Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
If you follow my product reviews here at FlatSixes, you can probably tell I enjoy washing and detailing my own cars. For nearly three decades, I’ve been interested in testing new products as they hit the market, hoping to find something that not only does the job better but also makes washing a car easier. Often, people overlook how important it is to have quality towels on hand—one or two for drying and a handful of microfiber towels for detailing. You want something soft, plush, and super absorbent; not only to make drying effortless but also to ensure you don’t accidentally scratch your car.
So when the fine folks at The Rag Company reached out asking whether I’d put their towels to the test, I didn’t hesitate. You see, The Rag Company noted its products were missing from my recent update to our best towels for drying and detailing your car roundup, and, as it turns out, they were right.
They generously sent a care package with some of their most popular products. I recently put everything to the test and came away impressed, while also learning I could use more than one or two drying towels. Here’s a breakdown of everything I put through the wringer (sorry, I had to).
The 1500
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
Of all the drying towels The Rag Company sent me, this one was my favorite. It’s important to explain why, since that may not be the case for everyone. The 1500 is named after its 1,500-GSM rating, which is what I’ve grown accustomed to using. The Rag Company’s version measures 30 by 30 inches, which is sizable, as you can tell from the photo. This towel made quick work of drying my Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and I didn’t need to wring it out. Composed of a 70 percent polyester, 30 percent polyamide blend, the 1500 features a twist-loop weave with a hemmed edge.
The caveat here is that not everyone needs this towel. If you own a smaller vehicle, like a 911, you probably don’t need this towel. That’s because the towel’s size and weight can be unwieldy and can feel heavy to use. As much as I’d love to say it’s all positives, there’s always a trade-off with super-absorbent drying towels like The 1500. Otherwise, why would any company offer other products? It’s important to note that the heavier weight isn’t unique to The 1500. This is the case for any 1,500-GSM towel of this size.
If you want the most absorbent drying towel, this one will likely end up at the top of my recommendations when I revisit the list in a few weeks. I’d like to see how the towel holds up after a few more uses and washes before declaring it the winner.
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The Liquid8r
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
If you want something a little lighter and not as thick, The Liquid8r should be at the top of your list. The version I received measured 25 by 36 inches, which is on the larger side. However, it’s also available in 16 by 16 inches and 20 by 24 inches sizes. The Liquid8r also uses a twist-loop weave with the same blend as the 1500, but it is rated at 1,100 GSM. Still, that’s more than enough to dry a car, unless you have no protection on the paint and sheets of water are clinging to the surface after a wash.
This is an easy-to-use towel I can highly recommend. It hits a sweet spot and might be the best fit for your use case. I found it effortless to use, and it didn’t get too heavy while drying my entire car.
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The Liquid8r M22
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
The Liquid8r M22 is a very interesting towel, and it opened my eyes to using different drying towels depending on the job. This one is smaller at 20 by 20 inches, yet it packs a 2,200-GSM rating, making it the thickest and most absorbent towel in my arsenal. Although it made quick work of drying my entire car, I still prefer a larger footprint to make drying the roof easier, since I’m short.
The Liquid8r M22 has its advantages, though. It’s fantastic for detailing jobs or quick spot-cleaning. I found it really good for going over trim edges where water hides after a wash (you know, the drips from under the mirrors, window trim, or the trunk area). If you’re fine with a little extra effort to dry your car,0 since this is a smaller towel, it could be the right pick for you. Regardless, I recommend that everyone have one of these in their collection. You’ll find a good use for it. I promise.
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The Gauntlet
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
The Gauntlet reminds me of one of the first towels I loved from Adam’s Polishes. The one I received measures 30 by 36 inches, so it’s massive. I did find a specific use for it, though. This towel is thinner, with a 900-GSM rating and a 70/30 Korean fiber blend. Obviously, it’s not as plush or absorbent as the other towels I’ve mentioned, but it can make quick work of most cars. If you want something thinner, lighter, and easier to maneuver while drying your car, this is it. It’s also available in 12 by 12 inches, 15 by 24 inches, and 20 by 30 inches sizes.
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
For me, The Gauntlet was the perfect towel for one particularly annoying spot on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The rear spoiler has two openings where water tends to collect after a wash. Getting in there with a thicker towel is basically impossible, but The Gauntlet found its way through the opening with a little effort. It was perfect for picking up all the trapped water that had been painfully frustrating to dry.
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Slim Dryer
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
The final drying towel they sent is also the one in the main image, called the Slim Dryer. As its name suggests, it’s a thinner towel with a 600-GSM rating and measures 25 by 35 inches. The Rag Company sent the digital camo version with the company’s branding, which may appeal to you. Like The Gauntlet, it features a 70/30 Korean fiber blend with a twist-loop weave that absorbs well. Since it’s thinner than the rest, it’s easy to use.
I’d recommend the Slim Dryer for smaller cars or for anyone who doesn’t want a towel that gets heavy. Naturally, it doesn’t hold as much water as the other towels, so it’s not ideal for larger vehicles. As for me, I found the Slim Dryer to be perfect for drying my wheels. The thinner material makes it easier to get between the spokes and is absorbent enough to pick up what’s left on the surface.
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Eagle Edgeless 500
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
I always say that anyone who cares about how their car looks needs to have a stack of proper microfiber detailing towels in their garage. The Eagle Edgeless 500 towels from The Rag Company are some of the plushest, fluffiest detailing towels I’ve ever used. They are rated at 500-GSM, and each measures 16 by 16 inches or 16 by 24 inches. They’re also available in a variety of colors (blue, ice gray, orange, red, and gold), and The Rag Company somehow knew to send me the right shade to match my car.
The company’s website claims these towels are the “#1 selling choice for numerous automobile manufacturers, collector car clubs, professional restorers, detailers, and car/truck/motorcycle/boat/airplane lovers everywhere, and was selected by the Huntington Beach Concours d’Elegance as the towel of choice for all participants,” and I’m inclined to agree. Not only were these great for picking up small spots of leftover water after a wash, but they were perfect for applying quick detailer and cleaning my windows.
These towels are made from AA-grade microfiber yarn in South Korea, and I prefer the edgeless design even though they may fray after a few washes.
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Rags to Riches Microfiber Detergent
Photo credit: Jason Siu / FlatSixes
The Rag Company also included a bottle of Rags to Riches Microfiber Detergent, which is designed to help these towels stay in top-notch shape for years. I honestly can’t say much yet, since I’ve only used it twice. If it helps keep the towels as plush as they are out of the bag, I’m all for it. I recommend adding a bottle to your cart, since it’s a low-cost way to protect your investment.
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Disclaimer: The Rag Company provided all the products seen in this review for evaluation. The Rag Company, however, was not allowed to view this article prior to publishing and had no influence on the review.