Essentials like sunscreen and sunglasses are important to pack when heading outdoors, but the real unsung hero of any pool or beach trip is the towel. That’s why it’s so important to pick the right one. While it’s tempting to grab any towel you find lying around your home, experts say beach towels are often larger than bath towels, so you can wrap them around yourself after swimming, use them to lay out comfortably or even as picnic blankets. And since beach towels are exposed to sun, sand, water and more, it’s key to pick an option designed to withstand the elements.
To help you find the right beach towel, we spoke to experts about features you may want to consider while shopping. We also used their guidance to round up great beach towels from a variety of brands, ranging in fabric type, size, style and price point.
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Selected.Our top picks
To highlight the best beach towels, experts told us to prioritize the following:
- Size: If you’re taller or plan to use the beach towel as a picnic blanket, you may want to buy a larger option. But smaller beach towels can do the trick if you’re shopping for kids.
- Color and design: Beach towels are available in various patterns and colors, and you can even personalize some with your monogram.
- Fabric type: Fabric type impacts a towel’s texture, absorbance and drying time. Do you prefer a soft, fuzzy towel? Or one that’s smooth and quick-drying? Ask yourself these questions when deciding between different fabric options.
- GSM: Grams per square meter (GSM) measures the weight of fabric and impacts a towel’s feel. When comparing the GSM of different options, a higher GSM means the towel has a heavier feel, while a lower GSM means the towel will be more lightweight.
- Care: Beach towels get dirty after being used, so you’ll want to purchase options that are easy to clean. Machine-washable towels are the most convenient.
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With experts’ tips, we rounded up beach towels from some of our favorite brands across style and price points. If available, we listed the dimensions of each beach towel and its GSM to help you get a feel for its size and weight. All the beach towels we recommend are machine-washable.
Best overall: Brooklinen Beach Towel
What we like
- Comfortable
- Easy to care for
- Versatile
Something to note
- Higher price point
Brooklinen’s Beach Towel has one of the highest GSM options on our list, making it one of our thickest and most plush towels. Take this quick-drying and absorbent towel to the beach, pool or use it as a picnic blanket. Use one side of the towel (cotton velour) for a soft feel and the other (soft-woven terry) for drying off, according to the brand. Brooklinen also has other beach towel variations including an extra-large reversible beach towel and Turkish towel.
Size: 34x70 inches | GSM: 550 | Fabric type: Cotton velour and terry | Colors/patterns: Five including Riviera Blue and Aloe Vera
Best lightweight: Rumpl Everywhere Towel
What we like
- Hidden loop hang
- Convenient for travel
- Quick drying
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This towel is the lowest profile and most lightweight option we recommend, allowing it to dry quickly, according to the brand. It also has an anti-microbial finish, which can ward off bacteria and mold and it’s also able to repel sand, pet hair and stains, according to Rumpl.
Size: 29.5x72 inches | GSM: 230 | Fabric type: Polyester microsuede material | Colors/patterns: 8 options including Venice Swell and Joshua Tree National Park
Best budget: Target Threshold Striped Oversized Beach Towel
What we like
- Large size
- Soft feel
- Lower price point
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
Former NBC Select writer Barbara Booth recommends this lightweight towel from Target. “I love them because they’re big like a blanket and dry quickly,” she says. These soft and absorbent towels with fringe detailing can also double as blankets at home since they have such a cozy feel, according to reviewers.
Size: 36x72 inches inches | GSM: n/a | Fabric type: Cotton terry | Colors/patterns: One
Most durable: Pottery Barn Classic Awning Striped Beach Towel
What we like
- Long-lasting color
- Soft feel
- Available in multiple sizes
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
This soft and highly absorbent towel is a great option to consider because of how durable it can be. The brand tested this towel and after 100 washes, it remained intact and didn’t experience shrinkage, tear, piling, color fading and maintained it’s strength, according to Pottery Barn. It’s also reversible, so you can show off the stripes pattern regardless of how you’re using it. If you want to customize this beach towel, add a name or monogram for an additional $15.
Size: 32x64 inches, 40x72 inches and 25x50 inches | GSM: 500 | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: 10 including Flamingo and Seabreeze
Best for pools: Baina Roman Pool Towel
What we like
- Soft feel
- Reversible colorway
- Durable
Something to note
- Higher price point
Made in Portugal, these towels are one of the most plush options on our list and are perfect for pool and beach days. The towels are made from double-looped cotton terry cloth which helps its it’s ability to absorb water and dry quickly once you’re done using it, according to the brand. The towels are available in a set and if you love the colorway and pattern, you can complete your collection and purchase the matching hand and bath towels.
