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While we all want to be able to air dry our hair naturally and have it come out frizz-free and smooth, that may not be realistic. For those times when you just don’t have the time to sit and wait, using a specially designed microfiber hair towel or wrap is a great option.
These specialty towels are made to wick water out of the hair quickly and more thoroughly than the traditional cotton towel, thus cutting down on drying time and heat exposure. This, in turn, will keep your hair healthier, while promising less frizz, breakage, and all-over smoother, shinier hair.
Below we are featuring some of our favorite towel turbans and wraps of 2024. Available in a wide array of colors, these towels are also designed to stay securely on your head with a button and loop closure giving you a hands-free drying experience.
Our Favorite Towel Turbans
YoulerTex Towel Wrap — Best Overall
This hair towel and wrap is made from a specialty material that is very soft to the touch, super absorbent, and fast-drying. So absorbent, in fact, that it can absorb 10 times its weight in water which means it will work faster to dry your hair. This fast absorbency rate will also help the towel stay fresher longer because it will dry more quickly.
Pros
- A button and fabric loop keeps the hair turban securely on your head
- It helps dry your hair very quickly
Cons
- If your hair is extremely thick another option might be better
Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Turban Towel — Best Variety
The Turbie Twist Microfiber Hair Turban Towel is the ultimate solution for quick and convenient hair drying. Crafted with ultra-absorbent microfiber material, this innovative hair turban towel can soak up excess moisture from your hair. In doing so, this hair turban towel drastically reduces the amount of time you spend drying your hair, especially in comparison to traditional towels. Its soft and gentle fabric is perfect for all hair types, which is why this hair turban towel is our top recommendation.
Pros
- Quickly absorbs excess moisture
- Made from soft microfiber fabric
- Convenient twist and loop design
Cons
- Not large enough for everyone
Hopeshine Towel Twist — Best Color Options
Ideal for those who wash their hair every day, this set of three microfiber towels is super absorbent to help dry the hair fast which allows you to use a hairdryer half as much and ultimately keep your hair protected. These towels are also softer and more comfortable than traditional towels, will cause less damage and frizz to the hair, and can be worn with the button in front or back depending on your preference.
Pros
- This set of towels is available in a ton of color options
- The button and loop closure keeps the towel secure on your head
Cons
- Longer, thicker hair types may dry slower
Scala Towel Wrap — Honorable Mention
The Scala Towel Wrap is an ideal solution for anyone looking to cut their hair drying time in half. The microfibers used in these towels are 100 times finer than human hair and offer a large surface area that quickly absorbs moisture, leaving your hair just damp and ready for styling. This helps to reduce unnecessary friction and damage your hair normally experiences with towels and hair dryers, leading to healthier, smoother, and more vibrant hair.
Pros
- These towels are perfect for all types of hair
- Highly absorbent, allowing for quicker drying time
Cons
- Bigger than expected, which may be unnecessary for those with short hair
Polyte Turban Wrap — Contender
If you need a different hair towel for almost every day of the week, this generous set is a great option. Plush and super-soft, this set comes with four towels in blue, pink, purple, and white that are also ultra-absorbent and will dry the hair faster with less frizz. You will also enjoy the quick-dry material that ensures no lingering odors form.
Pros
- These towels are available in two size options
- Lightweight material will not weigh your head down
Cons
- Using dryer sheets or fabric softeners is not recommended
M-bestl Towel Wrap — Most Comfortable
Made from a slightly more plush and thicker material than some of our other options, this towel set uses the same premium quality, microfiber material that dries hair quickly and easily. A loop and tie closure keeps this towel securely on your head and allows you to go about your daily business and complete the morning routine while waiting for your hair to dry.
Pros
- The pineapple plaid design gives these towels a fun look and feel
- The ultra-plush material is very soft on the hair and skin
Cons
- There is only one size option
Duomishu Towel Wrap — Also Consider
This highly absorbent hair towel two-pack is ideal for everyday use, is versatile, and can be used at home, the gym, and even brought along when traveling. With a specialty towel like this one, you can expect excellent water absorbency which leads to less time spent blowdrying which then leads to healthier, shinier hair. A button and loop design also makes it easy to secure to the head and with regular use, you may notice less frizz and breakage.
Pros
- This towel is available in three different color options
- The pack of two means you can leave one at home and one in your gym bag
Cons
- These towels are very lightweight
Laluztop Towel — Another Option
Another great microfiber towel option is this extremely absorbent one made from carefully selected materials to absorb water faster than traditional cotton towels. Available in two different size options, these towels will fit most hair types and lengths and are ideal for everyday use. These towels are also available in a few color options and have a unique decoration design across the edge.
