I Tested 18 Cloth Napkins to Find Ones That Are Fancy, Functional, and Dinner-Party-Worthy

There isn’t much that I love more than a cloth napkin. You may think I’m exaggerating, but then, you haven’t seen my linen closet. I adore cloth napkins. I swoon over them. I compulsively buy new sets, even though I’ve already got a dozen in regular rotation. They’re an easy way to add personality to a dinner table, and because I have napkins in different colors and patterns, I can switch things up to keep with the season, formality level, or just my mood. 

You may also think that 12 sets of napkins is enough napkins, or perhaps too many. But you are wrong: I need more. I’m perpetually on the hunt for the best—the perfect—cloth napkin, so I ordered 18 more sets and put them to the test. I found six winners that’ll look smart on any table, no matter how many you already own. 

The Winners, at a Glance

These two-toned napkins cost less than $10 each. Available in a handful of colors, they washed well and felt soft but durable in my hands. 

These luxuriously thick napkins are indisputably well-made, and they subtly elevated my table setting with their moody, chic Cypress hue. (Coyuchi offers a few other colors, including Blue Jay and Rust.) They’re pricey, but I’d be shocked if they don’t last for years. 

These napkins are very well made, with thick, smooth hems that withstood multiple washings. True to their name, they’re pleasantly smooth and soft.

At less than $2 a napkin, I wasn’t expecting much out of these. But the addition of polyester made these cotton-blend napkins refreshingly unfussy. They’re ideal for messy meals or households where napkins tend to turn into paper towels and dish rags. 

These napkins are a super deal. They cost about $1 a napkin, and although they won’t win any style awards—they’re plain white with simple hems— they did what they were supposed to and held up well to multiple washes.

These soft, lightweight napkins are made from flour sack cotton and printed with four different flower seedling pictures. They’ll stain and shrink a bit, but you’ll love them all the same. They’re just that pretty.

The Tests

• Craftsmanship Test: After taking the measurements and weights of the napkins and inspecting them for imperfections, I folded each one, as if I were preparing to set a table. I noted how well the napkins laid when folded, and if any edges flopped, or did not meet up. (Disproportionately long sides are a sign of poor manufacturing.)
• Dinner Test: I used each napkin throughout a meal, unfolding it on my lap and placing it on the table next to my plate. I wiped my hands and mouth with the napkin as needed, observing how absorbent it was.
• Staining Test: I smeared half a teaspoon of ketchup on each napkin and let them all sit for three hours. I washed them according to their care instructions and noted how each fared. I paid attention not just to residual staining, but also to any frayed edges, extreme shrinking, or unraveled seams.
• General Use and Care Test: After declaring the top contenders, I used them for three days during meals and when eating snacks. I washed them all again to determine how well they held up with regular use. Finally, I re-measured and re-weighed the napkins to observe how much they shrank and if they shed a lot of material after washing and drying.

What We Learned

Linen Was Higher Maintenance and Higher Cost

If you want a cloth napkin you can use and wash without a care, a polyester blend is the ticket. The Ruvanti napkins are 60% cotton and 40% polyester, and a little poly kept wrinkles at bay and was more stain-resistant. Linen was by far the worst culprit when it came to washing; the Sangeet napkins from Citizenry and Quince European linen napkins were horribly stained after my ketchup test. 

If you own linen sheets or clothing, you know that linen is also prone to wrinkling. In some cases, this made the napkins look messy and crinkled. The Sangeet napkins, in particular, wrinkled so much that I had a hard time flattening them with an iron. Although the Rough Linen Smooth Linen napkins wrinkled, the wide hem and tight weave made them look charmingly dishelved rather than unpresentable. All that said, polyester-blended napkins are more prone to pilling in the washer and dryer, due to their shorter fibers. Linen napkins tend to be more expensive than polyester blends. It's a trade-off.

What’s the Ideal Weight for a Cloth Napkin?

