Best Bath Towels UK (2026)
A towel's GSM (grams per square metre) is the single biggest clue to how thick, absorbent and long-lasting it will be, though material and weave matter too. This guide compares towels tested by Ideal Home's team, from affordable everyday sets to luxury Egyptian cotton.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Christy Renaissance Egyptian Cotton Towels
Best overall
Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor rates these as fluffy, luxurious and long-lasting without shedding, calling them the perfect balance of quality and affordability, with a decent colour range.
- Fluffy and luxurious
- Doesn't shed
- Good colour range
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christy Renaissance Egyptian Cotton Towels | Best overall | 675gsm, 100% Egyptian cotton, 12 colours | Check price |
| Marks & Spencer Egyptian Cotton Luxury Towel | Best budget luxury | 600gsm, 100% Egyptian cotton, 46 colours | Check price |
| John Lewis Egyptian Cotton Towels | Best bestseller | 700gsm, 100% Egyptian cotton, 35 colours | Check price |
| Scooms Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheet Pair | Best premium | 720gsm, 100% Egyptian cotton, 4 colours | Check price |
| Dunelm White Egyptian Cotton Towel | Best budget | 570gsm, 100% cotton, 48 colours, from £11 | Check price |
| Panda Bamboo Towel | Best for softness | 600gsm, cotton/bamboo blend, 3 colours | Check price |
| H&M Cotton Terry Bath Towel | Best quick-dry | 480gsm, 100% cotton, 7 colours | Check price |
| Bed Threads Linen Terry Bath Towel | Best for temperature regulation | 500gsm, 100% French flax linen, 6 colours | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
Christy Renaissance Egyptian Cotton Towels
Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor rates these as fluffy, luxurious and long-lasting without shedding, calling them the perfect balance of quality and affordability, with a decent colour range.
- Material
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- GSM
- 675
- Colours
- 12
- Sizes
- Face cloth to bath sheet and bath mat
Pros
- Fluffy and luxurious
- Doesn't shed
- Good colour range
- Great value for money
Best budget luxury
Marks & Spencer Egyptian Cotton Luxury Towel
An M&S bestseller with almost 5,000 positive reviews and a 4.5-star average rating, treated with StayNEW technology to stay fresh-feeling after repeated washes, with an exceptionally wide colour range.
- Material
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- GSM
- 600
- Colours
- 46
Pros
- StayNEW technology keeps towels feeling fresh
- Huge colour range
- Budget-friendly for Egyptian cotton
Best bestseller
John Lewis Egyptian Cotton Towels
One of John Lewis's bestselling ranges, rated 4.5 out of 5 by over 2,000 customers, praised for softness, thickness, generous sizing and superb drying power.
- Material
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- GSM
- 700
- Colours
- 35
Pros
- Rated highly for softness and thickness
- Generous size
- Superb drying power
- 35 colour options
Best premium
Scooms Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheet Pair
Ideal Home's Sleep Editor says these thick, soft towels wash brilliantly and still look new after a year of use, and are cut slightly longer than most for a better drape, though they're expensive with limited colour choice.
- Material
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- GSM
- 720
- Colours
- 4
Pros
- Thick and soft
- Washes well long-term
- Longer than most for better drape
Cons
- Expensive
- Only 4 colour options
Best budget
Dunelm White Egyptian Cotton Towel
The most affordable towels in Ideal Home's round-up, with over 11,000 positive reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5. They don't feel as luxurious as higher-GSM options, but the size and colour range make them a strong budget pick.
- Material
- 100% cotton
- GSM
- 570
- Colours
- 48
- Price guide
- From £11
Pros
- Very affordable
- Huge size and colour range
- Highly rated by customers
Cons
- Doesn't feel as luxurious as higher-GSM towels
Best for softness
Panda Bamboo Towel
Ideal Home calls this among the softest towels tested, fluffy and durable with a substantial 600gsm weight, and it's said to get softer with every wash.
- Material
- Cotton/bamboo blend
- GSM
- 600
- Colours
- 3
Pros
- Extremely soft
- Very absorbent
- Gets softer with each wash
Cons
- Limited colour range
Best quick-dry
H&M Cotton Terry Bath Towel
A stylish terry towel with a thick decorative rim and a hanging loop. It's thinner than the higher-GSM towels here, which means faster drying, at an affordable price.
- Material
- 100% cotton
- GSM
- 480
- Colours
- 7
Pros
- High absorption for its weight
- Quick-drying
- Stylish design
- Affordable
Cons
- Thinner than premium options
Best for temperature regulation
Bed Threads Linen Terry Bath Towel
Made from French flax linen that softens with every use and helps regulate body temperature, keeping you cosy in winter and cool in summer. The brand is also carbon neutral.
- Material
- 100% French flax linen
- GSM
- 500
- Colours
- 6
Pros
- Softens with every wash
- Regulates temperature well
- Carbon-neutral brand
Buying guide
What GSM should I look for in a bath towel?
GSM (grams per square metre) is a rough guide to thickness and absorbency. Around 400-500gsm suits a lighter, quicker-drying towel. 500-700gsm gives a thicker, more absorbent, hotel-style feel, though it also takes longer to dry.
Egyptian cotton or regular cotton?
Egyptian cotton has longer fibres, which generally makes for a softer, more durable towel that holds up better over repeated washes. Regular cotton towels can still perform well, especially at higher GSM, but tend to feel coarser sooner.
How do I keep towels soft and absorbent?
Avoid fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces absorbency over time. Wash new towels before first use to remove manufacturing residues, and tumble dry on a low heat or line dry to help maintain fluffiness.
How often should I replace bath towels?
Well-made towels can last several years with good care. Replace them once they feel thin, stop absorbing water well, or develop a persistent musty smell that washing doesn't fix.