We Tested The 12 Best Women's Robes To Find The Coziest Options For Winter

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Samantha Crozier, Gabrielle Chase, Connie Chen

The best robes for women are essential for those everyday moments when comfort is a must. Whether you're stepping out of the shower and need something cozy to slip into, or answering the door to accept that Amazon package while still in your pajamas, a great robe has you covered.

We've scoured the market to bring you the top women's bathrobes that check all the boxes for style, softness, and practicality. From plush, spa-worthy robes that are great for dilly-dallying post-shower, to super-soft fleece and luxe cashmere options perfect for chilly mornings, these robes will keep you feeling relaxed and pampered all day long.

If you're shopping for more luxury loungewear to gift this holiday season, check out our guides to the best women's slippers, the best pajamas for women, and the best silk pajamas. There you'll find more ways to create the ultimate cozy ensemble.

The top 4 women's robes we tested:

Best overall: Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Robe

Connie Chen/Business Insider

Pros: Not too heavy or too light, can be worn right out of the shower, streamlined fit

Cons: The shawl collar is thick, so it might not be suitable for the summer months

The Parachute bathrobe is not only the softest of all the best robes for women we tested made from 100% cotton, but it's also slightly fluffy and absorbent like a towel. It's made from long-staple Turkish cotton, which is exceptionally durable, and it has a 400 GSM (grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight). That's a middle-of-the-road weight — not the most lightweight and cool, but not heavy and stifling, either.

And if you're not in the mood to towel off, you can put this robe on directly after a shower and it'll do the same job.

Best long: Luxome Resort Bath Robe

Samantha Crozier

Pros: Absorbent interior and plush exterior, extra modesty loop for chest coverage

Cons: Heavyweight material

If luxury is at the top of your priority list, this is the bathrobe for you. It's long enough that it hits the top of my foot on my five-foot-one frame, but if you're taller it will hit somewhere between the ankles and the knee. 

My favorite feature of this robe is the different materials on the interior and the exterior. On the inside, it is lined with absorbent terry cloth so that you can wear it right out of the shower. But on the outside, it's plush like a really soft blanket. So you get the best of both worlds.

This robe from Luxome is absolutely made for lazy days when you get out of the shower and dawdle for hours before putting on real clothes. — Samantha Crozier, style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews 

Best waffle: Coyuchi Unisex Organic Waffle Robe

Connie Chen/Insider

Pros: Made with breathable cotton, so it's lightweight and has a comfortable texture

Cons: Shrinks slightly after the first wash, wide sleeves may be impractical, must size up

If the first thing you do after checking into a hotel is hit the spa, then this waffle robe will transport you there. 

Together, the soft organic cotton and textured weave of the Coyuchi Organic Waffle Robe provide airy, cool, and non-slippery coverage. Your waist tie won't come undone and there are large front pockets to hold small, light items like lip balm. Unfortunately, they're not thick enough to carry smartphones without being dragged down by the weight. The sleeves are wide and can get in the way of tasks, but you can cuff them.

The robe is absorbent, though not as much as our cotton terry top pick. For those who run hot but still want to dry off, it's among the more light, attractive, and comfortable versions of the best robes for women.

Best lightweight: Natori Shangri-la Robe

Connie Chen/Insider

Pros: The jersey fabric is lightweight and easy to launder

Cons: Belongings fall out of side pockets, more close-fitting than other picks

Natori's robe is hands-down the softest and most comfortable lightweight option out of all the best robes for women we tried. If you don't like the other specialty fabrics mentioned above, chances are modal jersey will win you over, the slightly stretchy material is commonly used to make underwear and loungewear.

While the pockets are sizable, they're located on the sides rather than the front, so bigger items like smartphones may fall out. If you stick to smaller belongings, you should be fine. 

Best cooling: Dagsmejan Kimono

Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Pros: Smooth, cool-to-the-touch fabric, quick to dry, tagless

Cons: Wash with cold water and air dry only, comes in just one size

If you tend to wake up sweaty or you like to cool down after a hot shower, slipping into this kimono-style robe feels like a breath of fresh air. At first touch, the fabric is cool and slippery. It looks like any other poly blend, but it's made from a combination of eucalyptus fibers and elastane, which is smoother than silk, lighter than linen, and more moisture-wicking than cotton.

I tested this robe alongside the best cooling pajamas, and it did its job of regulating my body temperature. Besides that, though, I recommend this robe because of how soft and lightweight it feels against my skin. It has spacious pockets, a relaxed and flowy fit, and three-quarter sleeves that make it practical to wear while I'm preparing breakfast. —Gabrielle Chase, associate style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews

Best linen: Rough Linen St. Barts Linen Robe

Connie Chen/Insider

Pros: Highly breathable, cool-to-the-touch, super wearable

Cons: Wrinkles easily, not as soft as cotton

This Rough Linen robe was my favorite robe to wear while working and doing household tasks because it felt like the perfect middle ground — it wasn't so luxurious that it enticed me to lay down in bed, but it wasn't exactly something I'd wear in the outside world, either. 

Linen naturally wrinkles, and it's especially apparent with lighter colors. If you're not a fan of the rumpled look but still like the feel of linen, the robe is available in three darker shades (gray, navy, and black) that partially camouflage the wrinkles. It's also best to take the robe out of the dryer while it's still a little damp, so you can smooth out unwanted wrinkles by hand.

