We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Forbes Vetted The Best Beach Towels To Add To Your Cart Camryn Rabideau Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Korin Miller Contributor Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. May 27, 2023, 01:18pm EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin Many of the top-rated products below are discounted for Memorial Day weekend. Check out our list of the best Memorial Day sales for more savings opportunities. If you live near the shore, chances are you spend ample time at the beach during the summer—which means the best beach towels are a must-have. These plush accessories make it more comfortable to sit on a beach chair or in the sand, and they’re absorbent enough to quickly dry you off after a dip in the ocean or swimming pool . The best beach towels can even double as picnic blankets while you snack and soak up the sun. From lightweight
Turkish cotton options to cozy plush picks, these are the best beach towels to tote ... [+] to the shore in 2023. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTOS: RETAILERS There are so many different kinds of beach towels to choose from, including Turkish beach towels, regular cotton beach towels, lightweight microfiber linens, smooth sand-resistant beach towels and more. Ultimately, the best option for you depends on how you plan to use it. “There isn’t one towel for everything,” says Kyle Spencer, co-founder of towel brand Slowtide . “If you’re traveling or on the go, then a quick-dry microfiber might be best. If you want to be able to lay out on your towel at the beach, then you might want an oversized cotton towel.” As you compare your options, remember to consider factors like the size of the towel, its material, absorbency, drying time and more. Then, take a look at our curated list of the best options available in 2023. Best Beach Towel Overall: Laguna Beach Textile Co. Striped Cabana Beach Towel ($44) Best Quick Dry Beach Towel: Slowtide Joaquin Quick-Dry Travel Towel ($32, Was $40) Best Turkish Beach Towel: Frontgate Resort Collection Turkish Beach Towel ($67, Was $79) Best Oversized Beach Towel: Sand Cloud Extra Large Turkish Beach Towel ($70, Was $78) Best Luxe Beach Towel: Serena & Lily Mallorca Beach Towel ($70, Was $88) Best Microfiber Beach Towel: Touchat Beach Towel ($10, Was $16) Best Travel Beach Towel: PackTowl Personal Quick Dry Microfiber Towel ($19, Was $29) Best Beach Towel for Sand: Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel ($59) Best Organic Beach Towel: Coyuchi Tomales Organic Beach Towel ($108) Best Beach Towel Overall A Plush Cotton Towel With A Striped Design
Amazon Laguna Beach Textile Co. Striped Cabana Beach Towel Buy From Amazon Size: 70 x 35 inches | Material: 100% cotton | Weight: 630 GSM | Certification(s): None | Colors: 12 striped patterns This classic option is soft, plush and absorbent. It has a large (70-by-35 inch) design that’s perfect for laying on the sand or relaxing in a chaise, and its soft terry cloth construction, which is made from 100% cotton, will dry you off quickly after a dip in the water. This beach towel comes in a whopping 12 different striped patterns for a classic cabana-style look, and its fabric is thicker than most, with a weight of 630 grams per square meter (GSM), making it cozy and plush to wrap up in after a long day at the shore. Pros: Thick, plush material for lounging Absorbent cotton construction Stylish striped design comes in a dozen colors Cons: Thick construction will take longer to dry Best Quick Dry Beach Towel Lightweight, Absorbent Towels That Dry Twice As Fast Slowtide Joaquin Quick-Dry Travel Towel Buy From Slowtide Size: 60 x 30 inches | Material: 100% recycled plastic | Weight: 200 GSM | Certification(s): OEKO-TEX | Colors: 19 unique patterns You’ll be able to pack up the Slowtide Joaquin Quick-Dry Towel without worrying about getting your beach bag all wet. This unique towel is made from 100% recycled plastic, making it an eco-friendly option, and the brand says that it dries twice as fast as a traditional cotton towel, making it perfect for traveling. These towels are extremely lightweight at just 200 GSM, and they’re available with or without a nylon zip pocket on the corner—the perfect place to store your keys or other belongings so they don’t get lost in the sand. Pros: Fabric dries very quickly Made from recycled plastic OEKO-TEX certified Available with optional zip pocket Cons: Material isn’t as plush as cotton towels Best Turkish Beach Towel Stylish Thin Towels With Terry Cloth On The Back MOST POPULAR Frontgate Frontgate Resort Collection Turkish Beach Towel Buy From Frontgate Size: 72 x 40 inches | Material: 100% Turkish cotton | Weight: 350 GSM | Certification(s): None | Colors: Caribbean, Claypot, Fog, Marine Blue, Pool Turkish towels are popular thanks to their thin, lightweight design, and the Frontgate Resort Collection Turkish Beach Towels deliver the best of both worlds. The front of the towel is the smooth, soft cotton material you’d expect from a Turkish-style towel, but the reverse is a cotton terry cloth, which improves the towel’s absorbency. The