The Best Beach Towels of 2024

Warm weather is approaching, and if you're planning a socially isolated vacation to the beach this summer, you'll need a large beach towel to keep yourself dry. A beach towel, unlike other towels you could have at home, will be stepped on, exposed to the sun, salt water, and chlorine — and used as a tanning bed, cover-up, and blanket.

While our natural instinct is to want a big, soft, fluffy towel, it's important to find a strong towel that isn't too thick or it will take too long to dry. To help you select the perfect towel for the summer, we compiled a list of the best beach towels available on Amazon. 

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• Best Rating: Utopia Towels - Luxurious Jumbo Bath Sheet

• Best Plush: CLOWOOD Plush Oversized Beach Towel

• Best Lightweight: Nature Is Gift Organic Peshtemal Towels 

• Best Extra-Large: Wise Owl Outfitters Oversized Beach Towel 

• Best Pack: Utopia Towels Cabana Stripe Beach Towel

• Best Beach Blanket: Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican Beach Blanket

1. Material 

Cotton, in general, reigns supreme in terms of absorbency and overall feel. While polyester and cotton blends offer a velvety texture, they don't absorb as much moisture as cotton. 

Turkish cotton, in particular, excels in terms of absorbency and speed of drying. Turkish cotton towels are also thinner in order to improve their functionality. 

Check out the WETCAT Turkish Beach Towel if you’re looking for the best Turkish beach towel on the market.

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2. Texture 

The length of the woven loops influences how quickly the towel dries. Densely woven fibers are more resistant to wear and tear in terms of durability. Towels with selvage edges, or tight stitching around the exterior to avoid stretching and fraying, are the most durable.

We love the Maya Island Luxury Turkish Beach Towels’s texture: flat woven top and Terry loop backing for quick drying and absorbency. With the terry loop backing, it can also be used as a towel rather than merely a beach throw.

3. Weight

Wrapping yourself in a fluffy towel after a swim in cool water is extremely comforting, but heavier materials take longer to dry. Thinner towels like the Nature Is Gift Organic Peshtemal Towels, on the other hand, don't have the same blanket-like feel, but they're more likely to air out in time for you to towel off after another swim. 

It's all a matter of personal taste. GSM, or grams per square meter, is how a towel's weight is expressed. The GSM of the towel determines how light and thin it is.

4. Portability

If you plan on spending the entire day at the beach, a luxurious, super-sized towel that can accommodate two or more people might suffice. 

However, you'll want to choose a more portable choice if you're planning on wading in the surf for a few hours before traveling to your next adventure—or if you're going on vacation and want to carry light. 

In the latter case, use lightweight, standard-size towels (about 30-ish x 60-ish inches) or a thin family-sized beach blanket that can be quickly rolled up and put in a bag. A thinner construction has the advantage of drying more quickly. 

The Nature Is Gift Organic Peshtemal Towels is also our top pick for the best lightweight category. These Pestemal towels are thin but absorbent, and they dry quickly. These machine-washable towels use less energy in the washing machine and dryer.

1. What is the ideal beach towel size?

Around 30" x 60". The regular beach towel is about 30 inches by 60 inches, with the much sought-after gigantic beach towel being roughly 40 inches by 70 inches or larger, compared to the measurements of an average bath towel, which is approximately 27 inches by 52 inches.

2. Is it worthwhile to invest in sand-free towels?

While the advantages of sand-"repelling," moisture-wicking towels are clear, sand-free towels are often thinner than traditional beach towels. As a result, they aren't as soft or comfy to lie on. They are, nonetheless, worth considering if avoiding sand is a priority.

3. Which towels are the quickest to dry?

The best microfiber beach towels such as the Elite Trend Microfiber Towels are superior to cotton terry beach towels and offer numerous advantages. For starters, they're ultra-absorbent and quick-drying - depending on the manufacturer, they can dry three to eight times faster than a typical towel.

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A top quality beach towel is a must-have throughout the summer months, whether you enjoy the ocean, the pool, or some quiet time by the lake. 

Of course, when it comes to choosing the best beach towels, there are numerous possibilities. Do you want a plush or a microfiber one? Are you looking for something with a unique design or classic stripes? What about size—do you want a normal towel or one that is extra long to fit a taller build?

With that in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect one for your needs. Thank you!