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Including plush picks, quick-drying towels, and everything in between.
Photo:Real Simple
Thats where we come in.
It doesnt come with certifications, and it shrinks a bit after washing.
Crafted from American-grown Supima cotton, this towel is plush with a medium-heavy weight (650 GSM).
PHOTO: Lands' End
We found it to be incredibly soft, striking the perfect balance between practicality and luxuriousness.
In our testing, it dried us off quickly, requiring minimal effort on our part.
We were especially amazed by the towels durability.
PHOTO: Real Simple
Plus, stains came out easily, making this pick suitable for everyday use.
However, it did shrink a bit after laundering (about 7% from its initial 30-by-56-inch size).
Its fairly short and became less soft and plush post wash. We might not rush to display this towel in a guest bathroom, but its perfect for daily use.
Measuring 30 by 54 inches, this towel is the ideal size and weight.
It dried completely and quickly in our tests, absorbing water with ease.
Unsurprisingly, it did fall short in the durability department.
For that, this may not be the most durable in the long run.
The material may be too rough for some.
Crafted from 100% cotton, this terry cloth towel had a durable feel from the start.
The towel also has decorative ridges, along with a sewn-in hook for hanging.
Despite its higher price tag, this towel is sure to last a while.
Its one of the smaller towels on our list.
Wed even go as far as to say that this is one of the softest towels weve ever tried.
After two months, we couldnt believe how soft this towel had become.
The texture gets rougher with washing.
The waffle side gives the towel a more lightweight feel, while the terry side ensures absorbency.
The stains came out of this towel easily, with no abrasions or signs of treatment whatsoever.
We noticed that the material became a bit rougher after washing, but it was nothing significant.
Other than that textural change, the towel maintained its quality after laundering.
Plus, it comes with a convenient loop to hang it up after use.
It doesnt have any certifications.
Similar to lyocell and modal, bamboo fibers are known for their softness, strength, and absorbency.
In fact, we actually think the color of the towel looks richer after washing than it did beforehand.
We also found it to be seriously quick drying.
Just note that it did shrink to 28 by 52 inches.
In terms of texture, this towel hits all the bases.
We also found it to have a nice weightnot too heavy and thick or too lightweight.
Overall, we think this towel would c’mon just about anyone.
Its not plush or cozy, so it may be better for warmer weather.
While we often associate bath towels with terry cloth, waffle weaves are becoming more and more popular.
Given its thin design, we were initially hesitant about this towels durability.
Stains similarly came out with ease, leaving behind no visible signs of wear.
Its fairly expensive, and the dry time could be faster given its weight.
Plus, the soft feel gave it an extra luxurious vibe.
It may experience slight pilling and shrinkage.
At 360 GSM, we were initially hesitant about this towels thin design.
PHOTO: Target
However, once we tried it ourselves, we were totally swayed.
This pick dried much faster than our terry towelseven in our non-vented bathroomand never developed a musty odor.
It did experience some slight pilling and shrinkage, though neither was too noticeable.
PHOTO: Real Simple
It requires more drying time than lighter towels.
Measuring 30 by 58 inches, its big enough for a full-body wraparound.
With a GSM of 850, this is the plushest towel on our list.
However, we were impressed by the lack of warping and cinching.
This is everything you want in a bath towel: Its soft, fluffy, warm, and luxurious.
Crafted with Supima cotton, it maintains the perfect balance of plushness without feeling too heavy.
First: the lab tests.
Then came the real test of each towel: absorbency.
Next: real-world testing.
We inspected the towels upon arrival, noting whether there were any snags or loose threads.
Before use, we washed the towels according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
From that point on, we washed the towels using whichever mechanism we preferred.
If a stain formed, we consideredwhich products were needed for removaland how successful the process was.
We continued to use these towels at home, evaluating their performance throughout six weeks of use.
Cotton is not a one-size-fits-all category, though.
There are several different types to choose from, with varying degrees of absorbency and durability.
Egyptian and Turkish cottonare the most highly sought-after types of bath towels.
Egyptian cotton is typically thicker and more absorbent at the start, with a fluffy, luxurious feel.
Many brands produce towels made from a blend of cotton and either bamboo, modal, and viscose.
Bamboodoesnt literally refer to bamboo but rather the material made from the pulp of bamboo wood.
Similarly,modal and viscoseare semi-synthetic materials made from wood pulp that doesnt come from bamboo.
Bath sheetsoften measuring 40 by 70 inchesare an extra-cozy, spa-like option, though they are often more expensive.
Its also worth taking into account potential shrinkage, as towels often get smaller after washing.
Just keep in mind that the tradeoff for this thickness is a slower drying time.
If youre torn between the two weaves,Boll & Branchs Waffle Terry Towelhas one side with each material.
Product Certifications
There are several independent third-party tests that ensure textiles meet certain standards for product safety.
All Made In Green-certified products are also Standard 100-certified.
Style
Bath towels dont have to be boring.
Questions You Might Ask
How should you wash bath towels?
In terms of frequency of washing, it largely depends on how often you use it.
Most bath towels can be used three to four times before theyneed to be washedin the washing machine.
Smith also suggestsusing dryer ballsto keep your towels feeling soft and fresh.
How many bath towels do you need per person?
The weather may play a role in your towel selection, too.
How often should you replace bath towels?
Youll generally want toreplace your bath towelsevery two years, though this can change depending on the quality.
PHOTO: Boll-branch
Thornburg suggests switching out towels seasonally to give your bathroom a refreshed feel and extend their lifespan.
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