whole thing is still lightweight at just 350 GSM and will dry quickly when wet, yet it’s soft and cozy enough to wrap around your shoulders after a dip in the ocean. Plus, it comes in five pretty colors and features a stylish striped pattern that will never go out of style. Pros: Stylish oversized design with fringe Thin construction dries quickly and is easy to transport Terry cloth reverse improves absorbency Cons: Pricier than most other towels Best Oversized Beach Towel An Extra-Large Turkish Towel That Doubles As A Beach Blanket Amazon Sand Cloud Extra Large Turkish Beach Towel Buy From Amazon Size: 76 x 62 inches | Material: 100% organic Turkish cotton | Weight: Not listed | Certification(s): GOTS | Colors: 5 ocean-themed designs The Sand Cloud Extra Large Turkish Beach Towel measures 76 x 62 inches—double the width of many other beach towels. It’s spacious enough to accommodate multiple people when spread out on the sand, and it comes in several ocean-themed designs featuring sharks, turtles, and other marine-inspired motifs. This extra-large towel is made from organic Turkish cotton, and it has a thin construction that’s easy to pack up and dries quickly. Because its woven fabric is flat, sand shakes off easily at the end of the day, but keep in mind that it’s not quite as absorbent or plush as a classic terry cloth construction. Pros: Oversized design is big enough for multiple people Sand doesn’t stick to flat surface Made from organic cotton Cons: Not as absorbent as terry cloth towels Best Luxe Beach Towel A Super Plush Striped Towel From A Luxury Brand Serena and Lily Mallorca Beach Towel Buy From Serena And Lily Size: 70 x 40 inches | Material: 100% Turkish cotton | Weight: 500 GSM | Certification(s): OEKO-TEX | Colors: Coastal Blue, French Blue, Navy Blue, Botanical, Seashell, Poppy, Canary You can relax in luxury with the Serena & Lily Mallorca Beach Towel, which is made from high-end long-staple Turkish Aegean cotton. This plush towel has a substantial 500 GSM weight, and it’s extremely soft, plush, and absorbent—ideal for days spent by the ocean or the pool. The fabric is even OEKO-TEX certified, which means it’s tested to be free from harmful chemicals. These towels have a classic cabana-stripe design, and there’s hand-knotted fringe on two edges for an added touch of flair. Pros: Extra soft and plush Absorbent Turkish cotton construction OEKO-TEX certified Cons: Pricier than most other towels Best Microfiber Beach Towel A Vibrant And Affordable Towel That’s Perfect For Families Amazon Touchat Beach Towel Buy From Amazon Size: 60 x 30 inches | Material: Microfiber | Weight: 300 GSM | Certification(s): None | Colors: 10 patterns If you’re looking to buy several beach towels for your family, the Touchat Beach Towel is a budget-friendly microfiber option. These towels are on the smaller side, measuring 60 x 30 inches, and they come in 10 colorful patterns including stripes, palm trees, and more. The lightweight fabric is just 300GSM and dries out quickly, but keep in mind that microfiber generally isn’t as absorbent as cotton. Still, these towels are a handy option to keep in your beach bag, especially because they come with a convenient zippered carrying pouch. Pros: Inexpensive Lightweight fabric dries quickly Includes travel pouch Cons: Smaller than other towels Not the most absorbent Best Travel Beach Towel A Quick-Drying Microfiber Towel With Odor-Blocking Technology Amazon PackTowl Personal Quick Dry Microfiber Towel Buy From Amazon Size: 59 x 36 inches | Material: 80% polyester, 20% nylon | Weight: Not listed | Certification(s): None | Colors: Palm, Midnight, Lake, Scribble, Sand Dune, Violet, Ripple, Sage, Whirl You can easily bring the PackTowl Personal Beach Towel when you go camping or traveling, as it’s extremely lightweight and folds up into a compact, easy-to-store form. The towel is made from a blend of polyester and nylon, and the brand claims it dries 70% faster than cotton towels while still absorbing up to four times its weight in water. The PackTowl comes with a handy storage pouch that you can carry in your backpack or beach bag, and the fabric is made with odor-control technology that prevents it from getting smelly. Plus, the brand offers a limited lifetime warranty on its products. Pros: Lightweight and compact for traveling Dries much faster than cotton towels Includes travel pouch Backed by a limited lifetime warranty Cons: Not soft like cotton towels MORE FROM FORBES VETTED The Best Mattresses For Heavy People That Won’t Sag Or Buckle By Lindsay Boyers Forbes Staff The Best Mattresses For Back Pain To Reclaim Your Bedtime Comfort By Korin Miller Contributor Best Beach Towel for Sand A Quick-Drying Option That Also Repels Sand Tesalate Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel Buy From Tesalate It’s always frustrating when your towel leaves a pile of sand behind in your beach bag or car, which is why the Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel is so popular. This unique towel is made from the brand’s special Absorblite fabric, which can hold up to 1 liter of water without dripping and repels sand, making it easy