The Onsen Waffle Towel and the Brooklinen Waffle Towel are both popular options made from Turkish cotton, but they cater to different preferences in feel, price, and style. Onsen offers a thick, substantial, spa-like towel at a premium price point, emphasizing luxurious softness. Brooklinen provides a lighter, airier, and more budget-friendly waffle towel designed for quick drying and everyday practicality.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right towel from Onsen or Brooklinen for your bathroom.
Onsen Waffle Bath Towel
Onsen focuses on creating a high-end, wellness-inspired experience with its bath linens. Their signature waffle bath towel is designed to be exceptionally soft, absorbent, and durable, feeling more like a substantial spa blanket than a typical lightweight waffle towel. It's an investment piece for those who prioritize a plush, luxurious feel and eco-friendly materials.
- What it is: A premium, thick waffle weave towel made from 100% SUPIMA cotton for a plush feel and superior absorbency.
- Key features: Oversized waffle weave designed to become softer and more absorbent with each wash, OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety.
- Price: Around $50 per bath towel, sets range from $120-$200+.
- Dimensions: Standard bath towel is 31" x 57".
- Materials/Construction: Made from 100% American-grown SUPIMA cotton, which has extra-long staples that contribute to its softness and strength.
- Style: Minimalist, modern, and spa-inspired. Comes in a range of muted, earthy tones that complement contemporary decor.
- Pros: Exceptionally soft and plush for a waffle towel. Highly absorbent and becomes even more so over time. Heavy, substantial feel evokes a luxury spa. OEKO-TEX certification ensures it's free from harmful substances.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than Brooklinen. Thicker weave takes longer to dry than lighter alternatives. Heavier weight may not be ideal for travel or for those who prefer an airy feel.
This towel is for anyone seeking to replicate a five-star spa experience at home and is willing to invest in superior softness and materials.
Shop this product: https://www.onsen.io/products/waffle-bath-towel-set
Brooklinen Waffle Bath Towel
Brooklinen is known for making high-quality home essentials accessible. Their waffle bath towel focuses on modern, practical design, offering a lightweight, absorbent, and ultra-quick-drying towel at a much more accessible price point. It’s perfect for everyday use, especially for those who value efficiency and a casual, contemporary aesthetic.
- What it is: A lightweight and casual waffle towel made from 100% Turkish cotton, designed for quick-drying performance and everyday versatility.
- Key features: A distinct waffle honeycomb texture, lightweight construction, OEKO-TEX certified fabric.
- Price: Around $65 for a set of two, individual towels often available depending on promotions.
- Dimensions: Standard bath towel is 30" x 58".
- Materials/Construction: Made from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton for softness and durability. Features a flexible honeycomb weave.
- Style: Casual and modern. Its textured weave fits well with a variety of decor styles, from Scandinavian to organic modern, and it comes in a slightly wider range of both neutral and limited-edition colors.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Very lightweight and dries extremely quickly, reducing the chance of mildew. Soft but textured feel is great for exfoliation. Easy to pack for travel or the gym.
- Cons: Not as plush or substantial as the Onsen towel. The weave can be prone to snagging on jewelry or zippers. Might feel too thin for users accustomed to traditional terry or thicker towels.
This towel is a great choice for shoppers looking for a stylish, functional, and budget-friendly option that dries incredibly fast.
Shop this product: https://www.brooklinen.com/products/waffle-bath-towels-set-of-2
Onsen vs. Brooklinen Comparison
Feel & Performance
The most significant difference between these two towels is their feel. The Onsen towel is thick, plush, and incredibly soft due to its SUPIMA cotton, providing a cocoon-like weight that feels luxurious. It's highly absorbent, but its density means it will take longer to dry than its lightweight counterpart.
In contrast, the Brooklinen waffle towel is thin, airy, and textured. It is designed to be a performance workhorse - drying you off quickly, and then drying itself out just as fast. The textured weave offers a gentle exfoliating quality, but it lacks the heavy, comforting feel of the Onsen.
