Customers Call The White Company's Hydrocotton Range "The Best Bath Towels Ever," so I Put Them to the Test — Here Are My Honest, Hands-On Thoughts

Are they really the fluffiest towels ever? How do they hold up after washing? All that and more below

Close-up image of a stack of white towels in a white room.
(Image credit: The White Company)
Livingetc Verdict

These are a fabulous choice of bath towels for anyone wanting to elevate their bathroom from average to spa-like. I was thoroughly impressed with how soft and absorbent they were from the jump, and how well they washed and dried. They are a bit of a splurge item if you need to buy more than a couple, but worth the investment — and currently on sale.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Very soft

  • +

    Quick drying

  • +

    Good size

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Expensive

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I've stepped out of my shower too many times to towels that have completely lost their fluff, making my evening wind-down routine less spa-like and more like summer camp or a travel hostel. No shade, but don't we all want our bathrooms to reflect a bit of considered wellness? It was time to invest in a new set of bath towels. I was looking for something soft, absorbent, quick-drying, and, of course, easy on the eye. And as I searched high and low for the best bath towels on the market, The White Company's Hydrocotton Bath Towels kept resurfacing.

"Incredibly soft, these are the best towels I have ever bought," one review said. "It's pure luxury. I will be buying more," another noted. As I scrolled, nearly all of the 300+ reviews continued with the same level of adoration. After reading the relentless praise, how could I not immediately add to cart? I was impressed but also intrigued. My London flat is... quite damp, so as much as I value luxury, I also value function. Quick drying abilities are a must, but not at the expense of fluff. So, all that was left to do was try these towels for myself.

Investing in high-quality fabrics is the easiest way to make your towels last longer, so after a few weeks of using these linens and evaluating post-wash, here are my honest thoughts and feelings.

How I Tested

First and foremost, the best bath towels need both form and function. Sure, we love a design-forward moment here at Livingetc, but the biggest bath towel mistake to make is choosing something solely based on aesthetics. When trying to elevate your routine, function really matters here.

So, for this review, I kept in mind a few different characteristics. For my specific space, fighting dampness was especially important, hence why I chose the Hydrocotton range. On top of that, I kept track of how the towels looked and felt upon initial review, as well as after use and washing over about a month.

Below you'll find a detailed review of everything from initial impression to material quality.

Initial Impression and Design

Full disclosure: I needed a totally new bath set, so I went big. I ordered two bath towels, two bath sheets, two hand towels, and a face cloth in the classic Hydrocotton design in white. Basically, I wanted the simplest, but crisp and elevated design I could get.

And initial impressions knocked it out of the park. The towels come neatly folded with the brand's signature ribbon and paper (a nice touch when you've just invested in a new set of linens), and wow, were they soft. Let's call it how it is: these towels were incredibly plush, expensive-looking, and transformative.

Absorbancy

Close-up of a stack of white towels from The White Company with the tags in view

You can see the long and fluffy loops that make these towels so soft to touch.

(Image credit: Future)

The main test is how well a towel absorbs water and dries your skin. The worst feeling is stepping out of the bath, grabbing your new towel, only to find it gliding across your skin. It's painful really, and thankfully that couldn't be further from the case with these towels from The White Company — these were soft and perfectly absorbent on the first go.

In fact, they were so soft that they might even rival Cozy Earth's Bath Towels (although I might have to try those for myself, too, at some point). And the hand towels and face towels were just the same.

One thing I would note is that I was more keen to wash the face towels as I wanted them to be a little more worn in before using them on my sensitive skin.

Post Wash

A white towel hanging on a hook against a white wall.

They are also very lightweight, so you don't have to worry about them weighing down your hooks.

(Image credit: Future)

After a week, I decided to throw these towels for a spin in the wash and see how they held up — that's the ultimate test after all. Once again, my flat in London is a harsh judge for these kinds of reviews. It's damp, and we don't have an in-unit dryer (like many London homes), so it's air-dry only. If the towels can stay soft through these conditions, then they are likely worth investing in.

And I'm happy to report not only that they washed and dried well, but they even managed to feel cozier. The slightly slick, new-towel feeling broke down, and what was left was an even softer material. And they don't lose their thickness, which is really important. Nothing's worse than watching your once-plush towel wear down to the size and feeling of a napkin.

However, I can't attest to their longevity, as the towels are still semi-new to me, but so far, so good. And if the online reviews are any judge, then the future looks bright.

Should You Buy The White Company's

Image of two white towels folded on top of each other on a green sofa.

They look as luxurious as they feel, which is a real perk when stocking the shelves.

(Image credit: Future)

So, are The White Company Hydrocotton Towels worth the hype? Yes. I'd say they most definitely are. They exceeded expectations on softness, absorbency, and overall coziness. So between my enthusiasm for my freshly stocked linen closet and the glowing reviews online, I'd say you are in safe hands with these White Company towels.

You might be spending a little more than you thought on towels, but it's an investment worth making if you value a nice nighttime routine.



The White Company Hydrocotton Bath Towels are the easiest way to make your bathroom feel more like a retreat. All you need now is a fluffy robe and a nice scent, and an at-home spa is right around the corner.

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Olivia Wolfe
Design Writer

Olivia Wolfe is a Design Writer at Livingetc. She recently graduated from University of the Arts London, London College of Communication with a Masters Degree in Arts and Lifestyle Journalism. In her previous experience, she has worked with multiple multimedia publications in both London and the United States covering a range of culture-related topics, with an expertise in art and design. At the weekends she can be found working on her oil paintings, reading, or antique shopping at one of London's many vintage markets.