We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We’ve reviewed this guide and stand by our picks. We also have two competitors we are testing shortly.
A great robe can help you stay warm, cover up, or make your morning routine a bit more pleasant. It’s a little something to splurge on, a small luxury. After spending 100 hours researching robes and wearing 39 of them in half a dozen different materials, we’ve picked nine that we love for their softness, style, comfort, and practicality. We think most people will be able to find a great match here.
We tested unisex robes and some that come only in women’s sizes, and we also brought in a few in both the men’s and women’s versions. Our picks include those made from warm fleece (for adults and for kids), supersoft plush, lightweight flannel, breezy waffle knit, absorbent terry cloth, slinky jersey knit, structured French terry, and cool linen.If you’re not sure which one will work for you, or if you’re buying a gift for someone else, we also discuss how to pick a robe. We focused on inclusive sizing and multiple color options wherever possible.
I’m Wirecutter’s bed and bath writer, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing for many guides, including those for sheets, bath towels, flannel sheets, duvet covers, and clothing irons. I’ve been sewing and quilting for over a decade, and I’ve published several quilt patterns. I have an eye for great fabrics and solid construction, and I’m very familiar with the fabrics we tested here.
For this guide I talked to experts who could help us identify the best qualities for robes in a variety of materials. Bruce Cohen, president and owner of luxury robe wholesaler Boca Terry, told me about construction, warmth, and care. Angela Courtney, owner (and buyer) of Sweetest Sin Boutique in Red Bank, New Jersey (a store I’ve shopped in over the years), talked with me about how to test for fit and which details to look for (like inner ties or an attached belt). Courtney also stocks a few of the brands we researched.
This was the warmest robe we tried. It’s comfy indoors and out, it’s available in a variety of lovely colors, and it comes in more sizes—including petites and plus sizes—than any other robe we tested.
How it feels: Soft and cozy, like wrapping up in a fleece blanket.
Why it’s great: Of all the robes we’ve tested, the L.L.Bean Winter Fleece Robe is the warmest. It’s incredibly comfortable to wear while lounging and sitting at a desk, and even though it’s made of polyester, it didn’t make us sweat in testing, as can sometimes happen with synthetic fabrics. On a 5-foot-2 tester, this robe was ankle length but didn’t cause tripping, and in our outdoor test, that length kept drafts away better than any other robe. We could’ve walked the dog in the snow wearing it. It has an inside tie to help keep it securely closed, and the pockets are just big enough for a phone or hands. This is not a stingy robe. The cut is roomy—there’s plenty of material to wrap up in, and the fabric flows, rather than clings like other styles we tried. Despite this, the sleeves don’t feel overly long. It’s also available in plus sizes up to 3X.
L.L.Bean’s Winter Fleece also comes in a zip-up version, if you like that style or want a robe that stays completely closed at the legs. It can also be monogrammed, if that’s your thing. It’s pricier than a lot of fleece robes we’ve seen, but it’s well worth it, especially with L.L.Bean’s one-year satisfaction guarantee. This robe is a Wirecutter staff favorite, too. After three winters of long-term testing, our test robe pilled a little but still looks lush and colorful, and it’s still my favorite thing to put on when the temperatures drop. One of our senior editors said her two-year-old Winter Fleece has held up perfectly, and one of our deputy editors added, “It’s not the coolest robe, but it is the warmest, which is all I care about on mornings before my radiator really gets cranking.”
Flaws but not dealbreakers: This robe comes and goes each year, so you can only buy it during the fall and winter months. But we’ve confirmed with the company that it’s fully restocked for the 2021-2022 cold weather season. Washing this robe produces a lot of static electricity, and it picks up a fair amount of lint just walking around in it, too. We recommend both using dryer sheets (they’ve been effective in long-term testing) and exercising caution when touching doorknobs while wearing it—we did get zapped.
Sizes: women’s petite XS–XL; misses XS–XL; plus 1X–3X
Available in a range of sizes to fit every stage of childhood, this robe is soft and doesn’t restrict movement, and the colors are bright and fun. The attached belt should save parents some grief.
How it feels: A lighter-weight fleece that gives kids the flexibility to run around but still stay warm.
