9 Best Hair Drying Towels in 2022 (Licensed Cosmetologist-Reviewed)
Hair drying towels can help to cut drying time by more than half. Made from soft, absorbent, non-abrasive materials, a good hair drying towel can make all the difference. In this 9 best list and buying guide (reviewed by a licensed cosmetologist), we’ll go over the factors to consider when looking for the right hair drying towel for you. Start by checking out our favorite, the Aquis Original Hair Towel, then read on to see more of our choices!
Quick List - Top Hair Drying Towels
DuraComfort Essentials
Holds a Ton of Water and Won’t Oversaturate
Denise is a licensed cosmetologist who advises people on certain products they should get. She formally worked at Ulta and is now headed into a salon.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- 9 Best Hair Drying Towels
- No. 1Aquis | Original Hair Towel (Waffle)
- No. 2Hair RePear | Ultimate Hair Towel
- No. 3DuraComfort Essentials | Super Absorbent Microfiber Hair Towel
- No. 4The Perfect Haircare | Ultra-Fine Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
- No. 5YoulerTex | Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap, 2 pack
- 4 more products
- How to Make Your Hair Dry Faster
- Even More Ways to Take Care of Your Hair
How to Choose a Hair Drying Towel – Buying Guide
Choose a Material With Enough Absorbency and Frizz Control
Microfiber is extremely absorbent and is likely to get your hair dry faster. Natural fibers are better for those who like their hair on the damp side for easy styling. On the other hand, microfiber is a synthetic material, so it may not be best for those with curly, kinky hair as it can cause frizzing.
As for the towel itself, microfiber will dry faster than cotton or bamboo of similar thickness, but you generally won’t find thick cotton hair drying towels. Microfiber and bamboo also tend to be naturally odor- and bacteria-resistant, so if your towel stays in an area without much ventilation, those materials might be better.
Decide Between Hair Turbans and Hair Towels
Turbans Keep Shorter Hair Tucked Neatly Away
However, these are generally made for hair no longer than around shoulder blade-length and aren’t very good for pat drying.
Towels Are Versatile and Good for All Lengths
Get a Lightweight Towel to Prevent Pulling
Whether you’re wrapping your hair up or just using your towel to tousle it dry, the last thing you want is a too-heavy towel pulling at your roots. So it’s important that the towel you choose is lightweight enough to not add much strain to your hair, especially since it’ll get heavier as it soaks up more water.
Generally speaking, lighter is better, though you’ll have to make some concessions if your hair is long and you need more towel area.
Look for Loops and Buttons to Keep Your Hair Towel in Place
If you have heavy hair, prefer to toss it up directly after showering, or like to sleep with your towel in place, you might find that fasteners are helpful to have something to keep your towel from unraveling.
Some hair towels–both turban and rectangular–come with elastic loops or buttons that allow you to fasten the end of the twisted part to the back of your head. This ensures that your towel-clad hair stays in place for as long as you need it to. Keep in mind that elastic closures may stretch out over time, though.
9 Best Hair Drying Towels
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Aquis Original Hair Towel (Waffle) | | A Light, Ultra-Absorbent, and Versatile Hair Towel | |
2 | Hair RePear Ultimate Hair Towel | | Made From the Gentlest Combed Cotton | |
3 | DuraComfort Essentials Super Absorbent Microfiber Hair Towel | | Holds a Ton of Water and Won’t Oversaturate | |
4 | The Perfect Haircare Ultra-Fine Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap | | Quick-Drying, Super-Fine Microfiber | |
5 | YoulerTex Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap, 2 pack | | Extremely Absorbent Towel for All Hair Types | |
6 | Turbie Twist Cotton Hair Towel | | A Trusted Brand for a Spa-Like Experience | |
7 | Meetrue Microfiber Hair Towel, 2 pack | | Fun Patterns for a Bright Hair Drying Experience | |
8 | Curly Girl Anti-Frizz Towel | | Hair Towel Specifically Made to Prevent Frizz | |
9 | Evolatree Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap | | An Ultra-Soft Option That Feels Like a Blanket |
AquisOriginal Hair Towel (Waffle)
A Light, Ultra-Absorbent, and Versatile Hair Towel
It doesn’t have anything to hold the ends back, which makes it more versatile as a towel but means that it can be difficult to keep in place for those with shorter hair. On the plus size, it also comes in two other colors!
