The Best Quick

Aug 02, 2023

If you’ve ever reached for a bath towel that's still damp from the last time you used it, you likely haven't forgotten about the experience...and you’re now well aware of the importance of investing in one of the best quick-dry towels on the market. These specialized cloths are highly absorbent—certainly more so than most of their "regular" towel counterparts—and yet most premium models still feel soft to the touch. Note, too, that ensuring that your towel dries quickly isn't just a matter of preference and comfort; it can also minimize the odds of bacteria or odor build-up. In 2023, our top recommendation is Brooklinen's Classic Bath Towel, a not-so-conventional pick that isn't uniquely marketed toward the quick-drying camp, but offers the best of both worlds: a relatively plush feel alongside fast drying capabilities.

The best quick dry towels are highly absorbent, and yet most premium models still feel soft to the ... [+] touch.

Less expensive quick-dry towels are usually made from wicking microfiber polyester or a nylon material, says Ajoy Sakar, Ph.D., assistant chair and professor of Textile Development and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. However, some higher-quality quick-dry towels are crafted from pure cotton for a softer feel. "These towels offer the convenience of repeated use within a narrow time frame—a dry towel every time," he says. "As well, drying quickly prevents mildew growth." You might be surprised to know, though, that when it comes to getting these towels to dry faster than standard models, for manufacturers, it's less about material—and all about finding the right weave. The fast drying time is "always helpful, especially if you’re on the go a lot," says Preeti Arya, Ph.D, assistant professor of Textile Development and Marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She points out that these towels can be great for people who travel a lot, those who shower at the gym and people who like to wash up more than once a day.

Brooklinen

Forget just the quick-dry designation: Brooklinen's bestselling set of Classic Towels earned some of the highest marks in our wider test to determine the best bath towels on the market.Crafted from 100% Turkish cotton, this towel has a soft, spa-like feel—you’ll want to bury your face right into it—and it's generous in the size department, too. Most customers appreciate that it's also perfectly plush: It won't engulf you in too much fluff, but it won't disappoint those who prefer a little extra comfort, either. (In fact, the towel used to be called Brooklinen's "Mid-Plush" option.) Offered in a variety of colors, it's a quick-drying wonder and a beautiful, statement-making bathroom accessory all in one.

Wayfair

Quality quick-dry towels for less than $6.50 a pop? That's what this Latitude Run set is offering—and with two bath towels, two hand towels and two wash cloths all included, that's a pretty phenomenal deal. It's true that the 52- by 27-inch towels aren't the largest you’ll find, but they’re still fairly roomy. And like our top pick, these towels, too, are crafted from 100% cotton. A low pile gives them a classic quick-dry towel feel, but the dobby weave border adds texture and visual interest (it’ll also help stop the towel from fraying over time). Choose from several different colors to really make it your own.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn's bestselling towels are made from 100% Turkish cotton for a plush look and feel, but combined with the brand's special weaving process, they’re fast-drying to boot. That's all thanks to untwisted loops, which help to make these towels incredibly absorbent. Meanwhile, the base material of long-staple cotton offers a wonderfully smooth surface that won't easily pill or tear over time (customers vouch for the fact that these become even softer with repeat washing). The bath towels come in a 28- by 55-inch size, but taller bathers may prefer the brand's bath sheet, which is a generous 40- by 72-inches.

Coyuchi Inc.

The fact of the matter is, all beach towels should be quick-dry towels—but that's not the case. Coyuchi's Mediterranean organic towels, though, don't disappoint. They’re made with a flat weave that dries quickly in the sun, and they’re also yarn-dyed to preserve their color over time. Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic Turkish cotton, you might find that these towels feel a bit different than standard looped terrycloth—namely, they’re not as plush. That said, they can help you dry off fast, which is a big plus for frequent beach-goers and pool owners.

Parachute

Parachute's waffle weave towels are a great choice for anyone who's partial to this type of texture. They’re made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton for a spa-like look that feels soft against your skin, and they’ve got an impressive level of absorbency. Available in three shades (Grey, Terra and Charcoal), you can customize the look to make them your own or even choose matching hand towels to complete the set.

Most quick-dry towels can be put in the dryer, yes. However, it's important to read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions thoroughly before doing so. Cotton towels will be just fine in the washer; those made with synthetic fibers might need to be dried at a low heat. "At a high heat, they might melt," Arya warns.

Bamboo towels and textiles made from bamboo are essentially rayon, Arya says—the end result of processing the bamboo plant. "Bamboo is chopped into pieces, dissolved into a chemical and then extruded like a fiber," she explains. "It's just marketing and misleading information—people think this material is coming straight from the stalk or grass, but it's not. It's chemically treated, dissolved and converted into a honey-like solution first." For that reason, bamboo towels "have a pretty decent absorbency like cotton and, if they’re lightweight, they can dry faster," Arya says. However, cotton towels tend to be softer and feel more plush than their bamboo counterparts.

Theoretically, these types of towels should dry well in the dryer, but if you find that your towels aren't getting fully dry, there could be an issue with your appliance or a discrepancy with the manufacturer's preferred mode of cleaning. Towels do tend to be some of the most difficult laundry items to dry and if your dryer's vent is clogged or your appliance isn't performing up to par, your towels could come out still damp. If it's been a minute since you had your dryer vents cleaned or you suspect that there's an issue with your dryer vent, consider having a professional come out to take a look and perform this routine maintenance. If that doesn't work, it may be worth your time to have your dryer serviced.