The Best Beach Towels for Summer

When you were younger, you would always opt for the cheapest option. Shampoo from the dollar store, socks that came in a plastic bag, scratchy towels you bought on sale, and the like. But the older you get, the more you realize that you like to be surrounded by nice things, and the towels you bring to the beach should definitely be on your upgrade list. Sure, you could show up to the beach carrying those nasty, worn-out towels you’ve had since college (and get ragged on by your friends for it), or you could choose one from our best beach towel guide below and elevate your seaside style.

What to look for

Material: Towels are most commonly made from cotton, as it’s highly absorbent, with Turkish and Egyptian cotton being popular choices for them because they’re extra absorbent. Microfiber towels may not be as absorbent as traditional cotton options, but they’re lighter and dry more quickly. Sand is also easier to shake off of a microfiber towel, so they can be convenient choices for short trips to the beach where you need to clean up quickly.

Size: After drying you off, the other main purpose of a beach towel is to lie on it. Thirty inches by sixty inches is the ballpark for most standard beach towels, but if you want room for others, then something bigger can be convenient.

Weight: Weight is another important factor, as you’ll be carrying your towel to and from the beach. Most cotton towels will weigh about a pound, but if you’re looking to go even lighter, then a microfiber towel will do the trick.

Sand Resistance: We all know how annoying it is to come home with sand (even if it’s the sign of a day well spent), so opting for a towel that’s a little more sand-resistant can make your life easier. Generally speaking, traditional cotton towels aren’t too hard to shake out, but microfiber and Turkish cotton towels offer more sand resistance compared to other fabrics.

Use: If you plan on lounging or sunbathing, a large towel that can dry quickly is always a safe bet. But if you’re using it mainly to dry off, you’ll want to prioritize absorbency above all else.

Slowtide Harlow Beach Towel

Best Starter Towel: Slowtide was started by three friends hailing from California and Hawaii, who wanted to combine the art they loved with beach towels. Made entirely of sustainably sourced cotton, Slowtide’s Harlow Beach Towel is kicking off our list with a highly absorbent construction, featuring a non-printed looped terry back and a printed velour front.

L.L. Bean Seaside Beach Towel

Best Monogram Towel: When it comes to classic American apparel, L.L.Bean is one of the leading names, especially when it comes to the outdoors. This Seaside Beach Towel is yet another outdoor-friendly entry, and it’s made with 100% ringspun cotton and dries quickly without color fading. The design features a couple of classic beach turtles on the front, and you also have the option to add a monogram of up to 10 characters to make it your own.

Turkish Towels Capri Terry Beach Towel

Best Turkish Cotton Towel: If you’re looking for a highly absorbent towel made of Turkish cotton, then the Capri Terry Beach Towel is all you need. It’s made of 100% premium Turkish long-fiber cotton from the country itself and features a terry loop interior for extra softness. Not only is this towel very absorbent, but it dries quickly and packs down to a manageable carrying size.

Outerknown The Beach Towel

Best Surfing Towel: Founded by the legendary surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown is no stranger to the beach, making it the perfect label to craft a beach towel. Outerknown’s beach towel is big, soft, and perfect for lounging or drying off after surfing. Keeping in line with the label’s sustainability efforts, the towel is made from recycled polyester and organic cotton.

Pendleton Diamond Peak Spa Towel

Best Soft Towel: Pendleton has been around since the late 1800s, and they’re perhaps best known for making those thick, woolen blankets with Native-American-inspired prints. This big and soft towel has velour on one side for extra comfort, and the other side is made with looped cotton to increase absorbency. The size of the towel means you can use it for lounging as well as drying off, making this a versatile pick.

Quiet Town Ojai Towel Pine

Best Organic Cotton Towel: Quiet Town is inspired by the beauty of California, and what better way to capture that than with a beach towel named after California’s very own quiet town, Ojai. The Ojai Towel is made of 100% organic cotton and features a classic striped design that evokes emotions of breezy days along the California coast and the luxury of hotel towels. It’s made in Portugal, and embossed with the label’s logo.

Business & Pleasure Co. The Beach Towel

Best Lounge Towel: This unique towel from Business & Pleasure Co. comes in five colorways and is made of thick cotton. Between that and the above-average size, you’re getting a quality lounging towel that’s built to last, with enough space for you to sprawl out.

OAS Kaleido Towel

Best Unique Towel: Looking for a psychedelic towel that still gets the job done? The team over at OAS, a brand dedicated to sustainability, comes through with another vacation-ready product that was designed in Stockholm, and it’s a 100% terry cotton beach towel with a neat kaleidoscope design.

Baina Roman Pool Towel

Best Checkerboard Towel: Baina is dedicated to elevating our grooming routines and towels, with sets made of organic cotton featuring attention to detail that you just don’t see among competitors. You’re getting all that and more with this Roman Pool Towel that was designed in Portugal, featuring a checkerboard pattern and 100% organic cotton.

Paul Smith Large Beach Towel

Best Premium Towel: A lot of beach towels are garishly patterned, making you look like a crazy Jimmy Buffett fan, but this towel from legendary British designer Paul Smith will not do that. The brightly-colored signature stripes are complemented by an orange border, and it’s all made of 100% cotton.

The Best Beach Bags for Your Next Day Trip

You’ll need something to carry your new towel, and our best beach bags guide covers high-quality picks that make the perfect companion.