quality choices below for you to take a closer look at, and to save you the time from having to research your own.

RankProductHighlights
#1American Soft Linen 6-Piece 100% Cotton Towel Set

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  • Material: Turkish Cotton
  • Size:  6 pieces complete set
  • GSM: 605-610
  • What’s Included: 2 Bath Towels: 27 x 54-inch, 2 Hand Towels: 16 x 28-inch, 2 Washcloths: 13 x 13-inch
#2BC BARE COTTON 100% Cotton Ribbed Channel Pattern Bath Towel Set

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  • Material: 100% Turkish Cotton
  • Size: Set of 4 – 27 x 54 “
  • GSM: 750
  • What’s Included: 4 bath towels
#3Gilden Tree Premium Waffle Weave Bath Towels 2 Pc Set

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  • Material: 100% Cotton
  • Size: set of 2 – 32 x 62 inches
  • GSM: n/a due to thinner design
  • What’s Included: 2 bath towels
#4Utopia Towels – Bath Towels Set

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  • Material: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton
  • Size: 27 x 54”
  • GSM: 700
  • What’s Included: 4 bath towels
#5Utopia Towels – Luxurious Jumbo Bath Sheet

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  • Material: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton
  • Size: 35 x 70”
  • GSM: 600
  • What’s Included: 2 Jumbo bath sheets

Bath Towel Sizes and Types

The size of your towel is important as there are various designs specific for different uses. Towels are sold in sets, and may contain 2 to 4 (or more) different size towels, or sold separately. It is important to know what you are buying so you don’t end up with the wrong size.

Washcloth

12 x 12 inches

13 x 13 inches

12 x 14 inches

These are small square towels that are highly absorbent used to wash the body and face.

Tip Towel

11 x 18 inches

12 x 18 inches

14 x 20 inches

Smaller than traditional hand towels, these are made specifically for drying the hand quickly and are popular in guest bathrooms.

Hand Towel

16 x 30 inches

18 x 30 inches

19 x 30 inches

Hand towels are an everyday towel for drying the hands, face, and even may be used to wrap hair in. They also are often decorative for guest bathrooms.

Bath Towel

28 x 54 inches

30 x 54 inches

30 x 56 inches

These are the go-to towel sizes for drying off the body and wrapping your hair in after bathing.

Bath Sheet

35 x 68 inches

40 x 68 inches

39 x 59 inches

40 x 72 inches

Bath sheets are an oversized bath towel and are designed for wrapping around your body, and are often preferred by taller and larger people.

Bath Towel Materials

Towels are designed to be absorbent since their main purpose is to dry you off after bathing. Unfortunately, not all towels are made the same, and rushing into a purchase isn’t worth it if you aren’t certain you are getting a quality choice that will do its job. Cotton is going to be your main go-to, but take a look at the various options you’ll be presented with below:

Bamboo/Cotton Blends

Bamboo fibers are processed from the plant and provide an absorbent, plush, cooling feel. Naturally anti-bacterial, when blended with cotton, makes a seriously luxurious feeling towel.

Cotton

As mentioned, 100% cotton is the main material used for towels. Various weaves, patterned ridges to maximize surface absorbency and fiber lengths for differing qualities provide a different feel from one towel brand to the next.

Supima

Grown in the dry, hot climates of the Southwestern US, it boats extra-long fibers that allow for strength and awesome absorbency.

Turkish

Turkish cotton offers an extra-long staple fiber that when used in towels provides soft comfort, incredible absorbency, and long-lasting durability.

Egyptian

Egyptian cotton is also a long-staple fiber, and due to the climate, it is grown in, offers a dense, highly absorbent choice. It also is exceptionally breathable and durable.

Organic

To be considered true organic cotton, grown without the use of any toxins and produced using clean methods, a USDA or GOTS certification must exist.

Towel Weight Explained

Towel weight is not defined by the overall physical weight of the towel itself. Rather, it is measured as fabric weight, defined by grams per square meter (GSM). This refers to the density of the towel and helps determine the overall absorbency and durability.

300-400 GSM

Lightweight and absorbent, these towels won’t hold as much water as their more dense counterparts, but they will dry more quickly.

400-620 GSM

This is a medium-weight choice that offers both quality and affordability. These are most popular for bath and hand towels.

620-900 GSM

These are premium, thick, dense, and absorbent choices that offer a more luxurious feel.

What to Consider When Picking Out Bath Towels

You’ll want to take into account a few details before picking out your favorite towel choices. The first thing you want to consider is what your towels are for. If for personal use, then obviously your preferences should drive your decisions. But if buying for a guest room- then you probably want to make sure the best quality is chosen to offer the most comfort you can to anyone visiting.

Also, pay close attention to the size of your towels. Hand towels are generally a must for quick and easy hygiene solutions, but bath towel size should be a comfortable fit for your body type. Be sure to get the sizes that are comfortable to wrap your hair in (if needed), as well as to wrap your body in to help dry off after bathing.

