10+ best beach towels to prepare your best beach day

A trip to the beach boils down to a simple essential: a beach towel. Don’t get us wrong: sunglasses, beach chairs, umbrellas and other sun essentials (not to mention food and drinks) are also important. But having a soft, comfortable beach towel can make all the difference so you can relax, sunbathe and stay dry in style.

Whether you rest in the sand or not contraption-style or enjoy some Rick Dalton-style pool time (we’ve got some fun dips if you’re on the latter), we’ve rounded up 11 of the best beach towels for your next summer adventure. From Funboy and Barbie collections to vintage designs and affordable items from Amazon and Target, check out our favorite plush picks – all you need is your favorite swimsuit, sun hat, sunscreen and a good seat.

1. Business and leisure company a beach blanket

best umbrella

Business & Pleasure’s vintage-inspired oversized beach blanket is 100% cotton and perfect for sunny days. It comes in yellow and red stripes, swivels and comes with a leash for easy transport in the arena. The best part? Even this 60 x 60 inch towel has a hole in the center so you can add your umbrella and find shade.

2. Amazon Basics Cabana Stripe Beach Towels, 2 pack

best cheap beach towel

The super soft striped beach towels from Amazon Basics measure 30 inches by 60 inches and the 100% cotton fabric meets the Oeko-Tex 100 standard. They come in sets of two or four and in different colors.

3. Large parachute beach towel

best big beach towel

Whether you use it to dry off or as a blanket, Parachute’s oversized Turkish towel has a stylish swivel hook that makes it “gray and comfortable”. They’re made from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified Turkish cotton and measure 57 inches by 70 inches, making them the biggest option on our list.

4. Funboy x Barbie Dream large beach towel

The most elegant beach towel

Two words: Barbie and Fringe. Measuring 65 x 35 inches, this oversized Funboy towel inspired by the 70s from the doll brand’s iconic Dream Collection is perfect for days at the pool and beach. The dreamy print features distant flowers in tangerine orange, pink, red and white, but the company also offers other designs, including tie-dye, hut stripes, vintage palm trees and a high design collaboration by Cult Gaia. They are also on sale at 20% off.

5. Dock & Bay Quick Dry Towel

The best travel towels.

This versatile, quick-drying towel from Dock and Bay is compact and perfect for travel, and it also comes with a handy pouch. It doesn’t build up a musty smell and absorbs quickly, and it has an elastic hook that you can hang to dry. It’s made from 100% recycled materials and comes in large (63 x 35 inches) and extra large (78 x 35 inches) sizes, and you can choose from dozens of colors and colorful stripe patterns.

6. Pottery Barn Classic Striped Organic Beach Towel

The best eco-friendly striped towel

Enjoy a moment of luxury on Saint Tropez beach with this organic striped reversible towel from Pottery Barn. Made in Portugal, this 40″ x 70″ beach towel is super absorbent, ultra soft, super fluffy and is available in other colors including navy, blue, grey, chambray, black and red. You can also customize this piece with a monogram.

7. Utopia Towels Cabana Striped Beach Towel

The best variety pack.

Planning a group beach trip on a budget? This 100% cotton option from Utopia Towels may be perfect for you and is available in packs of four or 24. They come in blue, yellow, green and orange, and each towel measures 30 by 60 inches.

8. Sun Squad Shark Hooded Beach Towel

best for kids

This adorable Shark Hooded Beach Towel from Sun Squad is super fun and the perfect size for kids. It’s quick-drying and soft, made from 100% cotton. At 24 by 24 inches, it’s small enough to slip into your bag and hit the road.

9. Delilah Home Sunset Organic Cotton Beach Towels

best turkish towels

Cozy up with Delilah Home’s Sunset Beach 100% organic cotton beach towels, which come in four colors (red, mineral green, teal and blue) and are easy to roll up and store in a bag. Plush and pads are designed to be durable and safe for people with allergies, skin sensitivities and respiratory problems.

10. Beach Towel Bdsign

The best quick-drying towel.

This 75 by 75 inch oversize microfiber beach towel is lightweight and offers plenty of space to relax. It comes in a variety of designs (including multicolored and white palm trees) and can be used as a blanket or even at home. It comes in three different sizes, including round, and is also 25% off.

11. Missoni Home Swirl Print Beach Towel

best designer beach towel

You can’t miss your spot on the sand with Missoni’s reversible beach towel, featuring the Italian luxury house’s iconic stripe pattern. It measures 63 inches long by 31.5 inches wide and is made from 100% cotton terry fabric that is machine washable.