to clean off as you’re leaving the shore. It dries in half the time of a regular cotton towel, and it has a built-in hook that lets you hang it up anywhere. Plus, the towel comes with a storage pouch and is available in more than 27 fun patterns. Pros: Repels sand, making it easy to clean Dries twice as fast as cotton towels Includes storage pouch Cons: Smaller than many other towels Best Organic Beach Towel An Ombre-Colored Towel Made From Organic Materials Coyuchi Tomales Organic Beach Towel Buy From Coyuchi Size: 70 x 40 inches | Material: 100% organic cotton | Weight: Not listed | Certification(s): GOTS | Colors: Shadow/Indigo Ombre, Rosehip/Deep Ocean Ombre, Walnut/Hazel Ombre Not only is the Coyuchi Tomales Organic Beach Towel beautiful, it’s also made from high-quality organic materials that you can feel good about. These towels have a stylish striped design with an ombre color effect, and the flat weave surface will help repel sand. However, the reverse side of the towel is a mini-loop terry cloth, which is soft and absorbent—perfect for drying off after a dip in the ocean or pool. The towel is large enough to lounge on in the sand, and its lightweight design will dry off more quickly than thicker towels. Pros: 100% certified organic cotton Absorbent mini-loop terry cloth backing Lightweight materials dry quickly Cons: Expensive More Memorial Day Deals On Summer Essentials Take 20% Off This Handy Beach Blanket Amazon Uneam Sandproof Beach Blanket Buy From Amazon This 80 by 82 inch beach blanket is large enough to fit four to seven people, so you’ll never feel cramped. It’s made of durable nylon that doesn’t collect sand, and comes with convenient stakes to keep the corners in place. Pick it up while it’s on sale for $14. This Bestselling Sunscreen Is 20% Off Dermstore US EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Buy From Dermstore Over 4,000 Dermstore shoppers have given this EltaMD sunscreen a five-star rating, so you know it has to be good. Users say it’s lightweight, blends easily and doesn’t leave behind a white cast. Get it for 20% off this weekend. Save 40% On This Handheld Fan Amazon Jisulife Portable Handheld Fan Buy From Amazon If you overheat easily, this handheld fan is going to be your favorite summer accessory. The compact design can easily fit in your purse or pocket, and its rechargeable via a USB cable. You can save 40% on the device today. Take $120 Off This Portable AC Amazon Black+Decker 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Buy From Amazon Along similar lines, you don’t want to be stuck without an air conditioner this summer. Luckily, this model is eligible for Prime shipping and currently on sale for $120 off. Reviewers say it will hold up well even after years of use and that it cools quickly. Score A Beach Umbrella For Its Lowest Price This Year Amazon Blissun 7.2-Foot Portable Beach Umbrella Buy From Amazon While you’re replacing your beach towels, you may as well spring for a new beach umbrella, too. This one is 7.2 feet wide and comes with a heavy-duty sand anchor and a carrying bag. It’s also on sale for $40 for Memorial Day. Get This Durable Cooler For 22% Less Amazon Igloo Heavy-Duty 25 Qt BMX Ice Chest Cooler Buy From Amazon Whether you’re planning to hit the beach every weekend or throw lots of backyard barbecues, you’ll be happy to have this 25 quart cooler. It has extra-thick walls and an insulated lid that can keep your food and drinks cold for up to four days, even in 90 degree heat. Psst, right now it’s discounted to $90 instead of the usual $115. This Pair Of Everyday Sunnies Is 47% Off Amazon Sojos Small Square Polarized Sunglasses Buy From Amazon There’s nothing worse than forgetting your sunglasses on a bright summer day. At only $16, these can be your backup pair that you keep in the car or your beach bag to ensure that you never have to go without. Snag A Pickleball Set For 43% Off Amazon Asbocer Pickleball Set Buy From Amazon Pickleball is all the rage these days, and this set offers a low-cost opportunity to get in on the fun. For only $40 (instead of the typical $70), you’ll get two paddles, four balls, a carrying bag and two paddles. Get This Stylish Beach/Pool Bag For 27% Off Amazon Bekocan Beach Bag Buy From Amazon This bag is big enough to hold four to six towels, and features water-resistant material on both the interior and exterior. Reviewers praise it for being lightweight, durable and large enough to hold the entire family’s beach or pool necessities. Not bad for a $22 Amazon find. Save 38% On This Sun Hat Amazon Eddie Bauer Women's Exploration UPF Wide Brim Hat Buy From Amazon If you’re prone to scalp or forehead sunburns, consider investing in a sun hat this year. This one from Eddie Bauer is currently 38% off and comes in either small/medium or large/x-large. How We Chose the Best Beach Towels To find the best beach towels on the market, we researched bestselling options, pored through reviews across sites and consulted multiple experts. We also considered a few of our personal favorites that we use for various purposes, like travel and lounging. Then, we narrowed down our selections by