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The 10 best beach towels for summer that combine style, softness and absorbency
From lightweight microfibre to cotton designs, these will make a statement on the sand
A good beach towel is a necessity if you’re off to the beach or the local lido this summer. It needs to be soft, comfortable to lie on, absorbent and lightweight (especially if you’re packing it for a holiday). Some of the latest designs are also sand- and chlorine-resistant.
If you want something cosy to wrap yourself up in and have room in your suitcase, opt for a cotton towel with terry loops, or terry towelling, which will feel soft against the skin while absorbing water quickly. A microfibre towel will be even lighter, take up less room in your bag and will normally be sand-resistant, although it won’t be quite as luxurious to wrap yourself in.
And, of course, they need to look good, too. These are our favourite beach towels to help you stand out on the sand this summer, in a handy list. Read on for our full reviews.
Best beach towels
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How we chose the best beach towels
We picked our top beach towels after considering the below.
Material: We researched the fabrics and have only suggested towels that are made from microfibre or cotton terrycloth towelling. Cotton terrycloth is soft and absorbent, so you can dry off quickly and comfortably at the beach. Microfibre is a little less absorbent than cotton, but is more lightweight and has a smooth feel, while some are sand-resistant.
Size: Most beach towels are a standard size of about 75cm x 150cm, which is a bit larger than the average bath towel, but we’ve included a range on our list. An oversized beach towel is great for couples or for the whole family to sit on. A towel can, however, take up quite a bit of room in your beach bag or suitcase, so in case you're tight on space, we’ve also considered easy-to-pack options for travel.
Design: From palm trees to stripes, what your towel looks like also matters, so we made sure to feature a variety of different designs for even the most fashion-conscious beachgoers.
Affordability: We made sure our list covered a range of price points, starting from just £12.
Best Deal
M&S Pure Cotton Sand Resistant Beach Towel
M&S Pure Cotton Sand Resistant Beach Towel
Pros
- Sand resistant
- Affordable price
Cons
- Takes up extra room in your case
Available in seven colours, including bright pink and yellow, M&S’s chic striped beach towel is both practical and stylish. Made from pure cotton with a sand-resistant finish, it should stop you bringing the beach home with you. The brand’s StayNew™ technology also helps preserve the towel’s colour, so it will stay bright even after washing.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 79cm x 152cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton |
| Care | Wash at 40C |
Amazon Basics Cabana Stripe Beach Towel
Pros
- Budget-friendly two-pack
- Cosy cotton terrycloth material
- Classic stripe pattern
Cons
- Not as soft as other picks
Achieve the classic beach cabana look with these affordable coordinating towels from Amazon Basics. While many beach towels cost around £30 per towel, these are less than £20 for a two-piece set. Made with cotton terrycloth, the towels are ideal for drying off, but they may not be as soft as some of the pricier cotton styles on our list.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | 76cm x 152cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton terrycloth |
| Care | Machine wash, tumble dry low |
Dunelm Cotton XL Beach Towel
Pros
- XL size
- Affordable price
Cons
- Has to be dried on a low heat
This large towel may take up a little extra room in your suitcase, but its eye-catching design and excellent absorbency should more than make up for it. The cotton fabric quickly soaks up water and can be tumble-dried on a low heat. Perfect for Mediterranean holidays (or pretending you’re in the Med while you sunbathe in the park), it features a vibrant orange fruit print set against a blue and white striped background.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 100cm x 180cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton |
| Care | Wash at 40C |
Rise and Fall Hammam Beach Towel
Rise and Fall Hammam Beach Towel
Pros
- Four colour options
- Absorbent terry cloth
Cons
- Expensive
Fancy something a little more luxurious? This stylish option from Rise & Fall is available in four colours, including sunny yellow and a vibrant red. The lightweight towel features absorbent terry cloth on one side and a soft hammam-style weave on the reverse. It’s one of the pricier options on our list, but its premium looks and quality could make it a worthy investment for future holidays.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 90cm x 180cm |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% cotton |
| Care | Machine washable |
Dock & Bay Beach Towel (Large)
Pros
- Over 30 colors and prints
- Sand-resistant material
Cons
- Not as plush as terrycloth towels
The smooth microfibre material of this extra-large towel from Dock & Bay keeps sand on the fabric’s surface, making it simple to shake the sand loose when you're ready to pack up. It’s available in more than 30 striped patterns and prints, along with a few solid colours. It also comes in four sizes if you prefer something smaller – or even larger.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | 160cm x 90cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyester and polyamide blend microfibre |
| Care | Machine wash cold, tumble dry if needed |
M&S Pure Cotton Palm Tree Beach Towel
M&S Pure Cotton Palm Tree Beach Towel
Pros
- Chlorine resistant
- Highly absorbent
Cons
- Only two colours
Dreaming of an exotic holiday? This vibrant beach towel, which is available in either pink or blue, features a tropical palm tree design, and it’s giving us instant holiday vibes. Made from pure cotton, it helps wick away any water from your skin for faster drying, so you can concentrate on that all-important tan. It’s also chlorine-resistant, according to M&S, if you plan to stay by the pool.
