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A kitchen essential that often goes overlooked until needed, a paper towel holder is a simple yet essential tool for any household. From wiping up spills to drying hands, having a reliable paper towel holder can make daily kitchen tasks more convenient. Paper towel holders usually have a vertical rod or arm where you place the roll and a mechanism to help tear off sheets with one hand.

We reviewed several of the best paper towel holders, looking at size, design, material, cost, and durability. Our favorite holder is the SMARTAKE Paper Towel Holder because of its sleek, minimalist design, non-slip pads, and spring arm (for easy tearing)!

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The Best Paper Towel Holder Buying Guide

Paper towel holders come in different varieties, and each one packs unique features. While some are designed for portability, others tend to be more stable to allow for one-handed tearing. To help out a little, our buying guide will tell you all about paper towel holders and teach you what to look out for when buying one!

Benefits of a Paper Towel Holder

Organized tabletop

A paper towel holder provides a dedicated place for storing your paper towel roll. Whether you’re considering one for your kitchen, washroom, or the dinner table, having a paper towel holder will also help organize the counter or desk surface by reducing clutter. This gives the space a cleaner, more modern look.

Flexibility

Paper towel holders give you the freedom to tear a sheet of paper to your desired length. This is something a standard tissue dispenser doesn’t offer. As a result, you want to make sure that your paper towel holder can contain and dispense your tissues as needed.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Paper Towel Holder

Durability

Though most paper towel holders are constructed of metals, like stainless steel, steel alloy, and steel wires, some of them are cheap in quality. When looking for one, make sure it’s made with quality material for maximum durability in the long run. Going through the official customer reviews is a good way to verify its quality.

Design

While some paper towel holders are minimal, others may consume more space and have a spring arm to hold the paper. Also, some of them elevate the paper from the surface while others don’t. Similarly, you’ll find some paper holders providing easy carrying with a semi-circle design on the top, but others can lack this feature.

Additional Buying Tips

Compatibility with rolls

Paper towel holders, just like the paper they hold, come in different sizes. So, if you prefer a special size of paper towel, make sure the holder you consider supports that size. Going for a tall paper holder would be a wise decision, as it will support most sizes of paper towels.

One-handed tear

If you’re looking to tear paper sheets by using just one hand for convenience, look for a paper holder that supports one-handed tearing. Such paper towel holders come with a spring arm lock to hold the tissue roll sturdily and are rich in weight for maximum stability. That said, a double-handed paper holder may be a better option if you prefer portability over stability.

What Else Should You Know About Paper Holders?

Assembly

While some paper towel holders don’t have a screw-based design and can be assembled without needing a screw tightener or hex key, it can be the opposite with some others. Opt for whatever assembly type you prefer.

Stability

Whether you want to tear the sheet of your tissue roll with a single hand or feel more comfortable with double-handed tearing, the stability of the paper holder is an important thing to consider. The more stable a tissue holder is, the easier it will be to use.

Top Picks

  • Best Overall: Smartake Paper Towel Holder
  • Sturdiest Base: Home Acre Designs Paper Towel Holder
  • Most Modern Design: Oxo Paper Towel Holder
  • Most Minimal Design: Spectrum Diversified Paper Towel Holder
  • Best Classic Design: Greenco Paper Towel Holder
  • Most Portable: Oboding Paper Towel Holder

Reviews

Best Overall
smartake paper towel holder

Smartake Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Durable metal design
  • Easy to assemble
  • Non-slip pads on the bottom provide stability
  • Spring arm for convenient sheet grabbing
  • Not designed for long paper towel rolls
Sturdiest Base
home acre designs paper towel holder

Home Acre Designs Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Larger than expected
  • Stays firmly on counter
  • Customizable to match any decor
  • Heavyweight base prevents toppling over
  • Holder is larger than expected
Most Modern Design
oxo paper towel holder

Oxo Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Metal construction for longevity
  • A thick steel base adds stability
  • Fits most paper roll sizes
  • Optimized for one-handed tearing
  • A little pricey
Most Minimal Design
spectrum diversified paper towel holder

Spectrum Diversified Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Fits standard and jumbo roll sizes
  • Minimalistic, premium-looking design
  • Durable construction for longevity
  • Doesn’t allow a one-hand tear
Best Classic Design
greenco paper towel holder

Greenco Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Lightweight, modern-looking design
  • Keeps the paper towel elevated
  • Made of sturdy metal wires
  • Doesn’t support one-handed paper tear
  • Might be too light
Most Portable
oboding paper towel holder

Oboding Paper Towel Holder

Pros Cons
  • Made from rust-proof steel
  • Easy to carry around
  • Great for organized table countertops
  • Available in three colors
  • The base is not anti-slid
  • Requires two hands to rip paper towels

FAQs

What is the use of a paper towel holder?
As the name suggests, a paper towel holder keeps your paper towels organized. It’s a perfect option for washrooms, kitchens, dinner tables, and anywhere paper towels are needed. Some also support one-handed tearing for added convenience.
How do I assemble a paper towel holder?
In most cases, paper towels are assembled by screwing the holder into the base. You may get dedicated screws to stabilize the holder onto the base. Or, the holder may have a screw-based design itself at the bottom that can be plugged into the base.
How big is a paper towel holder?
Paper towel holders come in different sizes, ranging from 10 inches to 15 inches. Generally, 12 inches is the most common size for tissue holders as it can accommodate most paper towel rolls effortlessly.