The 14 Best Waffle Towels to Shop Online Now

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Good towels are usually synonymous with words like “fluffy” and “plush.” You know—the feeling you get while patting yourself dry after a soak at a luxury hotel. But have you ever considered a thick terry towel’s lightweight cousin, the waffle towel? With their resemblance to your fave breakfast carbohydrate, these towels got their name due to the distinctive gridlike pattern, which offers more than just a chic, spalike look. In fact, waffle fabric works more effectively than terry cloth, as it promotes air circulation throughout the fabric and reduces the likeliness of mildew and odors. Also known as honeycomb or lattice weave, these fast-absorbent towels have been popular in Japan and European countries for years, but as of late, you can find them virtually everywhere. But to understand how these towels work, and to help you determine which waffle towels are the best, let’s start with the basics.

What is the science behind waffle towel fabric?

Waffle weave is loose and textured, which means it has space to accumulate excess moisture and absorb it from your skin after a shower or bath. “Waffle towels are unique because they draw in moisture due to the large surface area and they also push moisture away instead of trapping it in,” affirms Katie Elks, design director at Brooklinen. Meanwhile, a waffle towel’s “open, honeycomb texture allows for more airflow, which results in a fast-drying towel.”

What are the benefits of a waffle towel?

If you’re a frequent shower taker and have never tried a waffle towel before, your life could change forever (and for the better.) Due to their quick-drying qualities, waffle towels are an all-time favorite for those who take multiple showers a day (we see you, gym rats!). Another bonus: Waffle towels are great for small or poorly ventilated bathrooms since they wick moisture away and dry quickly, keeping mildew or funky odors at bay. Lastly, waffle towels can help you bid goodbye to an overflowing linen closet. Because they roll up so easily and take up less space than thick terry towels, it’s easy to store multiple sets, which—another bonus!—also translates to less loads of laundry per week. They also just look cute and “add visual interest to your bathroom and linen closet,” per Elks.

How do waffle towels compare with terry towels?

If you’ve ever wondered what makes terry towels so fuzzy and cushiony, it all goes back to the weave. Terry cloth is made by uncut loops that extend up off the woven fabric base. These loops add extra fluffiness across the towel, creating that spalike feel. But all that fluff comes with secret downsides: Terry towels take longer to dry, develop odors, and show more wear after cycles in your washer and dryer. Not so with waffle towels, for all of the reasons enumerated above. Ready to change up your shower routine? See below for our 14 favorite waffle towels, from fast drying to extremely absorbent.

Waffle Towel

These West Elm waffle towels are soft to the touch and absorb water quicker than standard terry towels. We love that they come in a rainbow of rich hues (we could have sworn they were stylish throw blankets!), allowing you to adapt them to whatever bathroom style you favor. The brand also touts their packability, due to the lightweight, foldable fabric. However, if you are someone who prefers to buy towels in sets, this may not be the best option as they are sold individually.

Quick Dry Lint Free Microfiber Bath Towel Set

If you’re looking for a budget friendly option and not picky about material, go for Polytes microfiber set on Amazon. It’s soft, lint-free, and fast-drying and—with six towels per pack—the perfect excuse to stock up.

An Amazon reviewer says: “These towels are amazing! They are very absorbent, they dry quickly (you still need to hang them to dry...physics), and the waffle weave gives them a soft feeling (they are not fluffy like cotton towels but they feel very soft). The hubby even commented that they dry his hair and nooks n crannies in one take.”

Waffle Towel

These soft honeycomb towels are inspired by the world’s finest spas. Made out of 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, these towels feature a quarter-inch hem for a sleek finish. Parachute Home recommends buying white towels if you’re following a skincare routine that uses benzoyl peroxide.

A Parachute Reviewer says: “Towels are different than the everyday towels we are used to, however this difference is a pleasant surprise. The towel wicks moisture away rapidly and dries in no time whatsoever. Will be purchasing more as time progresses.”

Waffle Bath Towel

Brooklinen’s ultra-lightweight waffle towel collection is made from Turkish cotton for a soft feel and quick absorption. Brooklinen says that these towels get even better after multiple washes and that the “waffle weave deepens and gets thirstier with use.” Bonus: You get two towels for the price of one.

A Brooklinen Reviewer says: “This towel is the best towel I’ve ever purchased. They feel so soft, they look great in my bathroom, and they are the highest quality towel and priced just right. This towel is very absorbent and washes beautifully. Highly recommend!”

