8 Best Beach Towels You Can Get On Amazon Right Now

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Whether you live on a coast or you’re planning a vacation away, the perfect beach towel is one of the key elements to any day at the shore.

Even if you’re not beachside (hey, a backyard lawn chair counts too), there are countless uses for a beach towel, and a great one will last for years to come.

From towels that double as a sarong to oversized beach blankets, we’ve rounded up the best options for your needs. And at these prices, you can afford to stock up on towels for your whole family.

Best Overall: AmazonBasics Cotton Beach Towel Cabana Stripe

If you’re looking for a simple beach towel that gets the job done and looks stylish at the same time, the AmazonBasics Cabana Stripe towel is a great choice. For a bargain price, you get two matchings, vintage-inspired striped towels made of 100% ring-spun pure cotton.

They come in retro colors like navy blue, sky blue, yellow, and mint green, so they’ll look great in that next beachside Instagram. Each one is slightly oversized, measuring 30″ x 60″, making them the perfect size to wrap up in or toss over a chair.

While the AmazonBasics towel may not be the single highest quality towel on the market, the low price and good materials make it our pick for the best one overall.

If you don’t know what you need, and you’re just looking for a great standard towel that will keep you dry and last a good amount of time, you can’t go wrong with this chic Cabana Stripe towel. Reviewers say it dries quickly and absorbs fast — and they’re soft and thick for ultimate comfort.

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Best for Travel: WildHorn Outfitters Akumal Microfiber Beach Towel

Were you headed on a beach-y getaway? If packing a bulky towel in your carry-on isn’t an option, a travel beach towel may be a better choice for you. WildHorn Outfitters Akumal Microfiber Beach Towel is a compact miracle, taking up just 10″ x 3.5″ when stowed in its own personal travel bag.

Though it’s small enough that it won’t compromise souvenir space, it’s very effective when put to the test. Made of microfiber, the Akumal towel is 35″ x 75″ and holds up to four times its weight (one pound) in water. It comes in six beautiful water-inspired colors like “zen blue” and “port navy.”

Reviewers love how quickly the Akumal towel dries, stating that it wicks water and dries off within a few minutes. If your beach days require a lot of travel, the Akumal towel is a great choice for a fast-drying, compact towel you’ll use over and over again.

Best Sand-Free: Dock & Bay Microfiber Beach Towel

Sure, sand in your toes is nice, but sand everywhere else? Not so much. If you’re tired of finding sand everywhere, The Dock & Bay Microfiber Beach Towel may be the best choice for you.

This vibrant, retro towel is formulated to repel sand, making it easy to shake off and throw in the car. And if you like choices, the Dock & Bay has plenty of them—it comes in over 10 colors and three sizes (large, x-large, and round). If you want a standard towel that’s easy to transport, the large works well at 63″ by 31″.

It’s made of microfiber, and reviewers say the Dock & Bay ​soak up just as much water as a traditional towel. If you want a great sand-repelling towel, this trendy, eye-catching item is a great choice.

Best Oversized: Ocean Stripe Oversized Beach Towel

If you’re more of a traditional cotton beach towel person, this Ocean Stripe Oversized Beach Towel from Bed Bath & Beyond may be the best one for you. At 36″ x 72″, it’s oversized and large enough to give you room to stretch when laid out. It’s made from 100% cotton and has a soft, velvet-like feel.

The nautical blue and white design is neutral enough for everyone in your family, so it’s the perfect towel to buy if you’re looking for a matching set.

Reviewers love how plush the towel is and say it’s big enough for even the largest member of their family. While some of the other towels on our list may be a little larger, we love this one if you’re looking for an oversized beach towel that will suit every need and every water activity.

Best for Kids: Stephen Joseph Hooded Towel

Convincing your children that it’s time to leave the beach can be a difficult task, but this adorable Stephen Joseph hooded towel may make drying off to go home a little more fun.

It comes in four designs, including a shark, alligator, crab, and pirate. Each one has different details, like fins or claws that will make your child feel like he or she is playing dress-up each time it’s used. The towel is made from 100% cotton and runs 46″ by 23.5″, not including the hood.

