The 11 Best Beach Towels of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Lands’ End School Uniform Beach Towel

$20 at Amazon


$20 at Landsend.com

We used this beach towel for lounging and drying off at a sandy beach and found it to have a nice weight that provides some cushion when lounging on the ground, but not so much that it becomes overly cumbersome to carry. We were especially struck by just how soft and plush it feels for a beach towel, and it remained this way for the entire two weeks we tested it. Additionally, it’s more than six feet long and three feet wide, giving you plenty of room to rollover or rest your head without touching the sand. One plus-size tester said they were able to wrap the towel fully around their body while still having fabric leftover to tuck in.  

The towel wicks away moisture from the skin and dries quickly. It did hold on to some sand, but a few hard shakes was all it took to remove it. Stains came out easily in the wash; however, there was some pilling after the first wash (although this didn’t affect its absorbency). The short cotton loops are intended to resist snagging, while the flatweave edges prevent unraveling. The towel comes with a UPF +50 rating that keeps you protected from UV rays when the towel is wrapped around you. It comes in five different nautical striped patterns, and as is the case with many Lands’ End products, you can add a monogram or logo for an additional fee. On top of all this, it’s below the median price of all the beach towels we tested. 

Material: Cotton | GSM: 420 | Size: 30 by 72 inches