Great robes fall into a few different camps: Some are the perfect accessory for cold mornings, cozy nights in and long weekends on the couch. Others may be super absorbent for after a shower, or perhaps they’re a featherlight option for while you’re blow-drying your hair or applying makeup. But no matter how you wear them, the best robes for women should be luxe and comfortable, well made and easy to care for.
The best robes for women prioritize comfort, style and breathability. I tested many of the top-rated ... [+]
There are countless options on the market today, so I spent weeks testing the top-rated options and consulting spa and loungewear experts to determine the absolute best. After extensive analysis (and serious relaxation in the name of research), I determined the Ugg Duffield II Robe to be best robe for women overall. For an affordable option, you can’t do better than Quince’s Waffle Robe. Here’s everything else I recommend from my first-person testing experience.
- Best Robe For Women Overall: Ugg Duffield II Robe
- Best Value Robe For Women: Quince Organic Turkish Waffle Robe
- Best Plush Robe For Women: Eberjey Chalet Recycled Plush Robe
- Best Warm Robe For Women: L.L.Bean Wicked Plush Robe
- Best Bath Robe For Women: Matouk Milagro Robe
- Best Cotton Robe For Women: Lake Pima Robe
- Best Waffle Robe For Women: Cozy Earth Waffle Bath Robe
Sizes: XXS to 3X | Colors: Fresh Air Heather, Seashell Pink Heather, Seal Heather, Oatmeal Heather, Black Bear Heather | Materials: Exterior weave: 94% cotton, 6% elastane; interior weave: 100% polyester pile
Best for:
- Soft, stretchy comfort
- Cozy warmth without bulk
- A wide range of sizes
Skip if:
- You want a full-length robe
Ugg’s bestselling Duffield II Robe stood out because it offered luxurious warmth but in a streamlined silhouette, making it ideal for easing your way into early mornings and for couch-lounging on weekends. The weighty, double-knit has a soft jersey sweatshirt-like material on the outside and a plush, brushed polyester fleece on the inside. It’s supremely comfortable since it has a good amount of stretch, and the fabric has nice snapback, so it retains its shape. It kept me warm during brief trips outside on cold mornings, and its tight weave kept out chilly breezes. I found it to be moderately breathable while I was cooking breakfast and tidying up the house; but it wouldn’t be my first choice for after a shower because it’s not very absorbent and it’s too thick to blow-dry hair in comfortably.
One of my favorite things about the Duffield Robe is its weighty feel. The super-soft brushed interior fabric is thoughtfully carried through to the pockets and shawl collar, giving it a cozy softness, and the sash belt doesn’t come untied easily during testing. The overall quality is top-notch: Each seam was meticulously finished, with no loose threads or unevenness anywhere, and this robe washed extremely well. From a style standpoint, the fabric had a nice drape and wasn’t frumpy and oversized like some other robes I tried. The Duffield also came in a wide range of sizes and five neutral colors, although it would be nice if they released some non-heathered hues.
Sizes: XS to L | Colors: Grey, White, Ivory, Silver | Materials: 100% organic long-staple Turkish cotton
Best for:
- High absorbency
- Lightweight breathability
- Great price point
Skip if:
- You want something really warm
Quince’s Turkish Waffle Robe is the one you’ll reach for right out of the bath or shower. It’s lightweight and airy but also traps heat just enough to keep you cozy. The waffle texture is less insulating than a plush robe, so it’s ideal for warmer climates—or slightly warmer homes. I’ve historically found waffle styles to be a little bit scratchy, but this one is buttery soft and on par with even the fanciest hotel robes. If you’ve got long hair that traps water, this robe is also highly absorbent, so it’s great to wear around the house as your hair air-dries, and while doing your makeup.