Pros
- These towels will get softer with each wash
- The different size options ensure you will get the perfect fit
Cons
- If you prefer thin towels, another option might be better
AQUIS Hair Turban — Editor's Pick
The brand that probably started it all is this OG of microfiber hair towels that are specially made to get excess water out fast and keep moisture (natural oils) in. This towel uses specialty technology, that with regular use, helps hair become more resilient for softer, shinier hair while also cutting down on frizz. This towel will also contribute to hair cuticles that lay flat, locked-in hair color which results in longer-lasting color and fewer trips to the salon.
Pros
- These towels are machine washable
- Takes only 10-20 minutes to dry your hair most of the way
Cons
- There are minimal color options
Buying Guide: Towel Turbans
Towel turbans make putting towels on your head look easy - and that’s because they are. Here are the secrets behind towel turbans and what you should know when buying one.
What Are Towel Turbans?
Towel turbans are towels that, when worn in a specific manner, resemble turbans worn in various cultures throughout the world. The purpose of wearing a towel in this manner is to dry out your hair faster than normal, as the towel absorbs any moisture that’s remaining in your hair after taking a good shower.
While you can make a turban out of virtually any towel, there are certain towels that serve better in this regard. Known as hair towels, these towels are both thin and light, so you can easily hold them up on your head without getting your arms tired. And, more importantly, they’re just large enough to serve as a turban when put on properly without adding too much weight to your head.
Why Do You Need a Towel Turban?
They’re comfortable to wear
There’s just something about a towel turban that makes it so relaxing to wear after a good shower. The warmth and comfort of the towel’s cloth just feel right, and wearing it alongside a towel or robe makes for the perfect after-shower routine. You’ll feel nice and clean the moment you leave the bathroom.
It dries your hair more quickly
Another advantage of towel turbans is that you can dry your hair fairly quickly with them. A towel turban constantly absorbs the moisture in the hair, so while you’re doing other things, your hair is also getting dried. At a certain point, it may be better for your hair to naturally dry with the help of air or through help with a hair dryer, but while it’s still fairly wet, towel turbans help the most in drying your hair.
It keeps your clothes and back dry
After taking a shower, the first thing virtually everyone does is dry up. They take a towel, wipe all the way down, and step out. But for those with long hair, the process is a little more complicated. You see, hair doesn’t dry as quickly as skin does. For people with short hair, this isn’t an issue, as less hair means that it takes less time for the whole thing to dry out. Besides, the hair won’t touch anywhere other than your scalp, so you’ll feel barely any difference.
Having long hair, on the other hand, means that it’ll take much longer to get that hair dry. And to make matters worse, without something to hold your hair up, that wet hair will get all over your back and neck, and it’ll get your clothes wet, too, if you put them on right away. Having a cloth cover your wet hair prevents your neck and back from feeling wet, and it also keeps your clothes from getting wet, too. This is great if you’re preparing for work and you don’t want to deal with your hair until you’re ready to use the hair dryer later on.
Things to Consider When Buying Towel Turbans
Towel color
Towels are available in a variety of colors. These colors can vary from the classic hotel white to black, gray, and any other color imaginable. Towel colors are pretty varied, and since they have no impact on how effective the towel is whatsoever, you can pick whatever color you choose. Since the towel will only be used at home, you don’t need to worry about appearances, and any color should do just fine unless you're particular about a certain one.
You can even take it a step further and pick towels with more than one color, or towels with patterns. These towels are a little more extravagant and ornate, and not everybody likes them, but unless you’re a pure minimalist, you should have no trouble with having something like a flower pattern on your towel turban.
Towel size
As mentioned earlier, towel turbans can be made out of virtually any towel. However, you ideally want a towel that’s large enough to cover your head, but small enough to not carry extra weight. For this reason, people almost always use hair towels for towel turbans. But that doesn’t mean you’re required to - for example, if you already have a spare towel at home, you can use that towel instead. It’ll be a bit heavier, sure, but at least you’re saving money by not buying an extra towel.
If you want something more general-purpose, consider getting a medium-sized towel. These towels are larger than hair towels but smaller than full-sized bath towels. They can be used to wipe any part of the body, and are just small enough to cover your lower regions if need be. They’re large enough to cover your hair, too, and while they’re larger than hair towels, they’re still lighter than when using bath towels instead, so that’s a plus.
