There's no doubt that we all keep a collection of bath towels in our homes. But, did you know about their larger alternative, bath sheets? If you're on the search for bath linens and want to know the difference between the two, keep reading.
Although they sound pretty similar and redundant, bath sheets and bath towels are actually quite different. Factors like the standard size, efficiency, price, and more are what set them apart from each other.
Nonetheless, they're both efficient in their own ways and serve different purposes. So, if you've been wanting to find out which occasion calls for a bath sheet and which one calls for a bath towel, you're at the right place.
Read on to find all you need to know about the difference between bath towels and bath sheets. Plus, we'll tell you which one is the right pick for your home and budget.
What Is A Bath Towel?
A bath towel is most commonly used to dry off after a bath or shower. Since bath towels are made from lightweight, ultra-soft materials, they're easy to use on both your body and your hair.
For example, Mizu Towels are made from Imabari Staple Cotton that has antibacterial and high absorbent qualities. However, you'll also find towels on the market made from different types of cotton, such as terry cloth and microfiber cloth.
You can also opt for bamboo towels, which are extremely absorbent yet quick-drying. Other than that, they're also allergy and sensitive-skin friendly. If you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative to cotton towels, bamboo towels are the best option.
If you prefer to keep bath towels in your home instead of bath sheets, we'd prefer getting more than one. Since they're smaller in size, they absorb water quicker. That means you'll probably need at least two bath towels to dry yourself off completely.
Another benefit of these towels is that they can easily be folded and stored in tight spaces due to their small size. That means they're easy to carry and fit in your bag when you go on a pool or beach trip!
What is a Bath Sheet?
A bath sheet isn't too different from a bath towel, except in terms of size. Bath sheets are also made from different types of cotton, which makes them lightweight and absorbent.
Bath sheets are much larger than other types of towels on the market. This makes them the ideal pick for anyone who wants to stay wrapped in a towel after bathing or showering.
Don't worry about the efficiency of bath sheets; they're just as absorbent as bath towels, if not more. In fact, since they cover a larger surface area, they can be even more absorbent than standard-sized towels.
Another benefit of these sheets is that you can also use them as beach towels since they're large enough. But, don't make the mistake of replacing your bath sheets with simple beach towels.
Since beach towels are simply made to keep you from touching the sand, they're made from less cloth. This inevitably makes them much less absorbent than bath sheets or bath towels.
Bath Sheet vs. Bath Towel
Here are a few factors that set bath sheets apart from bath towels.
Standard Size
One of the main ways in which bath sheets differ from bath towels is their size. Undoubtedly, bath sheets are much larger than bath towels, which makes them ideal for wrapping around yourself after a shower.
However, if you intend to wrap a towel on your hair, we'd recommend a bath towel instead.
The standard size of a bath towel is 27 x 52 inches, while the standard size of a bath sheet is 25 x 60 inches.
Efficiency
Since both bath sheets and bath towels are most commonly made from cotton, they're both absorbent and lightweight. Of course, neither of them is better than the other, but since bath sheets cover a larger surface area, they dry your body much quicker.
Price
If you're on a budget, we'd surely recommend bath towels over bath sheets. Due to their large size, they are therefore more expensive and most people consider bath sheets a luxury. You can find a set of luxury bath towels for anywhere between $30 to $60, while a set of bath sheets will cost somewhere between $50 to $100.
Dry Time
While bath sheets benefit from their large size by being more absorbent and drying you faster, they take longer drying themselves due to the large surface area. So, if you're looking for towels that dry quickly after use, bath towels are the better option for you.
Storage Space
Since bath sheets are larger, there's no doubt that they'll take up more of your bathroom storage spaces. So, if you live in an apartment and have tight storage spaces, opt for a single bath sheet or a couple of bath towels.
If you live with a significant other or a few family members, you should keep a collection of hand towels, bath towels, bath sheets, and washcloths to use in rotation while still maintaining hygiene.
Which One Should You Get?
Deciding which type of towel you should get for yourself all depends on your preferences and your budget. For example, if you're the type of person who likes to stay wrapped in a towel after showering or bathing, bath sheets are the better option for you.
However, if you're looking to simply dry off and dress, save your money and opt for bath towels. Plus, they're the ideal pick for you if you want to wrap your hair to dry them.
Best Bath Towels and Sheets
If you're looking for high-quality bath sheets and towels to add to your bathroom linen collection, here are a few brands you should try out.
Mizu Towels
For those looking for a more luxury option, there's no shop we'd recommend more than Mizu. Mizu's towels are made from high-quality Imarbal Staple cotton with self-cleaning silver fibers and color-changing bacteria detection. 
The best part is that these towels are long-lasting yet still not pricey, which means you get your money's worth when you shop from Mizu. Their Smart Bath Towel is their best seller due to its color-changing strips that detect bacteria. 
Utopia Towels
Utopia Towels is another great brand that sells high-quality bath towels and sheets that last long. Woven from 100% ring-spun cotton, their towels are perfectly lightweight and ultra-soft. Plus, they're highly absorbent and quick-drying.
Their Luxurious Jumbo Bath Sheets are Amazon's top choice in bathroom linen and are available in 12 different colors. This high-end bath sheet is light as a sponge, which makes them ideal for wrapping after a shower.
Towel Bazaar
Lastly, you can look through Towel Bazaar's bathroom linen collection for some high-quality yet affordable bath towels and sheets. Their Turkish Cotton Bath Sheets are the perfect eco-friendly option, and they're also available in 13 colors!
Turkish Cotton only gets fluffier and softer with every wash, so we'd recommend washing these bath sheets after every few uses.
FAQs
How many times can you use a bath towel before washing?
We would advise letting your bath towels and sheets dry completely between uses to ensure optimum hygiene. The safest option is to wash your bath towels after every three uses and to keep an extra in case of an emergency.
Where can I get the best bath towels?
Mizu Towels is where you can get the ideal bath towel for yourself. But, if you want to stay on a budget and are simply looking for an average bath towel, you can look through Amazon's bathroom linen collection.
Which type of towel should I take to the beach?
Since bath sheets are very large, they serve as the perfect alternative to a beach towel. You can lay on them, use them to dry off, or even use them as a cover-up. However, if you're only looking for something to help dry off after a swim, a bath towel should suffice.
Conclusion
The difference between bath sheets and bath towels is mainly due to their standard size, price, and dry time. Some would even say that bath sheets are the same thing as beach towels, except that the former is more absorbent.
Each towel has its own benefits and downsides, but it all depends on your preferences. The best option would be to invest in both of them since they could come in handy for different occasions and places.
If you opt for the right brand of towels, you can expect extra benefits, such as antibacterial qualities or quick-drying time.
Now that you've read our complete bath sheet vs. bath towel guide, you can make a decision about which one is best for you, depending on your preferences and budget. Either way, you can find some high-quality, affordable options at Mizu Towel if you avail their holiday sales.
