![We Tested All of These Beach Towels at the Beach to Find the Best Buys (1) We Tested All of These Beach Towels at the Beach to Find the Best Buys (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/header-65f9d7fd77fdd.jpg?crop=0.751xw:1.00xh;0.114xw,0&resize=640:*)
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
A good beach towel is the ultimate summer MVP, especially if you're planning to frequent the pool or take a family vacation to the shore (with a top-tested sunscreen and a good beach chair, of course). A high-quality beach towel needs to be soft, comfortable to lie on, absorbent and easy to carry. Whether you prefer a thick cotton terrycloth towel that's comfy to cozy up in (like your favorite bath towel) or a lightweight, quick-drying towel that won't hold onto sand, we tested over a dozen different beach towels to find the best buys.
Our top picks:
1
Best Overall Beach Towel
Lands' End Cabana Stripe Beach Towel
Read more
2
Best Value Beach Towel
Amazon Basics Cabana Stripe Beach Towel (Two-Pack)
Read more
3
Most Popular Beach Towels on Amazon
Utopia Cabana Stripe Beach Towels (Four-Pack)
Read more
4
5
6
Best Oversized Beach Towel
Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Blanket
Read more
7
Best Personalized Beach Towel
Mark and Graham Cabana Stripe Beach Towel
Read more
8
9
10
The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab put beach towels to the test — both in our Lab and at the beach to evaluate if the towels held onto sand. We also analyzed other important factors like absorbency, feel, durability and appearance. Finally, we shared beach towels with consumer testers who brought them to pools and beaches across the globe. Testers gave us feedback on comfort, ease of carrying, softness and more.
After our picks, keep reading to learn more about how we evaluate beach towels. And don't forget to pair your new beach towel with comfy flip-flops and a stylish swimsuit.
Pros
Plush cotton terrycloth
Extra long design
Option to add a monogram
Cons
Thick material takes longer to dry
When your average beach towel doesn’t cut it, this XL option from Lands’ End is ideal. The oversized towel is 39 inches wide and 78 inches long instead of the standard 30 inches by 60 inches, so there's plenty of space to sprawl out. Made of 100% cotton terrycloth, this absorbent towel is thick and warm and great for drying off after a dip in the pool. These towels are even woven with shorter loops to prevent snagging and have flat-woven edges to reduce pulling threads. Choose from four striped patterns and opt for a personalized touch with an embroidered symbol, name or monogram for an added fee.
When evaluating this towel, we were immediately impressed with its soft, plush feel with finished ends for a luxe look. "It's a towel I would want to wrap up in after a cold swim," reported one GH analyst after testing the towel. Because of its absorbent design, this towel will take longer to dry compared to a microfiber option. For a more affordable option from Lands' End, we recommend the Solid Beach Towel, which was plush and soft in our evaluations albeit a bit thinner.
Dimensions: 39” x 78” | Material: Cotton terrycloth | Care: Machine washable
Pros
Budget-friendly
Cozy cotton terrycloth material
Classic stripe pattern
Cons
Not very soft
Achieve the classic beach towel look without spending a ton with these affordable towels from Amazon Basics. While most beach towels cost over $40 per towel, these start at just $11 each. They are sold in sets of two or four and are available in green, navy, light blue and yellow stripes. They're made with cotton terrycloth for a cozy feel, but we did find they're not as soft as pricier styles.
When using these towels at the beach, we found the lightweight design was easier to pack into a beach bag compared to thicker cotton styles. We noticed some loose threads on the edges after use, so these towels are best suited for someone who only uses a beach towel a few times a year.
Dimensions: 30" x 60” | Material: Cotton terrycloth | Care: Machine wash, tumble dry low
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Absorbent cotton material
Four towels for the price of one
Over 10,000 Amazon reviews
Cons
Some online reviewers said the colors bled in the wash
These cotton terrycloth beach towels are plush and absorbent and available for just a fraction of the price of most other towels. In our evaluations, 100% cotton terrycloth towels felt soft and soaked up plenty of water to help you dry off quickly. According to over 13,000 online reviewers, these beach towels are ideal for someone who wants a no-fuss option for regular use at the beach or pool, and they're especially great for kids.
