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Last updated: 17 Jan 2023

Keep Your Hands Dry With the Best Hand Towels

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Published 4:11 pm
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Best Hand Towel Worth Considering for 2023
  • 1 Hammam Linen Hand Towel
  • 2 Folkulture Hand Towel
  • 3 White Classic Hand Towel
  • 4 Utopia Towels Hand Towel
  • 5 Smyrna Turkish Hand Towel
  • 6 Amazon Basics Hand Towel

A hand towel is an important addition to every bathroom and kitchen. Washing your hands is an important part of killing bacteria, ensuring that your skin is not moist. Bacteria love the conditions that warm and moist skin offers. Therefore, you are less likely to become ill or spread an illness when regularly cleaning and drying your skin. 

A hand towel can complement your bathroom decor and feel soft and luxurious. It is the small things that make a home stylish and inviting. Something as small as a soft, absorbent, and beautiful hand towel can make any guest feel comfortable and pampered.

With so many hand towels to choose from, it might seem like a daunting task to choose the best one. However, we have chosen the top-rated hand towels of 2023 and created a list for your viewing pleasure.

Best Hand Towel Worth Considering for 2023

1

Hammam Linen Hand Towel

– Best Overall
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Hammam Linen White Hand Towels come in a set of 4 hand towels. They measure 16-inches by 30-inches. These luxurious towels are made from 100%  Turkish cotton and feel soft and durable. These highly absorbent towels are easy to care for. They can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a tumble dryer. 

These towels have double-stitched edges that reduce fraying and increase durability. The white color of the towels will match various decors. Nothing says clean like a freshly washed pure white towel. Your guests will be impressed by the absorbency and softness of this fabulous product. This product is also available in various colors and full towel sets.

Pros
  • 100% Turkish cotton
  • Absorbent
  • Double-stitched edges
  • Soft
Cons
  • Produces a lot of lint during the first few washes
2

Folkulture Hand Towel

– Runner Up
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Made from 100% recycled cotton, Folkulture Hand Towels are highly absorbent and feature a soft texture. The cute tassel detailing at the bottom adds an extra touch of charm to this versatile piece. You can use these hand towels in the bathroom or place them in the kitchen to dry your hands after cleaning those dirty dishes. 

There’s even a hanging loop which makes it easy to hang this towel up in a convenient spot for easy access. These hand towels come in a wide range of neutral shades, so you’ll easily find one that fits your decorating scheme.

Pros
  • Available in different colors
  • Highly absorbent and soft 
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Comes in a set of two
Cons
  • May shrink after washing once or twice
3

White Classic Hand Towel

– Honorable Mention
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The Luxury White Classic Hand Towels come in a pack of six. These beautifully soft and highly absorbent towels are 100% combed cotton. The towels are lightweight, strong, and durable. If you want to bring a touch of luxury to your Airbnb or home, this is the perfect set of towels for you. 

These hand towels are also the perfect size to take to the gym when you work up a sweat. This product is available in many more colors, including black, beige, brown, burgundy, gray, light blue, light green, navy blue, ocean aqua, pink, and silver-gray. These towels come with a  complimentary two-year warranty.

Pros
  • Available in various colors
  • Absorbent
  • Soft
  • Comes with a two-year warranty
Cons
  • This product produces a lot of lint, so the manufacturer suggests not washing them with anything other than towels.
4

Utopia Towels Hand Towel

– Also Consider
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Utopia Towels Premium Grey Hand Towels come in a set of 6. They are made from 100% ring-spun cotton that is both durable and soft. These highly absorbent hand towels are perfect for guest bathrooms or small hotels. They are also available in various colors, including beige, black burgundy, dark brown, electric blue, navy blue, plum, red, sage green, and white. 

These hand towels look stylish with a thick embroidered line along one side that adds texture to their appearance. The strong stitching around the edge ensures these towels will have a long and durable life. They measure 16-inches by 28-inches each, giving you a lot of towels for your buck.

Pros
  • 100% cotton
  • Durable and soft
  • Available in various colors
  • Beautiful design
Cons
  • Not very thick hand towels but still soft and absorbent
5

Smyrna Turkish Hand Towel

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The Symrna Turkish Hand Towels come in a set of two. They are beautifully woven with Anatolian yarn. This gorgeous set of hand towels has many applications. You can use them as a placemat at the table, to take to the gym, or use as a hair towel. This towel is so decorative and equally functional, the possibilities are endless. 

This product is available in several colors: beige, black, blue, dark gray, Fuschia, gray, green, latte, light blue, navy, orange, petrol, and turquoise. With so many colors to choose from, we are certain this lightweight, soft, and absorbent hand towel set will be an asset to many American homes.

Pros
  • Made from 100% Turkish Cotton
  • Available in various colors
  • Soft and absorbent
  • Beautiful
Cons
  • You need to wash these towels a few times before they reach their absorbing potential
6

Amazon Basics Hand Towel

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Amazon Basics Cotton Hand Towels come in a set of 12. These stylish gray towels will complement most modern bathrooms. You could take one of these towels to the gym, use it in the kitchen or the bathroom. A set of 12 hand towels allows you to change them regularly without changing the design and style of your home. 

These towels are made from 100% cotton and have a looped terry weave that provides strength, a high absorption rate, and luxurious softness. In addition, the edges of this product are reinforced with strong stitching. You will not find such high quality at such low prices anywhere else.