Why it’s great: L.L.Bean’s Kids’ Fleece Robe is very soft, comes in some great colors, and has sizes to fit kids from preschool through high school. It’s not quite as fluffy as the women's Winter Fleece Robe, but we think it has a more appealing texture for kids. This fleece is thinner, with a nap (the fuzzy surface of the fabric) that looks and feels smoother and denser than the women’s version. This gives it a very soft and smooth feel on the cheek, makes it less clingy on the body, and gives it more movement—a benefit for the boundless energy of kids. It also picked up less lint and static than the women’s version. The belt is attached so you and your kids never have to go hunting for it, and the pockets are roomy enough to store treasures. This robe hits an inch or two below the knee, so kids won’t trip on it. Over two winters, it kept its fuzzy texture through several washes and didn’t pill. For a special gift, go for the monogrammed version.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: We wish that it was available in the same colors as the women’s fleece robe—we know it’s sometimes fun for kids and parents to match. Because this is a different model (not just a kids version of the adult size), the colors don’t correspond exactly, although navy is available in both sizes.
This plush robe is comfortable and comforting, warmer than our flannel and waffle picks, and softer than any others we tested. Some of our staffers have had it for years, so we know it lasts.
May be out of stock
*At the time of publishing, the price was $105.
How it feels: With a thick, smooth pile, this robe has the texture of a soft stuffed animal. It clings to the body a bit more than fleece, and it’s almost (but not quite) as warm.
Why it’s great: Restoration Hardware’s Luxury Plush Long Robe was the softest robe we tested, and one of the warmest. It’s more expensive than other cold weather robes we recommend, but we think it’s well worth the price. When I had the flu a few years ago and everything ached, I tried a couple of our test robes and reached for this one over and over. It was the most soothing on my prickly skin. I owned another one for about 10 years, and one of our editors has also had one for several years—we’ve used them through pregnancies and sick days when we just needed to wrap up in something comforting. We tested the long robe, which hits mid-calf to ankle-length depending on your height, but it’s available in a shorter version too.
It was comfortable to wear inside with the heat set to 73 degrees, and in our cold tests it kept us perfectly warm for a quick run to the mailbox in New Jersey in December (though not as warm as the L.L.Bean Winter Fleece). It doesn’t have an inside tie, but it stayed closed just fine with the belt. It comes in more sizes than most robes we tested. In our experience, this robe keeps its softness and lovely appearance through many washes and many years. It can also be monogrammed.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Restoration Hardware robe wasn’t quite as breathable or roomy as the L.L.Bean Winter Fleece Robe—we did sweat in it after about 15 minutes—and the sleeves were a bit longer, which meant they sometimes got in the way. The polyester plush shrank a little more than other fleece robes we tried (about 1.65%, when others really didn’t shrink at all). Also, this robe is only offered in sizes XS–XL. If you want a fleece robe with a broader range, look to the men’s and women’s Alexander Del Rossa robes we tried—they’re not as soft, but the sizes come in a much wider range.
This plaid robe is softer than the other flannel robes we tested and weighs almost nothing. We could wear it at home all day long without sweating, unlike some of the plush and terry robes we tested.
The women’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe is made of the same lightweight flannel as the men’s but in different colors. It’s just as comfortable for lounging around the house.
How it feels: Light, warm, and relaxed, like a worn-in flannel shirt.
Why it’s great: We researched 15 flannel robes and tested two, and the L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe (women’s, men’s) edged ahead because of its superior construction. We like this robe for lounging because it’s warm like a flannel shirt, but it doesn’t add extra weight and bulk. “It doesn’t weigh anything at all,” said one tester. “I can barely feel it on.” Overall, the fabric was nicer than the flannel of the Vermont Country Store robe we tried. It draped better over the hips and across the back, and the plaid print was more defined and saturated. The Bean’s sleeves also fit closer to the body, with no loose fabric under the armpits, and the cuffs stayed smooth and flat after a cycle in the washer and dryer. One of our staffers, who lives in Oregon, says his “was delightful last winter,” and it’s shown no signs of wear and tear.
Winter robes often appear before the holidays and then disappear quickly, but the L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid robe is a perennial item (although stock does tend to dip in January). These robes have more than a thousand strong, year-round user reviews going back to 2008. It also comes with L.L.Bean’s one-year satisfaction guarantee.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The women’s version of this robe is only available in fall and winter, but the men’s version is stocked year-round. This robe is pretty thin, so if you want something super-warm this one may not be for you. The L.L.Bean robe shrank a bit more than the Vermont Country Store’s (3.5% versus 2.35%), but we didn’t think that affected the fit at all.
