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The Best Quick-Dry Towels

IhorM/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated February 2023

Quick-dry towels are absorbent, convenient, and versatile. Whether you're taking a dip in the lake, heading on vacation, or sweating in the gym, these quick-dry towels are up to the task.

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  Best Overall Best Bath Towel Best Set Best for the Beach Best for Travel
 
  Rainleaf
Microfiber Towel
REGAL RUBY
Quick-Dry Bath Towels
MOONQUEEN
Ultra-Soft Quick-Drying Towel Set
WETCAT
Turkish Beach Towel
4Monster
Camping Towels
 
Our SummarySuper absorbent and fast-drying, this convenient towel is great for your workout.These highly absorbent bath towels come in a variety of colors and sizes.Ultra-soft and absorbent, this is a great set of towels for a household.This oversized beach towel comes in a variety of vibrant colors.This camping towel comes in a convenient carrying case perfect for toting in a hiking bag.
Pros✓ Lightweight
✓ Compact
✓ High-quality material
✓ Vibrant color options
✓ Color and size options
✓ Tear-resistant cotton fibers
✓ Large full-sized towel
✓ Washer and dryer friendly
✓ Super absorbent
✓ Nonshedding
✓ Soft and fluffy
✓ Color options
✓ Luxurious texture
✓ Turkish cotton
✓ Wicks away sand
✓ Washer- and dryer-safe
✓ Convenient carrying case
✓ Dirt and sand repellent
✓ Large size
Cons✗ Small
✗ Thinner than standard towels
✗ Not thick or fluffy✗ No jumbo size bath towel available✗ Thinner than traditional beach towels✗ Must follow wash instructions carefully
✗ Will melt in dryer
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How Did We Research?

17 Models Evaluated

7 Hours Researched

40 Reviews Analyzed

The Best Quick-Dry Towels

a microfiber towel and a smart watch on a table.
IhorM/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Quick-Dry Towels

Three women holding quick-dry towels outdoors.
Wise Owl/Wise Owl/Fit-Flip

Why buy a quick-dry towel?

Quick-dry towels are designed to be ultra-absorbent and safe on skin and most surfaces. They’re great for working out, traveling, beach trips, camping, and normal shower routines. They’re more convenient than traditional towels since they’re typically more absorbent, lightweight, and portable. Best of all, they dry faster, meaning they’re less susceptible to mildew and smells and are much easier to take on the go.

What should you look for in a quick-dry towel?

  • Material: Most quick-dry towels are made of ultra-absorbent materials like microfiber or cotton. These materials are great because they’re skin-friendly and soft to the touch. There are also options made of environmentally friendly recycled materials so you can use them without guilt. One of the many great things about quick-dry towels is their reusability and durability.
  • Purpose: Some quick-dry towels will be particularly great for outdoor activities or travel. These are usually made from thinner materials and come with mesh carrying bags for easy portability. They’re also often resistant to sand and dirt. If you want one for at-home use, you can find towels closer to traditional ones, just made to dry faster. Others still are better for beach or pool outings. These will usually be a little more decorative and large enough to wrap around the body easily.
  • Size: Finding a size that works for you is essential. Small quick-dry towels are great for cleaning up general spills and messes; they’re also travel-friendly. On the other hand, large microfiber towels can be used at the gym, when towel-drying your hair, on camping or extended trips, or at the beach. Buying a set of quick-dry towels in varying sizes is perfect for ensuring you have a designated towel for all your needs.
  • Color: You can express yourself by choosing a quick-dry towel in your preferred color! Lighter towels are great, but they can be prone to staining, so if you regularly use your towel for things like camping, you may want to opt for a towel in a darker shade.

How do you wash a quick-dry towel?

You can typically use any laundry detergent to wash quick-dry towels. Still, some towels require a microfiber-safe detergent, depending on the towel’s material. Your towels should be washed in warm water and tumbled dry separately. You can also use a cup of distilled white vinegar to cleanse your towels on a rinse cycle if you prefer not to use harsh detergents in your laundry routine.

Our Picks for the Best Quick-Dry Towels

Best Overall

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

Super absorbent and fast-drying, this convenient towel is great for your workout.