The brand recommends washing the towels before using them for a softer and fluffier feel, and online reviewers agree that the towels feel and look better post-laundering. Some reviewers shared that the bold colors bled in the washer and that there was some noticeable fiber shed, so keep these towels separate from your other belongings during their first wash.
Dimensions: 30" x 60" | Material: Cotton terrycloth | Care: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low
Pros
Over 30 colors and prints
Held up well to repeated washing
Sand-resistant material
Cons
Not as plush as terrycloth towels
The extra-large towel from Dock & Bay impressed us during our Lab evaluations, proving to be sand-resistant and truly quick-drying. The smooth microfiber material keeps sand on the fabric's surface, making it simple to shake the sand loose when you're ready to pack up. It held up well to repeated wash testing in our Lab, too, without major changes in appearance or shrinkage.
Because the material is on the thinner side, it won't feel as plush as a cotton terrycloth towel, but it is ultra-lightweight and easy to roll into its included carrying pouch for easy packing. "I like to bring this towel everywhere with me on summer days in case I may have an impromptu picnic," said one tester. It's available in more than 30 striped patterns and a few solid colors and comes in four sizes if you prefer something smaller.
Dimensions: 78" x 35" | Material: Polyester and polyamide blend microfiber | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry if needed
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Quick-drying polyester material
Innovative design to easily remove sand
Corner loop for hanging
Cons
Not ideal for drying off
When we tried this towel from CGear, we were blown away by how easy it was to remove sand from the surface. Most beach towels are made with tightly woven cotton fabric, covered in loops that trap sand and dirt, but this towel features a unique dual-layer construction. There are two pieces of material woven with small gaps, so when sand inevitably makes its way onto your towel, it can easily pass through the gaps, keeping the surface and you sand-free.
The synthetic material is durable but it wasn't developed with absorbency in mind, so it's not the best towel to use for drying off after taking a dip in the ocean. But, it will dry more quickly than a plush cotton beach towel and even comes with a corner loop for hanging. It's also lightweight and folds into a compact size, so you'll have plenty of leftover space in your beach bag.
Dimensions: 31" x 63" | Material: Dual layer polyester weave | Care: Machine washable
Pros
Microfiber material won't trap sand
Double the size of most beach towels
Carrying pouch included
Cons
Material is thin, according to online reviewers
Perfect for family beach days, this oversized towel from Tesalate is roomy enough for the entire crew to lounge on, but if you love lots of space to spread out, you might just want to keep it for yourself. You can choose from eight colorful prints that the whole family will love, and there's a standard-sized beach towel available in over 25 prints as well.
Made from microfiber material, the towels are quick to dry and feature a corner loop for convenient hanging. The smooth microfiber surface also makes it easy to brush sand away. When you're ready to head home, the towel rolls into a small carrying case, so any lingering sand won't escape into your bag or car. The towel is on the thinner side, and according to some online reviewers, the material doesn't feel as comfortable to dry off with as other plush beach towels.
Dimensions: 63" x 63" | Material: Polyester and polyamide blend | Care: Machine wash cold, hang dry
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Thick, cozy material
Luxuriously soft
Over 40 embroidery options
Cons
Personalization costs extra
A beach towel with personalized embroidery makes the perfect gift, especially for a bachelorette or birthday trip. These Mark and Graham towels have tons of personalization options for monogramming or embroidering text up to 10 characters. You can choose from over 40 embroidery styles, including symbols like flamingos and tennis rackets. Personalization costs $12.50 extra.
We were really impressed with how soft these Turkish cotton towels were. They have a plush, fluffy feel for comfortable lounging, but the material did hold onto more sand than microfiber alternatives. The thicker fabric is ideal to lounge on out of the water too.
Dimensions: 40” x 68” | Material: Turkish cotton | Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Over 25 pattern options
Material dries quickly
Sand easily fell off in our tests
Cons
Thin material
Space in your luggage is limited, so a lightweight, packable towel is a must. This ECCOSOPHY towel comes with a convenient mesh carrying case, so it's easy to stash in your bag when traveling. While most beach towels are only available in stripes, this one is sold in over 25 patterns (which are all reversible). We especially love that the pattern options include beautiful florals, bright neon squiggles and festive palm leaves.
