Best beach towels to buy online in Australia in 2024
From beachside to poolside, we've curated a list of the best beach towels to keep you dry this summer - including an affordable "soft and fluffy" option that shoppers love.
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Give the sunny weather a warm welcome as beach season arrives and droves of Australians flock to the shore come the weekend.
Resist the urge to use your bath towel on the sand, and instead opt for one of the best beach towels on the market, perfect for every budget and need.
We've currently got our eye on the popular Cotton On Body Cotton Beach Towel that shoppers say is "great value for money", "soft and fluffy" and "super lush".
There's also the highly-rated Sky Grazer Sand Free Towel that's been described as an "absolute game changer".
OUR TOP PICKS
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST BEACH TOWELS FOR THE SUMMER
Cotton On Body Beach Towel, $39.99 at THE ICONIC
Cotton On Body Beach Towel
What You Need To Know
If you're after beach towels that are equally as cute as they are practical, this one from Cotton On Body is perfect. Made from 100 per cent cotton, these beach towels have a 400gsm terry fabrication that is soft to the touch and absorbent. It measures 170cm x 90cm, so it's big enough to wrap yourself in comfortably.
Available in a range of colours and designs, five-star reviewers say they're "great value for money" and "excellent quality".
"Great value for money, excellent quality. Beautiful colours. Great size. Soft and not scratchy but dries really well," one wrote.
"Light enough to dry quick, big enough to wrap up in, super lush cotton. I love these towels!" another wrote.
One review says it "dried three people", writing;
"Soft and fluffy, this towel dried three people and still didn’t feel soaked afterwards".
Sky Gazer Sand Free Towel - Large, $59.99 at THE ICONIC
Sky Grazer Sand Free Towel
What You Need To Know
Known for their quality beach towels, a Sky Grazer mention in this roundup is a no-brainer. They're made from 350gsm SandResist fabric which repels sand and prevents odours, plus they're ultra-absorbent and quick drying - what more could you want?! Perfect for the beach, gym, pool and travelling, it also comes with a waterproof zipped case to easily pop away or you can use the case to carry your wet swimmers or valuables.
"We love our towels, they're so soft, quick drying, sand free and best of all they dry your body. The designs are beautiful. We'll be back to buy more," one five-star reviewer wrote.
"First time purchasing and using a sand free towel....What a game changer! Love the pattern design and storage bag. It's super handy and super cute. Towel= no sand!!! It's also super absorbent and fast drying. It is a change from a fluffy beach towel in thickness, however, you have won me over...nothing worse than wet soggy towels in summer from continual use - esp on holidays... now to convince my teen daughters they need one!" another wrote.
Summer Solstice Towel, $79.95 at Seafolly
Seafolly Marina Stripe Towel
What You Need To Know
Seafolly has been synonymous with Australian summers for years and years, so it makes sense that one of our top picks for the best beach towel is from the fabulous swimwear brand. The Summer Solstice Towel is made from 100 per cent cotton, with a super soft feel and tassel edge details.
"I’m very satisfied - it’s soft and big enough! I also like the colour very much and enjoy the time on the beach,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
"Great beach towel. Love the colour feels like summer all year round when I use it. Absorbent and quick drying," another wrote.
Striped Cabana Cotton Terry Beach Towel, $24.99 (down from $39.99) at Canningvale
Striped Cabana Cotton Terry Beach Towel
What You Need To Know
This Cabana Beach Towel from Canningvale is incredibly affordable, sitting at under $50. It’s 100 per cent cotton, made in India and crafted from a super absorbent terry front and reverse.
The towels have also been yarn dyed for a vibrant and long-lasting colour. And that’s probably one of our favourite things about this beach towel – the colour, besides the cheap price tag, of course. It comes in loads of fun colours.
It’s also racked up hundreds of five-star ratings, with Canningvale customers calling it the “best towel” that’s “great for the beach”.
"They are a great size, fairly thick, absorbent and wash well. I bought these towels for use by the pool for family and friends and I think for the price, they are great value for money and I would buy them again," one wrote.
"Soft, strong and a great size for use at the pool or the beach!" another wrote.
