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Best microfibre towel: The cleanest and fastest-drying towels from just £8
Backpackers, beachgoers and gym addicts alike will benefit from a fast-dry microfibre towel - here’s our list of the best
As the Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy wisely states: ‘A towel is just about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can carry.’ You needn’t be venturing nearly so far afield to find it worthwhile to pack a towel on your travels, though. And if space is at a premium, then we suggest you invest in a microfibre towel – they don’t just take up less room, they’re both more absorbent and faster drying than the average towel.
Travelling isn’t the only situation where a microfibre will come in handy. If you take your own towel to the gym, you’ll certainly appreciate having one that dries quickly, absorbs more effectively and takes up less space in your bag than the average cotton towel. The same applies at the beach too.
Best microfibre towel: At a glance
- The best all-round microfibre towel: Fit-Flip
- The best microfibre towel for travel: Eano
- The best microfibre towel for the beach: Nomandia
- The best microfibre towel for your hair: Kitsch
- The best extra-large microfibre towel: Big Jim
- The best microfibre towel you can wear: Hiturbo Towel Poncho
How to choose the best microfibre towel
What is microfibre fabric.
Microfibre fabric is made up of synthetic fibres that are less than one denier thick; much finer than those of the average cotton towel. These super-thin fibres are woven together to produce a fabric with a much higher surface area, and it’s this that makes it far more absorbent. It’s also this high surface area that exposes trapped water to the air and allows it to evaporate more quickly, which is why microfibre towels dry significantly more quickly than standard towels.
READ NEXT: The best bath towels to buy in 2023
What size of microfibre towel should I buy?
This really depends on what you’re using it for – luckily, microfibre towels come in a wide range of sizes.
If you’re in need of a handtowel, pick an extra-small one. If you’re backpacking, a good rule of thumb is to pick a towel that’s smaller than one that you’d use at home. As they are dramatically more absorbent, even a surprisingly tiny towel will do a good job of drying you – and more significantly, will take up less much-needed space in your rucksack.
Generally, bigger is better if you’re taking your towel to the beach – and there are a few jumbo-sized microfibre towels out there expressly aimed for this purpose.
How should I wash my microfibre towel?
Like most synthetic fabrics, you should avoid putting your microfibre towel in the washing machine at a high-heat setting: this will only melt the fibres. Also, avoid using bleach or fabric softener as the former will erode those ultra-fine fibres and the latter will cause them to clump together.
READ NEXT: The best Dryrobes and alternatives to keep you cosy
The best microfibre towels
1. fit-flip: best all-round microfibre towel.
Key specs – Sizes: 50cm x 30cm; 80cm x 40cm; 100cm x 50cm; 120cm x 60cm; 140cm x 70cm; 160cm x 80cm; 180cm x 90cm; 200cm x 100cm; Colours/patterns: Black, blue, green, grey, purple, red, rose, yellow, green with print, purple with print, red with print, dark blue, dark grey
Fit-Flip Microfibre towel - compact, ultra lightweight & fast drying travel towel - the perfect sports, gym & beach towel, camping towel and swimming towels (50x100cm rose + bag)
2. eano: best microfibre towel for travel.
Eano’s collection of microfibre towels are ideal for travellers, largely because each one comes in a zippable case with a carry handle. That means, if you’re on the move and you’re forced to pack a still-wet towel away in your bag, you can make sure it doesn’t come into contact with your clothes and other belongings. Also, Eano’s towels are given an antimicrobial treatment that will keep mould and mildew to a minimum. We recommend the medium one for most travellers, although the small one (60 x 30cm) will be perfectly fine if you’re travelling ultra-light.
Key specs – Sizes: 60cm x 30cm; 100cm x 50cm; 140cm x 70cm; 180cm x 90cm; 200cm x 100cm; Colours/patterns: Blue, dark grey, green, grey, orange, purple, royal blue, fuschia
Amazon Brand - Eono Microfibre Towel, Perfect Sports, Travel, Beach Towel, Fast Drying - Super Absorbent - Ultra Compact. Great for Camping, Gym, Beach, Swimming, Backpacking - Green, 100x50cm
3. nomandia: best microfibre towel for the beach.
