Updated on 14 April 2023
This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.
Iris & Lilly AMZ19FW6P
This long bathrobe offers an excellent compromise between softness, warmth and comfort. It is available in various sizes and prints to suit all tastes.
During our tests, we found this shawl-collared bathrobe to be almost unrivalled in terms of softness. The latter is subjective, but its 100% polyester material reminded us of the softest blankets we’ve ever tested. On the other hand, this fabric is not designed to absorb water the water absorption test was a failure. So this bathrobe is not for wearing directly after a shower to dry off. In terms of warmth, in our opinion, it is one of the warmest we have tested. Comfort is also more than present with well-finished seams that don’t get in the way at all. In terms of length, the size 40 we tested (for about 5’10”) comes slightly below the knees, but the sleeve length is a little short in our opinion. Finally, it is available in 8 different patterns and sizes 36 to 48.
Some of the bathrobes we have tested.
During testing, we took notes on all the bathrobes to classify them.
First, we assessed their softness to the touch.
Then we wore them, in turn, to determine how warm they were. Some of the bathrobes had hoods.
We also rated their overall comfort (whether we felt good in them and whether they were big enough...).
Finally, we tested their absorbency.
Hunkemöller Core Collection
It’s the longest bathrobe we’ve tried. It keeps you warm and comfortable like no other, and its slanted open pockets are much nicer than traditional ones.
Not only is it available in a wide range of sizes, but it is also 100% polyester and has a length that its direct competitors lack. This classic design stops well below the knee. Its fleece lining is very warm, which is ideal in winter, but also in between seasons when it is not yet very warm. However, it was not able to absorb water, so it is not the best thing to use after a shower. We also found that the shawl collar and the more ergonomic opening of the pockets contributed to its incredible comfort. And on the practical side, this bathrobe is machine washable at 40°C.
Disney Polar Stitch
This bathrobe has an original design that will especially appeal to fans of the blue alien. It is also incredibly soft, comfortable and the only one with a hood in this selection.
During our tests, we immediately noticed that this model was wider than its rivals (also in size M). We noticed that the sleeves covered our wrists and the beginning of our hands more. In our opinion, this is an advantage, as it keeps us even warmer. The 100% polyester material was just as soft as its direct competitor. But we preferred the Iris & Lilly model for its less conventional design and the fact that the material is a bit cooler. In terms of comfort, it’s also close to perfection. Only the hood, which is a little stiff in the embroidered areas, makes it miss out on the top spot on the podium at this point. Like most of those tested, this bathrobe is not absorbent, so it is not intended for use after bathing. However, it is still an excellent alternative for keeping warm, and its two pockets (one of which is embroidered with a stitch) are very practical.
Our selection
| Our choice, Best budget | Best mid-range | Mid-range alternative |
|---|---|---|
| | | |
| Iris & Lilly AMZ19FW6P | Hunkemöller Core Collection | Disney Polar Stitch |
| This long bathrobe offers an excellent compromise between softness, warmth and comfort. It is available in various sizes and prints to suit all tastes. | It's the longest bathrobe we've tried. It keeps you warm and comfortable like no other, and its slanted open pockets are much nicer than traditional ones. | This bathrobe has an original design that will especially appeal to fans of the blue alien. It is also incredibly soft, comfortable and the only one with a hood in this selection. |
| See the price on Amazon | See the price on Amazon | £ 28.99 on Amazon |
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How did we do the tests?
To test the bathrobes, we started by putting them on over a short-sleeved T-shirt. This allowed us to assess their softness, warmth and comfort. We then checked that the size was correct in terms of the length of the sleeves (all taken in size M or 40 for our 1.70m tester). We also noted the presence (or not) of practical elements such as pockets, straps or elasticated inner drawstrings.
Finally, we tested its absorption capacity by pouring the same amount of water inside one of the sleeves (as when putting it on just after getting out of the shower).
| Name | Softness | Warmth | Comfort | Absorption capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iris & Lilly AMZ19FW6P | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Hunkemöller Polar Core Collection | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Disney Polar Stitch | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Iris & Lilly BELK486M1 | 4/5 | 1/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Iris & Lilly Waffle OZ83443502 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| CityComfort 089B | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 1/5 |
How to choose a bathrobe?
Here is a list of some of the criteria to consider before buying:
- Size: this first point should not be neglected. A bathrobe that does not fit your body shape is, by definition, an uncomfortable bathrobe. Also, bear in mind that the size is determined by the size of your chest.
- The shape: women’s bathrobes come in different shapes. There are some with kimono collars, which adopt the style of traditional Japanese clothing; there are also shawl-collared bathrobes, which have no seams; hooded bathrobes, designed to keep wet heads warm; and poncho-style bathrobes, where the opening is on the head.
- The material: most bathrobes are made of plush cotton, but some may also be made of polyester and/or polyamide (materials known for their ease of maintenance), modal (an extremely absorbent textile fibre), linen (appreciated for its lightness), or bamboo viscose, particularly appreciated for its breathability.
- The grammage: this is the weight per square metre (g/m²). The higher this value, the heavier and more absorbent your possible purchase will be. In general, a good bathrobe weighs between 200 and 550 g/m².
- Maintenance: ease of cleaning is a key feature, as you will use your bathrobe daily. The simplest and most practical solution? Choose a model that can be machine washed and dried.
Other bathrobes we recommend
Iris & Lilly BELK486M1 (£18.10 upon publication): a sexier alternative. In our opinion, it is more of a dressing gown designed to hide underwear than a real bathrobe. As such, we found it very soft and comfortable during our tests, but it did not provide any warmth. Available in sizes XS to 3XL, we found size M to be a good fit. The sleeves are medium length and the cuffs and sleeve trim did not chafe our skin. Made from 95% cotton and 5% elastane, the fabric absorbed water in our test but was too thin to retain it. As a result, this fabric is not designed to be worn when stepping out of the shower. To keep everything in place, this bathrobe has internal drawstrings to hold the first panel in place and a more traditional drawstring at the waist. However, it has no pockets and is very short.
Iris & Lilly Waffle Dressing (£27.50 upon publication): ideal for after showering. Available in sizes 36 to 44, this kimono-collared dressing gown has sufficiently long sleeves. Please note that in size 40, for about 5’6″, it comes to knee length. In our tests, we found that the honeycomb lining and the 100% cotton fabric absorb water quite well. This makes it an excellent alternative for use after bathing. On the other hand, we found it neither soft nor warm, as it is too thin. On the practical side, it has a belt, two pockets and a hanging hook, and it´s machine washable at 30°C max.
CityComfort 089B (£23.99 upon publication): another attractive option. Made from 100% polyester, we found this shawl-collared hooded bathrobe to be very soft, comfortable and warm. Its two pockets are large and practical. It also has a hanging hook and, like all the others, a belt. The main reason we left it out of the main selection is that the sleeves are a little short for an M (available in S to XL), and it tends to get fluffy. Finally, it is machine washable
Other bathrobes tested
Amazon Essentials (£24.60 upon publication): Despite being sold as a honeycomb bathrobe, this model failed water absorption tests. In addition, it offers average comfort, poor softness and warmth, and the sleeves are too short for a size M.
Translated by Ramsés El Hajje
