Terrycloth towels rub curls the wrong way, literally — the rough texture roughens the hair cuticle and turns smooth curls frizzy before they've even dried. Microfiber is smoother and more absorbent, which is why the plopping technique, scrunching wet curls into a towel instead of rubbing them dry, depends on the right fabric.
How we choose
The eight towels and turbans below span flat towels you scrunch by hand, twist-and-loop or button-closure turbans that stay on hands-free, and one three-piece set built around a separate scrunching step. Prices range from a single budget flat towel to a premium tube-packaged pick, so there's a format and price point for however you currently plop.
Our 8 Picks
DevaCurl Microfiber Anti-Frizz Hair Towel, 39 x 20 Inches
What it is
A flat microfiber towel from DevaCurl designed to be scrunched around wet curls rather than tied as a turban, sized 39 x 20 inches.
Why it's worth it
Well suited to the plopping technique itself, since DevaCurl's own directions call for scrunching wet curls upward into the towel to encourage curl shape rather than wrapping hair into a twist. It's made from 100% microfiber (80% polyester, 20% polyamide), and DevaCurl states the line is sulfate-, paraben- and silicone-free. A good fit for anyone who wants a flat towel to fold and hold curls in place rather than a turban that sits on top of the head.
Caveat
As a flat towel rather than a turban, it needs to be held or tied in place, so it isn't fully hands-free the way an elastic-band turban is.
T3 Luxe Turban Towel
What it is
A turban-style microfiber towel from T3 with a waffle-weave texture and a tapered design, closed with a coconut shell button and elastic loop.
Why it's worth it
Well suited to a secure, hands-free plop since the coconut shell button pairs with an elastic loop specifically for hold, rather than a twist-only closure. It's made from 85% polyester and 15% polyamide. T3 tapers the shape for a closer fit across a range of hair lengths, which suits anyone who's found generic rectangular turbans bulky at the front. It sits at the premium end of the price range here.
Caveat
The button-and-loop closure is a specific mechanism worth checking against your head size, since it's a fixed design rather than one you can freely retie.
Turbie Twist 2-Pack Microfiber Hair Towel
What it is
A twist-and-loop microfiber turban from Turbie Twist, sold as a two-pack.
Why it's worth it
A good fit for anyone who wants a spare on hand, since it's sold as two towels rather than one. Turbie Twist uses a twist-and-loop closure rather than a button, which keeps the design simple. It sits at a mid-range price for two towels rather than one, which lowers the effective cost per towel compared to several single-unit picks here.
Caveat
The twist-and-loop closure relies on the hair's own twist for grip, so it can loosen with very fine or slippery hair.
Kitsch Microfiber Hair Towel Wrap for Women – Micro Dot
What it is
A microfiber hair towel wrap from Kitsch in a micro-dot print, designed to be twisted and secured after washing.
Why it's worth it
Kitsch markets this specifically as a plopping towel for curly hair, positioning it as lighter and less scratchy than a standard towel. It's compact enough to pack for travel, per Kitsch's own description. A good fit for anyone who wants a lower-cost entry point into a dedicated plopping towel before trying a pricier turban.
Caveat
It runs smaller and lighter than some of the oversized flat towels in this lineup, which suits shorter or finer hair more than very thick, long hair.
THE PERFECT HAIRCARE Microfiber Hair Plopping Towel Set
What it is
A three-piece microfiber set from THE PERFECT HAIRCARE with one large 40 x 27.5-inch towel wrap and two smaller 23.5 x 15-inch curl-scrunching towels.
Why it's worth it
Well suited to a full plopping routine since it separates the initial wrap from the scrunching step, rather than relying on one towel for both. The brand states the closure system is designed to stay secure whether you're twisting, plopping or wrapping hair into a bun. A good fit for anyone who wants a dedicated scrunching towel in addition to a turban, rather than buying them separately.
Caveat
It's a three-piece set at a premium price, a bigger investment than picking up a single towel.
VOLO Hero Hair Towel
What it is
A tube-shaped microfiber hair towel from VOLO, sold in the brand's signature packaging.
Why it's worth it
VOLO markets it directly for the curly-girl method, including plopping and scrunching, with a twist loop built into the design to secure it hands-free. It's built from the brand's own microfiber weave, described as lint-free. A good fit for anyone shopping at the premium end who wants a towel packaged as a gift-ready item rather than a plain wrap.
Caveat
It's the most expensive pick in this lineup, worth it mainly if the tube packaging and gifting angle matter to you.
Curly Girl Towel for Women with Curls
What it is
A flat microfiber towel from the brand Curly Girl, measuring 22 x 39 inches with a hanging hook.
Why it's worth it
Positioned specifically as an accessory for the curly girl method, which suits anyone already following that routine's other steps. The hanging hook is a practical, concrete addition for drying the towel itself between uses, which several of the other picks here don't mention. A good fit for anyone who wants a straightforward flat towel at a mid-range price rather than a turban.
Caveat
At 22 x 39 inches it's sized for typical lengths rather than the largest oversized towels in this lineup, worth checking against very long or thick hair.
Bondi SPA Microfiber Hair Towel, XL Rectangle, 42 x 22 Inches
What it is
An XL flat rectangular microfiber towel from Bondi Home & Spa, measuring 42 x 22 inches, sold with a wet-proof ziplock bag.
Why it's worth it
Bondi markets it directly as a curl towel suited to plopping, without a button closure to deal with. The included wet-proof ziplock bag is a concrete extra for carrying it damp, useful for gym or travel use after a workout, swim or shower away from home. It's priced at the lower end of this lineup, a reasonable way to try a dedicated flat plopping towel before spending more.
Caveat
As a flat towel without a closure, it needs to be held in place or tucked rather than fastened like the turban-style picks here.
How to choose
How to choose the right microfiber plopping towels for faster, frizz-free curl drying
Takeaway
The right plopping towel comes down to format as much as fabric: a flat towel gives more control over how tightly curls scrunch, while a turban frees your hands once it's secured. Match the closure and size to your hair length and routine, and any genuine microfiber pick here should cut down on rubbing-induced frizz.
