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The 11 Best Hair Towels To Dry Hair Quickly Without Damage

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It's a little weird to say that my life has been vastly improved by a wad of absorbent fabric, but it's true. I recently invested in one of the best hair towels, and since then, my daily routine has gone a whole lot more smoothly. No longer do I have to bend my neck like an ostrich to keep the towel on top of my head. No longer do I feel beads of cold water dripping down my back, or end up damaging my hair by twisting too hard.

Most stylists would agree that, believe it or not, you should never dry your hair with a regular towel. That's because hair is especially delicate when it's wet, and the texture and material of a regular towel is often too coarse for fragile wet hair to handle. Your average bath towel might also not be the most absorbent, so if you do choose to blow dry your hair after towel drying it, you're not preventing as much heat damage as you could be.

Not only is a great hair towel made from a soft, special material that’s effective at absorbing water without damage, but it actually stays on your head while you move on with the rest of your routine. These top-rated hair-drying towels can help you dry your hair faster with less damage. Keep scrolling for the best hair towels that dry your hair fast.

1

The Fan-Favorite Hair Towel

The DuraComfort Essentials Hair Towel is a top-seller in hair towels because it dries your hair quickly without getting in your way. It's lightweight, super absorbent, and one size fits all — though it comes in extra-wide, too. "This towel is a miracle worker!" one reviewer commented. "I have very long and thick hair, I use this towel and it absorbs almost all the water, it’s drying power is incredible! [...] It’s super soft and doesn’t damage my hair at all. Highly recommend this towel!"

According to one reviewer: “My long hair was a good 50% drier after 5 minutes in this towel vs. a hair towel I purchased 2 years ago. Felt weird to the touch at first. Checked the fiber content, It was because the fiber content was a polymer fabric, not cotton. The material allows it to soak up water away from the hair without the towel feeling wet. I bought three different kinds on Amazon so I could compare. This was the best of the bunch.”

2

The Best Value

They’re not the most durable, but if you have several people in your household or you always want to ensure that you have a clean hair towel on hand, AmazerBath hair wraps are one of the best values on Amazon. They come in a pack of three for $10, which breaks down to roughly $3 a towel. They’re also soft, absorbent, and thick, but still lightweight — and they have a plaited rope closure for security.

According to one reviewer: “Big, soft and comfortable is what I needed in a towel wrap and these are perfect. My hair is short now so I can only speak to how well it works on my hair...and it works well. I have 2 in my bathroom and one in the guest bath. They're pretty too.”

3

The Editor-Recommended Towel That’s Great For Thick Hair

“I have thick, coarse hair and this helps it dry much more quickly. It also stays in place and is lighter weight than other hair towels I've tried. I recently just bought a second one,” wrote Bustle Editor Jen Fiegel. Consequently, if your hair is so thick that it drenches a regular towel in seconds, this Aquis hair towel might be the answer. It's made from Aquitex, a unique microfiber that can hold tons of moisture. It also comes in seven different colors, and it’s earned over 1,000 five-star ratings from past buyers.

According to one reviewer: “For me, the Aquis Hair Turban is a brilliant solution to a vexing problem. I love it. No more aching neck. No more rush to do something with my hair because I can't do anything with a big, heavy towel balanced precariously on my head. It's attractive, machine-washable, and perfect.”

4

The Writer-Beloved One Worth The Splurge

— Also available at Anthropologie, $39.00

I blow dry my hair every single day, so it’s important that I minimize damage and save as much time as possible. The VOLO Hero hair towel is my daily go-to, and in my opinion, it’s worth every penny. It's large but lightweight, soft but absorbent, and plush but secure. Last but definitely not least, it absorbs 10 times its weight in water and uses a special fabric that reduces drying time by up to 50%, so you can be out the door much sooner.

According to one reviewer: “It is SO soft and absorbent and feels much better on my head than a regular towel. It doesn’t pull on my hair and my hair dries faster than it used to! Even comfortable to sleep with it on! I got it for my sister for her birthday and will probably get one for my daughters, too!”

5

A Budget-Friendly Set Designed To Stay In Place

If you like to check your e-mail, clean your room, and do your makeup right out of the shower, you need something that'll stay in place. These microfiber hair towels have a button, an elastic band, and a lightweight design to keep the towel on your head no matter what, and without pulling or pain. They also absorb water quickly and come in a pack of two, both with bright, multi-colored stripes. Amazon reviewers also love how much value you get for the price.

