Whether you've just washed your hands, washed the dishes, or prepared food, you'll usually end up with wet hands. You could shake them off and wait for them to dry, but that'll take you quite a while. You might even end up getting your kitchen or bathroom floor wet! This is what makes hand towels so important. Although they help you with a very simple task of drying your hands, they help provide a safer environment.
Choosing one isn't quite as simple, though, as you have to consider different factors such as the material, dimensions, and more. To help you make the right purchase, we've come up with a buying guide below. We've also included our top 10 picks of the best hand towels that you can buy online, plus some tips on how to wash them.
Quick List - Top Hand Towels
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
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Hand towels come in different types of fabrics and dimensions. Sometimes, they even come with additional features! It's important to take all of these into consideration so that you can purchase a hand towel that suits you best.
The fabric is arguably the most important consideration when buying a hand towel, given the fact that it will not only dictate the softness and comfort of your towel, but its absorbency as well. With this in mind, let's look at some of the most common fabrics being used for hand towels.
One of the most popular choices when it comes to towel fabric, cotton, has made a name for itself due to its soft and plush feeling, which makes it very comfortable. Cotton towels are also usually thicker than other towels, so they can survive multiple washes. They're also super absorbent; however, this means they take quite a long time to dry.
There are many different types of cotton, each with different qualities. For example, combed cotton is the term used for a material that is made using a special manufacturing process which makes it softer and more durable than regular cotton.
If you're looking for the best cotton material, or as they say, the cream of the crop, go for Egyptian and Supima cotton, both of which offer superior softness, durability, and breathability as compared to other types of cotton. Just take note that as the quality of cotton increases, so does the cost.
Microfiber is made from a blend of synthetic materials, such as polyester and polyamide, that gives the material very small fibers. Microfiber towels are usually very absorbent due to their high surface area while being generally thinner as compared to cotton. While they're absorbent, they still manage to dry quicker compared to cotton.
The unique properties of microfiber towels make them feel quite smooth and fine, properties that some could find quite uncomfortable to use. If you haven't used a microfiber towel and are thinking of getting one, expect that it'll take you a couple of uses to get used to the texture!
Nowadays, bamboo fibers are being used to make towels as well. You may either find bamboo being incorporated as a blend with cotton, or you may also find 100% bamboo towels. These types of towels are known to have a very soft texture and are highly absorbent and durable.
Since bamboo is a very fast-growing plant, bamboo towels are also considered to be the most eco-friendly towels to produce. Bamboo towels are not perfect, though, given that they are usually more expensive than cotton and microfiber ones.
Hand towels typically have a 15”-18” by 25”-30” dimension. Of course, you could always go for slightly larger or smaller sizes, depending on your preference. For example, you could go for the smaller hand towels if you want something handier. Bigger hand towels, on the other hand, give you more room to fully dry your hands.
Do you prefer a thinner or a thicker hand towel? Both types of hand towels have their advantages. Thinner hand towels are generally lighter and dry quicker. Thicker hand towels have the exact opposite properties - they are heavier and dry much slower. However, they are more absorbent compared to their thinner counterparts.
A towel's thickness is usually given by its GSM, or grams per square meter. Sellers rarely indicate the thickness of their hand towels. Luckily, you can easily estimate the GSM if you're given the dimensions and weight of the towel.
Simply use an online GSM calculator, such as this one. Do take note that this method of getting the GSM is more accurate for simple towels with no 3-dimensional designs or loops.
If you have a towel bar, then you wouldn't have a problem with finding a specific area to place your hand towel on. For those who don't have this kind of fixture, consider getting a hand towel with a loop.
This kind of hand towel is pretty convenient since you can easily hang it on easy-to-access places such as hooks, the handles of your shelves, or even on your fridge handle!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Scott Living Ultra Soft Egyptian Cotton Hand Towel | ![]() | Egyptian Cotton Hand Towel for Superior Softness | |
2 | Linen and Homes 100% Bamboo Hand Towel | ![]() | Bamboo Hand Towel for an Eco-Friendly Alternative | |
3 | Primeo Premium Cotton Hand Towels | ![]() | Luxury Hand Towels at an Affordable Price | |
4 | Aquazorb Hand Towel With Built-In Elastic Loop | ![]() | Compact Hand Towel That You Can Roll or Hang | |
5 | IKEA Kornan Hand Towel | ![]() | A Fast-Drying, Lightweight Hand Towel From a Known Brand | |
6 | Balay Ti Abel Premium Trambia Hand Towel | ![]() | Best Pick for Those Who Prefer Local Craftsmanship | |
7 | Sweejar Hanging Hand Towel | ![]() | A Unique Hand Towel That Is Highly Absorbent | |
8 | Ziorca Cartoon Hanging Hand Towel | ![]() | Brighten Up Your Space With This Cute Hand Towel | |
9 | Joyce & Diana 100% Cotton Grand Hand Towel | ![]() | Durable Cotton Towel That’ll Last Long | |
10 | Microfiber Kitchen Towel | ![]() | Inexpensive Hanging Hand Towel in a Variety of Colors |
This hand towel from Scott Living is probably one of the best hand towels for those who are looking for a high-quality fabric. It makes use of Egyptian cotton, which is known for its very soft texture, high durability, and high absorbency. Cleaning it is a breeze, too, since it's machine washable.
