12 best bath towels to upgrade your bathroom, tried and tested

This heavenly, hotel-like towel lost none of its softness during testing, even after several washes. It’s made from a heavy, 100 per cent long-staple Egyptian cotton with a whopping 720 GSM, using a zero-twist loop to give a smoother finish that won’t irritate your skin. It’s incredibly thick - our only criticism is that it’s so heavy that it takes a while to tumble dry. The towel also meets Oeko-Tex Standard 100 to verify that is free from common toxins and chemicals.

Though we were reluctant to get dry and be parted from it after showers, the towel is amazingly absorbent, so did the job in half the time. We also liked the fact it comes with a hook sewn in for easy hanging and double-stitched edging to prevent fraying. Part of a set, it has hand towels, bath sheets and bath mats to match. The only downside: when wrapped in this towel, our youngest tester was even more reluctant than normal to get dressed after bath time.

There’s no need to break the bank to update your bathroom. This fantastically priced bath towel comes in a huge selection of colours, so you can choose one to suit your décor. Plus, there’s a whole range of sizes available if you want a matching set.

This towel ticks all the same boxes as more expensive options. The zero-twist yarn reduces fibre-shredding; the long pile offers extra fluffiness, and the weighty 600 GSM cotton provides a luxurious feel. We found the towel still dried fairly quickly after use, too.

The edges are reinforced to stop fraying, though there were a couple of loose threads when we received ours. However, no others came loose even after repeated washing and drying. We found this towel is a little less absorbent than some others, so if you need to dry quickly after swimming or when rushing to work, it might not be the best option. Still, it gets extra marks for being produced in Oeko-Tex-certified factories, meaning they meet set environmental, social and chemical standards.

There’s no need to compromise on softness just because you need a fast-drying towel. Made of luxe 100 per cent cotton, this bestselling option from The White Company has clever low-twist technology that makes it extra fluffy, yet quick to dry. At 500 GSM, it’s not quite as heavy as some of the other towels we tested, which means it was much speedier to dry when hung up on an unheated towel rail after use. This makes it an excellent option if your bathroom is prone to dampness, but it’s noticeably spartan compared to the other towels we tested.

We assumed this softness would fade with washing, but it stayed just as snuggly as the very first use and felt divine after a shower. We especially loved the ribbed texture, which looked elegant in the bathroom, making it a great choice if you want a medium-weight towel. It comes in four neutral colours and all sorts of sizes, from a face cloth to a bath sheet, but we’ve got our eye on the superjumbo option for major hotel-bathroom vibes.

Proof that a top-quality towel doesn’t need to have a wince-inducing price tag, this large, luxe towel from Soak&Sleep is a dream to dive into after a long bath. Available in 11 colours, including dusky blue, light grey and classic white, the towel can also be paired with matching bath mats and face cloths. We also love the fact that they’re sold in bundles at a discount.

Made from 100 per cent certified Egyptian cotton, the towels have ultra-smooth yarns and are terry woven to an impressive 700 GSM using a twisted loop pile. This makes the towel astonishingly absorbent and durable, so you won’t spot annoying snags within a few washes. We also found it dried us fast yet was still ready to use again in no time. There’s a sewn-in hook for hanging up the towel after use, but if you have a towel this nice, we’d recommend airing it properly instead.

Say no to bog-standard towels and make a statement with this super-swish option from Soho Home, the interiors collection from Soho House. Its covetable bath towels are the very same classic cabana stripe towels used in the House swimming pools, so you’re guaranteed that decadent hotel feel (without the membership fee). Several houses have their own colours, so you can choose the shades or destination you prefer, from the bold red and white of Shoreditch House to the turquoise candy-stripes of the Little Beach House, Barcelona.

We tested the towel from White City House in west London and loved the distinctive, broad burnt-orange, black, and white stripes, which mean it will always be a talking point. It’s embroidered with the White City House logo and has a smart monochrome trim inspired by the TV test card.

Made of heavyweight Turkish cotton, it was one of the smoothest towels we tested but still dried wet skin in a flash. We also loved how huge it was, making it a dream to wrap up in after a bath. Don’t worry if you like to dry washing on the line – this towel has been tested and developed not to fade in sunlight.

Fancy feeling like you’re in a five-star hotel every single morning? This gorgeously soft towel feels far more expensive than it is and will make even the pokiest bathroom seem extravagant. Available as a pair, the towels are made from 650 GSM Egyptian cotton and are exceptionally fluffy.

