Spills, splatters, and everyday messes are a fact of life, but having the right paper towel on hand can make cleanup quick and efficient. The ideal brand balances strength and absorbency with value, ensuring you aren’t wasting sheets or money. With so many options available, from ultra-durable to eco-conscious, selecting the perfect roll for your household needs can be a challenge.
This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting ten of the best paper towel brands. We’ve considered a range of factors including sheet size options, roll count, material strength, and special features to help you find a product that matches your cleaning style and budget, making your next purchase an informed one.
Our Top Paper Towel Picks
- Brawny Tear-A-Square 3-Ply Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls
- Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls
- Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, Spirited Prints
- Bounty Essentials Select-A-Size Paper Towels, White
- Brawny Tear-A-Square 3-Ply Paper Towels, 8 Triple Rolls
- Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 30 Double Rolls
- Sparkle Professional Series 2-Ply Perforated Kitchen Paper Towel
- Viva Signature Cloth Paper Towels, 12 Triple Rolls
- Seventh Generation Paper Towels 2-Ply 4 Pack
- Scott 12 Giant Rolls Paper Towels
Brawny Tear-A-Square 3-Ply Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls
Brawny sets a new standard with its innovative 3-ply construction, providing unmatched strength and absorbency for tough spills and messes. This is the only nationally branded retail paper towel that features three plies, offering superior durability that stands up to demanding cleaning tasks in the kitchen and around the house.
A key benefit is the customizable sheet size. You can choose from quarter, half, or full sheets, which helps reduce waste and extends the life of each roll. With 6 double rolls providing 76 sheets each, you can tackle challenging messes without having to change the roll as frequently.
Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, 6 Double Rolls
Sparkle offers a reliable and strong solution for everyday messes without straining your budget. These pick-a-size towels provide the versatility of full and half sheets, allowing you to select the right amount of paper for the job at hand, from small drips to larger spills.
Each double roll contains 110 2-ply sheets and is equivalent to two regular paper towel rolls. This means you get more cleaning power per roll and can change them less often. Sparkle is an effective and bright choice for anyone looking for dependable performance and great value.
Sparkle Pick-A-Size Paper Towels, Spirited Prints
Add a pop of color and style to your cleaning routine with Sparkle Spirited Prints. These paper towels deliver the same strength you need for everyday messes but with vibrant patterns that can brighten up your kitchen space.
You don’t have to sacrifice performance for style. Each pick-a-size double roll has 110 2-ply sheets and equals two regular rolls, ensuring you get long-lasting use. This option helps keep your home clean and your wallet happy, all while adding a cheerful touch.
Bounty Essentials Select-A-Size Paper Towels, White
Bounty Essentials brings you high performance at a low cost. This pack contains 2 triple rolls, which equals 6 regular rolls, providing a substantial amount of towels for everyday cleaning needs. The select-a-size feature allows for controlled usage, helping to minimize waste.
These towels are designed to offer affordable durability, making them a practical choice for frequent, common messes. They deliver the reliable performance associated with the Bounty name while being budget-conscious.
Brawny Tear-A-Square 3-Ply Paper Towels, 8 Triple Rolls
This bulk option from Brawny provides exceptional value and performance. Featuring the same groundbreaking 3-ply technology, these towels deliver superior strength, absorbency, and durability for tackling the toughest spills.
The customizable quarter, half, and full sheet sizes help reduce waste, while the 8 triple rolls offer 3X more sheets per roll compared to standard rolls. This is an excellent choice for large households or those who want to stock up and change rolls less frequently.
Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 30 Double Rolls
Scott Paper Towels are built for fast and efficient cleaning. This large pack includes 30 double rolls, which is equivalent to 60 regular rolls, and now comes with more sheets per roll. The choose-a-sheet functionality provides flexibility for different mess sizes.
Each towel features deep-cleaning ridges that help grab and remove dirt and spills quickly. A significant advantage is that Scott paper towels are virtually lint-free, leaving your surfaces clean and clear after use.
Sparkle Professional Series 2-Ply Perforated Kitchen Paper Towel
This Professional Series from Sparkle by GP PRO is designed for settings that demand premium quality and reliability. The 2-ply construction offers a balance of strength, absorbency, and a clean appearance suitable for both home and professional kitchens.
The 70-sheet rolls are long-lasting, which helps save time by reducing the frequency of run-outs. For hygienic storage, especially in bulk, each roll is individually wrapped, ensuring they remain clean until you are ready to use them.
Viva Signature Cloth Paper Towels, 12 Triple Rolls
Viva Signature Cloth offers a premium cleaning experience with towels that are soft like cloth yet remarkably durable. These are among the softest and most durable paper towels available, providing an exceptional, thorough clean on a variety of surfaces.
