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8 best dressing gowns you’ll want to put on as soon as you get home

Dressing gown/house coat/bathrobe/wearable hug...

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VerifiedTested by Homes Testing Manager
the best dressing gowns

It's the incentive you need to face leaving bed in the morning, a welcome hug at the end of a long day, and the ultimate lazy Sunday attire. It’s completely acceptable to take the bins out in one, too. The best dressing gowns are a year-round loungewear staple.

But with designs that start from as little as £25 and go all the way up to £250, we wanted to know whether it’s actually worth spending more on them or not. So, our Good Housekeeping Institute experts rounded up a panel of sleepy testers to try the best dressing gowns and robes from market leading brands to see which provided the comfort and quality we expect.

These are our cosy winners at a glance, including thick, towelling bathrobes, wearable blankets and extra lightweight waffle designs for summer.

Best dressing gowns

We asked our readers (and professional dressing gown wearers) to don their new robe for at least two weeks, (with some breaks for outdoor clothes) and give us detailed feedback. We also put them through extensive wash tests in the lab, to see how they fared against common stains and spillages.

You'll find a full breakdown of how we test below our reviews, but, first, these are the ones we'll be wearing on work-from-home days.

1
Best lightweight dressing gown and best value

M&S Jersey Waffle Dressing Gown

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Jersey Waffle Dressing Gown

Score: 94/100

This is a “lovely lightweight dressing gown” according to one of our testers. It’s made from a jersey waffle material, which strikes the perfect balance between warm and cosy and loose and breathable.

It also has a large hood (perfect for helping to towel dry your hair on wash day), and big pockets that are useful for storing your phone or transporting biscuits on the tea run.

There was minimal shrinkage in our wash test. The only area it dropped points on was for fit, as it was a little snug for our testers with larger boobs. We suggest sizing up if that’s a concern.

Key specifications

Material80% cotton, 18% polyester, 2% elastane (exclusive of trimmings), hood lining, 100% cotton.
SizesXS-XL
Washing InstructionsWash at 40ºC, tumble dry and iron at medium temperatures. Do not bleach.
2
Best luxury dressing gown

Cozy Earth Luxe Bath Robe

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Luxe Bath Robe

Score: 91/100

This snug bathrobe is the ultimate post-bath attire. It’s a weighty one, but it feels “high-quality and luxurious,” according to our panel. It’s made from cotton and bamboo viscose, which the brand says is responsibly sourced and won’t pill – a claim that proved true in testing as there was zero bobbling after five washes.

However, if you’re not satisfied with it for any reason, it also comes with a two-year warranty. Foundation stains also lifted easily, making it a great gown for getting ready in.

Key specifications

Material60% cotton, 40% viscose from bamboo
SizesXS-XXL
Washing InstructionsUse colour-safe detergent in a warm machine wash. Tumble dry on low, do not bleach.
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3
Best unisex dressing gown

Hampton & Astley Unisex Zero Twist Cotton Towel Dresing Gown

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Unisex Zero Twist Cotton Towel Dresing Gown

Score: 90/100

Comfort is the raison d'être for homeware brand, Hampton and Astley, and that extends to its sleepwear range. This super soft robe is made from the brand’s bespoke thick-pile fabric, with a tightly woven fibre for maximum absorbency. The neatly stitched pockets and detachable belt are nice additions, as well as the little embroidered deer logo.

The fit does come up a little large as it’s a unisex robe, which some of our testers liked; others didn’t. We recommend sizing down if you prefer a closer fit, or to avoid your partner pinching it.

Key specifications

Material100% cotton zero twist yarn
SizesS/M, M/L, L/XL
Washing instructions40ºc wash and low heat tumble dry
4
Best for softness

Soak & Sleep Turkish Cotton Bathrobes

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Turkish Cotton Bathrobes

Score: 88/100

Waste no time and step out of your blissful bubble bath straight into this extra-cosy bathrobe. It’s made from a plush, soft, Turkish cotton, which means the fibres are combed before spinning, resulting in an extra soft-to-touch feel. It’s the perfect way to extend your zen, post-soak.

The long belt keeps it securely in place, and the well-positioned pockets are convenient for stashing your phone and snacks in. The shawl collar looks great and adds an extra layer of comfort, too.

Though some panel members thought it could be a little more absorbent, one tester said it was “hard to find much wrong with this robe”.

Key specifications

Material100% Turkish Cotton
SizesS/M, M/L, L/XL
Washing instructions30ºc-40ºc wash and a low heat tumble dry. Do not bleach.
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5
Best towelling dressing gown

The White Company Unisex Organic Cotton Hooded Ribbed

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Unisex Organic Cotton Hooded Ribbed

Score: 87/100

Everything about The White Company gives a luxury, five-star hotel vibe, including its gorgeously soft and fluffy towels, which scored an impressive 90/100 on our best bath towels test. With such glowing reviews, it was only right that we also put the brand’s bathrobe, which is made from that same hydrocotton fabric, through its paces.

