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By Jackie Reeve and Zoe Vanderweide ribbed fabric for leggings
After being temporarily discontinued, the unisex Brooklinen Waffle Robe—a previous pick in this guide—has been relaunched, with some updates; we’ve tested the new version and reinstated it.
A good robe keeps you warm, covered, and comfy as you go about your morning ritual. A great one transports you—to a hotel spa, a seaside resort, or a cozy winter cabin. After spending more than 100 hours researching robes in half a dozen different materials—and wearing 39 of them—we’ve chosen seven soft, stylish, and practical options that feel truly special.
We looked for breathable warm-weather robes and cozy cold-weather styles in the most appealing fabrics we could find.
We sought robes made with fabrics that would be easy to care for and stand the test of time, like cotton, fleece, and flannel.
We examined each robe carefully, checking for meticulous stitching. And we considered design details like pockets and inside ties.
Our picks are easy to find year after year, and they come in a wide range of sizes and color options.
Our picks include robes in luxe waffle, slinky jersey, absorbent terry cloth, breathable linen, super-soft plush, toasty fleece, and classic flannel. Whenever possible, we looked for brands that offer a wide range of size and color options; we think most people will be able to find a great match here.
This soft, roomy waffle robe is lightweight, absorbent, and quick drying. We love its generous cut, but the sleeves are extra-long and may need to be cuffed.
Wrapping up in the unisex Brooklinen Waffle Robe is a treat—we practically lived in it during testing. It feels sumptuous yet almost weightless, and exudes casual, spa-day-at-home vibes. The absorbent, light-as-air fabric is ideal for drying off and lounging around in warmer conditions.
Note: We used to recommend the previous model of this robe, which Brooklinen phased out in late 2023. The updated version (released in April 2024) has a flat, kimono-style collar instead of a shawl collar. According to Brooklinen, it also features an improved waffle weave that is lighter weight, quicker drying, more absorbent, and more shrink-resistant than its predecessor’s. Since the two Brooklinen waffle robes were tested years apart by different Wirecutter writers, it’s difficult to make a totally accurate head-to-head comparison, but we have no reason to quibble with any of those claims.
It’s light and springy. The Waffle Robe is made from soft, pre-washed Turkish cotton. It has a spongy, honeycombed texture that’s airy, breathable, and surprisingly resilient. While some waffle robes feel thin and flimsy—and tend to snag and shrink in the laundry—this one has held its shape beautifully after many trips through the washer and dryer.
It doesn’t get water-logged. Waffle robes typically aren’t as water-absorbent as robes made out of terry. Yet when we put on the Waffle Robe immediately after showering, its cushiony square weave pulled moisture away from the skin and dried quickly; it felt luxurious and enveloping, not soggy, even in humid conditions. If you use this robe to towel yourself off, it will still be comfortable enough to keep wearing afterward.
The fit is roomy. This robe has a more-generous cut than any other waffle robe we tested. (Brooklinen recommends sizing up if you’re between sizes; we tend to disagree.) It has a flat, kimono-style collar, large in-line side pockets, and a tie that stays closed, and it was flattering on both male and female testers. But if you’re petite, the robe’s size might be overwhelming. The sleeves in particular are especially long and loose, and they needed cuffing to be manageable. (One male tester remarked, “No one has arms this long. Nobody.”)
Sizes: unisex XS to XL Materials: cotton Colors: three solid colors and one limited-edition color
This lightweight jersey-knit robe feels soft and slinky, and the ¾-length sleeves don’t get in the way. The curve-skimming cut is flattering on different body types, though the material is a little clingy.
The thinnest of our robe picks, the jersey-knit Natori Shangri-La Robe feels cool and soft on the skin, like an expensive T-shirt. Available in a wide range of women’s sizes, this one is a staff favorite: Our editors rave about its good looks, buttery material, and enduring quality.
It’s stylish and well made. This robe gives off an effortlessly put-together vibe. “You’re just making coffee and getting ready but also happen to look chic,” one staffer said.
