By Savannah Sher | Published Aug 19, 2022 11:47 AM

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Turkish towels—also known as foutas, or hammam towels—are typically made from long-fiber cotton, which makes them incredibly soft and absorbent. They’re much thinner than traditional terry cloth towels and dry quickly, making them a great choice for travel. They also work well as bath towels, face cloths, hand towels, decorative throws, and picnic blankets.

Buying Turkish towels online, however, can feel a bit overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best Turkish towels and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while evaluating products. Use this guide for tips on choosing the ideal options, and explore our curated picks for some of the best Turkish towels on the market.

Although it’s easy to assume that all Turkish towels offer similar performance, a number of factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing Turkish towels for your home.

Technically, a Turkish towel should be made from 100 percent long-staple cotton fibers. Truly authentic Turkish towels stipulate that they’re made with cotton sourced in Turkey. These fibers ensure that the towels are soft and absorbent. Some products on the market will be labeled as Turkish towels but are, in fact, made from synthetic materials. Sometimes Turkish cotton is blended with other natural fibers like linen or bamboo. For the purposes of this article, we opted to include only towels made from 100 percent cotton to ensure their quality.

One of the primary benefits of Turkish towels is their high absorbency. In fact, Turkish towels become increasingly absorbent with use because the cotton fibers open up and allow more water to be absorbed. To ensure your new Turkish towels are as absorbent as possible, soak them in cold water for between 12 and 24 hours before using them. Allow them to dry naturally after this initial soak.

It’s important to note that the most absorbent Turkish towels are typically thicker and will inevitably take a little longer to dry.

When using a Turkish towel both at home or while traveling, a quick drying time is a major benefit. Standard fluffy bath towels take a long time to dry, which provides time for bacteria to develop and multiply. Turkish towels always dry faster than towels made from regular cotton or terry cloth, but some models dry faster than others. If a fast drying time is a top priority, look for towels that are thin and lightweight.

One of the primary considerations when shopping for Turkish towels is their size. The right size for a particular shopper will depend on its intended use.

It’s important to note that Turkish towels will shrink when they’re washed for the first time. Look for towels that are prewashed if their precise dimensions are a priority.

Turkish towels typically share a relatively similar aesthetic with their patterned fabric and fringed edges. They are available in a wide variety of colors, but the most popular are neutrals and pastels. The patterns can include stripes, herringbone prints, chevron prints, geometric prints, and abstract prints.

When shopping for beach towels, spring for a fun, brightly colored towel that will stand out against the sand. For home use, consider towels in colors that match the aesthetic of the bathroom and other linens.

Now that you’ve learned more about Turkish towels, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best Turkish towels in a variety of categories.

Wetcat’s towels are made from 100 percent Turkish cotton, making them soft, absorbent, and durable. Measuring 71 inches long by 38 inches wide, this product makes an excellent beach towel, throw blanket, or picnic blanket.

This towel is prewashed and therefore doesn’t need to be washed or soaked before use. This also means it won’t shrink significantly. It’s available in 24 colors and a number of simple striped patterns, providing options to suit a wide variety of tastes and color schemes. All of Wetcat’s towels are made with Oeko-Tex-certified natural dyed yarn, ensuring they aren’t produced using potentially harmful chemicals.

Get the Wetcat Turkish towels on Amazon.

Many affordable products labeled as Turkish towels aren’t actually made from 100 percent cotton, but these towels from Glamburg are made of cotton with a hand-knotted fringe. They measure 71 inches long by 36 inches wide, allowing for use as bath towels or beach towels. They come in packs of two, four, or six towels, allowing shoppers to replace their cotton terry bath towels for an affordable price.

One downside is that the color selection is relatively limited with just four colors to choose from. They are not prewashed and should therefore be washed or soaked before use.

Get the Glamburg Turkish towels on Amazon.

This set of six Turkish towels from Coyuchi comes with two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths. They’re made from 100 percent organic cotton that weighs 320 grams per square meter, meaning they’re ultrathin and lightweight. The fringe is hand knotted, lending these towels an artisanal look.

The bath towels measure 54 inches long by 28 inches wide, while the guest towels measure 26 inches long by 16 inches wide, and the washcloths measure 12 inches long by 12 inches wide. Shoppers can choose from five colors, all of which have a tasteful, modern aesthetic. Machine wash them using a gentle cycle and machine dry on low to keep them soft.

