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Make the most of your next vacation with a soft, absorbent beach towel.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
While they all offer comfort and style, the best are also absorbent and durable.
The texture actually became even softer.
However, the dye on the towel bled slightly after the first wash.
Credit: Brooklinen
Although the colors remained vibrant, we suggestwashing the towelwith 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 adds padding for lying down on the sand.
The Brooklinen Beach Towel feels luxurious, with cushioned thickness for lying on the sand.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
During testing, it easily released sand with just a few shakes.
Despite using it 4-5 times a week, the color never faded and there were no loose threads.
We ended up buying another one to add to our collection.
Its only offered in one design.
During testing, it absorbed moisture almost instantly and didnt leave any water behind.
Its shorter than some other towels.
The Dock & Bay Cabana Quick Dry Towel is the best choice to travel with.
Because of how compact it is, it’s also easy tostore in a bathroomorlinen 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.
If you need a longer towel, it comes in an extra-large option for a slightly higher price.
It felt thinner than some other options.
We also found that its 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 themicrofiber materialdries quickly in the sun.
The beach towel is offered in 31 different colors, patterns, and prints.
The microfiber material is soft and smooth to the touch.
The vibrant color did not bleed or fade at all after laundering.
Credit: Anthropologie
We used this towel for both lounging and drying off.
Although we noticed some fading over time, the quality remained the same overall.
We also liked the large size which allowed two adults to lay on it at once.
The Anthropologie Out to Sea Beach Towel releases sand easily—it’s a great choice for beach goers.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
The towel felt heavier than other options, which could take up more room in your beach bag.
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 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.
Its more expensive than other options.
The Kassatex Block Pareo Fouta Beach Towel is the best if you prefer aTurkish-style towel.
The minimal design is timeless, youll 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.
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.
The size is on the smaller side for laying down.
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.
Its offered in four patterns and we also loved its large size and sand-resistant fabric.
Before using the towels, we washed them once according to the manufacturers instructions.
We used the beach towel to lounge on the beach and dry off after swimming.
We also considered its durability, water absorption, and how long it took to dry.
Credit: Amazon
We tested how much sand the towel collected and how well it released the sand.
We also tested 36 options at our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa.
Many beach towels are available in oversized and extra-long options as well as the standard size.
The Dock & Bay Cabana Microfiber Beach Towel is thinner than other options, but it still felt soft.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Material
The best material depends on how you intend to use your beach towel.
Cotton is the most absorbent, so it is the best material for drying off.
Egyptian and Turkish cotton offer a more luxurious feel, but are still great for absorbing water.
Microfiber is ideal for repelling sand and lounging.
Made of polyester, microfiber has a smooth feel that shakes off sand and dries fast.
One of the most common weaves for a beach towel is terry cloth, which is particularly absorbent.
Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into the fabric.
While thread count can be a good indicator of a towels quality, it isnt the most important factor.
Cotton towels are the most absorbent, but they take more time to dry than microfiber.
It was quite absorbent during testing, drying us off almost instantly.
However, the plush fabric was very thick and took a long time to dry.
We also thought the price was too high given the poor durability of the towel.
However, the towel is closer to the size of a bath towel.
Your Questions, Answered
How long do beach towels last?
The lifespan of a beach towel depends on its quality and how it is used and maintained over time.
To extend the life of your beach towel, always follow the manufacturers instructions for washing and drying.
And if the towel starts to smell, its time to replace it.
Should beach towels be thick or thin?
Thin towels also dry faster, but they dont offer as much padding for lying down.
Who We Are
Molly Blancois a senior writer at Better Homes & Gardens.
Previously, she worked as an editorial apprentice for research and testing at Dotdash Meredith.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Amazon
The large size of the Ocoopa Microfiber Beach Towel means it can fit two adults laying down.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Amazon
The Laguna Beach Textile Co. Striped Cabana Beach Towel is made of thick and cushiony material.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Kassatex
The Kassatex Block Pareo Fouta Beach Towel is larger and wider than a standard beach towel.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Ban.do
The Band.do All Around Giant Circle Towel looks elevated thanks to the tassel trim and fun design.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
We tested each towel for how well it released sand using a makeshift beach in our lab.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
On average, the beach towels we tested we several inches larger than the average bath towel.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
