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6 Best Paper Towels, Tested by Our Experts

We evaluated six popular products, including Bounty and Brawny. These were the best at cleaning up wet messes.

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3 paper towels against a blue background
We set out to find out which paper towels are worth your money by conducting several tests—such as those for strength and absorbency—in our lab.
Photo: Kathryn Marx/Consumer Reports

Just like sponges and multipurpose cleaners, paper towels are an essential household item.

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More on Cleaning

Whether you’re cleaning up spills or messes, you want a paper towel that is strong and absorbent. But with so many options lining grocery store shelves, which ones actually deliver the best clean-up power for the price?

To answer that question, we evaluated six of the most popular paper towels in our lab. Some of the qualities we considered were how much water they absorb, whether they were reusable, and how well they could pick up simulated vomit—thick, chunky oatmeal. (Prices below are based on those at publication time.)

Best Everyday Essentials

Dish soaps, grout cleaners, upholstery cleaners, and other cleaning products are among the household basics that can make your days easier, more comfortable, and safer.

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We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


Jodhaira Rodriguez

Jodhaira Rodriguez is a senior multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports. Before joining CR, she tested and wrote about cleaning and organizing products and major appliances like washing machines and dishwashers at Good Housekeeping. In her free time, you’ll find her reading, listening to true crime podcasts, or working on her latest hobby of the month.