You’ve bought the swimsuit, tote bag, sunglasses, sunscreen, bestseller and flip-flops. But no trip to water is complete without the perfect beach towel. Whether you need it for drying off after splashing in the waves, plan to use it as a cute cover-up when you head to the snack bar or just need a soft place to rest your vacation-minded bones, there are plenty of great options to complete your sand or poolside arsenal.
To get you started, we rounded up some of the most highly rated beach towels online. Let the lounging begin.
Old Navy ‘Chillin’ All Day’ Beach Towel ($10; oldnavy.com)
Old Navy "Chillin' All Day" Beach TowelAs if there were any question as to how you planned to spend your pool day, this terry cloth towel spells it out with “Chillin’ All Day” printed on a coral tie-dye background. The bestseller gets rave reviews for its quality and affordable price.
Old Navy Striped Beach Towel ($10; oldnavy.com)
Old Navy Striped Beach TowelStripe it rich with this colorful number that’s praised for being both roomy, at 30 inches by 62 inches, and comfy, made of soft terry cloth.
Sun Squad Cherry Beach Towel ($6; target.com)
Sun Squad Cherry Beach TowelLife really is a bowl of cherries with this 4-star-rated beach towel featuring one of our favorite summer fruits. Brightly colored in soft 100% cotton, it adds a pop of cheery fun to your poolside look.
Sun Squad Cabana Striped Beach Towel ($6; target.com)
Sun Squad Cabana Striped Beach TowelMore than 100 reviewers give 4 stars to this inexpensive, classic striped terry towel that also comes in orange, green and navy.
NovForth Pineapple Beach Towel ($12.90, originally $13.90; amazon.com)
NovForth Pineapple Beach TowelThere’s so much to love about the pineapple. It signifies hospitality, warmth, friendship… Plus, it’s just delicious. This cute towel pays homage to the tropical fruit with bright yellow pineapples set against gray cabana-style stripes. Made from microfiber, it’s soft, absorbent and dries quickly. Just add a piña colada and you’ll be set for hours on end.
Breakwater Bay Chrissie 2-Piece Beach Towel Set ($41.99; wayfair.com)
Breakwater Bay Chrissie 2-Piece Beach Towel SetShow a little patriotic pride with this red, white and blue striped beach towel set. With a soft, water-repelling velour on one side and an absorbent terry on the other, these towels measure 64 inches by 34 inches and get rave reviews for thickness, durability, softness and aesthetics.
Lakeside Jumbo Pool Towel for Two ($13.48; target.com)
Lakeside Jumbo Pool Towel for TwoGet comfy at the beach or pool with this oversized towel that measures 55 inches by 70 inches, easily fitting two. Made of microfiber, it’s quick-drying and stain-resistant and comes in a vibrant orange stripe.
Laguna Beach Textile Co. Cabana Oversized Beach Towel ($39; amazon.com)
Laguna Beach Textile Co. Cabana Oversized Beach TowelExtra large at 70 inches by 35 inches, plush, soft, durable with reinforced edges and oh-so-pretty in yellow stripes with a seaglass green accent stripe, we can envision ourselves sunbathing on this oversized towel all day long.
Sand & Surf Fringe Claudette Oversized Beach Towel ($51.99; target.com)
Sand & Surf Fringe Claudette Oversized Beach TowelThis 60-inch-by-60-inch square 100% cotton towel takes on a fashionable edge with its bold blue print and fringed hem. Use it on the beach during the day and as a blanket in front of the bonfire at night. Reviewers give it 5 stars for its softness and high quality and how well it holds up in the wash.
Sand & Surf Mandala Beach Towel ($69.99; target.com)
Sand & Surf Mandala Beach TowelMake a real splash at the beach or pool with this standout 60-inch round towel that does double duty as a cozy blanket. The 100% cotton geometric mandala-print style with a fun fringed hem gets high marks for being absorbent and moisture-wicking and for being large enough for families to use while lying in the sand.
Lakeside Collection Flamingos Oversized Beach Towel ($26.98; target.com)
Lakeside Collection Flamingos Oversized Beach TowelHeading to the water with your BFF, child or sweetie? Save on beach tote space with one jumbo-size towel large enough to fit you both. This pink flamingo print on seafoam green stripes screams summer and offers plenty of room at 54 inches by 68 inches. Multiple 5-star reviews say the colors don’t fade after multiple washes, it’s softer than expected and that it provides ample space for two.
Longshore Tides Tova Stripes Beach Towel ($21.99, originally $29.99; wayfair.com)
Longshore Tides Tova Stripes Beach TowelYou can’t go wrong with classic black and white stripes, as evidenced by this mod oversized beach towel. At 70 inches by 40 inches, it offers plenty of room and coverage, and its velour texture is noted by happy customers for its plushness.