The robe features a roomy fit that falls to mid-calf length, with broad patch pockets and a long sash belt that ties easily and stays put. It’s a single-layer fabric, and I found it to be well made, with nicely finished seams and no loose threading. All in all, this Quince robe is an amazing value. One drawback: In my tests, the robe snagged in two places even when washed by itself, and it shrunk 2 inches in length. I’d recommend washing it on the delicate cycle and without any clothing that has a zipper or sharp buttons that could pull the fabric.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: Rose Cloud, Navy, Ivory | Materials: 100% recycled polyester
Best for:
- Coziness with a refined silhouette
- Layering
- Warmth, but with a lightweight construction
- Flattering fit
Skip if:
- You want something absorbent
Sometimes plush robes can feel overwhelmingly hot or thick, but Eberjey’s Chalet robe just feels luxurious. It was by far the softest-on-skin robe I tested (and there were lots of soft ones), so I was surprised to learn that it’s made of a recycled polyester derived from about 80 recycled plastic bottles. It was extremely warm despite the relative low pile of the fabric, and the mid-calf length kept me toasty during my trip outside in 34 degree weather to take the dogs out in the yard. It was also nicely breathable, and great for layering over pajamas.
The Eberjey Chalet robe also had lots of thoughtful, high-quality details that made it my go-to: There is a single belt loop in the center of the back to anchor the sash, which I found to be easier than having to constantly feed it equally between two separate belt loops. It has an interior “modesty tie” at the side that prevents gapping and a silky shawl collar that could be pulled up to warm my neck and two side pockets, although they were a little bulky at my hips. In terms of maintenance, this robe was easy to care for—it washed and dried well with other clothing in the machine. I also loved all three colors this robe comes in, but many are “limited edition,” and I wish there were even more color options.
Sizes: XS to XL (comes in regular, petite and plus sizes) | Colors: Cream, Dusty Blue, Ledge, Shale Gray, Silver Moon, Washed Orchid, Raw Indigo | Materials: 100% polyester
Best for:
- Cold climates
- Snuggly softness
- Lots of size and color options, and personalization
Skip if:
- You run hot
L.L.Bean is an expert in warm winter wear, so it’s no surprise that the Wicked Plush Robe feels like being wrapped in your coziest blanket. It’s made from 100% polyester that’s brushed on both sides, making it incredibly soft, and it also features smartly placed sherpa in the hood and on the cuffs. This is the kind of robe that makes you totally okay with subzero temperatures outside or having to stay home with a runny nose and the sniffles. The fluffy hood and mid-calf length for added coverage both helped cut the chill when going to the mailbox in 30-degree temperatures. However, this L.L.Bean robe is extremely heavy and not very breathable, and I found myself overheating at times when tidying up the house or cooking breakfast.
I liked the Wicked Plush robe’s roomy front patch pockets, which held my cell and things like lip balm and tissues. Some drawbacks to note: While the hood was cozy when I put it up to go full cocoon, it otherwise flopped around and caused the robe to gap open and made it an absolute no-go for blow-drying hair. On the flip side, this style came in a wide range of sizes (XS to XL in regular, petite and plus) and seven colors, and it could even be monogrammed, which makes it a nice customizable gift.
Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: White, Night, Platinum | Materials: 100% cotton
Best for:
- Absorbency
- Easy care
- Breathable warmth
Skip if:
- You want a slimmer robe silhouette
Matouk is known for its crisp luxury linens and impeccable quality, and the Milagro Robe from the brand follows suit. Think of this as a fancy staple—it’s made in Turkey from high-quality cotton, and it feels like wrapping yourself in a plush towel right out of the shower or bath. It’s a heavier-weight looped cotton, which as a fabric is famously comfortable, breathable and absorbent. And this robe didn’t disappoint—I loved its softness, heft, mid-calf length and the way it absorbed water like a thirsty sponge.
Nice details of its construction include a shawl collar, which enveloped my neck, and its large, front-facing patch pockets. Both details had me envisioning painting my toenails in this robe or layering it over cozy pajamas in all seasons. I didn’t love, though, that the waist tie seemed to run short, so I couldn’t comfortably wear this over anything too thick in the dead of winter. But that’s my only quibble with this luxury pick.
Sizes: XXS to XXL | Colors: Sky Floral, Lily, Parisian Green, Hydrangea, French Blue, Classic Navy, Lapis, Aura, Lavender Fields, Posy, Sarong, Ocean Ombre | Materials: 100% Pima cotton
Best for:
- Comfy stretch
- Layering
- Lightweight warmth
Skip if:
- You want a long, heavy robe
Savannah, Georgia–based Lake has been making pajamas since 2014, and the brand has become a staple for its classic, comfortable styles that have a pulled-together vibe. Comfort is a key feature of the knee-length Pima Robe: The cotton has a luxurious, smooth feel, and the jersey knit has lots of give but holds its shape well. The breathable cotton weave also makes this a versatile wardrobe piece. While it’s not super warm like a plush poly robe, I wore it as a dressing gown and layered it over pajamas on cool mornings, and I plan to wear it all summer long.
