There’s a lot of chatter about the giant, plush towels of luxury resorts and not nearly enough about the benefits of a lightweight, super-absorbent textile. Enter: the best waffle towels. We got together to figure out what the market’s offering and which waffle-weave towels are worth investing in by testing them first hand in our very own bathrooms over the course of several months and, in some cases, years. Our top contender was a newer (to us) brand (love when that happens), while our runner-ups didn’t surprise us in the least. Our favorite bath and bedding brands, Parachute, Brooklinen, and Cozy Earth, delivered on long-staple cotton and ultra-soft pieces that will reign forever in our linen closets.
Each of these waffle weave iterations come with hand towels and washcloths to match, and you can purchase in bundles to get the best bang for your buck. Read on for a waffle weave lover’s best bath towels.
AD’s Top Picks
.jpeg)
Parachute Waffle Bath Towels
Read more
Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Towels
Read more
Inside the Article
Best Overall
.jpeg)
“I’m taking a shower just to use this towel,” says commerce writer Julia Harrison. “These are what towels always say they are but never quite live up to: soft, absorbent, and—most importantly—they can withstand the high heat of New York laundromats and still come out as cuddly as ever.” Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker can also attest: “The biggest perk is how much softer the towels have gotten after washes.” Being Imabari towels, these meet the Japanese certification for pristine product quality, made with 100% pima cotton and a specific quality control process. An Imabari towel requires the product to pass a series of tests, including the “sink within five seconds” standard to test the towels’ water absorbency. They’re also monitored for shedding, longevity, and softness after multiple washes. At $18 for a towel, and $92 for a bundle, their price point is equally impressive.
Long-Staple Cotton Option
Photo: Rachel Fletcher
Parachute Waffle Bath Towels
Made with a Honeycomb weave from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, “these towels are really exceptional in terms of craftsmanship, which is immediately evident in the feel,” says commerce director Rachel Fletcher. Sensitive skin makes Fletcher particularly discerning when it comes to hand-feel—”I have tried many waffle towels in the past and these ones are by far the softest.” Airy and light, these are super soft, don’t trap mildew, and absorb water in no time. After several years of using them herself, they’ve beautifully withstood the test of time and slightly obsessive compulsive shower habits.
Best Thick Waffle Weave
Photo: Megan Wahn
Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Towels
These Cozy Earth waffle towels aren’t just waffle weave, they]re dual-sided mini waffle weave and a soft ribbed terry. In other words, they give you the best of both worlds: a towel that’s soft and absorbent like a terry but also lightweight and quick-drying like pure waffle weave. “The dual terry side of the Cozy Earth towel is meant to make it more absorbent than your average waffle weave,” says contributor Megan Wahn, “so the terry side is the one you’re meant to dry off with. I preferred the waffle side and found it dried me off in a few seconds less than the terry side.” Harrison also took a crack at testing this weave iteration in hand towels and found that they hold up to Wahn’s review: soft, quick-drying cotton towels, though a bit more of a heavyweight than some of the other picks on this list.
Best Hand Feel
.png)
Commerce editor Audrey Lee has used these Onsen waffle towels for more than two years and says they still look and feel amazing. These are made of 100% extra-long-staple Supima cotton, and Lee says the textured material doesn’t feel at all scratchy. “It’s easy to think that you’d accidentally pull a thread or two but the weave is tight enough that I haven’t seen any snags or areas unravel,” she says. “With several vibrant colors available, you can also skip white towels to add a pop of color to your bathroom.”
Best Colorways
.jpeg)
Brooklinen Dreamweave Waffle Bath Towels
As big fans of Brooklinen’s bath mats, bedding, even pajamas, we had faith that Brooklinen towels would also deliver. Harrison opted for a dark green variety in these 100% Turkish cotton towels, though there are nine other colors to choose from, each of them a rich neutral shade like burgundy, slate, and aloe. These achieve the same drying speed and softness as every other waffle towel on this list, with the teeny tiny caveat, Harrison admits, that they’re a bit more prone to snagging, as they’re a thinner material than the Cozy Earth or Nasoora. One more pro: These are on 20% off sale for Brooklinen’s family and friends event, making them some of the most affordable on this list.
More AD-Approved Waffle Towels
.jpeg)
Quince Turkish Waffle Terry Bath Towel Bundle
Up next on our list for testing is the ubiquitous Quince. Having passed the AD test for good quality bed sheets, pillows, and even sweaters, we have full faith in this Turkish cotton bundle from the mega retailer. They employ the Cozy Earth touch, with a double-sided waffle weave and terrycloth situation, so you can dry off according to your mood. What’s more luxurious than that?
.jpeg)
The Citizenry Imabari Waffle Towel Set
Another win for the Imabari market, we’re yet to test this towel set from Citizenry but we’ll be waiting with baited breath until we do. These are made from 100% pima cotton, and employ a larger waffle weave for extra softness and absorbency. Five colorways cover the perfect towel palette bases—green, blue, off-white, the exact sort of serene design-scape a put-together bathroom needs.
