Best beach towel

You might be splashing in the garden, paddling pool with the kids, or jetting off on holiday, but whichever’s the case, a great beach towel is a must. It’ll make any lounger soft and comfortable to lie on as well as dry you off after a splash around or a swim. Our selection includes brilliant designs in both classic cotton and synthetic fibres and to suit both adults and younger family members. Take a look at our top picks.

You’ll get four in this beach towel set, making them a good value buy. As they’re each different colours, you can allocate a different shade to each family member to avoid squabbles. The towels are 76 by 152 centimetres in size, providing a good surface area to lie on whether they’re on a lounger or the sand. They’re made from 100 per cent cotton and should be washed before first use for best absorbency, and putting them in a separate cycle to minimise lint is also advisable. Some reviewers would have preferred them to be thicker although, a little thinner than a bath towel, they are a lighter addition to a suitcase.

If you’re looking for a beach towel that won’t take up much room in your suitcase nor add much weight, this design might be right up your street. It’s made from microfibre and weighs just 0.3kg, so it’s no burden to take wherever you go. The sunset motif makes for a pleasing view even if your destination isn’t quite so tropical, and there are a range of alternatives if these trees and turtles aren’t your favourites. Bear in mind that its dimensions are 140 by 70 centimetres. In my experience, many people prefer a larger beach towel.

Little ones will fall for this beach towel featuring the lovable Minions. Use it in the garden to dry off after a splash around the paddling pool, or take it away on holiday. It’s sufficiently unbulky to fold neatly into your luggage while, at 70 by 140 centimetres; it’s not large but fine for children’s use. Like many others in our selection, this towel is made from 100 per cent cotton for softness and washes in the machine.

Go for this beach towel, and you can select from a range of wonderful colours, both striped and plain. My favourite is this sunny yellow and white stripe, but if that’s not to your taste, there’s bound to be an alternative that appeals. This is another beach towel made from microfibre, so it has a suede-like feel distinct from that of cotton, and its texture has the advantage that sand can easily be shaken off.  I like the fact that it’s made from recycled materials, and it dries quickly, too. It’s generously sized at 160 by 90 centimetres.

Want a beach towel with great style credentials to use in the garden or on your travels? I like this flamingo design, which is just the ticket with its elegant painterly motif. The colour combination is lovely, too, and the blue ground has pretty detail. It’s well sized for a lounger or to spread out on the sand at 76 by 160 centimetres and made from 100 per cent cotton. Some reviewers would have liked it to be thicker, but it works as a beach towel and is easy to pack. 

For a low-cost pick that delivers when it comes to durability, take a look at this beach towel. It’s ideal for those who prefer a fluffy feel rather than the smooth texture of microfibre. Made from 100 per cent ring-spun cotton for softness, it’s designed to last through repeated use and washing and drying, and the edges are hemmed for strength. There are only three colours to select from, but they’re all attractive, and the wide cabana stripe won’t go out of style. It isn’t the biggest towel in our selection, but it’s still decently sized at 76.2 by 152.4 centimetres.

Our verdict

Think style as well as practicality with your choice of beach towel. Our number one is the Utopia Towels cabana stripe beach towels. You’ll get four different coloured striped designs in the pack, and they’re soft in 100 per cent cotton. 

If you’re shopping for a younger family member, the Despicable Me beach towel could definitely be a winning choice with its fun design, and its size is just right for drying little ones off. Meanwhile, a style-conscious teen or adult should love the Catherine Lansfield flamingo beach towel with its chic pattern.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Why trust me?

As a writer about interiors and gardens, I love to assess the value, practicality and style of the products we buy for use at home and away, including summer must-haves like these beach towels.