Put that chamois down! They may have been acceptable 20 years ago for drying cars but the fact is, they’re not very good. Not only are they not really that absorptive, but they’re also quite hard to work with and really susceptible to leaving horrible scratches and marring in the paintwork.
Car drying may still be the most annoying part of the car cleaning process, but technology had come a long way and there are plenty of ways to effectively scoop away that left-over water without adding any scratches. We’ve found the best car dryers right here, and there’s something to suit any budget.
The best car dryers
Best low-tech car dryer
This 26JPN Micro Twist Drying Towel really impressed us when we put it to the test on a wet car. The 1200gsm fibres easily absorb the water and the large 70 x 90cm surface area makes drying a car a quicker event.
Best car dryer for small areas
It has a 1.3hp motor which is capable of blowing 14,460 litres of air a minute and it’s made from steel so it should be tough. All-in-all, it’s a clever gadget if you’ve caught the car cleaning bug. Larger car dryers are rather expensive and while suitable for drying a full car, are often only sold via specialists and are best left to the experts.
Best multi-purpose car dryer
Rrp: £65.99
Rrp: £65.99
This Draper model is an excellent budget option and comes with that all-important blower function. It also has a 1250 Watt motor, 15-litre dust container and a solid selection of attachments, including a crevice tool, round brush and floor head.
Best car dryer for gardeners
This leaf blower from Worx is our top pick because it’s well made, good value for money and battery powered (part of the Power Share family) which will make both blow drying a car on a driveway and cleaning the bottom of the garden super simple.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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