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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Brawny Tear-A-Square is the best overall paper towel in Serious Eats’ 2026 comparison, which reported that it absorbed the most water among the rolls tested and handled scrubbing well. Bounty Quick Size is the plush alternative, Viva Multi-Surface suits sticky messes, and Kirkland Signature was the review’s value pick. The right choice depends on what you clean and how much space you have—not just the number of sheets on a package.
Which paper towels came out on top?
These picks come from Zola Gregory’s head-to-head review for Serious Eats, published January 27, 2026. The rankings reflect that review’s tests, not a universal consensus or a standardized industry rating. The publication also discloses that it may receive compensation from links on its page.
| Pick | Best for | What the review found |
|---|---|---|
| Brawny Tear-A-Square | Best overall | Most absorbent in the reported tests; textured and effective for scrubbing. |
| Bounty Quick Size | Plush feel | Soft, thick, and durable; close to Brawny for scrubbing, but somewhat less absorbent. |
| Viva Multi-Surface | Sticky messes | Textured surface helped with scrubbing, though it was less plush and absorbent than the other winners. |
| Kirkland Signature | Value | More sheets per roll in the review’s listed package, but sold in a twelve-pack that can take up storage space. |
How the review compared the towels
Gregory compared ten popular rolls. The review describes tests of tearing sheets from a holder, including single- and multi-sheet tears; immersing one sheet in a cup of water and weighing the remaining water to estimate absorption; wiping salted ketchup from counters and stovetops; scrubbing dried ketchup from a warm stovetop; and drying a wine glass while checking for saturation and residue. The finalist rolls were also used for two days and weighed before and after. These are the author’s reported methods and results, not a standardized test protocol.
Gregory’s general yardstick was: “The best paper towels are soft, thick, and absorbent, with an embossed texture on the surface for added scrubbing power.” Which quality matters most depends on the job: absorbency helps with spills, texture with stuck-on food, and softness with hand drying.
Best overall: Brawny Tear-A-Square
Brawny is the strongest all-round choice in the review. It was reported as the most absorbent tested towel, and its texture helped scrub stuck-on messes. A Brawny half-sheet absorbed more than 30 grams of water in the Serious Eats test; that figure is a result from this particular review, not a universal product specification. The review also described the towel as durable and noted that the roll offers half- and quarter-sheet options, which can help avoid using a full sheet for a small task.
#1 Best Overall
- WHAT’S INCLUDED — 6 Double Rolls of Scott Paper Towels, 108 sheets per roll (6 double rolls = 12 regular rolls)
- GET THE JOB DONE FAST — Each paper towel has deep-cleaning ridges for fast and easy cleaning
- VIRTUALLY LINT FREE — Scott leaves surfaces virtually lint free for a simple, efficient clean
- EVERYDAY CLEANING — Scott Choose-A-Sheet allows you to choose the right sheet size for any task
- FOR WHEN LIFE GETS MESSY — Whatever mess life throws at you, you can count on Scott for a clean you can trust
Serious Eats listed 114 sheets per roll and a price of $3.14 per roll when the review was published in 2026. Those are dated figures, and package sizes and prices may change. Check the current product listing and compare cost alongside sheet dimensions and how many sheets a typical task takes.
Best plush option: Bounty Quick Size
Choose Bounty if softness and thickness matter more to you than getting the highest reported absorption. Gregory described it as soft, thick, and durable; it came close to Brawny for scrubbing in the reported tests, while absorbing somewhat less. The review listed 107 sheets per family-sized roll and $3.05 per roll at publication time in 2026. Those historical figures are not a current price quote, and the roll-size label alone does not establish how much usable towel you get.
Rank #2
- FAMILY TRIPLE ROLLS: Each pack contains 8 Family Triple Rolls of Bounty white Quick-Size paper towels, equivalent to 27+ regular rolls, ensuring you’re well-stocked for all your cleaning needs.
- SUPERIOR SHEET COUNT: With 4 packs of 2 Family Triple Rolls, these paper towels offer more sheets for more tasks, providing excellent value compared to Bounty Triple.
- QUICK SIZE CONVENIENCE: Designed with quick size sheets, these paper towels tear easily for handling messes big and small, outperforming the leading ordinary brand in versatility and efficiency.
- HIGHLY ABSORBENT: These paper towels are 2X more absorbent than the US leading ordinary brand, allowing you to use less and achieve more, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice.
- AWARD-WINNING PERFORMANCE: Bounty is the most awarded paper towel brand, recognized by online media for outstanding performance over the past 8 years.
Best for textured scrubbing: Viva Multi-Surface
Viva’s textured surface made it a useful option for sticky messes in the review. It was less plush and absorbent than the other winning towels, and the reviewer found it somewhat scratchy for drying hands. It is therefore a more targeted choice: its texture may suit cleanup better than tasks where softness against skin is the priority.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallValue pick: Kirkland Signature
Kirkland Signature was the review’s value pick. Serious Eats listed 160 sheets per roll and a price of $1.99 per roll at the time of publication in 2026. These are article-era figures, not verified current prices; check the present package and listing before comparing. The review said the towels come in a twelve-pack, which may be awkward if cupboard or closet space is limited.
A lower price per roll or a higher sheet count does not automatically mean a lower cost per cleanup. Sheet dimensions, absorbency, and how many sheets a task requires all affect the comparison.
Rank #3
- BUDGET-FRIENDLY VALUE: Strength for everyday messes at a price that fits your budget.
- PICK-A-SIZE SHEETS: Choose full or half sheets so you only use what you need, helping reduce waste.
- STAY ON TOP OF MESSES: Lock in messes and absorb liquids quickly for fast, easy cleanups. Ideal for your kitchen, dining table, car or craft room
- ROLLS THAT LAST: 110 2-ply sheets per roll—equal to 12 Regular Rolls for fewer roll changes.
- MADE FOR BUSY FAMILIES: Great paper towel rolls for everything from quick cleanups to craft time and everyday household tasks.
How to compare paper towels without being misled by roll labels
Terms such as “double,” “triple,” and “giant” are not consistent from brand to brand, according to the Serious Eats review. Instead of treating a roll-size label as a standardized measure, compare the package details that matter for your household:
- Sheet count and dimensions: A roll with more sheets may have smaller sheets. Check both figures where the package provides them.
- Sheet-size options: Half- or quarter-sheet perforations can make it easier to use only what a small spill needs.
- Absorbency and durability: A less absorbent towel may take more sheets to finish a job, reducing the value suggested by its package count.
- Package size: A bulk pack can make sense only if you have somewhere to store it.
- Current price: Compare current listings rather than relying on prices quoted in a review published in 2026.
Can you reduce disposable paper-towel use?
For readers who want to use fewer disposable towels, the Serious Eats article suggests reusable paper towels, Swedish dishcloths, and fabric dish towels. It says paper towels are generally compostable when they have not been used with harsh chemical cleaners, and advises against backyard composting towels that contacted meat, dairy, or fat. Composting rules and facility acceptance can vary, so check local guidance before putting used towels in a compost bin.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Pack contains 2 Triple Rolls of white Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels
- 2 Triple Rolls = 6 Regular Rolls
- Select-A-Size sheets help you customize how much to use for each task
- Picks up spills and messes quicker vs. leading ordinary brand
- More absorbent so you can use less vs. leading ordinary brand
Rank #4
- Pack contains 8 Triple Rolls of white Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels
- 8 Triple Rolls = 24 Regular Rolls
- Select-A-Size sheets help you customize how much to use for each task
- Picks up spills and messes quicker vs. leading ordinary brand
- More absorbent so you can use less vs. leading ordinary brand
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
