From Snowe to Parachute, We Tested Towels to Find the Best Ones on the Market

By Sophie Miura
Updated on May 07, 2021
bathroom towels

Design: Lava Interiors

The criteria for finding the holy grail of bath towels are more diverse than any other home accessory. After all, they're one of the few items we use day in and day out, so they need to stand the test of time and make our daily routine feel a little bit more luxe. The perfect towel should be plush and soft to the touch, ultra-absorbent, and ultimately durable so they don't turn thread-bare after repeated use. 

Thankfully, you don't have to spend a small fortune to find the perfect towel. We tested out every leading towel on the market, from plush sets by Parachute and Brooklinen to soft staples by newcomers like Riley Home and Snowe. Perhaps the most surprising was CB2's channel cotton towels, which start at $4 for a washcloth and are our associate editor's favorite.

Of the $1,000 worth of towels we tested, these six stood out.

01 of 06

The Best Hotel-Grade Towel

Parachute Classic Towels Set of Six $114.00
Shop

Softness: 5/5
Longevity: 5/5
Review: "I've had these towels for a year and can't believe the quality. They're made from long-staple Turkish cotton at 700 grams per square meter, which means they're incredibly plush and luxurious. They're as soft and absorbent as the day I bought them. My only regret is buying white, which is impossible to keep clean!"

02 of 06

The Best Plush Buy

Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towel Set $89.00
Shop

Softness: 5/5
Longevity: TBD
Review: "These are truly some of the softest towels I've ever felt; they make me feel pampered in my own home. While I've only had them for a month or two and therefore can't speak to the longevity with complete accuracy, they've held up very well through the first few washes. They're still as plush as they were when I first got them and show no signs of wear and tear. I love them!"

03 of 06

The Best Newcomer

Riley Spa Towel Set of Six $186.00
Shop

Softness: 5/5
Longevity: TBD
Review: "Since this is the 'spa collection,' these towels are almost comically huge. Wrapping yourself in a Riley body towel does make you feel like you're in a plush resort. In addition to the exaggerated size, I appreciate the slick hemming that makes them look so crisp and clean when hanging against your bathroom door."

04 of 06

The Best-Priced Buy

CB2 Channel Cotton Bath Towel $25.00

Softness: 4/5
Longevity: 4.5/5
Review: "I have a deep dislike of non-absorbant towels and sometimes that means forgoing fluff, which is also a bummer. These towels, however, deliver on both fluff and absorbency. I also like that they're lightweight and thin, especially in the summer and when I wrap my too-long hair up to dry. We're gearing up on our second anniversary, so it's probably time to replace them. Since they've worn really well over time, and I love the ribbed aesthetic, I'll definitely just get the same ones."

05 of 06

The Best Luxury Towel

Matouk Milagro Luxury Bath Sheet $78.00
Shop

Softness: 5/5
Longevity: 5/5
Review: "The Matouk Milagro towels are on the pricier side, but they are 100% worth the investment. They are the plushest, softest towels I've ever owned and they're still as soft today as they were when I first got them over two years ago."

06 of 06

The Best Bundle Buy

Snowe The Starter Bathe Bundle $135.00
Shop

Softness: 3/5
Longevity: TBD
Review: "Snowe is a one-stop-shop for first apartment and wedding registry items, and this towel starter bundle is no exception. Its incredible value for 13 items: the set includes four washcloths, four hand towels, four bath towels, and a bath mat. If you prefer light, classic towels over densely plush bath sheets this option is for you."