Good Housekeeping's 2025 Bath Awards

With a classic look and plush softness, this Pottery Barn style is the perfect addition to your towel assortment. The soft feel is paired with quick-drying capabilities to comfortably dry you off. Its fabric is woven from 100% GOTS-certified organic, long-staple Turkish cotton with a 550-gram weight. It's sold in 18 shades to match any decor.

TEST RESULTS: Acing each test we put it through, this towel was absorbent, quick-drying and shrink-resistant in our evaluations. Testers also rated this towel as the softest in our blind comparisons. Every tester who tried it at home said it was an upgrade from their previous towel. "I expected it to be less glorious after I ran it through the washer and dryer, but no, it remains supersoft," noted one tester. Another added, "It is like wrapping yourself in a fluffy cloud."

This Member’s Mark towel is just $6 and is created with classic no-frills construction. Made of 100% cotton terry cloth with a Bobby border, it is available in blue, gray and white. These towels can be purchased online and at select Sam’s Club locations.

TEST RESULTS: This towel earned a perfect score in our absorbency tests, proving more absorbent than towels that cost 10 times as much. In blinded softness evaluations, testers found it soft as well. “Every time I use it I feel like I'm using a spa towel,” said one. “It's quick to dry when I hang it on my towel rack.” Another noted, “I loved how soft and absorbent the towel was and how much water it soaked up.”

Wrap yourself up in coziness with this ultra-plush pick from Riley. It is crafted from 100% fine-combed cotton and has a zero-twist construction that offers superior softness and absorbency thanks to longer, smoother loops in the Terry cloth. It also comes in bath sheet, hand towel and washcloth sizes.

TEST RESULTS: Our at-home testers gave it perfect scores for both softness and absorbency, and our Lab tests backed that up. It soaked up water efficiently in our absorbency tests and was rated highly for softness in blind comparisons against other towels. "I loved how lush and soft it felt — it feels like a spa towel," noted one tester. “This bath towel is extremely soft and feels buttery smooth against your skin,” noted another. “This towel makes a rather minor piece of our everyday routine feel like a small act of self-care.”

Woven from 800 GSM Egyptian cotton, this towel set from Pure Parima offers a plush feel with top-notch absorbency. Each towel features a half-inch woven textured border for a sleek look. The set includes two bath towels, two hand towels and two washcloths, ideal for a couple’s shared bathroom.

TEST RESULTS: "I really liked how easily this towel dried my body — it was supersoft, fluffy and incredibly comfortable to use,” said one tester. “It’s one of the most absorbent and quick-drying towels I’ve ever used!” Another noted, “It feels incredibly luxurious; it’s the nicest towel I own.” In our Lab evaluations, it earned perfect scores for both absorbency and drying time — a huge feat. Multiple testers liked its balanced feel, noting that it was fluffy without feeling too thick.

Pottery Barn combines two popular constructions — stylish waffle weave and soft, absorbent terrycloth — into one standout robe. The exterior is a waffle weave that's a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers, while the liner is 100% Turkish cotton for luxurious absorbency. It has a spacious, gender-neutral fit and is available in sizes up to XL.

TEST RESULTS: Lab analysts applauded this robe's quality construction, which gives it roomy pockets, four belt loops and a smooth interior with no bulky seams. Testers liked the blend of materials, with one saying, “The waffle weave on the outside makes it look light and airy, while the inside layer is made of terry cloth, which kept me warm.” Another noted, “I loved this bathrobe! It truly is so warm and cozy and soft.” An additional tester said, “The robe was very comfortable and stylish and felt luxurious.”

Coyuchi’s waffle-weave robe is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton for a softer feel and to make it a more sustainable choice. The weave is lighter and more breathable than traditional terry cloth, helping prevent overheating. And to increase softness starting from the first use, the fabric is pre-tumbled. It's available in five stylish shades and has a gender-neutral fit.

TEST RESULTS: All testers said they wanted to continue using this luxurious robe after trying it. They especially liked its airy feel, noting that it was ideal to lounge in post-shower during the summer months. “Getting to put this on after taking a shower gave the entire experience a spa-like quality,” said one tester. ”It's light and breathable, perfect for when I’m drying my hair or putting on makeup after a hot shower.” Another called it “simple, stylish and cozy.”

