Travel Products Activity + Adventure Beach + Water Activities The Best Beach Towels We Tested, From the Ultra-soft to Personalized Picks An absorbent, sand-repelling towel is the key to a comfortable day in the sun. By Lauren Breedlove Lauren Breedlove Instagram Twitter Website Lauren Breedlove is a New York-based travel writer, photographer, and content creator who focuses on off-the-beaten-path outdoor adventures. Her work has been featured in Afar, Time magazine, TravelPulse, Popsugar, Travel + Leisure, Elite Daily, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 25, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist and editor who has traveled across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, and spent more than a decade reviewing hotel room. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Other Beach Towels We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kimberly Souza A beach towel is a quintessential summer accessory that can come in handy for a wide variety of activities, whether you’re spending a day at the beach, hanging by the backyard pool, or hiking to a remote lake where you plan to cool off with a dip. Nothing is worse than a towel that doesn’t absorb water well or is super bulky and takes up most of your bag. We tested 21 beach towels in search of the best balance of quality, absorbency, durability, texture, and overall value. Our favorite beach towels excel in portability and quick-drying abilities while also offering high-quality, luxurious feels, making them great for travel and almost any adventure. Some snagged top spots for their fantastic performances in categories like sand-repelling and size during the testing process. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel at Nordstrom Jump to Review Best Microfiber: Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Sarong Hybrid: Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Oversized: Ocoopa Microfiber Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Most Plush: Brooklinen Beach Towel at Brooklinen Jump to Review Best Personalized: Lands' End School Uniform Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Turkish: Sand Cloud Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Better Homes & Gardens Pattern Beach Towel at Walmart Jump to Review Best Sand-free: Venture Microfiber Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel 4.8 Coyuchi View On Nordstrom View On Anthropologie View On Coyuchi.com Our Ratings Quality 4.9/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 4.4/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It Softer and fluffier than the average Turkish towel, this premium pick impressed us with its light weight, packability, and impressive absorbency. What to Consider Although this Coyuchi towel is plusher than many of a similar style, non-Turkish towels are still the heftiest option. The Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel snagged the award for best overall beach towel for many reasons, including its large but packable design, premium material, and ability to absorb water well but still dry quickly. It’s the perfect companion for almost any type of adventure and ideal for travelers who don’t want a towel to take up too much space in their bag. The soft, luxurious organic cotton immediately blew us away with the amazing feeling on our skin, and it washes well even after being put through the wringer. Even after using it on a river bank with dirt and rocks where it got stained, the towel came out of the wash looking like new. We’ve tried many different brands of Turkish towels and have generally been disappointed in their absorbency, but this one far exceeded our expectations, soaking up water quickly and drying when hung in a very short amount of time. Although the price point is on the higher end, this towel is a worthwhile investment that we believe will retain its functionality and soft texture for years to come. We also love how easily it packs up for outdoor trips and that we were able to fit three people on it to comfortably lounge at the beach. Price at time of publish: $98-108 The Details: 39 x 71 inches | 100 percent organic Turkish cotton | Gentle or delicate cycle with cold water, air-dry or dry on low-heat setting Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp Best Microfiber Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel 5 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It dries very quickly. What to Consider The texture is soft but doesn’t feel like a traditional beach towel. We love the colorful designs that the Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel comes in, but our admiration isn’t just about looks. This affordable option excels in absorbency, and its quick-dry abilities are impressive as well. It’s oversized yet packable due to the compact material, which held up pristinely for us after numerous washes. Easy to transport in the included stuff sack, this towel is a great option for almost every type of activity, whether you’re poolside or doing yoga at the beach. The bright patterns make it easy to spot if you leave your towel to take a dip in the ocean too. The material is soft and dries faster than our cotton beach towels. We also loved that sand from the beach was easy to shake off, so it didn’t end up in our cars or home. Price at time of publish: $14 The Details: 36 x 72 inches | Polyester microfiber | Machine-washable Travel + Leisure / Stephanie Petit Travel + Leisure / Stephanie Petit Travel + Leisure / Stephanie Petit Best Sarong Hybrid Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Quality 4/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s reversible with many print options, and it’s equipped with a hanging hook and a storage bag. What to Consider The length isn’t as well-suited for taller people. We love that the Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel can be used as both a towel and worn as a sarong and comes in an array of vibrant prints. Produced out of recycled materials, this towel is a great eco-friendly choice. It folds up to a compact size that fits nicely within the included bag, and a hook for hanging tops off the convenience. The length did fall a bit short for lying down, but the material is very durable and won us over when it didn’t collect sand. The microfiber material is known to excel at absorbing water but also dry quickly, and this towel lived up to the hype. Price at time