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It used to be that any old bath towel could work for your beach vacation or pool outing. And while those ratty options still can pinch-hit in a bind, the performance of today’s beach- and pool-specific towels will make that 10-year-old bath towel that you’ve been hanging onto a relic of the past.
First, a little Towel 101: Bath towels are traditionally thicker and crafted for a plush and cozy feel, while beach towels tend to be larger and designed for durability against the hot sun or coarse sand. The best beach towels come in a variety of materials, designs, and colors, making the choice even more personal. For those who’ve dragged around a soggy towel on a beach vacation, fret no more; many now feature materials that dry within minutes when laid out in the sun. Other towels have a small profile that make them packable while still being super-absorbent—just fold, toss in your bag, and go. Materials like Turkish cotton have changed the beach towel game, giving travelers a lightweight option that’s still absorbent and soft.
We’ve pulled together nine of the best beach towels for travelers to pack in their beach bags this summer. We included options that are sand-resistant, family-friendly, quick-drying, and lightweight. Keep scrolling for our top picks of the best beach towels from Brooklinen, Cozy Earth, Parachute, and more.
FAQ:
What fabric is best for a beach towel?
In short, it depends. Traditionally, cotton has been king, thanks to its soft texture and comfortable feel. Turkish cotton has entered the conversation, too, which has been praised for its many great qualities, including being sand-resistant. Other beach towels are designed with quick-drying materials like polyester, making it easy to avoid stuffing a soggy towel into your beach bag.
What to consider when shopping for the right beach towel?
How a fabric feels against your skin will always weigh heavily in the decision. Do you prefer a lush, soft feel that is reminiscent of a bath towel? Then stick with cotton. If portability is key, then look for a low-profile towel that is less fluffy and more absorbent, like a microfiber.
Best overall
Brooklinen Cabana Stripe towel
Dimensions: 34" x 70"
Material: 100% Cotton
For that feels-like-home sensation that you can bring to the pool or beach, Brooklinen’s Cabana Stripe beach towel is the perfect option. It’s a two-sided towel that features a super-soft velour side to lie on and a terry weave side to dry off with. Its bright, bold stripes will make it easy for kids and adults to spot as the beach gets packed throughout the day.
Best Reversible
Cozy Earth Windowpane Resort towel
Dimensions: 40" x 70"
Material: 60% cotton, 40% viscose from bamboo
Who doesn’t love a two-for-one, especially when it comes to beach towels? Cozy Earth, a brand known for bedding that is luxurious and soft, has translated those same core values into its beach towels, including the Windowpane Resort towel that features two different designs. Using zero-twist fabric, a technique known for its high-end fibers and plush feel, both sides are designed with a summery, bright, and vibrant look.
Best for families
Parachute
Cabana towel
Dimensions: 40" x 72"
Material: 100% organic cotton
Kids can be pretty finicky when it comes to texture and how something feels against their skin, so why not give them an ultra-absorbent beach towel that’s also soft and plush? Parachute has created a pillowy soft cotton terry towel that may even see the youngest ones napping on them during family beach vacations.
Best Packable
Matador NanoDry Packable shower towel
Dimensions: 24" x 52"
Material: Nanofiber
Small but mighty, the NanoDry Packable Shower towel's compact size belies its absorbency power. Made of a high-performance lightweight nanofiber material, this towel absorbs over twice its weight in water, soaking in the H2O just as quickly as you dove into the ocean. It folds into a pocket-sized shape and comes with a convenient silicone case that is tiny enough to toss into a weekender bag.
Best sustainable
Rumpl Baja Fade Tech towel
Dimensions: 30" x 60"
Material: 55% post-consumer recycled polyester, 35% virgin polyester, 10% spandex
A low-profile towel that’s also eye-catching and eco-friendly? Sign us up. Rumpl’s Tech Towel comes in six colorful designs that complement the brand’s inclination toward creativity and fun. It also dries quickly, thanks to a microsuede material that absorbs four times its weight, and packs down into a fraction of its laid-out size. It only weighs half a pound, adding little bulk to any bag you’re checking in for your beachside getaway.
Best Lightweight
Huckberry Mediterranean Turkish towel
Dimensions: 40" x 70"
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Huckberry’s website says its beach towel packs up into the size of a burrito. Pretty accurate, actually, folding down to just over 9 inches in length and over 3 inches in height. Really awesome for a beach towel that is not, in fact, a burrito. Instead, wrap yourself in a soft towel that sops up water easily from the body and hair, making that towel-dried hair look even more effortless.
Best sand-proof
Sand Cloud Maui Sunset towel
Dimensions: 38" x 64" and 37" x 67"
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Known for yarns that are strong and smooth, Turkish towels have quickly become the material of choice for a beach or pool outing. Sand Cloud’s 100% Turkish cotton beach towel has earned itself a cult-following, thanks to its debut on Shark Tank. It has a slim-profile beach towel that repels any dreaded sand, wet or dry, ensuring mess-free transport when you pack up and go. Did we also mention that 10% of proceeds from a purchase goes toward marine conservation efforts?
Best quick-drying
Tesalate Sunseeker beach towel
Dimensions: 31" x 63"
Material: AbsorbLite fabric
Wetness has met its match with the Tesalate beach towel. Created by a couple of beach-loving Australians, the slim-profile towel is made of a quick-drying AbsorbLite material that dries within minutes in the sun. It comes in a multitude of fun patterns that make your towel easily distinguishable on a crowded beach or resort pool deck.
Most Versatile
Nomadix Original towel
Dimensions: 30" x 72.5"
Material: 90% post-consumer recycled polyester
Going on a yoga retreat at the beach? Or need an extra blanket once the sun dips down and the cooler temperature comes? The Nomadix Original Towel is that jack-of-all-trades beach towel when it comes to beach or pool needs. A sand-resistant towel made of polyester, it can absorb up to four times its weight and dry four times faster than a regular cotton towel. Another bonus? If you bring your canine companion with you to a pet-friendly beach, the Original Towel is even resistant to pet hair clumping on it.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