This Gorilla Grip bath mat pairs supportive foam with plush synthetic velour for a soft underfoot feel combined with absorbency. The rug features grips on the bottom to prevent it from shifting on slippery tile, and it’s easy to care for because it’s machine-washable and dryer-safe. Starting at just $15, it’s available in five sizes and 12 colors.

TEST RESULTS: GH analysts highlighted how this mat stayed secure thanks to the textured base. They also found that it washed and dried well — and testers agreed. “It is very absorbent and really stays in place, which is great because I have a very active toddler who often steps all over it and tries to move it,” noted one tester. “It is soft, dries very quickly and is comfortable to step on right out of the shower.”

Available in an impressive 23 shades (including bright hues and simple neutrals), this classic bath rug from The Company Store can easily match all your bathroom decor. The rug is reversible. with thick terry cloth loops on one side and tufted pile on the other. It's a hefty 2,600 grams per square meter for a plush feel and enhanced durability.

TEST RESULTS: Calling it “soft” and “luxurious,” all testers enjoyed using this mat. “I love the thick, plush feel. It feels really nice under my feet and absorbs water,” noted one tester. Another said, “The bath mat dries out super quick and doesn’t seem to get soggy even when I come out of the shower dripping.” Analysts appreciated its two-sided design for top-notch softness and absorbency whether it was used with the looped side or the tufted one on top.

Using this DoTerra diffuser is the quickest way to transform your bathroom into what feels like an upscale spa. Just add your favorite essential oils, and then the diffuser can run continuously for up to eight hours. It features multiple timer options and automatic shutoff, making it a safer alternative to a candle. The three ambient light settings also help cultivate a relaxing mood.

TEST RESULTS: Lab pros found this diffuser easy to set up and appreciated the clear instructions, and testers liked that it quickly filled a room with fragrance. All testers commented on the stylish appearance, with one saying, “I really loved the product’s design — the glass dome adds a sleek, modern touch while providing stability on flat surfaces.” Another called it “sophisticated and luxurious.” and a tester also noted, “The lighting created a calming, meditative effect when on.”

With skin-protecting and -soothing ingredients including colloidal oatmeal and cucumber extract, Dr. Teal’s bubble bath is designed to help calm sensitive skin and restore the skin barrier. The gentle formula also includes body-relaxing Epsom salts and produces long-lasting bubbles to help you unwind. Once poured into the tub, it immediately forms bubbles that cleanse your skin while you soak.

TEST RESULTS: A GH Beauty Lab chemist tested this in the bath and said, “I liked the amount of bubbles I got and that they lasted for my whole bath.” She appreciated the small bubbles, which felt luxurious, and how easy it was to dispense the bubble bath into water. “It generated a generous amount of bubbles with a lovely scent that was relaxing, and it soothed my sensitive skin,” noted one tester with eczema-prone skin.

These cheeky towels by Weezie are perfectly sized to wipe away makeup at the end of the day. Sold as a set of two, they feature trendy embroidered designs, and there is the option of customization. Made with plush 100% long-staple cotton, each includes a convenient hanging loop. The dark color helps hide makeup stains, which are notoriously tough to remove.

TEST RESULTS: All testers, even those who hadn’t used makeup towels before, reported that using these towels improved their skincare routines. “The towel was incredibly soft and gentle on my face, which made my makeup-removal routine feel easier and more enjoyable,” noted one. Another said, “It was fast-drying and absorbent, and the dark color was perfect for makeup removal.” Testers especially liked the soft, plush feel and that the towels didn’t irritate their skin. In our Lab tests, the towels received a perfect absorbency score for soaking up liquid quickly.

Pamper your skin post-shower with L’Occitane’s skin oil. It contains 50% almond oil, which is known for having moisturizing and nourishing properties that leave skin supple and smooth. This lightweight formula spreads easily and gets quickly, leaving a subtle, luxurious scent. The spray bottle design makes it easy to dispense just the right amount.

TEST RESULTS: All testers were impressed with the sophisticated almond scent that lasted beyond application and reported that it left their skin feeling moisturized all day. “The oil glides over skin and leaves behind a beautiful sheen,” said one. “My skin felt more moisturized and looked radiant after using it, and I look forward to applying it after my showers.” GH’s Beauty Lab director noted, “It smells great and leaves my skin soft and comfortable.” Another tester added, “It was quickly absorbed into my skin and didn’t leave a greasy feeling like so many other body oils do.”