Best bath towels 2022: upgrade your bathtimes

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Today's best bath towels are soft, absorbent, and of high quality, as well as being durable enough to withstand daily use and regular washing over time. Pick correctly and you can create a spa-like experience in your own home – after all, there's nothing more comforting than stepping out of the bath or shower to wrap up in a plush, fluffy towel.

While they may all look very similar, towels come in a variety of thickness, materials, absorbency, colours and sizes. Ranging from Egyptian cotton to Hydrocotton or sustainable types manufactured without toxins or chemicals, it can often be challenging to know which the best bath towel for you will be. (This guide focuses on towels designed for home use – if you need something lightweight for trips away, you might be better off consulting our best travel towel guide.)

If you're after super soft, fluffy towels with a luxurious feel, Scooms has got you covered (literally). Made from 100% authentic Egyptian cotton, this towels long fibres makes it extra plush and soft to the touch. In fact, it has a distinct 'hotel towel' vibe. It's quite dense with a 720 GSM, so can feel slightly heavy. However, its fibres give it that extra absorbency and makes drying a fuss-free process. It's also spun with a unique technology that creates micro air holes inside the fabric for breathability. That thickness also makes for a warm and cosy towel to wrap up in after bathtimes. What's more, it has a handy hook at the top for easy hanging.

Best bath towels 2022: upgrade your bathtimes

Best of all, Scooms' is eco-friendly and comes with a Oeko-Tex Standard 100 verification, meaning it has been created using no harmful toxins and chemicals. This is ideal for families, especially those with young children. In addition, the packaging is plastic-free, and presented nicely wrapped in a ribbon in a cardboard box. To keep it feeling superior, it's recommended to wash at 30-40-degrees, with little or no fabric conditioner.

Material: Egyptian cottonWeight (GSM): 650Bath towel size: 50 x 85cm (bundle only)Bath towel RRP: not sold separately (sheet £57.99)Sizes: face, hand, bath, bath sheet Colours: Subtle Grey, Pure White, Charcoal Dark Grey, Pink+Superior soft feel +Lightweight and quick drying+Regular 50% off sales-Only sheet size is sold separately

If you're after an all-round, luxury towel, the Hampton and Astley towel is a stunning choice. Designed with 100% Egyptian cotton, it has an incredibly soft feel and beautiful stitch pattern that will be an eye-catching addition to your bathroom. Although it has a lower GSM, it has an impressive absorbency. What's more, it feels lightweight which means it will be quick to dry and more efficient. The towels are available in several sizes including a 7-piece bath set. A minor disappointment is that only the Bath Sheet size is sold on its own – if you want a regular bath towel, or face or hand towel, you'll need to buy the bundle. However, these soft, luxurious bath towels and sheets won't disappoint! Just ensure you always wash at 40-degrees and keep away from bleach to avoid colour fading.

Material: Egyptian cottonWeight (GSM): 700Bath towel size: 135 x 70cmBath towel RRP: £12Sizes: face, guest, hand, bath, bath sheet, extra large bath sheetColours: Over 40 (too many to mention!)+Lots of colour and size options+Great price +Super soft-Slight shrinkage after few washes

If you're after luxurious feeling towels that won't cost a fortune, John Lewis Egyptian cotton bath towels offer great value for money. Not only are they soft and plush with long fibres, but they're durable and odour-free thanks to a 'Life Natural' finish. This natural peppermint treatment contains antimicrobial protections to ensure your towels are kept fresher and cleaner.

Best of all, it's incredibly affordable with over 40 (yes 40!) vibrant colours to choose from. They are also available in plenty of sizes, so you'll find the perfect colour and style to suit your bathroom decor. What's more, the towels are colour safe at washing temperatures up to 60-degrees, so you don't have to worry about colours fading. For the best care, it's advisable to wash towels at 40-degrees to avoid the risk of slight shrinkage. Overall, these towels give you comfort and so much more for your money.

Material: Bamboo and long staple cottonWeight (GSM): 600Bath towel size: 135 x 70cmBath towel RRP: £30Sizes: hand, bath, bath sheetColours: Pure White and Urban Grey+Bamboo and long-staple cotton+Open-loop fibres+Hypoallergenic and antibacterial-Only two colour options

For a bath towel that's a little out of the ordinary, try this one from Panda. We're already fans of Panda's pillow, mattress topper and duvet, so we're always interested to see what it can do with bamboo next, and yes, of course it's made a bath towel. It's all bamboo; to keep things soft, fluffy and absorbent, Panda uses a mix of 35 per cent bamboo with 65 per cent luxurious long-staple cotton, giving this towel an almost cashmere-like feel.

The loops on the Panda towel are left open – something that only works with stronger, smoother fibres like bamboo and long-staple-cotton – which means this one's extra-soft to the touch and won't give you that crispy feel after it's been washed. It also has a hanging strap sewn into the outer seam so it won't fall on the bathroom floor when you hang it up. And of course its sustainable bamboo is organically grown, and it's naturally antibacterial, odour-repellent and hypoallergenic.

Material: Supima cottonWeight (GSM): 750Bath towel size: 70 x 140cmBath towel RRP: £32Sizes: hand, bath, bath sheetColours: White, Light Grey, Mid Grey, Smoke, Stone, Nautical Blue+Thick pile+Value for money +Super soft+Easy to care for-Heavier than others

If you love nothing more than sinking into a deep pile towel, the Soak & Sleep Supima cotton towels will give you extra comfort. Supima cotton is an extra long-length staple cotton that creates an intense softness and durability. What's more, the fabrics are terry woven with a low twist loop for high absorbency, leaving you dry in no time. Plus they are borderless, meaning you get more of the luxury feel from its edge to edge design. It isn't any wonder why Supima cotton is commonly known as the ‘cashmere of cottons'!

That all said, they do feel slightly heavier than others, but they come with a handy hook that makes hanging much easier. Supima cotton towels are available in six, bespoke colours and will stay looking fresh when washed at 30-degrees. While this may not seem high enough, using the best detergents means it's not necessary for a higher temperature. This makes it a great, eco-friendly option.

Check our Soak & Sleep discount codes to snap up a saving.

Material: cottonWeight (GSM): 500Bath towel size: 70 x 125cmBath towel RRP: £28Sizes: face, hand, bath, bath sheet, super jumboColours: Pearl Grey, White, Soft Grey, Slate+Quick-drying+Eco-friendly+Incredibly soft-Doesn't have that deep, plush feel

If you lead a busy lifestyle and need super soft yet practical towels that dry quickly, the White Company Hydrocotton towels will do a grand job. Hydrocotton is designed using a special weaving technique that makes it far superior to standard cotton. The ‘low twist' technology makes these ribbed Hydrocotton towels extra soft with a high absorbency. This is ideal for large families or households who require quick-drying, luxury towels.

Despite being lightweight, these towels are incredibly durable thanks to its flexible structure. This allows it to withstand frequent washing, and still maintain its super soft, luxurious feel. Bear in mind they lack the deep, plush pile you would usually get with a higher GSM. However, these towels are perfect for daily use and frequent washing. They are also reasonably priced and available in four, contemporary colours to suit any modern bathroom (although, being the White Company, they are of course all shades of grey and white).