Best Beach Towels
by Chris Riley Updated on December 16, 2022. In Reviews
Interested in catching a few waves this summer? If so, you’re going to want to invest in the best beach towels to keep you warm and dry once you’re out of the water or off the boat.
Believe it or not, all beach towels are certainly not made alike. Sure, you could pick up a cheap towel from your local grocery store, but is it really going to last the way you want it to?
Instead, consider this guide as you’re filling up your beach bag this summer. You’ll be glad you did!
1. Kaufman – 100% Cotton Velour Striped Beach & Pool Towel
This colorful towel by Kaufman is one of the best towels for the beach if you’re looking for something that is quick-drying and great for the whole family.
Made of 100% cotton, it comes in a four-pack so you’ll have plenty of towels for everyone at the pool. It has a soft, luxurious feel, and when you buy, you’ll get one towel of each color – pink, lime, turquoise, and orange. It’s lightweight and portable, weighing one pound per towel, so you won’t mind taking it with you on your all-day beach excursions.
It’s easy to wash -as long as you don’t use bleach, you should be good to go. Avoid using fabric softeners, too, as these can decrease the fluffiness of your towel!
Pros
- Soft, absorbent feel
- Comes in a four-pack
- Dries quickly
Cons
- First washing needs to be done carefully to prevent colors from transferring to other garments
2. Elite Trend Microfiber Beach Towel for Travel
The Elite Trend Microfiber Beach Towel is one of the most-quick drying you will find. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including blue-yellow, bohemian art, sea animals, and “zero.”
It’s also available in several sizes, including extra-large (which measures a whopping 78” x 35”) and large. You can buy one towel or buy a bundle for your whole family.
Made out of durable microfiber, this beach towel dries three times faster than cotton and is also antibacterial and super absorbent. It comes packaged in its own convenient carrying case, too, which you can take with you wherever you go. The carrying bag even comes with a zipper pouch so you can store your valuables (like your wallet or cell phone) while you’re out enjoying the water.
Pros
- Has a hanging loop for added convenience
- Comes with a carrying pouch
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
Cons
- Can get smelly after several uses
3. Dock & Bay Quick Dry Compact Travel Towel
Want a fast-drying towel? Consider this compact travel towel by Dock & Bay. It comes in several colors, including Niagara blue, dune orange, Everglade green, and Patagonia purple.
There are also three sizes you can buy – the 63” x 31” is perfect for showering, the gym, or travel, while the 78” x 35” is best for pilates and the beach. The 40” x 20” is another excellent compact model.
With an eye-catching design and a lightweight feel, this towel won’t take up much space, regardless of which size you choose. It has a soft, luxurious feel and is made out of 80% polyester and 20% polyamide. Although we wouldn’t normally recommend synthetic materials, this towel is such a bargain that it’s hard to stay away!
Pros
- Soft and lightweight
- Can fit around your whole body
- Comes with a carrying pouch that can also be used to store your other gear
Cons
- Polyester is not the most durable material
4. Chakir Turkish Linens 100% Cotton Turkish Cabana Pool Beach Towels
One of the best beach towel options on this list for people seeking a more luxurious option is this one by Chakir Turkish Linens. It’s available in a one-, two-, and four-pack so you can get the perfect size for your family.
Made out of 100% Turkish cotton, this towel is not only soft and absorbent, but it’s also warm. The hems are double stitched to add to their durability, while Turkish Cotton has super long fibers that make the towels even more comfortable. The more you use it, the more it softens.
Each towel measures 30” x 60”, which is plenty large enough to keep you comfortable. To sweeten the deal even more, each one is made with machine-washable fibers that are free from harsh chemicals and harmful dyes.
Pros
- Made out of machine-washable fibers
- Hems are double-stitched
- Luxurious and comfortable
Cons
- Has to be washed on cool without fabric softener
5. WETCAT Original Turkish Beach Towel
Last but not least, you’ve got to consider this beach towel by Wetcat. It’s also made out of 100% Turkish cotton and is not only thin and lightweight, but is absorbent.
It’s available in several colors, including aqua, light pink, coral, and more. Measuring 38” x 71”, this towel is easy to clean, too. Each one is pre-washed so you don’t have to worry about it shrinking when you wash it. It’s made in Turkey with OEKO-Tex certified natural dyed yarn so it’s safe for both you and the environment, too.
The towel comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee to add extra assurance to your purchase, too.
Pros
- Lightweight, compact, and easy to carry
- Dries quickly
- Has a soft, luxurious feel
Cons
- Some customers report issues with the ends fraying
Buying Guide: How to Find the Best Beach Towels
Material
First and foremost, you need to consider the materials your beach towel is made out of. Those that are made out of 100% cotton, whether it’s Turkish cotton, Supima cotton, or Egyptian cotton, will be softer and more absorbent than beach towels made out of synthetic materials, like polyester.
Cotton isn’t your only choice – lots of people prefer microfiber because it dries faster and is more resistant to sand, too. As with most synthetic fabrics, though, microfiber will smell a bit after multiple trips to the beach. Yes, even if you wash it religiously!
Design Quality
How is your beach towel stitched together? If it has short loops, it will dry faster and be less likely to snag. Some beach towels have edges that are woven densely together in a pattern known as “selvage edging.” This pattern is also a good indicator of a towel’s durability and can help prevent wear and tear.
Size and Shape
Most towels are rectangular and square – but did you know that you can buy round towels, too? The benefit of this kind of towel is that it can also double as a beach blanket. Besides shape, you should also look for a beach towel that will give you ample room to stretch out, and keep in mind that big towels can double as sunshades, too.
Weight
You don’t want a beach towel to be too heavy – it will be hard to tote – but you don’t want one that’s too light, either. It should be lightweight and absorbent yet also quick-drying. Look for a towel with a gram per square meter that is lower than that of regular bath towels – ideally somewhere between 400 and 600 GSM.
What Are the Best Quality Beach Towels?
A towel is just a towel, right?
Not when it comes to the beach. When you plan on spending the entire day on the water, you don’t want anything to ruin your vibe. Therefore, it’s essential that you invest in a high-quality beach towel that will work as hard for you as you do when you’re battling the waves!
Any of these beach towels should get the job done for you, but personally, we like the Kaufman four-pack of beach towels the best. You’ll get an affordable assortment of colorful towels so that everybody in your entire family will be well-cared for.
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