After you wash your car, removing the droplets left behind can ensure a smoother finish. All water has some hardness to it, and it will leave residue behind if you don’t wipe it away. It’s not a good idea to use a terry shop towel to dry your car, since you will end up with lint on the finish. Instead, it’s best to invest in some car drying towels that will get the job done without leaving behind lint or other debris.
We have looked at dozens of car drying towels in an effort to bring you a list of the best. We considered size, how efficient they are, and what materials they are made of. While you’re reading about the best car drying towels, you also might want to head over and read our list of the best car wash accessories.
This pack of two plush towels will make quick work out of drying your car.
Check PriceOur top pick goes to Platinum Quick Dry Towels, a two-pack of soft, plush towels that will have your car dried off in a jiffy. In fact, the company claims that it can dry off a car in just 90 seconds, which will leave you plenty of time to do other things. Part of the reason it works so well is that it’s large, measuring 36 by 25 inches. Since you’re getting two, you can use one for another vehicle or keep one inside the car for any washing you need to do while away from home.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Car Drying Towels
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Car Drying Towel Overall | Platinum Quick Dry Towels | 4.8 |
| Best Microfiber Car Drying Towel | Chemical Guys Woolly Mammoth | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Car Drying Towel | AIDEA Microfiber Drying Towel | 4.6 |
| Best Chamois Car Drying Towel | Premium Chamois Cloth for Car | 4.4 |
| Best Waffle Weave Car Drying Towel | Zwipes Auto Waffle Drying Towel | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon and might change over time.
Best Car Drying Towel Overall: Platinum Quick Dry Towels
Platinum Quick Dry Towels came out at the very top of our list of the best car drying towels available. This is a two-pack, so you will get two large (36 x 25″) towels. The material is a very plush, soft polyester/polyamide blend. It’s soft and smooth enough to be used in every nook and cranny; it won’t scratch your car’s finish. Even the hems are as soft as silk, so you won’t need to worry about rough edges or threads damaging your vehicle’s clearcoat.
Some car drying towels tend to leave streaks or swirls, especially on dark-colored cars. This one has long fibers that are extremely absorbent, so there won’t be any streaking, even on a black car on a sunny day. Because it’s large and very absorbent, you’ll be able to dry your entire car in under two minutes.
Platinum Quick Dry Towels Key Features:
- Large in size
- Made of polyester/polyamide blend
- Very absorbent
- No-scratch hems
- No streaking or swirling
Best Microfiber Towel: Chemical Guys Woolly Mammoth
The Chemical Guys Woolly Mammoth is a large microfiber towel that will get all of the water off of your car without leaving lint or streaks behind. It measures an impressive 25 by 36 inches, and it comes in gray. You’ll notice right away that it is very plush and has a long pile, which adds up to lots of thirsty material to whisk away the droplets after your car is washed or caught in the rain.
The edges of this towel are edged in silk, which eliminates the chances that rough edges or stitching will scratch your car’s finish. It’s also completely machine washable, making it easy to simply toss it in the washing machine after use. Just don’t wash it with terry towels (it will pick up lint) or fabric softener (it will affect the absorbency). Buy two or three of these so you always have one ready to wipe down your car.
Chemical Guys Woolly Mammoth Key Features:
- Measures 25 x 36″
- Comes in gray
- Plush and soft
- Very absorbent
- Edged in silk
- Machine washable
Best Budget Car Drying Towel: AIDEA Microfiber Drying Towel
If you are looking for a wallet-friendly option, we recommend the AIDEA Microfiber Drying Towel. This is a two-pack and you can get it for under $10 at the time of this writing, which is an amazing deal. The towels are microfiber and come in a nice, bright blue that will not likely get mixed up with your other shop towels. They are soft and plush and won’t scratch or smear your car’s finish.
These towels are very dense, offering 300,000 fibers per square inch. This means that your car will be dry fast with just a few passes. They each measure 31 by 24 inches, making them handy not only for your car but also for your truck, RV, or boat. They are also completely machine washable. Go ahead and pick up a few sets at this price–keep a couple in your garage and one in your car so you’ll always have a soft, scratch-free towel at your fingertips.
AIDEA Microfiber Drying Towel Key Features:
- Two microfiber towels
- Measure 31 x 24″
- Blue
- Non-scratch, non-streaking
- Dense, absorbent fibers
- Machine washable
Best Chamois Car Drying Towel: Premium Chamois Cloth for Car
The Premium Chamois Cloth for Car came out on top of our list of the best chamois towels (sometimes called “shammy” towels). This is a synthetic towel and it is as absorbent as a sponge. You can use it to wipe off your car and then simply wring it out and wipe it again to remove more water. This is a set of three towels: Two of them are 26 by 17 inches, and the third one is 17 by 13 inches. Keep the small one in your car to soak up coffee spills and other minor mishaps in the car!
When using this chamois towel, you’ll want to keep it damp. So you can use it, wring it out, reuse it, and then wash it either in the washing machine or by hand. Don’t put it in the dryer or leave it to air-dry, though! Instead, return it to its tube and seal it tightly so it stays slightly damp. This will prevent cracking.
