Bamboo vs Cotton Towels: What GSM Means and How to Choose

Updated October 2026 · By Sam K, Fabrica Kraft

Quick answer: GSM, or grams per square meter, is the weight of a towel's fabric. Higher GSM means a thicker, plusher, more absorbent towel that takes longer to dry, and 500 to 700 GSM cotton suits most homes. Most "bamboo" towels are actually rayon or viscose made from bamboo. They feel silky, but there is no strong independent evidence they beat good cotton, and antibacterial claims aren't supported.

Towel shopping used to be simple: pick a colour. Now the labels say 450 GSM, 600 GSM, Egyptian, Turkish, Australian, bamboo, and every one of them claims to be the softest, most absorbent towel you'll ever own. This guide cuts through it. You'll learn what GSM actually measures, how cotton and "bamboo" towels really compare, which sizes to buy and how to keep towels fluffy for years.

The short answer

GSM (grams per square meter) is the weight of the towel fabric. Higher GSM means a thicker, plusher, more absorbent towel that takes longer to dry. For most homes, 500 to 700 GSM cotton is the sweet spot. Most towels sold as "bamboo" are actually rayon or viscose made from bamboo. They feel silky and drape softly, but there is no strong independent evidence that they beat good cotton, and claims that they are antibacterial aren't supported.

What does GSM mean?

GSM is short for grams per square meter. Cut a 1-meter square from a towel, weigh it, and that's the GSM. More fibre in the same space means a denser, heavier towel.

These ranges are approximate. Retailers band them slightly differently, as you can see in guides from The Company Store and Towel Supercenter.

Is a higher GSM always better?

No. GSM measures weight, not quality. A heavy towel made from short, cheap fibres can still shed lint and wear out quickly. What makes a towel last is the cotton itself (longer fibres are stronger and softer), the way the yarn is spun and well-stitched hems. Very heavy towels also take longer to dry, which can mean a musty smell in a bathroom without much airflow.

Hotels think about this carefully. A Luxury Travel Magazine report on hotel towel buying puts luxury hotels at around 550 to 700 GSM, with 550 to 600 GSM as the sweet spot, because heavier towels cost more to wash and dry. That's a good guide for home too.

Cotton towels: the types explained

• Egyptian cotton: extra-long fibres make a plush, very absorbent towel. It's heavier and slower to dry.
• Turkish cotton: also long-staple, but woven lighter. It dries faster and is less prone to mildew, and it gets softer with washing.
• Pima cotton: an extra-long-staple cotton grown mainly in the US. Soft and durable.
• Australian cotton: grown in Australia and known for long, strong fibres. It makes dense towels that feel soft from the first use.
• Standard cotton: shorter fibres. Fine for everyday towels, but expect more lint and less softness over time.

The common thread: longer fibres make softer, stronger, less linty towels. The country name on the label matters less than the fibre length and how well the towel is made.

Bamboo towels: what's really going on

Here is something most towel labels don't tell you. Nearly all "bamboo" towels are not woven from bamboo fibre. They are made from rayon or viscose: bamboo pulp is dissolved with chemicals and then turned back into a fibre. The US Federal Trade Commission says these products must be labelled "rayon made from bamboo" or "viscose made from bamboo," and has warned that "if it's not made directly of bamboo fibre, don't call it bamboo."

The FTC takes this seriously. In 2022, Kohl's and Walmart agreed to pay a combined $5.5 million over bamboo labeling and eco-friendly claims, after earlier cases against other major retailers. The FTC also points out that turning bamboo into rayon involves toxic chemicals, so "eco" claims need care.

So are bamboo-viscose towels any good? They can be lovely. Viscose feels smooth and silky and drapes softly, and lab studies show viscose fibre holds more moisture than cotton under humid conditions. But we found no strong independent test showing bamboo-viscose towels outperform good cotton towels in everyday use, and antibacterial claims for them aren't supported. Buy them because you like the feel, not because of the marketing.

Standard towel sizes

Typical sizes from Towel Supercenter and common retail listings. Sizes vary by brand.

How to make towels last (and stay absorbent)

1. Wash before first use. New towels often carry finishes from the mill that reduce absorbency.
2. Skip fabric softener. It leaves a waxy coating that makes towels less absorbent and weakens fibres over time.
3. Use less detergent. Too much builds up in the loops and makes towels stiff.
4. Dry them completely. Tumble dry on low or line dry fully. Damp towels in a hamper are where mildew starts.
5. Watch your skincare. Some acne and skincare products can bleach coloured towels.
6. Follow the label. For example, our Australian cotton towels are machine wash cold, no bleach, tumble dry low.

Our towels at Fabrica Kraft

Our towel collection is built around 600 GSM Australian cotton, the plush, quick-drying middle ground hotels favor. Each towel has a 1 cm pile and a loop for hanging. Choose solid colours like the Deia or Capri sets, or a pattern like Nautilus stripes. Sets include 13″ × 13″ washcloths, 16″ × 28″ hand towels and 30″ × 54″ bath towels, with bath sheets in the larger sets. For the pool, the Bondi beach towels are 40″ × 65″.

Buying for a hotel, short-term rental or spa? See bulk towels for hospitality and business.

FAQ

What GSM is a good bath towel?

500 to 700 GSM suits most homes. 600 GSM gives a plush, hotel-like feel that still dries in a reasonable time.

Are bamboo towels better than cotton?

Not clearly. Most are rayon or viscose made from bamboo. They feel silky, but there is no strong evidence they absorb better or last longer than good cotton.

Why do my towels feel less absorbent over time?

Usually fabric softener or too much detergent building up in the fibres. Wash without softener, with less detergent, and dry fully.

What's the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?

Size. A bath sheet is larger, around 35″ × 60″ or more, so it wraps fully around you.