Pima cotton and Cotton are two of the most common choices when you are buying towels, and they suit different priorities. Cotton is somewhat faster-drying than Pima cotton. Pima cotton is somewhat softer than Cotton. Pima cotton is somewhat more hard-wearing than Cotton. Here is how they compare across the things that actually matter.
Pima cotton vs Cotton at a glance
| Attribute | Pima cotton | Cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | ||
| Softness | ||
| Drying speed | ||
| Durability | ||
| Eco profile | ||
| Typical price | £££ | £ |
What are Pima cotton towels?
An extra-long-staple cotton (supima is the trademarked us version) that is soft, strong and resists pilling. They are best for a durable, very soft premium towel.
What are Cotton towels?
The default towel fibre: highly absorbent, soft, affordable and widely available. They are best for everyday bath towels for most households.
How they differ
Cotton is somewhat faster-drying than Pima cotton. Pima cotton is somewhat softer than Cotton. Pima cotton is somewhat more hard-wearing than Cotton. 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 Pima cotton if you want a durable, very soft premium towel. Choose Cotton if you want everyday bath towels for most households. 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. Pima cotton wins on softness, while Cotton wins on drying speed. Match the material to how you will actually use the towel.