It has a MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® tag, so you're sure that your hand towel was manufactured using environmentally friendly practices, from the facility itself to the material. Previous customers love how soft the material is. They also noted that the towel is thick and feels durable.
You don't have to limit yourself with the usual cotton and microfiber hand towels. This hand towel from Linen and Homes, for instance, is made from bamboo rayon. This material is actually more absorbent and softer than cotton. Best of all, bamboo rayon is a more eco-friendly material to produce!
This hand towel also has odor-resistant properties. It even has a very generous 700 GSM thickness, giving it a thick and durable feel. While it is quite pricey compared to other hand towels on the list, you do get your money's worth when it comes to the quality of materials.
This set by Primeo features 2 high-quality towels that are made from ring-spun carded cotton, a type of cotton that is softer, smoother, and has higher absorbency than other cotton materials. It's also more durable and even machine-washable!
Having a thickness of 520 GSM, this is perfect for those looking for a nice and plush hand towel. It definitely provides a bang for your buck due to its features, so don't hesitate to buy a couple of these towels to use for your bathroom, kitchen, or even for your future travels.
Here's an innovative hand towel from Aquazorb. Being made out of a microfiber fabric that's thin while managing to have impressive absorbency, it is perfect for those who are looking for a compact hand towel! You can even bring it with you on your future travels.
It features Aquazorb's innovative elastic loop that can either hold the towel in a roll or be used to hang the towel. Another pro is that Aquazorb lets you choose between 10 different colors. Just make sure to read the label before laundering this item to avoid discoloration and stains.
If you're looking for a hand towel that you can use both at home and outside the house, the IKEA Kornan is for you. It's a 320 GSM towel that's just light enough for you to easily fold it up and bring with you on the go, yet absorbent enough that it doesn't compromise functionality.
It's made of a cotton and viscose blend that gives a soft texture. It's quick-drying, too, thanks to its lightweight material. It also comes with a loop that's fixed at a unique spot, giving the hand towel a nice drape once you hang it. Plus, what you also get with this is peace of mind, as IKEA promises that their cotton comes from more sustainable sources!
You get a lot of things when you purchase this hand towel. First, you get a quality fabric that has been handwoven with the use of the Inabel weave, a traditional technique that hails from Ilocos. It features the Trambia pattern, which is characterized by the characteristic zigzag pattern of the fabric.
The towel is cotton-based, which, when combined with the special weave, gives it softness and durability. It's versatile, too, as you can even use it as a dish towel, kitchen towel, bread cloth, and many more! These qualities make this the perfect hand towel for those who want both functionality and a unique design.
If you're tired of the usual rectangular look of hand towels, consider purchasing this one-of-a-kind hand towel! Its fuzzy design and cotton material make it highly absorbent. It also comes in 2 colors that go well with any theme.
It's very functional, as it has a loop that allows you to hang it in the kitchen and bathroom. Buyers of this product loved its cute and fluffy design, as well as its great ability to dry your hands. A customer commented that it takes long to dry, though.
This cute hand towel features 4 different prints and designs that you can choose from to go with your space. Speaking of space, you can hang it by its loop on easily accessible places in the bathroom and kitchen such as hooks, shelves, or even your fridge's door handle!
The towel is made of thick microfiber that's effective in absorbing water. It is a little smaller than most hand towels, but it does dry quickly! The buyer reviews are quite positive for this one, with most of them claiming that they liked its soft texture and high-quality feel of the product.
The Grand Hand Towel by Joyce & Diana is great for those looking for a low-maintenance hand towel. It's made of 100% cotton that's designed to withstand both fading and pilling. It won't be a hassle to clean, too, as it's machine washable.
Despite its durable fabric, it still manages to give an invitingly soft and comfortable texture. Its lightweight fabric is breathable too! The towel even has a unique pattern that makes it more absorbent and goes great with any of the 4 colors that it comes in.
If you need a budget-friendly hand towel that'll just get the job done, consider getting this. It features a loop, allowing you to hang it on almost anything. And since it's so affordable, you could consider ordering in bulk so that you have a couple of spare towels on hand.
Its microfiber material makes it very absorbent and lightweight, as mentioned by previous buyers. Aside from its budget-friendly price, it even comes in a variety of vibrant colors that gives it a fun look!
One of the main ways that we can prevent the spread of COVID-19 is through hand hygiene. We can achieve this mainly through proper handwashing. But if you're in a place where you don't have access to soap and water, you can use hand sanitizers instead. Here are some of our favorite hand soaps and hand sanitizers that we've reviewed!
Author: Adriel Coseip
No. 1: Scott Living|Ultra Soft Egyptian Cotton Hand Towel
No. 2: Linen and Homes|100% Bamboo Hand Towel
No. 3: Primeo|Premium Cotton Hand Towels
No. 4: Aquazorb|Hand Towel With Built-In Elastic Loop
No. 5: IKEA|Kornan Hand Towel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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