What’s especially noteworthy about this robe is its superior construction. Style details like contrast piping and my absolute favorite feature of all—a sewn-on belt—really set it apart. It comes in a wide range of sizes and 12 sweet colors, most of which are classic striped pastels. One thing to note about this style: Because it’s cotton, it will shrink a bit in length. During testing, it shrunk 2 inches in length even when I laid it flat to dry.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: Charcoal, White, Light Grey | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% viscose from bamboo
Best for:
- Full coverage
- Being ultra-absorbent
- Luxe feel
Skip if:
- You want a single-layer fabric
Meet your new best friend for both post-shower and around-the-house lounging. While many waffle robes are a single layer, Cozy Earth’s Waffle Bath Robe is double-sided and much weightier, with a waffle weave exterior and soft inner ribbed terry. Its significant weight and thicker fabric means it’s nearly as warm as a plush robe, but more breathable and absorbent.
While it’s a splurge, the Waffle Bath Robe has a spa-like feel and a few details that set it apart: It has two belt loops on each side to accommodate both longer- and shorter-waisted people, it’s woven in a way that prevents the fabric from pilling and it has a cozy shawl collar and stylish piping border. I liked that the wraparound calf-length style offers a generous fit and full coverage. I also found that it runs on the roomy side. My main concern with this robe is that it snags really easily, and even though it’s gorgeous, it wasn’t as low-maintenance as I’d hoped. When washed and dried, it shrank considerably—6 inches in length, so keep that in mind when choosing your size.
Other Women’s Robes I Tested
I tested a few other products that didn’t make the final cut, although you might want to consider them, if one of the robes above didn’t work for your needs.
Parachute Cloud Cotton Robe: This knee-length robe is made from four-ply Turkish cotton gauze, and overall its soft feel is quite nice. However, the construction seemed off: The sleeves are an odd bracelet length, and even though I have a narrow waist, I felt like the tie belt was very short.
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Adult Robe: The cozy, snuggly feel of this robe, like that of the company’s TikTok-famous throw blankets, is fantastic for getting you into a relaxation mindset. However, this style is so stretchy that the pockets end up down around your knees, and you get lost in all the excess drooping fabric.
Nap Loungewear Teddy Robe Coat: At first glance, I liked the modern silhouette and fuzzy, soft feel of this robe, but the poly liner is stiff, noisy and not at all breathable. It made the robe, or coat, the opposite of relaxing.
How To Pick A Robe
Finding the perfect robe is all about makes you achieve peak relaxation. It shouldn’t be scratchy or make you overheat, and it should allow you to be warm but not overly so. Plus, with all the options available today, it’s not too much to ask that it be more stylish than frumpy. “Best-selling robes are luxurious and effortless with a contemporary, chic style,” says Gelena Oren, former sleepwear buyer at Bloomingdale’s. “Whether it be a lightweight robe that’s super absorbent, a playful design that keeps you cozy or a responsibly sourced proprietary breathable fabric, the options are endless.” Here’s what else to consider:
Breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo tend to work well in warm environments, while plush ... [+]
Your Primary Use
Different robes have different uses: Some are intended more for after a shower and to be worn as a dressing gown, while others are for coziness or warmth, especially when the heat in your house isn’t getting the job done. Few robes can do both of these jobs well, so really think about what you’ll be wearing it for most of the time. And if it’s in the budget, you may even want two robes.
“A lot of women blow-dry their hair while wearing their robe, so they don’t want a robe that’s too heavy because they’ll sweat,” says Ilene Nachbar, vice president of design at Vandale Industries. “A lightweight robe for when you’re getting ready—for instance, a modal or modal blend—is easy to throw on and comfortable.”
Your Environment
A robe that’s ideal for winters in Maine is likely different from one that’ll work well in Arizona in August. When choosing a robe, considering climate is key. Lighter, more breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo tend to work well in warmer environments, while plush polyesters typically bring the heat and are better for cool mornings.
Fabric
Robes are generally made of polyester or cotton, although there are some blends.
