You have choices when it comes to buying Turkish towels. Too many, to be honest. So, how do you know what to look for? What style should you choose? What brand is best? And how do you know which one is right for you?
There's no perfect Turkish towel. There are different kinds of Turkish towels that suit different kinds of people. That's because there are so many ways you might want to use your towel. So we needed to separate unique factors to help you find the right towel, depending on your personal needs.
Do you prefer a lightweight towel? Do you prefer one that's heavy-duty? Do you only want to use it at the beach? Do you only want to use it at home? These are factors we took into consideration and we sought out the right Turkish towel for you.
We found the top five Turkish towel companies (based on google search, reviews and press features), and purchased one Turkish towel from each.
Here are the top five Turkish towel companies we ordered from, in no particular order:
(Disclosure: we're affiliated with The Bali Market. We recommend each towel on this list. Each towel was tested fairly and based on actual testing and customer opinions, not our own.)
There are lots of ways to analyze what makes a towel "the best". Personal preference is a factor, but we wanted to find the best towels based on what people actually want from a Turkish towel.
We asked real live customers to rank what features were most important to them in a Turkish towel, and here's what they said:
We washed and used and tested each towel keeping those top five features in mind. Each towel had its own unique benefits. Keep reading as we break down each Turkish towel.
Which Towel is Most Absorbent?
A towel needs to be absorbent. And everybody wants to know, are Turkish towels actually absorbent? Yes. They are. But, some are more absorbent than others.
So we put each towel to the test.
After washing and drying each towel once, we placed each towel in a bowl with 2 cups of cool water. Every towel was able to soak up the 2 cups of water, but some soaked the water up quicker than others.
Absorbency:
This list goes in order from most absorbent (absorbed the water the quickest) to least.
The size of a towel is important too. Turkish towels are typically larger than "regular" terry style towels, but we learned the size of each towel varies greatly. We measured each towel, twice.
Overall Size:
In order from largest to smallest.
Turkish-T is one of the top Turkish towel brands. Based in Nashville, they sell on their own site and prices range from $29-$61. They also sell a collection of blankets, pillows, robes and other soft goods.
This is their best seller and a solid choice when looking for a basic Turkish towel. For the price you can switch to Turkish with all your towels and use them without hesitation.
This towel is right for you if:
You're looking for an economical towel. Need to stock-up on pool towels? Or a travel towel? This is a great choice. This also works great as a sarong. It's a lightweight towel that drapes nicely.
This towel is very soft and dried super fast. It's a thin towel and might not hold up to heavy-duty use, so keep that in mind when ordering.
Details:
Size: 37" x 63"
Weight: 9.4 oz
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Here's what you'll get when you order:
We ordered a single towel and it arrived in a standard poly mailer bag in a plastic bag.
Pros:
Cheapest towel/very affordable
Thin weave means it dries very quickly
Soft
Cons:
Not as absorbent as other towels on this list
May not hold up to heavy-duty use
Five Star Customer Review:
"I have 5 Turkish-T's and use them all the time. I buy them as gifts for friends and they all love them. The company's customer service is friendly and easy to talk to." -Mac
If you're looking for a traditional Turkish towel from The Turkish Towel Company, this is the one. Meaning, it's the only flat Turkish towel available from The Turkish Towel Company (they also sell terry cloth towels made from Turkish cotton).
This towel has a luxury feel to it. It feels like a fine linen, but it's made with 100% Turkish cotton. This towel is tightly woven and feels very durable.
This towel is right for you if:
You'd like a sophisticated bath towel. Ideal for luxury style.
Details:
Size: 38" x 69"
Weight: 11.8 oz
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Pros:
Linen like texture
Dense weave means snags are unlikely
Cons:
Stiff at first - but will soften over time
This is the only "Turkish style" towel available from this company
Five Star Customer Review:
"By far the best of all the Peshtemal towels I’ve purchased. Durable, sturdy, soft, absorbent, quick-drying, attractive, well made—after buying one I ordered two more!" - Janet R.
Here's what you'll get when you order:
We ordered a single towel and it arrived in a standard poly mailer bag in a plastic bag.
Coyuchi is all about organic and they offer not just organic Turkish towels, but bedding, blankets, robes and more. Based in California their style is casual luxury.
This is the most expensive towel on this list, but the price definitely reflects the quality. This towel has a beautiful texture and is densely woven.
This is the right towel for you if:
You'd like different size options and a thicker/denser Turkish towel.
Pros:
Top quality
Very absorbent (the smallest towel but was able to soak up 2 cups of water easily)
The textured weave feels soft and durable
100% organic Turkish cotton (GOTS certified)
Cons:
Smallest towel we tested (order the "Beach Towel" size if you'd like a larger towel)
The most expensive towel we tested
Details:
Size: 29" x 57"
Weight: 10.4 oz
Material: 100% organic Turkish cotton
Five Star Customer Review:
We ordered a single towel and it arrived in a padded kraft paper mailer in a plastic bag.
Based in California, Sand Cloud is where you'll find beach-y style towels in bright and funky colors. If you're looking for a wilder style for the beach, you'll find it at Sand Cloud. They're all about the beach life and are committed to "save the fishies". They donate 10% of their sales to protecting marine life via multiple marine conservation charities.
A modern take on the Mexican beach blanket, the Baja towel has a casual vibe. It has embroidered textures throughout the towel. It's a thicker towel, ideal for the beach.
This towel is right for you if:
You're looking for a modern beach towel. And if you're living a boho-vibe life this towel could be used as a wall tapestry, blanket, or table runner.
Details:
Size: 35" x 72"
Weight: 12.8 oz
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Pros:
Textured/embroidered detail makes this towel stand out
Ideal as a beach towel
Thicker towel - ideal for laying on the sand
Cons:
Unique style may not work with all decor
Did not absorb water as quickly as other towels
Five Star Customer Review:
"Love my towel! The towel is nicer than I anticipated! I can't wait to use it when I go to the beach. The color is amazing and I can't wait to purchase more!" - Molly K.
Here's what you'll get when you order:
We ordered a single towel and it arrived rolled in a standard poly mailer.
The Bali Market is all about minimalism. Based in Arizona, all their towels feature simple and classic designs in calming colors.
The Perfect Classic is the original Bali Market towel, and a customer favorite. It works well as a bath and a beach towel, and is the largest towel on this list.
This towel is right for you if:
You're looking for a classic Turkish towel. The style works for both the bath and beach and it lightweight for travel and to wrap as a sarong.
Pros:
Classic style works for bath and beach
Overall largest towel we tested
Very absorbent
Cons:
Lightweight towel
Not pre-shrunk, so it will shrink
Details:
Size: 40" x 70"
Weight: 10.2 oz
Material: 100% Turkish cotton
Five Star Customer Review:
"These towels are amazing! I love the style and look, of course! They are gorgeous towels! I was surprised at how soft and absorbing they are too! I am 100% satisfied and I'm already planning on getting a few more! Thanks Bali Market!" - Brooke B.
Here's what you'll get when you order:
A single towel arrives wrapped in tissue in a 100% recycled poly mailer.
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