Our top choice is the Hawkins New York Essential Waffle Dish Towel, which comes in several chic hues and boasts an ultra-soft honeycomb texture. But there are plenty of other towels we’ve checked out, too! Read on for our list of best dish towels, including tea towels, waffle dish cloths, and super-efficient microfiber! At 29 x 21.5 inches, these dish cloths are on the larger side. While they’re perfect for drying hands and dishes, they might be too big for certain uses, like wiping down your counters. These kitchen towels come in a set of two and your choice of several neutral and cheery colorways. There aren’t any monochrome sets available, so you’ll have to go with a complementing multicolored pair. Two towels for nearly $30 isn’t the cheapest nor the most expensive, but with this brand, you can definitely count on quality. Price at time of publish: $28 These lightweight kitchen cloths are made of 100 percent cotton and feature an absorbent honeycomb weave. While they might be slightly coarse at first, they’ll get softer with every wash. Price at time of publish: $6 These flour sack towels are clutch for drying dishes and cleaning spills, but because they’re relatively thin, they get wet pretty quickly. Still, they come in value packs of six to 192, so you can keep a big stash on hand without breaking the bank. Price at time of publish: $22 You can choose from several stunning prints, including geometric shapes, floral motifs, gradient colorways, and woodland scenes. At just over $30 for a pack of two, they’re on the pricier side for dish towels, but it might be worth investing in a pair for the aesthetic appeal. (You can always keep a more economical set in your drawer.) Price at time of publish: $32 Though these dish cloths are only available in white, there’s something to appreciate about the no-nonsense practicality. They’re soft, absorbent, and conveniently low-maintenance. But like most cotton products, they may shrink slightly the first time you wash them. Price at time of publish: $22 The price is undoubtedly steep for a set of just two dish towels, but that is expected with 100 percent linen fabric, as it’s sourced from flax plants, which can only be grown in certain parts of the world. Price at time of publish: $89 These dish cloths are on the larger side (20 x 30 inches), so they’re a good choice for drying hands, dishes, and hanging up—there’s even a loop for attaching them to a hook. You’ll get a set of six for under $60, which is a pretty decent deal considering the quality. Price at time of publish: $58 They’re loomed from 100 percent long-staple Turkish cotton, a supremely soft and inherently strong material that lasts longer than regular cotton. Like most Parachute linens, they’re also Oeko-Tex certified for chemical safety. They might be too large for certain uses, and we wish there were more colors available—but other than that, we have no complaints. Price at time of publish: $29 While they don’t last as long as regular fabric towels, they can be washed and reused up to 50 times. When they need to be cleaned, just toss them in your washing machine or dishwasher. Then, once they reach the end of their lifespan, add these biodegradable cloths to your compost bin, and have peace of mind knowing that they didn’t go to a landfill. Price at time of publish: $20 Boasting a dense, durable, terry-loomed weave, they’re notably fluffy and promise to get softer with every wash. These kitchen towels come in sets of four and your choice of several colorways. Considering the high-quality design, this is a great deal for under $30. Price at time of publish: $27 You can choose from 15 colorways, including solids and stripes featuring unique hues like sage, eggplant, and peppercorn. The price is high for a set of two, but it might be worth splurging on the elegant, handcrafted designs. And while these cloths are somewhat narrow, they’re great for drying dishes, cleaning counters, and wiping up spills. Price at time of publish: $15 Linen and long-staple cotton will generally be stronger and softer than regular cotton. And thicker weaves tend to be more absorbent—a key quality when drying dishes, cleaning counters, and sopping up spills.
Size, Style, and Design
Dish towel sizes range from roughly 10 x 10 inches to 32 x 34 inches, and they come in both square and rectangular shapes. Smaller options are best for wiping up spills and cleaning counters, while larger towels are better for drying dishes and hanging from a hook or your oven handle. Many people like to have multiple sizes on hand for different uses. Dish cloths you keep in a drawer can be a bit more plain. If you plan to put one on display, look for a style that complements the rest of your kitchen decor or adds a punchy pop of color, such as Geometry’s Microfiber Kitchen Towels.
Size
Most cotton and linen dish towels are machine-washable and dryer-friendly. Some call for a gentle cycle using cold or warm water, so check the recommended care instructions before tossing yours in the wash. Biodegradable towels like SuperScandi Swedish Dishcloths can be cleaned in a washing machine or dishwasher. Bear in mind they’re usually meant to be washed a maximum of 50 times, after which point you can add them to your compost bin.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer and product tester who specializes in interior design, lifestyle, and cleaning solutions. She considered dozens of dish towels for this story, narrowing them down to high-quality designs that stood out in terms of absorbency, versatility, practicality, and aesthetic appeal. She has personally used household linens from Hawkins New York, Threshold, Parachute, Coyuchi, Williams Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. Theresa has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. You can find more of her stories on MyDomaine, Travel + Leisure, People, and Byrdie.
