Best Towels You Can Buy

TIME’s Lindsay Tigar spotlighted Cariloha bamboo bath towels in her article, “The Best Bath Towels You Can Buy Right Now, Tested and Reviewed,” in which she talks about Cariloha bath towels being ultra comfy and thick and better for the environment. TIME is one of the most influential publications in the world and has been publishing for over a century. They receive over 21.2 million unique monthly visitors.

The Best Bath Towels You Can Buy Right Now, Tested and Reviewed

By Lindsay Tigar

Your neighbor may have a post-century modern vibe, and you may lean a little more minimalist Scandinavian, but there are a few necessities in every home: kitchenware, bedding, and towels. No matter what life stage you’re in—from single and thriving to newly-married to parents of multiples—bath towels serve a daily purpose and should be carefully considered.

That said, it can be confusing to know how to select the right set. Should you go with cotton? Bamboo? And does weight matter to you? What about absorbency? Here, we spoke with textile experts for their best advice and narrowed down our selections to the top eight bath towels—then put them to the test.

How to shop for bath towels

When you search for the best bath towels for your home, you will want to pay attention to the product descriptions. Keywords like material, weave, weight, and absorbency all clue you into the texture and longevity of the towel. Here, Michael Khalil, the CEO of Revival New York, shares what to look for when you shop for bath towels.

Materials and Fiber Content

According to Kahlil, material composition is the most fundamental feature to look for when buying a towel. Here’s a breakdown of what each means.

Egyptian cotton: Long and ultra-fine fibers, more porous for absorbency and extra luxurious feel.
Turkish cotton: Longer fibers with a flat weave that result in a lighter, faster-drying towel.
Pima cotton: The closest alternative to Egyptian cotton, also with long and fine fibers, but is manufactured in the U.S.
Cotton/polyester Blend: Less expensive, but more durable and quick-drying.
Bamboo: Fast-drying, super soft, anti-bacterial, allergy and sensitive skin-friendly.

Construction

While each material has its unique qualities, Kahlil notes it’s also wise to pay attention to the weaving method used, as this will impact the finish of the towel. Here’s a breakdown.

Ringspun: Long and short fibers twisted together tightly, resulting in a highly durable towel with a luxurious feel.
Zero twist: A low or zero-twist towel is made of long cotton fibers woven without a twist, resulting in a light and soft product. While a high twist is more durable, a low-twist towel is softer and more absorbent as the total surface area is increased.
Combed cotton: Cotton is brushed before weaving to remove short threads, resulting in a softer and more durable towel.
Waffle weave: Absorbs quickly but can take longer to dry due to the construction.

Weight

Kahlil explains towels are measured in GSM (grams per square meter), and typically have a GSM between 300-900. “The higher the GSM, the denser the towel will be, which increases absorbency and plushness,” he explains. “One thing to consider when choosing weight is your dryer. You’ll want to opt for something lighter if it’s not a large capacity dryer.”

Size of towel

Everyone has a different preference for towel size—some want an oversized option that covers their whole body. And others may opt for a smaller version to dry off and step into a robe. Kahlil says most bath linens typically come in a standard bath towel size and a larger bath sheet size.

Absorbency

It may seem straightforward, but it’s a good reminder that heavier towels will no doubt be more absorbent but will have a longer drying time. “If you live in a humid environment or use hooks to hang towels rather than bars, you may want to opt for a lighter towel,” Kahlil says.

Certifications

Last, Kahlil encourages shoppers to look at how the towels are manufactured and their certifications. Organic towels will be free of pesticides and other chemicals some may object to. “Certifications such as Oeko-Tex® check for over 350 harmful chemicals that may be present to ensure a safe product,” he continues. “Checking for global standards is also a good idea to guarantee the towels are ethically sourced and produced.”

Our top picks for the best bath towels:

Best Bamboo Bath Towel Set: Cariloha Bamboo Bath Towels

If you already like bamboo sheets when you sleep, you’ll definitely fall for bamboo towels in your bathroom. From the moment you take these out of the box, you’ll want to snuggle up to them—they’re thick and ultra comfortable.

In general, there are plenty of reasons to choose bamboo to dry off—bamboo is super soft, anti-bacterial, allergy and sensitive skin-friendly, and better for the environment. These odor and mildew-resistant towels from Cariloha are also remarkably absorbent with a fluffy texture. It makes drying off very fast but doesn’t slack on the comfort level in the process. The Cariloha towel doesn’t feel too heavy either, making it a lightweight, durable necessity for your linen closet.

Keep in mind that you can’t use high heat when drying these towels, as it will reduce the softness. This means you should prepare for a longer drying time. Some reviewers shared that colors fade over time, too, so follow care instructions to extend the life of your towels.