There's nothing like slipping into a bathrobe to feel luxurious and cozy all at once. Because they're not an essential item, robes represent an easy kind of indulgence that makes lounging feel special.
The best bathrobes for women we tested are cozy and comfortable, but also just a touch glam (there's a reason ladies in bathrobes are a recurring motif across cinema and TV). As a clinical homebody, bordering on reclusive, I rely on my bathrobe to facilitate pants-free domestic bliss. Even better if that robe makes me look stylish, for those times I accidentally catch myself in a mirror.
From plush, spa-inspired terry cotton to beautifully smooth silk, we found the best bathrobes for women that strike the perfect balance of comfort, style, and functionality. These will make perfect gifts — whether it's for you, or anyone on your holiday shopping list (because who doesn't love a cozy robe?).
For more of our favorite loungewear, check out our guides to the best women's slippers, the best pajamas for women, and the best silk pajamas. There you'll find more ways to create the ultimate cozy ensemble.
The top 5 women's robes we tested:
Reminiscent of shearling or fur, plush bathrobes are among the most luxuriant of an already sumptuous clothing category. Silk might be softer, but plush robes are cozier and the Parachute’s Classic Turkish Cotton Robe won in this category.
This roomy robe is comforting and blanket-adjacent, but the silhouette strikes an elegant balance between structured and relaxed.
With an absorbent interior and ultra-plush exterior, this is the perfect robe for lounging after the shower and beyond.
The airy waffle weave of Coyuchi's Organic Waffle Robe feels lighter and dries quicker than the others we tested. Its made with long-staple, pre-tumbled organic Turkish cotton that feels cool to the touch.
This ultra-plush bathrobe is thick, absorbent, and perfect for gifting since you can add a colored monogram.
Best overall: Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Robe
The Parachute bathrobe is not only the softest of all the best robes for women we tested made from 100% cotton, but it's also slightly fluffy and absorbent like a towel. It's made from long-staple Turkish cotton, which is exceptionally durable, and it has a 400 GSM (grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight). That's a middle-of-the-road weight — not the most lightweight and cool, but not heavy and stifling, either.
And if you're not in the mood to towel off, you can put this robe on directly after a shower, and it'll do the same job.
Best warm and fuzzy: Eberjey Renew Plush Long Robe
"If you are looking for a wearable blanket (that's not a Snuggy), this super-soft Eberjey robe is heavy and enveloping in all the right ways.
While the outside is as fluffy as a teddy bear, the interior is different — more like soft PJs rather than pure fluff. It's comfy and cloud-like, but not quite as fuzzy as the outside might have you believe. This didn't bother me, because overly-fuzzy can eventually feel a bit stuffy, but I noticed some reviews from customers were disappointed that the interior didn't match (apparently the previous model had the same uber-plush inside as the outside).
The robe held up beautifully in the wash and still felt brand-new and baby-soft after repeated washes. The roomy fit is comforting and blanket-adjacent, but the silhouette strikes an elegant balance between structured and relaxed, with dropped-shoulder sleeves that finish in cuffed hems." — Maria Yagoda, freelance writer, Business Insider
Best breathable: Brooks Ave Bathrobe
"As someone who lives in constant fear of overheating, I gravitated immediately towards this breezy, flowy patterned bathrobe from Brooks Ave, which is by far the most breathable option I tested. Despite the lighter-than-air cotton muslin, which is quite thin, the fabric still feels expensive and substantial.
The whimsical blue chintz pattern made me feel chic and feminine, even on bed-rotting days. In a world full of white or neutral or striped robes, I love to see a vibrantly colorful bathrobe with such a unique design. The fit is roomy enough to throw it on over clothes or PJs.
It's split-sizing (S/M, M/L, and L/XL) and they recommend sizing down, but as an M the M/L was the perfect oversized fit for me. Machine-washing cold and hang drying, per the care instructions, was a little annoying, but the colors stayed vibrant and the fabric remained as soft as when I first received it." — Maria Yagoda, freelance writer, Business Insider
Best waffle: Coyuchi Unisex Organic Waffle Robe
If the first thing you do after checking into a hotel is hit the spa, then this waffle robe will transport you there.
Together, the soft organic cotton and textured weave of the Coyuchi Organic Waffle Robe provide airy, cool, and non-slippery coverage. Your waist tie won't come undone and there are large front pockets to hold small, light items like lip balm. Unfortunately, they're not thick enough to carry smartphones without being dragged down by the weight. The sleeves are wide and can get in the way of tasks, but you can cuff them.
