The 7 Best Quick-dry Towels of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel

$50 at Amazon

Keeping dry and comfortable is a breeze with the Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel. We found it to be very soft and absorbent when drying off, though the dust cloth texture can take some getting used to for first-time quick-dry towel users. After months of testing, we’re confident that the towel would be nearly, if not completely, dry between getting out of the water and packing up to go. The microfiber material has remained soft after active use and several wash cycles. Spanning over six feet in length, it’s spacious enough for most people to fit on entirely while lounging.

We’re fans of the bright and bold patterns, and how they make it easy to spot at a crowded pool or beach. We had no trouble shaking off sand before stashing the towel in the included carry case, which has ample room for fitting the towel without folding it perfectly. While the carry case adds portability, the towel’s weight makes it more suited to day trips and beach vacations than camping or hiking excursions.

The Details: 73 x 32 inches | 2.8 pounds | Microfiber

Best Lightweight

Rumpl Everywhere Towel

$50 at Amazon $50 at Backcountry View on Rumpl.com

To save space and weight in my backpack or suitcase, I turn to the Rumpl Everywhere Towel. Though it’s technically not the lightest towel on the list at 0.8 pounds, it has minimal heft for its six-foot length, durability, and absorbency. Lightweight design aside, the towel’s resistance to sand, stains, and pet hair has made it my go-to for going almost everywhere. I’ve primarily used it camping and any dirt or debris easily rinses off.

The Everywhere Towel is sufficiently absorbent to dry me off completely after a swim — a noteworthy feat being that I’m 6 feet 5 inches tall. I’ve machine washed the towel multiple times and it’s retained its softness. The antimicrobial material has also kept odors at bay after use in a variety of freshwater bodies.

The Details:  72 x 29.5 inches | 0.8 pounds | Microsuede

Best for Camping

Sea to Summit Airlite Towel

$22 at Amazon View on Seatosummit.com View on Publiclands.com

Whether car camping or backpacking, we think the Sea to Summit Airlite Towel is a worthwhile addition to any camping trip. The 0.1-pound towel hardly registers in a hiking backpack, making it a great option for thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers. We found the tiny stuff sack to be an absolute game-changer. Not only is it easy to use, but it makes the towel compact enough to carry in the pocket of a pack or even pants. We love how the stuff sack also doubles as a hanging loop for the towel — simply snap it on. Though the towel’s dimensions aren’t enough to use as a lounging towel (it's really intended to spot dry while on the go), the recycled microfiber construction excels at wicking away moisture and drying quickly. It’s machine washable, so there’s no concern about getting it dirty while camping.

The Details: 32 x 16 inches | 0.1 pound | Recycled polyester and nylon

Best Oversized

Ocoopa Diveblues Microfiber Beach Towel

$20 at Amazon $23 at Walmart

The Ocoopa Beach Towel extends 80 x 57 inches, allowing it to comfortably accommodate couples or serve as a play area on the beach for kids. Despite its generous dimensions, the towel clocks in at just over half a pound. Even so, we found it to be incredibly absorbent during testing. We were especially impressed by how quickly it dried after drying ourselves off after swimming.

During testing on the beach, we hardly noticed any sand sticking to the towel — saving us the hassle of shaking it out before packing away. It comes in a variety of colorful, nautical- and tropical-inspired patterns, lending itself to poolside and beach use. Plus, the addition of the included carry bag makes this a great value.

The Details:  80 x 57 inches | 0.6 pounds | Microfiber

Best Sandproof

Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel

$33 $30 at Amazon

When it’s time to pack up and head home from the beach, we appreciate that the Eccosophy Microfiber Beach Towel leaves the sand behind — we had no trouble shaking out the towel when sand got on it. The microfiber towel dried very quickly, and it hardly felt wet after drying off after a swim. Made from recycled materials, it’s also an eco-friendly choice for enjoying the outdoors. We love that the vibrant patterns are printed on both sides and that it can function as either a towel or sarong. Between use, it neatly fits within an included carry bag, or hangs from a hook sewn into one of the corners to dry even faster.

The Details:  71 x 35 inches | 0.9 pounds | Microfiber

Best Patterns

Nomadix Original Towel

$40 at Amazon $40 at REI View on Nomadix.co

From florals to leopard print and state flags to national park scenes, the Nomadix Original Towel offers something for everyone. I have the Retro Stripe version, which is charcoal on the reverse side. I love that it’s made with 90 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, or in other words, the equivalent of 30 plastic bottles. Another standout feature is that the towel is slip-resistant, making it a suitable choice for doing outdoor yoga, too.

I’ve found that the towel texture also does a solid job at keeping it in place while lounging. Even after drying off, the towel is far from saturated, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it worked well for two people. Shaking off debris and sand has also been a breeze. Though the towel packs flat, lightweight backpackers may prefer a smaller option.

The Details: 72 x 30 inches | 1.2 pounds | Recycled plastic polyester and nylon

Best for Workouts

Rainleaf Microfiber Towel

View on Rainleafonline.com

We love that the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel comes in six sizes, with the medium and smaller sizes being well-suited for workouts. These towels can absorb five times their weight, while the thin construction and hanging loop helps them to dry out fast. The suede-like microfiber feels soft on the face and skin while dabbing away sweat while exercising. We appreciate the antibacterial coating for minimizing odor and keeping the towel feeling fresh. Though it doesn’t offer much variety in the way of patterns or prints, there are over a dozen colors to choose from.

The Details: 40 x 20 inches (size medium) | 0.3 pounds | Microfiber