They are a professional-grade option, noted for being 2x more durable when wet compared to the leading 1-ply value brand. This cloth-like texture and strength allow you to tackle tough jobs without the towel falling apart.
Seventh Generation Paper Towels 2-Ply 4 Pack
For the environmentally conscious consumer, Seventh Generation offers a strong and absorbent 2-ply paper towel made with 100% recycled paper. These towels are whitened without chlorine bleach, making them a more sustainable choice.
The product is made with 85% post-consumer recycled paper and contains no added dyes, inks, or fragrances. You get effective cleaning power while supporting a cycle of recycling and reducing your environmental footprint.
Scott 12 Giant Rolls Paper Towels
Scott’s 12 Giant Rolls provide a substantial supply of dependable paper towels for your household. Known for their efficiency and strength, Scott towels are a trusted name for handling everyday cleaning tasks and unexpected spills.
This pack is ideal for those who prefer to buy in larger quantities to ensure they are always prepared. The towels are designed to be strong and absorbent, offering reliable performance for a wide range of cleaning needs.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Best Paper Towel Brands
When I stand in the paper goods aisle, I see a wall of options, and it can be a bit overwhelming. Choosing the right paper towel brand isn’t just about grabbing the biggest pack; it’s about finding the right balance for your home’s needs. I think the first thing I consider is absorbency. A paper towel that just pushes a spill around is frustrating. I look for towels that can soak up a lot of liquid quickly and hold it without falling apart. This is crucial for big kitchen messes or cleaning up after pets.
Next up is strength. I need a towel that won’t disintegrate when I’m wiping down a greasy pan or scrubbing a sticky countertop. I often give the roll a little pull test right in the store (gently, of course) to feel its durability. If it feels flimsy, it probably is. Then there’s the sheet count and roll size. This is where it gets tricky. A “jumbo” roll from one brand might be the same size as a “mega” roll from another. I always check the total square footage to compare the real value. Buying in bulk can save money, but only if you have the storage space.
I also pay close attention to the ply. Most of the best paper towel brands are 2-ply, meaning two layers of paper are bonded together. This generally means better absorbency and strength. Single-ply options are often less expensive, but I find I need to use more sheets to do the same job, which might not save money in the long run. For smaller jobs or as napkins, they can be just fine.
Finally, I think about my personal values. If I’m trying to be more eco-conscious, I look for brands that use recycled materials or have certifications from organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). I also consider if the brand is septic-safe, especially if I have an older system. And let’s be honest, sometimes the design matters. A nice, clean-looking towel can make a difference when you have guests. By weighing these factors—absorbency, strength, value, and my own priorities—I can confidently pick one of the 10 best paper towel brands that will actually work for me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are more expensive paper towel brands always better?
Not always. While premium brands often excel in absorbency and strength, I’ve found that many store-brand or mid-range options perform almost as well for everyday tasks. The key is to read reviews and maybe try a small roll first. Sometimes you’re paying for the brand name and fancy packaging. For simple jobs like wiping clean hands or drying dishes, a less expensive brand can be a perfectly good and cost-effective choice.
What is the difference between select-a-size and full-size sheets?
This is a feature I absolutely love. Select-a-size sheets are half the size of a regular sheet, and they are perforated so you can easily tear off a smaller piece. I use these for small spills, cleaning mirrors, or packing in lunches. They reduce waste and make each roll last longer. Full-size sheets are better for big messes, like a spilled glass of juice. When I’m evaluating the 10 best paper towel brands, I always check if select-a-size is an option because it adds so much versatility.
Are paper towels bad for the environment?
This is a valid concern. Paper towels are single-use items, and their production uses trees, water, and energy. However, many brands are now made from recycled paper or are sourced from sustainably managed forests. To be more eco-friendly, I try to use reusable cloths for as many tasks as possible and reserve paper towels for the really messy or greasy jobs that would ruin a cloth towel. Also, composting used paper towels (if they don’t have harsh chemicals on them) is a great way to reduce landfill waste.
Can I use paper towels in my microwave?
You have to be very careful with this. Most plain, white paper towels are safe for microwave use for short periods, like covering food to prevent splatters. However, printed or recycled towels can sometimes contain tiny metal flecks that can cause sparks and are a fire hazard. I always use a plain, undyed towel and never let it touch the heating element for an extended time. When in doubt, a microwave-safe plate or lid is a safer alternative.
Why do some paper towels feel scratchy and others feel soft?
The texture comes from the manufacturing process. Softer towels are often “creped,” which is a process that creates tiny pleats in the paper, giving it a more cloth-like and flexible feel. These are gentler on hands and surfaces. Scratchier towels might be more rigid and are sometimes designed for heavy-duty scrubbing. I prefer a balance—a towel that is soft enough for my hands but still strong enough to handle a tough cleaning job without shredding.