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Swimming suppliesHelping You Find the Best
  • 10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More) 5

10 Best Beach Towels in 2022 (Dock & Bay, Kaufman, and More)

If you're going to the beach, it doesn't make sense going without a beach towel! This convenient piece of cloth can dry you off after a fun dip in the pool or help you lounge on the beach without the hot sand bothering you. When it comes to choosing a beach towel, its absorbency, size, thickness, and quality all come into play. 


After extensive searching online, our first pick is the Dock & Bay Extra-Large Beach Towel. It's very absorbent, quick-drying, and is long enough for tall individuals. It's also made of smooth microfiber that allows sand to easily glide off the towel.  Keep reading for a comprehensive beach towel buying guide along with our top 10 recommendations! 

Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Beach Towels

1

Dock & Bay

Lightweight Beach Towel
Lightweight Beach Towel

Sand-Repelling Lightweight Towel for Beach Lovers

2

Utopia Towels

Cabana Stripe Beach Towel Set4 pack
Cabana Stripe Beach Towel Set

Beach Towel Set for the Whole Family

3

Kaufman

Cabana Terry Loop Towel 6 pack
Cabana Terry Loop Towel

Colorful and Vibrant Terry Beach Towels

4

Wetcat

Original Turkish Beach Towel
Original Turkish Beach Towel

Eco-Friendly Turkish Peshtemal Towels

5

Superior

Terry Velour Beach Towel
Terry Velour Beach Towel

Double-Sided Beach Towel That Resists Sand

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How to Choose Beach Towels

Choosing the perfect towel for the beach involves having to consider the absorbency, material, and size if you are seeking maximum comfort and functionality. A good-looking towel can be a very tempting pick for the beach, but there's no guarantee of it drying you efficiently!


A beach towel needs to dry you off quickly and resist sand. You don't want to head home with your towel soaked and covered in sand, after all. Read on for tips on how to choose a great beach towel! 

1

Choose a Towel Based on the Size

Choose a Towel Based on the Size

Most beach towels are considerably larger than bath towels. So, the towel you choose should be sizeable enough to cover your entire body since it’s designed for you to lie on. A larger towel will offer you more comfort while you're lying on the hot sand or beach chair. A generously-sized beach towel can also be used as a picnic blanket!


The best option is to choose a towel long enough to accommodate your height when you lie on it and wide enough to cover you when you wrap it around your waist.


An average beach towel is 60 by 30 inches -this size should be okay for lying on the sand when it is not too hot. You can also find bigger towels that are 70 to 80 inches long. These long towels can cover a lounge or beach chair and give you better coverage while you're lying on the scorching sand. 

2

Decide How Absorbent of a Material You Want

The towel’s absorbency and its ability to dry you off are critical factors! The faster it dries, the faster you can shake the sand off the towel and pack up.

Cotton Towels are Quick-Drying and Water-Absorbent

Cotton Towels are Quick-Drying and Water-Absorbent

Cotton and terry cloth are the most suitable materials for beach towels. Terry cloth is cotton woven into small loops of thread that can absorb a large amount of water. Besides their absorbency, both cotton and terry cloth are known for their ability to dry more quickly.


Thick terry is considered the most absorbent of all. It absorbs moisture faster, but it can take a while to dry. If the terry loops are short, they may snag on lounge chairs. So, go for terry towels with bigger loops for better absorption and durability.


100% natural cotton towels are soft. But, they can fray easily, unlike high-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton towels. Pure cotton towels are also highly absorbent and can dry faster. If you prefer an organic cotton towel, go for a towel with selvage edges (also known as finished edges) to prevent it from unraveling. 

Lightweight Materials are Easy to Pack

Lightweight Materials are Easy to Pack

Lightweight and durable Turkish peshtemal towels are becoming more and more in-demand. They are highly absorbent due to their extra-long fibers and tend to get softer after each wash. These luxurious towels are porous and leave less room for moisture and mold, too.


Egyptian beach towels are smoother than their Turkish cotton alternatives. If you prefer a lightweight towel, go for a microfiber towel with a polyester and polyamide or nylon blend. They are highly absorbent and quick drying. Plus, they are lightweight and can be packed compactly in your luggage. 

A Sand-Resistant Material is Perfect for the Beach

A Sand-Resistant Material is Perfect for the Beach

A towel that has an absorbent top surface and a sand-resistant bottom is perfect for the beach! Try terry velour towels - they come with two distinct sides. 


The velvety bottom has the terry loops shaved off to make one side unabsorbent and sand-resistant. The top surface has the terry loops intact, so this side will be soft and super absorbent. Once your day at the beach is done, you can just shake off the sand.

3

Avoid Thick Towels for Faster Drying

Avoid Thick Towels for Faster Drying

The GSM of a towel is a great determinant of its thickness and drying capability. GSM stands for "grams per square meter," which is the weight of the fabric woven into each square meter of the towel. The higher the GSM, the thicker and heavier it will be.