Size: 35X67 inches | GSM: 600 | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: Five including Tabac & Noir and Cement & Rhus
Best thick towel: The Company Store Cotton Terry Beach Towel
What we like
- Durable
- Highly absorbent
- Oversized
Something to note
- No solid patterns available
The Company Store’s beach towel is designed to be fade-resistant from sun, salt water and chlorine, according to the brand. Customization options are also available — you can add a monogram, word or name to the towel for an additional $12.
Size: 39x70 inches | GSM: 500 | Fabric type: Cotton terry | Colors/patterns: Four including Floral and Bull Dog
Best for comfort: L.L. Bean Seaside Beach Towel
What we like
- Soft feel
- Long-lasting color
- Easy to care for
Something to note
- Nothing to note
L.L. Bean’s Seaside Beach Towel has a thick yet light and soft texture that gives a comfortable feel as you lounge or dry off, according to the brand. The quick-drying towel won’t fade in the sun because it’s yarn-dyed so the color will be long lasting, according to L.L. Bean.
Size: 36x68 inches | GSM: 450 | Fabric type: 100% rung-spun cotton | Colors/patterns: Nine including Lobsters and Paddles
Best for kids: Lands’ End Kids Printed Velour Beach Towel
What we like
- Plush
- Highly absorbent
- Large size for kids
Something to note
- Not many pattern options
If you’re looking for kids’ beach towels, Lands’ End makes options that feature fun prints designed with little ones in mind. The towels are rated UPF 50+ to offer UV protection outdoors, and once side has a pattern while the other is solid white. There’s also a loop you can use to hang dry the towel between uses.
Size: 32x64 inches | GSM: n/a | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: Three including Deep Sea Navy Shark and Deep Sea Navy Lobster
Best absorbency: Dock & Bay Quick Dry Towels
What we like
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Available in sets
Something to note
- Very thin
These lightweight beach towels are absorbent and are fast to dry so they dry you and themselves quickly, according to the brand. Because they dry quickly, they also don’t hold on to a damp smell or sand so you can take it to and from the beach without lugging around a wet, heavy towel that has clumps of sand still on, according to Dock & Bay.
Size: 19x39 inches, 35x63 inches, 35x78 inches | GSM: n/a | Fabric type: Polyester and polyamide | Colors/patterns: 45 including Cayman Olive and Twilight Drift
Best cotton: Weezie Beach Towel
What we like
- Plush
- Low-linting
- Available in sets
Something to note
- Higher price point
These oversized towels are a great option for the beach because despite their plush and comfortable feel, they are cut close so it minimizes the chances of picking up and gathering sand, according to the brand. All of these hypoallergenic towels have light blue piping around the perimeter and are available to be personalized with embroidery or monogram.
Size: 38x70 inches | GSM: 540 | Fabric type: Long-staple cotton | Colors/patterns: Seven including Brown Shell and Yellow Stripe
Best Turkish towel: Zebuu Turkish Towel
What we like
- Soft feel
- Easy to care for
- Lower price point
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
I was gifted this Turkish towel years ago, and it’s stood the test of time,” says former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza. “I’ve taken it on camping trips, beach vacations and anywhere in between that might involve water.” That’s because this soft and oversized Turkish towel dries quickly, according to Colizza. After using it at your favorite beach or pool, all you have to do is toss it in the washer and dryer and it comes out good as new, according to the brand.
Size: 39x70 inches | GSM: n/a | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: 21 including Papaya and Blue Topaz
Best plush towel: Public Pool The Classic
What we like
- Large size
- Comfortable
- Highly absorbent
Something to note
- No neutral colorways
If you prefer a bright and colorful beach towel to lounge on, consider these oversized towels from Public Pool. The towels are Oeko-Tex® certified meaning every aspect of the towel including fabric and threading has gone through testing to ensure it’s free of 350 toxic chemicals, according to the brand.
Size: 40x70 inches | GSM: 550 | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: Four including Blue Raspberry and Pink Lemonade
Best oversized:
What we like
- Quick drying
- Large size
- Available in sets
Something to note
- Higher price point
This beach towel is not only one of the largest options on our list but is also a hybrid between cotton beach towels and Turkish towels. It’s made like Turkish towels and has its classic knotted fringe design while also having that cotton plush, soft look and feel, according to the brand.