Reviewers say the size is great for children under eight years old and rave about how quickly it absorbs water. It’s so adorable you’ll want to buy a second one for bath time. If you’re looking for a kids’ beach towel for your child or as a gift, the Stephen Joseph towel is our favorite choice.

Best Beach Blanket: Wekapo Beach Blanket Sandproof, Extra Large Oversized

A great beach blanket is one that is not only large enough to accommodate your whole family but also dries you off at the same time. The Wekapo Beach Blanket is 10′ x 9′ and is wide enough to hold up to seven adults comfortably.

It’s made of parachute nylon, so while it’s not meant to be used solely as a towel, it absorbs water quickly and efficiently and can be used with or without an additional towel on top.

The Wekapo Beach Blanket comes with a travel sack that can be used to easily store the blanket when it’s not in use and weighs just 0.9 pounds. Our favorite feature of this beach blanket is the sand pouches that allow you to use beach sand to anchor it to the ground, so you don’t have to worry about it being swept away.

Reviewers rave about the Wekapo beach towel, stating that it’s sand-proof and wicks water as well as any beach towel. While we’d recommend packing a few standard towels along with this beach blanket, it’s a must-have for any family that wants to spread out and enjoy the sun.

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Best Turkish: Wetcat Turkish Beach Towel

A Turkish towel is a great choice for the pool or beach because it’s lightweight, absorbent, and can double as a beach cover-up.

The Wetcat’s Turkish towels come in 32 colors and are 38″ x 71″, the perfect size for any beach day. Made from 100% Turkish cotton, this towel weighs just 10.8 ounces.

This Turkish towel is our top choice because Wetcat offers a full-year warranty against defects, such as running colors or fraying.

If you want a stylish beach towel that absorbs water quickly and has a wide range of utilities, a Turkish towel is a great choice. Reviewers say The Wetcat’s towels stand the test of time and look incredibly trendy to boot.

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Best Circular: Raajsee Round Mandala Beach Blanket

A circular towel is a fun way to spread out on the beach without using too much real estate. The Raajsee Round Mandala Beach Blanket is our pick for the best circular beach towel because it’s highly absorbent and comes in a wide range of styles to suit every personality.

The Raajsee Round Mandala Beach Blanket features 13 designs and measures 70″ across, large enough for two adults from stripes to flamingos. It’s made of microfiber, which makes it light enough to transport on flights or road trips.

Owners love how quickly it dries and say it’s the perfect shape for lounging. A circular beach towel is a great choice for beaches or picnics and easily converts from a blanket to a standard towel.

They’re trendy, and fun and the Raajsee Round Mandala Beach Blanket’s eye-catching designs mean no more searching for your blanket in a sea of beachgoers.

What to Look for in a Beach Towel

Construction

Beach towels are a staple for any beach-going person. For those with sensitive skin, the shorter loops of woven material will dry much more quickly than their longer counterparts.

The durability and resilience that you’re looking for in your towel can be found by taking note of selvage edges around the outside stitching to prevent stretching or fraying during wear & tear over time.

Material

If you’re looking for a towel that dries quickly, absorbs water, and is soft to the touch, cotton towels are your best bet. They come in many different textures – from thick velour-like finishes to thin cloths with high absorbency rates.

The Turkish variety of cotton has been proven as one of the most popular options when it comes to determining which type will work best in any given situation (such as drying off after bathing or using them while cooking).

Weight

One of the most enjoyable parts about getting out and into a warm pool is drying off afterward, but it can be hard to find towels that have just the right weight for your needs.

Thicker fabrics will take longer to dry than thinner ones. At the same time, lighter materials might not offer as cozy an experience after you towel yourself down from head to toe. Luckily there are options for every preference!

The GSM rating on the products indicates how heavy or light they’ll feel when wrapped around you – with lower ratings being more lightweight and thin.

Portability

For those looking to get some sun in the sand, there’s no need for a bulky towel. However, if you’re planning on spending all day at the water and want something more lightweight, then don’t worry.

Sleek, small towels are the best option when you’re looking for something that can easily be stored in your bag.

Thinner materials will also dry much quicker than a bulkier towel- and who doesn’t love an easy clean-up? Turkish tea or linen material is always perfect if you like to have options on what type of fabric feels right against your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a bath towel and a beach towel?