And it holds up: After five washes, our test robe still looked like new. At least four of our staffers have owned the Shangri-La Robe for a year or more, and they all rave about it. “It’s by far the nicest robe I’ve ever owned,” a senior editor said. “The fabric feels expensive.”
The fit is slinky and flattering. This robe is body-skimming but still generous in its length and proportions, with a kimono-style wrap front, in-seam pockets that don’t pucker at the hips, and an inside tie to keep it securely closed. (We needed to use both the inside tie and the larger sash tie to keep the robe fully closed.)
The robe’s thin, slinky material is more body-conscious than that of our other picks; it shows your shape. But for a jersey knit (which can be a challenging material to wear if you have curves, since it tends to cling to and reveal every contour), it looked great on different body types during testing. And it comes in lots of sizes, from XS to 3X.
It makes an excellent dressing gown. The robe’s collar lies flat, and the ¾-length sleeves don’t get in the way as you’re washing your face or styling your hair—thoughtful details that make this an especially great robe to wear while you’re getting ready for the day (or performing your bedtime routine). And due to its lightweight fabric, you’ll be less likely to work up a sweat while blow-drying your hair or using other hot tools.
Sizes: women’s XS to 3X Material: 65% modal, 35% polyester Colors: six solid colors (depending on the retailer)
This soft, luxurious cotton robe is comfy for lounging, easy to move around in, and absorbent enough to dry you off after a shower. But the thick terry is a tad too warm for year-round wear.
This soft, luxurious cotton robe is comfy for lounging, easy to move around in, and absorbent enough to dry you off after a shower. But the thick terry is a tad too warm for year-round wear.
The Company Store’s Company Cotton Long Robe, in women’s and men’s sizes, is everything a terry cloth robe should be (but precious few actually are): It’s indulgently soft, easy to move in, and it helps dry your skin post-shower.
Note: We used to recommend the previous model of this robe, which was phased out in mid-2023. The updated version, which we tested, is made from a thicker, softer terry; the sleeves have a more attractive, polished cuff finish. It’s about $30 more expensive than the original, but we think the improvements justify the increase.
It’s classic and luxe. The Company Cotton robe looks and feels like the robe you’d wrap yourself up in at a fancy hotel. It has a relaxed shawl collar, generous patch pockets, and a tie belt. The fit is roomy and inviting, with a long, mid-calf length; the women’s robe (only) also comes in a shorter, knee-length version. The terry material, a long-staple combed Turkish cotton, is soft, thick, and springy; it’s delicious to lounge in. For $12 extra, you can have the robe monogrammed—a nice touch, especially for gifting.
The Company Store robes that we’ve tested in the past have held up extremely well to years of regular laundering and wear, with no pulls, snags, pilling, or noticeable shrinkage. (Though it’s important to wash them with like colors, to keep colors true and avoid transferring dye onto other garments.) Thus far, the updated model of this robe has been performing up to the standards of its predecessor.
It’s a great post-shower robe. It feels terrific to put on this robe straight out of the shower; its towel-like terry material absorbs plenty of moisture without turning clingy, and dries quickly. Pattering around the house in it is a pleasure, too: It’s plush yet fluid, and the fabric drapes well and is easy to move in. We could brush our teeth, work at a computer, or make a cup of tea without feeling restricted.
It’s cozy. When temperatures dip, the Company Cotton robe is thick enough to keep you toasty—on crisp mornings, it feels just right. But we found it a little too warm to wear during the hotter months, especially right after a steamy shower.
Sizes: women’s XS to XXL (also available in a shorter version, women’s XS to XXL), men’s S to XXL Material: 100% cotton Colors: eight solid colors in women’s; five solid colors in men’s
This unisex robe is the lightest and softest linen version we’ve found. It’s also made with the coolest, most breathable fabric of any of our picks. But linen is not for everyone—it has a rustic texture and wrinkles easily.
In theory, we love linen robes. In reality, however, they can be scratchy and stiff. But the Rough Linen St. Barts Linen Robe won us over with its unusually soft texture and light weight. This robe is crisp and cool, and it drapes nicely. It has a luxurious, relaxed vibe that transported us to the white sand beaches of, well, St. Barts.
