The Best Car Microfiber Towels

These are the best microfiber towels that won’t damage your vehicle’s exterior

byAustin Fracchia, Linsay Thomas|
best microfiber towels for cars
Peter Nelson

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BYAustin Fracchia, Linsay Thomas/ LAST UPDATED ON May 8, 2023

Your car, motorcycle, or UTV’s exterior is a delicate thing. Paint can scratch, glass can fog or blur, and trim can easily be damaged by the wrong cleaning products. This is especially true with how you wipe down, apply wax, or clean your ride’s exterior. Most folks don’t think twice about the towel they use, but they should.


Using the wrong one can leave behind a damaged finish, but not so when using microfiber towels for cars. These brilliant little cleaning products gently wipe away dirt, debris, and water and leave a sparkling finish. And now, thanks to your friends at The Drive, we’ve put together a list of the best on the market. Check it out below.

Best Overall
MEGUIAR'S X20000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel 3 Pack

Meguiar’s X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel (3 Pack)

Summary
This set of three microfiber towels is perfect for drying your car. Each towel measures 22 by 30 inches. They have a waffle texture pattern to the weave.
Pros
  • These towels can absorb up to double the amount of water that a regular towel can.
  • You’ll also need to wring them out less often.
Cons
  • These towels are some of the most expensive on the market.
  • You’ll also need to be careful when drying them so they don’t get dirty and scratch your car the next time you use them.
Best Value

 SINLAND 720gsm Ultra Thick Plush Microfiber Car Cleaning Towels

Summary
A pack of multi-colored microfiber car towels that offer a good balance between budget-friendly pricing and performance.
Pros
  • The surface is extremely soft and does a good job of resisting marking up the car's surface while polishing or waxing a vehicle.
  • Multiple colors means it’s easy to distinguish between different tasks.
Cons
  • The towels are small and may not absorb as well as some rival brands
  • They may also leave lint behind
Honorable Mention

Chemical Guys Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Dryer Towel

Summary
A premium microfiber towel from one of the top names in the car detailing industry.
Pros
  • High-quality materials and construction that absorbs and holds a lot of water while drying the exterior of a vehicle.
  • Large microfiber for large areas.
Cons
  • Lint can get left behind on the vehicle's exterior after some use.
  • Some paint styles make it difficult to slide the towel across the surface quickly.

Our Methodology

We’ve used hundreds of different microfiber towels over the course of our automotive lives. From cheap as heck Amazon products to luxurious offerings from Meguiar’s and Chemical Guys. We’ve bought towels from retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Autozone, and everywhere in between. Suffice it to say, we know what we’re looking for and that’s absorption rate, size, quantity in the package, color-coding, percentage of polyamide, and types of microfiber. We put emphasis on brands we know and trust, but also threw in some that were worth the bargain-basement pricing. What we have left is what we think are some solid options for your next microfiber towel buy.

Summary List of Best Microfiber Towels for Cars

Best Microfiber Towels for Cars Reviews & Recommendations

This set of three microfiber towels is perfect for drying your car. Each towel measures 22 by 30 inches, and they have a waffle texture pattern to the weave. These are well-rated for providing an easy and painless drying experience, and hold up over time.

Pros

These towels can absorb up to double the amount of water that a regular towel can

You’ll also need to wring them out less often

Cons

These towels are some of the most expensive on the market

Be careful when drying them so they don’t get dirty and scratch your car

These multi-colored, plush microfiber car towels from Sinland are budget-friendly and designed to remove both wax and sealant, are 100 percent machine washable, and work in both wet and dry conditions. They can absorb nearly 10 times their weight in liquid and are easy and quick to wring out, and the material is extremely soft and does a good job of preventing marks, streaks, swirls, and spots on the car's surface while you're polishing or waxing a vehicle.

Pros

Don't leave streaks or swirls

Safe to use on paint, mirrors, windows, and more

Durable

Cons

A little small

Not as absorbent as other towels in their price range

May leave lint behind

Chemical Guys' Woolly Mammoth Microfiber Dryer Towel is a premium product that is 100-percent washable. The towels are made of extra-plush microfiber and have silk-banded edges to remove the potential for swirls and scratches, is 25 by 36 inches, and features fibers in a spiral pattern for added absorbency. This towel is soft and thick, and its high-quality materials and construction hold a lot of water, nor does it cause streaks or scratches on sensitive painted surfaces.

Pros

Extremely absorbent

Thick

Large size

Cons

Size can be unruly

May leave behind lint

Difficult to slide across surfaces

Mighty Cleaner Premium Microfiber Towels are super soft and super gentle, and these features make them a fantastic choice for cleaning, detailing, and caring for your car. They’re ideal for delicate car surfaces and materials, like your car’s dashboard and exterior paint. Made with extra-long fur, these microfiber towels can pick up dirt and hang onto it tightly, all while preventing scratches, smearing, and potential damage. With a seamless design, there’s no potential for these soft towels to leave marks behind on your vehicle.

