If your towels are looking a little threadbare, it’s time to invest in a new set. Good towels will make you feel like you’re staying in a five-star hotel every time you step out of the shower.
When choosing a new bath towel, consider the way you’ll use it. If you’re looking for a towel to use after swimming or gym sessions, opt for a lightweight option with polyester listed on the label. While it won’t have that plush spa-like feel, it will still work as well as a thicker towel and won’t take hours to dry afterwards.
For a more indulgent feel, choose a towel made of 100 per cent cotton that feels heavy when held. The weight of a towel is measured in GSM (grams per square metre), and this will give you an indication of how plush and durable it is. Towels of more than 600 GSM will feel the most luxurious, but they will also take longer to dry than thinner towels.
It’s also worth choosing a towel with reinforced edges to prevent fraying and towels with dense, long loops of yarn that will make it absorbent and feel plush on your skin. Whichever you choose, try to air it between uses, wash it with other towels to prevent snagging, and avoid fabric softener, as this reduces absorbency.
Keep scrolling for our pick of the best towels to buy.
How we tested
We spent several weeks testing all these bath towels to find the ones that deserved space in our bathroom. Before use, we washed each towel at 30C, as advised, then noted how quickly each dried us after baths and showers. We considered how fluffy each one felt, if any spare fluff was left behind, and if the towel dried quickly after use. We also washed and dried each towel several times to check for fraying and any colour run and to see if it still looked and felt good after several washes.
Why trust us
Siobhan Grogan has been writing review features for IndyBest since 2021. She covers a wide range of topics, having tried and tested everything from umbrellas to alcohol-free beer, but has a particular expertise when it comes to reviewing fabrics and textiles. She’s tested mattress protectors, pillows, bedding and more, so she knows how to identify good materials. When it comes to bath towels, she has a keen eye for detail and quality, using her high standards to ensure our readers get the best advice and value.
The best bath towels for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Scooms Egyptian cotton bath towel pair: £55, Scooms.com
- Best budget buy – Dunelm ultimate cotton bath towel: £14, Dunelm.com
- Best for fluffiness – The White Company hydro cotton towel: £30, Thewhitecompany.com
- Best for absorbency – Soak&Sleep luxury Egyptian cotton towels, set of four: £15.50, Soakandsleep.com
- Best for making a statement – Soho Home house pool towel, White City House: £65, Sohohome.com