It’s the lightest, coolest robe we tested. This robe has the most breathable fabric of any we tested. So it is ideal for wearing in hot temperatures. Plus, it doesn’t cling to the body.
It looks relaxed and flattering. The Rough Linen robe drapes well and doesn’t tug at the hips or pull across the back, and there’s ample material for wrapping around the body. There isn’t an inside tie, but we didn’t have any issues with the robe slipping open—the fabric is structured enough that it stayed securely closed using only the single wide belt.
The sleeves hit just at the wrist and are easy to cuff, if desired. The medium length, which fell at mid-calf on our 5-foot-2 tester, felt breezy and stylish.
If you dig the look and feel of linen, it’s fantastic. This robe is made from the lightest, softest linen we’ve tested. Like all linen, it wrinkles. So if you don’t love the rumpled look, you’ll need to iron this one after laundering to make it look crisp and polished; we were successful, but it took a bit of effort, particularly when it came to some rippling at the hems. And though this robe is softer than other linen versions, the material’s inherently coarser texture isn’t for everyone.
Sizes: unisex S to XL Material: 100% linen Colors: 10 solid colors
This exceedingly plush unisex robe is warm, comfortable, and softer than any other robe we tested. It’s pricier than some, but it lasts for years and years.
The softest, most decadent robe we tested, the Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Long Robe is a real treat. On a slow morning, it brings a touch of luxury; on a sick day, a dose of comfort. If you’re buying this robe for someone as a gift—or you want your own, to feel extra-special—you can get it monogrammed for around $15.
It’s ridiculously soft and cozy. The thick, poly-plush material—the softest of any we tested—feels smooth and sumptuous, and it was the only thing that soothed our prickly skin when we had the flu. The Luxury Plush robe is also plenty warm: It’s toastier than our L.L.Bean flannel and Brooklinen waffle picks but not as warm as the L.L.Bean Women’s Winter Fleece Robe.
It has a slimmer fit. The Luxury Plush robe has a rolled neck and long sleeves, and it hits around mid-calf to ankle (depending on your height); there are patch pockets and an exterior belt to keep it closed. This robe isn’t as roomy as many of the others we recommend, and its plush material clings to the body a bit more than a traditional fleece does.
It’s worth the splurge. The Luxury Plush robe is more expensive than the other cold-weather robes we recommend, but we think it’s well worth the price. One tester has owned hers for 10-plus years, and she’s worn and washed it countless times, through a pregnancy and sick days. And still it’s kept its touchable softness and upscale appearance.
Sizes: unisex XS to XL Material: 100% polyester Colors: four solid colors
This long, incredibly warm women’s fleece robe is ideal for chilly mornings—just be aware that the fabric does tend to attract some lint (and static). It comes in more extended sizes than any other robe we tested, including petite and plus sizes.
To brave the cold on the chilliest days, we reach for the long and cozy L.L.Bean Winter Fleece Robe. It’s reliable, solid, and reassuring, in both form and function. As one Wirecutter deputy editor put it, “It’s not the coolest robe, but it is the warmest—which is all I care about on mornings before my radiator really gets cranking.”
It’s the warmest robe we recommend. Made from thick, soft fleece, this L.L.Bean robe kept us toasty indoors and out. Its generous length and wide shawl collar banished drafts, even when we walked outside in the snow.
And it’s a pleasure to lounge in. In addition to the long exterior belt, this robe has inside ties to keep it securely closed, and the pockets are just the right size for a phone and your hands. Even though it’s made of polyester, it didn’t make us sweat, as can sometimes happen with synthetic fabrics.
It’s long and roomy, and it comes in lots of sizes. The L.L.Bean fleece robe is available in women’s regular and petite sizes XS to XL, and in plus sizes up to 3X. There’s plenty of material to wrap around yourself, and the fabric flows, rather than clings. This is the longest robe we tested, hitting our 5-foot-2 tester at the ankle, but the sleeves don’t feel overly long.