The robe is absorbent, though not as much as our cotton terry top pick. For those who run hot but still want to dry off, it's among the more light, attractive, and comfortable versions of the best robes for women.
Best lightweight: Natori Shangri-la Robe
Natori's robe is hands-down the softest and most comfortable lightweight option out of all the best robes for women we tried. If you don't like the other specialty fabrics mentioned above, chances are modal jersey will win you over, the slightly stretchy material is commonly used to make underwear and loungewear.
While the pockets are sizable, they're located on the sides rather than the front, so bigger items like smartphones may fall out. If you stick to smaller belongings, you should be fine.
Best cooling: Dagsmejan Kimono
If you tend to wake up sweaty or you like to cool down after a hot shower, slipping into this kimono-style robe feels like a breath of fresh air. At first touch, the fabric is cool and slippery. It looks like any other poly blend, but it's made from a combination of eucalyptus fibers and elastane, which is smoother than silk, lighter than linen, and more moisture-wicking than cotton. However, this smoothness made it hard to tie completely closed.
I tested this robe alongside the best cooling pajamas, and it did its job of regulating my body temperature. Besides that, I recommend this robe because of how soft and lightweight it feels against my skin. It has spacious pockets, a relaxed and flowy fit, and three-quarter sleeves that make it practical to wear while I'm preparing breakfast. —Gabrielle Chase, associate style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews
Best linen: Rough Linen St. Barts Linen Robe
This Rough Linen robe was my favorite robe to wear while working and doing household tasks because it felt like the perfect middle ground — it wasn't so luxurious that it enticed me to lay down in bed, but it wasn't exactly something I'd wear in the outside world, either.
Linen naturally wrinkles, and it's especially apparent with lighter colors. If you're not a fan of the rumpled look but still like the feel of linen, the robe is available in three darker shades (gray, navy, and black) that partially camouflage the wrinkles. It's also best to take the robe out of the dryer while it's still a little damp, so you can smooth out unwanted wrinkles by hand.
Best silk: Kim+Ono Kiku Kimono
The site offers a large variety of beautiful designs to choose from, including cherry blossoms and cranes. Just keep in mind that all of Kim + Ono's designs are dry clean only, and the silk creases and wrinkles easily; you'll need to steam or iron your robe on the warm setting to maintain its sleek, pristine appearance.
After I stopped admiring the robe to actually put it on, it felt very cool, glossy, and slippery. In addition to an exterior waist tie, there's a thin interior waist tie to help keep everything secure. The robe only comes in one size, and on me, it fell all the way to my ankles. If you're petite, I'd recommend buying one of Kim + Ono's short robes instead.
Best monogrammed: Crane & Canopy Plush Cotton Bathrobe
This Crane & Canopy robe feels like something you'd don with cucumbers on your eyes and a clay mask on your face. It's luxuriously soft and made of rich Turkish cotton. The plush cotton makes it even softer than similar robes made of terry cloth, which I loved. Plus, it has huge pockets.
But perhaps my favorite part of the robe is the option for monogramming. It will cost you an extra $10, but it's the perfect touch if you're giving this as a present. You can choose from a bunch of different fonts and thread colors for the monogram, but the robe itself is only available in white, gray, and light gray.
Best cashmere: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Robe
The Quince 100% Mongolian cashmere robe has a basic kimono design with a waist tie closure and two front patch pockets. The material is beautifully soft, and feels insulating despite being thin. I styled it over a cami and sleep shorts, and still felt warm enough on a chilly fall morning. It can even easily pass as a long cardigan if you take out its belt.
Shedding is natural with new cashmere, and because I chose black, it was immediately noticeable on my first wear. But after a few wears, the excess fibers thinned out and it was smooth enough to wear on bare skin. —Gabrielle Chase, associate style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews
Read more in our full Quince cashmere review.
Best long: Luxome Resort Bath Robe
If luxury is at the top of your priority list, this is the bathrobe for you. It's long enough that it hits the top of my foot on my five-foot-one frame, but if you're taller it will hit somewhere between the ankles and the knee.
My favorite feature of this robe is the different materials on the interior and the exterior. On the inside, it is lined with absorbent terry cloth so that you can wear it right out of the shower. But on the outside, it's plush like a really soft blanket. So you get the best of both worlds.
