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Drying, cleaning, carrying hot items and wiping up spills – the humble tea towel is a real workhorse in the kitchen. If you need to replace your current ones or are setting up your first home, you’ll want to ensure that you choose the ideal option.
How We Compared Tea Towels
To find the right tea towels, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Construction
- Dimensions
- Durability
- Absorbency
- Style
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Tea Towel Reviews
Utopia Kitchen Towels (Editor’s Choice)
Our favourite tea towel set, this model is the best overall, thanks to its high-quality, durable construction. It consists of 12 tea towels, ideal for replacing all of your current ones or as a home starter kit.
Each tea towel measures 38cm wide by 64cm long – a great size for all-around use, including drying, grabbing pots and pans, and wiping up spills. Due to their 100% ringspun cotton construction, these tea towels are both absorbent and fast drying.
These Utopia tea towels look fantastic and are made with a dobby weave construction for improved absorbency. They are available in many colours, so you can choose the perfect set to match your kitchen décor. Durable and strong, yet soft to the touch, you’d be hard pushed to find a better option for home use.
Pros:
- 12-piece set
- 100% ringspun cotton construction
- 38cm x 64cm towels
- Absorbent and fast drying
Cons:
- The towels could be a little thin for some users
- They may need a few washes before use
Maison d’Hermine Printemps Tea Towels (Luxury Choice)
If you like pretty tea towels, you’ll love our Luxury Choice. This three-piece tea towel set is very decorative, featuring coloured borders and a spring motif with plants and animals.
These tea towels from the Maison d’Hermine are a good size, measuring 50cm wide by 70cm long. This makes them a suitable choice for general-purpose kitchen use.
Crafted from 100% cotton, they are hard-wearing and long-lasting. Designed in Europe and made in India, they feature a high-quality tight weave and precision stitching. This ensures that you get a top-quality product. If you are looking for a tea towel set that will stand out in your kitchen, this beautiful collection makes a great choice.
Pros:
- Three-piece set
- 50cm x 70cm towels
- Decorative spring motif
- 100% cotton construction
Cons:
- It might not be very absorbent
- They could be more decorative than practical
Wonderdry Checked Kitchen Tea Towels (Best Value)
This checked tea towel set is an excellent choice if you are looking for a good-quality, practical option. It consists of ten individual towels, so you’ll have plenty lined up to hand in when needed.
The Wonderdry tea towels are made from cotton with a zero twist construction for superior absorbency. They are free from lint and non-abrasive, too. Use them to wipe, dry or polish all surfaces for a streak-free finish. Thanks to their generous dimensions of 50 x 70cm, they are fantastic all-rounders in the kitchen. What’s more, these items are produced in Oeko Tex-certified factories, making them a better choice for your home environment and the planet.
With three different colours and a classic mono check design, these tea towels will lend a professional touch to any kitchen. Absorbent and soft after washing, they are designed with durability in mind. You won’t get any hemline fraying due to the single needle reverse stitching.
Pros:
- Ten-piece set
- 50cm x 70cm towels
- Heavy-duty and hard-wearing
- Classic mono check design
Cons:
- They may shrink after washing
- It could be a little thin
Gryeer Microfibre Tea Towels (Best for Durability)
If you are looking for a set to wipe your surfaces and dry your crockery and glassware, you’ll want to check out this option. These microfibre towels are designed to stand the test of time, thanks to their well-stitched hems and soft, thick fabric.
With eight tea towels included, the Gryeer microfibre set is convenient to have around. They measure 45cm wide by 65cm long and also come with loops, so you can easily hang them to dry while keeping them close when needed. Thick and soft, these tea towels are highly absorbent.
The double-sided design features a ribbed side and a smooth one, great for drying and cleaning various items. Their high-quality construction and hemline stitching make them a good choice for any kitchen.
Pros:
- Eight-piece pack
- With a soft and thick microfibre construction
- Well-stitched hems for extra durability
- Hanging loops
Cons:
- They might not be suitable for handling hot items
- The towels may lose absorbency after washing
Sunshine Comforts Terry Tea Towel (Best for Versatility)
These terry tea towels are highly versatile and feature a classic large check design. If you are looking for a traditional set, this will not disappoint.
These Sunshine Comforts tea towels are made from 100% Egyptian cotton. This material is prized for its durability and hard-wearing nature. Measuring 40cm wide by 70cm long, they are a good size. You can use them for cleaning, drying, and handling hot items – unlike synthetic versions that will melt.
As a 12-piece set, you’ll have plenty of spares available to deal with all manner of spills. Absorbent and durable, this is a set of good-quality cotton tea towels for general use. Their material makes them very easy to care for and stay in good shape.