Sizes: men’s regular S–XXXL and tall L–XXXL; women’s regular XS–XL, petite XS–XL, and plus 1X–3X
Colors: eight men’s plaid prints ; four women’s plaid prints
This waffle robe is cozy and thick, yet so lightweight to wear. The sizing is also the most generous we’ve seen from a bedding company.
How it feels: Cozy and warm enough for most seasons, with a spongy, honeycombed texture inside and out.
Why it’s great: Of the nine waffle robes we’ve tested, the Brooklinen Waffle Robe is the most luxurious and most generously sized. We were surprised by how thick and warm it is, too, especially since most unlined waffle robes we’ve tried are thin and flimsy. Our male tester noted, “Usually this fabric is so thin it’s like wearing a tea towel, but this one is substantial.” It’s not as soft as terry or plush, but it’s one of the softest waffle fabrics we’ve seen, and it was flattering on both male and female testers. We tested Brooklinen’s Waffle Bath Towel, which is made of the same fabric, at the same time we tested this robe. It was absorbent in our shower tests without feeling soggy, so we think the robe will dry you off and still be comfortable enough to lounge in. It also feels almost weightless to wear, with a roomier cut than any other waffle robe we’ve ever tried. It has a wide, fold-over collar, generous side pockets, and a tie that stays closed. The Brooklinen Waffle Robe exudes casual, spa-day-at-home vibes, and we practically lived in it during testing.
We tested Brooklinen’s largest size (XL/XXL), which fit our size 16–18 female tester and still had plenty of extra room—enough to wrap the robe around herself. We think it would fit up to a women’s size 20 (or possibly 22). Our male tester, who wears a 40- to 42-inch pant, said the same robe fit him perfectly and the pocket position was just right. Both testers said the belt was nice and long for larger waists. We’re thrilled to see Brooklinen offer a bigger range of sizes than the other bedding companies whose robes we’ve tested—most stop at an L or XL. (It’s a frequent criticism we’ve had for home goods companies. They often make fantastic robes in too-small sizes.) We hope to see even more options. We also tested the smallest size (XS/S) on a 5-foot-9 female tester who wears a size 2. It was roomy but still very comfy, and the length hit about mid-calf. However, if you’re especially petite, know that this is a big robe with a lot of fabric that could feel overwhelming.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: We’ve seen this robe sell out completely throughout the last year and get periodically restocked. As of February 2022 all sizes are available, but in limited colors. We’re checking with the company to see when other sizes will come in, but we think for now it’s an ongoing issue—like so many other inventory and shipping delays we’ve seen during the pandemic. If you like this robe and see the size you want, don’t wait to buy it. Brooklinen’s customer service is one of the best of all the home goods companies we recommend, so we’re hopeful it will resolve any potential issues. Also, the sleeves on our test robes were huge and needed a lot of cuffing to be comfortable. For long-term testing, we may add a few stitches to keep them rolled back in place. Our male tester said, “No one has arms this long. Nobody.”
Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL
Colors: four solid colors and two limited edition colors
An easy-to-wear terry robe that’s loose and comfy for lounging and wicks away plenty of moisture after a shower.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $63.
The men’s version looks identical to the women’s, with sizes that run bigger.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $63.
How it feels: Fluffy and drapey. It wraps around the body like a soft blanket.
Why it’s great: If you want a terry robe that’s lightweight, easy to move in, and dries your skin after a shower, The Company Store’s Company Cotton Women’s Turkish Cotton Long Robe and Company Cotton Men’s Turkish Cotton Long Robe are the best we’ve tried. We’ve tested The Company Store’s Turkish-cotton terry robes three times now, most recently in fall 2020, and they’re our favorite terry robes to wear. They absorb water without clinging to the body, and the fabric is thinner and more fluid than any other terry we’ve tried. I could brush my teeth, work at a computer, or make a cup of tea without feeling restricted by the fabric. All of our test samples have held up to multiple washings with minimal pills, pulls, or snags. Plus, The Company Store now offers this robe in more extended sizes, and it comes in about half a dozen saturated colors.
