Holidays & Occasions Summer The Best Beach Towels To Buy For Summer From sand-free blankets to pretty patterns, there’s something for everyone. By Southern Living Editors Updated on April 21, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Muriel Silva for Dillard's Like socks and lip balm, beach towels have a way of disappearing into thin air. On the night before the first pool day or beach weekend of the year, you open the linen closet where you're sure they will be, where you're fully confident they will be, where you are utterly and absolutely positive they will be. And poof! Thin. Air. Since we're all in the market for one, two, or five new beach towels at any given time, let us show you the best beach towels you'll never want to leave behind. Cover all of your family's functional needs with a sand-free blanket that keeps itself clean, an oversized towel fit for snuggling up in after a chilly dip, or an affordable set of cabana towels that'll ship quickly with Amazon Prime. Whether you prefer the quick-drying material of Turkish beach towels or absorbent plush styles, there's something for everyone. And don't forget about yourself, either. We included a few stylish options that deserve a spot in your beach bag all summer long. These beach towels will get you excited for the season—just make sure to keep an eye on them so they don't go missing. Our Top Picks Best Overall: WETCAT Turkish Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Oversized: Arkwright LLC Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Travel: Dock & Bay Cabana Quick Dry Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Ben Kaufman Personalized Printed Beach Towels for Kids at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Utopia Towels Cabana Stripe Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Sand Repellent: WEKAPO Sand Free Beach Blanket at Amazon Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Nova Blue Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Pattern: Dillard's Southern Living x Nellie Howard Ossi Collection Block Print Beach Towel at Dillards.com Jump to Review Best Round: RosieLily Round Mandala Beach Towel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall WETCAT Turkish Beach Towel Amazon View On Amazon Pros Lightweight Packable Large variety of colors Cons Not plush As the overall best-seller in Amazon's massive beach towel category, Wetcat's Turkish Beach Towel has won over thousand of shoppers thanks to its packable and lightweight material. The pre-washed beach towels are soft and immediately absorb water rather than repel it. And practicality aside, their fringe detailing adds a pop to what can be an otherwise plain accessory. Price at time of publish: $30 Best Oversized Arkwright LLC Arkwright Oversized Beach Towel Arkwright LLC View On Amazon Pros Plush Bulk savings Larger than standard towels Cons Only sold in pack of 4 There's nothing quite as blissful as snuggling up in a plush oversized beach towel while soaking up some rays. If you want to keep things comfy, Amazon shoppers suggest wrapping up in this best-seller that "rolls up nicely." It comes in a pack of four, so you can cover the whole family with one purchase. Price at time of publish: $55 for 4 Best for Travel Dock & Bay Cabana Quick Dry Towel 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Dockandbay.com Pros Lightweight Absorbent Quick drying Cons Not plush Higher price point When you're traveling to the beach, packing light is everything. That's why a beach towel that easily packs down and saves space is a must. This best-selling style is as stylish as it is compact, since it comes with a travel accessory pouch. With its classic striped pattern available in 38 colors, the hardest part of this purchase is deciding which one to go with. Price at time of publish: $30 Best for Kids Ben Kaufman Personalized Printed Beach Towels for Kids Amazon View On Amazon Pros Personalization included 22 pattern options Cons No solid color options Giving your little ones a personalized beach towel is one way to make sure everyone in the family has their own go-to. This Amazon shopper-favorite towel comes in 22 kid-friendly patterns and prints, all of which are available for personalized embroidery at checkout. Price at time of publish: $20 Best Value Utopia Towels Cabana Stripe Beach Towel (30 x 60 Inches) - 100% Ring Spun Cotton Large Pool Towels, Soft and Quick Dry Swim Towels Variety Pack Amazon View On Amazon Pros Absorbent Affordable Cons Only sold in pack of 4 On account of the disappearing act that beach towels have a habit of pulling, it only makes sense to stock up. This four-pack of towels is winning over beach lovers everywhere. "We live just yards from the beach and we go through towels quickly," one reviewer said. "We use them, our visiting family and friends use them, and we use them around the pool as well. So many of the 'tourist' towels really don't stand up to the wear, but these do. Absorbent and soft [and] the colors stay vibrant." Price at time of publish: $40 for 4 Best Sand Repellent WEKAPO Sand Free Beach Blanket Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Repels sand Repels water Large size Cons Not plush Not absorbent As much as we love digging our toes in the sand, having to sweep it out of our beach bags for the days following isn't the best time. That's why investing in a beach blanket designed to repel sand is the way to go. Thousands of shoppers have fallen for this popular style that ensures sand "blows right off." Price at time of publish: $29 Best Lightweight Nova Blue Nova Blue Beach Towel Nova Blue View On Amazon Pros Lightweight Absorbent Cons No solid color options This lightweight towel screams "summertime fun" thanks to its punchy patterns with sea animals, flamingos, and florals. Rave reviews for the best-selling beach towel mention how "excellent" the quality is and how well the towel holds up to washing. Price at time of publish: $23 Best Pattern Dillard's Southern Living x Nellie Howard Ossi Collection Block Print Beach Towel 4.3 Dillard's View On Dillards.com Pros Designer pattern Cotton terry material Cons Higher price point A great beach towel shouldn't sacrifice style. A part of Jacksonville, Florida-based interior designer Nellie Howard Ossi's Dillard's collection , this beach towel offers an eye-catching patterns to put on display at the beach or poolside. In addition to the colorful design, it also features a fringe trim. If Dillard's "people have this added to their wish list!" feature is any indication, you'll want to act fast—shoppers have their eyes on it. Price at time of publish: $45 Best Round RosieLily Round Mandala Beach Towel Amazon View On Amazon Pros Unique shape Fast drying Cons No solid color options If you're in the market for an Instagram-worthy towel, why not go with the round towel trend? This 100 percent cotton fast-drying towel works for picnics and outdoor yoga just as well as it does waterside. You can get the beach blanket in eight mandala-inspired prints. Price at time of publish: $20 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit