Best men’s dressing gowns: cotton, towelling and waffle bathrobes

How many times has your other half paraded around in your bathrobe after a shower because they refuse to get one of their own? Or perhaps they're overly attached to a threadbare towelling dressing gown they’ve clung on to since their uni days, or a hotel-branded one that mysteriously arrived home in their suitcase. If so, then it's definitely time for an upgrade to one of this year's best men's dressing gowns.

Not only do they make a luxurious gift, but the best dressing gowns for men are practical too. With winter on its way and heating bills remaining high, many of us are looking for ways to ward off the cold and keep the thermostat down as much as possible. From insulating doors and windows with the best draught excluder to snuggling up with the cosiest heated throw and kitting little ones out with a kids' blanket hoodie, Mumsnet users have been sharing their favourite products on the forums that keep them warm at home – including the best men's dressing gowns.

We've rounded up the cosiest, warmest men's dressing gowns you can buy today, including plenty of tried-and-tested recommendations from the Mumsnet forums, the biggest online network of UK parents. We’ve also scrutinised wider consumer reviews to ensure the dressing gowns on our list are guaranteed to keep you comfortable all winter long. If you want suggestions for cosy gifts for women too, fear not - we’ve got you covered with our guides to the best winter coats for women and the best women's dressing gowns too.

Best men’s dressing gowns UK: at a glance

• Best men's dressing gown overall: M&S Collection Pure Cotton Towelling Dressing Gown, £55

• Best budget men's dressing gown: Michael Paul Fleece Dressing Gown, from £12

• Best men's terry dressing gown: Lands' End Men's Turkish Terry Bath Robe, £65

• Best men's designer dressing gown: Polo Ralph Lauren Navy Fleece 100% Cotton Terry Robe, £135

• Best men's dressing gown for softness: John Lewis Sheared Fleece Robe, £50

What’s the best material for a dressing gown?

For bathrobes, look for something that can withstand regular washing - all the robes on our list can be popped in the washing machine to quickly freshen them up when required.

Fleecy finishes will almost always be made from man-made fibres but will offer significant softness and warmth, although to restore that as new fluffiness, you might need to blast it in the tumble dryer after washing. 

Is there a difference between a dressing gown and a bathrobe?

Traditionally, a bathrobe is for slipping on a damp body after a bath or shower, while a dressing gown is for wearing over pyjamas to preserve modesty and provide warmth around the house. But both can be used in the same way. Just figure out the fabric and style that works best for what you intend to wear it for.

How we chose the best men's dressing gown

Because we know that there’s nothing like an authentic recommendation from a real person, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what type of men’s dressing gowns Mumsnet users had bought. We checked out the types they recommended for being warm, and focused on the ones that washed well, were comfy, and offered good value for money.

We then did some research across the wider web, looking at which dressing gowns and bathrobes had won accolades or been featured in ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what verified customer reviews said about them.

Having collated all that information, we picked the best men's dressing gowns and robes we thought would make the top buys.

About the author 

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.

Originally from a HR background with a degree in Business Studies, Lucy developed a real passion for blogging and writing when her children were young, going on to write for several online publications including US parenting site Pregistry and the Evening Standard. When she’s not manically tapping the keys of her laptop, Lucy loves nothing more than to cosy up with her Kindle and enjoy the latest thriller, or compete in Nintendo Switch rallies with her daughters aged six and 10.

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