Did you know that your hair is most delicate when wet? Instead of rubbing or wringing it out with the terry cloth towel (or a T-shirt) in its weakest, most vulnerable state, wrap it in an ultra-absorbent microfiber towel. The super-soft synthetic fabric is known for its moisture-wicking properties, so it draws water away from your hair without the need to squeeze or tousle it. In other words, it dries hair quickly while helping you avoid unnecessary split ends and breakage.
We conducted hours of research on the best microfiber towels, evaluating each option on its size, shape, thickness, and style (think wrap vs. scarf). We also assessed which hair types each product caters to—some are suitable for all hair types, while others are better for coily, textured, fine, short, or long hair. Finally, we consulted a hair stylist before landing on this list of microfiber towels for fast and gentle drying.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Budget:
Best for Thick Hair:
Best for Curly Hair:
Best for Long Hair:
Best for Fine Hair:
Best for Smoothing:
What We Like
Easy to use
Adorable print
Soft material won't cause breakage or tension
Machine washable
What to Consider
Could be more absorbent
Material: 75% polyester, 25% polyamide | Absorbency: Medium | Hair Type: All | Machine Washable: Yes
This all-star hair towel promises to cut your drying time in half and eliminate flyaways. Plus, it's super soft, machine washable, and stays securely in place, thanks to a handy button and elastic loop. NYC-based hairstylistSky Kimof Serge Normant at John Frieda is a fan. "My favorite microfiber hair towel is Coco & Eve's Microfibre Towel Wrap,” She says. “I'm a sucker for print, so you look like you're on vacation when wearing it. And you can dry your hair quickly or use it with an overnight mask.”
What We Like
Affordable option
Very absorbent
Keeps hair in place
What to Consider
On the thin side compared to others
Material: 87% polyester, 13% polyamide | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine Washable: Yes
Available from just $5 per towel, the Turbie Twist is a true budget-friendly option. It’s incredibly absorbent and lightweight, and the towel is designed to work for all hair types and head sizes with a one-size-fits-all tapered silhouette and elastic loop closure. It also comes in various color options, from baby pink to aqua.
What We Like
Super absorbent waffle-knit fabric
Dries hair quickly
Leave hair smooth and soft
Button-loop closure
What to Consider
May be too small for those with long hair
Material: 80% polyester, 20% nylon | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine Washable: Yes
One thing about microfiber hair towels is that they’re usually pretty thin—not ideal for thicker hair types that need maximum absorption (if you’ve ever used a microfiber towel after showering and noticed it was instantly sopping wet, this is why). Enter Act+Acre’s waffle-knit version, which feels way more plush than the competition. It wicks away moisture, drying hair in half the time while reducing friction so your strands are static-free and super soft. We appreciate that it has a button fastening, although reviewers with long hair say the towel is too small to contain their strands properly.
What We Like
Gentle on curly hair
Not too absorbent
Can be used for plopping
Roomy enough for all curl types
What to Consider
Elastic is somewhat tight
Material: Microfiber | Absorbency: Medium | Hair Type: Curly, coily | Machine Washable: Yes
The notably soft and smooth DevaTowel was designed to dry curls with a tender touch. Its roomy crescent shape dries all curl types without causing friction or tangles, eliminating static and adding definition. The button fastening lets you get on with your routine while your hair dries, and it absorbs just enough water to allow leave-in styling products to set your coils and spirals in place.
What We Like
Keeps long hair in place
Two size options
Very absorbent
Gentle on hair
What to Consider
Doesn’t come with a button-loop closure for easy wrapping
Material: Microfiber | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine Washable: Yes
There’s nothing more annoying than trying to wrap your hair in a towel several inches too short. This microfiber towel by Luxe Beauty Essentials comes in two size options, including a 42-by-24-inch version promising plenty of room for longer lengths. Wrap up your hair in the extra-absorbent, low-friction fabric and marvel at how much faster your strands dry.
What We Like
Gentle on fine hair types
Won't cause tangles
Comes with a waterproof bag
Dries hair quickly
What to Consider
Doesn’t have an elastic edge or button-loop closure to keep it in place
Material: 80% polyester, 20% polyamide | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: Fine, thin | Machine Washable: Yes
Fine hair is more prone to damage than thick hair, especially when wet. The last thing you want to do is rough up your tangle-prone strands with a regular towel. Instead, reach for this soft, delicate microfiber cloth version from Bondi Home & Spa. It'll quickly and gently draw moisture away from your head, allowing you to avoid a damaging rubdown while cutting down your blow-drying minutes. We also appreciate that it comes with a waterproof bag so you can take it to the gym or use it on vacation.
What We Like
Smooths hair, reducing flyaways
Prevents breakage
Extra large size and internal pocket for long hair
What to Consider
Fabric is not as soft as some other options
Material: Microfiber blend | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
Microfiber towels are loved for their hair-smoothing abilities, and this one in particular excels at reducing static and flyaways. Its extra-long length and internal pocket can cradle all lengths and textures of hair with ease, and the anti-frizz fabric ensures friction-free drying. It’s the first step to your sleekest blowout (or most static-free air-dry) ever.
