Best Bath Towels in Canada

We’ve spent years in the home and bedding industries. During this time, we’ve tested hundreds of products, tracked trends, and performed extensive research into brands and available options. We use this knowledge and our experience to help improve your life, whether we’re recommending mattresses, small kitchen appliances, or bedding.

To determine the best bath towels in Canada, we tested each towel or set extensively in our test lab. Our findings were combined with tester feedback from periods of at-home use. Together, these different feedback methods helped us produce a list of great towels that can upgrade your bathroom. Here are some of the features we looked for.

• Materials. Most towels are made with cotton, but some are different. The type of cotton used can also affect how soft the towel is, so it’s important to note what each towel is made of. 
• Collection Pieces. What comes with the collection? Some of the options on our list come in sets, while others include collections that offer each piece individually. We’ll tell you what pieces are included in the collection, or the set where applicable.
• Sizes. There isn’t a standard sizing system in place for bath towels. Some companies have a much different classification system for bath towels, bath sheets, hand towels, and more. We’ve included exact sizes where possible to help inform your decision. 
• Feel. You can feel the difference between a standard department store towel and a more luxurious option. We tried to find the best selection of plush, comfortable towels that would be gentle on your skin. 

How to Choose Bath Towels for Canadians

We use bath towels every day, so knowing what we like is simple, right? Unfortunately, there are more options than you might think when it comes to bath towels. From sizing to materials and beyond, knowing how to choose the best bath towels for you is important. The following features can help you choose the best bath towels in Canada for you.

Materials

Most towels are made of cotton, but there are some exceptions. Here’s a quick look at the different materials that your towels might be made of.

• Cotton. Cotton is a natural fabric that features long staples, or fibres. Longer staples are softer, while softer ones create a scratchier feel. For this reason, cotton is often processed in various ways to remove the shorter staples. The most common method is called combing. Combed cotton is softer overall, regardless of the type of cotton used. There are a few different cotton varieties used to create towels.
  • Egyptian Cotton. This cotton is hand-picked and sourced directly from Egypt. The fibres are longer and softer than some of the other cotton varieties you might find. 
  • Turkish Cotton. Cotton from Turkey has longer fibres than even Egyptian cotton. These fibres are woven into durable, thin Turkish towels that dry out extremely quickly. 
  • Organic Cotton. All types of organic cotton are made without chemicals or toxins and harvested sustainably from plants that aren’t treated with pesticides. Organic cotton should have certifications attached, just to make sure. 
• Microfibre. Microfibre is a synthetic material that is often made from polyester. They are smooth, durable, and great for a variety of tasks. They dry quickly and absorb moisture well. 
• Bamboo. Bamboo towels are an eco-conscious option that is super soft and extremely absorbent. Bamboo can take longer to dry, but bamboo towels are always sustainably sourced. 

While some of these materials are of a higher quality than others, there’s no right answer here. You may prefer one material over another based on its feel, ease of use, or absorbency. Make sure to choose an option you’ll be comfortable with. There’s no reason to purchase a high-quality bath towel set if you don’t like how they feel! 

Size

Some linens have standardized sizing systems, which allow you to understand roughly how large a product is. This is not the case with bath towels. Washcloths are the smallest, but the size can vary greatly. The same is true for all other towel classifications, which is why including dimensions is so important.

We’ve added the dimensions of the towels to our list to help you make an informed decision about which options will work for you. While sizes vary, a bath towel is usually about 20″ x 40″ or 30″ x 60″. Sizes larger than this are considered bath sheets, while smaller towels are either hand towels or washcloths. 

Feel

The feel of your towels can be extremely important. Towels can be soft or scratchy, plush or thin. Whichever you prefer, knowing how a towel feels without being able to touch it yourself can be invaluable.

We’ve included the feel of each towel or towel set for this reason. While you can’t touch the towels yourself, you can get an idea of how they will feel when they arrive.

Thickness and GSM

Thickness and GSM can both affect how a towel feels, as well as how absorbent it is. Thicker, plush towels are generally more absorbent and have a higher GSM. Thinner towels dry quicker, but they are far less absorbent.

While thickness is a subjective measurement, GSM is a concrete figure you can refer to. GSM stands for grams per square meter. In different products, the GSM can indicate different features. For towels, this determines the weight and, therefore, the overall absorbency.

Lighter towels have a lower GSM (around 300). Classic towels have a GSM of around 500, while plush towels are at a GSM of 800+.

Companies don’t always note the GSM of their towels, but when they do, we’ll tell you.

Collections and Sets

Some of the best bath towels in Canada come in sets or collections, which offer different benefits. A set includes a range of different towel types and sizes, including washcloths and hand towels as well as bath towels. These sets allow you to purchase all your towels at once, often at a discounted price.

The alternative to towel sets is a collection of pieces priced separately. You can purchase your bath towels, bath sheets, and smaller towels (hand towels and washcloths) separately in any quantity you need. While this option is more expensive, it allows you to purchase only the pieces you need without any extras you aren’t going to use. Collections include the same options and colour choices throughout, so every piece will match.

Most towels come in either a set or a collection, so you have options when it comes to purchasing multiple bath towels at once.

Colour Options

If you are like most Canadians, you have some idea of how you want your bathroom to look. You want specific colours and decorations to make this functional room a little classier. That’s why companies offer different colour options for your towels. Choosing a colour, style, or aesthetic that fits your bathroom can help you appreciate your towels that much more.

While colour might not be the first thing you look for in a towel, it’s still an important consideration. Think about the rest of your décor, your shower curtain (if you have one), and options like rugs and mats. A uniform colour or style can help pull the room together, and your towels are part of that.

How to Care for Canadian Bath Towels

Each of the towels on our list has different instructions for care. You should always follow these instructions regarding machine washing cycles, water temperature, and drying options. If you fail to follow these instructions, the towels may not last as long or can become damaged.

However, outside of these washing instructions, there are a few care tips you can follow to help promote the longevity of your luxurious bath towels.

First, you should never use fabric softener when you wash your bath towels. Fabric softeners leave a waxy residue on the surface of your towel, which can reduce absorbency and make them feel scratchier. Hotels, for instance, often avoid washing their towels with fabric softeners. That’s how they get them so soft.

If the care instructions allow, you can wash your towels with vinegar occasionally. Some experts recommend doing a load of towels washed with vinegar instead of your regular detergents once each month. The vinegar helps remove soap residue from your towels and can help remove odours.

You should never iron your towels. Ironing your towels crushes the loops on the surface of the towel, which can greatly reduce absorbency. You should also avoid keeping towels in the bathroom itself. Use a linen closet or other storage space to hold your bath towels. Keeping towels in the bathroom when not in use can help breed mould and bacteria, as your bathroom is the most humid room in your home.

With these care tips and the instructions on your towels, you can help keep them fresh and absorbent for months to come. There’s no understating how nice it is to have nice towels, so it’s important to take care of them!