Our testers loved the cosy and comfortable finish, which they enjoyed slipping into straight out of the shower. It also wasn’t affected by multiple washes, with minimum shrinkage. So, you don’t need to worry when the bright white sleeve inevitably ends up in your breakfast, or if the neckline becomes a little tinged from your makeup.

Its oversized, longer-length design did divide opinion – some felt it added to their comfort levels, but others found it slightly too big, especially if they were of a petite build. Overall, though, it kept our testers warm and cosy. We recommend adding a matching pair of pyjamas to complete the look.

Key specifications

MaterialPure organic cotton
SizesXS-XL
Washing instructionsMachine washable
6
Best dressing gown for colour range

Chelsea Peers Cotton Towelling Dressing Gown

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Cotton Towelling Dressing Gown

Score: 85/100

We love the wide range of colours and patterns this Chelsea Peers dressing gown comes in, which means you’ll certainly stand out from the crowd, even if is just within the confines of your living room. We’re big fans of the navy colourway, if anyone’s asking.

It did suffer from some colour fading by the fifth wash test, but this won’t be an issue if you opt for a classic white or are extra careful when tucking into your bowl of tomato pasta on the sofa. Despite this, it still scored well for design overall. “It’s not flash, and fairly demure in design but shouts quality”, said one tester.

Key specifications

Material100% cotton
Sizes:6-8, 10-12, 14-16
Washing instructionsTurn inside out and machine wash at up to 40ºc. Tumble dry on low, and do not bleach or iron.
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7
Best for pampering sessions

Dusk Monaco Plush Ribbed Cotton Robe

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Monaco Plush Ribbed Cotton Robe

Score: 84/100

Looking to add a little something special to your evening wind down routine? This is the bathrobe for you, according to our testers. It made them feel like they were in a fancy spa, but in the comfort of their own home.

We recommend wearing it while using one of our best foot spas or best facial steamers, for the ultimate pamper session. At under £45, this good-quality robe comes at a great price too.

Key specifications

Material100% cotton
SizesS-XL
Washing InstructionsMachine wash at 30ºc, can be tumble dried and ironed both at low temperatures
8
Best for travel

La Redoute Haxel 100% Cotton Bouclette Hooded Bath robe

UK Approved(Esquire,Red,HB,GH,Country Living,Prima)
Haxel 100% Cotton Bouclette Hooded Bath robe

Score: 81/00

For days when it's just too much to use a towel when you get out of the shower, this bathrobe is “nice to slip into if you’re feeling lazy”, according to one chilled-out tester. The added hood helped to dry wet hair, although one person said it could have been bigger.

Hood aside, it scored well for fit, with testers liking that they didn’t have to turn up the cuffs or deal with any excess material. Plus, if you become particularly emotionally attached to this bathrobe, it’s compact enough to slip into your weekend bag. One of our panellists said she packed it for a spa weekend, without it taking up too much room.

Key specifications

Material100% cotton
Sizes6/8, 10/12, 14/16, 18/20, 22/24
Washing instructionsMachine washable at 60ºc, tumble dry at medium temperature
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How we test dressing gowns

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We recruited a panel of testers to wear each dressing gown for a minimum of two weeks and give us detailed feedback on fit, design and comfort. We also asked them to assess the quality both pre- and post-washing.

In the lab, each dressing gown was measured and washed five times to assess any shrinkage. We also analysed stain-resistance against the usual culprits: tomato sauce, mustard, foundation, red wine, coffee and tea.

Finally, each one was examined with our DigiEye machine, which detects any colour fading during washing.

Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute

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At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts put thousands of products through rigorous testing every year to find the very best on the market, from the best mattress to the best hair dryers,

Kim Hawley, our sleep and wellness tester, was responsible for developing the rigorous protocols we reviewed each dressing gown against. She has over 30 years' experience in the wellness industry, working in leading fitness clubs across the UK.

Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, works closely with Kim and our testing team to create accurate, easy-to-understand reviews you can rely on. When she’s at home, she practically lives in her dressing gown, so knows the importance of finding a cosy, stain-resistant design.

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The verdict on dressing gowns

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Our winner, M&S’ Jersey Waffle Dressing Gown, took the top spot in terms of comfort. Testers loved how lightweight and breathable it was, while keeping them cosy and snug. It’s light on the purse too, coming in at under £30.

Another affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality is La Redoute’s Cotton Hooded Bath Robe. It’s made from a plush towelling material, which is great for stepping straight into when you’re fresh out the shower.

In a ‘treat yourself’ mood? Then look no further than Cozy Earth’s Luxe Bath Robe, a luxe, premium dressing gown that’s worth its price tag. We’re personally big fans of the striped colourway. You deserve it.

Headshot of Madeleine Evans
Madeleine Evans
Lifestyle Writer

Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.

When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.

Headshot of Blossom Boothroyd
Tested byBlossom Boothroyd
Homes Testing Manager

Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.  

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