Both clay mitts and clay bars are effective at removing contaminants from a vehicle's paint, but they each have distinct advantages and potential drawbacks.

Here's a comparison to help determine which might be better suited to your needs:

Clay Mitts

Advantages:

1. Larger Surface Area: Clay mitts cover more surface area than traditional clay bars, making the decontamination process faster.
2. Ease of Use: Mitts are typically easier to handle, reducing hand fatigue during extended use.
3. Durability: They can be rinsed and reused multiple times, often lasting longer than clay bars.
4. Safety: Clay mitts tend to be less likely to cause marring or scratching when used correctly with adequate lubrication.

Drawbacks: 

1. Initial Cost: Clay mitts can be more expensive upfront compared to clay bars.
2. Less Precision: Mitts may be less effective for reaching tight or intricate areas due to their size.

Clay Bars  

Advantages:

1. Precision: Clay bars can be molded and shaped to fit into tight spaces, making them ideal for detailed work.
2. Proven Effectiveness: They have a long track record of effectively removing contaminants.

Drawbacks:

1. Time-Consuming: Using a clay bar can be more time-consuming due to its smaller surface area.
2. Potential for Marring: If not used properly or if dropped, a clay bar can cause marring or scratching. Dropped clay bars should be discarded to avoid transferring contaminants back to the paint.

Conclusion

Both clay mitts and clay bars are effective tools for decontaminating a vehicle's paint. If you're looking for speed, ease of use, and reusability, a clay mitt might be the better choice. If you need precision and are working on detailed areas, a traditional clay bar could be more suitable. Many detailers find that having both options available allows them to choose the best tool for different parts of the vehicle or stages of the detailing process.