Originally, this was a unisex robe available in sizes S–XL, but it’s now offered in both men’s and women’s sizes (XS–XXL for women’s, S–XXL for men’s). In 2020 we tested a women’s S, which was a perfect fit for our size 2 female tester, and a women’s XL, which fit our size 16–18 female tester well. Our male tester, who wears a 40- to 42-inch pant, also tried our XL sample and said he’d go slightly bigger—we think the men’s XXL would work for that waist size. Visually, there’s no difference between the men’s and women’s robes other than a few color options, and the men’s robes are cut bigger. If you wear women’s clothes but need a larger size, look to the men’s options. Alternatively, if you wear men’s clothes and need a smaller size, consider the women’s.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Be careful washing this robe. We washed a poppy (red) robe, and a few white items in the same laundry load came out pink. This terry is also thinner than others we tested, so it’s not the warmest terry robe we considered, but it still kept us toasty out of the shower and around the house. We also saw several colors on back order in late 2020, but we think it’s fine to order them—The Company Store’s customer service is strong.
Sizes: women’s XS–XXL, men’s S–XXL
Colors: eleven women’s solid colors; seven men’s solid colors
This jersey knit robe has great women’s size options and several fun colors, and it feels fantastic to wear.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $98.
How it feels: Cool and soft on the skin, like a luxe T-shirt.
Why it’s great: Natori’s Shangri-La Robe was our favorite lightweight robe, with its wide range of women’s sizes, punchy color options, and overall comfort. While the other jersey knit robe we tested clung uncomfortably, the Shangri-La skimmed the skin and felt light and slinky to wear. The fit was generous and flattering on our two testers, with in-seam pockets that don’t pucker on the hips and an inside tie to keep the slinky material closed. It’s a kimono-style, with a collar that lies flat and leaves your neck and face free, but it’s light and thin—the thinnest of all of our robe picks. The collar style and three-quarter-length sleeves are perfect as a dressing gown—the sleeves are never in the way.
After five washes our test robe still looked like new. At least four of our staffers have owned a Shangri-La robe for a year or more, and all rave about them—one senior editor said, “It’s by far the nicest robe I’ve ever owned.” Another told us, “Even though I don’t usually go for jersey, its fabric feels expensive. Even after numerous washes.” And yet another staffer noted that she feels great in this robe without trying too hard: “You’re just making coffee and getting ready, but also happen to look chic.” We’ve heard from some readers who prefer an all-cotton robe for hot weather, and the Lands’ End Supima Cotton Long Robe is a fine alternative. But the Natori is a staff favorite with better sizes and years of proven reliability.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Shangri-La robe hugs curves and bulges a bit in comparison to the more structured Lunya robe, but for a jersey knit (which is often a challenge for curves) it still looked great on different body types during our testing. It shrank a tad more than the Lunya (3.85% compared with 2.85%), but this didn’t affect the wrap coverage or generous fit. Also, as with other picks in this guide, stock has been unpredictable during the pandemic. If you see a size and color you want, get it while you can.
Sizes: women’s XS–2X
Colors: more than a dozen solid colors, depending on the retailer
We love the stylish design of this French terry robe, which drapes better than our other warm-weather knit pick and looks more flattering on curves. It’s a cool and comfortable statement piece.
How it feels: This French terry feels like soft knit athletic wear. It hugs the body and stays cool in hot weather.
Why it’s great: Lunya’s robe stands out for its dramatic cut, high-low hemline, and double-duty collar. The other robes we’ve picked have traditional designs and straightforward details, but this one (the most expensive of our picks) is pure fashion and clever comfort. The collar can be worn open to reveal your neck, or it can be closed with a hook at the shoulder, which creates a cowl-neck. It’s made of thin cotton/modal French terry, which is flat on one side and looped on the other—the robe has seamed, decorative panels that reveal both sides of the fabric. It’s very soft and very cool on the skin, and it held up beautifully after five washes.
The Lunya’s sleeves are long and fitted, so it feels more like a piece of clothing than a robe. It’s the only robe we’ve picked for adults with an attached belt, and the in-seam pockets are nice and deep. It’s less stretchy than the jersey knit robes we tested, and we found this made it more flattering to curves. It’s a power robe that made one of our testers feel like a Disney villain, in the best way.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: It comes only in black, white, and gray, and stock has been low during the pandemic like other robes on our list. We tested the black, which picked up a fair amount of fuzz just from walking around the house. We also tested the biggest size offered, L/XL, which worked for a size 16 female tester but probably wouldn’t work for sizes beyond that. Finally, the raw high-low hemline on the Lunya is designed to make climbing the stairs easier, but if the length is too long, Lunya offers directions to cut the bottom hem to fit you. We did not have the nerve to try this ourselves and were surprised that such an expensive robe might require wielding scissors to get a great fit.
