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With a quality beach towel, you can absorb salt water after a dip in the ocean and protect your body from the hot sand. Unlike bath towels and kitchen towels, these towels are generally oversized and colorful. To help you make sense of the different materials, sizes, and options available, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best beach towels on Amazon. Learn more about our top recommendations below.
Top 5 Beach Towels
- Best Customizable Towel: JML Beach Towels
- Best Multipack: Utopia Towels Beach Towels
- Best Oversized Towel: WETCAT Beach Towel
- Best for Travel: ECCOSOPHY Beach Towel
- Best Soft Towel: Laguna Beach Textile Company Beach Towel
Compare Top Beach Towels
| Product | Towels Included | Material | Size | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JML Beach Towels | 2 | Microfiber | 30 by 60 inches | Stripe blue (other colors available) |
| Utopia Towels Beach Towels | 4 | Cotton | 30 by 60 inches | Blue, yellow, green, and orange (other color sets available) |
| WETCAT Beach Towel | 1 | Cotton | 38 by 71 inches | Peach (other colors available) |
| ECCOSOPHY Beach Towel | 1 | Microfiber | 35 by 71 inches | Acapulco (other patterns available) |
| Laguna Beach Textile Company Beach Towel | 1 | Cotton | 35 by 70 inches | Black and gray (other colors available) |
| Product | Towels Included | Material | Size | Color |
Best Customizable Towel: JML Beach Towels
JML Beach Towels
- $21.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Includes two towels
- Made of microfiber
- Measures 30 by 60 inches
- Comes in other colors, patterns, sizes, and quantities
What Customers Are Saying
Happy customers thought these microfiber beach towels dried quickly. They appreciated that they came in a pack of two. However, some reviewers said the towels weren’t as thick or soft as they wanted.
Best Multipack: Utopia Towels Beach Towels
Utopia Towels Beach Towels
- $46.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Includes four towels
- Made of cotton
- Measures 30 by 60 inches
- Comes in other colors and quantities
What Customers Are Saying
Many happy reviewers valued the softness and absorbency of these beach towels. Some reviewers mentioned that the towels looked decorative when they were rolled and placed next to one another. However, some users complained about the excessive amount of lint buildup in their dryer after the first wash and dry cycle.
Best Oversized Towel: WETCAT Beach Towel
WETCAT Beach Towel
- $29.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Includes one towel
- Made of cotton
- Measures 38 by 71 inches
- Comes in other colors
What Customers Are Saying
Although this beach towel felt thin to many users, they liked how quickly it dried and how clean it stayed after multiple uses. Happy customers mentioned its oversized dimensions and decorative design.
Best For Travel: ECCOSOPHY Beach Towel
ECCOSOPHY Beach Towel
- $32.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Includes one towel
- Made of microfiber
- Measures 35 by 71 inches
- Comes in other patterns
What Customers Are Saying
Positive customer reviews noted this towel’s eye-catching pattern. Happy customers also liked that it was large enough to use as a blanket for two or three people on the sand. Unsatisfied customers complained that its microfiber material was rough and thin.
Best Soft Towel: Laguna Beach Textile Company Beach Towel
Laguna Beach Textile Company Beach Towel
- $44
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Includes one towel
- Made of cotton
- Measures 35 by 70 inches
- Comes in other colors, patterns, and shapes
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said that this oversized beach towel felt soft. After several uses and washes, it didn’t unthread. Although it’s more expensive than several other towels on this list, most reviewers felt the quality justified the price. However, some unsatisfied customers experienced snags in the fabric.
Buying Guide for Beach Towels
While all beach towels are meant to keep you dry and comfortable at the pool and on the beach, they vary in terms of size, material, and more. Review this buyer’s guide to learn about the factors that differentiate them.
Material
Many manufacturers use either microfiber or cotton to make their beach towels. Microfiber beach towels are soft, absorbent, fast-drying, and durable. Cotton beach towels are even more soft and absorbent.
Size
Many beach towels measure 30 by 60 inches, which is long and wide enough for most users to lounge on. If you want more fabric to wrap around your body or more room for an additional person to sit, you can find larger towels that are over 70 inches long.
Maintenance
Maintaining your beach towel prevents premature wear and tear, such as holes and odors. Many beach towels are machine-washable on regular settings, but some models require a gentle tumble-dry setting.
Design
Beach towels are offered in numerous colors and patterns. Because beach towels are larger than traditional bath towels, there’s more room to print interesting designs. Plus, a unique design helps you mark your spot in the sand during a crowded day at the beach.
How To Get the Most Out of Your Beach Towel
Your new beach towel should last for more than just your upcoming outing. To get years of use out of it, follow these basic care and usage tips.
- Always keep at least one extra beach towel on hand. It’s better to have too many towels than not enough. You’ll be prepared for unexpected guests, spills, and more.
- Wash your beach towels before you use them for the first time. Clean them as soon as you return from the beach.
- Leave your beach towel out after drying off. A wet towel that you stuff in your bag and forget about can quickly develop mold and mildew.
- If you’re worried about sun damage, keep your towel in the shade as often as possible. Wash it with similar colors to prevent fading.
- If you need your beach towel multiple days in a row, shake off any sand and hang it to air dry. Wash it as soon as possible once you’re done at the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beach Towels
What’s the difference between a bath towel and a beach towel?
The biggest difference between a bath towel and a beach towel is size. Most beach towels are longer and wider than bath towels. Beach towels tend to come in more vibrant colors and patterns.
Can I use a beach towel as a bath towel?
Yes, you can use a beach towel as a bath towel. However, you may find that some beach towels aren’t as absorbent or soft as traditional bath towels.
What’s the benefit of using a microfiber beach towel?
One benefit of using a microfiber beach towel is that it’s typically easier to shake sand and dirt off a microfiber beach towel than a cotton one.
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We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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