Best paper towels

Here's a roundup of the best paper towels to wipe away spills and others messes quickly.

Best paper towels
(Image credit: @Brandon Cormier on Unsplash)

Paper towels make cleaning up quick and easy. Each disposable, absorbent sheet traps liquids and carries away dirt and debris to leave your surfaces spotless. So, it's always great to have a roll on hand to combat spills and messes. Whether it's your home, office, or even outdoors, paper towels are a valuable addition to your cleaning kit. Here's a list of my favourites.

Staff pick

Bounty Quick Size paper towels

(Image credit: Amazon)

Bounty Quick Size paper towels

Suck up spills with the effective quilts

Bounty is a brand that's associated with paper towels, the best paper towels. And this paper towel roll set doesn't disappoint. Each sheet is quilted and ready to clean up liquids.

Pros:

  • 128 sheets per roll
  • Perforated sheets to customize quantity to the mess
  • Absorbent, quilted design

Cons:

  • Can't be flushed
  • Can feel itchy against dry skin

Messes happen everywhere; whether it's a pasta sauce splatter or a new puppy's business, you'll need a reliable paper towel for clean-up. That's where Bounty comes in with its Quick Size offering. The quilted sheets suck up spills, splatters, and puddles, so your floors, tables, and counters are as good as new. This bundle comes with 12 rolls, each with 128 sheets. The sheets are conveniently perforated, so you can select the perfect length and tear. It can't get any easier than that!

Best strength

Regina Blitz household towels

(Image credit: Amazon)

Regina Blitz household towels

Multilayered for superior spill maintenance

These paper towels are triple-layered so they'll sustain spills without disintegrating.

Pros:

  • Triple-layered
  • Substantial sheets
  • Eight rolls per pack
  • Ultra-absorbent

Cons:

  • May need numerous towels to absorb larger spills
  • Packaging can smell a bit off on arrival

These paper towels are built to handle a busy home. Three moisture-retaining layers comprise a single sheet, so the towels make easy work of any size spill. (And you don't have to worry about them shrivelling into lumpy gobs or tearing.) Each roll includes 140 sizable sheets to mop up messes in a single swipe. This package comes with eight rolls, so they'll see you through splashy accidents and regular cleaning for quite some time. 

Best commercial

Pacific Blue basic recycled hard-wound paper towel rolls

(Image credit: Amazon)

Pacific Blue basic recycled hard-wound paper towel rolls

Great for public areas

Roll with it! These sizable paper towel rolls have an easy-tear design that is perfect for use in public spaces.

Pros:

  • Six rolls per pack
  • For use in public areas
  • Each roll has 800-feet of paper

Cons:

  • Doesn't have perforations
  • Not super absorbent

If you're looking for high-quality paper towels to stock in your restaurant, office, school, or another public area, this set is a great choice. The package includes six rolls, and each roll has 800 feet of paper. That means you won't have to restock for a while. The paper is thin but absorbent. This makes it super easy to tear at any increment that suits your needs. Whether you're wiping countertops, cleaning spills, or drying your hands, these paper towels have you covered.

Best multi-surface

Viva Multi-Surface Cloth TaskSize kitchen paper towels

(Image credit: Amazon)

Viva Multi-Surface Cloth TaskSize kitchen paper towels

Cleans up great anyhwere

Keeping your home mess-free can be a chore. These paper towels can manage wet messes just about any where to ensure your spaces are clean.

Pros

  • 24 pack of double rolls
  • Original weave texture
  • Perforated sheets
  • Can be used on many different surfaces

Cons

  • May not be as cloth-like as expected

From granite to metal, these Viva paper towels make cleaning anywhere super easy. These absorbent sheets can tackle floors, tubs, stovetops, and windows without breaking a sweat. The reason this paper towel works so well is it's is because it has a unique ridged texture. It can trap and lift dirt, debris, and liquid to make your surfaces shine. Each roll has perforated sheets for your convenience, so you'll always have the right amount for your mess. Keep a roll in your car, at your office, and in every room of your home. You never know when a mess will happen.

Best recycled

Seventh Generation unbleached paper towels

(Image credit: Amazon)

Seventh Generation unbleached paper towels

The most eco-friendly pick

Prioritize the earth with this paper towel 24-pack by Seventh Generation. The eco-friendly selection is made from 100-per cent recycled paper. 

Pros:

  • Unbleached paper towels
  • Made from 100-per cent recycled paper
  • 24 large rolls
  • Each sheet is 2-ply

Cons:

  • Not as thick as other paper towels
  • May not perforated all the way through

This paper towel is super gentle on the environment; each roll is made from recycled paper. It has an earthy brown tone that almost communicates a commitment to eco-consciousness. They're brown because the towels are unbleached, which means that no artificial or harmful dyes and chemicals, inks, or dyes are used. The sheets themselves are two-ply and textured to retain wet messes on countertops, sinks, floors, and more. You won't need to use extra sheets to compensate while cleaning up spills or drying your hands.

The bottom line

You can trust Fit&Well We give honest reviews and recommendations based on in-depth knowledge and real-world experience. Find out more about how we review and recommend products.

The best paper towels keep surfaces spotless without harming the environment. The Bounty Quick Size paper towels are a great choice for everyday cleanup because they're quilted and keep messes to a minimum.

If you're looking for a paper towel that can handle every area of your house—inside and out—the Viva Multi-Surface Cloth TaskSize kitchen paper towels are exactly what you need. They are thick and can be used on everything from metal to tile. Their unique weave pattern traps debris and liquid so you can make sure your house is thoroughly cleaned with every wipe.

Why trust us?

At Fit&Well, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.