Sizes: women’s XS/S, M, L/XL
With a rustic look and the coarser fabric of linen, this unisex robe was the lightest and softest linen we tried. The fabric breathes more than the other lightweight robes we tested, so it’s ideal when the temperature is hot.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $167.
How it feels: Crisp and cool with a slightly rough woven texture that doesn’t cling to the body.
Why it’s great: We reseached eight linen robes and tested two, and the unisex Rough Linen St. Barts Robe proved to be the best for its expensive-looking linen, light weight, softer texture, and fit. We preferred Rough Linen’s mid-weight robe to other linen robes we’ve tested (like the now-discontinued Coyuchi Relaxed Linen Robe) that felt heavier and rougher. Out of every fabric we tested, the Rough Linen robe’s fabric was the lightest, coolest, most breathable option. The sleeves are a great length, hitting just at the wrist, and they’re easy to cuff if you’d like them shorter. This robe fell mid-calf on a 5-foot-2 tester.
There is no inside tie, but in our testing we didn’t find that the Rough Linen robe had trouble staying closed. It was perfectly comfortable and didn’t cling to the body, and it felt lighter to wear than our knit robe picks. It had great wrap coverage, draped well, and didn’t tug at the hips or pull across the back. You can machine dry it (tumble dry low), and it shrunk less than other linen robes we’ve tried.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Linen isn’t for everyone. This robe needed a lot of ironing out of the dryer (if you don’t want to embrace the rumpled look). After one wash, the bottom hem had some ripples in it that took some elbow grease to iron out, but we were able to get it smooth again. We also wish it came in extended sizes. If you love the look and feel of linen, this robe is fantastic. If you prefer something softer, our other picks may work better for you.
When buying a robe for yourself, you may already know the materials and styles you like. Our staffers and testers had clear, strong ideas going in, and, for the most part, our testing didn’t change their minds. But if you’re debating what type will work best for you, or if you’re giving a robe to someone else, consider these guidelines (and if you are buying a gift, remember to get a gift receipt!).
We originally tested robes in 2017, then we tested more in 2019 and 2021 and updated this guide. After talking to our experts and our staff, I looked at which robes garnered the highest ratings from both department stores and smaller, startup bedding companies. Then I checked Apartment Therapy’s list of the best bathrobes, looked at Amazon’s best-selling robes, and talked to our staff about the robes they love. I also looked at buying guides from Overstock, Boca Terry, and Comfy Robes. For our 2019 update, I researched new offerings from direct-to-consumer bedding brands and looked for robes available in more inclusive sizes.
From that research, we determined our criteria for a great robe. Here’s what we were looking for:
Comfortable, washable materials: Most people don’t want to dry-clean a robe, so we skipped higher-maintenance fabrics like silk. Instead, we focused on terry, plush, fleece, linen, waffle, knits, and peshtemal, since they can be washed and dried. We tried to pick the softest or highest-quality robes we could find in those materials.
Size and color options: Wherever we could, we looked for robes with a wide range of men’s, women’s, and kid’s sizes. We also looked for robes with several color options.
Brand reputation: We think it’s important that a robe—something you’ll most likely use frequently—be both comfortable and long-lasting, so we focused our testing on brands that have a good reputation for quality and customer service. Although robe sizing is fairly flexible, it’s nice to know there’s a good return policy in place if the one you buy just won’t work. All our picks offer returns, and many come with excellent guarantees or warranties.
Construction and design: We considered design details like pockets (a must!) and inside ties to keep the robe secure, and we noted user reviews (and our own staffer’s complaints) about concerns like gaping at the chest.
Perennial availability: We wanted to recommend robes that you could find with ease, robes that were available year-round or would at least return year after year.
We considered 126 robes in total, narrowing them down for testing by reading user reviews, checking for inaccurate and fake reviews where we could, and considering material, style, brand reputation, and robe availability. We tested 24 robes in 2017 and 12 robes in 2019, a combination of unisex options, sizes for kids, and women’s and men’s styles.
We tried on each robe and took notes about its feel. Bruce Cohen, president and owner of Boca Terry, told us to check the stitching on the side seams, armholes, and the bottom hems, so we looked at these areas, as well as the overall construction. We measured each robe’s sleeve length and overall length down the middle of the back. Then we washed and dried them once and checked for snags, pilling, and any problems at the seams. We tried them on again, eliminated a few that hadn’t held up well in the wash, and measured each robe a second time to determine shrinkage. In 2017, a panel of six testers (a group of family members together for the holidays, composed of three men, two women, and one little girl), tried on the robes that made it through to this second round of testing. We noted the fit on different body types, and they gave us their thoughts on what they liked and disliked, the materials they prefer, and which robes they’d reach for again. This helped us eliminate a few more.
