The 6 Best Bath Towels for Every Budget
Get the best bath towels your money can buy!
Are the best bath towels really the most expensive ones?
We’re debating on how much you should really spend on bath towels, and after hearing from the entire Hip2Save team, we’re also sharing the top 6 best towels to buy on a budget. Our picks are soft, high-quality, and will actually last.
Keep reading for all our top towel recommendations, tips, and team feedback on how much we spend!
1. Sam’s Club Hotel Premier Collection bath towel by Member’s Mark
According to my Hip sidekick, Chelsey, these affordable 100% cotton bath towels never fall apart and are great at holding their color! If you’re a Sam’s Club member, you can score a set of these oversized towels at an amazing price! Not only are they oversized, extra soft, and super-absorbant, but they’re also cosmetic-friendly so they’re resistant to fading from all your favorite beauty products.
2. Linden Street Performance Solid Bath Towel
Linden Street Performance Solid Bath Towel – $8.99 (regularly $15)
Use promo code BESTDAD9 at checkout (20% off)
Final cost just $7.19
These 30″ x 54″ towels were made to perform. They are antimicrobial, fast-drying, durable, and super absorbent. They come with Intellifresh technology for extra odor protection. You’ll love the dreamy selection of cooler-toned colors like elderberry, vapor gray, and light indigo
These soft, fade-resistant towels are made of 89% cotton and 11% recycled polyester for sustainability. Best of all, they are verified free of harmful levels of over 300 harmful substances.
3. Sonoma Goods For Life Ultimate Bath Towel With Hygro Technology
Sonoma Goods For Life Ultimate Bath Towel – $8.99 (regularly $11.99)
Use promo code SAVE25 at checkout (25% off)
Final cost just $6.74
Some towels seem to wear after washing, but not these soft and super absorbent towels by Sonoma Goods For Life. These towels use Hygro-technology which means they are made with hollow-center cotton and will feel plusher after every wash. They are also made with Spot Stop technology so you can say goodbye to your facial products discoloring your towels. They really are the ultimate, and at this price point, they’re an incredible deal.
“I did a full refresh of towels when they were on sale during Black Friday a couple years ago and they’ve held up great! I opted for all white so that I could wash them hot (for sanitation) and bleach when needed (because I wipe a lot of makeup off on them 😅). They wash great and I really don’t even bleach them often, but they’re probably due for a laundry stripping refresh soon. They’re such a great price when on sale based on the quality, and the price totally allows for a full refresh of towel inventory!” – Emily, Hip sidekick
4. Charisma Bath Towels from Costco
Buy them at Costco – $22.99 (for 2 bath towels)
Buy them on Amazon – $16.60 (single bath towel)
Lina on our team has been using these towels for over two years and she said that they’re still fluffy, thick, and they haven’t piled for frayed. These towels are designed with Hygro cotton, meaning they have a patented spinning technology using a hollow core cotton yarn which makes them ultra-soft and quick drying. So if you’re looking to replace all your towels, as Lina did, these will be sure to check off all the boxes on your must-have list.
As a bonus, if you’re a Costco member they’re also in-store at a great price! You can scoop up regular bath towel sizes or bath sheets. Plus, they’re normally $11.50 per towel, but they occasionally go on sale for just $9.99 so keep your eyes peeled!
5. Hammam Linen Turkish Cotton Towel Set
This 4-pack of premium Turkish cotton towels will give you a luxurious feel at an affordable price. These eco-friendly towels are fluffy and super absorbent. Pop them in the washing machine whenever they need a cleaning. They get fluffier with every wash and they have double-stitched edges to provide durability. Choose the shade that matches your style. Hammam Linen offers 12 appealing color options!
6. BOSPHORUS Cotton Turkish Towel Set
BOSPHORUS Cotton Turkish Towel Set – $63.80 (for a set of 4!)
If you’re short on space, you’re going to love how small these cotton Turkish towels fold up. Not only are they one of my team member’s favorite towels, but they’re also the best-selling Turkish towel on Amazon and rated one of the best by The Spruce!
They’ll take up a fraction of the space compared to regular bath towels and are so pretty to look at no matter where you put them. Given their high-quality diamond weave, they’ll also dry quicker than any other towel you’ve owned!
Let’s talk about how often should you wash your bath towel:
You can extend the life of your towels by avoiding unnecessary laundering. It’s recommended that you wash your bath towels after every 3-4 uses. Make sure to hang your towel immediately after each use as proper air circulation encourages faster drying and reduces the risk of mildew and bacteria.
