Mitsubishi Jet Towel®: A Look Back at a Revolutionary Hand Dryer

While the Mitsubishi Jet Towel has been discontinued in the United States, its legacy as one of the earliest “hands-in” style hand dryers remains strong. For years, it was celebrated for its quiet operation, energy efficiency, and clean, high-tech design—particularly in markets like Japan, where restroom innovation is far more advanced.

At ProDryers, we continue to receive interest in the Jet Towel. Although we no longer sell it, we want to help customers who land on this page understand its significance—and more importantly, what the best alternative is today.

Recommended Replacement: Saniflow Dualflow Plus

If you’re seeking a hands-in dryer with similar performance, hygienic design, and quiet operation, our #1 recommendation is the Saniflow Dualflow Plus.

• Similar vertical "hands-in" drying chamber
• HEPA filtration standard
• Adjustable speed and noise levels
• Excellent for healthcare, schools, office buildings, and high-end commercial environments

Click here to view the Saniflow Dualflow Plus on ProDryers
Or call us at 888-503-7937 for a custom quote

The History of the Mitsubishi Jet Towel

First introduced in Japan in 1993, the Mitsubishi Jet Towel was one of the very first “hands-in” style high-speed dryers—a design that was revolutionary at the time. It allowed users to insert both hands vertically into a chamber where thin, high-speed jets of air would squeegee water downward off the skin. This was a stark departure from conventional warm-air dryers that simply evaporated water over longer drying times.

Mitsubishi’s innovation predated the more widely known Dyson Airblade, and its launch helped define a new category of hand dryers globally.

Why the Jet Towel Design Was a Game-Changer in Japan

In Japan, where cleanliness, noise levels, and compact efficiency are cultural priorities, the Jet Towel thrived:

• Low Noise: It operated at significantly lower decibel levels than its competitors, making it ideal for quiet environments like hospitals, libraries, and upscale restaurants.
• Energy Efficiency: It consumed less power by drying faster without relying on heating elements.
• Water Containment: The enclosed design meant fewer water droplets on floors—an essential feature in tight, clean spaces.
• Sanitary Operation: Its hands-in configuration minimized splashing and reduced the spread of germs.

The dryer quickly became a staple in corporate offices, public transit stations, and medical centers across Japan.

Why It Didn’t Catch On as Strongly in the U.S.

Despite its success abroad, the Mitsubishi Jet Towel struggled to find wide adoption in the U.S., largely due to:

• Higher Price Point: It was priced above standard high-speed dryers, which made it a harder sell without brand recognition.
• Less Aggressive Marketing: Unlike Dyson or XLERATOR, Mitsubishi didn’t aggressively push the Jet Towel into American distribution channels.
• Hands-In Learning Curve: U.S. users were more familiar with "hands-under" models. Some found the vertical drying method less intuitive.
• Water Collection Needs: The enclosed chamber collected water runoff, which required routine emptying or drainage—a maintenance task some facility managers overlooked.

As a result, while the product had loyal niche adopters, it never achieved widespread presence in the U.S. market.

What Made the Mitsubishi Jet Towel Technologically Unique

The Jet Towel featured several standout engineering qualities that earned it a loyal following:

Superior Motor Design

• The brushless DC motor was engineered for quiet operation, energy efficiency, and long life.
• Unlike louder AC motors found in older dryers, the Jet Towel could operate at under 60 dB(A), making it one of the quietest high-speed dryers available.

Precision Airflow

• Dual-sided air jets created a smooth "blade" of air from both sides simultaneously, drastically reducing drying time to about 10 seconds.
• The airflow was tuned to remove water efficiently without aggressive noise or splash-back.

Hygienic Enhancements

• Optional HEPA filtration and antibacterial resin components helped minimize bacterial buildup inside the chamber.
• Water containment systems reduced messy floors and made the unit suitable for hygiene-sensitive environments like hospitals and food service.

Smart Engineering for Facilities

• Designed to be ADA compliant and mounted at appropriate heights
• Compact enough for tight restrooms, especially in retrofits
• Low maintenance, but with a dedicated drainage system for captured water

Ideal Environments for the Jet Towel

The Jet Towel was particularly well-suited for:

• Healthcare Facilities: Low noise and high hygiene made it a good fit for clinics and hospitals.
• Universities & Libraries: Its quiet motor and energy savings benefited shared, quiet spaces.
• Corporate Offices: The sleek, high-tech design complemented modern architecture.
• Sustainable Buildings: It supported green building goals with lower power consumption and reduced paper towel use.

Why the Saniflow Dualflow Plus Is the Best Replacement

While the Jet Towel is no longer available, the Saniflow Dualflow Plus offers many of the same advantages—and then some:

Feature	Jet Towel	Dualflow Plus
Hands-In Design	✔️	✔️
HEPA Filtration	Optional	Standard
Adjustable Speed	✔️	✔️
Quiet Operation	✔️	✔️
ADA Compliant	✔️	✔️
Antibacterial Surface	✔️	✔️
Drainage System	✔️	✔️
Available in the U.S.	❌	✅

The Dualflow Plus matches or exceeds the Jet Towel in performance, energy use, and hygienic features, and it’s fully supported in the U.S. through ProDryers with fast shipping and competitive pricing.

Final Thoughts

While the Mitsubishi Jet Towel may no longer be available for U.S. buyers, its legacy as a quiet, energy-efficient, and hygienic hand drying solution lives on. For those seeking a similar experience today, the Saniflow Dualflow Plus stands out as the best hands-in style replacement on the market.

Have questions or need a quote on the Dualflow Plus?
Call us at 888-503-7937 or
Email CustomerService@ProDryers.com

We’ll help you find the perfect fit for your facility.