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The best waffle bath towels for 2024, tested and reviewed
Lightweight and lofty: Treat yourself to top picks from Brooklinen, Casaluna, Boll & Branch and more.
I'm a home editor who takes "me" time, and especially bath time, very seriously. So when my editor asked if I'd be game to test the best waffle towels, I jumped at the opportunity. These billowy towels are known for their striking grid-like pattern that looks similar to the tasty breakfast treat. Their spongy little pockets sop up a lot of moisture, but despite their thirsty nature, they're breathable and quick-drying. They're also lightweight, making them ideal for warmer seasons, and — one of the main draws for me — they're brimming with texture and style.
Best waffle towel overall
Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Towel
Best value waffle towel
Casaluna Waffle Bath Towel
Best hybrid waffle towel
Boll & Branch Waffle Terry Bath Towel
But with so many companies making this design, you might be wondering how to choose the best waffle towel for you. To help, I procured top-rated waffle towels from some of the biggest brands in the bath biz and evaluated them on factors like softness, absorbency and how quickly they dried. I also put them through the wringer (including many rounds in the washer and dryer) — noting any shrinking or fading — to gauge how well they were likely to hold up over time.
Read on for the best waffle towels for 2024, aka the ones that earned a coveted spot in my own bathroom: They feature buttery (sorry, couldn't help it) fabrics and rich colors, and some are versatile waffle/terry hybrids (two towels for the price of one!). Then keep scrolling for more on our testing process, tips for towel care and how to select the right bath towel for you. If you prefer a fluffy or plush terry towel, we've got those covered in our bigger guide to the best towels on the internet, coming soon.
Table of contents:
Best waffle towel overall
Fabric: Long-staple Turkish cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 58" | Color options: White, Pebble and Onyx, plus seasonal shades | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
Topping our list is the Brooklinen Dreamweave, which reigned supreme in our testing for its textured yet polished look and "dreamy" feel.
It's designed like a traditional waffle towel in that it has fairly deep, spongy square pockets. The fabric has an almost gauzy feel, as does the flat 1.5-inch border on each end. Many other waffle towels have a more traditional stitched edge; with these towels, I liked how the same fabric throughout gave them a cohesive look.
To test absorbency, I immersed the towel in a bucket of water, then removed it and gently balled it up to see how much water it could hold. It absorbed one liter — on par with most of the other waffle towels I evaluated. The size is standard: The brand states 30" x 58," though we measured 30" x 57.5" at the start and it shrunk slightly to 29.5" x 56.25".
What really sets this towel apart is its amazing hand feel. Made of 100% long-staple Turkish cotton that's been prewashed for softness, it was the coziest towel in my initial assessments and remained so after five wash-and-dry cycles. It didn't seem to lose any color (if anything, it appeared a tad more saturated in the end). And it was the fastest drying: When tumble-dried on low, it was ready to go in about 10 minutes, whereas others took 30 minutes or so.
Brooklinen sells its waffle pattern as a hand towel, a wash cloth, a bath sheet and a robe, along with towel bundles that can save you up to $100 (full collection here). The brand offers three core colors, plus seasonal shades — currently that includes an earthy yet vibrant Botanical Green — but you have to act quickly because these limited editions have a tendency to sell out.
- Ultra-soft
- Quick-drying
- Wide size assortment
- No loop for hanging
- Limited (core) shades
More top waffle towels we recommend for 2024
Fabric: Cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 56" | Color options: Brown, gray, pink, True White, dark gray and teal blue | Certifications: Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex
This waffle bath towel from Target's elevated home brand, Casaluna, is similar in aesthetic to Brooklinen's towel, complete with deep, square pockets. It measured around the same size (30" x 58.25", larger than its stated dimensions) and held its own in our absorbency test (it soaked up about one liter).
The fabric is rougher — more along the lines of a linen-flax. There's a border along the top and bottom, but it's narrow so as to not interrupt the design. This towel came in second place in our quick-dry test: It was completely dry in 20 minutes flat.
Last but not least, it stood out as the type of towel that would be very durable. As someone who's owned a set of these towels for over a year now, I can confirm that they not only endure in color and in shape, but they get a bit softer with time.
They're available in six colors, plus hand towel options, and Casaluna's waffle design is something I'd recommend to anyone looking to incorporate some dimension into their bath lineup — at home, at college — on a dime.
- Durable
- Quick-drying
- Affordable
- No loop for hanging
- Limited size assortment
Fabric: Organic long-staple cotton | Dimensions: 30" x 58" | Color options: White, Stone (gray), Shore (light blue), Mineral (navy) | Certifications: Gots Certified Organic Cotton; Made In Green by Oeko-Tex
I really liked the Waffle Terry Bath Towel from Boll & Branch for its two different textures. It's made of 100% organic long-staple cotton and is available in four shades. It has a tiny waffle weave on one side that adds subtle dimension and a soft, plush terry on the other.
It was among the largest towels I evaluated — a true 30" x 58". It was also among the thirstiest: In the absorbency test, it could make three liters of water disappear in no time. I didn't witness any visible fading of the rich blue color (I tested Mineral) and despite it having a thicker terry element, it took a reasonable 40 minutes to dry. It shrunk a bit but not too much (it measured 28.75" x 54" after five wash-and-dry cycles).
At $49 apiece, this towel is definitely a luxury item, but it's more affordable and versatile than many of the other towels I tried. It's offered in various sets, including a bath towel bundle and a bath sheet bundle, both at a discount, and comes beautifully packaged — wrapped neatly in ribbon, inside a gift box — making it a great present.
