The Best Bath Towels
The plush, dense cotton towel that's genuinely soft, doesn't pick up odors, and still looks new after years of daily use. · Updated June 27, 2026
Frontgate Resort Collection
Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel
Also at frontgate.com
★star.shop pickWirecutter pickReddit favoriter/BuyItForLife favorite
Pros
- Exceptionally soft and plush without feeling overly heavy — testers rank it above Parachute, Macy's Hotel and Restoration Hardware
- Resists odor far better than typical towels, so it doesn't go musty between washes
- Owners report 2-3+ years of daily use with no fraying and a still-like-new look
- Highly absorbent dense terry that actually dries you, unlike thinner Turkish/waffle options
- Available in bath sheet size for those who want a bigger towel
- Makes a popular, reliably good gift — broad consensus across Wirecutter and Reddit
Cons
- Premium price (~$45/towel), well above Costco, Target or Walmart options many find 'good enough'
- Plush/dense towels take longer to dry in the dryer and can hog a wash load
- A few owners report white versions developing yellowish stains that are hard to remove
Minor nitpicks
- Not truly 'buy it for life' — like all towels it will eventually wear and get demoted to rag duty after many years
- Some BiFL purists prefer thinner, faster-drying Turkish towels purely for laundry convenience and closet space
The other picks
- RedditOnsen Waffle Bath Towel — Top-upvoted BiFL pick — thin but very absorbent, dries fast and resists musty smell, holds up for years
- r/BuyItForLifeCostco Charisma / Turkish Cotton Towels — Repeatedly praised as soft, durable and cheap — the value-for-life favorite
- r/BuyItForLifeLands' End Supima / Egyptian Cotton Bath Sheets — Multiple owners report 15-20 year lifespans with great color and texture retention