Why should you need to think about car dryers when it comes to cleaning your cherished machine? For one, the hardest (and most irritating) part of washing a car has long been the drying process. From the dark ages of the chamois that left swirl marks on paintwork came the improved microfibre drying towels that work far better, but were susceptible to leaving water spots and still needed to be washed after each clean.
The latest and best option available is the car dryer, a big hair dryer for blowing the water safely and cleanly off your car. These things are electrically powered, and despite carrying a substantial premium over a drying towel, provide a contactless way of drying your car while preventing the dreaded water spots blemishes.
As water spots are a visual blemish on otherwise clean paintwork, it makes sense to try and avoid them at all costs. Full-size specialist car dryers will use warm, filtered air but are rather specialist tools and probably best left to professional detailers as they also cost more money than most people are prepared to pay.
The best car dryers 2024 at a glance:
The best car dryer: Vertool Airdry 180 - Buy now from Amazon
Editor's pick: BigBoi Blowr PRO+ Car Dryer - buy from Amazon
Best value car dryer: XPower Portable Car Dryer - Buy now from eBay
Happily however, some more budget-friendly options are out there on the market - and in many ways - are just as capable for the job. So instead, we’ve found some useful gadgets that can double as car dryers to save you drying time while washing your car. But if you've decided they're not to your taste, check out our guide tocar drying towels.
The best car dryers 2024
The best car dryer
Via VertoolYou get a fair old kick of power from this compact dryer thanks to the 5.5hp motor. You reduce the risk of causing swirls and scratches on your paintwork, and the adjustable heated airflow safely removes water from hard-to-reach areas of the car bodywork.
It comes with a 5m long hose, and the hose nozzle has a soft rubber tip to reduce the chance of scratching further. The air can be heated to about 30°C above the ambient air temperature to speed up drying time, plus, it's easy to move around, thanks to the multi-directional wheels on the base.
Pros
- Variable airflow control, which is great for different areas and surfaces
- Easy to move around, thanks to wheeled platform and long hose
- Powerful with a 2,800W motor along with a heater hose
Cons
- Some could find it heavy at 7.16kg
Editor's pick
Via BigBoiThe BigBoi is a big unit of a car dryer and is priced accordingly, but can quite easily be used in a professional environment and represents the ultimate way to dry a car. The key feature of the BigBoi is BigBoi Temperature Technology, a feature that locks the air temperature at 20°C above the ambient temperature to get optimal drying.
Beyond that, the BigBoi features a raft of excellent features to get your car dry quickly. It features two low-noise motors with a 4.1 hp output and can blow 59,200 ft/min, exceptional performance. It features a number of nice design touches too, the attachments are neoprene to stop scratches and the nine-metre air hose is very flexible. It is very expensive, but if you're wanting to treat your car, it's the best car dryer you can get.
Pros
- Very simple to use, thanks to straightforward controls
- Uses two 1,500W motors for a substantial amount of drying power
- Filtered, heated air makes drying water easier and quicker than other option
Cons
- Doesn't quite represent as good value as the others
- Not many attachments included
Best car dryer for small areas
Via MetroMetroVac is an American company that specialises in both car dryers and beefy vacuum cleaners. The Blaster Sidekick is a small, purpose-built car dryer designed for drying grilles, door seams and other smaller, awkward locations. Being American it's made of steel, has a name more suited to a jet fighter and boasts a 1.3 hp motor capable of blowing 14,460 litres of warm, filtered air per minute.
The two nozzles are made from rubber so there’s no chance of scratching the paintwork while the three-and-a-half metre power cord will ensure that it reaches all corners of a car. Most importantly from a US product, it’s designed to fit a UK power socket. It’s a real time saver and perfect for those areas a traditional drying towel struggles to fit even if it's not big enough for drying an entire car.