An average beach towel has a GSM of about 350. Anything below this will be too thin and may fray easily over time. A towel with a GSM of between 400 and 600 is commonly used for beach towels. Many people prefer towels that are easy to pack away and don't take up much space, so a medium GSM is will still be easy to fold down.  


Anything above this range can feel plush and luxurious! A high GSM also increases the absorbancy. However, a higher GSM towel can attract more sand and be hard to dry. A heavier towel can be uncomfortable, too. So you may want to avoid anything with a GSM higher than 650.


If you're buying online, you may be able to find the GSM in the product description. If you can't find the towel's GSM, consider its absorbency and drying capability by checking the material used. The material and weave will influence its absorbency

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Beach Towels Ranking

Here are the best Beach Towels, ranked according to 10 Best Beach Towels (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity

Products

Image

Click to purchase

Key features

1

Dock & Bay

Lightweight Beach Towel

Dock & Bay Lightweight Beach Towel 1

Sand-Repelling Lightweight Towel for Beach Lovers

2

Utopia Towels

Cabana Stripe Beach Towel Set4 pack

Utopia Towels Cabana Stripe Beach Towel Set 1

Beach Towel Set for the Whole Family

3

Kaufman

Cabana Terry Loop Towel 6 pack

Kaufman Cabana Terry Loop Towel  1

Colorful and Vibrant Terry Beach Towels

4

Wetcat

Original Turkish Beach Towel

Wetcat Original Turkish Beach Towel  1

Eco-Friendly Turkish Peshtemal Towels

5

Superior

Terry Velour Beach Towel

Superior  Terry Velour Beach Towel 1

Double-Sided Beach Towel That Resists Sand

6

Laguna Beach Textile Company

Oversize Plush Cabana Towel

Laguna Beach Textile Company  Oversize Plush Cabana Towel 1

Plush and Absorbent Cotton Beach Towel

7

Your Choice

Sand-Free Quick Dry Towel

Your Choice Sand-Free Quick Dry Towel 1

Compact and Sand-Free Microfiber Beach Towels

8

Nature Is Gift

Prewashed Organic Beach Towel

Nature Is Gift Prewashed Organic Beach Towel 1

Large Organic Turkish Beach Towel for Sensitive Skin

9

Yifontin

Terry Velour Beach Towel for Kids

Yifontin Terry Velour Beach Towel for Kids 1

Soft and Dual-Sided Terry Towels for Little Beach Lovers

10

Cloth

Oversized Beach Towel Set

Cloth Oversized Beach Towel Set 1

Multipurpose Beach Towels With a Turkish Mitt

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Dock & Bay
Lightweight Beach Towel

Lightweight Beach Towel 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$24.99
Mid
Reference price
$24.99
Mid

Sand-Repelling Lightweight Towel for Beach Lovers

This extra-large microfiber towel is perfect for lounging at the beach or drying off after a dip in the sea. It's long enough that your legs won't touch the hot sand, too! The material wicks away water from your body and remains soft enough for all skin types.  


Plus, it's quick-drying, so you can swim to your heart's content without worrying about getting wrapped in a damp towel. Once it's dry, it's easy to shake the sand off the towel. 


Some users said that the towels were too light, and others didn't find it that absorbent. But, many users liked that it's sand-resistant and soft. Many loved its portability and excellent coverage, too!

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

Utopia Towels
Cabana Stripe Beach Towel Set4 pack

Reference price
$32.99
High Mid

Beach Towel Set for the Whole Family

This simple set of four cotton towels comes with stylish cabana stripes in four bold colors. Each towel is woven with ring-spun cotton, so they will remain soft and durable even after multiple washes. 


These lightweight towels are also highly absorbent and come in a standard size that should be adequate for most people. However, a few users reported issues with linting and shedding.


However, many loved the towels, saying that they were soft and absorbent. There were mentions about the towels' good quality and lightweight feel! Some users also found that linting stopped after the first couple of washes. 

No.3

Kaufman
Cabana Terry Loop Towel 6 pack

Reference price
$37.99
High Mid

Colorful and Vibrant Terry Beach Towels

This set of six terry towels is made to wick away even the slightest drop of moisture from your body. The cabana stripes come in vibrant colors, and the terry loops offer absorbency and softness


And once you head home, you can toss the towels for an easy wash in the machine. Although terry towels are known for their absorptive power, not many reviewers validated the claims. There were reports of it depositing lint after each wash, as well.


For the lint problem, a couple of users recommended washing and drying once before use. Many others loved the lightweight feel of the towels. There were attestations about the towels holding up well after multiple washes!

