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Add comfort and functionality to your bathroom with these hand towels.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Katie Elks, design director at Brooklinen, offers some advice when shopping for hand towels.
Absorbency and dry time are probably the most important factors in hand towel performance, she says.
For more information on how we tested bath towels in our lab, check outour testing processbelow.
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Theyre only available in four neutral colors.
According to our testing, the best overall hand towel is the Serene Ultraplush Australian Cotton Towel.
We also felt that it was absorbent and helped us dry off quickly.
The towel held up well to our abrasion test with no signs of wear or tear.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Because of their high quality, performance, and value, these were our favorite hand towels.
It didnt 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.
When we scrubbed it with a brush though, there was some piling and a few snags.
But when we used it as intended, it withstood normal wear and tear well.
The color also remained the same and we didnt 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.
When testing thefull-sized bath towel, it was almost completely dry after air drying for just two hours.
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.
Youll feel likeyour bathroom is a spawith these plush hand towels.
When testing this towel in our lab, we were immediately impressed by its thickness and quality.
After laundering the towel in our lab, we didnt notice any discoloration or snags.
Except for this minor flaw, the towel held up well after laundering multiple times.
There are only four colors to choose from.
It wasnt the fastest drying towel we tested, but it was still almost completely dry after two hours.
It offers a lighter weight towel at 560 GSM, and we were impressed by its absorbency.
If youre looking for more color options, we recommend theLands End Premium Supima Cotton Hand Towel.
The makeup and mascara stains did not completely come out.
Experience the ultimate plush comfort with the Boll & Branch Plush Hand Towels.
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.
It retained its initial softness without getting rough or textured after being washed and dried multiple times.
Credit: West Elm
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 snagged and pilled during the abrasion test.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The towel effectively removed water from our skin without causing the material to feel soaked or full.
The Restoration Hardware Monogrammed Ultra-Soft Turkish Towel is an ideal choice if you want to truly customize your space.
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.
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.
However, we were surprised when the towel was almost completely dry after just two hours.
With a weight of 600 GSM, this lightweight hand towel set was quick drying and absorbent.
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 werent visible at all.
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 timethe towel was completely dry within 85 minutes.
We also evaluated the towels on their weight, softness, and thickness.
We combined observations from both of the tests to assign a rating for the absorbency category.
To evaluate how stain resistant each towel was, we added two stains: foundation and mascara.
We noted whether or not the stains were removed, and also photographed the results.
We evaluated all of the results from our categories to determine which ones performed the best during our testing.
Wyman explains that while cotton is absorbent, it may take longer to dry than other materials.
However, there are other factors that affect a towels performance as well.
Additionally, some hand towels, like theBrooklinen Organic Ribbed Hand Towels, are made with organic cotton.
Organic doesnt make the towel better or worse, Young says.
GSM
GSM stands for grams per square meter, Wyman says.
This measures the density of the main towel fabric.
Credit: CozyEarth
Its simply a way to measure the fabric.
While it was soft, it wasnt the most luxurious-feeling towel we tested, and it felt thin.
After washing and drying it, its construction remained consistent, and there were no snags or loose threads.
The hand towel felt thick, luxurious, and soft.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Overall, we felt that this was a fine towel, but it didnt wow us.
Despite being one of the thicker towels we tested, it took just over two hours to dry.
The stains came out easily, and the texture didnt change after multiple launderings.
It was also fairly absorbent, but we felt there were better towels available at the same price point.
This hand towel felt thin and lightweight, but also soft to the touch.
It held up well during laundering, and both stains were removed.
Your Questions, Answered
How many hand towels do you need?
For each bathroom sink you have, youll want at least one hand towel.
How big is a hand towel?
This is the perfect size to hang on a hand towel ring, stand, or knob.
How much do hand towels cost?
Credit: Brooklinen
The hand towel didn’t seem bothered by an abrasive brush.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Boll & Branch
The hanging loop ensured that the hand towel didn’t fall off the hook during or after use.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Restoration Hardware
This was one of the heaviest towels we tested at 750 GSM.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Cozy Earth
The scrub brush left no signs of distress in the fabric.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Landâs End
With a GSM of 650, this hand towel is a happy medium between plush and thin.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