We found that they actually get even softer after the first couple of washes and lose none of their absorbency after regular washing, thanks to tightly woven fibres – there’s no colour fade or shedding, either. We reckon this towel will last well, as it has a double-stitched border and weighty quality. Though mixed-size bundles are available, we think the Hampton & Astle Egyptian cotton seven-piece luxury bath towel set (£89, Hamptonandastley.com) is especially good value and includes two bath towels, two hand towels, two face cloths and a bath sheet.

Eco-conscious brand Panda uses innovative bamboo blends in its products for a sustainable twist on bath towel luxury. The towel is made from 65 per cent combed long-staple cotton and 35 per cent bamboo. Cotton ensures it stays soft after washing, and the latter is known for its high absorbency. Bamboo is not only a renewable and low-impact material, but it also has the benefit of being gentle on skin and naturally antibacterial, so it’s a good choice for those with allergies or sensitive skin.

The resulting towel is a dream to swaddle up in after a shower. Fluffy and super soft, it’s fast absorbing and instantly warming (a blessing during the colder months). Available in white, ink and pure grey colourways, the style is perfect for more minimalist bathrooms.

Towels come in a huge range of colours at M&S. This range also has StayNew technology to keep the towels looking good, even after several washes. It sounds like a gimmick, but the towels we tested showed no colour fade or fraying.

Though the bath towel feels soft to the touch, it’s not as luxuriously heavy as some of the others we tested, with a rating of 550 GSM. It dried us just as well as thicker towels, but this meant it didn’t sit around in the bathroom feeling damp for ages between uses. Plus, it fit easily in our gym bag without weighing us down. It’s also worth noting that the towel is made from responsibly sourced cotton and has a plant-based antibacterial finish made of linseed oil. On top of that, it’s reasonably priced.

Nothing says ‘spa break’ quite like a pristine white towel. This one from Lusso will add a five-star touch to any bathroom. Made of 650 GSM Egyptian cotton, it has a glamorous feel, thanks to the gold embroidery on every towel. That sounds a little gauche, but it’s understated enough that it lends the towel a little luxury.

We especially loved the neatly reinforced edges and embossed pattern, which helps keep it in tip-top condition. Plus, it was one of the most absorbent towels we tried – we were dry in a flash.

Bath towels also come in a bundle (£97, Lussostone.com) with a face towel, hand towel and bath sheet, all wrapped up in tissue paper and smart individual boxes, if you’re looking for a wedding gift with the wow factor. Just be aware that the towels only come in white, so they’re probably not best suited to fake-tan devotees.

The name Christy is synonymous with luxury towels. This 650GSM cotton supreme towel is a bestseller and comes in a great range of colours. The towel is also Oeko-Tex ‘made in green’ certified, so it has been produced in environmentally and socially responsible factories that can be traced throughout the supply chain. The towel’s smooth, short loop construction makes it extra-absorbent, yet it’s still dreamily soft. We found that it actually gets fluffier after washing.

If you need to dry even faster, we also rate Christy’s attractive trellis towel (£31.50, Christy.co.uk). This is made with 60 per cent Turkish cotton and 40 per cent FSC certified bamboo. It is naturally antimicrobial and will dry you in a jiffy.

This best-selling bath towel from Next is an excellent buy. It’s made in a heavy 800 GSM Egyptian cotton – heavier than some towels we tested that were far more expensive – yet still comes in at less than £20. The edges are reinforced to keep the towel looking smart, and it has a plush pile, so really does feel soft to the touch.

We tested the towel in charcoal grey, but it also comes in another four shades. We thought such a dark colour might mean there was some colour run during the first wash, but it washed excellently and seemed more absorbent each time. Even after repeated use, the towel looked as good as new and felt like a real pleasure to use. However, like other towels at this weight, it takes a while to dry.

This towel is so unbelievably soft that you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a blanket. It’s made with a zero-twist technique to maintain its softness. Even though we expected it to lose some of its plushness once it had been through our washing machine and tumble dryer, it was just as fluffy afterwards.

Made with 500 GSM cotton, it’s a touch more lightweight than some of the other towels we tested, but we didn’t feel it was any less indulgent. In fact, this meant it dried in double quick time after use, so we didn’t have a soggy towel hanging around our bathroom. We were also really impressed by the ribbed design – one visitor to our home even commented on how attractive the towel was, which has to be a first. The absorbency is excellent, too.