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10 Best Quick-Drying Towels That’ll Always Feel Fresh

From fluffy to lightweight options.

Headshot of Daisy MaldonadoBy Daisy Maldonado
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Showers are our sanctuary. Whether your bath routine includes that special hair mask or features an impromptu therapy session between you and… yourself, it gives us the time to peel away from the outside world, if only for just a few minutes. And the quickest way to snap out of your good mood to a bad one? Reaching for a towel only to realize it never dried properly.

Simply put: It’s gross, leaves a musty smell, and it’s more than likely happened to all of us at least once! There could be a number of reasons why your towels didn’t dry properly. And replacing your current lineup with some of the best quick-drying towels on the market can help avoid the uncomfy situation altogether. These towels are highly absorbent, lightweight, and designed to have a fast dry time. It’s not your job to wait around for them to dry off!

Our top picks for the best quick-dry bath towels of 2023:

  • 1
    Temescal Organic Towels

    best overall

    Coyuchi Temescal Organic Towels

    $78 at Coyuchi
    Read more
  • 2
    Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels

    best colors

    Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels

    Read more
  • 3
    Waffle Towels

    best waffle

    Parachute Home Waffle Towels

    Read more
  • 4
    Ultralight Bath Towels

    best lightweight

    Brooklinen Ultralight Bath Towels

    Read more
  • 5
    Everyday Textured Organic Towels

    best textured

    West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels

    Read more

Experiencing similar towel woes and looking to break up with your current towel (it’s not you, it’s them!!)? Below, we’ve listed some popular picks that would never do you dirty.

1
best overall

Coyuchi Temescal Organic Towels

Temescal Organic Towels
1
best overall

Coyuchi Temescal Organic Towels

$78 at Coyuchi
Credit: Coyuchi
Pros
  • Available in a six-piece set with two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths
  • Comes in six different colors
  • 100% organic cotton
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Some shoppers noticed that it shrunk slightly after the first wash

The feel of these organic cotton towels from Coyuchi can’t be beat. Spun with the brand’s long-staple Turkish cotton into a lightweight yarn, the efficacy is taken a step further thanks to the weaved texture that enhances its overall drying power. It’s soft, plush, and absorbent—aka everything you want in a towel.

2
best colors

Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels

Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels
2
best colors

Pottery Barn Hydrocotton Organic Quick-Dry Towels

Credit: Pottery Barn
Pros
  • Comes in 16 different colors
  • Woven of 100% organic long staple Turkish Cotton
Cons
  • Not recommended to use with facial products

Never pass up on a chance to add some color into your home, at least, those are my thoughts! Pottery Barn’s selection offers you various different hues to choose from in a range of muted pastels that aren’t too loud but give just the right amount of boldness. Aside from color, the towels themselves are made with a weaving process that results in them being highly absorbent.

3
best waffle

Parachute Home Waffle Towels

Waffle Towels
3
best waffle

Parachute Home Waffle Towels

Credit: Parachute
Pros
  • 100% long-staple Turkish cotton
  • Durable
  • Comes in four different colors
Cons
  • Some shoppers note that the weave construction makes them difficult to fold properly

There’s something about a waffle construction that just feels luxurious. Can you say at-home spa much?! Parachute’s selection is lightweight and has a minimalist look that fits any aesthetic. These towels are textured with a soft honeycomb weave that not only looks mega chic but also is very quick-drying.

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4
best lightweight

Brooklinen Ultralight Bath Towels

Ultralight Bath Towels
4
best lightweight

Brooklinen Ultralight Bath Towels

Now 10% Off
Credit: Brooklinen
Pros
  • Comes in a set of two
  • Affordable
  • 100% Turkish Cotton
  • Comes in four different colors
Cons
  • Some reviewers mention that the towels feel too “flimsy”

If you’re looking for a supremely thin, lightweight type of towel, you don’t need to look any further. Brooklinen’s Ultralight Bath Towels have all the info you need in the name itself, and they don’t disappoint. Compact and fast-drying, these are low-maintenance towels you won’t have to think twice about.