This robe from Luxome is absolutely made for lazy days when you get out of the shower and dawdle for hours before putting on real clothes.
Best all-season: P.J. Salvage Textured Essentials Robe
This knee-length robe from cozy pajama brand P.J. Salvage is made from a ribbed, jersey-like fabric that's light enough for summer but soft enough for winter.
The Textured Essentials Robe is more of a lounge robe than a bathrobe. I've found that the fabric is more water-friendly than silk or tencel, but unlike the terry cloth or waffle-knit picks on this list, it doesn't offer towel-like absorption.
And although I love the fabric and the versatility, perhaps my favorite part about this robe is that the waist tie is sewn onto the back. This may not seem like it would make a huge difference, but I can't tell you how many times I've fished for those long strips of fabric at the bottom of the hamper or the washer.
I like sitting in this robe to do my hair and makeup after a shower and before I have to get dressed. It's thin enough that I don't start sweating mid blow dry, and it's washable and unfussy enough that I don't stress too hard about getting concealer on the sleeve.
After a couple of washes, I've seen some minor pilling — but nothing too dramatic or out of the ordinary for the fabric composition.
Coziest: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe
Barefoot Dreams is the ultimate place to find the coziest blankets and throws around. Their signature plush microfiber material is famous for its softness and warmth. But the only thing better than getting under a cozy blanket is actually wearing that cozy blanket wherever you go.
Made from the same material as their famous blankets, this robe is the ultimate plush companion. You can feel the quality from the first touch; we guarantee you won't want to take it off. This robe also makes the perfect gift for a loved one.
Best printed: MASONgrey Kaia Kimono Robe
This robe is a true lounge robe. If you're like me and you love to sit around in a robe but often find that bathrobes get too bulky and warm once you've dried off, then this is the perfect solution.
MASONgrey's Kaia Kimono Robe is a chic, comfy dream. I wear it after an evening shower before bed or throw it over a pajama set if I get a little cold.
It's also incredibly wearable. It won't get in the way while you make coffee or brush your teeth. And if you want it to be even more streamlined for practical use, you can get the same robe with banded cuffs so that your sleeves are always under control.
Best flannel: L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe
This flannel number from L.L.Bean is an internet favorite among the best robes for women thanks to its classic plaid prints, long-lasting cotton fabric, and a relaxed fit that lets you wrap yourself up into a cozy bundle. Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has owned the robe for more than a year and loves it. As someone who runs cold, she appreciates not only the warmth but the fact that the fabric isn't stiflingly thick (a common problem with winter robes).
Like most flannel garments, the robe, unfortunately, is a magnet for stray bits of fuzz and pet hair, so cuddle with your pets at your own risk. It's also worth noting that L.L.Bean offers a wider spectrum of sizes than the other brands in this guide, from regular and petite (both available in XS-XL) to plus (1X-3X).
How we tested bathrobes
To find the top picks, we tested each robe by wearing them in everyday life. We wanted to feature robes that are soft but not too hot, plush but not unwieldy, and loose but not schleppy.
We wore each of these robes while making coffee, doing dishes, lounging on the couch, and working at the desk. Then, we laundered each one to see if the robes held up.
We also evaluated practical features like pockets and hanging loops to ensure they meet all your comfort and convenience needs. And we tested mostly all of them congruently, so we could directly compare them.
What should I look for in a bathrobe?
There are plenty of features to consider as you shop for the best robe, including style, fabric, breathability, and durability.
A kimono-style design is the standard. "Kimono robes offer a classic tailored fit, with wrist-length sleeves, and have a streamlined flat collar," says Rosy Nuboer, a romance planner at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Aruba. In other words, you can personalize a kimono-style robe's measurements via its waist tie, but you'll still have enough freedom of movement for tasks like putting on makeup, brewing coffee, or picking up the morning paper.
We like pockets as much as anyone, but certain pockets work better on robes than others. For example, we like robes with patch pockets because you can drop things in and they stay put. Side seam pockets instead leave an opening at the hip for them to fall out.
When it comes to material, plush cotton terry allows you to skip toweling off post-shower, while less absorbent fabrics like waffle weave or silk require you to pat-down first. The material also affects the warmth and breathability of a robe, as well as how it holds up after going through the washer and dryer.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@bjinnox.com.