It holds up. It’s pricier than a lot of other fleece robes, but it’s well worth it, especially with L.L.Bean’s one-year satisfaction guarantee. We’ve been wearing ours since 2017, and though it has pilled a little, it still looks lush and colorful.
The fabric picks up lots of lint (and static), so use a dryer sheet when laundering to keep it looking its best.
Sizes: women’s petite XS to XL; regular XS to XL; plus 1X to 3X Material: 100% polyester Colors: four solid colors
This plaid robe is softer than any other flannel robes we tested, and it weighs almost nothing. We could wear it all day long without sweating, though some people may find it too thin.
This plaid robe is softer than any other flannel robes we tested, and it weighs almost nothing. We could wear it all day long without sweating, though some people may find it too thin.
Plaid flannel robes are a dime a dozen. But the L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe (in women’s and men’s sizes) stands out from the pack because of its softer brushed-cotton fabric, superior construction, and array of timeless, rustic prints—it’s as warm and relaxed as a worn-in flannel shirt. And unlike many similar-looking robes that appear before the holidays and then disappear just as quickly, this is a perennial item, sold by L.L.Bean year-round.
It’s warm yet lightweight. The L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe kept us cozy without feeling bulky—a delightful quality in loungewear. “It doesn’t weigh anything at all,” one tester remarked. And it’s breathable: Unlike some of the plush and terry robes we tested, this flannel robe didn’t make us sweat. But if you often run to the mailbox in your robe and are looking for something that provides a ton of warmth and protection from the elements—like L.L.Bean’s Women’s Winter Fleece Robe—this thinner flannel model may not be heavy-duty enough for you.
It’s well constructed. This robe has a classic wrap-front design, with a tie belt, shawl collar, and well-positioned patch pockets. Compared with the Vermont Country Store flannel robe we tested, the L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid draped and fit better, the sleeves are cut closer to the body, and the cuffs stayed smooth and flat after laundering.
Following a season of wear, one Wirecutter staffer reported that his L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid still looked vibrant and new. (It also comes with L.L.Bean’s one-year satisfaction guarantee.)
It has a generous fit. The cut of this robe is easy and roomy; the women’s version is ankle-length, and the men’s version is shorter, hitting a few inches below the knees. It’s available in extended sizes, including men’s tall and women’s petite and plus sizes.
Sizes: men’s regular S to XXXL and tall M to XXXL; women’s regular XS to XL, petite XS to XL, and plus 1X to 3X Material: 100% cotton Colors: six plaid prints in men’s version; four plaid prints in women’s version
If you want a luxurious, statement-making women’s knit-jersey robe: Made from cool, silky, soft organic pima cotton jersey, Lunya’s The Robe is pure fashion and comfort. The cut is flattering and dramatic, with a generous neckline that provides different styling options. One of our testers said “it makes me feel like a Disney villain, in the best way.” This robe did, however, pick up a fair amount of fuzz, and we don’t think it will fit sizes beyond a US 16. It’s also expensive.
If you want a unisex cotton robe that’s heavier than jersey but lighter than a waffle knit: The Riley Four Layer Robe’s combed cotton feels fantastic—gauzy (but not too thin), breezy, and soft. It’s just right for milder temperatures. The sleeves are a bit long, though. It’s available in unisex sizes XS to XL.
If you want a light waffle robe: The Parachute Waffle Robe is unlined and slightly stretchy—it’s like wrapping up in a high-quality lattice towel. It’s not as warm or as cozy as our Brooklinen Waffle Robe pick, but it’s a great choice for a hotter climate. At the time of publishing, it is available in unisex sizes XS to XL only; it was previously stocked in extended sizes.
If you want an inexpensive plush robe that comes in lots of colors, in both women’s and men’s sizes: The Alexander Del Rossa Plush Fleece Robe with Hood is available in women’s sizes (from XS up to 6X) and men’s sizes (from S/M up to 8X), in loads of colors. The quality and softness aren’t as good as with our favorite plush pick, the Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Long Robe, but this robe is also about a third of the price.
