What exactly are bath sheets and are they different from regular towels?

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The first step in making sure your bathroom is fully equipped is getting a great set of plush bath towels that’ll hold up well over time. While shopping for a new set, however, you may see options for bath sheets, and wonder what exactly is a bath sheet and how is it any different from a regular bath towel? Is it just a huge towel, or does it have some sort of feature that warrants being called something different?

I had the same questions, so I spoke to fabric experts to learn more about the similarities and differences between bath sheets and bath towels. I also recommend bath sheets from trusted NBC Selected brands for anyone convinced that they need to add some to their linen closet.

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What is a bath sheet?

In general, a bath sheet is a really big towel, oftentimes with a length between 65 and 70 inches. In terms of the material, bath sheets and bath towels aren’t that much different. “A bath sheet is all about that oversized feel,” says Lindsey Johnson, CEO and co-founder of towel brand Weezie*.

A bath sheet is sort of like if you combined a regular bath towel and a small blanket, so it’s ideal for people who like being wrapped up entirely after they come out of the shower or bath. Because they have more fabric, bath sheets can take longer to dry and are often more expensive than regular towels.

*Any inclusion of Weezie in this story was made independent of Johnson, who we only consulted for shopping tips and guidance. We did not ask Johnson for product recommendations, though she does directly benefit from any Weezie purchase made from this story.

What’s the difference between a bath sheet and a bath towel?

There a few key differences between bath sheets and bath towels, here’s what experts say you should expect:

Size: The main, and most noticeable difference between a bath sheet and a towel is the size. Bath sheets are much larger than traditional bath towels, sometimes making them feel more like bedding.

Drying time: As Johnson mentioned above, a bath sheet will take a longer time to dry than a towel since it’s larger in length and width. This is something to consider when shopping for bath sheets, since a humid bathroom can prevent towels from drying quickly.
Thickness and weight: While it depends on the particular bath sheet and how a brand differentiates it from its towels, bath sheets sometimes come in different thicknesses or GSM (grams per square meter) compared to their towel equivalent. Since they take a long time to dry, some brands make them in a lighter weight or thickness, according to Johsnon.

Highly-rated bath sheets to shop now

Below are top-rated bath sheets from NBC Selected editor-loved brands that also sell regular towels, washcloths and hand towels. In some instances, you can buy bath sheets and other matching towels to create a set.

These bath sheets, which are made from 100% Turkish cotton, are available either as a set of two or four. They’re available in several solid shades, as well as a few stylish striped options. Shoppers say they appreciate how soft and plush the bath sheets are while also being absorbent. They’re safe to machine wash in cold water and tumble dry on low heat, according to the brand.

This bath sheet from Weezie is made from 100% long-staple cotton, which makes for a softer feel, according to Preeti Arya, associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. While it’s only available in white, the oversized towel comes with the option to monogram it in another color, with matching trim (so it would also make a great gift).

These popular towels are made from a mix of cotton and fibers from bamboo, also called viscose, which makes them particularly soft and absorbent, according to the brand. They’re made with a “zero-twist” formation, meaning that the fibers aren’t twisted very tightly, which ultimately makes the bath sheet feel softer and work better at absorbing moisture from the body, according to Cozy Earth. The bath sheets have more than 475 five-star reviews (at the time of publishing), with shoppers saying they’re very soft and get even softer after they’ve been washed.

Are bath sheets worth it?

It depends on what you want out of a bath sheet or bath towel. If you enjoy being able to be completely covered by a plush towel, whether from a coziness standpoint or otherwise, then you should try out a bath sheet. If you don’t care much for that and just need a towel to dry you off, then it’s best to just get a regular towel and save some money.

It’s important to get a bath sheet that is absorbent and made from a material that dries relatively fast if possible. If your towels already take a long time to dry, using something that takes just as long but that takes up even more space may not be ideal, especially since experts I spoke to about how often you should wash your towels recommend using two towels per week and trading off between uses. You may not be prepared to hang two gigantic towels in your space. Though, a towel warmer rack could help with this.

What material should you get a bath sheet in?

“I recommend looking into the fiber content. If you choose natural fiber, no matter what the weave type is, it will dry the water from your skin due to absorption,” says Arya.

Arya recommends natural fibers like pima, Turkish and Egyptian cotton, which are all types of long-staple cotton (cotton bolls with particularly long fibers, which makes fabrics softer than traditional cotton). Additionally, you can consider linen, which is made from flax seeds, and hemp, made from hemp seeds, good options for a bath sheet that has absorption.

Meet our textile experts

At NBC Selected, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Lindsey Johnson is the CEO and co-founder of towel brand Weezie*
Preeti Arya, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

*Any inclusion of Weezie in this story was made independently of Johnson, who we only consulted for shopping tips and guidance. We did not ask Johnson for product recommendations, though she does directly benefit from any Weezie purchase made from this story.

Why trust NBC Selected?

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected, where I write about home and kitchen appliances, bedding, towels and more. I’ve written about GSM in towels, how often to wash towels, the best bamboo bedding and more. For this story, I spoke to fabric experts and considered highly-rated bath sheets from staff favorite brands.

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