We tested white towels to find the best: here’s our verdict

But how do you pick the best ones? Choose well, and it will feel like you’re wrapping yourself in the softest of cashmere. Buy badly, and it’s like drying your skin with a scratchy scrubbing brush or barely-absorbent paper towel. We picked seven of the best-known brands – from high street to high end – and tested them to find the best bath sheet and hand towel. Unlike the towels themselves, competition was stiff, but we were determined to find the ones with superstar quality – and I’m delighted to say we did.

The bath sheets were tested in my household of three, comprising myself and my two sons, aged 11 and 18. Surprisingly, they were just as invested in the softness of the towels as me – at least my parenting skills are having some positive influence.

We each used each of the towels on rotation over a period of two weeks to ensure every towel was tested and washed several times.

If bath sheets could be categorised as duvets, this one would get my vote. As soon as I removed it from the packaging, I wanted to wrap it around me. It weighs in at a hefty 720GSM and I instinctively knew it was going to take some beating.

Unlike some of the other towels, it had no chemical odour when unpacked from the box and it instantly felt eco-friendlier with a fabric ribbon binding the towels together, plus there was no sign of plastic tags or packaging.

Using the towel for the first time was a sheer delight. It absorbed moisture so well I barely needed to dry myself. I gave myself a perfunctory dab down on exiting the shower, wrapped it around me and by the time I’d cleansed my face, put my contact lenses in and brushed my teeth, I realised I was nearly dry. Anything that saves time and effort in the morning is always going to be a winner in my books.

It was received equally well by my sons – although I admit that once I’d tested it, I only let them use it once, as I wanted to keep it for myself. There have to be some benefits to being the bill-paying adult.

Given the high GSM count, it also air-dried quicker than anticipated. Although it took longer than some of the other brands, I could still use it morning and evening. A handy hanging loop is already stitched into place, which is ideal if you have only bathroom hooks rather than a towel rail.

I’d say the only real pinch point on this towel is the cost. For some, this could be further compounded by the fact you can purchase them only in sets of two. Although most people would buy more than one towel at a time – even living alone you’re likely to want two, to rotate them between wash and use – it does mean two bath sheets will set you back £85, which could be considered steep in the current economic climate.

It’s also heavy in terms of weight. I’m fortunate enough to not have any strength or health issues, but I did wonder if it might be too heavy for my mum, who has rheumatoid arthritis.

That said, I think even she’d be prepared to deal with a few difficulties lifting it if she could use this luxurious towel every day. It’s certainly converted me to add these towels to my shopping wish list.

Its super luxurious feel, eco packaging, absorbency, and the fact we wanted to stay wrapped in it all day.

Other than the premium price, it’s hard to find fault with this towel – and even that isn’t really a fault as the quality of the product makes it feel worthy of the higher cost.

Sparkling white and sumptuously soft, “super plush” is a great name for these towels from Marks and Spencer. Using the failproof face-rub test, the softness was simply delicious – no surprise then to read that it weighs in at a generous 700GSM.

First to test the bath sheet out was my 11-year-old, who instantly commented: “Mum, this is so soft! Can I sleep under it please?”

A slight chemical smell on opening disappeared after the first wash, and like the Scooms towel, it’s weighty and exudes quality. If you were given this in a luxury hotel you certainly wouldn’t be disappointed.

The double trim detail is a nice touch, and a neat and tightly stitched edging around the towel suggests you won’t find this towel fraying any time soon.

It dried our bodies quickly and efficiently and felt a bit like a hug in a towel. The only downside was that, after a cycle in the tumble dryer, it didn’t dry quite as quickly as others tested, and felt like it had retained some moisture.

According to the manufacturer, you’ll also have no issue with wash and wear on the towels. They are made using a patented “StayNew” technology that helps the fabric to stay smooth, wash after wash. I’ve put it through the washing machine a few times and so far, it hasn’t lost any of its softness – even though it’s been dragged up the stairs, stepped on and rubbed vigorously against wet skin. Did I mention I have boys?

At just £23.50 for a bath sheet, you’d be hard pushed to find a softer and better bath sheet at this price.

Just how soft, white and comforting this towel felt when we used it, making it feel way more expensive than it actually is.

The fact it felt like it held onto moisture a little more than others with a comparable GSM. If you need a towel that dries quickly, this might put you off a little. But otherwise it’s a great towel.

I’m a huge fan of Dunelm. I’ve recently moved, and my home is beginning to look a little like a Dunelm advert. I find the variety, value for money and overall quality too good to ignore. Plus, it always has great sales.

However, it is considered high street rather than high end, so I was pleasantly surprised to find the towels softer than expected when I opened them. I’ve not been able to establish a GSM count yet, and they are not as thick as Scooms or Marks and Spencer, but my youngest did say, “Ooh, another soft one, Mum,” when he first used it.

The upside to the lower weight is obviously the reduction in the amount of time it takes to air-dry. It was dry and ready to use again in a couple of hours. When I used it, it took a bit more effort to dry myself with, but that’s not an issue. Sometimes an invigorating scrub helps wake you up in the morning.

Given it was the cheapest tested at £17 for a bath sheet, I think they’re great value and ideal for a busy household. Edging and stitching was again secure, although there were a few stray threads from inside the binding on the one I received, but I don’t foresee an issue with it fraying. They also come with a five-year guarantee, and according to the Dunelm website, will still hold their shape (and colour when applicable) after 50 washes.

As with all the towels, other than shedding fibres in the tumble dryer when first dried – which is to be expected from new towels and wasn’t unique to the Dunelm ones – there have been no visible fibres on our skin when we’ve used them.