Size: 40x70 inches | GSM: 500 | Fabric type: Cotton | Colors/patterns: Seven including Canary and Botanical
Best for travel: Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel
What we like
- Quick drying
- Reversible pattern
- Sand slides off
Something to note
- Very thin
When it comes to traveling to tropical and sunny destinations, this microfiber towel is NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez’s favorite. “It’s such a thin, lightweight towel that when you fold it up to fit in your luggage or weekender, it takes up no room whatsoever,” she says. “Then, when I actually get to the beach, the towel dries so fast that I don’t have to worry about it staying soaking wet, sand sticking to it or it developing a weird mold-like scent as some other towels do.” If you plan on using this on the go, the towel also comes with a travel pouch.
Size: 35x71 inches | GSM: n/a | Fabric type: Microfiber | Colors/patterns: 17 including Bora Bora and Aruba
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Beach towels range in fabric type, shape and size, as well as their style, like color and pattern. Ultimately, picking a beach towel comes down to personal preference. For example, if you’re taller, you may opt for a larger towel, and if you’re buying for kids, you may seek out towels with bright prints.
GSMThere are a few factors experts recommend keeping in mind while shopping for beach towels. Most importantly, pay attention to a beach towel’s grams per square meter (GSM), which measures the weight of the fabric and impacts the towel’s overall feel. You can think of GSM as the thread count of towels, experts explained.
“The higher the GSM, the thicker and more plush the towel will be,” says Katie Elks, Brooklinen’s design director. “If you want something more durable, look for a 600 GSM to ensure absorbency and thickness. For a quicker drying time and more delicate look, you can opt for something in a lighter GSM, such as 400.”
Like traditional thread counts on bed sheets, a higher GSM can come with some caveats. A heavier weight can help a beach towel be more absorbent but might mean it takes longer to dry, says Susan Lazor, an associate product development merchant for The Company Store.
MaterialWhen it comes to beach towels, you want something soft and absorbent that also dries quickly, according to Elks. Cotton, terry and microfiber are three of the most common materials beach towels are made from, and each offers its own benefits and texture.
- Cotton is the best material when it comes to beach towels, according to our experts, who recommended towels made with 100% cotton. Cotton is a versatile fabric and is known for its moisture-wicking abilities, says Elks. “It absorbs well, dries quickly and is super soft,” she says.
- Terry can be made from only cotton or a mix of materials, according to our experts. Terry towels are woven with loops, and the length of the loop can dictate absorbency, Lazor says. Longer loops means there is more surface area to absorb water and can feel denser and softer depending on the fiber.
- Microfiber is made from synthetic fabrics, often meaning man-made polyester, Lazor says. Microfiber towels dry fast, but the fabric might not feel luxurious and can often have a static cling effect, according to Elks.
Additionally, if you’re shopping for beach towels with patterns, make sure they’re yarn-dyed rather than printed. Towels with yarn-dyed patterns are reversible and they’re also more colorfast after sun or chlorine exposure, meaning they’re more likely to maintain their vibrancy overtime and without fading, according to Elks.
What’s the difference between a bath towel and a beach towel?Beach towels and bath towels are similar in their construction and the fabric that’s used to make them, Elks says. However, they differ in size, thickness and style.
“Beach towels are noticeably larger in size, making them better suited to be your softest lounging companion at the beach, pool or picnic,” she says.
Beach towels need to dry quickly so you can pack them in your bag after a day in the sun, or so you can reuse them within a few hours. Because of this, they’re often less thick than bath towels, which often don’t need to be reused as quickly — the thicker a towel, the longer it takes to dry.
Stylistically, the two aren’t so similar, either — bath towels are likely to be one solid shade as opposed to beach towels, which may come in more colorful prints and patterns, Lazor says. This might be more about aesthetics than anything — some people prefer white towels in bathrooms, for example, because they can offer a clean, classic look.
While beach towels are traditionally bigger than bath towels, some beach towels are designed to be “oversized.” Elks recommends oversized beach towels because they give you more room to stretch out comfortably and make for a larger barrier between you and surfaces like the hot sand.
Meet our expertsAt NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Katie Elks is Brooklinen’s design director.
- Susan Lazor is an associate product development merchant for The Company Store.
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select who writes about home and kitchen, household basics essentials, wellness and more. For this piece, she interviewed two experts to gather their shopping tips and researched beach towels with their guidance in mind.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter for NBC Select, where she covers beauty, skincare and wellness content. For this piece, she researched highly rated beach towels on the market that align with our expert guidance.
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