The 4 Finest Paper Towels of 2026, Examined & Reviewed

In the event you requested me for my high ten kitchen necessities, a great roll of paper towels would rank excessive on the listing. Not what you anticipated, proper? However hear me out: Paper towels have seemingly infinite makes use of, together with cleansing home windows, wiping counter tops, and even patting a steak dry earlier than it hits a raging sizzling stainless-steel skillet. And whereas I’m all for chopping again on disposable merchandise, there are some messes that I solely wish to clear with single-use sheets. 

Deciding which paper towels is the place issues get furry. Paper towel corporations are responsible of a number of the most complicated advertising ever, providing rolls in double, triple, and even “large” sizes (phrases which have totally different meanings from model to model). Plus, it’s no secret that not all paper towels are created equal; some are thick and plush, whereas others are skinny and, effectively, papery. So, in an effort to search out the perfect paper towels, I wiped counters, dried wine glasses, and even calculated the floor density of every sheet. I gained loads of perception into what makes a paper towel each powerful and absorbent.

The Winners, at a Look

With tremendous thick sheets and a closely textured floor, Brawny paper towels excelled at each wiping up spills and scrubbing stuck-on messes. They have been additionally by far probably the most absorbent of all of the paper towels I attempted. I liked that you could tear every sheet in half horizontally, which is handy for small duties and helps scale back waste. 

These paper towels absorbed about as a lot liquid because the Kirkland Signature ones. They’ve a barely scrubbier texture that makes them nice for cleansing sticky surfaces and dried-on gunk. Plus, these additionally come at an important worth!

Bounty paper towels got here in an in depth second. Just like the Brawny paper towels, these even have a deeply embossed floor that’s useful for scrubbing. They weren’t fairly as absorbent because the Brawny ones, however they have been simply as sturdy.

At simply $1.99 per roll on the time of writing, these paper towels give probably the most bang in your buck. They’re thick, decently absorbent, and tremendous sturdy. With a barely smoother floor, they’re not pretty much as good at scrubbing as my different favorites, however I appreciated the softer really feel when drying my arms. 

The Exams

• Tear Check: I positioned every roll of paper towels on the OXO Good Grips Regular Paper Towel Holder (our favourite paper towel holder), then tore off 5 sheets. I famous if every tear was clear or if the paper towel ripped inconsistently. I additionally examined how simple it was to tear two sheets at a time and half-sheets, when relevant. 
• Absorbency Check: I positioned one sheet from every roll in a big tub containing one cup of water. As soon as the towel was absolutely saturated, I eliminated it and allowed extra water to drip off earlier than weighing the water left inside the bathtub. I then calculated how a lot water every paper towel absorbed. 
• Floor Cleansing Check: I used every paper towel to scrub a teaspoon-sized dollop of ketchup off my countertop and my stovetop (not the burners). To assist get a way of every paper towel’s sturdiness, I sprinkled every ketchup blob with a quarter-teaspoon of kosher salt for added grit. When the mess was wiped away, I used Mrs. Meyers Multi-Floor cleansing spray to scrub any extra stickiness. 
• Caught-On Mess Check: With my oven preheated to 400°F, I added smears of ketchup to the floor of the nice and cozy stovetop (once more, not the burners). I waited quarter-hour for every smear to dry out, then scrubbed the stain away with every paper towel and a spritz of Mrs. Meyers cleansing spray. 
• Glass Drying Check: I used paper towels from every roll to dry a single wine glass, noting how rapidly the towel saturated and if it left behind any dusty residue. 
• Actual World Exams (Winners Solely): I used a roll of every of my favourite paper towels for 2 days, additional analyzing their wiping, scrubbing, and absorbing capabilities. I additionally famous if I wanted extra or fewer sheets per use than anticipated. I weighed every roll earlier than and after I used it, then calculated what number of ounces of paper towels I had used over the course of the 2 days. 

