I have tried waffle weave towels but the pile isn't as thick and their ability to soak up water seems to vary but a couple of microfibre towels will work really well and a after safer.
Might be agaist the grain for the serious detailers, but I use a Karcher window-vac thing to suck most of the water off followed up with a wipe with aqua dry.Used on the large panel areas, it makes quick work of drying/leathering off and doesn't seem to mark the paint in any way.
I blow off the water then use a fluffy drying towel from cleanyourcar. Very effective. Also rinse the surface with an open ended hose to sheet off the water....makes drying so much easier.