The 11 Best Beach Towels, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Lands' End School Uniform Beach Towel

$20 at Amazon $20 at Landsend.com

We used this beach towel for lounging and drying off at a sandy beach and found it to have a nice weight that provides some cushion when lounging on the ground, but not so much that it becomes overly cumbersome to carry. We were especially struck by just how soft and plush it feels for a beach towel, and it remained this way for the entire two weeks we tested it. Additionally, it’s more than six feet long and three feet wide, giving you plenty of room to rollover or rest your head without touching the sand. One plus-size tester said they were able to wrap the towel fully around their body while still having fabric leftover to tuck in.  

The towel wicks away moisture from the skin and dries quickly. It did hold on to some sand, but a few hard shakes was all it took to remove it. Stains came out easily in the wash; however, there was some pilling after the first wash (although this didn’t affect its absorbency). The short cotton loops are intended to resist snagging, while the flatweave edges prevent unraveling. The towel comes with a UPF +50 rating that keeps you protected from UV rays when the towel is wrapped around you. It comes in five different nautical striped patterns, and as is the case with many Lands’ End products, you can add a monogram or logo for an additional fee. On top of all this, it’s below the median price of all the beach towels we tested. 

Material: Cotton | GSM: 420 | Size: 30 by 72 inches

Best Budget

Better Homes & Gardens Oversized Beach Towel

$14 at Walmart

At just under $14, this Cabana Striped Beach Towel is our top pick for shopping on a budget. We loved the length of this towel, but it wasn’t as easy to stuff into a beach bag compared to shorter towels. The fabric absorbed water and air dried quickly—about 10 to 15 minutes—before it was ready to be used again. 

The cotton and polyester blend gave it a plush texture that we appreciated. It provided us with just enough softness without feeling like a bath towel or causing us to be overly hot while wrapped in it. Overall, we thought it was comparable to a towel you’d get poolside at a resort. 

Even after several washes, the quality still held strong. We did notice a few loose strings, but it didn’t shrink, and any dirt cleaned out easily. Additionally, we love its fun, vibrant colors and its light and airy texture. We thought the quality we received for the price was a steal, especially since it makes for an inexpensive option if you’re looking to buy several and have a complete set. 

Material: Cotton and polyester | GSM: 400 | Size: 38 by 72 inches

Best Oversized

Ocoopa Diveblues Microfiber Beach Towel

$20 at Amazon $23 at Walmart

We were blown away by the size of this towel, which spans nearly five feet wide and almost seven feet long, making it easy for two people to lounge on it at the same time. It’s made with a very thin microfiber fabric that quickly wicks away moisture and dirt. Plus, it’s quick to dry and easy to pack up—it even comes with a mesh bag for carrying (though getting the towel back in the bag can be challenging). We used it for relaxing and drying off at the beach, and found the towel to be almost too large if you’re using it exclusively for drying off (for that, you’d want to purchase it in one of the smaller sizes). 

It didn’t hold on to much sand, and it washed like a dream. We’d note that it’s likely too thin for lounging on particularly rocky beaches, but otherwise, it makes a great option for accommodating more than one person on the beach. 

Material: 80% polyester, 20% polyamide| GSM: Not listed | Size: 57 by 80

Best Sand Free

Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel

$36 at Amazon View on Eccosophy.com

Don’t expect the traditional feel of terry cloth from this towel—it’s more of a beach blanket than a towel, although it’s still effective when it comes to drying off. We used it at the beach in Florida, and the sand rolled right off the microfiber fabric. It has a generous surface area of 35 by 71 inches, which provides ample room for lounging on the beach or wrapping yourself up after a dip in the water. 

It’s so thin that it can even be worn as a sarong or used to wrap wet hair, too. And most importantly, it quickly absorbs water from the skin. In direct sunlight, it is able to air dry fairly quickly, but we wish it was faster to dry given how thin it is. It comes with a reversible pattern, a hook for hanging it up to dry when you get home, and a mesh bag to carry it in (which the towel easily fits into). 