What I Realized

Paper Towel Sizing Is Actually Complicated

A part of what makes selecting the most effective paper towels so difficult is knowing what you’re truly getting in your cash. What’s the distinction between a single, double, triple, and a “large” roll? One factor is for certain: There isn’t a constant reply from model to model. Bounty’s family-sized roll incorporates 107 “quick-size” sheets, whereas a triple roll from Brawny boasts 114 half-sized sheets, which might be torn in half horizontally to create quarter sheets. The truth is, many manufacturers market their sheets as being customizable—you’ll see them known as “tear-a-square,” “choose a sheet,” or “choose-a-size”—this merely means that you could choose to decide on a narrower half-sheet or a bigger complete sheet (which is definitely simply two half-sheets that haven’t been torn aside). At this level, your thoughts is probably going spinning with the complexities of paper towel math–mine is simply too.

To maintain issues easy, I centered my testing on the smallest sheets every roll needed to provide (besides within the case of the Brawny and Sparkle rolls, for which I used half-sheets fairly than the small, square-shaped quarter-sheets). Since these slim sheets of paper towel have been all roughly the identical measurement, about 11 by six inches, this felt just like the fairest technique to check them head-to-head. I’ll observe that the Kirkland Signature Paper Towels have been barely bigger at 11 by seven inches. 

Half-Sheets and Quarter-Sheets Assist Minimize Again on Waste

The successful rolls had half-sheets that have been so thick and absorbent that I not often discovered myself reaching for multiple sheet; these rolls lasted me rather a lot longer. The Brawny paper towels may even be torn in half horizontally, making for small, square-shaped, quarter sheets. Since tearing a small sq. is much less handy than merely tearing off a complete half sheet, I didn’t use many quarter-sheets, however I did discover them helpful for small duties like wiping the counter (as long as it wasn’t very soiled). I additionally appreciated how the smaller squares helped minimize down on waste. The Sparkle sheets additionally had this characteristic, however since they weren’t practically as thick and absorbent because the Brawny towels, a quarter-sheet by no means felt like fairly sufficient. 

Thicker Paper Towels Had been Typically Extra Absorbent

One of many questions I got down to reply when penning this assessment was whether or not thicker paper towels have been extra absorbent than thinner ones.  I set to work measuring the thickness of every paper towel with a set of digital calipers, however rapidly realized that this was no easy job–it was practically inconceivable to measure the true thickness of the towels with out compressing them. Whereas I wasn’t completely assured in my measurements, I did discover that paper towels over half a millimeter thick have been among the many most absorbent. Searching for a extra dependable metric, I additionally calculated the floor density of every paper towel, which is measured in grams per sq. inch. This required dividing the floor space of every sheet by its weight. I discovered that paper towels with the next floor density have been additionally typically extra absorbent, however once more, it wasn’t an ideal rule. Texture and sheet measurement additionally gave the impression to be components; Kirkland Signature paper towels have been the fourth most absorbent sheets I examined, however have been additionally, by far, the most important (i.e., there was extra floor space to soak up messes).

Texture Provides Scrubbing Energy

Paper towels with closely textured surfaces have been significantly better at cleansing up stuck-on messes. The Brawny, Bounty, and Viva Multi-Floor paper towels all have embossed patterns that made fast work of scrubbing away dried ketchup smears. Whereas the Viva Signature paper towels have been mushy, robust, and absorbent, they have been additionally the smoothest of the bunch. Their lack of texture made it tough to realize traction whereas cleansing powerful, sticky messes, with the towels sliding over the mess fairly than scouring it. That stated, sturdiness can be essential in the case of scrubbing. The textured surfaces of the Scott and Sparkle model towels have been a lot much less helpful because the towels have been thinner and tended to saturate rapidly. 

Softer, Extra Absorbent Paper Towels Clear With out Smearing

The successful paper towels all had mushy, plush textures that helped them take in liquid rapidly. These paper towels weren’t solely helpful for cleansing spills and wiping up counters, however they have been additionally nice for drying arms and sprucing glassware. Thinner paper towels with a slick or papery end truly made messes worse by spreading them round. Throughout my floor cleansing check, the Seventh Technology and Amazon Fundamentals towels smeared ketchup throughout my counter, requiring a number of passes (and multiple towel) to scrub it fully. 