Would I buy these towels? Yes I would, but more as everyday towels. I would give them to guests, but if I had any of the other brands, I’d probably use those instead and keep the Dunelm ones for family use.

How quickly the towel dried without heat and how soft it was for a lower GSM towel. The five-year guarantee, though we have yet to put this to the test.

In comparison to heavier weight towels, it doesn’t feel quite as luxurious.

I rarely win anything, so when I won £250 worth of White Company vouchers a few years ago, it was a special moment. It’s always been one of my favourite brands, a great option for gifting and if I had the budget, I’d happily deck out my home and myself in most of their products.

For me, the brand personifies quiet luxury at achievable prices, and I’ve never failed to be impressed by anything I’ve bought from there. My laundry-loving friend had their children’s bedding for years and swore by the quality, durability and longevity of the duvet covers.

I’ve been fortunate to have owned White Company towels before, so I was excited to try them again. Weighing in at 600GSM, they are less heavy than some brands, but more than sufficiently soft – although interestingly, the hand towel wasn’t quite as soft or thick as the bath sheet.

The finish, quality and drying time of these was all more than acceptable, although it is definitely noticeable how much more effort is required to dry your body once the GSM decreases.

My sons had zero complaints about the towels, and I would happily use these for myself and guests. I can imagine they are going to last a long time, and as with all the brands tested, are available in the full range of sizes from face cloth through to extra-large bath sheet.

It’s another great product from The White Company and it’s hard to find any major faults. Personally, I just preferred other brands tested a little bit more than this one.

At full price, it seems a little expensive in comparison with other high-street brands.

As this towel comes from a brand that’s a firm favourite amongst the Saga Exceptional team and our readers, I was initially surprised when the towels didn’t feel as soft as others with a similar GSM – this one weighs in at 700GSM.

My concerns were alleviated after one wash, as the towels fluffed up nicely and ranked much higher in the softness stakes. The pre-wash mild smell also disappeared, and although it didn’t have quite the same luxurious feel as Scooms or Marks and Spencer, it’s undoubtedly a great quality towel and one I’d be happy to have in my linen cupboard for family or visitors.

It was also the only towel that evoked a specific comment from my eldest son, who commented how it had made his recently coloured and slightly dry hair feel much softer after using .

John Lewis also claims that the towel will remain odour free thanks to a “Life Natural” finish, which apparently means it contains natural peppermint for added antimicrobial protection. The company says this keeps the towel cleaner for longer and although it doesn’t make it smell of peppermint, John Lewis claims it stops odours developing. Whether this removes smells such as damp remains to be seen.

As with the other towels, tightly sewn edging and stitching suggest fraying won’t be a problem. The John Lewis edging also has a ribbed design to match the border trim.

When it comes to drying time, it’s taken slightly longer to air dry on an unheated towel rail compared to others with a similar GSM – but was still ready to use again in the evening after a morning shower.

In terms of price, this quality bath sheet costs £26.00, making it great value for a 100% cotton towel with a high GSM.

It’s a lovely quality towel and we’d be happy for anyone to use it.

It took a little longer to dry than others with a high GSM.

This is another high GSM count towel, at 675GSM. Christy is also one the most well-known towel brands, so I had high expectations. Sufficiently soft, the towel had a slight chemical smell, like the other brands, which also disappeared after the first wash.

It has a detailed diagonally designed border and a securely attached label, which could double as a hanging loop. At £42 for a bath sheet, it was also the second most expensive towel we tested and, with a high GSM count, it’s also heavier to hold. But for me, there’s just something that niggles when it comes to the texture. It has what can only be described as a looser loop.

While I could find no real faults with the towel – it was soft, a good GSM, dried our bodies effectively, is well made and air dried in sufficient time to use it twice in one day, I feel the bigger loops of thread make it look cheaper. I’d also be concerned about the loops getting snagged and damaging the towel.

If I was going to treat myself to some spa-like bathroom sessions, I’d personally rather pay the extra few pounds for a Scooms towel.

It dried well without heat given the GSM.

The overall feel and look didn’t quite match up to the price.

A 600GSM thread count towel with a nicely finished border and a hand-stitched logo. It’s not a design feature that would make me want to buy the towels more, but equally it wouldn’t put me off buying them.

In direct comparison to the White Company towel, which has the same GSM, there was a marginal reduction in softness and sense of quality. It felt a little thinner and even after washing, didn’t get noticeably fluffier.

With the reduced weight, air-drying time is again good with this towel and it’s easily ready to use again in a few hours. This equally has a positive effect on the time it needs in a tumble dryer. It needs less than the heavier brands, although I realised this only when it came out of a joint drying cycle with heavier towels, as it was just a little too dry. After being washed again and dried for less time, it was back to its normal levels of softness.

Priced at £20 for a bath sheet, it would be a good affordable addition to your towel collection and if you prefer coloured towels, you’d be spoilt for choice with 43 colours to choose from.

How quickly it dried both with and without heat.

The slightly thinner feel.

It’s been hard to distinguish any discernible features amongst the hand towels, which we looked at alongside their bath sheet counterparts. The White Company hand towel felt less soft than the bath sheet, but all of them have stood up well to the rigours of my household.

The warmer weather means they’ve not had to deal with muddy hands from sports pitches, but I tend to keep darker towels to hand for those situations anyway. Any slight marks have all come out in the washing machine and I’d struggle to pick any of them as having better qualities than another.

Personally, I like my towels to match, so if I was purchasing from new, I’d automatically buy a matching set from the same brand. Price may be a factor, so here’s how they currently compare.