The laboratory scale batch adsorption studies were conducted to investigate and compare the adsorption potential of granular activated carbons (GACs) for the removal of dichloromethane (DCM) and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from aqueous medium. The effect of various parameters such as solution pH, initial adsorbate concentration, contact time, dose of GACs, and temperature on the adsorption was studied. The optimum adsorption of DCM and MTBE on lignite granular activated carbon (LGAC) was observed at pH 7 while, optimum adsorption on bituminous granular activated carbon (BGAC) was observed in the pH between pH 6 and 8. The equilibrium data was fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models. Freundlich model best described the equilibrium adsorption. Contact time studies showed comparatively lower equilibration time for the adsorption of DCM on GACs. Kinetics modeling was done by applying pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and Elovich models. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical adsorption capacity values along with higher regression coefficient values showed the validity of pseudo-second-order kinetics model. The thermodynamics studies showed endothermic and spontaneous process with randomness at the solid/solution interface. The adsorption of DCM and MTBE on GACs was interpreted to represent a physical adsorption.