What We Like
Quick-twist wrap design
Dries hair quickly
Thick, plush fabric
What to Consider
Fit is a little tight
Material: Microfiber | Absorbency: Medium | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
This hair-drying wrap by Kitsch is impressively soft, absorbent, and easy to use. The plush, lint-free microfiber fabric and quick-twist design make it easy to secure your wet hair. Best of all, since it speeds up the drying process, you'll shave off precious minutes from your getting-ready routine.
What We Like
Dries hair quickly
Secures the hair easily
Thick, plush fabric
What to Consider
Slightly tight fit
Material: Polyester and nylon | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
While every microfiber towel on our list will speed up drying time, the AQUIS Hair Wrap comes out on top. The towel’s “Aquitex” fabric (a blend of polyester and nylon) holds up to four times its weight in water, wicking away liquid without roughing up your strands. Its signature crescent-shape wrap cradles your hair, and the handy button-loop closure keeps the whole thing in place until you’re ready to release it.
What We Like
Helps reduce friction and breakage
Comfortable to wear
Soft, stretchy fabric
What to Consider
Could be more absorbent
Material: Microfiber | Absorbency: Medium | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
L'Ange's Hair Wrap Towel is supremely soft, stretchy, and lightweight. The low-friction fabric, generous size, and versatile fit make it easy to cover your wet hair without contributing to split ends or breakage.
What We Like
Light waffle fabric is super absorbent
Smooths and softens hair
Elastic band for securing your wrap
Prevents damage
What to Consider
Must be dried thoroughly after each use to avoid mold
Material: 76% polyester, 24% polyamide | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine Washable: Yes
If your budget can stretch, this hair towel from Crown Affair is 100% worth the splurge. Made from a custom blend of microfibers, its waffle fabric is light but absorbent, soaking up excess moisture while protecting strands from damage. Thanks to its unique shape and elasticated band for securing the end of your wrap, it's also incredibly comfortable to wear around the house. Some reviewers complained that their towels became moldy, so make sure to wash regularly and dry thoroughly.
What We Like
Grippy elastic strap to secure in place
Gentle on hair
Dries hair quickly
What to Consider
Could be more absorbent
Material: Polyester | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
As its name suggests, the Volo Hero is a superhero when it comes to drying hair. Featuring a snag-free design with a convenient grippy strap at the back, you can count on it to stay put. What's more, the exceedingly soft nanoweave microfiber fabric saves the day by handling your hair with care and drying strands efficiently.
Best Versatile
The Perfect Haircare Ultra-Fine Microfiber Hair Towel
What We Like
Can be wrapped four ways
Large size works for all hair lengths
Tames static and reduces breakage
Adjustable closure
What to Consider
Fabric dye tends to bleed, even after first wash
Material: Microfiber | Absorbency: High | Hair Type: All | Machine-Washable: Yes
This versatile microfiber towel from The Perfect Haircare can do it all thanks to its clever design features. First, it’s large (40 inches by 27.5 inches), making it perfect for all hair lengths. Secondly, it can be wrapped in four different ways to suit your hair type: a front or back twist, plopping, or a simple bun. Finally, its adjustable closure makes it easy to secure for hands-free drying. The one downside is that the dye in this towel tends to bleed, so take care when washing it.
What to Look for When Buying a Microfiber Hair Towel
- Size: When browsing microfiber hair towels, one of the most important things to consider is size. Many options offer a somewhat universal fit, but if you have notably long or thick hair, a larger towel will better accommodate your hair. With shorter hair, look for something that's not too big, as the weight of the towel may just slip off your head. Instead, go for a small or medium-sized wrap.
- Design: You'll want to consider the design as well. Many microfiber hair towels are simply rectangular cloths, like regular towels. However, many are made with elastic edges, grippy straps, or button closures, helping them stay in place. You'll also find some tapered or tube-shaped options, which make them a little easier to secure to your head.
- Texture: The other thing to consider is texture. Microfiber fabric can have a smooth, ribbed, or waffled surface, and the choice is mostly a matter of preference. That being said, ribbed and waffle-knit towels might offer slightly better absorbency, though a smoother surface will help minimize friction.
FAQ
Is a microfiber towel good for hair?
Microfiber towels are good for drying hair. They are made of a very fine material, so they don’t chafe against hair and cause breakage. If you want to limit breakage after washing your hair, microfiber towels are a good choice.
How long should I leave my hair in a microfiber towel?
You can leave your hair in a microfiber towel for up to an hour. However, around half that time is usually enough for it to be mostly dry. At that point, you can let it air dry or style as usual.
How do you dry your hair with a microfiber towel?
You can dry your hair with a microfiber towel by wrapping all of your hair and tucking it over your head. Alternatively, you can place the towel in your palm and gently scrunch your hair (especially curls) to remove the water without abrasion or rubbing that can cause breakage.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland has been writing for Byrdie since 2020. As a professional commerce writer specializing in wellness, cosmetics, and personal care, she's well-versed in innovative textiles and knows how to spot the best hair care products.
For this story, we got guidance from the following expert:
- Sky Kim, a NYC-based of Serge Normant at John Frieda.
This story was updated by Esme Benjamin. A regular contributor to Byrdie’s commerce stories, Esme has extensive experience researching beauty brands and identifying products worth investing in. She has a specific obsession with items that streamline daily routines, like these microfiber hair towels.