The majority of my winning napkins were lightweight, with a soft, breezy feel. Lightweight napkins—hovering around 50 grams or less—had a more casual, no-fuss feel that was easy to launder and maintain. Heavier napkins tended to lend a formal dinner party aesthetic that felt out of place at a Monday breakfast. In the worst cases, the heavy napkins reminded me of a corporate banquet—I was not a fan of Williams Sonoma’s 73-gram hotel dinner napkins. The one exception to my rule was Coyuchi’s textured Sonoma napkins. At 72 grams, they exceeded my preferred weight, but the luxuriously soft cotton kept them from looking too formal. 

Price Varied Wildly

Napkin prices were all over the map. The most expensive napkin I tested was the Rough Linen Smooth Linen, at $26 a pop. While it was well made and pleasant to use, and stood up to washing, I know a lot of people who couldn’t justify spending that much on something that’s bound to get stained. The Atelier Saucier Rainbow Twill Napkins were close behind at almost $20 per napkin. Price wasn’t necessarily an indicator of quality, either.

How Much Should You Spend on Cloth Napkins?
	Number of Napkins in Set	Price Per Napkin
Coyuchi Sonoma Textured Organic Napkins	4	$14.50
Material The Linen Napkins	4	$13.75
Ruvanti Cloth Napkins	12	$1.58
Hawkins Essential Striped Dinner Napkins	4	$9.50
Schoolhouse Scallop Trim Napkin Set	4	$9.75
Our Place Loop Napkins	4	$10
Five Two Everyday Soft Cotton Napkins	4	$7.50
Quince European Linen Gingham Napkins	4	$7.50
Utopia Kitchen White Cloth Napkins	12	$1.08
Citizenry Sangeet Linen Napkins	6	$14.83
Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins	12	$5.83
Rough Linen Smooth Linen Dinner Napkin	1	$26
Atelier Saucier Rainbow Twill Napkins	4	$19.50
Geometry Sunny Fruit Dinner Napkins	6	$5
June & December Seed Pod Napkins	4	$16
Utopia Kitchen Dinner Napkin	12	$1.01
Cotton Craft Multicolor Napkins	24	$1.04
Urban Villa Chambray Dinner Napkins	12	$2.08

In my original review, I named the linen napkins from Material, which cost almost $14, one of the winners. But after six months of use, their hems had started to tear away from the cloth, and a few even suffered holes. They have since been discontinued. On the flip side, the Utopia Kitchen Dinner Napkins were dirt cheap at about $1 a napkin, and they held up just fine after a handful of washes. (I will continue to use and launder them to test them long-term.)

Hem Design Really Mattered

I wasn’t expecting the hem design to be as important as it was. But after just one round of washing the napkins, I realized that poorly stitched hems were typically their downfall. Five Two’s cotton napkins looked nice with small “vintage-inspired” holes around their borders, but the thread was sloppily woven throughout them, and it started to unravel after one spin in the washer. The Quince napkins suffered an even worse fate because there was just one row of loosely threaded stitching.

Mitered corners made an enormous difference in durability. This style of corner is created by folding the two sides at 45-degree angles, then sewing them together to hide the raw edges. Not only does this look cleaner and more polished, but it also combats loose threads and unraveling. The pricier napkins on this list—the Rough Linen and Coyuchi, notably—had mitered edges, while the budget buys did not.

Style Was Important, but Subjective

It’d be foolish to assume my favorite “just for looks” napkins would also be yours. And even in my household, everyone gravitated toward different napkins during the dinner tests. But one thing’s for sure: A good napkin ought to have at least a little personality. Whether it’s neutral colors and unique weaves or bright, patterned options, the best cloth napkins add to the overall appeal of a table setting. I’ll admit that the Utopia cloth napkins were so blandly white that I accidentally used one as a rag to sop up a spilled glass of water, but in their defense, they make no pretenses about being eye-catching. Little details, like intricate stitching around a hem or a fun texture, added appeal to a utilitarian item.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Cloth Napkin

The best cloth napkins are both soft and durable. Because they’re made to be washed many times, the stitching around the hem needs to be strong and neat, without loose threads. Mitered corners are ideal. Whether you choose cotton, a cotton blend, or linen, the fibers should be tightly woven. To get the most use out of your napkins, don’t buy a set that needs special care, like gentle laundering and ironing.

