Bath Sheets vs. Bath Towels

The main difference between bath towels and bath sheets is that of size. Both are staples in any bed and bath department, but bath sheets are simply bigger. Bath towels range from about 27 inches by 52 inches in size all the way up to 30 inches by 58 inches for the largest towel. The smallest bath sheets, in comparison, are much larger, generally around 35 inches by 60 inches. That extra square footage makes wrapping up in a bath sheet a more luxurious experience. However, a bath sheet isn’t necessarily the right choice for everyone.

When you’re trying to decide What Kind of Towel Set to Buy, consider how you typically use your towels. If you like to wrap your hair up in a towel after you shower, you’re likely to find that a bath sheet is just too large to be manageable. If you like to wrap up your body luxuriously in a towel as you finish getting ready to go out or if you live in a situation where you don’t want to risk having your towel fall off, a bath sheet gives you plenty of security and warmth after your shower. Some people also prefer having the extra size of the bath sheet to make sure they always have a dry section of towel to turn to when drying off.

Because bath sheets are larger than standard towels, they require a little extra room for storage. If you’re buying bath towels for a smaller apartment or a dorm room and have limited space for linens, you may want to opt for bath towels. In addition, many bath sheets are simply too large to hang on a regular towel rack without scraping the floor or bunching up on the rod. Take a look at your existing bathroom with a measuring tape in hand to make sure you can accommodate a bath sheet, or prepare to hang some hooks to hold them.

Some people like to double up on their use of a bath sheet by having it serve as a beach towel as well. Beach towels are typically about the same size as a bath sheet, but they tend to be far less absorbent, since people use them for lying out on the sand rather than for drying off. Nevertheless, if you plan to grab a towel for a quick dip in your condo complex’s pool and don’t have room to store extra towels, opt for the bath sheet.

Once you’ve made your choice regarding the size of bathroom towels you prefer, you still have some decisions to make. Most towels are made of cotton, but the type of cotton can vary. Egyptian cotton is considered the prime choice because it’s highly absorbent and lasts for years. Some people swear by Turkish cotton, which tends to be exceptionally soft. Other choices include microfiber and even bamboo. To narrow your choice, consider the towel fiber’s ease of cleanability. Read How to Sanitize and How to Care for Bath Towels.

When you’re buying large towels of any type, ultimately you need to choose whether you want towels that are heavy and thick or towels that are light and fluffy. Look for zero-twist towels if you enjoy drying off with something as plush as possible.