Next, we set the inside temperature to 73 degrees and spent time in each finalist robe to see if any caused overheating, which one felt like a natural piece of clothing, and which were generally the most comfortable for everyday, around-the-house activities. For the warm-weather robes, we tried them on over bare skin and over a T-shirt to see how they felt in mild temperatures and how easy it was to apply makeup or move around.
We performed cold tests with the chilly weather robes—fleece, terry, plush, and flannel. We walked from the front door and down the driveway to the mailbox and back during a frigid January cold snap in New Jersey (it was about 19 degrees). We rated each robe based on how long we could be outside before the cold got uncomfortable. With the terry and waffle robes, we showered, quickly towel dried, and then put on each robe and walked from the bathroom to the bedroom to see how comfortable each robe felt on wet or damp skin, as well as how well it absorbed any remaining moisture. Then we hung the robes on a hook and timed how long it took them to dry. We retested one terry robe in 2018—The Company Store Company Cotton Robe—when we decided to change our terry pick from the Snowe Classic Bathrobe.
In 2019, we tried 12 new options in waffle, fleece, and cotton. I washed and dried them all, measured each for shrinkage, and had two testers—one woman (myself) and one man—try on each robe to note their warmth, comfort, sizing, and style. We had a few robes come close to our picks, but none surpassed them after these first two rounds, so we did not perform shower tests, drying tests, or additional wash tests. We’ve held on to the best contenders in case our picks become unavailable, and we’ll long-term test them to see how they fare.
We tested Riley’s new four-layer robe in early spring 2021, but for both of our testers—one who is five-foot-nine and wears a size medium, and one who is five-foot-two and wears an XL—the sizing was much too big. We’ve added it to the competition section below, but Riley has redesigned this robe with new sizing. We should be testing the new version in early 2022. We’ll also be testing Onsen’s waffle robe, made with the same fabric as the Onsen bath towel, our waffle towel pick.
Bruce Cohen told us that if you wear a robe with any frequency you should wash it as often as you wash your towels (and we suggest doing that after three or four uses). He also told us to avoid bleach. It’s worth washing dark robes with other darks as we noticed some of the more saturated robes did bleed color into the wash. We found that if we followed the care instructions, all our picks stayed fresh and like new after five washes.
The Snowe Classic Bathrobe is the thickest, warmest terry robe we’ve ever tested, but the fit is more snug than the Company Store robe. In 2018–2019 we also heard several complaints from readers and staffers about customer service problems with Snowe, including long shipping delays and a lack of communication about orders. We bought and retested another Snowe robe and had our own shipping issues—we ordered an in-stock robe in December 2019, then received an order confirmation saying it was back ordered until the end of January. When we finally tested the robe it snagged more in the wash than our original tester. We don’t recommend Snowe products anymore.
Coyuchi’s Unisex Cloud Loom Organic Robe was nice and soft, but the terry snagged after one wash. The pockets were also placed too high so the robe’s belt covers them and makes them hard to use.
Parachute’s Classic Bathrobe was soft and felt nice out of the shower, but there were visible snags in the terry and around the seams after one wash. It wasn’t as generously sized as the other terry robes we tested in the same size, and it shrunk enough (5%) that it became unwearable for some of our testers.
Parachute’s Waffle Robe was a pleasant surprise—unlined and slightly stretchy, it was like wrapping up in a high-quality lattice towel.
Standard Textile’s Shawl Collar Waffle Robe had the best sizing of any waffle robe we tested, but it was also cut a bit awkwardly. It’s unlined but less stretchy than the Parachute, and the XL was enormous on me (a size 16—or 18, depending on the day) and dragged on the floor (I’m 5-foot-2). After a wash it shrank significantly but still fit our male tester, who typically wears an XXL.
Allswell’s Stonewashed Waffle bathrobe came in a gray color that looked more like mint, and while it was comfy and stretchy the style was too feminine for our testers. “This is a Golden Girl robe,” noted one.
The Boll & Branch Women’s Waffle Robe is lined in terry and felt wonderful out of the package, but after a wash the piping shrank more than the waffle fabric, so the cuffs and edges looked distorted. It was also tight and short, and Boll & Branch, like every bedding company we’ve ever considered, didn’t offer inclusive robe sizes.
