These Stylish and Affordable Bath Towels Will Give You a Spa-Like Experience at Home (2024)

Buying a bath towel may not be the most exciting purchase you'll make for your home. But if you think about decor that checks boxes for both comfort and style — and costs a fraction of what you'd spend on a sleeper sofa or mattress — your list will likely be short. Adding a new set of towels to your bathroom is an excellent way to refresh the space or change up the look without a major investment.

The only caveat is that, believe it or not, there's a laundry list of details that'll inform your decision on which towels to buy — which makes the task more involved than it may seem at the onset. That's why we combed the market for the best bath towel sets out there, from ultra-plush to quick-drying. Read on for our top recommendations, plus a few points to consider before shopping.

The Best Bath Towels

What to Consider

You may be surprised by the number of details to digest before choosing bath towels. Size and thickness may be the first few things that come to mind, but there are also different types of cotton and construction methods, plus certifications that give you assurance the fabric is organic and made without harmful chemicals. Below, we've outlined the most important things to consider before you know.

Towel construction: Most cotton bath towels are combed (before production to eliminate shorter fibers) or ring-spun, with twisted long and short fibers to create strong weave that feels luxurious and generally heavier than combed cotton. Towels also typically have one or more “cam” or “dobby” borders that are both decorative and help prevent the towel from fraying.

Egyptian vs. Turkish cotton: Both have long, strong fibers, but Egyptian cotton tends to be extra plush and more absorbent, whereas Turkish cotton is slightly less absorbent but dries more quickly. Everything from climate and bathroom ventilation to frequency of reuse (if you have kids, workout a lot, or both) are a few factors that'll help you decide which to buy.

Thickness: GSM stands for “grams per square meter” — an industry standard measurement that represents thickness and overall quality. Typically, bath towels range from roughly 400 to 700-plus GSM, so ideally, you’ll want to look for options somewhere in the the 500 to 700 range.

Size: Bath towels are also normally rectangular in shape and come in a variety of sizes. Standard dimensions are roughly 27 to 30 inches wide and 52 to 54 inches long and bath sheets are between 30 to 35 inches wide and 60 to 70 inches long.

Certifications: Towels can be GOTS- or OEKO-TEX-certified. GOTS is a global certification for organic textiles and OEKO-TEX covers organic and non-organic textiles that are made without harmful chemicals.

How We Selected

Our selection includes towels in a range of sizes, colors, and patterns, all made of 100 percent cotton. They also have an average customer rating of at least 4 stars, and the majority of our picks rate 4.5 stars and up. When considering options on the market, we compared the type, quality, and thickness of cotton, along with construction, and focused on details such as stitching and cam borders. Value was another factor as we put together or final list, and we aimed to include towels across a variety of price points.

For more bathroom essentials, check out our top picks for the best shower caddies, the best counter organizers, and the best bathroom sinks.

If you want a great set of high-end towels on serious sale, look no further than this set, discounted a whopping 80 percent off the list price. The towels are made of 100 percent cotton with a thickness of 600 GSM, and feature an eye-catching a herringbone weave or wide chevron border. The set of 10 includes two oversized bath towels, four hand towels, and four washcloths, and come in nine colors.

This bestselling bath towel set is made of a soft, eco-friendly cotton that's relatively lightweight and comes in a variety of fun colors and neutrals, including navy, coral, and the vibrant magenta that's shown. The standard-size, medium-weight towels are sold singly and in sets, and feature double-stitched edges and a triple cam border. They're also machine-washable.

For the ultimate spa-at-home experience, your best bet is to invest in a set of bath sheets. This one features two towels that are nearly 6 feet long, made of premium, ring-spun cotton with an elegant dobby and double-stitched hems. They have a thickness of 600 GSM and are machine-washable, with a choice of 14 neutrals and bright hues available. More than 28,000 customers give them an average 4.5 stars.

If towels made with 100 percent organic cotton are a must, this set of six is well worth considering. They're made of OEKO-TEX- and GOTS-certified cotton from India and manufactured at fair-trade facilities. They're plush and extra-soft, with thickness of 700 GSM, and the set includes two bath sheets, two hand towels, and two washcloths. Choose from three colors: the ivory that's shown, a pretty mint green, or neutral dark gray.