Someone wiping a mirror with a paper towel (Photo by Karolina Kaboompics on Pexels)
You spill your coffee all over the counter, and it takes nearly the entire roll of paper towels to clean up. We’ve all been there, wishing we had listened to those “quicker picker-upper” commercials on television. The right paper towel makes all the difference, whether you’re handling spills, wiping counters, or tackling everyday messes.
Which paper towels live up to their promises? We’ve done the dirty work for you. After exploring seven websites and expert reviews, we’ve found the best paper towel brands that won’t let you down and are reliable every time. Check out our top picks below! Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
Table of contents
1. Bounty Select-A-Size
Bounty paper towels are on the more expensive side, but USA Today says they are “worth every penny.” During USA Today’s testing, these paper towels cleaned up a chunky tomato sauce mess with just one pass. They also absorbed and held more water than most other brands. Impressive!
These paper towels truly live up to their claim as the “quicker picker-upper!” Gear Lab tested them on tubs, hot tubs, counters, and cast irons, and they consistently required fewer sheets than other brands. They shed the fewest fibers and maintained their strength, even when wet. Plus, they are soft to the touch and gentle on the skin.
Good Housekeeping lab pros also swear by Bounty paper towels and use them in their own homes. They love how quickly they absorb liquid without leaving behind any lint. The select-a-size feature is a favorite too, allowing you to tear off just the right amount needed to clean up your mess.
2. Brawny Tear-A-Square
Brawny is also a strong paper towel that won’t let you down when you need it most. During testing, Taste of Home found it soaked up all the mess and still had some dry spots. It even passes the tug test, not ripping until after eight good tugs.
Gear Lab appreciates the different-sized square options. Testers found that only one square was needed for a small spill, while two handled a bigger mess. Need a napkin? Fold one sheet in half, and you’ll have a “soft plush surface.”
While Brawny may seem pricier than other brands, Good Housekeeping points out that a full sheet size is larger than most other brands. Plus, if you grab just a quarter of a sheet, you’ll get the job done and use fewer paper towels overall.
3. Presto Flex-A-Size
Looking for the best bang for your buck? Amazon’s Presto Flex paper towels fit the bill. With a roll measuring 10.42 square feet and 5.65 inches in diameter, it packs more sheets into a smaller area. In tests, Gear Lab found the paper towel absorbed an average amount of water and performed well in wiping up spills and picking up food. While it may fall apart during heavy scrubbing, its soft texture and cute designs make it a great value for everyday use.
If using an eco-friendly paper towel is important, Presto Flex paper towels are made from sustainably sourced pulp, and come with a satisfaction guarantee — you can request a refund if you’re not pleased with your purchase. While some customers found them less absorbent than competitors, most praised their affordability and strength. Testers from This Old House observed they performed well, soaking up spills and cleaning mirrors without streaks.
It’s hard to argue with the thousands of five-star reviews these paper towels get on Amazon. According to Good Housekeeping, people love how large the rolls are and the ability to tear off full or half sheets.
4. Viva Signature Cloth Choose-A-Sheet
People love the softness and durability of these paper towels, but USA Today notes it may take a couple of passes to clean up messy spills than other brands higher on our list handle more quickly. However, they excel at cleaning mirrors and other surfaces when you don’t want any dust left behind.
Jillee at One Good Thing By Jillee is a Viva Signature Cloth fan and remains loyal even when comparing it to other brands during a test. She says, “They work as well as any other paper towel I’ve tried. I would have been shocked if another paper towel had been able to beat them for the top spot!”
In terms of absorbency, Good Housekeeping found these paper towels to be number one. They were also one of the thickest and didn’t break easily.
5. Kirkland Signature Create-A-Size
It’s no surprise that everyone at Costco seems to have a massive package of Kirkland paper towels in their cart—these towels are a hit for a reason. USA Today calls Kirkland Signature paper towels the best value choice, and it’s easy to see why. They can hold about three-quarters of an ounce of water and stay strong with only minor tearing on rough surfaces. Although they lose some strength after getting wet and drying out, they’re still perfect for light tasks like dusting or wiping up spills.
Kirkland paper towels also showed no shredding during use. In lab tests by Good Housekeeping, they didn’t leave behind any annoying lint and absorbed water quickly. This makes them an excellent choice for those who need reliable performance without the mess.
These paper towels are the cheapest on our list and have the largest sheets. While they weren’t at the top of One Good Thing By Jillee’s list, they are a budget-friendly choice worth considering.
Sources used to create this list
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article contains affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