BEST SAND-FREE BEACH TOWELS
Lazy Dayz Sand Free Beach Towel, $39.95 at Myer
Lazy Dayz Sand Free Beach Towel
What You Need To Know
Designed to be quick-drying, this popular beach towel will keep the sand away and allow you to easily roll it into a compact size to stuff in its own handy carry bag. How good! You can take it with you to the beach, the pool, when you go camping, backpacking, or whatever other outdoor adventure life takes you on.
"Tested out at beach. Can confirm, they repel the sand and pack away very small and nicely into a convenient little pouch," one five-star reviewer wrote.
"Lightweight, compact and super absorbent! Perfect for the beach or pool. Bonus that it’s a nice print," another wrote.
Sand Free Travel Beach Towel, $39.99 at Amazon Australia
Sand Free Travel Beach Towel
What You Need To Know
This sand-free towel is one of Amazon’s bestsellers in the beach towels category, and we’re not surprised. Made from 100 per cent microfiber material that is super absorbent and quick-drying, it features a double-sided design and measures 160 x 80cm. It’s super soft, lightweight and easy to fold and pack away.
One reviewer wrote, “This towel is fantastic. We live with beaches all around and my daughter goes to the beach all the time, the towel is so lightweight it fits in her bag and does not take up much room at all, yet it is bigger for her to lie on. The best thing for me is she does not bring home any sand. So happy.”
Others rave about how absorbent and fast drying it is, writing: “These towels are great, dry you really well and also dry super quick – they are brilliant!”
BEST OVERSIZED BEACH TOWEL
Sheridan Montye Beach Towel, $50.99 (down from $79.99) at Sheridan
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for any sort of homewares, Sheridan Outlet is the place to shop, especially when they’re offering huge discounts. The Montye Beach Towel is perfect for those looking for something large and in charge. The oversized beach towel measures up to 95cmx175cm, which is a pretty good size. The towel features a timeless stripe design and is offered in two different colourways.
If you’ve ever felt a Sheridan beach towel before, then you’ll know just how thick, soft and absorbent they are.
BEST ROUND BEACH TOWEL
Lune Round Towel, $129 at The Beach People
Good Vibes Round Beach Towel
What You Need To Know
Featuring a 150cm diameter, this round towel is made of 100 per cent soft cotton. It’s thick and lush, and features a gorgeous sage green checkered print with tassel detail along the edges adds a cute insta-worthy vibe.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BEACH TOWEL
When choosing sand-free towels to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Size: A good beach towel should be large enough to comfortably lie on, but not so large that it's bulky to bring around.
Texture: Your beach towel should be soft and comfortable to lounge on while at the beach or pool.
Absorption: If you know you'll be in and out of the pool or ocean, you should opt for a thick and plush beach towel that will be incredibly absorbent. Although, beach towels are generally thinner in design compared to bath towels - there are many bath towels that are thin but plush enough like a bath towel.
Drying ability: You wouldn't want to be stuck with a soaking wet towel all day, right? Thankfully, beach towels are thinner than usual bath towels so they automatically dry quicker
Durability: If you want a beach towel to last for years, you should opt for one that is made of high-quality materials and able to withstand frequent use and washing.
Style: There are tonnes of colours and patterns available, make sure you choose one that's stylish, timeless and ultimately reflects you personal style.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the perfect beach towel, our team of experienced writers spent hours researching beach towels to include in articles. We found out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BEACH TOWEL AND A BATH TOWEL?
If, like me, you have gone many summers resisting the purchase of a beach towel, and opting to raid your closet for a bath towel on the way to the pool instead, then it may be time to reconsider.
Yes, beach towels are larger than bath towels – something you may feel you’re able to navigate around – but beach towels are often designed to be thinner than bath towels. This means that they dry quicker, which is desirable should you be hoping to wear yours like a sarong, or to lie on in the sun. To this end, beach towels are not only constructed from terry cotton anymore – some are made from microfibre fabrications or different weaves of cotton, like Turkish towels.
IS COTTON OR MICROFIBER BETTER FOR BEACH TOWELS?
Depending on how often and what you'll use your beach towel for, cotton is generally the most absorbent and the best material for drying you off. Egyptian and Turkish cotton are still great at absorbing water, but they're more luxurious, soft and tend to be at a higher price point. Microfiber on the other-hand, is thinner in design making it easy to pack without the bulk, quick drying and great for absorbing water too.
More beach coverage:
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