Most microfibre towels are plain in colour and a little utilitarian-looking. But if you’re looking for something a bit more fun, take a look at Nomandia’s range of towels. They feature a variety of fun, eye-catching patterns, from mandalas to paisley to bold stripes. Available in one size (180cm x 90cm), they’re big enough to both layout on the sand and dry you off after a swim, but not too bulky for your beach bag – there’ll be plenty of space for your bucket and spade.
Key specs – Sizes: 180cm x 90cm; Colours/patterns: Bali (Mandala Orange); Fiji (Boho Green); Goa (Paisley); Hawaiian Surf (Blue Stripes); Living Coral (Coral Stripes); Tropical Sunrise (Orange Stripes); Blue Lagoon (Plain Blue)
Nomandia Microfibre Beach Towel Extra Large - 180x90cm Sand Free Lightweight & Quick Dry Microfibre Towel and Travel Bag - This Microfiber Towel is perfect as Beach Towel & Travel Towel
4. kitsch microfibre hair towel: best microfibre towel for hair.
Key specs – Sizes: One size fits all; Colours: Blush, leopard, micro dot palm leaves, white, white terrazzo; Material: 85% biconstituent fiber (79% polyester, 21% polyamide), 15% polyester
Check price at Lookfantastic
5. Big Jim microfibre towel: Best extra-large microfibre towel
Price when reviewed: £16 | Check price at Amazon
Sometimes a titchy towel just won’t do. Whether you’re emerging from a freezing lido or want to spread out on a sandy beach without your toes touching those pesky grains, sometimes all you need is a gargantuan bath sheet to wrap up in. The great thing about microfibre towels is their lightweight design and compact weight, meaning you get more bang (surface area of towel) for your buck (cabin baggage allowance). This 180 x 90cm offering from aptly named Big Jim gives you ample room without forgoing the quick-drying, ultra-absorbent, light-as-a-feather properties of a microfibre towel.
Key specs – Sizes: One size (180 x 90cm); Colours: Blue, purple; Material: 80% polyester, 20% polyamide (machine washable)
Big Jim Microfibre Towel, Extra Large XL, Quick Fast Drying. Gym, Swimming Sport Towel, Beach, Travel, Camping Towel, Yoga, Pilates, Bath, Shower Towel. Super Absorbent, Compact, Thin, Lightweight
6. hiturbo towel poncho: best microfibre towel you can wear.
Price when reviewed: From £30 | Check price at Amazon
This lightweight, smooth microfibre towel/robe does feel quite thin, more like the chamois-style microfibre of camping towels. So, while it doesn’t exactly feel plush, it’s really easy to roll up and stick in your gym bag. It’s also very comfy and easy to wear (unless you’re petite, in which case it’ll swallow you up completely), and will come in very handy for protecting your modesty while getting changed at the beach, gym or swimming pool. The hood helps your hair dry off, too. Shame it only comes in one size, but there’s a great range of colours and print patterns to choose from, without too much variation in price.
Key specs – Sizes: One size (110 x 90cm); Colours: Grey (pictured), camo green, red, colourful print, dark print, lemon print, peony print, seaworld print; Material: 90% polyester, 10% polyamide (machine washable)
Beach Surfing Swimming Robe, Light Weight Wetsuit Changing Towel Poncho with Hood
Shopping | ES Best Home | Home & Garden | Bathroom
Best microfibre towels
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We’ve all been there. Your mini cabin-sized bag is stretched within an inch of its life, filled to the brim with all your holiday wares - but then you realise, you’ve got no space for a towel.
Whether you’re drying off after a dip in the sea, wrapping up post-shower or pumping it out during a workout and need to mop the sweat off your face, microfibre towels will be your best buddy.
These specialised designs are great in so many scenarios due to their sheer convenience. They are made to take up less space, dry fast and roll up small, yet can still feel luxurious against your skin and don’t sacrifice on absorbency.
What is a microfibre towel?
Microfibres towels are, simply put, towels made up of very small, thin fibres. This makes them absorb water and moisture much quicker than regular cotton towels. Thanks to their construction, they also dry a lot faster. They are usually pretty lightweight too.
