Linen and Microfibre are two of the most common choices when you are buying towels, and they suit different priorities. Microfibre is somewhat more absorbent than Linen. Microfibre is somewhat softer than Linen. Linen is far more hard-wearing than Microfibre. Here is how they compare across the things that actually matter.
Linen vs Microfibre at a glance
| Attribute | Linen | Microfibre |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | ||
| Softness | ||
| Drying speed | ||
| Durability | ||
| Eco profile | ||
| Typical price | ££ | £ |
What are Linen towels?
Flax fibre that starts crisp and softens with use, dries very fast and lasts for years. They are best for fast-drying, hammam-style and warm-climate towels.
What are Microfibre towels?
A fine synthetic that dries extremely fast and packs small, but feels grabby and is plastic-based. They are best for gym, travel, hair and car drying.
How they differ
Microfibre is somewhat more absorbent than Linen. Microfibre is somewhat softer than Linen. Linen is far more hard-wearing than Microfibre. For most bathrooms the deciding factors are how absorbent and soft the towel feels against how quickly it dries and how long it lasts.
Which should you choose?
Choose Linen if you want fast-drying, hammam-style and warm-climate towels. Choose Microfibre if you want gym, travel, hair and car drying. If you are unsure, our Towel Finder weighs these trade-offs for you, and our GSM guide explains how towel weight changes the feel of either material.
The bottom line
Neither material is simply "better"; they are optimised for different things. Linen wins on durability, while Microfibre wins on absorbency. Match the material to how you will actually use the towel.