If you want a delightful (if wacky) wearable unisex duvet: The Casper Snoozewear Blanket Robe is a duvet in robe form; it has channels containing a puffy poly fill and a crisp cotton shell, similar to what you find with a bed comforter. It comes in three height-based sizes, from small (recommended for those 5-foot-4 and shorter) to large (recommended for those 5-foot-10 and taller). It’s warm and cozy but too big and impractical for most ordinary tasks, and there’s no belt to keep the bat-like shape closed. If we got it as a gift, though, we would not be upset.
We researched 126 robes in total, and we tested 39. We believe that a great robe should check the following boxes:
We tried on and measured each robe before and after washing and drying, to determine shrinkage. And we checked for any potential snags, pilling, and issues at the seams post-laundering.
A panel of five testers (three men and two women) helped us assess how the robes fit and felt on different bodies.
We wore our robes indoors, while doing everyday activities, to assess their comfort and breathability.
Since we were testing robes intended for different seasons and climates, we tried warm-weather robes over bare skin and a T-shirt, and we wore cold-weather robes for a walk down the driveway in a 19-degree Fahrenheit cold snap.
For the terry and waffle robes, we tried them on after showering to see how well they absorbed moisture, and then we hung them on hooks and timed how long it took for them to dry.
This is not a comprehensive list of everything we tested in previous iterations of this guide, just what’s still available.
We’ve seen multiple complaints about the Vermont Country Store Men’s Classic Stripe Seersucker Robe fitting poorly on slimmer men.
The Vermont Country Store Men’s True Blue Cotton Wrap Robe felt way too thin: It stuck to the body, wrinkled in the wash, and seemed prone to tearing.
The jersey fabric of the Honeydew Intimates All American Women’s Robe felt cheap, and this robe clung to every curve in an unflattering way.
The Lands’ End Women’s Supima Cotton Long Robe wasn’t as luxurious-feeling as our Natori Shangri-La jersey pick or the Lunya robe in the Other good robes section. Plus, the colors and prints go in and out of stock frequently.
We didn’t like the fit and style of the (absolutely enormous) Standard Textile Unisex Shawl Collar Waffle Robe.
One wash was enough to knock out the Boll & Branch Women’s Waffle Robe (which emerged with distorted cuffs), the unisex Riley Hooded Waffle Robe (which shrank so much that testers could no longer wear it), and the unisex Snow Honeycomb Bathrobe (which got excessively rumpled).
The Coyuchi Unisex Organic Waffle Robe didn’t have a soft lining, and it felt scratchy against the skin.
There were visible snags on both the Coyuchi Unisex Cloud Loom Organic Robe and the unisex Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Robe after laundering; the Parachute robe also shrank significantly.
The unisex Snowe Classic Bathrobe was a former pick. But after hearing numerous complaints about poor customer service from readers and staffers, we no longer recommend it.
The Vermont Country Store’s Portuguese Flannel Robe (in men’s and women’s sizes) was warmer than our L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe pick, but the construction, design, and color saturation fell short.
The fleece Ugg Duffield II Women’s Robe was cozy, but it cost significantly more than our L.L.Bean Women’s Winter Fleece pick, which was even toastier.
This article was edited by Ingela Ratledge Amundson and Jennifer Hunter.
Bruce Cohen, president and owner of Boca Terry, email interview, November 30, 2017
Angela Courtney, owner and buyer, Sweetest Sin Boutique, phone interview, December 8, 2017
Nicole Lund, The Best Bathrobes, Apartment Therapy, February 26, 2016
Types of Bathrobe Fabrics, Boca Terry, September 7, 2012
How to Choose a Bathrobe, Overstock
Guide to Bathrobes, Comfy Robes
Jackie Reeve is a senior staff writer covering bedding, organization, and home goods at Wirecutter since 2015. Previously she was a school librarian, and she’s been a quilter for about 15 years. Her quilt patterns and her other written work have appeared in various publications. She moderates Wirecutter’s staff book club and makes her bed every morning.
Zoe Vanderweide is a senior staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.
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