How to Choose Towels

The right towel should do two things well: dry you off and feel good doing it.

But towels can be surprisingly complicated. Cotton type, construction, weight, size and even the way the loops are made can change how a towel feels and performs.

You don't need a textile engineering degree to choose good towels. You just need to know which details actually matter.

Start With How You Want Your Towel to Feel

Before looking at labels and specifications, think about the experience you want.

Do you want a towel that feels:

• Thick, plush and substantial?
• Soft but relatively lightweight?
• Highly absorbent?
• Quick to dry between uses?
• Crisp and simple rather than fluffy?

There is no single "best" towel. A thick, luxurious towel may be perfect for someone who loves a spa-like feel and completely wrong for someone who wants the towel to dry quickly.

Choose the Right Material

Cotton remains the standard for bath towels because it combines softness, absorbency and durability.

But not all cotton towels feel the same.

Long-Staple Cotton

Long-staple cotton uses longer fibers that can be spun into smoother, stronger yarns.

You'll see names such as Pima, Supima and Egyptian cotton used in towels. The specific cotton matters, but the finished towel also depends heavily on how that cotton is spun and woven.

In other words, don't assume a fancy cotton name automatically makes a great towel.

Turkish Cotton

Turkish cotton is known for its long fibers and can produce towels that feel soft and substantial while maintaining good absorbency.

It's often a good choice if you want a towel that balances plushness with a relatively elegant, lighter feel.

Organic Cotton

Organic cotton is grown according to organic agricultural standards. Look for legitimate certification when that distinction matters to you.

One important point: organic describes how the cotton is grown. It doesn't automatically tell you how soft, thick or absorbent the finished towel will be.

Blends and Other Fibers

You'll also encounter towels made with cotton blends and fibers such as modal, bamboo-derived rayon or microfiber.

These can change the towel's softness, absorbency, weight and drying characteristics.

The important question isn't whether a material sounds impressive. It's whether its properties match how you want to use the towel.

What Does GSM Mean?

GSM stands for grams per square meter.

It is a measure of fabric weight and is commonly used to describe towels.

Generally:

• Lower GSM: lighter, thinner and typically faster drying
• Mid-range GSM: a balance of softness, absorbency and drying time
• Higher GSM: thicker, heavier and typically more plush

But GSM isn't a quality score.

A high-GSM towel isn't automatically better than a lower-GSM towel. It simply contains more material per square meter.

Think of GSM as one piece of the puzzle, not the final answer.

What Makes a Towel Absorbent?

Several factors contribute to absorbency.

Fiber: Cotton is naturally absorbent and remains a popular choice.

Construction: The way the yarn is spun and the towel is constructed affects how water moves into the fabric.

Pile: Terry towels use loops of yarn to create surface area that can capture moisture.

Finishing: Fabric softeners and some treatments can affect how well the fibers absorb water over time.

And there's a little irony here: the softest towel straight out of the package isn't necessarily the towel that dries you best.

What Is Terry Cloth?

Most traditional bath towels are made using terry construction, where loops of yarn extend from the surface of the fabric.

Those loops increase surface area and help the towel absorb moisture.

The size, density and construction of those loops affect the towel's feel and performance.

Longer Loops

Longer loops can create a loftier, airier feel and can help a towel dry relatively quickly.

Shorter, Denser Loops

Denser construction tends to create a heavier, more substantial towel with a plush feel.

Again, there's a trade-off. More material generally means more towel to love and more towel to dry.

Thick and Plush vs. Lightweight and Quick-Drying

This is one of the most useful decisions you can make.

If multiple people share a bathroom, this decision becomes even more important.

A family of four using giant, ultra-plush towels may discover that the laundry room has opinions.

Choose the Right Towel Size

The right size depends on how you'll use it.

Bath Towel or Bath Sheet?

A bath towel is the practical everyday choice.

A bath sheet is larger and gives you more coverage. If you like wrapping yourself in a substantial towel after a shower, the extra size can be worth it.

Just remember: larger towel means more towel to wash and dry.

How Many Towels Do You Need?

There isn't one perfect number, but a simple starting point is three bath towels per person.

That gives you roughly:

1. One in use
2. One in the linen closet
3. One in the laundry

You can adjust from there based on how often you do laundry and how frequently you want fresh towels.

