7 Best Paper Towel Holders of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

wdc tv news staff

March 18, 2025

7 Best Paper Towel Holders of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Whether you’re wiping down windows, draining pan-fried pork chops, pressing tofu, or keeping your salad greens and other vegetables fresh, paper towels are a versatile item to keep in the kitchen. But storing them freely on the counter or in a cabinet could leave you chasing after a runaway roll, especially since they’re apt to unravel. Or even worse, you could be left with wet paper towels before you even get a chance to use them because grabbing a few is a two-hand job.

While it might not seem like much, adding a paper towel holder is a small change that will have you wondering how you ever lived without one before. But with so many paper towel holders on the market, it can be hard to know which are the best. One with or without a tension arm? Stainless steel or wood? Freestanding or mounted? We tested some of the best paper towel holders on the market to find ones that are stylish, effective, and versatile. Read on for our top picks below.

PHOTO: Amazon

Our favorite pick is a top-rated paper towel holder for a reason. This option from OXO’s Good Grips collection allows you to take exactly the amount of paper towels you need without letting your roll go wild. It has a spring-loaded arm that fits any size paper towel roll, and the internal resistance prevents the roll from getting loose. It is sturdy, thanks to the non-slip weighted base and wide rim, and the arm pivots away from the center with ease to load new paper towel rolls on.

During our tests, we found the finish to be very stain and fingerprint-resistant, making it easy to keep the brushed stainless steel finish clean with minimal effort, and this holder also proved to be solidly put together. While it has a knob at the top instead of a hook, it was easy to lift this and move it to a new spot.

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 13 x 7 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds

PHOTO: Crate & Barrel

This paper towel holder from Crate & Barrel is constructed of iron with a sleek black powder-coated finish, all at a price that won’t break the bank. Take just what you need from each roll, thanks to the tension arm keeping things in place, while the open loop at the top makes carrying this around a breeze. The carrying loop is just the right size to allow paper towels to fit over without needing to unscrew anything, too.

During our tests, we found this holder to be heavy enough, thanks to the weighted base, and it's just as steady, thanks to the felt pads at the bottom. While the tension arm was on the smaller side, during our tests, we found it to be strong almost to a fault — the small-but-mighty grip caused some ripping on our paper towels.

Material: Iron | Dimensions: 13.6 x 7 x 7 inches

PHOTO: Food52

This is not a paper towel holder you’ll want to keep hidden under the sink. Splurge on this beautifully made kitchen accent by Casafina, which is constructed of white-glazed stoneware with a smooth center wooden dowel. While this has a relatively simple design, it will definitely bring a touch of elegance to your counter.

During testing, we determined that while this did not feel as heavy as some other options we tested, it still has a solid construction. But since this is made of ceramic, it could crack or break if dropped, so be careful when moving it throughout your space. This holder also lacks a non-slip bottom or grips at the base of any kind, but in our tests, we didn’t find this to be an issue if you rip your paper towels quickly and downward.

Material: Ceramic and wood | Dimensions: 13 x 7 inches

PHOTO: Hawkins New York

Marble lovers will appreciate the beauty and simplicity of this paper towel holder by Hawkins New York. The circular white marble base has a brass foot underneath and a coordinating brass pole in the center, which can be unscrewed if needed for cleaning, but that isn’t necessary for putting new rolls on. The brand recommends drying this right away if it gets wet to prevent the brass from spotting, and you should seal the marble with a food-grade mineral oil to repel stains.

In our tests, we found that this stayed in place despite not having a tension arm or additional features beyond the weighted base. At 13 inches tall, it can fit comfortably under standard cabinets, but the beautiful design deserves to shine on your countertops and not be hidden from view. This can easily accommodate larger rolls of paper towels since it does not have a tension arm, but they may obstruct the beauty of the marble at the bottom when the rolls are full.

Material: Marble and brass | Dimensions: 13 x 5.5 inches

PHOTO: Walmart

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty paper towel holder that won’t budge during use, look no further than this one from Simplehuman. The finger loop at the top of the center pole makes it easy to pick up and move around as needed. Rust-proof and corrosion-proof stainless steel is a durable choice of material, so you don’t have to worry about splashes of water causing damage over time. If you notice any spots or stains, just wipe it clean with warm water and a cloth.

During our tests, we appreciated how sturdy and functional this holder was, thanks to the weighted base and non-slip bottom which keeps everything firmly in place. We also found that the tension arm offers enough pressure to stay in place, allowing for easy rips with one hand, even down to the last few paper towels on the roll.

Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 14.2 x 7.5 x 8.25 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds

PHOTO: Areaware

Bring a bit of fun into your kitchen with this wooden paper towel holder by Areaware. This is not your typical holder because it’s designed to look like a giant spool. And since it’s available in natural beechwood, blue and green, or a bright shade of cherry red, you can decide to keep it neutral or shake things up with a pop of color. The base does not have any additional weight to it compared to the top, but rubber bumpers on the bottom help keep this secure and in place.

During our tests, we found this holder to be slightly more cumbersome to use than other models we tested because of the top needing to be screwed off to put on a new roll of paper towels. But the cute aesthetic may outweigh this depending on your taste preferences. Despite not having any extra bells and whistles or features like a weighted base or tension arm, this is a well-made option that gets the job done with style.

