CB2 Review

About CB2

CB2 launched in 2000 as Crate and Barrel’s contemporary offshoot, targeting a younger urban buyer who wanted the quality and design curation of Crate and Barrel without what was perceived as its more traditional aesthetic. The brand has maintained that positioning for over two decades, becoming a recognisable name in design-conscious urban apartments and loft-style homes.

In home textiles, CB2 is principally a design brand. Towels and bedding are curated for visual cohesion with furniture collections, lighting, and decorative accessories. Cotton quality is a functional baseline rather than a differentiating feature. That is honest positioning, but buyers who arrive at CB2 looking for Egyptian cotton credentials are looking in the wrong place.

The Product Range

CB2’s towel and bath range is narrower than Crate and Barrel’s, which reflects the brand’s focus on a tighter, more curated aesthetic.

Waffle Weave Towels: A recurring favourite in the CB2 range. The honeycomb texture is a recognisable design element and provides good drying performance. Cotton quality varies by collection year. These are not positioned as Egyptian cotton products.

Terry Towels: Standard and ribbed terry options in a contemporary colour palette. Well made at the mid-range price point. No Egyptian cotton claims, no premium fibre language.

Bedding: Sheet sets and duvet covers in neutral and contemporary tones. Construction is typical of the mid-range; thread count is disclosed but not exceptional. Egyptian cotton language is not a significant part of the bedding marketing.

Design as the Core Value Proposition

It is worth being direct about what CB2 is selling. The brand commands a modest premium over purely functional alternatives not because of cotton pedigree but because of its investment in design. The colourways are considered, the photography is strong, and the product selections change seasonally to maintain relevance.

For a certain buyer, this is exactly right. If you are furnishing a space where everything needs to work together visually, CB2 provides that coordination in a way that bulk cotton specialists do not. The trade-off is that the cotton quality story is thin.

What the Certifications Do Not Cover

Unlike Crate and Barrel parent products, CB2-branded textiles do not consistently carry OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. This is notable. OEKO-TEX is not a high bar to meet, and its absence means buyers have no third-party signal on even chemical safety for the finished product.

The Cotton Egypt Association Pyramid Mark is likewise absent, though this is unsurprising given that Egyptian cotton is not a marketing focus for the brand.

For buyers who use certification presence as a quality proxy, CB2’s textile range offers limited reassurance.

Who Should Consider CB2

These products suit you if:

• You are buying towels primarily for their aesthetic role in a designed bathroom
• Coordinating with other CB2 or Crate and Barrel home pieces is a goal
• Mid-range pricing and reliable fulfilment are acceptable trade-offs for design quality
• Egyptian cotton authenticity is not a priority

Look elsewhere if:

• You want verified Egyptian cotton origin
• Textile performance credentials matter alongside aesthetics
• OEKO-TEX or other safety certifications are important baseline requirements

CB2 is not a brand for Egyptian cotton buyers. It is a design brand that happens to sell cotton products. Understanding that distinction makes the buying decision straightforward.