5
best textured

West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels

Everyday Textured Organic Towels
5
best textured

West Elm Everyday Textured Organic Towels

Now 20% Off
Credit: West Elm
Pros
  • Has a loop for easy hanging
  • Free shipping
  • Affordable
  • Available in a six-piece set with two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths
Cons
  • Color might fade over time

These towels are made in Portugal of two-ply organic cotton yarns. The result? A durable blend of softness and absorbency that you’ll appreciate having in your bathroom routine. The ribbed texture is a classic one you can’t go wrong with. And if you’re looking for matching washcloths or hand towels, those are available to purchase separately or as a bundle!

6
best beach towel

Dock & Bay Cabana Towel

Cabana Towel
6
best beach towel

Dock & Bay Cabana Towel

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Comes in various different sizes
  • Comes in 18 different colors
  • Made of 100% recycled materials
Cons
  • Hand-wash only

“Let’s go to the beach-each, let’s go get a wave,” is what you’ll be saying to this bb when the weather gets hotter. Your new plus-one for the season, this lovely cabana towel is compact and comes with a handy pouch to tuck away once you’re done using. If you’re driving or hopping a ride on your local transit, the last thing you want to be is dripping wet. This handy towel will ensure you’re dry enough after jumping in the waves all day.

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7
best value

Latitude Run Quick Dry Cotton Towel Set

Quick Dry Cotton Towel Set
7
best value

Latitude Run Quick Dry Cotton Towel Set

Credit: Wayfair
Pros
  • 100% natural cotton
  • Hypoallergenic
Cons
  • Some shoppers noticed that towels pulled easily
  • Some reviews mention that they are “too thin”

Budget-friendly options are not to be slept on, so we found you a pick we think does a great job at drying quickly—at a price you’ll love. For less than $20, you can snag a six-piece set for your apartment that includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths.

8
best turkish cotton

Parachute Home Classic Towels

Classic Towels
8
best turkish cotton

Parachute Home Classic Towels

Credit: Parachute
Pros
  • Comes in seven different colors
  • Thick
  • Available in a six-piece set that includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths
Cons
  • Some shoppers noticed stains after delivery
  • Reviewers note it might pull over time

Plush towels feel like a hug, and these thick ones from Parachute certainly deliver. Although they are very plush, they’re also more quick-drying than most highly absorbent towels on the market.

9
best for hair

Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap

Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap
9
best for hair

Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap

Now 30% Off
Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Has a twist and loop elastic design
  • Comes in a set of four
Cons
  • Some shoppers note it might not work as well for those with thick or long hair

Ensuring your hair doesn’t poof up minutes after getting out of the shower is a constant struggle for many. This cutie towel wrap will make it so your hair dries and helps prevent static. It’s gentle enough that it won’t cause breakage either.

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10
best for travel

Eddie Bauer Travelon Anti-Bacterial Towel

Travelon Anti-Bacterial Towel
10
best for travel

Eddie Bauer Travelon Anti-Bacterial Towel

Credit: Amazon
Pros
  • Mesh carrying bag included
Cons
  • Only comes in one color

Planning on collecting another stamp on your passport soon? This compact towel is a travel must-have. It's lightweight and easy to pack. You’ll love having this on hand for any and all adventures to come.

Headshot of Daisy Maldonado
Daisy Maldonado
Associate Shopping Editor

Daisy Maldonado is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan who loves writing about fashion trends, must-have beauty products, and digital culture. When she's not writing, you can almost certainly find her shopping (she knows her credit card numbers by heart) or obsessing over celebrity news. Although she’s acquired an extensive closet over the years, her favorite item she owns is a Harry Styles Love On Tour hoodie she purchased at his concert in Manchester. Daisy's work has appeared on Refinery29, The Daily Beast, E! News, Allure and more. Keep up with all of her chaotic travels, NYC life and fashionable moments on her Instagram. 

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