Modal and Microfibre are two of the most common choices when you are buying towels, and they suit different priorities. Microfibre is far faster-drying than Modal. Modal is far softer than Microfibre. Here is how they compare across the things that actually matter.
Modal vs Microfibre at a glance
| Attribute | Modal | Microfibre |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | ||
| Softness | ||
| Drying speed | ||
| Durability | ||
| Eco profile | ||
| Typical price | ££ | £ |
What are Modal towels?
A beech-derived rayon, very soft and smooth, usually blended with cotton for resilience. They are best for silky-soft blended 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 far faster-drying than Modal. Modal is far softer 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 Modal if you want silky-soft blended 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. Modal wins on softness, while Microfibre wins on drying speed. Match the material to how you will actually use the towel.