Pros: This lightweight and compact quick-dry towel comes with its mesh bag, so it’s effortless to travel with or bring on to the gym, carry while exercising outside, or bring along on a camping trip. It has a convenient loop to attach to your backpack, so it doesn’t have to take up precious space inside your bags. The towel is available in several sizes and comes in several vibrant colors. It’s made from high-quality microfiber that’s ultra-absorbent and dirt-repellent. It can withstand regular use without the quality of the towel diminishing over time.

Cons: These towels are designed to be compact, so they’re smaller than most towels. The quick-drying material is also quite thin.

Bottom Line: Lightweight and absorbent, this quick-dry towel is perfect for the gym, travel, and hikes. It’s made of high-quality microfiber that’s durable yet soft and easy to pack in its included mesh bag.

 

Best Bath Towel

REGAL RUBY Quick-Dry Bath Towels

These highly absorbent bath towels come in a variety of colors and sizes.

Pros: This set of bathroom towels will be a great addition to your home. They come in various classic colors and sizes and are made of super soft and tear-resistant cotton. The bath towel is 54 by 27 inches long, enough for full-body drying after showers. These towels are made from environmentally friendly cotton and are comfortable on the skin. They dry faster than bath towels, so they’re machine washable and suitable for busy households.

Cons: These towels are not as thick and fluffy as standard bath towels. They are made to be quick-dry, so they are thinner.

Bottom Line: These classic bath towels, with extra convenience, are a must-have for home use. They’re quick-drying on the skin and on the hook.

 

Best Set

MOONQUEEN Ultra-Soft Quick-Drying Towel Set

Ultra-soft and absorbent, this is a great set of towels for a household.

Pros: These towels aren’t just super absorbent but also super soft. You get a set of six with two full-sized towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. They’re made from coral velvet microfiber expertly stitched at the seams to avoid ripping or shedding. The washcloths are soft and spongy when filled with soap and won’t damage the skin, and the towels and hand towels dry quickly to avoid odors. And people love the warm, thick, soft feel of these towels. They come in over 10 brilliant colors to match your bathroom decor.

Cons: The bath towels aren’t huge, and there is no jumbo size available at this time for purchase. Also, some people don’t like the hem and think it appears unfinished.

Bottom Line: This set of bath towels is perfect for people who love ultra-soft comfort in a quick-drying towel. They have a velvety appearance that looks great hanging in your bathroom.

 

Best for the Beach

WETCAT Turkish Beach Towel

This oversized beach towel comes in a variety of vibrant colors.

Pros: This bright and beautiful beach towel has an unbelievably soft and luxurious texture. It’s made of 100% Turkish cotton that’s high-quality and soft to the touch. It naturally wicks away sand for a scratch-free visit to the beach. It’s also high-quality, anti-shrinkage, and prewashed for an ultra-soft feel. This lovely towel can even be machine washed and dried in a conventional dryer if it’s tumble-dried on a low setting.

Cons: This is a thinner towel than the traditional beach towel.

Bottom Line: This is a stylish, colorful, and lightweight towel that can be used at the beach, gym, or pool. Plus, this towel is super soft and comfortable on your skin.

 

Best for Travel

4Monster Camping Towels

This camping towel comes in a convenient carrying case perfect for toting in a hiking bag.

Pros: This camping towel is lightweight, convenient, and ultra-soft. It’s available in several timeless colors and has a unique and compact carrying case. It’s also dirt- and sand-repellent, so it’s perfect for the outdoors, and you can quickly dry it by hanging it from the hanging loop. And it dries quickly, so you can use it repeatedly on your outdoor adventures. It’s odor-free, easy to clean, and big enough to use as a bath towel.

Cons: These towels will melt in the dryer, so they must be hung to dry. They also cannot be bleached, dry cleaned, or ironed.

Bottom Line: This large quick-drying towel is great for camping, hiking, and swimming. It’s made with thousands of micro threads to be highly absorbent and ultra-cozy.

Final Thoughts

Quick-dry towels are handy at home, on vacation, at the beach, on a hike, in the gym, and more. Check out our suggestions if you want convenient, portable, well-designed towels to keep yourself clean and your space tidy.

Stacy Rounds Stacy Rounds
Stacy is a freelance writer. She has created a variety of web and print copy, from lifestyle and dating advice to small business reviews and short stories. She has a degree in business and marketing and has worked for several years as a social media manager. Through writing creative fiction, satire, and advertisements, she developed a passion for the written word. She enjoys cooking and painting in her free time. Read Full Bio »
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