Made From the Gentlest Combed Cotton
It has a very large surface area, which is great both for accommodating lots of hair as well as soaking up a ton of water. At the same time, it’s relatively light and stays put well. Some reviewers said it wasn't as long-lasting as they wanted it to be, but for the most part, customers said it was much better than using a normal towel.
DuraComfort EssentialsSuper Absorbent Microfiber Hair Towel
Holds a Ton of Water and Won’t Oversaturate
Where some towels might start to feel saturated with water when drying off thick hair, this towel remains relatively dry to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about dripping. Since it has no fastener, reviewers found it difficult to make it stay on their hair, but happy customers loved how absorbent it was.
The Perfect HaircareUltra-Fine Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
Quick-Drying, Super-Fine Microfiber
It comes with a non-elastic fastener, which is slightly less easy to use since you have to manually tighten it; but it allows you to use it for years without worrying about it stretching out. Some reviewers had some issues with the towel color bleeding, so make sure you wash it once (or several times) before using it on your hair!
YoulerTexMicrofiber Hair Towel Wrap, 2 pack
Extremely Absorbent Towel for All Hair Types
The button holds up well even after washing several times, and the edges are tightly stitched. However, some reviewers note a faint chemical smell the first time you open it, so be sure to give it a wash once before you use it.
Turbie TwistCotton Hair Towel
A Trusted Brand for a Spa-Like Experience
Turbie Twists have been around since 1995, and they have many loyal customers to prove it. These 100% cotton turbans can adjust to any head size, and their softness will make you feel like you're having a spa treatment.
Reviewers young and old love how absorbent and comfortable it is, and they said it's easy to put on and take off. The best part is that it really stays on! Turbie Twists are also available in many different colors and in microfiber material.
MeetrueMicrofiber Hair Towel, 2 pack
Fun Patterns for a Bright Hair Drying Experience
Why not add more color to your hair care routine? These fun patterns will delight children and adults alike. They're made of soft microfiber that will be gentle on your hair, and they have a button closure for extra security.
Reviewers support the claim that these are soft. Several said they were a bit larger than expected, so double-check the size to confirm whether or not you actually need a towel this large! But for users with long or curly hair, they said it was perfect and absorbent.
Hair Towel Specifically Made to Prevent Frizz
If you're looking to enhance your curls without the frizz, consider trying out this towel. The large size will contain all of your locks, and the soft microfiber will prevent frizz from forming. It's also super absorbent to reduce drying time!
Many reviewers commented on the fragility of the hanging loop, so you might want to reinforce it or do away with it altogether. But besides that, many happy customers agreed that this towel was a far better option for their curls than an ordinary towel.
An Ultra-Soft Option That Feels Like a Blanket
While this may not be the most absorbent option on the list (as claimed by reviewers), it is definitely soft and blanket-like. The button closure makes it stay securely in place, giving you all the comfort you could want after a hot bath or shower.
Besides the absorbency issue, reviewers with super-long hair said it didn't contain all of their locks. This would be better for long or medium-long hair. But fans of this towel loved its softness and said it reduced frizz.
How to Make Your Hair Dry Faster
Use conditioner when you wash your hair. Not only does it lock moisture in, but it helps to repel moisture, too. Once the water’s off, use a wide-toothed comb to separate your hair, giving the excess water fewer places to get caught. Gently wring out the excess water from your hair before grabbing your towel.
Blot-dry your hair in sections, focusing on the water-retaining roots. Twist it up into the towel to give it more time to soak up as you continue getting ready.
Even More Ways to Take Care of Your Hair
If you're looking for more hair-related products, look no further! Here are some products you can use both in and out of the shower.
Top 5 Hair Drying Towels
No. 1: Aquis｜Original Hair Towel (Waffle)
No. 2: Hair RePear｜Ultimate Hair Towel
No. 3: DuraComfort Essentials｜Super Absorbent Microfiber Hair Towel
No. 4: The Perfect Haircare｜Ultra-Fine Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
No. 5: YoulerTex｜Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap, 2 pack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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