Extra Sheets Per Roll Doesn’t Essentially Imply Fewer Journeys to the Retailer

Massive rolls made up of thick, absorbent sheets last more–which implies fewer journeys to the shop. The Kirkland Signature paper towels are the most effective instance of this, with 160 sheets per roll. The sheets are additionally the most important ones I’ve tried. And whereas the roll is a bit cumbersome, it lasts longer than different manufacturers. Nevertheless, sheet rely isn’t the one consider how lengthy a roll will final. Amazon Fundamentals and Seventh Technology each provide rolls with round 150 sheets, however as a result of the sheets aren’t very absorbent, it is advisable to use extra of them, even for small duties like drying a wine glass. 

The Standards: What to Search for in a Roll of Paper Towels

One of the best paper towels are mushy, thick, and absorbent, with an embossed texture on the floor for added scrubbing energy. They need to sop up messes and never simply smear them round. I most popular rolls with smaller or customizable sheets that allow you to tear off solely what you want, which helps scale back waste. Bonus factors for double or triple-sized rolls that want changing much less usually. 

My Favourite Paper Towels

What I favored: These thick paper towels characteristic an embossed hexagonal design on their floor that made them glorious for scrubbing dried-on ketchup off my stovetop. They have been additionally probably the most absorbent paper towels I attempted, with half-sheets that held over 30 grams of water. The paper towels have been so thick and sturdy that I discovered myself utilizing fewer sheets at a time—one half-sheet was sufficient for practically all mild cleansing duties. I additionally appreciated the choice to tear small, square-shaped quarter sheets. These have been helpful for wiping up minor messes or for utilizing as a small paper serviette. 

What I didn’t like: Out of all my winners, these paper towels are the costliest (at over $3 per roll). 

Key Specs

• Sheets per roll: 114
• Sheet thickness: 0.9 millimeters
• Value per roll (at time of writing): $3.14
• Weight per roll: 11.1 ounces
• Customizable sheet measurement: Half and quarter sheets

What I favored: These have been all-around nice paper towels. They’re decently thick, absorbent, and are available at an important worth (beneath $2.50 per roll on the time of writing this text). Whereas these didn’t take in fairly as a lot water because the Viva Signature paper towels, the embossed Diamond sample on the floor made them far more helpful for scrubbing—only one sheet effortlessly lifted stuck-on ketchup from my stovetop. 

What I didn’t like: These paper towels weren’t fairly as plush and absorbent as my different winners. I additionally discovered them a bit scratchy when drying my arms. 

Key Specs

• Sheets per roll: 110
• Sheet thickness: 0.5 millimeters
• Value per roll (at time of writing): $2.49
• Weight per roll: 8.9 ounces
• Customizable sheet measurement: Select-a-sheet 

What I favored: The Bounty paper towels are mushy, thick, and tremendous sturdy. They absorbed barely much less water than the Brawny sheets however have been equally adept at scrubbing stuck-on messes due to their raised diamond sample. The “quick-size” sheets tore simply from the roll, and I discovered that simply one in all them was sufficient for many cleansing, wiping, and drying duties. 

What I didn’t like: Like Brawny, these paper towels are on the pricier aspect. 

Key Specs

• Sheets per roll: 107
• Sheet thickness: 0.8 millimeters
• Value per roll (at time of writing): $3.05
• Weight per roll: 9.6 ounces
• Customizable sheet measurement: Fast-size sheets

What I favored: In the event you hate going to the shop, you’ll love these significantly huge rolls—they’ve 160 sheets every and final considerably longer than different paper towels. The sheets are barely bigger than others I examined, however they’re thick, absorbent, and durable sufficient for scrubbing sticky counter tops. Whereas these paper towels aren’t as textured as those from Bounty or Brawny, I most popular the softer sheets for drying my arms and for sprucing glassware; they left behind a fantastic shine. Plus, at just below two {dollars} per roll, these paper towels simply provide the most effective worth for cash. 

