I will admit to using a method like the drop method mentioned. Usually when not at a bench and not having wick with me.
Such a method does remove most of the solder very quickly though.
Solder wick works very well when the amount of solder is fairly small. Large amounts saturate the wick, and you have to move to a fresh section of the wick.
Wick also needs fresh liquid flux applied before use. The small amount of flux already in the wick is usually old and dry by the time you go to use it. Fresh solder makes wick work very very well.
Desolder guns... They work ok. They can remove larger amounts than wick, and more quickly.
But a heated desolder tool is best, and better still when equiped with a button controlled vacuum pump.
So long as you haven't globbed on a ton of solder, wick with fresh flux is a good method.