Franco Band and Beach Hooded Towel ($10.98, originally $17.99; amazon.com)
Franco Band and Beach Hooded TowelIs “Baby Shark” on repeat in your house? First, we’re sorry. Second, you’ll earn serious parenting points by giving your kids this cute and colorful towel. Cozy in terry cloth with a hood, it does double duty as a robe and is just the right size for kids ages 3 to 7. Oh, and if you have any doubts as to its quality, check out the 20,400-plus ratings on Amazon that are nearly all 5 stars.
JoJo Siwa Peace Love Beach Towel ($10; target.com)
JoJo Siwa Peace Love Beach TowelKids who love the “Dance Moms” star will do a little jig over this bright pink 100% cotton towel with stripes, unicorns, bows and rainbows. With nearly all 5-star reviews, it’s praised as soft, durable and a great gift.
All About Me Beach Towel ($25.99; bedbathandbeyyond.com)
All About Me Beach TowelYour little ones will keep track of their towels at the pool when their names are stitched right on them. These terry towels come in blue, pink and green, measure 30 inches by 60 inches and come embroidered with any name and initial in your choice of thread colors.
All Mine! Personalized Beach Towel ($30.99; bedbathandbeyond.com)
All Mine! Personalized Beach TowelLooking for a great gift? This bold navy beach towel is emblazoned with your child’s name either in bright alternating colors or softer greens and blues. It gets high marks for its absorption, size, quality and softness.
Athaelay Mermaid Hooded Beach Towel ($13.99, originally $15.99; amazon.com)
Athaelay Mermaid Hooded Beach TowelUm, excuse us, Miss Glamazon. If the little one in your life is princess-obsessed, particularly when it comes to Ariel, this hooded mermaid towel will make a huge, well, splash. It fits kids ages 1 to 5 and can also be used as a poncho or bathrobe. Our guess? You’ll have to pry it off them.
PersonalizedCornerUS Personalized Dinosaur Kids’ Beach Towel ($30; etsy.com)
PersonalizedCornerUS Personalized Dinosaur Kids Beach TowelAdd the name of your future paleontologist to this dinosaur print beach towel for a perfect summer gift. The style gets 5-star reviews for quality, super-fast shipping, softness and bright colors. Measuring 35 inches by 70 inches, it’ll provide your little ones with more than enough coverage (and, bonus, they won’t lose it at camp or swimming lessons!).
Kalkedon Towels Turkish Towel ($16.95; etsy.com)
Kalkedon Towels Turkish TowelVersatile, quick-drying and with more than 20 color options available, we’re smitten with these pretty 100% Turkish cotton towels. With a 5-star average rating and more than 18,000 sales, the towels are noted for their quality, beautiful colors and full-body length. Looking for a beach-themed party favor? This is it.
WetCat Turkish Beach Towel ($21.99, originally $29.99; amazon.com)
WetCat Turkish Beach TowelWe’re tempted to pick up this chic Turkish beach towel in several colors (it comes in 31 shades). Its thin weight makes it perfect for tossing in a pool tote, and it’s touted for being absorbent yet fast-drying, holding its color and super softness after several washes.
Mebian Turkish Beach Towel ($20.99, originally $24.99; amazon.com)
Mebian Turkish Beach TowelImported from Turkey, this 100% Turkish cotton beach towel is just the thing for the sand, pool, spa, gym or shower at home. We love it in this orange, beige and fuchsia pattern, but it also comes in eight other color combos and prints. Reviewers say it gets softer with each washing, is thin without seeming too wimpy and also works great as a blanket or throw.
Linum Home Textiles Herringbone Turkish Beach Towel ($26.99; target.com)
Linum Home Textiles Herringbone Turkish Beach TowelFast-drying and eco-friendly, this 100% hand-loomed Turkish cotton towel has a herringbone weave pattern, is lightweight and measures 69 inches by 38 inches, making it perfect for the pool, for a picnic or as a sarong.
Convertible Turkish Towel-Shoulder Bag ($45; uncommongoods.com)
Convertible Turkish Towel-Shoulder BagLove a good twofer? This luxe Turkish towel is handmade, comes in a sophisticated blue and white herringbone stripe and, best of all, folds up neatly into its own boho-inspired crossbody bag. Rave reviews cite great quality, soft fabric and plenty of compliments.
Wholesale Towels Turkish Beach Towels ($9.50; etsy.com)
Wholesale Towels Turkish Beach TowelsAt less than $10 a pop, these lovely 100% Turkish cotton towels are worth a closer look. In more than a dozen colors (and the option to personalize), they measure 70 inches by 40 inches and are noted for their quick shipping time, pretty patterns, softness and durability.
Read more about Turkish towels here.