The smooth microfiber material easily released sand in our tests to help keep you sand-free. Because it's made with lightweight microfiber, it isn't as absorbent as cotton, but it dries much quicker. There's a hanging loop too for easy drying.
Dimensions: 71" x 35" | Material: Microfiber | Care: Machine washable
Pros
Yarn-dyed to prevent fading
Generous return policy
Absorbent cotton material
Cons
Looped terrycloth is prone to snagging, according to online reviewers
L.L.Bean is consistently a top performer in our Lab tests with its slippers, sheets, backpacks and more, and its towels are no exception. Made of 100% cotton, this slightly oversized towel is built to withstand beach and pool wear without fading. Towels can be dyed at different points during production — from fiber to final product. This pick is dyed during the yarn stage, which helps to prevent the color from fading with use.
The medium-weight terrycloth material is soft and substantial, so it's great to wrap up in when you get out of the water. Unlike most synthetic towels, it's also highly absorbent to make drying off quick and easy. Some online reviewers mention that the towel is prone to snagging and hanging threads, which is a result of the plush looped material, but the brand accepts returns for up to one year after purchase for items that aren't satisfactory. If you prefer something more colorful or bold, there are other playful patterns available to choose from.
Dimensions: 36" x 68" | Material: Cotton terrycloth | Care: Machine wash and dry
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Absorbent cotton material
Bundles available for a discounted price
Super plush feel
Cons
Thicker material held onto more sand
Brooklinen makes some of the best bath towels we've tested, and the brand's beach towels are also incredibly luxurious. The dense, heavyweight towels have an ultra-plush, super soft feel that we can't get enough of. Rather than being woven with terrycloth loops on each side, the front of the towel is a soft brushed velour, while the back of the towel is looped for absorbency.
One analyst dubbed this towel "the best beach towel ever," sharing that the absorbent 100% cotton pick is the ultimate cozy towel to bundle up in at the beach. At the beach, GH analysts especially liked lounging on this towel because of its cozy feel. It did hold onto more sand and take longer to dry compared to other towels we tested.
Dimensions: 34" x 70" | Material: Cotton terrycloth back and velour front | Care: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low
Pros
GOTS-certified organic
Lightweight material
Yarn-dyed cotton
Cons
Not as absorbent as some other cotton beach towels
Made of 100% GOTS-certified organic Turkish cotton, this high-quality towel from Coyuchi will instantly upgrade your trip to the beach. When we tested this towel, everyone loved its appearance, noting the beautiful weave and chic tassels. "I enjoy using the towel because it is lightweight and generously sized, which makes it easy to carry to the beach," said one tester. "I can comfortably use it for sitting and lounging on hot sand, which I cannot do with my very thin beach towels."
The towels are yarn-dyed, which means they are less likely to fade with regular use. Instead of a looped terrycloth, the towels are made with a flat woven material that doesn't soak up as much water when you're drying off. The flat weave does have its benefits, though. It's relatively easy to shake the towels clean of sand because it sits on the surface instead of sinking into loops of yarn, and it's not quite as bulky or heavy as other beach towels.
Dimensions: 34" x 70" | Material: Turkish cotton flat weave | Care: Machine wash cold gentle, air dry
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Pros
Short loops for added absorbency
Plush, soft feel in our tests
Hanging loop
Cons
No carrying case included
Featuring beautiful nature patterns and bright, bold colors, these Nomadix beach towels are designed to showcase your personality. Perfect to bring on a trip or to a music festival, this beach towel is made of a polyester/nylon blend that (unlike most microfiber beach towels) has short loops to be softer and more absorbent.
In our tests, we appreciated this towel's thicker feel compared to other synthetic options. We especially liked the strong, built-in hanging loop. Because of its thicker design, this pick could be used as a yoga towel in a pinch. The brand also uses recycled materials in its towels for a more sustainable buy. Most microfiber towels include a carrying case, but this one doesn't.
Dimensions: 30" x 72.5" | Material: Nylon/polyester | Care: Machine washable
Amanda Constantine
Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
Emma Seymour
Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Senior Analyst
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.