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Summer is marking its annual start soon, which means we’ll be walking around with our phones in one hand and a beach towel in the other.

But, you don’t want just any beach towel. As a Jersey Girl through and through who summers on Long Beach Island at my family’s house from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I can tell you firsthand that the type of beach towel you use, matters.

The last thing you want is for a paper-thin towel to fly away, or your go-to striped option failing to absorb water after dipping your feet in the ocean. While you can pick up a towel for maybe $10 or so at a local store, I’d highly consider investing in a quality one before the heat of summer. Some aren’t as ridiculously priced as you may think, too.

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Recently, I’ve opened up my family’s pool and am planning to take somewhat weekly drives to the Jersey Shore. That’s why it’s time to pour all of my long-term reviews of top beach towels from brands like Sand Cloud, FUNBOY and more into this review.

Household namesake brands like Brooklinen and Cozy Earth even ventured into the beach towels space this year, so I made sure to get my hands on one (or a few).

Once you read through, you’ll understand why a beach towel shouldn’t just be another “random” purchase to make “because you need one.” Everyone knows that if someone is bringing a good beach towel to the backyard or beach, everyone will ask them to use it, without fail.

The Frontgate Resort Collection Cabana Stripe Beach Towel is a quality option that’s perfect to pick up before all of your beach trips this summer. Among the majority of beach towels I tested, it’s one of the more affordable options while maintaining its value and longevity.

Namely, this pick is perfect on pool days when I want to dry off quickly. It’s the most absorbent beach towel I’ve used without compromising softness. It also dries quickly in the sun, as opposed to thicker beach towels that take hours.

It’s made of 100% cotton and is great when tossed in my washer dryer combo. It doesn’t shrink nor pill and you can even add personalization if need be. While I use this mostly by the pool, it holds up well at the beach as well, thanks to its speedy clean and ability to dry well, whether hung over your balcony or placed in your next laundry cycle.

Yes, FUNBOY isn’t just known for its pool floats that litter my in-ground pool in the summertime. It’s Cabana Towel is worth talking about, majorly for its aesthetically pleasing prints, fairly priced towel and good-for-the-long-haul design.

Exuding Malibu vibes in every sense of the word, this towel is one of the more stylish options you can buy. It’s super plush and will keep you warm on pool or beach days, while also being incredibly lightweight at the same time. To me, it’s a healthy balance, though I’ve noticed that it takes longer to dry off than usual. However, it’s not a deal-breaker.

It’s breathable, making it one I love to toss around my shoulders to double as a swimsuit cover-up. For this reason, it’s simple to haul around, which is great for longer treks to the beach.

Cozy Earth just became cozy in the beach towels space. The brand has been a longstanding celebrity favorite, landing on the Oprah’s Favorite Things list time and time again. Now, its Classic Stripe Resort Towel is one of the newest items to land on its site and I can say the same thing I’ve noted about its cooling sheets: the quality is amazing.

I never thought I’d encourage anyone to spend $80 on a beach towel but, if you want a one-and-done purchase, this is your best bet. They feel exactly like your finest bath towels and honor that timeless striped design we all know and love.

What’s more, Cozy Earth names this towel “a game-changer in outdoor luxury,” and I couldn’t have said it better. It’s ultra-soft because it’s made of 60% cotton and 40% viscose from bamboo. Doesn’t that sound heavenly?

As soft as it is, it’s quite lightweight and absorbs water easily. You can take it to the beach no problem, but I love it for my backyard tanning because it’s so nice, I don’t want to use it all too often. It’s definitely a taste of luxury, especially for its clean hem that layers perfectly atop my pool lounge chair.

Perfect for any age, the Personalization Mall Classic Stripe Beach Towel is a fun take on your run-of-the-mill beach towel and is the most affordable beach towel I’ve tested. I ordered a blue one that has “VICTORIA” running along one of the stripes, offering a personalized charm and ensures I’ll never mix up my towel.

Available in a roster of fun colors, this beach towel, in particular, makes a fantastic gift. It has almost a felt feel, which I didn’t think would be all too effective, but I dry off quickly after coming out of the pool and ocean with this towel. For the price, you can’t go wrong.

The front side of the towel is striped and printed with your name of choice while the flip-side is white. It’s machine-washable and holds up well, though may pill over time, due to its felt-like material. However, for the price and unique charm, I’d recommend it as a wonderful beach towel for this summer.

Enter the epitome of beach towels: the Sand Cloud Party Blanket. Yes, the price is up there, but this is the beach towel. Never will you ever have to worry about having sand land on your legs or having to flatten out the towel again to ensure you’re lying on top of it. This towel is everything.

Available in a roster of fun prints, anyone will appreciate this item, especially beach lovers. Impressively, it absorbs quickly (not that I’m using it all the time for drying off; I’m typically just lounging on it).

It’s not the most versatile for poolside but if you’re on the hunt for an oversized beach towel, this one is second to none. It’s the one all of my friends want to steal, too.

Sometimes, we want a beach towel that leans more into the blanket territory. For the job, the Brooklinen Cabana Stripe Beach Towel is the best one I’ve tested in terms of softness. It’s a bit more expensive than your run-of-the-mill towel, but not especially expensive compared to other beach towels in my pile.

Standard in terms of the striped design that’s supremely classic, Brooklinen mimicked its bath towels and replicated them into a beach towel suitable for outdoor use. It absorbs quickly and also dries quickly, holding up well in the wash as well.

Its soft-woven terry material is one that you’ll just want to stroke again and again. Whether I’m tanning by my pool or heading to the Jersey Shore, this is an option I find reaching for regularly.

After testing beach towels for as long as 5 years from trips heading to the Jersey Shore each summer, here’s the testing criteria I kept in mind for each brand and beach towel tested:

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For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance. We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products, and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.