Material: Wood | Dimensions: 13.7 x 6 x 6 inches

PHOTO: Amazon

If you’re looking for something sleek and stylish without a lot of flash, this powder-coated steel paper towel holder is the one for you. It has a white geometric frame and a rectangular base with a wooden rod in the center. Instead of being pressed onto the outside like other designs, the tension rod on this Yamazaki holder is in the center, which presses out on the roll, allowing for easy one-handed ripping until the last paper towel.

During our tests, we found it to have a sturdy base, and we appreciated that the design blended seamlessly into the kitchen thanks to its clean lines and white finish. It also felt more compact than other options we tested, making it perfect for small spaces. Plus, changing the roll was a seamless process.

Material: Steel and wood | Dimensions: 12.2 x 6.1 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 2.65 pounds

Our Favorite Paper Towel Holder

Paper towel holders are useful kitchen tools, and our top pick, the OXO Good Grips SimplyTear Paper Towel Holder, has a handy tension arm to make one-handed ripping easier, with a weighted base and non-slip ring at the bottom for added stability.

How We Tested Paper Towel Holders

Paper towel holders are a simple but helpful kitchen tool, but not all are created equally. To find the best paper towel holders on the market, we assessed them on factors including design, material, and ease of use. We put each paper towel holder through a round of at-home kitchen tests to determine their overall functionality and how well they stacked up against each other in terms of features and performance.

Design: We factored in the design elements and construction of the paper towel holders, including whether or not there is a dispensing arm attached and if the entire main dowel has to be removed to replenish paper towels. We also measured each holder in various placements, including under cabinets, and determined how easy they were to maneuver around based on weight and density.
Material: The material used to make paper towel holders can vary, so we first noted if it felt sturdy or flimsy overall, and took into consideration how it may hold up over time and with constant use. We also took into consideration any potential mobility concerns based on the heft of the material.
Ease of Use: We evaluated how easy it was to use each paper towel holder, observing how tearing a single sheet worked and noting if it was necessary to hold onto the holder for balance. We also examined the process of changing the paper towel roll on each holder and how easy or complicated it was.

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Factors to Consider

Mounted vs. Freestanding

The first decision you should make before purchasing a paper towel holder is to decide where you’d like to put it. A freestanding holder is simple and less permanent than a mounted holder, and it can be moved easily around your kitchen counter or other surfaces.

If you’re short on counter space, a paper towel holder that mounts to a wall, under a cabinet, or even onto the side of your refrigerator may be a better option. These are usually screwed into place or attached with a strong adhesive, so be certain of your spot in advance. There are also magnetic versions, which still save space, but they will need a metal surface to stick to.

Holder Material

Paper towel holders are usually made of steel or a similar metal, but you can also find options made from materials including plastic, wood, and marble. Marble and stainless steel are heavier than wood or plastic, so consider a lighter material if mobility is a concern to make moving your paper towel holder easier.

A cloth or paper towel with warm water will do the trick for spot cleaning just about any paper towel holder no matter the material, but check the manufacturer’s manual for specific instructions. Maintain your wood paper towel holder with regular oiling to avoid cracking over time.

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Additional Features

In their most basic form, a paper towel holder will just have a single center pole on a base. Some options also have tension arms to hold the side of a paper towel roll, which can be useful to prevent unraveling. Freestanding models may also have a carrying loop at the top which allows for easy movement from room to room or around the kitchen. These are not strictly necessary features, but they can be nice to have as they assist with mobility.

Ease of Use and Durability

Paper towel holders are all simple to use at their core, but additional features, like tension arms on the side or a carrying loop at the top, make things even easier. Paper towel holders will generally not see a lot of wear and tear in the kitchen, and they should last for years to come no matter what material they are made from, as long as they are sturdy to begin with, properly cleaned, and cared for.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place in the kitchen to put a paper towel holder?

Place your paper towel holder somewhere it’s easily accessible in the kitchen. For a freestanding or mounted model, near the sink is generally a good idea, but the best spot will depend on exactly how your kitchen is laid out. Wherever you decide it should go, be sure to leave some space around the paper towel holder for room to easily tear away sheets.

But don’t limit your paper towel holders to the kitchen! They can also be helpful tools in your bathroom, garage, laundry room, or even outside near the grill.

Where is the best place to store paper towels?

You don’t need somewhere fancy to store extra paper towels at home. Where you choose to keep your extras will largely depend on two factors – how many rolls you have and how much space you have to store them. It may make sense, depending on your storage situation, to keep an extra roll or two in the kitchen under the sink for quick replenishment and leave the majority of rolls elsewhere, like in a linen closet.

Other Paper Towel Holders We Tested

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Strong Contender

Sur La Table Olivewood Paper Towel Holder ($50 at Sur La Table)

We appreciated the design of this olivewood holder based on looks alone, but we weren’t sold on the functionality. It is very lightweight, so it may be unsteady when ripping off paper towels, and the space between the main dowel and helper arm may not be large enough to accommodate all roll sizes.

Our Expertise

Jacqueline Weiss is a professional food writer with over eight years of experience and a lifelong passion for working in the kitchen. Her writing has appeared in Eat This Not That, EatingWell, AllRecipes, Simply Recipes, and more.
For this article, she used insights from our editor-led tests to determine which paper towel holders are worth the investment.

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