The best men's dressing gowns
Hooded fleece for dark mornings, cotton towelling for after a shower, or a light waffle robe for summer: five men’s dressing gowns, compared on fabric, hood and washing.
Fabric decides most of it. Three of these five are fleece, which is polyester by design: Malden Mills in Massachusetts developed it in 1979 as a light, warm alternative to wool, and chose not to patent it, which is why it’s now everywhere from walking jackets to dressing gowns. Cotton towelling soaks up water like a bath towel, so it’s the one to wear straight from the shower, and a cotton-blend waffle robe is light enough for summer.
Then it’s the cut. A hood keeps the chill off on cold mornings, while a shawl collar looks smarter and lies flat. Sizing is what owners argue about most, so the notes below say where a gown runs small or generous, and the washing row shows how each one likes to be cared for.
What matters
- Fabric: fleece for warmth, cotton towelling for drying off, waffle for a light layer.
- A hood for cold mornings, or a shawl collar that sits flat.
- Sizing: check the range, as some run small and others generous.
- Washing: all go in the machine, but not all in the tumble dryer.
#1 of 5
Best overall
SnuggleME Hooded Snuggle Fleece Dressing Gown
£10–£20 Price range
A soft, snuggly hooded fleece for cold, dark mornings: the hood keeps the chill off, and with a tie belt and two pockets it’s easy to live in on a lazy weekend.
What owners say: Owners find it soft and comfortable, especially on winter nights, like the look of the hood, and think it’s good value.
Heads up: Sizes go by chest measurement and some find it snug, so if you’re between two sizes, take the larger.
A closer look: Cut to the knee, it’s quick to throw on and easy to move about in, with nothing trailing on the stairs. The belt ties wherever feels comfortable rather than at a fixed point, and the whole gown goes in the washing machine with the rest of the laundry.
- Polyester snuggle fleece
- Hood
- Two pockets and a tie belt
- Sizes M to 3XL (42–52in chest)
- Machine washable
Best for: Warmth on cold mornings
- Fabric
- Polyester fleece
- Hood
- Yes
- Washing
- Machine wash
#2 of 5
Best premium
Tokyo Laundry Domas Fleece Dressing Gown
£39.99 RRP
Navy fleece with a plaid check trim on the shawl collar, pockets and belt, which makes it look smarter than a plain gown, in a longline cut that keeps more of the legs covered.
What owners say: Owners find it soft, comfortable and well made, say it’s great on cold mornings, and think it looks more expensive than it is.
A closer look: Dry it on a hanger rather than in the tumble dryer, as Tokyo Laundry advises, and the fleece keeps its soft finish. The cut is on the generous side, so anyone between two sizes can usually take the smaller one.
- Polyester fleece
- Shawl collar with check trim
- Longline cut
- Belt with belt loops
- Sizes M to XL
Best for: A smarter look
- Fabric
- Polyester fleece
- Hood
- No
- Washing
- Machine wash, no tumble dryer
#3 of 5
NY Threads Shawl Collar Fleece Dressing Gown
£10–£20 Price range
Fluffy coral fleece with a classic V-shaped shawl collar, warm without much weight, and two front pockets big enough to bury cold hands in.
What owners say: Owners love how soft and fluffy it is, find it roomy and warm without being heavy, and rate it as excellent value.
A closer look: Skip the fabric softener and the iron, both of which NY Threads says to avoid, and a cold wash with a low tumble keeps the pile fluffy. Taller men sometimes find it on the short side and may prefer the longline Tokyo Laundry.
- Polyester coral fleece
- Shawl collar
- Two large front pockets
- Double-stitched seams
- Adjustable wrap belt
Best for: Light, fluffy warmth
- Fabric
- Polyester coral fleece
- Hood
- No
- Washing
- Cold wash, low tumble dry
#4 of 5
Best for after a shower
Adore Home Cotton Towelling Shawl Collar Bathrobe
£17.99 RRP
Heavy 100% combed cotton towelling that works like a bath towel, so it goes on straight from the shower, with a classic shawl collar and two deep side pockets.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality and good value, like the fit and the colour, which holds up in the wash, and say the pockets are deep enough for a phone.
A closer look: Hang it on the back of the bathroom door and it’s ready the moment you step out of the shower, with no need to dry off first. Adore Home makes the same robe with a hood too, and in a long run of colours from white and cream to burgundy and teal.
- 100% combed cotton towelling
- Shawl collar
- Two deep side pockets
- Tie belt
- Sizes S to 3XL
Best for: After a bath or shower
- Fabric
- Cotton towelling
- Hood
- No
- Washing
- Machine wash
#5 of 5
Best lightweight
Amazon Essentials Lightweight Waffle Robe
£20–£30 Price range
A light, breathable cotton-blend waffle robe for when fleece is too warm: over pyjamas on summer mornings, after a shower, or by the pool on holiday.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality, light and comfortable, think it’s great value, and say it looks more expensive than it is.
A closer look: Sizes come in pairs, such as M–L, and the fit is relaxed, so anyone between two can usually go for the smaller pair. The inside tie holds the front closed before the outer belt goes on, and it takes a warm wash and a low tumble.
- 60% cotton waffle knit
- Mid-length
- Inside tie plus outer belt
- Front patch pockets
- Big & Tall sizes available
Best for: Summer and holidays
- Fabric
- Cotton-poly waffle
- Hood
- No
- Washing
- Warm wash, low tumble dry
How they compare
| Feature | #1SnuggleME hooded | #2Tokyo Laundry Domas | #3NY Threads shawl collar | #4Adore Home towelling | #5Amazon Essentials waffle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best for after a shower | Best lightweight | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £39.99 RRP | £10–£20 Price range | £17.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range |
| Fabric | Polyester fleece | Polyester fleece | Polyester coral fleece | Cotton towelling | Cotton-poly waffle |
| Hood | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Washing | Machine wash | Machine wash, no tumble dryer | Cold wash, low tumble dry | Machine wash | Warm wash, low tumble dry |
| Best for | Warmth on cold mornings | A smarter look | Light, fluffy warmth | After a bath or shower | Summer and holidays |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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