This question has been argued for years. Some say that they are different because of their size, while others believe it’s more about what you use them to dry off with.

For example, the size of standard beach towels ranges from 30 inches x 58 inches to 30″x 56″. Generally, most people use 27 inches by 52-inch baths or washcloths for personal hygiene. Still, you might find that these don’t work as well at drying your whole body after washing in soap water because they’re too small.

You’ll find that bath towels are usually one solid color, while beach towels might come with more colorful prints and patterns.

This might just depend on what look you’re going for – white may seem classic to some people’s bathrooms, or it could depend on how much attention they want their bathroom to get as everyone always compliments their decorating skills when they see those awesome-looking white fluffy ottomans stuffed with down pillows!

Is a microfiber beach towel better than cotton?

Microfiber is actually an incredibly fine synthetic fabric. It can be manufactured to resemble silk, wool, or even leather at times.

Because of its superior absorption rate, it’s efficient and versatile. However, because it is so thin, you’ll find that it doesn’t dry as quickly as cotton towels do – which means it needs more regular washing, drying, and folding. You will also need to handle microfibers with care, using only mild detergents and avoiding bleach, as this will deteriorate their quality quickly. If you want something for the beach but aren’t quite ready to commit to microfiber just yet, washcloths be a good alternative that’s easy to clean and maintain.

What is a biodegradable beach towel?

A popular choice, these towels are composed of material that does not take up landfill space if they’re thrown away accidentally. Biodegradable towels will give off harmful greenhouse gases when in the dump rather than overrunning landfills with plastic or other materials that can take centuries to break down completely.

Do I need one that’s sand-resistant?

Yes! The sand gets everywhere when you’re at the beach – which is part of what makes it so great, but not what you want when you get back home. Sand could easily damage your towel (or hurt bare feet) if it’s clinging to it when you pack up for home.

If you know, there will be a lot of beach time in your future. You might want to look for one with back loops so you can hang it up without having it touch anything that’s not clean. If they’re not sturdy enough or if the material doesn’t hold them easily, then opt for something that is non-absorbent, like canvas or polyester, rather than cotton towels since they won’t hold on to as much sand (and most likely won’t cling to the outside of your bag either).

How do I clean my microfiber beach towel?

When all else fails, and you really feel like giving up on using things because it’s just too much of a hassle, remember that most microfiber towels are machine washable. This means that if you really must have one, at least you can take care of it in your washing machine.

A good tip is to always read the label before throwing anything in the washer – even if it’s just something small like a towel. If you don’t, then you might find yourself inside out with all your buttons fastened and needing help ASAP!

How do I get sand off my beach towel?

This one’s easy enough because – unless you’re choosing to buy an absorbent material beach towel or are particularly fond of having sand all up in your business – getting sand off your towels after visiting the shore won’t be difficult at all.

By the time you’re back home, most of the sand will have fallen off or dried up and can be easily brushed away or shaken out. If a towel has a sand-resistant backing, then you can be sure that sand will stick to it and not to your clothes while they’re in the bag. Still, otherwise, you probably don’t need something sand-proof anyway.

Is it okay to use fabric softener on a microfiber beach towel?

The stories about what fabric softeners can do (or not do) for your towels and the like will make you want to turn this question over and over in your mind as you pick up the phone and call customer service.

As long as you read the label carefully, then yes, fabric softener is fine – but there’s an easy way around this: just ignore it completely. The only reason you’re probably looking into using something like that with your towels is that they’re not as absorbent as you’d like them to be. If so, look for something made from bamboo or another eco-conscious natural fiber instead of synthetic fibers or cotton.

Do I need to wash my microfiber beach towel before using it?

As with anything else that you’re considering buying, always read the label to know for sure. Most of the time, you’ll find that many towels are machine-washable, but if not, then simply check at your local laundromat to see if they have a special cycle or method for washing these kinds of fabrics – which they probably do.

How do I dry my microfiber beach towel?

Much like washing your towels, drying them will vary from product to product. If the label doesn’t say how or what cycle is best, then try checking with customer service first and see if they have any advice or know anything about towels in general since many places that sell towels also sell other items made of microfiber – which could help.

Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API