Key specifications
| Dimensions | 79cm x 152cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton |
| Care | Wash at 40C |
The White Company Sol Stripe Beach Towel
The White Company Sol Stripe Beach Towel
Pros
- Highly absorbent
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only one colour available
Made from 100% cotton, this White Company beach towel is lightweight and ready for the beach. One side features terry loops, which make it highly absorbent after a swim, while the reverse has a velour finish, giving it a velvety feel against the skin. Finished with yellow and white stripes, it’s just the right size to pop in your beach bag.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 100 x 180cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton |
| Care | Machine washable |
Utopia Cabana Stripe Beach Towels
Utopia Cabana Stripe Beach Towels
Pros
- Cotton terrycloth known for absorbency
- Four towels for the price of one
Cons
- Wash before use
These cotton beach towels are plush and absorbent and available for just a fraction of the price of most other towels – ideal for someone who wants a no-fuss option for regular use at the beach or pool, and they’re especially great for children. The brand recommends washing the towels before using them for a softer feel, and we’d advise the same.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 76cm x 152cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton terrycloth |
| Care | Machine wash warm, tumble dry low |
MANGO Reversible Striped Beach Towel
MANGO Reversible Striped Beach Towel
Pros
- Reversible design
- Quick drying
Cons
- Pricier than other options
If you want to look good on the sunlounger, head to Mango where you’ll find a range of stylish beach towels in every colour. We love this reversible 100% cotton design, which lets you change things up with your swimwear. If looks matter, this is the one for you.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 100cm x 180cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Cotton |
| Care | Machine washable |
Eccosophy Microfibre Beach Towel
Pros
- Bold patterns stand out on the beach
- Material dries quickly
Cons
- Thin material
If extra space in your luggage or beach bag is limited, a lightweight, packable towel is a must. This towel is on the thinner side and comes with a convenient mesh carrying case, so it’s easy to stash away when travelling. Available in more than a dozen fun prints and patterns that will make it easy to spot on a busy beach or the back of a lounger.
Key Specifications
| Dimensions | 180cm x 89cm |
|---|---|
| Material | Microfibre |
| Care | Machine washable |
Is cotton or microfibre better for beach towels?
Both cotton and microfibre can be great choices for beach towels. Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re looking for. If you plan to use the towel to lounge on and dry off after a swim, soft cotton terrycloth is your best bet.
Quick-drying microfibre is easier to carry as it’s lighter weight and doesn’t hold on to as much sand as cotton, but it’s not as soft or plush. The towel on the left is a microfibre towel, and the towel on the right is made with traditional terrycloth. You can see that sand rests on the surface of the microfibre towel but sinks into the loops of the terrycloth option.
What's the difference between a beach towel and a bath towel?
A regular bath towel isn’t a great fit for the beach. While its fluffiness makes it ideal for drying off after a shower, it’s less suitable for stuffing in a beach bag.
A beach towel, on the other hand, is designed to be thinner and less plush. That means it folds up smaller for packing, dries faster and doesn’t hold on to as much sand. It’s also big enough to accommodate the full length of your body when you’re lounging, and beach towels are available in more fun prints and colours.
If you take a bath towel to the beach, be prepared for it to still be soggy at the end of the day and to show some wear from sand or sun.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Emma Seymour has been at Good Housekeeping for over five years, overseeing lab and consumer tests as associate director of the Textiles Lab. With a degree in Fibre Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University, she has extensive research experience and product quality assessment expertise.
Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst.
Sarah Finley is our Wellness Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. As well as reviewing and writing about everything from the best running trainers to the best electrolytes, she can regularly be found lounging on the best beach towels come summer.
Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is the associate director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
Sarah is our wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. She can be regularly found on a yoga mat or training for a run, so she knows what to look for when it comes to the best yoga leggings, hydration vests or running trainers. From fitness trackers to the best supplements, she also has extensive experience writing about the latest products and writing detailed honest reviews.
Prior to joining the GHI, Sarah was a freelance journalist for 10 years, specialising in health, fitness and travel for national newspapers and magazine. During her time at Women’s Health, she interviewed celebrities about their fitness routines, for the Telegraph she investigated the health risks of Lime Bikes and visited Thailand to look at the trend of longevity travel - while for the London Standard she wrote about topics including AI powered PTs and smart ice baths.
When she isn’t testing out the latest smart watches, lifting weights at the gym, or hopping on a flight, Sarah can be found running around South London or devouring the latest trending TV show.
