Top 10 Best Bath Towels in the UK 2021 (John Lewis, Orla Kiely and More)

In this section, our aim is to make it easier for you to choose your perfect bath towel. Whether you'd like a set or a single bath sheet, we've broken down the buying process into straightforward steps so you can find a product that works for you. 

We recommend choosing natural, 100% cotton towels over synthetic polyester blends. Cotton is not only softer but also more absorbent and durable. Here are some of the benefits of the various types of cotton bath towels available to buy.

Towels made from 100% cotton are a superior choice as they're incredibly soft and absorb water well. One exception here would be a cotton-bamboo blend, as bamboo is another natural material with similar properties. That aside, when shopping for towels online, you may notice that some are made using particular types of cotton.

Egyptian cotton certainly has glamorous connotations, and this fabric does live up to the hype. Egyptian cotton is hand-picked near the River Nile. Hand-picking puts less stress on cotton fibres, so its particularly long fibres remain undamaged. This results in towels that are highly absorbent, fade-resistant and softer to the touch.

Another cotton option is USA-grown Supima® which lends itself to a more heavyweight towel. Machine-picked Supima® towels are among the thickest, described as being stronger than other types of cotton up to as much as 45%! Durable and long-lasting, it rivals Egyptian cotton on both texture and price.

If you have environmental concerns, you might want to consider buying sustainably sourced cotton. Along with feeling extra snuggly against the skin, these towels are also better for the planet.

Look for towels crafted from cotton made in collaboration with sustainable initiatives. These initiatives work alongside farmers to encourage mindful farming practices, minimise environmental damage and ensure workers receive a fair wage.

If the weave of the towel is listed, you’ll likely notice the term zero twist cotton, as well as the brand name Hygro® on certain products. As the name would suggest, zero twist cotton is woven without twisting the fibres, which helps to make your towel feel softer to the touch. Unfortunately, they tend to produce lint when tumble dried and are less durable than other weaves.

Hygro® weave towels have fluff and bounce, which becomes accentuated during the tumble-drying process. They're also much more absorbent than a zero twist weave and are luxuriously thick and warm. Perfect for stepping out of the shower on chilly mornings!

Finally, there are single or double loop towels. All towels are woven using loops rather than flat threads to create their fluffy, bouncy texture. Double loop just means the loops are packed twice as densely so that the towel feels full and springy to the touch.

Next, decide whether you'd prefer to buy a single towel or a set. Sets are usually better value overall, but may not necessarily contain all the elements of your dream towel collection. Although costlier, selecting separate towels from a range will allow you to choose the exact ones you need for your home or personal self-care routine. 

Whether you buy separates or a set, look to see what size towels are available. Towel ranges generally include a face cloth, a hand towel, a standard bath towel and a larger bath sheet. Some ranges also include a 'guest towel' which is smaller than a hand towel, but larger than a face cloth, and can be used for either the face or hands.

 The acronym 'GSM' stands for grams per square metre. This number denotes the towel's weight, thickness and density. 

If you're searching for a quick-drying, lightweight towel, pick one with a density between 300 and 450 GSM. Towels between 500 and 650 GSM, meanwhile, will be more absorbent, luxurious and dense. 

Though they can be a bit pricier, if you're after something extra opulent to use at bath time (especially during winter), a towel with a GSM of 700 or more will be the most lavish option of all!

Lastly, it's smart to take the time to look at the care instructions before you buy. If you regularly use a tumble dryer, many options may not be suitable. Likewise, if you excel at domestic life far enough to actually iron your towels, you'll need to check if they can be ironed and at what temperature.

Towels that can be effectively washed at 30 degrees will help save energy per cycle, making them a brilliant choice for those trying to do their bit in the fight against climate change. 

Now we've got the basics out of the way, let's move on to the fun part! It's time to introduce our top 10 favourite towels to buy online in the UK. Why not browse our recommendations and see which one takes your fancy?

Being wrapped in a freshly washed and warm towel after a shower is almost as good as getting a cuddle from your favourite person, or pet! But how do you keep those towels oh-so-soft? We have some tips based on the most frequently asked questions on the internet.

It’s strongly recommended that you wash your towels after 3-5 good uses. This is because these towels have seen it all from excess body oils, soap suds and perhaps even some faecal matter. In addition, if you leave your towels to dry in the humid bathroom this can create the perfect bacterial breeding ground. 

The best way to keep your towels soft and fluffy is to skip the fabric softener and use distilled white vinegar instead. Fabric softeners tend to have ingredients that coat the towels and reduce absorbency, leading to excess washing; whereas the vinegar will soften towels while also killing any bacteria.

Contrary to what you may think, bathrooms aren’t the best place to store your towels. You want to store them somewhere away from the humidity to prevent mould and mildew buildup as well as attracting dirt particles from the air. A dry cupboard or covered container is the best place for them.

What better way to wash your troubles away than with a steaming hot bath? Below are some links to our favourite bathing-based articles to help you beautify your body and your space. Read on to discover ways to make bathtime even more blissful!

So this brings us to the end of our adventure through the world of bath towels! From luxury fluffy towel sets to simple stylish bath sheets for one, our towel top ten almost has enough great picks for your collection to rival that of Monica from Friends. We've never been more excited to get out of the shower. 

Author: Annie Hopkins