According to one reviewer: "I love the microfiber hair turbans because it’s much more lightweight than wrapping an entire towel on your head. Plus the button on the back holds it all in place, unlike a towel which could fall off your head. Perfect for getting ready and keeping your hair out of your face.”

6

The Best Bamboo Hair Towels For Freshness

Bamboo is an extremely popular material right now, and that's because it's soft, lightweight, dries quickly, and prevents the growth of bacteria. These bamboo hair towels absorb water so hair dries quickly and with minimal damage, but they also smell fresh and clean for a long time, according to reviewers. One user concisely listed its pros: "Very absorbent and soft. Dries quickly so it doesn't get a musty smell. Very comfortable to wear." You get two towels instead of one with this pack.

According to one reviewer: “It's easy to use and it's great at absorbing excess water from your hair. It's comfortable to wear, so you can leave it in for an extended period of time without fear of it hurting your head. And it is very sturdy when you've wrapped your hair, allowing [you] to do all your after-shower beautifying without doing a balancing act with the towel on your head!”

7

The Best Hair Wrap Designed With Curly Hair In Mind

— Also available at Ulta, $24.00, and Sephora, $24.00

The DevaCurl towel is specifically made for natural curls. It helps them to dry bouncy and healthy without frizz. One Amazon fan raved, "I have tried cheap "microfiber" hair towels that didn't work worth squat. This towel is incredible." This microfiber towel stays in place thanks to a button and loop, and comes in a fun, vibrant pattern.

According to one reviewer: “This is a super convenient head wrap towel. Works great for my curls and my hair is noticeably less frizzy. Love it because it keeps my hair out of my face while drying it enough that I don’t have drippy hair. Super absorbent too.”

8

An Affordable Hair Towel That’s Great For Extra-Long Hair

This large microfiber hair towel is soft and absorbent, and it's much bigger than some others on the market. (It measures 45 by 25 inches.) It's also got a fine waffle-weave microfiber design that's lightweight despite its size.

According to one reviewer: "This must have come from the land of unicorns & rainbows!! I so love everything about this rare and awesome towel. It is so super soft..and the 2 loops, one for hanging and a stretchy one for holding the towel end in place after wrapping the hair to use after shampooing. It's great because with that loop being stretchy, you don't have to struggle to get the towel ends inserted."

9

A Great Set For Short Hair

— Also available at Ulta, $13.00

Turbie Twists have been around for a while, and while some brands have expanded on these designs to suit people with longer hair, those with short hair may prefer the thin fabric and buttonless design. The absorbent microfiber material is extremely lightweight and slip-resistant, while the no-excess tail slips right into an elastic loop at the nape of the neck. You can also opt for both fun patterns and solid colors. “My hair comes just below my shoulder blades and is pretty thick so when I wrap it in this towel it comes just to the end of the towel and it all fits,” one reviewer wrote.

According to one reviewer: “The Turbie Twist is an excellent quality product that does exactly what it says. I have a lot of fine hair that has varied between chin length and mid-back over the years. Regardless of length, the Turbie Twist keeps my hair off my face while I moisturize and apply skin care, and also cuts down on dry time. The towels are absorbent and the microfiber prevents frizz because it’s not roughing up the cuticle. Highly, highly recommend!”

10

The Best Option If You’re Worried About Breakage

— Also available at Walmart, $22.00

Some hairstylists claim that drying your hair with a T-shirt is the best thing you can do to prevent the damage, breakage, and split-ends that towels cause. This Hair RePear T-shirt hair towel is made from that same soft material, but designed to stay on your head. It's smooth, absorbent, and leaves your hair shiny and manageable. It also comes in three sizes.

According to one reviewer: “This has been one of the best purchases for at home or outside use. It's lightweight and wraps easily, the elastic tie is revolutionary. I can sleep in it, clean in it, and move around without it falling off. My hair comes out of it perfect!”

11

The Most Adorable Hair Towels

For kids or kids at heart, these Pocova hair wraps are fun, whimsical, cheap, and actually effective. While they look like cute animals, they’re made from absorbent microfiber that soaks up excess water and gets softer with every wash. They also minimize both frizz and unwanted strain on your neck, thanks to their gentle, lightweight texture. (Note that they’re better for shorter hair.) A button keeps them in place.

According to one reviewer: “My daughter and I both use and love these! I have very long hair, and these work great! So much easier than having a gigantic bath towel on my head. Daughter is 9 and it works great with her hair as well. She's able to twist and secure all by herself. Highly recommend!”

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