of publish: $34 The Details: 71 x 35 | Microfiber | Machine wash separately before first use, do not use fabric softener, bleach, or iron. Travel + Leisure / Megan Hartig Travel + Leisure / Megan Hartig The Best Beach Canopies for Convenience, Comfort, and Value, Tested Best Oversized Ocoopa Microfiber Beach Towel 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Our Ratings Quality 4.5/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s big enough to use as a beach blanket, and the sand-repelling quality makes it even more of a crowd-pleaser. What to Consider The material is very thin, so it doesn’t provide padding on rocky beaches. The extra-large Ocoopa Sand-free Beach Towel won the award for best-oversized towel not just for its roomy design, but also because it’s incredibly quick-drying despite being thin and lightweight. We found it perfectly compact for transporting and easy to put away after use. One of our favorite features is that the towel doesn’t retain sand, so you don’t have to worry about endless shaking at the end of your beach days. The material is ultra-absorbent, dries fast, and doesn’t change in quality, texture, or color after washes. This towel is an excellent option for one to two people to lounge on comfortably, though it’s a bit large to use for just drying off. Price at time of publish: $32 The Details: 57 x 80 inches | Microfiber | Machine-washable, air-dry or tumble dry on low Travel + Leisure / Andrea Tenborg Most Plush Brooklinen Beach Towel 4.7 Brooklinen View On Brooklinen Our Ratings Quality 4.8/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 4.8/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It’s ultra-soft and durable. What to Consider For the first wash, you’ll want to be sure to wash it with like colors, as the dye can potentially bleed into other items. We love the ‘70s vibe and inspired-by-water design that the Brooklinen Beach Towel sports. More importantly, this towel is extra-plush, with a velour front that has an ultra-soft and luxurious feel that’s perfect for lounging on by the pool, the beach, the park, or anywhere you want to fully relax. Made in the U.S., these beautiful towels are stylish and functional, with fantastic water absorbency and quick-drying abilities. This is a spacious towel with enough room for even tall beach-goers to lay down on comfortably. It performs well when drying off, absorbing water and then drying quickly when hung up. We also appreciate that it only gets softer after each wash. Price at time of publish: $59 The Details: 34 x 70 inches | Cotton | Machine wash warm. Only non-chlorine bleach when needed. Tumble dry low. Travel + Leisure / Kimberly Souza Travel + Leisure / Kimberly Souza Best Personalized Lands' End School Uniform Rugby Stripe Beach Towel 4.9 Lands' End View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 4.8/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It has shorter loops to cut down on snagging. What to Consider The blue color began to pill after a few washes. The Lands’ End School Uniform Rugby Stripe Beach Towel is our favorite personalized towel for its extensive customization options as well as its large size that allows most people to lounge without having to put their feet or heads in the sand. It’s nice and thick, making it plush to lay on, and absorbs water very well for drying off after a swim. Despite being generously sized and extra-soft, it doesn’t feel heavy to lie on and dries quickly in the sun. Although you’ll enjoy that it retains its soft texture even after several washes, note that the blue color did have some pilling. Still, this towel comes with a great value and comfort while also offering a wide-range of custom embroidery options, including everything from nautical designs to patriotic patches. Price at time of publish: $28 The Details: 39 x 78 | Cotton | Wash instructions: Machine wash cold Travel + Leisure / Katrina Cossey Travel + Leisure / Katrina Cossey From Spacious Towels to Sturdy Umbrellas, These Are the Best Beach Accessories Best Turkish Sand Cloud Beach Towel 5 Sand Cloud View On Amazon View On Sandcloud.com Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Absorbency 5/5 Texture 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It A portion of profits from each sale are donated to marine conservation. What to Consider The texture isn’t quite as luxurious as our best overall pick. We love how packable the beautifully designed Sand Cloud Icon Coral Restoration Foundation Beach Towel is without sacrificing its ability to absorb water. The stylish towel is super soft with fun tassels and dries quickly after use. It held up extremely well after washing, even after we spilled a drink on it. The tassels stayed intact, and the stains came out in the wash with no fading of the colors. It doesn’t hold sand in it either, so there’s no risk of dragging the beach home. Perfect for travel or adventures where you don’t want to bring a bulky towel, this is a stellar option that still gets the job done. Price at time of publish: $48 The Details: 36 x 67 inches | Organic Turkish cotton | Machine wash on delicate or gentle using cold water with like colors. Hang to dry or low tumble. Travel + Leisure / Sarah Naftzger Travel + Leisure / Sarah Naftzger Best Budget Better Homes & Gardens Pattern Beach Towel 4.7 Walmart View On Walmart Our Ratings Quality 5/5 Absorbency 4/5 Texture 4.5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s very roomy without feeling too bulky. What to Consider The print design is only on one side, and it doesn’t repel sand. Given its competitive price point, we were surprised by The Better Homes & Gardens Beach Towel’s impressive performance. Large and soft, this towel isn’t overly hefty to transport and feels comfortable for lounging on the beach, by the pool, or on any other water-based adventure you take it. Its generous size means that it can easily wrap around your body, ideal for drying off and warming up after a cool dip. The material feels durable, and although sand did collect on the towel while using, it came right off with shaking after use at the beach. The towel took an average amount of time to dry and was soft without the material being too thin. Price at time of publish: $14 The Details: 72 x 38 inches | Cotton | Wash before use. Machine wash cold with like colors. Delicate cycle. Deep colors may bleed. