As summer essentials go, a beach towel sits pretty high up on the list. As with most holiday buys, it's a practical purchase that's fun to spend your money on, with plenty of colourful options to brighten up even the cloudiest of days. Not only will a beach towel keep you dry and warm after a dip, but you can use it to claim your patch of sand on the beach or nab a prime poolside lounger. If you keep resurrecting the same threadbare towel from the back of the airing cupboard, it's time for an upgrade.
Whether you're staying close to home or heading off on an exotic escape, you'll want a beach towel that'll dry you and that’s comfortable to lie on – and one that easily fits under your arm or in a beach bag. Beyond the basics, consider the size of the towel and the material it's made from. Most towels are made from cotton, but microfibre is a great alternative: it's lightweight, highly absorbent and can be conveniently squished into a small carry-on bag.
On the size front, the average beach towel measures around 160 x 90cm (bigger than a bath towel) but you can buy extra large versions (200 x 90cm); a crucial purchase if you're tall and handy for family bathing or doubling up as a picnic blanket.
How to buy the best beach towel for you
How much do you want to spend?
You can buy a beach towel for under a tenner, but paying more will get you more luxurious materials, great designs and a high-end brand.
How long does it need to be for you to lie down comfortably?
You want to lie down on this thing, right? Buy a towel with enough length to cover you from your head down to your knees or ankles – or even further.
Will you need to squeeze it into a carry-on suitcase?
If space is limited, a bulky towel won’t cut the mustard. Look to a microfibre or travel towel to cut the size and weight down.
Are you a frequent swimmer? Do you need a quick-drying towel?
Again, look to microfibre towels for something that will get you dryer, faster.
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The best beach towels you can buy
Watermelon-print beach towel: The best cheap beach towel
Price:£7 | Buy now from Matalan
This cheap and cheery towel from Matalan will leave you change from a tenner, giving you scope to top up your tan without emptying your wallet. Its cool watermelon design instantly creates a holiday vibe even if you're just heading out to the garden for an afternoon snooze on a lounger. Made from 100% cotton, it's lightweight, machine washable and offers excellent value for money.
Key specs – Size: 160 x 80cm; Material: 100% cotton
House by John Lewis Swimmers Towel: The best patterned beach towel
Price:£15 | Buy now from John Lewis
Whether you're throwing it down on the beach, by the pool or in the park, this colourful towel is sure to put a smile on your face. Part of the House by John Lewis range (the retailer’s affordable homeware offering), this graphic-print towel features retro-style bathers and rubber rings against a sky-blue background. If LS Lowry and David Hockney did a beach towel collab, it would be sure to look a little like this.
Key specs - Size: 160 x 90cm; Material: 100% woven cotton
Dock & Bay microfibre towel: Best fast-drying beach towel
Price:£15 | Buy now from Amazon
You have to wonder why all beach towels aren't made from microfibre. This lightweight material dries three times faster than a normal cotton towel and can absorb more than twice its own weight in water. Towels made from microfibre fold up really small, so they're easy to squish into a suitcase or sling into a beach bag, and you can shake the sand right off them at the end of the day instead of carting half the beach home with you.
Made from 80% polyester and 20% polyamide, these towels from Dock & Bay are available in a range of fun retro designs including Bondi blue and Phi Phi pink. They’re also available in large and extra-large sizes. If the brand name sounds familiar, it's probably because the company is backed by Dragons' Den doyenne, Deborah Meaden, after the founders appeared on the TV show back in 2017.
Key specs – Size: 160 x 80cm (large), 200 x 90cm (extra large); Material: 220gsm suede microfibre (80% polyester, 20% polyamide)
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Kayseri Hammam Towel: The best hammam-style beach towel
Price:£25 | Buy now from Urbanara
Made in southwestern Turkey using ancient weaving techniques, this authentic hammam-style towel is soft, lightweight and quick-drying. It may not be as fluffy as some of the traditional beach towels on this list but it’s incredibly versatile and could easily be used as a sarong, a picnic blanket and a summer throw too. And it weighs around a third of a similarly sized terry towel so it’s handy to travel with. The gentle waffle-effect is created by a two-tone cotton weave and the typical Turkish design features stripes and twisted fringing; the pastel mint shade is a top pick for summer.
Key specs – Size: 100 x 180cm; Material: 100% cotton
Boden animal-print towelling throw-on: The best beach towel for kids
Price:£26 | Buy now from Boden
If you're holidaying with kids you'll want to make your life as easy as possible by packing the right gear and this throw-on towel from Boden is a handy addition to your suitcase. Instead of trying to wrap a towel around a damp, wriggly toddler you can pop this over their head instead. The cosy hood will keep them warm and the side poppers mean there's no danger of it slipping off. You can choose from a fun shark or dinosaur print but bear in mind there are no poppers on the dino option if that's a deal breaker.
Key specs – Size: 3 months to 4 years; Material: 100% cotton lining; 82% cotton, 18% polyester body
South Beach Cotton Velour Holiday Towel: The best round beach towel
Price:£23 | Buy now from Amazon
Available in a range of colourful designs including an ideal-for-Instagram watermelon motif and a bold leopard print, this round towel is great for picnicking and posing. Made from cotton velour with a tasselled edge, it's a soft towel (but not especially thick) and it's large enough for two people to lie on. Bear in mind that you'll need to hand wash it, as you’re not able to bung it in the washing machine.
Key specs – Size: 140cm in diameter; Material: 100% cotton velour
South Beach, Soft Fringed Edge Cotton Velour Swimming Pool Holiday Round Towel, Leopard, One Size
Ralph Lauren French vintage beach towel: Best designer beach towel
Price:£70 | Buy now from Ralph Lauren
Nothing says luxury lounging like a fluffy beach towel inspired by the French Riviera. This designer accessory from Ralph Lauren features a vintage design and an anchor motif in mustard, navy and white. Made from 100% cotton, it's super soft and is larger than your average beach towel at 178 x 102cm. It may be pricey but it costs less than the price of one of the designer's signature shirts and it's a timeless buy that you can whip out for season after season.
Key specs – Size: 178 x 102cm; Material: 100% cotton