Material: Microfiber | GSM: 200 | Size: 35 by 71 inches

Best Quick Drying

NovForth Oversized Microfiber Beach Towel

$15 at Amazon

The NovForth beach towel costs less than half the median price of the beach towels we tested, yet its performance was among the best. We found this microfiber beach towel to be incredibly absorbent both before and after washing: It quickly dried our hands and was able to absorb a bowl of water in less than a minute. The sand-repellent microfiber is easy to keep clean, and it dries faster than a standard cotton towel, so you can repeatedly use it after each dip in the pool or ocean. After one wash and one dry cycle, we didn’t notice any shrinkage, loose threading, or bleeding. 

The beach towel is available in three different sizes, including 41 by 73 inches, which is enough to fully cover a pool chair. It also comes in a variety of fun designs and patterns, although we wish they were visible on both sides. Compared to a cotton beach towel, this one from Novforth is relatively thin, so if you’re looking for a plush, resort-style beach towel, this may not be the one for you. But this towel’s lightweight construction and quick-dry material make it an excellent choice for transporting to and from the pool, beach, park, and more. 

Material: Microfiber | GSM: Not listed | Size: 30 by 61, 36 by 71, and 41 by 73 inches

Best Thick

Anthropologie Out to Sea Beach Towel

$54 at Anthropologie

This towel is as vibrant and colorful as it is soft to the touch. Made from a velvety soft cotton velour, the Out To Sea Towel has a unique sun and ocean waves design that all eyes are immediately drawn to. The sun portion of the design, along with the back of the towel, have a softer texture, while the ocean portion is a bit coarser. Both portions of the towel proved very effective at drying our hands and absorbing an entire ¼ cup of water—and it remained just as absorbent post-wash. 

While not as oversized as some of the other towels on this list, it’s still larger than your standard beach towel at 68 inches long. Sand fell off the fabric with ease, and it washed without any damage or loose threading. This towel also comes with the Oeko-Tex certification, meaning it’s been tested for harmful chemicals. It is priced a little higher than the median price of the towels we listed, but given its luxurious feel and thick construction, we’re confident it’ll provide many summers of use. Just keep in mind that its thickness causes it to take up more room in a beach bag. 

Material: Cotton | GSM: 500 | Size: 35 by 68 inches

Best Lightweight

Better Homes & Gardens Quick Dry Travel Beach Towel

$10 at Walmart

We used this lightweight and packable towel for lakeside lounging, and it provided a great barrier between ourselves and the ground. It has a smooth, moisture-wicking fabric that is quick to dry, especially while out in the sunshine. Plus, its texture helps to repel sand and other debris. At six feet long, it’s large enough for most people to lay flat on it without their head or feet hanging off one end, though it’s certainly not the most oversized option we tested. It comes with a zippered corner pocket to keep small items safe, like sunglasses or a phone, as well as a reusable bag for toting it around. 

We think this towel would be ideal for large family trips to the beach, as you can easily fit several of them in one beach bag, and the price point makes it easier to purchase more than one. Although it’s not the coziest towel to dry off with when soaking wet, it does make a great option for lounging or some light drying off. And bonus: It’s available in six different vibrant patterns, all of which are reversible. (Better Homes & Gardens is owned by Real Simple’s parent company, Dotdash Meredith.) 

Material: 88% polyester, 12% polyamide | GSM: 450-550 | Size: 38 by 72 inches

Softest

Brooklinen Beach Towel

$69 at Brooklinen

According to Young, towels are often treated with a softening finish that is completely water-soluble. This means that soft-to-the-touch feel you experience in the store often won’t last after the first wash. The editor-loved Brooklinen Beach Towel has proven itself to be the exception, growing softer and softer with each wash. We used it to dry off after regular swimming at an indoor pool and during a beach trip, and found it to be very absorbent—so much so that more than one person was able to dry off using just one of these towels. 