Our Top Picks for Your After-Bathing Comfort

If all you want to do is wrap yourself in luxury after stepping from your shower or bath, these are the towels you want to take a closer look at. These various styles and sizes provide you options to pick and choose from for an absorbent, cozy, after-bathing experience.

American Soft Linen 6-Piece 100% Cotton Towel Set

Specs:

  • Material: Turkish Cotton
  • Size:  6 pieces complete set
  • GSM: 605-610
  • What’s Included: 2 Bath Towels: 27 x 54-inch, 2 Hand Towels: 16 x 28-inch, 2 Washcloths: 13 x 13-inch

Best Budget 6 Piece Cotton Towel Set

Soft, luxurious, and seriously absorbent, these 100% Turkish cotton towels are sold in a 6 piece set that includes 1 bath towel, 2 hand towels, and 2 washcloths. This is perfect to mix and match with an existing set, individual towels of various colors, or offer as a top-notch set for visiting guests.

Classic in design, they provide a solid design broken by striped detail along one edge to provide a decorative touch. Available in 14 solid colors, they are a great choice to use for embroidery or decorative hand towels, as well as providing a durable option that launders well. Towels are also pre-shrunk.

Who This is For

If you want a quality towel set without having to spend a lot of money, these are a great choice that provides excellent absorbency and a fade-resistant option.

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BC BARE COTTON 100% Cotton Ribbed Channel Pattern Bath Towel Set

Specs:

  • Material: 100% Turkish Cotton
  • Size: Set of 4 – 27 x 54 “
  • GSM: 750
  • What’s Included: 4 bath towels

Channel Patterned Bath Towel Set

Any channeled patterned material maximizes surface area, and in a towel, you further maximize absorbency. This 4 set of bath towels provides an incredibly absorbent and soft option made from 100% long-staple, Turkish cotton. Available in basic colors, they are a perfect choice to wrap yourself in while going about your morning or evening rituals to get ready for work or bed.

The 27 x 54-inch measurement is an average towel size and popularly found in most households. This 4 pack provides the perfect means to mix and match with hand towels and washcloths and provides a quality decorative look for both your bathroom as well as a guest room.

Who This is For

When you want a luxury-looking, quality towel that is plush, thick, and durable, the BC Bare Cotton collection is a great way to add to your decor on a budget.

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Gilden Tree Premium Waffle Weave Bath Towels 2 Pc Set

Specs:

  • Material: 100% Cotton
  • Size: set of 2 – 32 x 62 inches
  • GSM: n/a due to thinner design
  • What’s Included: 2 bath towels

Waffle Weave Bath Towel Set

These premium towels are an incredible option for absorbance and high-quality towel options. The waffle weave is a series of honeycomb-like pockets to help wick and trap moisture so you aren’t left feeling damp after drying off. Made from 100% cotton, they are designed to shrink after washing to improve their absorbency by making the pockets even deeper.

Economically friendly, they are much thinner than their competition, yet offer superior use- plus they are easier to store when not in use despite being generously oversized. At 32 x 62 inches, they offer a much larger surface than your traditional bath towel, allowing you to wrap yourself in soft comfort.

Who This is For

When you want incredible luxury and are looking for an environmentally friendly product, these oversized towels are a perfect choice.

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Utopia Towels – Bath Towels Set

Specs:

  • Material: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton
  • Size: 27 x 54”
  • GSM: 700
  • What’s Included: 4 bath towels

Traditional Bath Towel Set

This traditional 100% ring-spun cotton comes in a variety of basic solid colors and offers an absorbent, thick choice for everyday use. Available in a pack of 4, they have a decorative striped weave along one edge and are an excellent budget option for both personal and guest bathrooms alike.

These offer a decent balance between thick and plush, and thin and absorbent for quick drying- but excellent moisture wicking. The size is perfect for all body types and is great for both hair and body use.

Who This is For

If you want to find a good balance between price and quality, these towels provide a choice that will keep you happy. Pre-shrunk, they won’t disappoint.

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Utopia Towels – Luxurious Jumbo Bath Sheet

Specs:

  • Material: 100% Ring-Spun Cotton
  • Size: 35 x 70”
  • GSM: 600
  • What’s Included: 2 Jumbo bath sheets

Jumbo Bath Sheets

When a traditional bath towel just isn’t big enough, you want to have a few bath sheets in your cupboard to turn to. You can wrap yourself in these and then some for unparalleled absorbency and warm comfort. Sold as a pack of 2, these 100% ring-spun cotton options come in a great array of solid colors.

Measuring 35 x 70 inches, these are great for all body types and provide a different option than what you might be used to. Lightweight, Utopia towels are designed for both quality and affordability without sacrificing the soft feel or durability.

Who This is For

This is the jumbo-sized sheet you need. It is perfect for wrapping yourself in after bathing.

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Conclusion

No matter which type of towel you prefer, these are all excellent towel options and sets to wrap yourself in luxury and warmth after bathing. Highly absorbent, the quality of these choices is all excellent and allows different densities, patterns, and sizes for whatever needs you to have within your household.