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Soft and Absorbent: Best Bath Towels

  1. Eco Low Twist Bath Towel
  2. Made Here 6 Piece Bath Set
  3. Pinzon Bath Towel
  4. 1888 Mills Luxury Cotton Bath Towel
  5. Lenox Platinum Collection 30 by 58-Inch Bath Towel
  6. Buyer's Guide

When choosing a bath towel, it’s important to consider a couple factors to aide in purchasing a linen that will last you along time. You shouldn’t underestimate the importance of the towel's fabric and size. What the towel is comprised of will often dictate how well it holds up in the dryer and ultimately how long it lasts in your bathroom. Oftentimes, if the towel comes in a set, you can end up saving money than purchasing it solo. These are just a couple factors I’ve considered in choosing the list of the best bath towels in 2022. You’ll find that while oftentimes taken for granted, doing your research and finding the perfect bath towel can save you from hassles down the line.

Best Bath Towels Worth Considering in 2022

Eco Low Twist Bath Towel - Best Bath Towel Overall

The Eco Low Twist towel set is a great option for those looking for an energy efficient towel that will dry fast. These towels are made of 100 percent natural cotton, making them soft and absorbent. They also tend to be thinner than other bath towels, aiding in faster drying times but they are still great at wicking moisture from your body. These towels also hold up very well to washing, as customers have pointed out. There is really no color fade as since they’re priced competitively, and you can be sure you’re getting a quality product to use a long time.  Given their fast-drying time and excellent reviews, I’ve chosen the Eco Twist Towel Set as the top choice for bath towel.

Made Here 6 Piece Bath Set - Runner Up

If you’re interested in a soft bath towel that contains no odor, the 1888 Mills Organic Cotton Towel Set is just that. It’s made of 2-ply pile yarns that are 100-percent ring spun. This achieves added softness and durability, as well as absorbency. A quality product for its price, customers love these bath towels don’t contain any odor. A great added perk when all you want is to stay dry after showering. There were also no complaints of wear after washing, another added bonus in the linen world.

Pinzon Bath Towel - Honorable Mention

For a soft-as-silk feel, these Pinzon Bamboo Towels feel good against your skin. Since they’re made partially of rayon, which contains bamboo fibers, you can be sure moisture will be quickly absorbed. They’re also generously sized and customers have noted they hold up very well to washing over time. The only downside is these towels tend to take a little longer to dry in the dryer, but once they’re out, they’ll feel good as new.

1888 Mills Luxury Cotton Bath Towel - Consider

For a soft-to-the-skin feel and high absorbency, the 1888 Mills Africa Towel has everything you’d expect from a great bath towel. They’ll even get better with each wash. They’re also sustainably cultivated of African cotton for fair trade. For a fraction of the cost, you’ll get a towel that is super soft and thick. Customers have pointed out these towels are plush and very absorbent. 1888 Mills is a great choice for those who want to give back and receive a great bath towel in the process.

Lenox Platinum Collection 30 by 58-Inch Bath Towel - Best Bath Towel

If you’re willing to splurge on a high-end bath towel, the Lenox Platinum Collection Bath Towel is a viable option. With a cashmere feel, this super soft and absorbent towel is rich-looking and of high quality. It’s made of all-natural fibers, and these towels will get softer after washing a few times. Customers have noted these towels haven’t frayed after use and hold their shape and softness very well. The Lenox Platinum is a great choice for those willing to spend an extra buck on a high-quality bath towel.

Buyer's Guide

Bath towel shopping is a complicated and daunting procedure. While it is understandable that you want to purchase towels that feel smooth and pleasant to the skin, what does the term ‘gram count’ actually mean? And how can you distinguish between Turkish and Egyptian cotton, let alone choose from a plethora of colors and patterns?

Take a moment to read our useful guide before throwing in the towel prematurely. We’ve compiled and organized all of the information you need to know about how to pick towels.

What does GSM refer to for bath towels, and how does it affect your purchasing decision?

Grams per square meter is the indication of the density or thread count of a bath towel that translates into the absorbency, softness, and weight of the towel. GSM has a range of 300 to 900. The following describes the purpose of each weight:

Between 300 and 400 GSM

These towels are quite light as the thread count is low, making them coarser and thinner. These won’t feel pleasant to the skin and don’t wick away the moisture efficiently. Thus, towels in this range of GSM are not-so-good options to be used as bath towels. However, low-GSM towels dry fast, making them an excellent choice for exercise towels or kitchen towels.

These are ready to go in about 15 minutes after being hung on a rack.

Between 400 and 620 GSM

These are of medium weight are excellent to be used as beach towels and bath towels. These alternatives feel soft and pleasant on the skin besides being amazingly absorbent. Moreover, you don’t have to wait for hours for them to dry and be ready to be used again.