Though it’s not sand-repellent, this towel shakes out most sand with ease. It has a soft cotton velour front that makes it perfect for longing, and the thick construction makes it extra absorbent. It has a generous, 70-inch length, but we wish it was just a few inches wider so that we could roll over more comfortably. The dye did bleed some in the wash, and there was some slight shrinking around the edges, but no pilling or loose threads. But we love the retro, ‘70s-inspired design, which is available in four different colorways. This towel is priced on the higher end, but you can save money by purchasing it in a bundle of two or three. 

Material: Cotton | GSM: 600 | Size: 34 by 70 inches

Best Organic

Coyuchi Organic Towel

$68 at Nordstrom $68 at Wayfair $68 at Anthropologie

Young says that while an organic certification doesn’t improve the quality of the fabric, it’s still important to consider for both sustainability and health reasons. The Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Beach Towel is made from 100 percent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic Turkish cotton that grows softer and more pliable with each wash. It’s also somewhat of a shape shifter, since it can also be used as an oversized bath towel. 

Although it has a premium look and feel, we used it (somewhat reluctantly) for lounging on a sandy beach, a rocky river bank, and a grassy patch by the pool. Despite its luxurious appearance, it held up well in all different elements, and all the dirt and grass stains came out easily in the washing machine. Its ample surface area was able to accommodate three people when seated, although we did find that the towel retained some moisture while on the ground. Like all Turkish towels, it’s lightweight and quick to dry once hung up. The organic cotton is naturally absorbent, and the waffle texture not only adds to its aesthetic appeal, but also helps pull moisture away from the skin. 

It comes in five different earth tones, including Rust and Deep Pewter. Do note that it comes with a fringe trimming, which isn't to everyone’s taste and can be frustrating to maintain. It’s also over twice the median cost of the towels we tested, but for those looking to invest in organic textiles, it may be worth the cost. 

Material: Organic Turkish cotton | GSM: 320 | Size: 39 by 71 inches

Best for Travel

SunnyLife Beach and Picnic Blanket

View on Sunnylife.com

While it was too large for drying off or placing on a lounge chair, this beach towel is able to fit two people lying down or four sitting upright. Its suitability for traveling is evident in its compactness and lightweightness—it fits nicely in a carry-on suitcase, and the drawstring bag made for easy transportation. 

Though it wasn’t necessarily absorbent when it came to drying off, it did have water-repellent qualities, so it never got damp, and stains weren’t an issue. We liked how we didn’t have to worry about getting other items wet when adding it to our bag of pool day essentials.

We also liked that a light foam layer gave it a slight plushness, making it comfortable for lying on the ground. It never got too hot in the sun, either, and it was easy to clean when shaking or dusting it off. When it came time to wash it, no shrinking or snagging occurred, the colors remained vibrant, and the towel maintained its pleating.

Material: Polyester | GSM: Not listed | Size: 69 by 55 inches

Best Luxury

Cozy Earth Classic Stripe Resort Towel

$80 at Amazon View on Cozy Earth

This towel was so soft and plush that it felt like drying off with a blanket. In fact, it’s one of the softest beach towels we’ve ever used. It soaked up moisture well and never felt too wet, and its large size made it easy to wrap around ourselves and a toddler while sitting comfortably on a lounge chair. That said, we did notice it shrunk slightly even when drying on low, but it did maintain its softness and color after washing multiple times. We didn’t notice any snags or loose threads, but we did find a good amount of shedding in our dryer post cycle. However, we didn’t experience any loose fuzz again after the initial wash.

We thought this towel was even cozy enough to keep in our car in case of emergencies. It is a bit expensive for a beach towel, but the quality is nice enough to make it worth the money. Because of its luxurious look and feel, we also wouldn’t hesitate to put it on a registry or give it as a gift.

Material: Cotton and bamboo viscose | GSM: Not listed | Size: 40 by 70 inches