Benefits of a microfibre towel?
- Fast absorbing
- Quick drying
- Lightweight
- Compact and space-saving
When is the best time to use a microfibre towel?
Thanks to their lightweight, highly absorbent, fast-drying properties, microfibre towels are great for a number of scenarios: days at the beach, travelling, camping, swimming or at the gym.
How do you wash a microfibre towel?
Most microfibre towels are machine washable at a cold temperature. You should avoid washing alongside other fabrics. It is always best to check the instructions on each towel.
Now see our pick of the best microfibre towels…
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Dock & Bay Quick Dry Towel
Stick this in your beach bag for a lightweight, super absorbent and fast drying (three times better than a regular cotton) cosy covering. You wont know how you lived without it.
Dock & Bay has created a funky collection in all colours and patterns, using 100 per cent recycled plastic for a sustainable solution. It also comes in a handy little carry pouch and has an elastic hook to hang it out to dry for the utmost convenience.
Nabaiji Microfibre Pool Towel
A compact design, take this microfibre towel with you anywhere – it rolls up ultra-small and weighs just 320g. Use it travelling, on the beach, camping or at the lido, it’s super versatile (you could even use it as a blanket). It’s fast absorbing, quick drying, and has a pretty decent price tag.
Lululemon The Small Towel
With a pattern to suit all tastes, you can choose from nine different colours and have this towel by your side during your sweaty HIIT workouts.
Sportswear brand Lululemon has paid the utmost attention to detail to ensure that this design is fast absorbing and quick drying so there’s nothing to stand in the way during your gym session, spinning class or yoga stretches. You can also use it post-shower and simply machine wash with the rest of your kit when you get home.
Eono Microfibre Towel
Take this best-selling towel from Amazon’s Eono on your next adventure for a travelling companion that will keep you dry without weighing you down. Lightweight and fast drying, it also has antibacterial properties to prevent from mould or mildew and is odour resistant. Super soft and durable, roll it up into its compact zipped case and get yourself on the move.
Fit-Flip Microfibre towel
Save space in your gym or beach bag with Fit-Flip’s compact sports and travel towel that is great for on the go. Ultra-absorbent and fast drying yet velvety soft on the skin, it makes a great option for outdoor lovers, and packs neatly away into a small mesh bag. Hang easily to dry using the press stud hanging loop.
The Little bodhi Microfibre Travel Towel
Light as a feather, quick drying and available in all colours of the rainbow – green, pink, purple, turquoise – this microfibre towel is ideal for travel lovers and beach-goers. Pop in your bag without taking much space up at all and leave the soggy, heavy towels at home. The antibacterial properties of the microfibre material mean no smelly odours too.
Nomandia Microfibre Beach Towel
Travel in style with Nomandia’s vibrant collection of microfibre towels. Pick bold boho prints or colourful stripe designs and make this a packing essential, whether backpacking across Europe, camping in the countryside or day-tripping at the beach. Thin and light to carry, the towel is still big enough to wrap around your whole body and will stay sand-free thanks to its suede-like material.
Steve Backshall Recycled Microfibre Towel
British explorer Steve Backshall has teamed up with Mountain Warehouse to create an innovative recycled towel, which is both fun and super practical.
Made with fibres sourced from single-use plastic bottles that will likely end up in the sea, the soft touch towel boasts fast drying and absorbent features to make it perfect for days out at the beach or when you’re lounging poolside. The funky ocean-themed print is playful and unique.
XL Microfibre Beach/Travel/Swim Towel
The biggest microfibre towel currently on sale on Amazon, this giant-sized soft design will get you dry in no time. Thick but highly absorbent, large but lightweight, it is one that you’ll use over and over again. Plus it’s easily portable in its handy mesh bag. It also features a carabiner clip to attach to the outside of your bag for useful and space-saving transportation.
Waffl towel
Want to travel light? Waffl’s compact towel takes up 50 per cent less space than a regular towel of the same size and weighs next to nothing. Perfect for the beach, camping and sport thanks to its fast absorbing and quick drying properties, enjoy wherever you go and whatever you do, without the stress (and scent) of a dripping heavy towel on you.