No.4

Wetcat
Original Turkish Beach Towel

Reference price
$19.99
Mid

Eco-Friendly Turkish Peshtemal Towels

This extra-large peshtemal towel is thinner than terry cloth and softer than regular cotton, so it's gentle on all skin types. It folds up compactly, so it packs light as well. This Turkish towel is the right choice for the beach since peshtemals are highly absorbent and quick-drying. 


The towel comes pre-washed to remain soft and resist shrinkage after each wash. Plus, it's OEKO-TEX certified, which means that it's an eco-friendly product. 


However, some users expressed concern about the towel's quality as it frayed or unraveled after a few uses. Some weren't happy with how thin the towel was, as well. But many users vouched for its softness and absorbency! Its sand-resistance was also complimented by happy buyers. 

No.5

Superior
Terry Velour Beach Towel

Reference price
$16.99
Low Mid

Double-Sided Beach Towel That Resists Sand

Terry velour towels are known for their comfort and sand-resistance. This towel comes with a soft velour finish on one side that lets sand slide off easily! The other side has absorbent terry loops to dry you quickly after a swim.


This double-sided towel is a great choice to lie on and simultaneously dry off. However, there were reports of the towel fraying and pilling after a few washes. Some users weren't happy about the towel's thickness, as well.


However, many complimented the towel's generous size and quality. Others liked the towel's versatility of being soft on one side and well-absorbent on the other! Reviewers also appreciated the variety of bright colors.

No.6

Laguna Beach Textile Company
Oversize Plush Cabana Towel

Reference price
$39.00
High Mid

Plush and Absorbent Cotton Beach Towel

If you prefer a thick and plush towel to dry yourself up at the beach, try this. It's thicker than a bath towel, absorbent, and comfortable. Plus, it's long and wide enough to fit around anyone! Its edges are reinforced to ensure it holds up in the washing machine, too.


The towel comes in a couple of other colors, and all of them exude luxury and comfort. However, it is on the heavier side, and you can expect some sand to stick to it. 


There were complaints of the towel falling apart at the seams and threads coming off. Some didn't find its plush feel comfortable at the beach, as well. However, there are many raving reviews about this towel. Many loved its size, thickness, and durability. 

No.7

Your Choice
Sand-Free Quick Dry Towel

Reference price
$14.99
Low Mid

Compact and Sand-Free Microfiber Beach Towels

This extra-large beach towel is for beach lovers who adore spending a lot of time by the water. The towel's smooth surface is designed to resist sand and dry you more quickly than a cotton towel. 


It's so thin that you can easily pack in in a bag or purse. Yet, it can still hold a lot of water. And it comes with an impressive drawstring carry bag for easy storage. 


However, some buyers warned of the colors running, and some users found it too thin. But for its absorbency and sand-resistance, there were commendable remarks from users. Others loved how little space it took up in their bags! 

No.8

Nature Is Gift
Prewashed Organic Beach Towel

Reference price
$16.99
Low Mid

Large Organic Turkish Beach Towel for Sensitive Skin

This organic Turkish cotton towel can be your best friend at the beach if you have sensitive skin. It's soft, absorbent, and long enough to cover large-sized individuals. The towel is significantly thin, but that isn't going to stop it from absorbing all the water from your body and keeping you dry. 


And, being thin, it will dry fast and pack light in your luggage. Yet some complained of this and felt that the material was flimsy. There were a couple of criticisms about the towel shrinking


One user recommended washing in cold water and air-drying it to get past the shrinking problem. But a couple of users with sensitive skin commended it for its softness and feel. Many users also found it getting softer after each wash. 

No.9

Yifontin
Terry Velour Beach Towel for Kids

Reference price
$12.89
Low

Soft and Dual-Sided Terry Towels for Little Beach Lovers

The cute dinosaur print on this towel will definitely please your kiddos! This towel is double-sided - it has absorbent terry loops on the front side and soft velour on the back to let sand slide off. 


And when it's time, this towel might encourage your little one to dry up and head home. There are a few other cute designs that can make drying up fun at the beach, and this towel comes in two different sizes. 


Apart from a few complaints about the towel's quality, there were many good reviews about it. Many raved about how soft and absorbent the towel was. Whether they were at the beach or a pool, many kids loved to dry off in this cute towel!

No.10

Cloth
Oversized Beach Towel Set

Reference price
$44.95
High Mid

Multipurpose Beach Towels With a Turkish Mitt

With this set, you get six lightweight Turkish peshtemal towels that are versatile and take up less space. Peshtemals are designed to dry faster and stay cooler, so you wouldn't feel any discomfort at the beach by wearing them around. Plus, you can simply shake off any sand!


These hand-loomed towels are very stylish and lightweight. Plus, they come with a Turkish mitt to scrub your body. However, some users felt that the towels are rough and not that absorbent


Many users reported that the towels got softer after each wash. Others loved how easily they could wrap the towels around their body. According to many buyers, it wicked water away nicely and dried off quickly, too!

The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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