TechGearLab

The Mebien Turkish Beach Bath Towel is a great option for most situations. It excelled in most of our test metrics and is a rare combination of soft, thick, and quick drying. This towel is versatile, doubling as a lightweight throw or comfy scarf, with a snug weave and fluffy tassels providing coziness while its density holds in warmth. It has several color and design options to choose from and includes a small tag for hanging it up.
While all products generally have a downside, we really had to search to find one with this towel. The Mebien has quite a few design and color options available, but none of those resemble a typical Turkish towel, which would be a nice option to add. Also, this towel did not get a lot softer over time; however, as the softest out of the package that we tested, this wasn't really an issue. Overall, the Mebien is an excellent choice if you want a versatile towel for almost any application.

Best for Most

amazon.com

walmart

An excellent option for the entire family is the classic set of 6 Turkish towels, the Bosphorus Set. These towels are comprised of lightweight cotton, so they soak up water fast and dry quickly as well. The entire towel set is the same generous size — large enough to lounge on at the park but not so big that you're tripping over the hem when you wrap yourself in it after a shower. There are multi- and single-toned sets in both bright and neutral colors. This is a great bargain when you consider the cost per towel in this set. The towels can also double as a scarf or head towel and work great at the beach as a typical towel or even a sarong.  
One caveat of lightweight towels is their ability to absorb water &mdash; and because these can only handle an average amount, our testers with long or thick hair needed two after their showers, one to dry their body and a separate one for their hair. Easy enough when you have six to choose from! The Bosphorus set also does not provide much warmth when used as a blanket and is a little see-through, so changing under it at the beach may not provide much privacy. Additionally, the tassels on these towels are rather small, though they are braided very neatly. Overall, we love this set and feel it would be best used by a family or someone looking to get a whole household's worth of towels in one purchase. 

Wirecutter

This textured towel is lighter, drapes better, and dries faster than any terry towel we tried. It looks luxurious but unfussy, and costs a third of the price of similar lattice-weave towels.

This textured towel dries faster and takes up less storage space than any terry towel we tried. It looks luxurious but unfussy, and it’s a third of the price of similar lattice-weave towels.

yotpo

Good for car camping, day trips, and hanging at the beach, this towel is made of an incredibly soft fabric that also repels dirt.

bazaarvoice

This luxurious towel is a generous gift that will see daily use all year long.

Towel Comparison