For a guest bathroom, you may want additional hand towels and washcloths available, especially when you're entertaining.

Don't Ignore the Hand Towels

Bath towels get all the attention, but hand towels may actually get more use.

A good hand towel should:

• Absorb water quickly
• Hold up to frequent washing
• Feel comfortable against your hands
• Fit the space without overwhelming the vanity

For a guest bath, appearance matters more. For the primary bath, performance usually wins.

You can have both.

What About Decorative Towels?

Some towels are designed partly for appearance.

Jacquard patterns, embroidery, borders and other decorative details can make a towel an attractive part of the room.

That's perfectly fine.

Just distinguish between a towel that's primarily decorative and one that's going to be washed repeatedly and used every day.

Your guest bathroom may appreciate the former. Your shower probably wants the latter.

How to Choose Towels for a Busy Household

If towels will be used heavily, prioritize:

• Durable construction
• Easy-care materials
• Good absorbency
• Reasonable drying time
• Colors that work with your laundering routine

A towel that requires extraordinary care to survive ordinary family life has misunderstood the assignment.

How to Care for Your Towels

Good towels can last for years with proper care.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, but these general practices can help:

• Wash towels regularly
• Don't overload the washing machine
• Use the recommended amount of detergent
• Avoid excessive fabric softener
• Dry towels completely before storing them
• Don't leave damp towels sitting in a pile

Why Be Careful With Fabric Softener?

Fabric softener can coat fibers and reduce absorbency over time. If maximum absorbency is important to you, use it sparingly or follow the towel manufacturer's recommendation.

When Should You Replace Your Towels?

There isn't a fixed expiration date.

Consider replacing a towel when it:

• No longer absorbs well
• Has become permanently rough
• Is thinning or developing worn areas
• Doesn't recover after washing
• Has persistent odors despite proper laundering

You don't need to retire a towel because it has reached an arbitrary birthday.

Retire it when it stops doing its job.

Which Towels Should You Buy?

Start with the experience you want.

If you want maximum plushness, look for substantial, dense towels with a soft hand.

If you want quick drying, consider lighter-weight towels with a less dense construction.

If you want everyday versatility, choose a well-made cotton towel with a balance of softness, absorbency and weight.

And don't get distracted by a single specification. GSM, cotton type, construction and size all tell part of the story.

The best towel is the one that performs the way you want it to every day.

Shop Towels

Explore our Bath Towels and find towels from trusted home brands selected for quality, comfort and everyday use.

Shop Bath Towels...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for bath towels?

Cotton remains one of the best all-around choices because it offers a strong combination of softness, absorbency and durability. The quality and construction of the finished towel matter just as much as the cotton name on the label.

What is GSM in towels?

GSM means grams per square meter and indicates the weight of the fabric. Higher GSM towels are generally thicker and heavier, while lower GSM towels tend to be lighter and faster drying.

Are higher GSM towels better?

Not necessarily. Higher GSM generally means a heavier, more substantial towel, but that doesn't make it universally better. Choose based on whether you prioritize plushness, absorbency, drying time or a combination of those qualities.

What is the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?

A bath sheet is larger than a standard bath towel, providing more coverage when you wrap up after bathing or showering.

Are Turkish cotton towels good?

Turkish cotton can produce soft, durable towels with good absorbency and a relatively lighter feel. As with any towel, the overall construction matters too.

Are Egyptian cotton towels worth it?

They can be, particularly if you value softness, absorbency and a premium feel. But the cotton name alone doesn't guarantee quality. Look at the towel's complete construction and specifications.

How many bath towels should I have?

Three bath towels per person is a useful starting point: one to use, one available and one in the laundry. Your actual needs depend on how often you wash towels and how frequently you want a fresh one.

How do I make towels more absorbent?

Wash them according to the manufacturer's instructions and avoid excessive use of fabric softener, which can coat fibers and reduce absorbency.

Why do my towels smell even after washing?

Damp towels left sitting too long can develop persistent odors. Make sure towels dry completely between uses and aren't left sitting wet in a hamper or pile.

How often should I replace bath towels?

Replace them when they no longer absorb properly, have become excessively rough or thin, develop persistent odors, or show significant wear.