- Plush
- Giftable
- Has loop for hanging
- Pricey
- Takes longer than traditional waffle towels to dry
What to look for when choosing a bath towel
In need of a refresh? Here are a few things to consider when scanning the bath towel aisle:
Dimensions: Most of the bath towels we tested measured around 30" x 58", which we'd consider standard. Their bath sheet counterparts typically measure in around 40" x 65", so if you like more coverage, they're the way to go. Thicker, plusher towels tend to be more absorbent. Smaller, thinner towels take up less room when storing and transporting and are often fast-drying.
Fabric: Most towels are made with 100% cotton, some with other materials such as bamboo for added strength or sustainability. Long-staple cotton has longer fibers, which typically equate to greater strength and durability. Turkish cotton towels are made from long, strong, smooth fibers for a heavier weight and feel. Common labels include "organic" and/or "Standard 100 by 0eko-Tex," which is a certification that indicates a given textile has been tested and cleared against more than 1,000 harmful substances.
Weave: Traditional terry is typically lightweight, fluffy and soft (it may not absorb as much as long-staple or Turkish blends, but it can be quicker to dry). Long-staple or Turkish terry tends to be thicker and heavier, similar to what you might experience at a high-end hotel. Waffle towels, which have a textured pattern, are generally the lightest and fastest drying of all. A thicker dobby (the row of threading at a towel's top and bottom) lends a more classic feel, whereas thinner stitches (or no dobby at all) have minimalistic appeal.
Size and color assortment: Many brands offer their towels in a variety of iterations, such as hand towels, washcloths, bath sheets and bath mats, for creating a cohesive look. Tentpole collections/colors (versus seasonal options) tend to stick around longer and are therefore easier to replenish (i.e., you can scoop up a replacement without having to invest in a whole new collection in order to match). Consider mixing and matching a few colors to give yourself some options. It can also be helpful to designate a different towel color for each person living in your house so you don't have to worry about who's using what (same goes for repeat overnight guests).
Cost: Like many home essentials, we consider quality bath towels a worthy investment that will hopefully pay off over time. That said, you don't necessarily have to splurge in the name of good quality: See the "others we tested" section to get a sense of what's available across budgets.
How we tested
I tested these towels by — you guessed it — doing a lot of laundry! Here's a more detailed rundown of my evaluation process:
Design: I assessed each towel carefully upon arrival, taking note of things like softness, fluffiness, thickness, color and various design elements. I also laid each towel flat and used a ruler to measure the actual size versus what was stated on brand websites.
Absorbency: With first impressions out of the way, it was off to the bathtub. Each towel was dunked in a bucket of water and balled up gently to assess how much water it could hold.
Laundry:- I then headed to the laundry room, putting each towel through five wash-and-dry cycles to see how they held up to water, heat and being tossed around. I used the same laundry detergent when cleaning and wool balls when drying — in the same quantities — for consistency. I washed towels in warm water and tumble-dried them on low.
Longevity: After the fifth drying, it was back to the drawing (er, assessment) table. I compared each of the tested towels with a fresh version for look and feel and remeasured size to surmise how it's likely to fare over time.
Other waffle towels we tested
West Elm Waffle Towel ($34): This towel comes in 10 striking shades and lies flat for easy layering on a towel rod (its lightweight fabric also makes it ideal for travel). It measured true to size and experienced only a half inch of shrinkage. It doesn't have the deep waffle pockets present in our top picks, and it also took 30 minutes to dry. That said, it's absorbent and it didn't lose its vibrant color, so if you like a flatter waffle towel, it's worth considering.
Saatva Waffle Towel ($95 for three-piece set): I gave this towel an A for absorbency (it held a little over one liter). It didn't show signs of fading, and it took only about 25 minutes to dry. But it doesn't offer the billowy comfort of a deeper waffle, and I wish it came in more color options, had a loop on the long side for hanging and was sold on its own, outside of a set.
Onsen Waffle Towel ($50): Onsen has made a name for itself in the waffle weave category, and after testing its offerings, I can see why: The fabrics are soft, absorbent and seemingly durable, with a flatter weave. The towel shrunk only about half an inch in length and width, but it took about 30 minutes to dry, thanks to its stitched borders. Though I love the extensive, unique color range, this towel is not quite as billowy as some (like Brooklinen), and it's on the pricier side.
Parachute Waffle Towel ($49): I referred to Parachute's waffle towel as the "Tigger" of the group because it was the bounciest and stretchiest by a long shot. It was absorbent, quick to dry and appeared to retain all of its color, though it did lose some length (about five inches). It also wasn't as cozy-soft as Brooklinen.
Cozy Earth Waffle Towel ($120 for two): Cozy Earth's Waffle Towel is almost identical to that of Boll & Branch's waffle/terry hybrid, with a flat, miniature waffle print on one side and terry on the other. It was similarly absorbent and took the same amount of time in the dryer. It lost a bit more length than Boll & Branch — 2 inches — but has a slightly wider color range. Ultimately, I went with Boll & Branch as my top hybrid pick because of its lower price point.
FAQs
What is the best way to wash a bath towel?
Most of the brands we featured recommend washing towels in cold or warm water, using a gentle cycle, and tumble-drying them on low. Using dryer balls helps separate laundry pieces for better aeration and quicker drying times. Avoid using harsh chemicals, especially bleach, when washing colored textiles. Some of the brands recommended avoiding dryer sheets as well.
What is the fastest-drying bath towel?
Waffle towels typically dry the quickest because they have a more breathable weave. Thick edges/borders and dobbies (bands of stitching along the top and bottom of a towel) can also affect a towel's drying time.
What is the best waffle towel?
The best waffle towel is soft, absorbent and quick to dry — one that will look good in your bathroom, feel good on your skin … and last a long time. Aside from this, it typically comes down to the one that best suits your personal budget, needs and style.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