Premium Chamois Cloth for Car Key Features:
- Includes three chamois towels
- Synthetic materials
- Wring out and use again
- Machine washable, not machine dryable
- Store damp
- Includes two tubes for storage
Best Waffle Weave Car Drying Towel: Zwipes Auto Waffle Drying Towel
If you are looking for a waffle weave towel, look no further than our favorite in this category, which is the Zwipes Auto Waffle Drying Towel. This is actually a two-pack, and each towel measures 25 by 36 inches. They are made of waffle-weave microfiber, which is very absorbent thanks to the little nooks and crannies created by the weave. You’ll be able to use these on any car, truck, boat, or RV, and you can get the whole thing dry using these towels.
From their very first use, these towels are nice and soft. As you wash and dry them (yes, they are machine washable!), you’ll find that they just get softer and more absorbent over time. Remember not to wash them with terrycloth towels or other lint-producing materials, because they will attract and hold onto lint in the dryer. Also, note that the edges of these are not perfectly smooth, so they could scratch your car’s finish if you aren’t careful. Avoid drying the vehicle with the edges of the towel.
Zwipes Auto Waffle Drying Towels Key Features:
- Made of waffle weave microfiber
- Very absorbent
- Two pack of 25 x 36″ towels
- Machine washable
- Removes dust from clean, dry surfaces, too
Who Should Buy a Car Drying Towel
If you have a car or a truck that you want to look at its best, you should have at least one car drying towel. This is true whether you keep the vehicle in the garage or outside in the driveway. A car drying towel also makes a great gift. Consider getting one for the new driver in your life or for someone who has recently purchased a new car. Really, this type of towel is a basic component of any car-care kit that you might keep in your garage. You might even want an extra to keep in your glove compartment or trunk in case you need to clean up the exterior of your car while away from home.
This pack of two plush towels will make quick work out of drying your car.
Check PriceImportant Features to Consider
When buying a car drying towel, you will want to think about what features you need to ensure the smoothest finish for your car. Here’s what to consider as you make your decision about which car drying towel to purchase.
- Material. Do you prefer a plush microfiber or a waffle weave microfiber cloth? Maybe a chamois towel would be better for you. Think about which material you’d like your towel to be.
- Number in a package. It’s easy to wash and reuse your car drying towel, but if you plan to use it often or if you have a large car or truck and need multiple towels, consider buying a multi-pack instead of just one or two.
- Size. A larger towel will, of course, be able to dry your car more quickly. A smaller one, however, will be more portable and easy to stash in the glove compartment or on the back seat to wipe up water while you’re away from home.
- Color. While the color is generally not an important criterion, it is important that you don’t mix up your car drying towels with other household or shop towels. You wouldn’t want to accidentally smear an oily residue from a towel used to clean up greasy messes, for example. For this reason, consider looking for a car drying towel that is a different color than the ones you typically keep around your garage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a regular towel to dry your car?
Using a terry cloth towel, such as the type of towel you will find in your bathroom linen closet, aren’t the best choice for drying your car. The material will leave lint behind and it isn’t as absorbent as microfiber or chamois. In addition, a terry cloth towel can scratch the finish of the car. For these reasons, we don’t recommend using a regular bath towel to dry your car.
What is the best type of towel to dry a car?
The best types of material to use to dry a car are microfiber and chamois. Microfiber comes in a few different styles including a plush or even wooly style and also a waffle weave style. Either of these is a good choice. Chamois (either natural or synthetic) is a lightweight material that absorbs a lot of water and can be wrung out to continue using.
How many towels does it take to dry a car?
This will depend on how large your car is as well as what type of towel you buy. One large chamois will probably be enough, because these are very absorbent and can be wrung out to use again immediately. You would probably want two or three large waffle weave or microfiber towels. If you are using smaller towels, you will need more of them.
Should you let your car air dry?
It’s best not to let your car air dry. As water evaporates, it will leave behind traces of the minerals in the water, and this will cause spots to form. In fact, you might even consider protecting your vehicle from the rain, as even that can leave spots. Check out our article on the best car covers or if you have a truck, the best truck covers.
Other Car Drying Towels We Reviewed
This pack of two plush towels will make quick work out of drying your car.
Check PriceIn addition to the ones that made our top 5 list above, we reviewed 20 more car drying towels in order to bring you a nice selection to choose from. These are separated into categories, and the information you’ll need to make your decision will be included in the Key Features section of each listing.
Plush Microfiber Car Drying Towels
CARCAREZ Microfiber Towels for Cars
This is a six-pack of 16 x 16-inch high-pile microfiber towels that will leave your car clean and dry. They’re great for cleaning and drying the windows, too.
Key Features:
- High pile
- Set of six towels
- Great on windows
Cost: $16
GTF Microfiber Car Cleaning Cloths
This set of three ultra-thick towels are made with two layers of plush microfiber. It absorbs moisture quickly to minimize your drying time.
