10 Best Absorbent Dog Towels in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

The one thing you want to happen when you bathe your dog is to get it as dry as possible, as quickly as you can. No one likes the smell of a wet canine. The chances are the product you use on your pet will get a lot of use, whether it’s after a day at the beach or coming inside out of the rain. That puts durability and absorbency high on the list of must-have features. Not surprisingly, towels vary widely in their usability.

Our guide includes what you should look for in an absorbent dog towel to get the most out of your purchase. We’ve also added detailed reviews to help you make an informed choice that hopefully, will save you time and money.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 10 Best Absorbent Dog Towels – Reviews & Top Picks 2022

1. SUNLAND Microfiber Dog Towel – Best Overall

The SUNLAND Microfiber Dog Towel scores high marks all around, making it an easy choice for one of the best overall absorbent dog towels. The product is well-made and sure to last. The piping on the edges will prevent it from unraveling for added durability. The towel comes in three neutral colors, which are excellent choices, given its use. It comes in one size that can easily handle pets of all sizes.

The towel rolls up into a compact size, making it a useful item to keep in the car for day trips. It’s both lightweight and super soft, making it an option for other uses, such as a travel blanket. Topping it off is its affordable price.

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2. Bone Dry Microfiber Bath Towel – Best Value

The Bone Dry Microfiber Bath Towel is similar to our last product but with more color choices and a more affordable price. That makes it one of the best absorbent dog towels for the money. It does a decent job on the absorbency front. The material is soft, which will make drying your pet easy-peasy. We can see buying an extra one and using it as a blanket.

The manufacturer states that the towel is machine washable and that you can dry it on a low setting. It’s imperative to follow the instructions to the letter because the colors will bleed if you don’t use cold water. Overall, it handled cleaning and drying well.

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3. THE SNUGGLY DOG Easy Wear Dog Towel – Premium Choice

The SNUGGLY DOG Easy Wear Dog Towel may not appeal to everyone, but you can’t deny how cute the concept is. And who wouldn’t like the idea of giving your pup a taste of luxury? the product is a combination towel and robe. It hangs loosely yet securely on your pet. It’s not the most practical option for other uses, but it works well with bathing your pooch.

The towel-robe comes in three sizes and two colors. Unfortunately, there isn’t a middle size between the small and large ones. Even the small size seems like it would drown a toy breed. However, for the right pet, it’s a fun choice.

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4. Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Shammy Towel

The Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Shammy Towel makes drying your pup quickly with a well-designed product that is easy to use. It does an excellent job of absorbing water to get your pet dried fast. We like the nubbies on the surface to work the product into thick coats for more effective use. They can also give your dog a good scrubbing to work out any mud in its fur. One shammy gets the job done well.

The shammy comes in two neutral colors. As with many of these products, the manufacturer recommends washing it separately in case the colors bleed.

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5. Frisco Microfiber Chenille Shammy Towel

The Frisco Microfiber Chenille Shammy Towel stands out as a well-made product, well-suited for its purpose. It has a cute design that we just love, too. The fabric is both soft and absorbent. It’ll make quick work of drying off your pup. It’s both machine washable and dryer-safe at the low setting. As with similar products, you should wash it separately.

The shammy comes in two sizes and two neutral colors. We liked the choices since they will hide any dirt that doesn’t come clean. It’s also affordably priced, making it a good investment. It’ll hold up well for its intended use, but the towel is not chew-resistant.

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6. PAWPUP Dog Towel

The PAWPUP Dog Towel stands out from many of the other products on our list because it is a two-pack. The two towels are pleasing color choices and have sewn-in pockets to make them easier to grip. The material is super soft, which your pet will undoubtedly appreciate. It does a decent job of drying, which makes the second one even more useful.

We liked the fact that the towels dried quickly after use. You can also pop them in the dryer at the low setting. They are durable, with pipping on the edges to prevent unraveling. Overall, they are an excellent value for the price.