The towels in this category may be dried on a rack or over a balcony in the sun.

Between 620 and 900 GSM

These are luxuriously thick, high-priced towels, which you fantasize about like the towels in Santa Fe’s five-star hotels and spas, and they feel like a hug on your skin.

You need to know that these towels don’t dry up quickly and you have to wait for hours. You may use one immediately following your morning shower, put it on the rack, and it will likely still be moist when you brush your teeth before night.

Which bath towel fabric should you choose?

Here’s a crash course on everything from depressing polyester to luxurious Turkish cotton:

Polyester

Polyester bath towels are best reserved for budget motels. These are neither absorbent nor soft, but they dry quickly, making them suitable for kitchen, gym, or guest bath towels (assuming the company is not expected to remain long).

Supima cotton

Also known as Pima cotton, this material produces a luxurious bath towel. This material features long fibers that make it an ideal option for bath towels as the longer fibers will provide extra softness, added durability, and more absorbency.

Turkish or Egyptian cotton

These fabrics feature long strands that feel luxuriously soft to the skin and efficiently absorb moisture. To your surprise, these towels will get more soft, plush, and absorbent after each wash, giving you the same feeling like a brand new towel. They are, nevertheless, relatively costly.

Bamboo

This amazing source grows quicker and the cultivator doesn’t need a high amount of fertilizers or pesticides to ensure its growth. Bamboo cloth is extremely absorbent and quick to dry, offering the best of both worlds.

Bamboo is also resistant to bacteria and fungi, making it less prone to become infected. You should bear in mind that bamboo doesn’t add up to the thickness. If you’re a fan of plush material, this type of bath towel won’t be the best choice for you.

Modal

Modal is a less common material that is getting more popular these days. It is derived from the cellulose that is extracted from beech trees. It is approximately 50% more absorbent than cotton and will not fade over time, making it an ideal bath towel material.

Which critical factors regarding bath towels should you consider before making a purchase?

Absorbency

Towels that are thicker and heavier are often more absorbent than those that are thinner and lighter.

Egyptian or Pima cotton towels, which are premium cotton brands, are extremely absorbent, whereas rayon towels absorb somewhat more water than cotton towels.

Softness

Towels are frequently softer at the shop than after a few times of washing. I case you don’t know, many towel manufacturers coat them with a fabric softening material to make them softer and gentler on the skin. This finish is more likely to fade away if you don’t take proper care of your towel or use harsh detergents.

Towels made of rayon, particularly rayon generated from bamboo, are often extremely soft. Pima or Egyptian cotton towels are also gentle on the skin since their yarn is smooth, silky, and less prone to fuzzies.

While liquid fabric softeners do work, they create a film on towels that reduces their absorbency and increases their flammability. Alternatively, use detergents or washing liquids that are gentler. If your dryer includes a moisture sensor, that’s even better.

Durability

Two-ply towels are more durable than single-ply towels. Cotton is more resistant to abrasion than rayon. Cotton/polyester towels are also durable—hence these are more commonly used in hotels and gyms—but are less absorbent than towels made entirely of cotton.

How should you care for your bath towels?

Avoid using fabric softeners

They will leave a residue on your towels, reducing their absorbency.

Your Egyptian cotton towels may end up looking and feeling as cheap as $3 polyester towels after a few washes if you use cheap fabric softeners.

Use vinegar

You can get benefit from the amazing cleaning properties of vinegar. It is advised to put a cupful of vinegar in the washing machine along with detergents when you intend to wash your bath towel.

It will efficiently dissolve the accumulated soap residue as well as the body oils that reduce the absorbency of towels. Additionally, it disperses smells.

Say no to towel hooks

If you hang your bath towels on the hook, say no to this. Towels hanging on hooks take more time to dry and are more likely to develop mold and bacteria than the towels hung on bars.

Avoid ironing them

Some people iron their bath towels. With your delicate towels, you should not be doing this because pressing compresses the fabric’s loops, rendering them less absorbent.

Best Bath Towels FAQs

Q: How many towels should I buy for my home?
A: In your home bathroom, it is advised that you have the following towels: washcloth, hand towel, bath towel, bath sheet, and bath mat or bath rug.

Additionally, it is recommended that you keep three of each sort of towel available for each individual. One for the linen closet, one for immediate use, and one for use in the wash.

Q: Which towel kind is the most absorbent?
A: Cotton is the most absorbent of all towel fabrics. Are you aware of why? Cotton fibers are very spaced apart.

Q: What characteristics distinguish a high-quality bath towel?
A: If you’re looking for an ultra-soft, ultra-absorbent towel, opt for one made entirely of cotton with dense, plush yarn loops on the surface. Towels with fluffy loops are softer and absorb more water than towels without fluffy loops, but they take longer to dry and wear out faster.

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