Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
This spa-like upgrade is actually as practical as it is pretty.
If you’ve ever admired those chic, textured towels hanging in a boutique hotel bathroom, chances are they were waffle towels. They may look like they belong in a spa, but their appeal goes far beyond aesthetics. As their name implies, waffle towels are designed to mimic a honeycomb formation utilizing raised squares of woven fabric. Their weave makes them lightweight, fast-drying, and effortlessly stylish. They’re a smart swap for bulky terry towels, especially in small or humid bathrooms. But not all of them are as soft or absorbent as they look.
Our editors decided to test popular towels from brands like Brooklinen, Quince, West Elm, and Parachute. After over two years, we’ve found the seven best waffle towels that have earned a spot in your linen closet. Ahead, see which actually feel good, dry well, and hold up over time, plus expert advice on how to shop for the best ones.
Best Deal
Digital Editor Meghan Shouse still swears by her Brooklinen waffle towels, which are one of the best-selling options on the market due to their extra-plush, shrinkage-prone material. “Now, I will say that these waffle towels didn’t feel like they were soaking up excess water that quickly. After drying myself off, my skin still felt a bit damp. However, it actually wasn’t. It turns out when you use soft towels that don't rub your skin raw, the way some of my terrycloth ones do, your skin simply feels softer and more moisturized,” she notes. “It was a weird feeling to get used to, and I did have to check a few times each use to see if I was actually dry, but the waffle knit did a great job of drying me off, even in my humid bathroom.”
Quince's tightly woven waffle towels have a honeycomb texture that’s both pleasing to the eye and smooth to the touch. It adds a spa-like, polished feel to any bathroom when it’s on display. Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie was a waffle towel hater before these Quince towels changed her mind. “The waffle towels I tried before had such rough indentations in the fabric that they worked better as decorative towels,” McKenzie says. “On this Quince set, it’s much smoother. The feature that makes all the difference is the soft terry backing. The underside of the towel cradles and absorbs the moisture from my skin after a shower without creating a gross, damp feeling. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the high-quality towels come in a set of two for $50.”
Tester Jessica Cherner was previously loyal to ultra-plush terry towels, so she was surprised when she liked Onsen’s waffle towel. “The Onsen towel feels like a blanket that also happens to be quite absorbent, so when I get out of the shower, I feel immediately comforted as I wrap myself up in this,” Cherner says. The only downside? “I will say, though, these aren't as absorbent as the terry cotton ones I'm used to, but they get the job done.”
Absorbency is usually the most common concern when it comes to waffle towels, but some work even better than traditional terry. Tester Rhea Park is a convert after switching to West Elm’s lightweight waffle towels. “I really liked how soft and plush the towels feel on my skin, and even with a white towel, they did not stain or lose color after quite a few uses,” Park says. “As an added bonus, they also wash very easily and did not wrinkle or shrink, which made life a lot easier for me. I will definitely be continuing to reach for these in the future!”
Commerce Deputy Editor Heath Owens gets the best of both worlds in his dual-sided Cozy Earth waffle towels. “The towels felt thick and substantial right after taking them out of the packaging, which I imagine is different from most other waffle towels,” Owens says. “These are weighty. I like to initially dry off with the plush side of the towel and then flip it over to the waffle side when wrapping the towel around my body to wear. The waffle side feels light against the skin, and it allows you to continue to dry off without feeling like a heavy wet towel is draped around you.”
An oversized towel with a chic look can feel like an elegant part of your bathroom decor, instead of a utility piece. “At first, I thought I was sent the wrong item because it looked like a blanket. It felt soft, light, and airy. It is also pretty big (56 by 30 inches). The texture made me a little skeptical of how well it would work,” tester Catherine DiPersico admits of Parachute’s waffle towels. “Due to its airy texture, I felt that it took a little bit more effort to soak up all the water, but not that much more. It held the water just fine without any dripping, but more than anything, I just love the way it looks hanging in my bathroom! It’s so much chicer than a terry towel.”
Tester Katelyn Lunders had yet to find a towel that could stay mildew-free in her bathroom—until testing this one. “My bathroom's total lack of ventilation means my towels take forever to dry, making them extra prone to developing a terrible mildewy smell, so I was desperate to try something new. I grew up on soft, terry towels, and like many colleagues, I was a bit worried when I unwrapped my waffle towel. However, after putting it to the test, I was blown away by how little moisture it retains. I'm definitely dry after using it, so I'm not quite sure where the water is going, but this waffle towel doesn't get very damp. I haven't timed it, but I would estimate that, even in my small, humid space, the towel is dry within the hour.”
How We Tested Our Waffle Towels
Our goal with testing our waffle towels was to see what it's like to really live with them rather than using them once and reporting back. Upon receiving our towels, we washed them per the product instructions and put them to work. Everyone used them pre- and post-shower to get a sense of how soft, absorbent, and beautiful they were. And, spoiler alert: All of the towels passed the test. House Beautiful editors and testers have been using these towels for at least two years, taking notes along the way and detailing our experiences in full. Over time, we also noted how well they held up in the wash and after several uses.
Are Waffle Bath Towels Better Than Terry?
Neither type of towel is necessarily better than the other. The best towel is going to be the one you prefer. So, if you like a beautiful towel that's thin enough to take up as little space as possible in your linen closet or hanging on a rod, go with a waffle towel. If, on the other hand, you like the plushness and obvious absorbency of traditional terry cloth towels, go with those. Both types do what they're supposed to do, which is dry you off quickly and well, so if you're not sure which ones to invest in, consider the look and feel of both over functionality. Waffle towels tend to boast a bit more visual interest because they're not the norm. Terry towels, though, are typically softer. It's all about weighing the pros and cons against one another to figure out which type of towel is better for you. One thing we will say: Because of the specific weave, waffle towels tend to air dry a lot faster than terry.
How Do You Launder Waffle Towels?
Typically, you can wash and dry waffle towels the same way you would terry ones: Toss them in the machine (ideally, at a cooler temperature to avoid shrinkage) and in the dryer (on low or medium heat). If you're unsure, peep the laundry tag on the towel before cleaning it. Otherwise, check the brand's site for more information. Luckily, all of the waffle towels on our list are easy to clean. Whatever you do, though, don't, we repeat, don't, dry clean them. Dry cleaners often use harmful chemicals that damage the material, making your towels more fragile and less soft. Another helpful hint: If you like your towel to be as fluffy as possible, pop it in the dryer after each use for 15 or so minutes on low heat. Bouncing around in the dryer will reawaken the weave, making the towel a little more plush. Otherwise, let it air-dry before using it again.
Why Trust House Beautiful?
When it comes to picking out high-quality pieces for every room in the home, Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie has been reviewing furniture, appliances, and home must-haves for over three years. From patio furniture that’s designer-approved to the best luxury sheets, McKenzie has made it her mission to find only the most promising products. Not to mention, she's been on a never-ending quest to decorate her own apartment with a budget and size constraint in mind, so you can trust that she has done her homework to find the best and most beloved pieces on the market. For this story, McKenzie spent hours combing through reviews and ratings to select the best waffle towels on the market and then tapped her fellow editors and testers to thoroughly test several waffle towels in their own homes to determine the best on the market right now.
Anthropologie Home’s Labor Day Sale Is Next-Level
Pro Organizers' Genius Amazon Travel Finds
27 Chic Amazon Fall Decor Finds Starting at $14
Dolly Parton's Homes Through the Years