Pros:
- 12 piece set
- Measures 40cm x 70cm
- 100% Egyptian cotton construction
- Absorbent and durable
Cons:
- The stitching may not be the finest
- It may be a little thin for some users
Zeppoli Tea Towel Set (Best Lint Free)
Are you looking for some great multipurpose dishcloths that can also double up as bar towels for polishing your glassware? If so, you’ll want to consider our best lint-free pick. This option is ideal for removing water stains from your glasses.
This Zeppoli set consists of 30 tea towels, making them an excellent alternative to kitchen rolls. With so many in a pack, you can easily rotate them and use them just as you would with paper towels but without waste.
Made from 100% ringspun cotton, they are durable and easy to maintain. You can use them for all kitchen tasks, as well as around the home or for cleaning and handling hot items. Thanks to their herringbone weave construction, they are not only durable but also fast drying. This means you will get the most out of each towel between washes.
Pros:
- 30 piece set
- 36cm x 64cm tea towels
- Quick drying herringbone weave
- Shrink resistant
Cons:
- They may not be the most absorbent
- The product can have some loose threads
Blumtal Premium Tea Towels (Best for Ease of Care)
This premium tea towel set has the distinct advantage of being able to be washed at high temperatures. As they are machine washable up to 95 degrees C, you can use them for a wide variety of kitchen tasks. Once dirty, simply stick them on a high wash to remove any staining.
As a ten-piece set, you’ll have plenty of tea towels in reserve to keep your kitchen clean. The Blumtal tea towels are made from 100% cotton. They also come with a handy hanger and have a good material weight of 170gsm².
Measuring 50cm wide by 70cm long, these towels are a good size, further enhancing their usability. This set features a classic check design with three colours to choose from. If you are looking for a traditional-style tea towel that you can use for just about every task, this one should be at the top of your list.
Pros:
- Ten-piece set
- Durable cotton construction
- 50cm x 70cm tea towels
- Washable at high temperatures
Cons:
- It might not be very absorbent
- It may be too thin for some users
How to Choose a Tea Towel
It can be tempting to just go with the best-looking tea towel set on the market. Of course, you may want some stylish ones just for decorative purposes. However, when it comes down to picking the best tea towels, you’ll want to consider much more than just appearance alone. Here’s what we recommend looking out for when making your purchase.
Construction
First and foremost, consider your tea towel’s construction – how it is crafted and what it is made of.
Materials
Cotton is a popular fabric, durable and ideal for various kitchen tasks. Microfibre, on the other hand, is super absorbent but cannot be used for handling hot items or it may melt or burn.
Weave and Stitching
For better absorbency and durability, you should also look for tea towels with a good tight weave. The edges should be neatly hemmed. This will ensure that your product won’t fray during washing, or you’ll have to invest in another set in no time.
Dimensions
Tea towels vary in size between around 35-50cm wide and 50-70cm long. Before selecting your set, consider what you will mainly use your tea towels for. Larger models are great for drying dishes and glasses. Alternatively, smaller tea towels are a good choice for wiping surfaces and carrying hot items.
Durability
Good-quality cotton tea towels will last for several years, especially if you buy in bulk and regularly rotate them. Thick tea towels with tight weaves will last longer than models with reinforced hemline stitching.
Absorbency
Cotton is a suitable choice for absorbing liquids. However, microfibre is excellent at soaking up spills and drying your kitchenware. If you are looking for an absorbent all-purpose tea towel, try seeking out a thick cotton model. Alternatively, consider a thinner, finely woven, lint-free option if you’re specifically after something for your glassware.
Style
While style isn’t the most important aspect, most people like to have a couple of “smart” tea towels that are only decorative. Even if you are looking for a stylish tea towel to match your kitchen décor, we recommend investing in a pack of cotton ones for cleaning and drying.
Summary
If you are searching for a good option for your kitchen, you can’t go wrong with the Utopia Kitchen Towels Set. With 12 beautifully presented tea towels available in various colours, this is one of the best-looking models. Their 100% ringspun cotton construction means they are both strong and absorbent. Durability aside, these tea towels are also fast drying, thanks to their dobby weave, which further aids their absorbency. Whether you are looking to wipe up spills, carry hot pots and pans or dry off your washing up, this set is a fantastic choice that also looks the part.
Kelly is an expert in consumer product research, which is very important when it comes to finding the most useful and aesthetically pleasing items for your home. This became her passion after finding it very time-consuming to wade through all the product information online.
She has a keen attention to detail which she brings to her articles, Kelly’s goal is to help you find what you need without spending too much time searching for it.