- Polyester: “Polyester cannot absorb humidity, but nylon, rayon and cotton can,” says Juan Hinestroza, professor of fiber science and apparel design at Cornell University. For this reason, plush polyester robes are intended more for lounging than bath time. “As far as robes that sell well, plush polyester is very popular, and fleece is huge,” says Victoria Vandagriff, former president of Delta Galil USA. “Poly robes are usually more affordable—you can get a nice one for $60 to $70—but most nice cotton robes cost much more than that.”
- Cotton: “Cotton is very good at managing comfort, humidity and temperature,” says Hinestroza. “It remains superior in terms of comfort, moisture transport and comfortable friction with the skin.” And there are lots of cotton variations on the market to consider. “French terry sells well because it’s more spa-like,” says Vandagriff. “Hotel-type robes tend to be loop terry or towel terry, and most women have one of those in their wardrobe because they can be worn year-round. Waffle robes are a lighter weight and are more fitting for spring and summer. They’re popular because they absorb well and are spa-like. They can, however, snag easily and may not wash as well.”
- Microfiber: In hotels or spas, you may also see robes made of microfiber. “The main fabric I feel works best for both post-bath and then also simply relaxing is microfiber,” says Deirdre Strunk, Canyon Ranch senior vice president of wellness clubs and spa operations. “Being such a light fabric, microfiber allows the robe to be breathable and comforting while also allowing the robe to absorb all moisture.”
Length
In general, robes fall into two lengths—knee-length or mid-calf—and the length you choose will probably depend on your height, the climate you live in and if you want to wear it while getting ready. “Shorter robes are typically 36 inches,” says Nachbar. “Longer robes are 42 to 48 inches.”
Details
There are a variety of style details that can positively influence your experience.
- Pockets: “Pockets are incredibly convenient,” says Nachbar. “If a robe is terry or plush or chenille, the pocket will be a patch pocket. The reason for this is that a chunky fabric pocket will look too bulky if placed on the side. With a lighter fabric, you will likely have a side pocket because the fabric lays flat better.”
- Collar: “A shawl collar is the most comfortable and popular style,” says Nachbar. “Shawl collars provide warmth without being inhibiting—they have a turnback and are wider at the neck and get narrower as they go down toward your waist. Sometimes for an elevated look, designers may trim a collar in satin or velour or put a contrast on the cuff as well. In general, that’s not a functional feature but more decorative.”
- Tie: “Most robes have a sash tie because they offer an adjustable fit whether you’re wearing it out of the shower or over pajamas,” says Nachbar. “Sometimes the belt is built into the back of the robe, which is nice, so it doesn’t fall off.”
How I Tested The Best Robes
During testing, I considered comfort, warmth, absorbency, construction, maintenance and style. I gave each robe a rating of soft, medium or rough based on how it felt on my skin. I tested each robe’s warmth by wearing it outside in cold temperatures—at anywhere from 32 to 40 degrees—to the end of the driveway to get the newspaper and while taking my dogs outside, then gave it a score of light, medium or heavy. I assessed the breathability of the fabric and whether I could wear it without overheating or getting sweaty and gave each robe a score of minimally, moderately or highly breathable.
During testing, I considered comfort, warmth, absorbency, construction, maintenance and style.
I also gauged if the robe absorbed moisture out of the shower and gave it a rating of low, medium or high. I evaluated design details—such as pocket placement and collar type—that could elevate the user experience. I checked how the material held up after being washed and dried, and I considered whether the robe was available in a variety of sizes and colors and had the option of being monogrammed.
My Expertise
I’m a magazine writer and editor who has covered everything from health to fashion to lifestyle for 20 years. I’ve tested slippers, hair straighteners and clothing steamers, and a variety of things in between. For this story I combed the internet to research top-rated robes and rigorously tested the top contenders myself. I also interviewed several experts on the topic: Juan P. Hinestroza, professor of fiber science and apparel design at Cornell University; Ilene Nachbar, vice president of design at Vandale Industries; Victoria Vandagriff, former president of Delta Galil USA; Deirdre Strunk, Canyon Ranch senior vice president of wellness clubs and spa operations; and Gelena Oren, former sleepwear buyer at Bloomingdale’s. They broke down all the critical design details that make robes exceptionally functional and comfortable.