A few additional things to keep in mind:
- Eliminate excess moisture in the air where you hang your towel by leaving the door open, using an exhaust fan, or opening a window.
- If you’re sick, wash your towel after each use to avoid the spread of germs.
- If a damp towel has been hanging out in a pile on the floor for an extended length of time, wash it. Lack of airflow encourages bacteria growth.
Hip Tip: Bring your towels back to life by giving them a deep cleaning. Thanks to Lina, we learned how to do laundry stripping – great for your everyday towels, and you probably didn’t even realize they were that dirty, to begin with!
Our team had a lot to say about bath towels and price points…
I’ve broken down our team’s feedback based on whether each of us goes for the cheapest options, if we look for the solid middle ground, or spend all our money on luxury towels.
Here’s what those who bought cheap bath towels had to say:
“I love love love the Kohl’s The Sonoma Goods for Life bath towels! I did a full refresh of towels when they were on sale during Black Friday a couple years ago and they’ve held up great!”– Emily
“In our house, the guest bathroom and kid’s bathroom have towels that are easily replaceable and they are all white so I can clean and bleach them without worry.” – Stacy
Here’s what the mid-rangers had to say:
“My dream towels are the Turkish ones from Restoration Hardware, but for now I’ll settle for Charisma line from Costco. See my review. My thing is I don’t like them too small – the larger the better for bath towels!” – Lina
“I love a fluffy and warm towel but I’m not willing to pay too much to have one. The mid-range towels give me the softness and longevity I desire without making me feel like I overspent. – Kara
And here’s what those who bought luxury bath towels had to say:
“There’s something about wrapping yourself up after a warm shower or bath in a high-quality towel versus settling for something cheap. As I’ve gotten older, I’m all about the higher-quality items that not only last longer but give you the experience of luxury! I currently love the Lacoste Legend Supima Cotton Bath Towels from Macy’s. They are large, thick, and such high quality, plus they often go on sale!” – Collin
How much do I spend on bath towels?
Whenever I need some new towels, it’s because I’ve totally had it with the ones I currently have so I’m looking for new ones in a pinch. That said, I can always turn to Home Goods for quality towels at a decent price.
As for the color, they always have white ones in stock, which is my favorite to buy since I just bleach them frequently to keep them fresh and crisp. I know bleach isn’t normally the best way to clean whites, but it’s my favorite. With having 3 kiddos, towels tend to get used and abused in our house, so I can’t justify spending a ton on them. I do still care about the softness though, so I just feel for whatever’s softest in the store and run from there!
Thinking about bedding, too? Check out our Lina’s favorite Costco sheets!
Lol I love to use beach towels.
Lol same.
I also use beach towels. Buy extra when on sale, of course. They are quicker to dry.
I love the towels from Costco! Seriously considering the all white route….currently have navy blue, but they do fade after so many washings.
I love white towels, Michelle! Let me know what you decide! 🙂
These are my favorite because they are quick dry https://www.jcpenney.com/p/jcpenney-home-quick-dri-textured-solid-bath-towels/ppr5007212643?pTmplType=regular
Right? I have the charisma and they take up too much space and never dry. I love the jcpenney ones that I bought on sale! They are so much better.
So glad you found some towels that work well for you, Hilary!
Awesome, thanks for sharing, Angela!
Those are my absolute favorite too and you can get great deals on them!
Yes, I wanted to know who had the best quick dry towels
A Star Hip2Saver is a recognized member of our Hip2Save community hand selected by our team for demonstrating a long history of engagement with helpful & friendly comments across Hip2Save.com and our social channels. Our Star Hip2Saver badge acts as a verification for readers who know the ins and outs of all Hip2Save sets out to accomplish — assisting our community to live extraordinary lives on ordinary budgets. Readers cannot pay or provide any sort of exchange in order to earn this badge. Rather, they are invited to participate by a member of the Hip2Save team and opt to have the Star Hip2Saver badge added to their profile & comments.
Love the article! I have some new varieties to try now!