Our Favorite Cloth Napkins

What we liked: The Goldilocks of cloth napkins, these ticked just about every box during my testing. They’re a moderate weight and not too fancy, but still well made. They come in a handful of nice colors, and they’re soft without falling victim to unraveling and pilling. After six months of testing, they’ve worn in nicely, with no signs of wear or damage.

What we didn’t like: They shrank a considerable amount—almost two inches—after the first wash. 

Key Specs

• Materials: 100% cotton
• Dimensions: 19 x 19 inches
• Weight: 41 grams
• Number in set: 4
• Price per napkin: $9.50
• Care instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors, tumble dry low or line dry

What we liked: I have been recommending Coyuchi’s kitchen towels since I first reviewed them years ago, and I’m not surprised that the brand’s organic cotton napkins were also standout performers. The textured weave felt nice in my hands and helped to hide food stains. More than any other napkin I tested, I felt okay using these for more than one meal before washing them. The colors are gorgeous and made from nontoxic dyes. (I tested the Cypress color.) The mitered corners and stitching were impeccable, and I believe these will last for years to come.

What we didn’t like: If you prefer lighter-weight napkins, know that these are on the heavier side. And at almost $15 per napkin, they are pricey.

Key Specs

• Materials: 100% organic cotton
• Dimensions: 20 x 20 inches
• Weight: 72 grams
• Number in set: 4
• Price per napkin: $14.50
• Care instructions: Cold wash gentle cycle with like colors. Tumble dry low and remove promptly.

What we liked: These napkins give linen a great name. They really are silky-smooth, and they’ve only gotten softer with additional washes. They didn’t suffer staining from the ketchup test, and subsequent spills have washed out easily when spot-treated before laundering. The thick hems give the napkins a formal look. They’re on the heavier side, which also adds to the “for fancy occasions” appeal. They’re pretty when rumpled, but the company gives helpful instructions for minimizing wrinkles after washing, should you choose a more polished look.

What we didn’t like: At $26 a napkin, these were the most expensive ones I tested. 

Key Specs

• Materials: 100% European cotton
• Dimensions: 20 x 20 inches
• Weight: 64 grams
• Number in set: 1
• Price per napkin: $26
• Care instructions: Machine wash with gentle detergent. Line dry or tumble dry hot or medium; remove when damp and smooth out wrinkles.

What we liked: I was pleasantly surprised by the color of these napkins. They appear charcoal gray on the product listing, but are much closer to a subtle dark lavender. They boast all the benefits of a polyester blend—minimal pilling or wrinkling, and a soft texture—without the low-end sheen or scent that some poly-cotton blend textiles have. They emerged from the dryer with very few wrinkles. Because they’re so inexpensive, I'd happily toss these napkins to kids on pizza night without fear.

What we didn’t like: After two washes, some of the stitching had loose ends, and the fabric was pilling, although pilling is typical for polyester blends. 

Key Specs

• Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester
• Dimensions: 18 x 18 inches
• Weight: 46 grams
• Number in set: 12
• Price per napkin: $1.58
• Care instructions: Machine wash with like colors.

What we liked: I did a double-take when I saw the price of these cloth napkins. The only other napkin that came close in cost was the Cotton Craft napkins, and their craftsmanship was inferior. This is the set if you want no-fuss, use-with-abandon napkins that you don’t have to coddle. They washed up well, showing no signs of staining despite being the only pure-white napkins I tested.

What we didn’t like: There’s a large and scratchy tag attached to the seam. It’s annoying and unsightly, but it’s easily ripped out. The seam stitching could be neater and tighter.

Key Specs

• Materials: 60% cotton, 40% polyester
• Dimensions: 18 x 18 inches
• Weight: 47 grams
• Number in set: 12
• Price per napkin: $1.01
• Care instructions: Machine wash cold with like colors.