Key Features:
- Three 16 x 16″ towels
- Ultra-thick
- No scratches
Cost: $20
Kirkland Signature Ultra High Pile Premium Microfiber Towels
If you are looking for a big pack of microfiber towels to dry your car, look no further than this 36 pack of 16-inch square towels. They are lint-free and won’t scratch your car’s finish.
Key Features:
- 36 pack
- 16 x 16″ towels
- High pile for good absorbency
Cost: $28
This three-pack of 16 x 16-inch towels will give you plenty of surface material to absorb water after a rainstorm or washing your car.
Key Features:
- Three-pack
- Will not streak
- Very absorbent
Cost: $11
SHSCLY Microfiber Quick Drying Towel
This is a two-pack of gray microfiber towels that are perfect for wiping down your entire car. They measure 19 x 23 inches, and you can wring them out to reuse them right away.
Key Features:
- Two-pack of gray towels
- Soft, won’t scratch
- Lint-free
Cost: $19
SoLiD 6 Pack Multipurpose Microfiber Towel
This is a six-pack of plush microfiber towels; you can also purchase them in a 12-pack for additional savings. These are dual-sided for maximum versatility.
Key Features:
- Comes with 6 towels
- Absorbs 10 times its weight in liquid
- Scratch and streak-free
Waffle Weave Car Drying Towels
Auto Premium Waffle Weave Drying Towel
This three-pack of gray waffle weave towels will make quick work out of drying your car thanks to an increased surface area and super absorbency.
Key Features:
- Three pack of towels
- Measure 16 x 24″
- Will not scratch or streak
Cost: $12
Gryeer Extra Large Waffle Weave Drying Towel
This is a set of two BIG towels. They measure 40 by 28 inches, which means you will have plenty of surface area for drying any car, truck, boat, or RV.
Key Features:
- Two extra-large towels
- Thick material
- Silk banded edges
Cost: $18
Meguiar’s X2000 Water Magnet Drying Towel
This budget-friendly towel will absorb twice what a similarly sized terrycloth towel can absorb. It measures 22 by 30 inches and has a reduced drying time.
Key Features:
- 22 x 30″
- Low drying time
- Sturdy and can be reused many times
Cost: $7
Polyte Elite Microfiber Drying Towel
This two-pack of towels is bright blue, making it a nice addition to your collection of shop towels. They measure 25 by 36 inches, and it won’t leave lint or streaks behind.
Key Features:
- Two towels
- Lint- and streak-free
- Maximum absorbency
Cost: $17
This one towel is big (40 by 25 inches) and perfectly capable of drying your entire vehicle. Just wring it out if it gets saturated, and the drying time is reduced.
Key Features:
- Highly absorbent
- Machine washable
- Lint-free
Cost: $9
TOYOUN Premium Microfiber Towel
This six-pack of 16 by 16-inch towels is split into two colors: Three are gray and three are blue. This makes it easy to dedicate some to only drying the car to avoid scratches.
Key Features:
- Six pack of towels
- Two different colors
- Fast drying
Cost: $17
These towels come in a three-pack, making it convenient to always have a towel ready to go. They measure 16 by 22 inches are are highly absorbent.
Key Features:
- Three pack
- Machine washable
- Soft and lint-free
Chamois Car Drying Towels
This chamois cloth is made of real sheepskin and has a real leather smell. It absorbs large amounts of water and will leave your car streak- and spot-free.
Key Features:
- Measures 35 x 24″
- Wash by hand and dry naturally
- Lint and streak-free
Cost: $12
AmazonBasics Chamois Car Towel
This is a two-pack of synthetic chamois car towels. They’re machine-washable and able to be used over and over, leaving a lint- and streak-free finish every time.
Key Features:
- Two-pack
- Measures 26 x 17″
- Synthetic
Cost: $14
This leather chamois cloth is soft, gentle, and non-abrasive. It is irregularly shaped, measuring approximately 24 by 35 inches.
Key Features:
- Natural leather
- Great for cleaning and drying car windows
- Hand wash only
Cost: $10
CleanTools Synthetic Drying Towel
This set of two synthetic chamois towels will keep your car in streak- and spot-free condition. You will receive random colors; there are six available.
Key Features:
- Two pack of synthetic towels
- 27 x 17″
- Machine washable
Cost: $20
This is a big natural chamois, measuring 6.5 square feet! It is large and absorbent enough to make quick work out of drying your car, boat, RV, truck, or anything else.
Key Features:
- Natural New Zealand sheepskin
- Extremely absorbent
- Holds 5 times its weight in water
Cost: $25
This is the original Shammy Towel, and it measures 26 by 17 inches. Wash and dry your car with it, and just wring it out to keep going. Store it slightly damp in its tube.
Key Features:
- Synthetic chamois towel
- Must be stored damp
- Leaves the finish streak-free
Cost: $15
Sheepskin Elite Chamois Drying Cloth
This real leather chamois cloth comes in various sizes. The one featured is 2.5 square feet (about 15 by 25 inches). It’s soft, absorbent, and made of genuine sheepskin.
Key Features:
- Comes in several sizes
- Made of real leather
- Very absorbent
Cost: $12
