The 13 Best Beach Towels You'll Definitely Want to Pack for Oceanside & Poolside Days

We're totally swooning over this retro Barbie print towel. The brightly-colored design of this Funboy x Malibu Barbie Dream Beach Towel looks like something straight out of the '60s or '70s, complete with a fringe, trim and all. Just keep in mind that this towel is made of 100-percent cotton, so you'll want to be careful when washing it to avoid any potential shrinkage. 

If you're on the hunt for a bargain beach towel that doesn't sacrifice quality, you can't go wrong with the Amazon Basics Cabana Stripe Beach Towel. Sold in a set of two or four, this 100-percent cotton-terry towel is fluffy, absorbent, and designed with trendy cabana stripes. Not a fan of blue and white? No sweat, you have 10 other color combos to choose from.  

Size: 30" x 60"

This extra-large Snowe Sunny Stripe Beach Towel is often revered for feeling more like a beach blanket. Measuring over three feet wide, the towel features a convenient corner loop for hanging and a minimalist design with wide-spaced stripes. It's sold in three colors, though, only the strips vary — the towel base is always white.

That being said, this towel is definitely best for adults who are careful about not spilling things or getting too dirty. If you're looking for a kiddo-friendly towel for a beach trip or to take on a dirty camping adventure, this might not be the best move. 

Size: ​​40"x 70"

Prefer a towel that dries especially fast? This quick-dry best-seller, the Dock & Bay Quick Dry Bath Towel, is sold in eight colors and is designed to dry three times faster than a standard cotton beach towel. Beyond its drying superpowers, this microfiber beach towel is constructed in such a way to repel sand, so you can easily shake it clean after use, and features a corner hook for easy hanging. 

P.S. Dock & Bay has tons more options, like its essential collection and cabana beach towels.

Sizes: 35" x 63" (Large); 35" x 78" (Extra Large)

How fun is this bold wave-print Slowtide Out the Back Beach Towel? You definitely won't lose track of this pattern in a sea of solid-colored towels. Although it's 100-percent cotton, the instructions say it can be washed and tumble-dried without issues, so it's convenient to care for, too. 

Size: 30" x 60"

Allure contributor Rebecca Norris personally adores the Ban.do Beach Please! Giant beach towel, which is currently available in five prints. In addition to being the perfect size, the fast-drying towel is super absorbent and soft. Where the underside feels like classic terry, the topside boasts a velour-like texture. And given just how colorful they are, they make for a great photo backdrop for summer.

Luckily for us, each year, the brand debuts new prints, so nothing’s stopping you from refreshing your personal collection and tossing a new towel into your beach bag every summer.

Size: 40" x 72"

You don't have to spend upwards of $20 to snag a colorful towel. At Target (one of our favorite beauty destinations, too), you can scoop this bright Sun Squad XL Daisy Icon Beach Towel for just $15. The cotton towel adheres to ​​strict Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX guidelines — which means it's been tested for and proven safe from harmful substances — so it's an eco-friendly and socially responsible option, too. 

Did you know that your beach towel can be a literal work of art? This 100-percent cotton, machine-washable towel is printed with one of photographer Gray Malin's most popular aerial beach shots and, as one would expect, named The Aerial Beach Towel. A famous beach photograph as the design of your beach towel? That's meta in the very best way.

Hoping to buy matching towels in bundles? The Serena & Lily Mallorca Beach Towel, which is made of looped terry Turkish cotton, is available in single, four-pack, eight-pack, and 12-pack options. When picking your towels, you can choose from seven color options, but the entire beach towel set has to match.

Size: 40" x 70"

Lack of Color might be best known for its trendy straw and boater wide-brimmed hats, but the Australian brand also sells stylish towels perfect for poolside days. Designed with a Matisse-esque print, the Formes Beach Towel is a bold option for summer 2022 — especially because it's sold in vivid royal blue, grass green, and sunny yellow options. What's particularly cool about these 100-percent cotton woven towels is that the design is inverted on the reverse side. 

Size: 28" x 56"

Sold in six colorful designs (each of which has a coordinating colorful hem), this extra-fluffy Beach Towel has become a fan favorite since Weezie first released it. A big part of its popularity is due to the fact that you can personalize it for an additional $15. If you choose to do so, you can pick from 10 monogram designs or four name styles. 

Size: 38" x 70"