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low. Do not iron. Do not dry clean. Best Sand-free Venture Microfiber Beach Towel Amazon View On Amazon View On Venture4th.co Why We Love It There are so many stellar design options you may have trouble choosing just one. What to Consider The thin material isn’t as comfortable for lounging as some beach towels. We love that the Venture Microfiber Beach Towel doesn’t hold sand or dirt, making it easier to clean and less of a mess post-adventure. Despite being very packable, this microfiber towel is large and fits nicely into the included travel bag. It performs well with water absorbency and drying very quickly. It met our durability standards by having no loose threads, no bleeding when washed, and stitching along the edges that remained intact after our trips to the beach. Even after several washes, the colors stayed vibrant like new. The built-in snap loop at the top is a nice bonus as well, allowing it to easily be hung on a hook for drying. Price at time of publish: $20 The Details: 78 x 35 inches | Microfiber | Machine-washable Other Beach Towels We Liked Three other beach towels we tested didn’t quite make the cut for our list of top picks but offered some stellar features that might make them a great fit for some beachgoers. L.L.Bean Seaside Beach Towel: This towel was longer and roomier than most, and we liked how soft and absorbent it is. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that quick to dry and showed signs of threadbare after just a few washes. Travel + Leisure / Abby Mercer BHG Ultimate Travel Quick-dry Towel: We loved how quickly this towel dried and how lightweight it was to transport. It also washed well and didn’t hold sand or dirt to it, however, it missed a spot on our list due to its very thin design and lack of soft, fluffy material for comfort. Southern Living x Nellie Howard Ossi Collection Block Print Beach Towel: The colorful block-print design makes this a stylish towel that’s pleasing to the eye, and we especially enjoyed how lightweight and portable it is. That said, the value of it for its functionality fell a bit short for the price point in comparison to other beach towels on our list. Our Testing Process We tried out 21 different beach towels over the span of two weeks, taking them on various adventures like going to the beach, traveling, and lounging by the pool to see how they performed in the real world. We’ll continue to use each towel for six months after the initial testing period, updating this article with our insights along the way. After washing them according to instructions prior to use, we traveled with the towels to assess their portability. We saw how they performed while in use, particularly for lounging and drying off to test comfort, space they provided, absorbency, and how quickly the material dried. If they were used in sand or dirt, it was noted how much sand stuck to the towel and how easily it came off. Next, the towels were evaluated on how well they washed and whether stains remained, threads pulled, or fading occurred over time. With all of these factors in mind, the beach towels with the highest testing ratings were selected for this roundup. Tips for Buying a Beach Towel Material matters Beach towels that perform well are typically made out of cotton or polyester, which is found in microfiber towels. Cotton towels are soft to the touch, absorb water well, and dry quickly. These can range in thickness, with Turkish cotton towels offering the thinnest profile, ideal for travelers looking to pack lightly. Microfiber towels are crafted from a polyester blend and dry much more quickly than any other towel, making them a popular option as well. Known to be super absorbent and very thin and packable, they’re great for a variety of activities like camping and travel. They’re more sand-resistant than cotton towels too, so you won’t be finding sand everywhere for days after using them. The downside is the texture, as they generally don't feel as soft as using a cotton towel and offer less comfort for lounging since they are thinner. Double-check the size To avoid having your head or feet hanging off your towel and in the sand, grass, or dirt, it’s key to check the sizing of the beach towel you’d like to buy before purchasing. If you’re a taller person, it might be wise to get a larger, oversized towel for comfort purposes. A larger beach towel will make it less packable as well, so it’s a good idea to find the best balance for your intended activities. A standard-sized beach towel is around 63 x 31 inches, though bigger towels around 70 x 40 inches are fantastic to provide more room for lounging. Whatever size you purchase, prioritize being able to lie on it comfortably. Consider portability No one likes toting around a bulky beach towel that takes up a lot of room, so portability is a main factor to consider when looking for the right one as well. A towel that folds up to a compact size is ideal for travelers looking for something lightweight that doesn’t take up a lot of room in their luggage. Some towels come with a carrying case for ease of transporting as well. Turkish cotton and microfiber towels are both excellent portable choices. Frequently Asked Questions How do you fold a beach towel to save space? There are many different ways to fold your towels for storage and travel, but rolling a towel saves the most space. Start by laying the towel flat and folding one corner down, creating a triangle. Then, fold the towel in half lengthwise, and again the opposite way up to the bottom of the triangle. Then, roll it from one end to the other tightly, tucking the endpoint piece into the rolled towel. How big are beach towels? Beach towels range in size, but standard measurements are typically 63 x 31 inches, bigger than your average bath towel, which makes them better for lounging for one person. An oversized beach towel is at least 70 inches long, and some are as big as a beach blanket, fitting up to two or more people. Why Trust Travel + Leisure T+L contributor Lauren Breedlove scoured our testing insights to find the best beach towels for various water-based activities. A traveler, camper, and beachgoer herself, she also used her personal experience in finding the right products for everything from lounging by the pool to packing light for a multi-month trip abroad. Combined with testing insights, this list of the best beach towels was created. 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