Pros
  • 100% cotton
  • Strong and soft
  • Reinforced edges
  • Absorbent and fast-drying
Cons
  • The color of these towels sometimes fades slightly after a couple of washes

Buying Guide for the Best Hand Towels

Things To Consider When Choosing Hand Towels

With so many hand towels available to purchase, choosing the right set might seem like a daunting task. However, there are several things you can consider before you buy, so you can be assured you have made the right purchase. Continue reading to see our recommendations.

Material Used

Hand towels are made from various materials, but the most common material is cotton. There are several types of cotton with different amounts of softness and quality.

  • Upland cotton

Upland cotton is much cheaper than other cotton but is less absorbent. In addition, it has shorter fiber than a lot of other kinds of cotton, making it rougher, after some time, and less durable. 

If you buy a towel that says it is made from 100% cotton without specifying what type of cotton it is made from, it is most likely made from upland cotton. A towel made from upland cotton is great if you are on a budget but it is by no means the best.

  • Egyptian cotton

Egyptian cotton benefits from ideal growing conditions. Thanks to the country’s aridity and warm weather. Unlike upland cotton, it is hand-picked, which causes less stress on fibers than those harvested by picking tractors. 

The long fibers produced are stronger because they are more intact. Therefore, an Egyptian cotton towel will also be more flexible and softer than an upland cotton towel

  • Pima cotton

 If you would like an Egyptian cotton towel without a large price tag, Pima cotton is the next best thing. It is soft and absorbent like Egyptian cotton but is grown in various parts of the world, mostly in the United States.

  • Turkish cotton

Turkish cotton is not as absorbent as Egyptian cotton but still dries pretty well. In addition, it is fast-drying which reduces the amount of bacteria growth you would get with a damp towel.

  • Organic cotton

Organic cotton could be any of the types of cotton mentioned above. However, the growing method needs to be certified organic for a manufacturer to label the towel as such. Organically grown cotton is not made from genetically modified plants and does not use synthetic agricultural pesticides or fertilizers.

Organic cotton is often handpicked, making the towels feel softer, because of the longer fibers produced. It is also better for the environment.

Cotton Alternatives

If you want to try a different material to cotton, there are plenty of towels made from other materials on the market. These include linen, microfiber, bamboo, and Tencel. 

  • Linen

Linen (flax) is a highly absorbent alternative to cotton. It is also eco-friendly because it can be mass-produced without the use of chemicals or pesticides. It is also a lightweight material which is perfect if you want a towel to travel with. 

Linen towels will start a little stiff but will become softer with age. Linen has a lot of benefits over cotton, but it also has a higher price tag.

  • Microfiber

As mentioned previously, microfiber is often used in hair towels. It is a synthetic material usually made from a blend of nylon and polyester. Microfiber towels are super absorbent and can hold up to seven times their weight in water. It is also lightweight, making it another great option for a towel to take with you on your travels. 

The downside of microfiber towels is that they are terrible for the environment. Every time you wash one, it releases harmful plastics into the water system. In addition, microfiber is a plastic material that will not biodegrade.

  • Bamboo (also known as rayon or viscose)

Bamboo is soft, durable, and is up to 40% more absorbent than cotton. It holds color well and is better for the environment than cotton. This is because bamboo needs less water than cotton to grow. It is also 100% biodegradable. Bamboo is an excellent material for a towel. However, bamboo towels generally cost more than cotton towels

  • Tencel

Tencel is often combined with cotton to create a softer and more durable bath towel. Tencel is also made from trees. 

Towel Sets

Do you want an individual towel or a towel set? If you are buying an individual towel, ensure you can buy other towels that match if you want to expand to a set in the future. If you want a complete set of towels, include a hand towel and a bath towel. A towel set will often come with a matching facecloth. You can buy a set of towels for one person or for multiple people depending on how many people live in your household.

Selvage

The selvage runs along the edge of the towel. Check this area for any loose seams or stray threads. If you can see either of these, do not buy the towel. A loose thread now signals more loose threads in the future.

Customer Reviews 

Always read the customer reviews of the product you wish to buy. This will tell you how durable the hand towel is and if it maintains its color and softness after prolonged use.

How We Choose The Best Hand Towels

To choose the best hand towels, we consider several factors. This includes the material used, strength of stitching, softness, absorbency, and value for money. We also took customer reviews into account, as this is a great way to find out about any long-term issues a product might possess. We have only recommended towels that are highly rated by other customers and products that we would happily have in our home.

Hand Towel Price Range

Towel sets can range in price from as little as $20 and as much as $120. The higher-priced towels will often cost more due to their brand. Individual hand towels can cost as little as $5.

Hand Towel FAQ

Q: How many towels should I own?

A: The amount of towels you should own depends on how many people live in your household. Generally, each person in your household should have two sets of towels each. A set includes a facecloth, hand towel, bath towel, and hair towel.

Q: How often should I wash my bath towel?

A: It is safe to wash your bath towel after every two uses if you let it dry between uses. However, leaving your towel damp will encourage bacteria to grow and means you will need to wash your towel more often.

Q: Why does my towel feel less absorbent?

A: Your towel might feel less absorbent because of a build-up of fabric softener. A fabric softener may make your towel feel softer, but it can also form a layer around the fabric, preventing it from absorbing as much water. Try washing your towels without the fabric softener and see if the absorbance returns.

Bathroom Linens
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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