Here are a few laundry tips to keep towels fresh and clean with the least amount of work: if your washer allows set for an extra rinse, override the automatic water level and set to high, and use hot water for the wash. Be careful not to use too much detergent and if you just have to minimal softener. If there’s no build up in the first place there’s no problem. If you suspect there’s buildup just wash several times in your washer with hot water and no detergent and no softener. Towels still stinky after washing and they can’t be bleached? There’s a bacteria load in the towels since washing even in hot water doesn’t get it all. My go to options to kill the bacteria are OdoBan, or Lysol laundry sanitizer or line drying in the hot sun.
Thanks so much for sharing, JD827!
I buy mine on sale when you post them (if they have them in the color I want) on your site.
I love that shopping tip, patricialavenz-goff! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I got some kookaburra by ugg towels on clearance at kohl’s last week. They feel so luxurious. I’ve always just bought cheap towels but these seem worth it for the clearance price.
I was SO tempted to grab the comforter from that brand, also on clearance, but the reviews said it fell apart in the washing machine. Please come back and let us know how the towels do in the wash!!
Wow, that’s awesome, Jess! Thanks for sharing!
A Star Hip2Saver is a recognized member of our Hip2Save community hand selected by our team for demonstrating a long history of engagement with helpful & friendly comments across Hip2Save.com and our social channels. Our Star Hip2Saver badge acts as a verification for readers who know the ins and outs of all Hip2Save sets out to accomplish — assisting our community to live extraordinary lives on ordinary budgets. Readers cannot pay or provide any sort of exchange in order to earn this badge. Rather, they are invited to participate by a member of the Hip2Save team and opt to have the Star Hip2Saver badge added to their profile & comments.
Two towels per person I think is the bare minimum. That allows for one towel for the body and one for the hair. Allow four per person if you don’t want to wait for the wash to be done to take a shower/wash frequently during flu season etc. if you have old towels that are just faded or thinner most animal shelters/ vets would love to have them;they can’t use frayed or loose bindings for animal safety. If you just hate the color seek out groups supporting women and teens escaping abuse and setting up a new home. If they are frayed and ugly cut them up and use as dish clothes or cleaning rags. Keep several old towels in the trunk of your car in case someone gets sick on the road or you have to change a tire and don’t want to sit directly in the ground. Too many towels is when it bothers you that you have no where to put them.
Thank you so much for this informative post! I have been known to return towels because they linted out too much ( I’m looking at you, the Big One at Kohl’s!) . Anyway, it’s nice to know what other people like. Thank you for all you do!
Some of the best towels I have are from H & M. I was shocked when someone told me where they get their towels. Some even have hooks for hanging the towel to dry. Affordable too!
Wow! Those sound so amazing, Puppysam1! Thanks for sharing.
I love the Charisma towels from Costco but my husband thinks they are too thick. I buy him and the kids Apt. 9 towels from Kohl’s. I swear by Apt. 9; we’ve had some of those towels for years and they hold up so well! I buy different colors for everyone in the family so everyone knows which towel, hand towel, washcloth is theirs. Our towels are solid colors (white, grey, brown and blue for the 4 of us). Guest towels all have a design – same design for all but different colors so the guests know which towel, etc. is theirs. Nothing worse than hanging up your towel then other people hang theirs and you have no idea which is yours. Maybe I am weird! LOL
That’s such a great idea to buy different colors for your family, Suzanne! Thanks so much for sharing your tips with us. 🙂
This is so helpful …thank you
You’re so welcome, lillianalvarez! Thank you for being a valued Hip reader!
My favorite are the Martha Stewart polka dot and striped ones from Macys. They are soft but not super thick is why I like them, besides the design being so cute lol.
I also have several of the different colored cheap Jcpenney brand bath towels that are more thicker. They are decent for a $5 towel. And I love picking out bright colors since I’m a very colorful person 🤣💜💚🧡.
I however, do not like a towel I picked up from Penneys a couple years ago that is suppose to be benzoyl peroxide resistant. Its scratchy and doesn’t absorb moisture like at all!
I love the Turkish towels … they take up no space and they dry quickly . I have converted my parents to these and they won’t go back to a regular towel .
That’s awesome, JennA! They really are great. 🙂
I use the Turkish towels as beach towels…I don’t know why I never considered using them as bath towels before?!
Let us know how you like using them in your bathroom, Kim! 😊
I love love love my bath sheets from The Company Store. Soft and absorbent and my current set going on 10 years old. Well worth the price, but I’ve always found great sales for stocking up when needed.
That’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with us, Amy. 🙂
My pillow towels are awesome! Soft, quick drying and look great!