Pros
- Great for drying small nooks and hard-to-access areas
- Powerful enough for a unit of its size
- Comes with two nozzle attachments and is handheld for ease of use
Cons
- Not powerful enough, nor designed to dry a whole car
Best value car dryer
Via XPowerwww.ebay.co.uk
Boasting a 1600W motor and two air speed and heat settings, this more affordable car dryer would make an excellent addition thanks to its small size and very generous five-metre hose. Made from ABS plastic with heat-proof grips, it won't have the quality feel of the other metal-bodied examples here, but it will prove to be tough.
The kit includes two nozzles; one wide and a crevice tool for smaller areas including door jambs. It also sports a wheeled mount to aid portability, and a washable air filter. Neither of these nozzles are useful for larger coverage on car bodywork, but for accessing difficult-to-reach areas, this is a very useful tool for the job.
Pros
- Excellent value for money at £140, which undercuts some others
- Powerful enough to dry a car, which is always useful
- Very portable, thanks to compact size and five-metre hose
Cons
- Nozzle design could be improved for better coverage
Best dryer for small parts and motorcycles
Via GravitisDespite the fact the 3.2hp Gravitis motorcycle dryer is - by namesake - not strictly designed for cars, it's still a worthy consideration if you don't want anything too powerful. The nozzle attachments are perfect if, for instance, you want to dry out the little crevices and bits of your car that neither your hand or tools can reach.
It generates 2,800W of power which leads to a wind speed of 55-75 metres per-second. That translates to between 123-167mph, so it certainly has some strength in blowing standing water off your paintwork. What's more, it even comes with a 12-month warranty which is reassuring to buyers. And at a touch over £100, it certainly represents better value than some of the others on this list.
Pros
- 12-Month warranty included, which adds to buyers reassurance
- Nozzle attachments could be useful in drying difficult areas, or clearing them of dirt and debris
- Better value for money than some others at just over £100
Cons
- Isn't strictly designed as a car dryer, so coverage won't be as large
Best car dryer alternative
Via DraperA good wet and dry vacuum cleaner is essential for properly cleaning a garage, and finding one with a built-in blower function will mean you can use it for drying your car. This makes a vacuum like this Draper such a clever idea for car care, the interior will obviously benefit from the vacuuming function while the exterior can be blown dry with the same compact device.
This entry-level wet and dry vacuum cleaner from Draper features more than just a blower function, making it the perfect choice for a car dryer. For a start, it comes with a power 1250 Watt motor which makes the suction really impressive. It also comes with a 15-litre storage area and a raft of attachments including a crevice tool, floor tool and round brush.
Pros
- Can be used for drying hard-to-reach areas
- Also works as a good wet and dry vacuum cleaner
- Represents much better value for money than the others
Cons
- Not the most effective car dryer, nor was it really designed to be one
FAQs and things to remember with car dryers
Are car dryers better than drying towels?
They are generally more efficient and safer for the car's paintwork as they reduce the risk of scratches and swirl marks since they do not involve physical contact with the car's surface. They can also reach and dry areas that are difficult to access with a microfibre towel.
Are electrically powered car dryers suitable for all types of vehicles?
Yes, they can be used on all types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, vans, and even bicycles. Even away from the garage, you could even use them to dry other things if you ever wanted to. But with the heat tubes and attachments, they're predominently designed to quickly clear paintwork and crevices of any standing water. In the case of the Draper vacuum's blower function, you could even opt for a wet and dry vacuum cleaner to do some jobs.
How long does it take to dry a car using an electrically powered car dryer?
The drying time can vary depending on the power of the dryer and the size of the vehicle. On average, it can take between 10 to 20 minutes to dry a standard-sized car. More powerful dryers can reduce this time significantly.
Is it safe to use an electrically powered car dryer in wet conditions?
While electrically powered car dryers are designed for use in damp environments, it is crucial to ensure that the device itself does not get wet and that it is used with proper safety precautions. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the dryer in a well-ventilated area away from standing water.
Do electrically powered car dryers require maintenance?
Yes, just like any electrical device from pressure washersto vacuums, car dryers require maintenance to ensure they are safe and running as well as possible. It's worth regularly cleaning the filter, inspecting the nozzles for blockages, and checking the power cord and plug for any signs of wear and tear.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.