considering key features like comfort, size and value. Most importantly, we update this list regularly to ensure you’re up-to-date on product availability and sales. This article was last updated in April 2023. What To Consider When Buying A Beach Towel A beach towel is your constant companion during the warmer months, and it’s important to find one that meets your needs. Consider these features while you shop—and make sure you grab a couple so you can rotate through them all summer long and never miss a day of fun in the sun. Size Not all beach towels are created equal when it comes to sizing. Taller people will want a towel that’s at least over 65 inches long, while more petite people can fit comfortably on a towel that’s shorter. Material Cotton is a popular choice for material due to its durability and softness. However, microfiber and polyester are ideal if you need a towel with quick-drying and sand repellent properties. Absorbency If you’re an avid swimmer, a more absorbent towel, like one made of cotton or microfiber is probably your best bet. More of a waterside lounger? Other, thinner fabrics will work well and keep you from overheating. Portability Whether you travel a lot or just want something that fits easily into your bag, something thinner, like a Turkish towel or microfiber travel towel, is a safe bet. These towels are also known for their speedy drying times, making them easy to use and go without risking sogginess and mildew. Other Features There are plenty of other features out there you can enjoy with a beach towel. Tassels add a stylish element and help transform your towel into a sarong when the need strikes, while sand resistance allows you to wrap yourself up without ending up coated in tiny particles. Ultimately, the need for these extra features comes down to personal preference and desired use. Should Beach Towels Be Thick Or Thin? As you shop for beach towels, you’ll see that there are a wide range of options available, including both thick and thin materials. The best option for your needs will ultimately come down to your personal preferences and how you plan to use the towel. Thin towels are often easy to carry and dry quickly, but thicker towels are much more cozy and generally absorb more water, drying you off quickly after a swim. “I personally use thick, plush towels at home, but if I’m packing a tote bag for a beach day with my family, I’ll take thinner towels,” says Spencer. They’re much more lightweight and compact, and I can fit a few of them into a medium size tote bag along with water bottles, sunscreen, beach toys, etc. A thicker towel will most likely be more absorbent than a thinner towel, but it will also take longer for it to dry.” Are Sand-Free Beach Towels Worth It? One of the reasons that people don’t just use regular bath towels at the beach is because sand often clings to thick terry cloth fabric. If you want to keep sand out of your beach bag, car, house, and even your washing machine, a sand-free towel, such as the Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel , is often worth the investment. These types of towels generally have a tightly woven surface, which helps to prevent sand from getting trapped in it, and you can often clean them off at the end of the day simply by shaking them out. However, the downside is that these towels often lack the soft, plush feel of terry cloth, so you’ll have to decide for yourself whether the easy cleaning is a worthwhile trade-off. What’s The Best Type of Beach Towel? The best beach towel for your days at the shore will ultimately depend on personal preference and how you use your towel. For lounging in a beach chair and drying off after a dip in the ocean, a terry cloth towel like the Laguna Beach Textile Co. Striped Cabana Beach Towel is a classic choice. It’s soft and absorbs water readily, and its plush enough to wrap up in on a chilly afternoon. However, if you’re looking for a towel that dries quickly after being used, you might want something like the Slowtide Joaquin Quick-Dry Travel Towel , which is compact and easy to transport. Want the best of both worlds? Some towels, including the Frontgate Resort Collection Turkish Beach Towel and Coyuchi Tomales Organic Beach Towel have a flat weave on one side to repel sand and a terry cloth construction on the reverse, making them ideal for lounging, as well as drying off after swimming. What Type Of Beach Towels Don’t Hold Sand? In general, towels with a flat surface will allow sand to roll off much more easily than towels with a looped texture. “Towels and blankets that have a tighter weave will typically help with shaking sand out easier,” says Spencer. If you’re looking for a beach towel that will resist sand, you may want to consider Turkish towels, which typically have a flat weave design. There are also specific sand-free towels, such as the Tesalate Sand-Free Beach Towel , which are made from synthetic materials designed specifically to repel sand. For even more savings opportunities, head over to our Memorial Day coupon page to check out the deals from some of our favorite brands. 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