Get the Coyuchi Turkish towels on Wayfair.

Hybrid Turkish towels feature one flat-woven side and one terry-woven side, providing the best of both worlds and acting as a great introduction for those who are reluctant about making the switch to traditional Turkish towels. These towels from Parachute are made from 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, and the material weighs 450 grams per square meter, making these a mid-weight option that is perfect for home use.

They are sold either as a set or individually and come in four sizes: bath towel (56 inches long by 30 inches wide), bath sheet (70 inches long by 40 inches wide), hand towel (30 inches long by 20 inches wide), and washcloth (12 inches long by 12 inches wide).

Get the Parachute Turkish towels at Parachute.

These Turkish hand towels from Smyrna Collection are made from 100 percent cotton imported from Turkey and come in a set of two. Each towel measures 40 inches long by 16 inches wide, allowing for them to be used as dishcloths, yoga towels, or small travel towels. They are woven in a vintage style and come in an assortment of colors, from timeless neutrals to bolder hues.

They are safe to machine wash at temperatures up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. One potential downside is that the manufacturer of these towels does not recommend tumble drying and instead suggests allowing them to air-dry.

Get the Smyrna Turkish towels on Amazon.

Those looking for a throw blanket made in the style of a Turkish towel will appreciate the large size of this model from Bersuse. The Anatolia towel measures 82 inches long by 61 inches wide, making it perfect for use as a decorative blanket, a beach throw, or a picnic blanket. These 100 percent cotton blankets are handloomed in Turkey and are prewashed, though the manufacturer still recommends washing them before they’re used.

They have a classic striped design and are available in a wide range of colors, providing options to suit a variety of tastes. They should be washed in cold water and tumble dried on low.

Get the Bersuse Turkish towels on Amazon.

Most Turkish towels on the market share similar designs and aesthetics, but these Nova Blue ones feature a bolder pattern with oversize pom-pom tassels that make for a striking look. They’re made from 100 percent Turkish cotton and each measure 69 inches long by 37 inches wide, making them perfect compact beach towels that will roll up neatly in a suitcase or backpack. Because the fibers are tightly woven, they resist sand and dry quickly.

They’re available in several colors, and all of the dyes used to produce these towels are Oeko-Tex certified. They should be machine washed using a gentle cycle and air dried or tumble dried on low.

Get the Nova Blue Turkish towels on Amazon.

These large towels from Bosphorus come in a set of six, allowing shoppers to replace standard bath towels or purchase beach towels for the whole family. They’re made from 100 percent Turkish cotton, and each measures 74 inches long by 39 inches wide. Because of their size, they’re versatile enough to be used for a variety of different purposes. They come prewashed, so they won’t shrink and don’t need to be soaked before being used.

There are several colors available, some of which come with six towels of the same color and others with an assortment of colors.

Get the Bosphorus Turkish towels on Amazon.

Turkish towels are a great choice for travel, whether they’ll be used as quick-drying bath towels, beach towels, cozy throws, or picnic blankets. This model is even more convenient than the average Turkish towel, however, because it comes with a carrying case, which not only makes it easy to store and transport but also keeps the contents of a bag dry after a day at the pool or beach. The towels are available in a variety of colors and patterns and are all dyed using Oeko-Tex-certified natural dyes.

These towels are prewashed, so they won’t shrink and don’t require soaking. They can be machine washed with warm water and tumble dried on low.

Get the Casaverse Turkish towels on Amazon.

After reviewing this guide, you now know more about shopping for the best Turkish towels. We recommend the Wetcat Turkish towels as our top pick because they come in a versatile size and a wide range of colors. For those on a budget, the Glamburg Turkish towels offer excellent performance at a lower price point.

Years of experience covering home goods as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 50 Turkish towel options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.

Follow these care instructions to ensure your Turkish towels stay soft and absorbent:

While you now know more about Turkish towels, you may still have additional questions. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about selecting and caring for Turkish towels.

When compared to traditional cotton terry cloth towels, Turkish towels are thinner, more absorbent, and dry more quickly.

Turkish towels are a great alternative to standard bath or beach towels because of their compact size and excellent performance.

Genuine Turkish towels are made from 100 percent Turkish long-staple cotton.

Yes, Turkish towels can be dried in the dryer on low or medium heat, but you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

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