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Best men’s dressing gowns: cotton, towelling and waffle bathrobes
Looking to upgrade a threadbare robe or splash out on a luxury dressing gown for the man in your life? Help them stay warm, comfy, dry and snug in our pick of the best dressing gowns for men.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Dec 20, 2023
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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 the 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
100% cotton
Luxurious feel
Absorbent
Two large pockets
No hood
RRP: £55 | Fabric: 100% cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: Small to 2XL (two lengths)
A clear winner of our overall best dressing gown for men, this 100% cotton towelling robe has a classic design that will appeal to men of all ages - whether that’s your teenage son, your partner, or the father figure in your life.
Available in a wide range of sizes and two different lengths (regular and long), Mumsnet fans rate this dressing gown for its weight and snug factor, with a soft and cosy feel perfect for snuggling up on colder days. While it doesn’t have a hood, we love the contrast shawl neck on the blue design. It’s also absorbent enough to be worn straight from the shower without shedding or leaving fibres on damp skin.
Related: The best heated gloves for frosty days
Soft and snuggly fabric
Affordable
Wide range of sizes and colours
Some reviewers reported poor-quality fabric
Thinner than cotton designs
RRP: £21 | Fabric: Polyester | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: Medium to 5XL
If you’re after a dressing gown with an affordable price tag, they don’t come much more budget-friendly than this hooded dressing gown from Michael Paul. Available in a huge range of colours from classic grey to bold burgundy, this brand also offers a wider variety of sizes than most gowns and robes, with options up to 5XL.
While the polyester fabric is thinner than some traditional cotton or towelling dressing gowns, reviewers rate its warmth, washability and super-soft fleece material. With a generously sized hood and deep front pockets, it’s ideal for lounging around in on lazy Sunday mornings - just add a hot water bottle for the chilliest days.
Choice of four colours
Absorbent enough to use straight out of the shower
Two large front pockets
Super-soft Turkish cotton
No hood
Heavyweight
RRP: £57 | Fabric: Turkish cotton towelling | Machine washable: Yes | Sizes available: UK 34-36 - UK 50-52 (Small to 2XL)
If your man’s after a traditional robe-style dressing gown that can be worn straight from the shower, this super-soft Turkish terry towelling bathrobe could be just the ticket. With a heavyweight, luxurious design, it’s super absorbent and generously sized and comes in a choice of four classic shades from ‘rich steel’ to our personal favourite ‘aged wine’.
We love that these robes can even be personalised with monogrammed initials when buying as a gift. There’s no hood on this design, however, and you’ll need to check the sizes carefully to ensure the right fit.
Related: The best electric blankets for keeping cosy and warm
Variety of colours
Good range of sizes
Soft 100% cotton
Large hood
Reviewers found this design does shed initially
RRP: £49 | Fabric: 100% cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: M, L and XL
Made by Bassetti, a luxury Italian home furnishings brand, this stylish robe is rated for its quality, fit and washability.
Crafted from 100% cotton, this soft and absorbent robe comes in seven different colourways with a large hood for extra coverage on cold mornings. With a spa-like design, it’s ideal for wearing after swimming or taking a dip in a hot tub.
Related: The best women's slippers according to Mumsnetters
Polo Ralph Lauren Shawl Collar Robe
Luxurious 100% cotton
Practical colour choice
Large oversized pockets
Subtle branding
No hood
Costly
RRP: £115 | Material: 100% cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: S-M or L-XL
If you’re prepared to splash the cash for a designer dressing gown or are buying a gift for a special occasion, this 100% cotton Ralph Lauren robe is a stylish and luxurious option.
With a subtle embroidered pony logo on the chest, a shawl collar and two oversized patch pockets, it offers a relaxing and comfortable fit for duvet days and late nights in front of the sofa.
Good quality
Longer length
Lighter than some other cotton designs
Hood
Larger sizes are pricey
RRP: From £55 | Fabric: 100% cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: Small to XL
German heritage brand Schiesser is renowned for their high-quality underwear and nightwear, and this 100% cotton terry robe is no exception. Ideal for slipping on straight from the bath or shower, it delivers the ideal combination of warmth and cosiness and is super comfortable to wear around the house.
The longer length offers excellent coverage for the winter months, whilst the relatively lightweight style means your DH is less likely to overheat on milder days, especially in comparison to wearing a bulky blanket hoodie.
Lightweight
Great for travel
Stylish
Not as thick and cosy as others
RRP: £40 | Fabric: Cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: Medium to 2XL
Weighing in at just 600 grams, this lightweight kimono-style robe is ideal for use during the summer months or as a more breathable option to wear around the home. Folding compact and flat, it’s also great for popping in your suitcase for holidays and travel.
Made from 100% waffle-texture cotton, this machine-washable dressing gown air dries quickly, but is also safe to pop in the tumble dryer if they can’t wait to slip it back on!
Related: The best heated gilets according to Mumsnetters
Great range of colours
Super-soft material
Two large pockets
Polyester fabric
RRP: £45 | Fabric: 100% polyester | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: S, M, L and XL
This sheared fleece dressing gown from John Lewis comes in a choice of three classic shades including grey, navy and a traditional forest green.
Despite being made from 100% polyester, it has a really cosy and velvety feel that is super soft to the touch and gentle on the skin - ideal for snuggling into after a day outside in the cold. With two large pockets to the front, it makes the ideal accompaniment to movie nights and lazy mornings, with plenty of space to stash snacks, the remote control, or even a hand warmer on the frostiest of days.
Good range of sizing
Unisex
Classic robe design
Cosy hood
Pricey
RRP: £85 | Fabric: 100% cotton | Machine washable: Yes | Size range: XS to XL
The White Company’s unisex hooded robe is a luxury dressing gown that Mumsnet users rave about across the forums.
Beautifully cut, with a generous oversized fit, it’s made from the brand's innovative ‘hydrocotton’ material, which is thicker and softer to the touch than regular cotton. While it may not be the most practical colour for everyday use, it's moisture-wicking - perfect to wrap up in after a bath or shower.
Related: Discover the best thermal underwear for women
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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