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7. Top Performance Microfiber Pet Towel

The Top Performance Microfiber Pet Towel proves once again what makes these products stand out from regular bath towels. The product comes in a three-pack of assorted colors, none of which we really liked. The price is right when you figure out what each one costs. Unfortunately, they are also a bit thin, making them a better choice for smaller pets than larger ones.

On the positive side, the towels are color-fast, making them more versatile. They’ll dry your dog well, but they don’t dry as quickly between uses. We can see them working best for cleaning off your pup’s paws when your pet comes back inside the house.

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8. Wahl Dog Drying Towel

The Wahl Dog Drying Towel is the only bamboo fiber product that we reviewed. That fabric gives it added durability, even with its lighter weight. It’s also uber-soft, making it a pleasure to use for both you and your pet. It only comes in one size and one color. However, it’s a neutral choice, which we liked. The design is also attractive. Unfortunately, that’s where the benefits end.

On the downside, the absorbency misses the mark. It might be sufficient for a small pup but not a soaking-wet retriever. However, the towel is both machine washable and dryer-safe, making it easier to clean between uses.

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9. Bissell DryDog 2-in-1 Bath Mat & Towel

The Bissell DryDog 2-in-1 Bath Mat & Towel is an interesting concept that allows the product to do double-duty for both of these purposes. The chenille upper side is soft and quite absorbent, which we’d expect, given its other use. It has a pocket on the back that makes it easier to grip when drying off your pet. There is also a non-slip backing when using it for its other purpose.

The product is well-made but harder to use on smaller dogs because of its thickness. We also had to question its two uses since it may be awkward to go back and forth between each one during bath time. It’s also a bit pricey for what it is.

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10. Pawject X Dog Towel

The Pawject X Dog Towel is another riff on the shammy design, which works well for drying your pet quickly. It is easy to use with the dual pockets. The chenille is also quite thick for optimal absorbency. It’s super soft. The manufacturer even says it’s gentle enough to use on your car or hair—if your pup will let you. The shammy comes in five colors and three sizes. That makes it a versatile product.

We weren’t as thrilled with the colors since most are light and will show stains. While it soaks up water quickly, it takes a while for the towel to dry. We suggest putting it in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold and mildew. The price is right, too.

Buyer’s Guide

Using a product designed for dogs makes a difference. Most surpass the absorbency of regular bath towels. They can also hold a lot more water, which is fitting, given its use. You probably want to get the job done as quickly as possible, especially if your pup doesn’t enjoy bath time.

Many dog towels have a limited number of sizes and color choices. As long as it covers your pet, you’ll be able to get your pup dried fast. The most popular options include microfiber, chenille, and polyester blends. The essential thing is that the towel is soft. It’ll make a significant difference in the tub.

The construction of the dog towel will make some a better investment than others. Stitching or piping on the edges will go a long way toward keeping the product intact. These products can handle rigorous use, but they won’t stand up to your pup chewing on them.

Absorbency is probably the most important factor. After all, that’s why you’re getting dog towels versus using those meant for people. Most of the products we reviewed were much better in part because of their thickness. However, it’s a two-way street. It should absorb a lot of water and dry quickly to prevent mildew.

We noticed three primary styles with dog towels. They were either modified bath towels, shammies with pockets, or robes. Of the three, we thought the shammies were the most useful and practical. They showed an excellent balance between usability and size.

The other thing you should check with any product you’re considering is its care. Most towels we reviewed were machine-washable. However, colorfastness often was an issue, particularly with ones in bright colors like red. We noticed many references to this downside, making us wonder why one would choose to use some towels on white-colored dogs.

Our advice is to follow the care instructions to the letter. If the manufacturer recommends cold water, that’s the temperature to use. The same precaution applies if they suggest washing them separately. It’s always a wise practice to follow this suggestion the first time you wash any material.

Conclusion

The SUNLAND Microfiber Dog Towel ticks off a lot of boxes for these products. It’s well-made and a decent size to get the job done. That puts it at the head of the class in our round-up of reviews. We can say the same about the Bone Dry Microfiber Bath Towel, which has a similar design in a smaller size. It has a wider selection of colors if that is a dealmaker for you.

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Featured Image Credit: Amazon