Materials & Construction
Both brands use high-quality, long-staple cotton and are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they are made without harmful chemicals. Onsen uses American-grown SUPIMA cotton, known for its extra-long fibers that create an exceptionally soft and durable fabric. Its weave is a plush, deep waffle that gives the towel its significant loft and weight.
Brooklinen uses long-staple Turkish cotton, a material celebrated for providing the ideal balance between softness and absorbency. Its honeycomb weave is intentionally more open and flexible, which is what allows it to be so lightweight and breathable.
Price & Value
This is where the two brands sharply diverge. Onsen is positioned as a premium luxury product, with individual towels priced significantly higher. You are paying for the denser weave, the SUPIMA cotton, and the overall spa-like experience. While it's a long-lasting towel, it is a considerable upfront investment.
Brooklinen offers outstanding value. You can often get a set of two Brooklinen waffle towels for a little more than the price of a single Onsen towel. Brooklinen also runs more frequent sales and promotions, making it the clear winner for anyone shopping on a budget or looking to outfit an entire bathroom without a high cost.
Style & Versatility
Aesthetically, both towels are modern and stylish. Onsen offers a purely minimalist, organic vibe. The colors are muted and earth-toned, designed to create a calm, serene bathroom environment. The towel's luxurious drape looks impressive when hung.
Brooklinen’s towel has a more casual, versatile appearance. The visible texture makes it at home in everything from a contemporary apartment to a beach house. They also tend to release seasonal and limited-edition colors, giving you more options to match your decor. Its lightness makes it a better candidate for uses outside the home, such as for the gym or travel.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Onsen and Brooklinen waffle towels are excellent products, but they excel in different areas and serve different customer needs.
Choose the Onsen Waffle Towel if:
- The top priority is a plush, substantial, and luxuriously soft feel.
- You want to replicate a high-end spa experience in your own bathroom.
- You have the budget for a premium product and see it as a long-term investment.
- Absolute drying speed is less important to you than comfort and weight.
Choose the Brooklinen Waffle Towel if:
- You are budget-conscious but still want a high-quality, stylish towel.
- You live in a humid climate or have a poorly ventilated bathroom and need your towels to dry very quickly.
- You prefer a lightweight and airy towel over a heavy, plush one.
- You need a versatile towel that can be used for travel, the gym, or the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Onsen and Brooklinen waffle towels?
The main difference is the feel and weight. The Onsen towel is thick, heavy, and exceptionally soft like a spa blanket. The Brooklinen towel is light, thin, and airy with a more noticeable texture, designed for very fast drying.
Which towel is softer?
Onsen is distinctly plusher and softer to the touch due to its dense weave and SUPIMA cotton construction. Brooklinen’s towel is also soft, but its softness is more about being pliable and drapey rather than thick and plush.
Do waffle towels shed lint?
Generally, waffle weave towels shed much less than traditional terry cloth towels. Both Onsen and Brooklinen have minimal shedding, especially after the first few washes.
Which towel dries faster?
The Brooklinen waffle towel dries significantly faster. Its lightweight and open weave allows for maximum airflow, making it an excellent choice for preventing musty smells in humid environments.
Can you wash waffle towels in a washing machine?
Yes. Both towels are machine washable. It's recommended to wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry on low. Avoid using fabric softener, which can coat the fibers and reduce absorbency.
Are the Onsen towels worth the price?
If your goal is ultimate luxury, softness, and a substantial, spa-like feel, then many users find the Onsen towels to be worth the higher price point. They are built to last and provide a premium experience.
Which towel is better for small spaces or travel?
The Brooklinen towel is an excellent choice for small spaces and travel. It takes up much less room in a linen closet, washing machine, or suitcase thanks to its lightweight and less bulky construction.
Are the towel sizes different?
The standard bath towels from both brands are very similar in size, with Brooklinen being just slightly longer at 30" x 58" compared to Onsen's 31" x 57". The difference is practically unnoticeable during use.
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