7 Best Beach Towels

​Best Luxury: Round Beach Towel

​If you're looking for a fluffy towel that you can snuggle in, the Plush Cabana Beach Towel. Is a luxury splurge. Measuring 5 feet in diameter, the large towel is 100% cotton and has 600 grams of cotton per square meter (GSM) compared to most towels that are less than 400 GSM. This means you have a large, thick, comfortable towel that is absorbent and perfect for lounging. The beach towel is available in three different colors: Sea Glass Sunrise and Coral Sunset. The towels have premium stitching and are made of quality materials, so they will stand the test of time.

​Best Oversized: Cotton Craft — Deluxe Beach Towel

​For a huge, oversized towel at a great price, the Cotton Craft Deluxe Beach Towel is a great option. Measuring 58 by 68 inches, the towel is practically a small blanket and fits two people comfortably. With a beautiful array of colors on both sides of the towel, it's easy to spot when returning to the sand after a refreshing dip in the ocean. The towel has a sturdy woven construction, is made of cotton and velvet, and is soft yet fluffy.

​Best Quick Dry: Microfiber Beach Towel

​Traveling travelers know how important it is to have a quick-drying towel after a day on the ocean. Microfiber Beach Towel will dry quickly and prevent the rest of your belongings from getting damp or taking on musty odors. The striped towel comes in a variety of color options ranging from deep blue, yellow, purple, and orange, as well as a cheery rainbow design. The towel is specially designed so that the sand does not stick. Made from microfiber, the towel absorbs water but dries three times faster than most towels. There are two sizes available measuring 63 by 31 inches or 78 by 35 inches.

​Mandala Microfiber Towel

​The Mandala circular microfiber towel is elegant and unique and is a hybrid between a towel and a beach blanket. These colorful towels come in a variety of designs, such as beautiful Indian and Bohemian style designs, dream catchers, hibiscus flowers, spiral shapes, and peacock feathers. The towels are 60 inches in diameter and have elegant tassels along the edges. Microfiber can absorb seven times the weight of towels, but they dry quickly. The thick towels can also be used as yoga mats, for camping and picnics, or even decorative rugs.

​Large Cabana Striped Beach Towel

​For a simple and affordable, yet durable beach towel, the Large Cabana Stripe Beach Towel is a great option. Machine washable, the 100% ringspun cotton towel is highly absorbent and larger than a typical 35 x 70-inch beach towels, making it perfect for lounging on the sand. This towel has a classic blue and white cottage stripes design that gives it a nautical vibe, and maintains its color after several cycles in the wash.

​Turkish Textile Towels

​For an artistic beach towel that is functional and unique, Textile's Turkish Towel is a fantastic option. Made from naturally dyed cotton, Peshtemal towels have unique tassels on the top and bottom and are commonly used in Turkish baths (hammams). Their compact and lightweight shape is a quick-drying towel, so they're great for travel and don't take up much space in your suitcase. The towels measure 71 by 39 inches and are cream in color with a variety of different color options ranging from shades of green, blue and pink to more traditional gray and black. These can also be used in the pool or in yoga, and they become softer with frequent washing.

​Microfiber all-purpose towel

​For an easy-to-carry towel that can be used at the gym, beach, spa, pool, or on the go, "Ultra-Light, Multi-Purpose Microfiber" is a solid pick. The set includes two towels: a small one measuring 27.5 by 15.7 inches and an oversized towel measuring 27.5 by 59 inches. The larger of the two is a large, quick-drying beach towel that can absorb six times its weight. The towels are machine washable, hypoallergenic and wear resistant. Choose from red, blue or gray options with vibrant colors that maintain their tones despite washing.

​What to look for in a beach towel

​Size and shape Most towels are square or rectangular, but one of the circular patterns on our list is a tradition (and it also works as a beach blanket). Beyond the shape, you want a towel that has a decent space to stretch out. Larger towels can also work as sun protection (if you place yours on your shoulders or on your legs).

Fabric Cotton still rules the beach towel world, and for good reason — it's absorbent, soft, and machine washable. Judge the softness of these cotton options by looking at the number of grams of cotton per square inch (the more grams, the more cozy it will be). On the other hand, microfiber towels tend to dry faster and are also usually more durable and resistant to sand. However, like most synthetic fabrics, microfiber towels can start to stink after multiple uses, even after washing.

Portability If your typical trip to the beach is from your car to the shore, a thick.