The Riley Hooded Waffle Robe was so luxe out of the package, but it had a strange smell. After a wash (in cold water), the smell was gone, but it was then incredibly tight in the arms and wouldn’t cover our testers around the middle. Even the XL size we tested probably wouldn’t comfortably fit someone who wears higher than a women’s 14 or a men’s large.
Coyuchi’s Unisex Organic Waffle Robe wasn’t as popular as other robes we tested because it didn’t have a soft lining and felt scratchy on the skin.
Snowe’s Honeycomb Bathrobe looked more rumpled after our wash tests than the other waffle robes we tested, and it also didn’t have a soft lining.
We used to recommend the Macy’s Hotel Collection Waffle Robe, but it was discontinued in 2020.
The Alexander Del Rossa Women's Plush Fleece Robe with Hood and Alexander Del Rossa Men's Plush Fleece Robe with Hood are affordable, come in loads of colors, and have the best range of bigger sizes of any robes I’ve ever tested—the women’s goes up to 4X and the men’s up to 8X. But the overall quality and softness are not as good as the Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush or L.L.Bean Women’s Winter Fleece robes. If you want an affordable gift or just need more size options, though, they are warm, comfy robes.
The Ugg Duffield II Robe was warm and very cozy, but it costs significantly more than the L.L.Bean Women’s Winter Fleece, which is such a standout.Ugg also discontinued the plus size options that were available in our 2019 testing.
The L.L.Bean Men's Rugby Robe, flannel-lined was heavy and warm, but the large logo on the pocket was an absolute dealbreaker for our male tester, who said he would never wear it.
Vermont Country Store’s Portuguese Flannel Robes (men’s and women’s) were warmer and more substantial than the L.L.Bean’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Robes, but the construction, design, and color saturation were better on the L.L.Bean. The Vermont Country Store robe’s sleeves were slightly batwing-shaped, which one tester said felt floppy and cumbersome, and its cuffs no longer laid flat after a trip through the wash.
The Lands’ End Supima Cotton Long Robe was lovely to wear and washed beautifully, but it wasn’t as luxurious as the Lunya robe, and the colors and prints have been in and out of stock since we first tested it.
The Honeydew Intimates Jersey Robe has a cute short length and comes in fun colors and a good range of sizes, but the jersey knit felt cheap, and it clung to every curve and bulge in an unflattering way.
The fabric on the Riley Four-Layer Robe is fantastic—gauzy but not too thin, and just right for warmer temperatures if you want something more substantial than the Natori jersey or Rough Linen linen robes. But the proportions were all wrong on our two testers. Our sample robes were comically long, with much-too-big sleeves, on both a five-foot-nine size medium tester, and a five-foot-two size XL tester. Riley told us they’re updating this robe after receiving several notes about the fit, and we will retest the new version.
The Vermont Country Store Men’s Classic Stripe Seersucker Robe reminded us of a perfectly crisp, cool, and rumpled summer suit, and it does come in several larger sizes. But we’ve seen complaints about the fit on slimmer men.
The Vermont Country Store Men's True Blue Cotton Wrap Robe felt way too thin for our testers, like the thinnest summer button-down. It stuck to the body, wrinkled significantly in the wash, and didn’t feel like it would hold up to much use before tearing.
This article was edited by Jennifer Hunter.
Bruce Cohen, president and owner of Boca Terry, email interview, November 30, 2017
Angela Courtney, owner and buyer, Sweetest Sin Boutique, phone interview, December 8, 2017
Nicole Lund, The Best Bathrobes, Apartment Therapy, February 26, 2016
Types of Bathrobe Fabrics, Boca Terry, September 7, 2012
How to Choose a Bathrobe, Overstock
Guide to Bathrobes, Comfy Robes
Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.
Bed Bath & Beyond is offering a $29 gift card to anyone who signs up for Beyond+, essentially making the first year free. But is it worth it beyond that?
We’ve researched hundreds of towels and tested dozens, and the Frontgate Resort Cotton Bath Towel is the softest, warmest, and most durable towel we’ve found.
A good bath mat can keep you from slipping and add some pizzazz to your bathroom. These three durable and comfortable options will work for a variety of styles.
We researched dozens of bath trays and accessories and found our favorites to make taking a bath feel like a day at the spa.
Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Subscribe now for unlimited access.
© 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company