What we liked: These napkins are downright gorgeous. I want to save them for dinner parties, but the soft, gentle fabric is too nice to store in a cabinet. These napkins felt great in my lap thanks to their whisper-light weight. You don’t need to iron them, because they wear wrinkles well. The screen-printed pictures are attractive and would add a sprinkle of whimsy to any table setting. 

What we didn’t like: Like all flour sack material, these napkins stained easily. They’re on the pricier side, too.

Key Specs

• Materials: 100% cotton
• Dimensions: 15 x 20
• Weight: 36 grams
• Number in set: 4
• Price per napkin: $16

The Competition

• Schoolhouse Scallop Trim Napkin Set: These napkins were previously named winners, but they have since been discontinued.
• Material The Linen Napkins: These buttery soft linen napkins were on the winners list, but started to show signs of wear after just six months. They have also been discontinued.
• Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins: This set of napkins gave off a corporate banquet hall vibe, and they were so thick that the stack toppled over repeatedly in my cabinet.
• Five Two Everyday Soft Cotton Napkins: From afar, these thick, soft-hued napkins caught my eye. But look closer and you’ll see the messiest hem stitching of any napkin I tested.
• European Linen Gingham Napkins: While awfully pretty, these picnic-ready napkins were so thin that a barbecue sauce smear transferred onto my pants during dinner. The stitching wasn’t great either, with lots of loose ends at the corners. 
• Sangeet Linen Napkins: I liked the story behind these napkins: They were hand-woven and certified Fair Trade. But the weave was loose, and the fibers were rough. Ultimately, they just didn’t perform as well as the other linen options I tested. 
• Our Place Loop Napkins: A napkin with a built-in napkin ring? I was intrigued, but despite watching the brand’s tutorial, I could never make mine look that pretty. Realistically, the formality seemed unlikely for 95% of my meals. 
• Atelier Saucier Rainbow Twill Napkins: Another lovely, pricey set. The care instructions note that they must be hung dry, and I wouldn’t set these on the table without an ironing session.
• Geometry Sunny Fruit Dinner Napkins: It was difficult to get past the suede-like texture of these large, microfiber napkins.
• Cotton Craft Multicolor Napkins: I loved the fun, rainbow-inspired colors of this big set, but the fibers were thin and the weave was loose. They weren’t very durable.
• Urban Villa Chambray Dinner Napkins: These napkins were on the thicker side and, as such, held up well to multiple washings. But they were scratchy, and they had an odd, plasticky smell right out of the package.

FAQs

What’s the best material for cloth napkins?

It depends on what you want in a napkin. While 100% cotton napkins are soft and pretty easy to care for, they can wrinkle and will shrink considerably if you dry them in a dryer. Napkins made from a blend of cotton and polyester are less prone to wrinkling, but the shorter fibers in polyester will cause pilling over time. Linen napkins have a luxurious, “natural” feel but stain and wrinkle more easily.

Are cloth napkins eco-friendly?

Yes, with some caveats. The material sourcing and production practices matter when it comes to environmental sustainability. If that matters to you, seek out organic napkins and try to buy from small supply chains to minimize the carbon footprint. When laundering your napkins, use cold water and don’t wash unnecessarily or in small loads: That’ll lower your environmental impact.

Can you put cloth napkins in the dryer?

Almost all of the napkins I tested were dryer-safe. (The Atelier Saucier Rainbow Twill Napkins weren’t.) Be aware that cotton and linen napkins will shrink in the dryer. Use a low setting to minimize shrinking, and remove them as soon as the cycle ends to keep wrinkles at bay.

Why are my cloth napkins always wrinkly?

See above. Leaving any textile in a dryer will cause wrinkles, but some materials—linen, cotton—are prone to wrinkling no matter how you wash and dry them. You can remove creases with an iron, or just embrace the rumpled life!

Why We’re the Experts

• Rochelle Bilow is an editor at Serious Eats.
• She’s been testing kitchen gear for the site since 2022. Her previous reviews include kitchen towels and dish gloves.
• For this review, Rochelle put 18 sets of cloth napkins to the test, judging them on their performance, design, and value.
• After two of our winners were discontinued, we tested additional contenders to see how they stacked up to the competition.