Waffle Knit Stripe Organic Cotton Towel

We love when bath towels look just as gorgeous as that throw that’s tossed over your sofa arm, and these towels from Rejuvenation certainly fit the bill! Woven from soft and breathable organic cotton, these pretty waffle towels come in two tones, making them a fun bathroom decor addition...though we wouldn’t judge if you wanted to style your couch with this too.

Simple Waffle Towel

Easy does it with this ultrastylish waffle towel from design-insider favorite Schoolhouse. These attractive towels are made from 100 percent cotton in Portugal and are stone-washed for maximum softness, and the rich autumnal color palette would be perfect for a seasonal decor swap.

Imabari Waffle Towel, Set of 2

The Citizenry’s waffle towels are the most luxurious and splurge-worthy of them all. Made out of long-staple Pima cotton, each towel is loomed in an authentic family-run mill in Imbari, Japan. If you’re a conscious buyer, you’ll appreciate that each step in the towel-making process is done in a fair trade environment. Reviewers say these towels are absorbent, comfy, and a pretty addition to the bathroom.

A Citizenry reviewer says: “At first I doubted the absorbency of these towels but they proved me wrong. They’re huge and lightweight and look nice hanging in the bathroom. They aren’t as soft as ‘normal’ towels, but they do what they’re supposed to do. I’m very happy with the white.”

Waffled Towel

We love these towels because they come with a practical hanging loop on the trim, unlike others, making it easy and comfortable for drying and overall bathroom styling. Buyers recommend these because the cotton waffle is stiff enough to provide a “vigorous” dry-down while remaining super soft.

A Simons reviewer says: “These have been fantastic towels. Very soft, absorbent and colorfast. It’s so nice to wrap up in one after a shower.”

Waffle Towel

This top-rated waffle towel is made out of super strong Supima cotton that ensures your towel will last for years. Buyers have described them as light, airy, generously sized, and soft. The brand recommends washing every three to four days in cold water without any fabric softeners. Buy individually or as a handy set.

An Onsen reviewer says: “My wife tried to cheap out at our vacation home by buying an inferior Onsen imitator. I rebelled and ordered a set of Onsen towels. I made her compare them side by side. She told me, ‘You’re such a diva!’ Well, this diva desires and deserves the best. Onsen towels—the best.”

Terry Waffle Towel

Still can’t break up with your terry towel? Thanks to Pottery Barn’s waffle towel, you can have the best of both worlds. Made with yarn-dyed fiber, these towels have a rich color that will hold their vibrancy over time. The brand has tested these with over 100 wash cycles to test against shrinkage, wear-and-tear, and absorbency. Pottery Barn recommends customers wash them before first use and avoid chlorine bleaches.

Organic Waffle Towel

Why should adults have all the luxury? These super soft towels from Crate & Barrel Kids are perfect for the little ones in your life. Made out of organic cotton, these waffle towels are absorbent and super gentle. If you want to make these totally your own, you can personalize them with a name or monogram.

A Crate & Barrel Reviewer says: “I bought this towel for my toddler and I love it, it has a soft feel and thick enough for a child, the color is beautiful I love that it is a deeper pink than baby pink.”

Waffle Towels

With a luxurious spa look, these towels—available here in a set of three—are soft, breathable, and stylish. Woven in a durable and long staple cotton using a technique typically seen in Japanese spas, these towels will get softer with every wash. They also make for a great gift; they come in a chic cotton drawstring bag for storage.

Waffle Towel

Stone-washed for maximum softness and hand-woven in Lithuania, these waffle towels are the epitome of luxury. According to the brand, they will continue to soften with every wash. These handsome towels are the result of a collab between Anthropologie and Connected Goods, a purveyor of handicrafts made by global artisans, so you’re sure to feel as good inside as out.

Waffle Towel

If regular ol’ cotton won’t do, why not try a cotton-silk hybrid? Though Kosmu’s towels, woven from 100 percent cotton silk and in a set of two, come at a higher price point, your nether regions will appreciate their absorbency and cozy texture.

An Amazon reviewer says: “I am impressed by its water absorbency. It dries me fast and feels very breathable. Remarkably, after use, it seems to dry itself magically when I lay it on the couch. I also adore its vibrant orange color for the winter.”

You Might Also Like

• From the Archive: Tour Sarah Jessica Parker’s Relaxed Hamptons Retreat

• 75 Small (But Mighty) Kitchens to Steal Inspiration from Right This Instant