Pros

Extra-long fur

Super delicate

Seamless design for no swirls or scratches

Cons

Small size

Washing over time can reduce softness

Less absorbent than other choices

If you’re looking for microfiber towels for your car that are a bit larger, CarCarez Microfiber Towels are a great option. These 16 x 16-inch towels give you extra material for cleaning, drying, or detailing, and are made out of premium 450 gsm microfiber material, you’ll get softness as well as strong absorbency from each of the six towels included in each set. The light blue material allows you to see dirt as you remove or wipe it away. Plush and thick, these towels will stay strong even when you’re cleaning very stubborn dirt.


With no tags, no seams, and no edges, these microfiber towels are ideal for waterless washing, quick detailing, or even polishing and buffing. They can absorb two times more than a traditional microfiber cleaning cloth, and you don’t have to worry about issues like streaking or scratching on any surface.


Product Specs

  • Pack of six
  • 16 x16 inches
  • Fur style

Pros

  • No tags, seams, or edges
  • 450 GSM
  • No streaking or scratches

Cons

  • Washing can reduce softness
  • Multi-colored ones are more expensive

Our Verdict

For the best of the best (and a few extra towels), we recommend checking out the Meguiar’s X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel (3 Pack). Another great microfiber towel option is the SINLAND 720gsm Ultra Thick Plush Microfiber Car Cleaning Towels.

FAQs

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers. 

Q: Why can't I use a regular towel to clean my vehicle?

A. They're reusable and durable. Microfiber towels have the ability to retain a lot of water, but that doesn't affect their construction. You can use them over and over again, which can save you money. Many automotive enthusiasts use microfiber towels when detailing their vehicles because they are long-lasting and can be washed numerous times. They're ideal for painted and glass surfaces.

But most importantly: They won't harm your vehicle's surface. The best microfiber towels are designed to be streak- and spot-free. Rougher materials may scratch your vehicle's paint and leave lint behind

Q: How absorbent should microfiber towels for cars be?

A. There is no specific amount, but the towel should avoid just pushing the water around as you clean the surface.

Q: What are some key features of microfiber towels for cars?

A. Thickness: Generally, thicker microfiber towels are better for car detailing. They absorb more wax and polish and are less likely to leave streaks behind. Some towels are measured in grams per square meter (gsm). Lighter towels have a lower gsm and tend to be the least expensive. Those with around 200 gsm are fine for towel drying a vehicle.

Size: You can find microfiber car towels in a variety of sizes, but the best ones for detailing are between 12 by 12 inches to 16 by 27 inches (or the size of a hand towel). Smaller, more lightweight towels are best for cleaning a vehicle's interior as well as its mirrors and windows. Use larger towels for the exterior surface.

Material: Most microfiber towels are 80 percent polyester and 20 percent polyamide, so they are soft and absorbent. Those with a higher level of polyamide are more absorbent, while those with more polyester are more likely to leave lint behind. Most brands are very careful about the composition and the ability of the towels to remove dirt and debris.

Q: What are the different kinds of microfiber towels for cars?

A. Waffle Texture: Many microfiber towels feature a waffle texture with small depressions on the cloth. They are very absorbent because they have higher surface areas and are great to use after you've washed your vehicle. You can also use waffle microfiber towels to clean areas such as the tires and chrome.

Suede Texture: Towels with a suede microfiber texture are ideal when you're polishing your car, truck, or SUV. They have a smooth and satiny feeling to them and are perfect for polishing metal and chrome items on your vehicle. Ultimately, it's a personal preference when it comes to waffle or suede-style microfiber towels.

Medium and Long Pile: If you want to remove wax, look for a medium pile microfiber towel. They can also be used to remove water and are best for basic cleaning. They're not designed for delicate surface areas. Long pile towels are the softest and are ideal for buffing. They are very absorbent and will shine up a finish without scratching it.

Q: What are some tips and things I should look out for when buying microfiber towels for cars?

A. Quantity: If you detail your vehicle on a regular basis, you may want to buy a value pack with several towels included. That way, you won't run out when you're in the middle of cleaning. Some packs have three to six towels, while others may feature 12, 50, or more. You'll save more money if you buy in bulk.

Ease of Use: The main purpose of a microfiber towel is to clean a vehicle's surface area without leaving streaks or marks behind. The towel should be easy to use and should not make your job harder. The best microfiber towels quickly and easily absorb water and are easy to wring out.

Color: Professional car detailers are sticklers when it comes to organizing their cleaning supplies. The benefit of color-coding your microfiber towels is that you won't accidentally transfer one product onto the wrong towel. Microfiber towels are available in a variety of different shades, depending on your personal preference.Quality: A high-quality microfiber towel will resist tearing or ripping after a few uses.

Material: Each towel manufacturer uses slightly different materials for their microfiber cloth surfaces, so test a few out before buying one to get a sense of how each one performs.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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