What I didn’t like: They aren’t fairly as absorbent because the Bounty or Brawny paper towels, though the sheets are bigger. The rolls are additionally solely out there in a twelve-pack, which can current a storage problem for these dwelling in smaller areas. 

Key Specs

• Sheets per roll: 160
• Sheet thickness: 0.5 millimeters
• Value per roll (at time of writing): $1.99
• Weight per roll: 12.3 ounces
• Customizable sheet measurement: Half sheets

The Competitors

• Viva Signature Fabric Paper Towels: These paper towels have been impressively absorbent, however their easy texture made it tough to get traction on sticky, dried-on messes; they slid over the dried ketchup smear fairly than scrubbing it off. 
• Amazon Fundamentals 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels: With a skinny, papery really feel, these paper towels have been among the many least absorbent of any I attempted. The sheets felt slick to the contact and smeared ketchup round fairly than absorbing it. They have been additionally tremendous delicate—I might hardly tear a sheet from the roll with out inflicting a serious rip. 
• Scott Paper Towels, Select-A-Sheet: Whereas these paper towels have been mushy with a reasonably textured floor, they weren’t all that absorbent, changing into rapidly saturated when wiping up liquids and ketchup. 
• Betterway Bamboo Pure Brown Paper Towels: These have been the one paper towels I attempted that have been produced from bamboo, and whereas I needed to like them, I discovered the sheets skinny and never significantly absorbent. Plus, they price effectively over three {dollars} per roll. The roll was additionally too small to suit on my paper towel holder. 
• Seventh Technology Paper Towels: Out of all of the paper towels I attempted, these have been the least absorbent of the bunch—I wanted two of those sheets to dry a single wine glass. Whereas I admire they’re produced from recycled paper, they simply didn’t measure as much as the competitors so far as their cleansing capabilities, plus they have been the costliest ones I attempted. 
• Sparkle Tear-A-Sq. Paper Towels: Whereas these weren’t the worst paper towels I attempted, they actually weren’t the most effective. They have been a bit skinny and never massively absorbent (I wanted multiple sheet to wipe ketchup off my kitchen counter). Just like the Brawny paper towels, these might be torn into square-shaped quarter sheets, however as a result of they’re so skinny and flimsy, the smaller sheets weren’t significantly helpful. 

FAQs

Which model makes probably the most absorbent paper towels?

Brawny paper towels have been by far probably the most absorbent ones I attempted; a single half-sheet soaked up greater than 30 grams of water. The Viva Signature roll was the second most absorbent, however since its easy texture was much less helpful for scrubbing, they didn’t make my winner’s listing. 

What’s a great sustainable various to paper towels?

Whereas single-use paper towels are helpful for a large number of family duties, they’re positively not probably the most environmentally pleasant alternative. Reusable paper towels, Swedish dishcloths, and good old style material dish towels are all glorious, extra sustainable choices for these seeking to reduce on paper utilization. 

Are paper towels compostable?

Sure, paper towels are typically compostable as long as they haven’t been used with harsh chemical cleaners. In the event you’re including them to your yard compost pile, you’ll additionally wish to keep away from paper towels which have are available in contact with meat, dairy, or fats, which may entice rodents and different pests. 

Why We’re the Consultants

• Zola Gregory is a author, recipe developer, and product reviewer for Severe Eats and different meals publications. 
• Zola has been cooking professionally since 2016 and is an avid person of paper towels each out and in of the kitchen. 
• For this assessment, she examined 10 common rolls of paper towels, utilizing sheets from every one to wipe counter tops, dry wine glasses, and scrub stuck-on messes. She additionally examined sheets from every roll for absorbency. 
• She discovered some standout paper towels, however in the case of the distinction between a double and triple roll, she’s nonetheless just a little fuzzy on the main points.