Best silk: Kim+Ono Kiku Kimono

Connie Chen/Insider

Pros: Luxurious fabric, one-of-a-kind artwork

Cons: Wrinkles easily, dry clean only

The site offers a large variety of beautiful designs to choose from, including cherry blossoms and cranes. Just keep in mind that all of Kim + Ono's designs are dry clean only, and the silk creases and wrinkles easily; you'll need to steam or iron your robe on the warm setting to maintain its sleek, pristine appearance.

After I stopped admiring the robe to actually put it on, it felt very cool, glossy, and slippery. In addition to an exterior waist tie, there's a thin interior waist tie to help keep everything secure. The robe only comes in one size, and on me, it fell all the way to my ankles. If you're petite, I'd recommend buying one of Kim + Ono's short robes instead. 

Best monogrammed: Crane & Canopy Plush Cotton Bathrobe

Samantha Crozier/Insider

Pros: Thick and absorbent, spa-like feel, monogramming

Cons: Unisex fit, so can run large

This Crane & Canopy robe feels like something you'd don with cucumbers on your eyes and a clay mask on your face. It's luxuriously soft and made of rich Turkish cotton. The plush cotton makes it even softer than similar robes made of terry cloth, which I loved. Plus, it has huge pockets. 

But perhaps my favorite part of the robe is the option for monogramming. It will cost you an extra $10, but it's the perfect touch if you're giving this as a present. You can choose from a bunch of different fonts and thread colors for the monogram, but the robe itself is only available in white, gray, and light gray.  — Samantha Crozier, style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews

Best for lounging: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Robe

The Quince cashmere robe in black.

Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider

Pros: Warm and soft, great price for cashmere

Cons: Light shedding upon first wear, non-absorbent material

The Quince 100% Mongolian cashmere robe has a basic kimono design with a waist tie closure and two front patch pockets. The material is beautifully soft, and feels insulating despite being thin. I styled it over a cami and sleep shorts, and still felt warm enough on a chilly fall morning. It can even easily pass as a long cardigan if you take out its belt. 

Shedding is natural with new cashmere, and because I chose black, it was immediately noticeable on my first wear. But after a few wears, the excess fibers thinned out and it was smooth enough to wear on bare skin.  —Gabrielle Chase, associate style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews

Read more in our full Quince cashmere review.

Coziest: Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Robe

Barefoot Dreams

Pros: Feels like a warm blanket

Cons: Might be too warm for some, non-absorbent material

Barefoot Dreams is the ultimate place to find the coziest blankets and throws around. Their signature plush microfiber material is famous for its softness and warmth. But the only thing better than getting under a cozy blanket is actually wearing that cozy blanket wherever you go.

Made from the same material as their famous blankets, this robe is the ultimate plush companion. You can feel the quality from the first touch; we guarantee you won't want to take it off. This robe also makes the perfect gift for a loved one.  

Best printed: MASONgrey Kaia Kimono Robe

MASONgrey

This robe is a true lounge robe. If you're like me and you love to sit around in a robe but often find that bathrobes get too bulky and warm once you've dried off, then this is the perfect solution.

MASONgrey's Kaia Kimono Robe is a chic, comfy dream. I wear it after an evening shower before bed or throw it over a pajama set if I get a little cold.

It's also incredibly wearable. It won't get in the way while you make coffee or brush your teeth. And if you want it to be even more streamlined for practical use, you can get the same robe with banded cuffs so that your sleeves are always under control. — Samantha Crozier, style & beauty editor, Insider Reviews.

Best flannel: L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe

LL Bean

Pros: Cozy while not being bulky, comes in multiple lengths

Cons: Picks up lint and pet hair easily, may pill after lots of use

This flannel number from L.L.Bean is an internet favorite among the best robes for women thanks to its classic plaid prints, long-lasting cotton fabric, and a relaxed fit that lets you wrap yourself up into a cozy bundle. Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has owned the robe for more than a year and loves it. As someone who runs cold, she appreciates not only the warmth but the fact that the fabric isn't stiflingly thick (a common problem with winter robes). 

Like most flannel garments, the robe, unfortunately, is a magnet for stray bits of fuzz and pet hair, so cuddle with your pets at your own risk. It's also worth noting that L.L.Bean offers a wider spectrum of sizes than the other brands in this guide, from regular and petite (both available in XS-XL) to plus (1X-3X).

How we tested bathrobes

To find the top picks, we tested each robe by wearing them in everyday life. We wanted to feature robes that are soft but not too hot, plush but not unwieldy, and loose but not schleppy.

We wore each of these robes while making coffee, doing dishes, lounging on the couch, and working at the desk. Then, we laundered each one to see if the robes held up.

We also evaluated practical features like pockets and hanging loops to ensure they meet all your comfort and convenience needs. And we tested mostly all of them congruently, so we could directly compare them.

What should I look for in a bathrobe?

Parachute

There are plenty of features to consider as you shop for the best robe, including style, fabric, breathability, and durability.

A kimono-style design is the standard. "Kimono robes offer a classic tailored fit, with wrist-length sleeves, and have a streamlined flat collar," says Rosy Nuboer, a romance planner at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Aruba. In other words, you can personalize a kimono-style robe's measurements via its waist tie, but you'll still have enough freedom of movement for tasks like putting on makeup, brewing coffee, or picking up the morning paper.

We like pockets as much as anyone, but certain pockets work better on robes than others. For example, we like robes with patch pockets because you can drop things in and they stay put. Side seam pockets instead leave an opening at the hip for them to fall out.

When it comes to material, plush cotton terry allows you to skip toweling off post-shower, while less absorbent fabrics like waffle weave or silk require you to pat-down first. The material also affects the warmth and breathability of a robe, as well as how it holds up after going through the washer and dryer.