The best hair dryers for smooth, speedy styling at home – whatever your hair type
Want every day to be a good hair day? We tested 22 hair dryers to find the best, from gentle diffusers to high-speed and travel-ready models
In my years of reviewing beauty tech, it was upgrading my hair dryer that made the biggest difference to my routine. I used to dread hair-wash days: the chore of shampooing, conditioning and rinsing my hair, plus the time – and aching arms – spent getting it dry again.
My clunky, bargain-bucket hair dryer of seven years was weighty, deafeningly loud, and took a painstaking 20 minutes to dry my hair. So happier days really did arrive when I switched to a new model.
My current hair dryer uses a lightweight digital motor that’s not only far quieter, but is also powerful enough to dry my hair in just five minutes. It seems modern hair dryers have stepped up their game. Here, you’ll find the best hair dryers I’ve tested, from gentle options with diffusers for curly hair to ultra-fast models that shave significant time off your morning routine. You’ll also find expert hair-drying guidance from celebrity hairstylist Melissa Timperley.
At a glance
- Best hair dryer overall
HershesonsThe Great£235 at Hershesons - Best budget hair dryer
BaBylissHydro-Fusion£59.99 at John Lewis - Best hair dryer for curly hair
PanasonicNanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J£199.99 at Amazon - Best hair dryer for sensitive scalps
DysonSupersonic NuralStraight and wavy, £349.99 at John Lewis - Best lightweight hair dryer
Electric Head JogFutaria£139.95 at Amazon - Best travel hair dryer
DysonSupersonic Travel£249.99 at Dyson
Why you should trust me
I’ve been reviewing beauty products for four years and have amassed a near-encyclopaedic knowledge of hair care. I’ve attended countless styling masterclasses, interviewed hair stylists, and completed a cosmetic science course where I learned exactly how hair growth, styling and care work at a cellular level.
I’ve tested and reviewed about 70 hair-styling tools – including hair dryers, curlers, hot brushes, wavers and straighteners – from big-name brands and newcomers alike. And perhaps most impressively, I’ve walked away with my hair healthy and intact.
How I tested
Having researched the most popular brands and models, I put 22 hair dryers through their paces for this test. I also spoke to a hair stylist to find out what she looks for in a hair dryer, before cherrypicking the best 12 from my tests to include here.
I used an anemometer to test each model’s maximum wind speed, which ranged from a measly 16 metres a second (m/s) to a mind-boggling 43.8m/s, and also a sound meter to measure noise levels from 15cm away.
Claims of “enhanced shine or smoothness” aren’t quantifiable, but I did use every hair dryer to complete the same task, noting how long it took to rough-dry hair and then to finish. I also tried my hand at using a round brush to achieve a smooth, bouncy blowout. While I’m no professional at this, it allowed me to make a judgment about how easy a hair dryer’s controls are to use, how precise and versatile its settings are, and comfort levels over the course of styling.
When testing was complete, I returned the samples to the manufacturers who sent them. If samples could not be returned, they were sent to the Redbridge Reach Out domestic abuse service, which provides support and refuge for survivors.
The best hair dryers
The best of the rest
What you need to know
I interviewed Melissa Timperley, hair stylist and founder of Melissa Salons, to discover her tips for choosing a hair dryer. “When it comes to protecting your hair and achieving the style you want, the tool you use matters just as much as the products you pair it with,” she says.
What features should I look for?
According to Timperley, the key features are adjustable speed and heat settings, which “allow for better control and protection, depending on your hair type and styling needs”. Look for hair dryers with a cool-shot button, too, which “help to smooth the cuticle and set your style”.
Design-wise, consider weight, which is “especially important for longer hair or professional use” to prevent armstrain. Also look for a dryer that has a removable or self-cleaning filter, as “this makes cleaning and maintenance easy, which helps preserve motor life”.
What to avoid when choosing a dryer
Timperley warns that there are some features, or omissions, that could be detrimental to hair health. It’s best to avoid “single-setting dryers that don’t allow heat or speed control”, as well as low-wattage dryers under 1,800W, because “they often take longer to dry hair, exposing it to heat for too long”.
However, some of the dryers I’ve chosen here are below 1,800W. That’s because these use digital motors, which are smaller and lighter than brushed motors and produce faster airflow. That means, in those cases, the difference in drying speeds is negligible.
She also warns against buying “heavy, bulky dryers that are uncomfortable to use regularly” and “poor-quality nozzles or diffusers that don’t fit securely or distribute air properly”.
Put simply, she says: “If the dryer doesn’t clearly list its motor type, wattage or heat settings, that’s a red flag.”
What makes a hair dryer good for different hair types?
Picking out the right hair dryer for your hair type can be challenging. “The best hair dryers cater to your hair’s specific needs – whether that’s smoothing frizz, protecting fine strands or cutting through thick, coarse textures,” says Timperley.
For fine or damaged hair, Timperley advises looking for “lower heat settings and a ceramic or tourmaline dryer that distributes heat more gently”. For thick or coarse hair, “higher wattage and powerful airflow are essential – infrared, ionic and titanium dryers are great for cutting drying time without excessive heat”. And finally, for curly or textured hair, “a diffuser attachment is key, as is a dryer that offers heat control without sacrificing volume or natural texture”.
What’s the difference between ionic and ceramic hair dryers?
“Ionic hair dryers emit negative ions that help break down water molecules faster, reducing frizz,” says Timperley. “They’re great for smoothing and shine, especially if you have thick, frizzy or unruly hair.”
Conversely, “ceramic hair dryers use ceramic heating elements to distribute heat evenly, which helps prevent hotspots and damage. They’re ideal for fine or delicate hair.”
“Some of the best hair dryers,” says Timperley, “combine both technologies, giving you faster drying without sacrificing hair health.”
What to do with your old hair dryer?
If it still works and is in good condition, you can donate your old hair dryer to a charity shop or shelter. The British Red Cross often accepts small electrical items, including hair dryers. Be sure to clean out any dust from the rear filter and remove any hair from brush attachments before you pass it on.
If your hair dryer is dead, don’t throw it in your normal bin. Take it to your local recycling centre, which you can find using Recycle Your Electricals. Alternatively, Currys offers a free recycling service in-store for electrical items, including those you didn’t buy from it.
How to stop your hair dryer from damaging your hair?
A common misconception is that heat protection is only necessary when using heat styling tools, such as hair straighteners or curlers, but the heat from your hair dryer can be just as damaging. Always prepare wet hair using a heat protection cream or spray before drying. According to Timperley, “this creates a protective barrier between the hair and heat, while helping to smooth and condition the strands.”
“Avoid automatically reaching for the highest heat setting,” continues Timperley. “Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can weaken the hair cuticle, leading to dryness, frizz, breakage and a loss of shine over time.” As a rule, opt for the lower heat settings as long as they still allow you to achieve the style you want, and keep the dryer moving constantly to avoid frazzling small sections of hair.
Unlike traditional heat stylers, styling with a hair dryer offers the best results when the hair is about 80% dry. Timperley warns, “once a section is fully dry, additional heat offers little styling benefit and significantly increases the risk of damage.” She recommends re-dampening any hair strands you’re unhappy with and restyling for the healthiest results.
For more:
The best hair masks for every hair type
Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer review
Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer review
The best hair oils, capsules and serums
Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who specialises in health and beauty reviews. In her four years of product testing, she’s worked her way through countless hair styling, hair removal, light therapy and skincaretools. In her spare time, you’ll find her lightly scolding her friends for not wearing SPF or getting sucked into a Vinted wormhole
Originally published by theguardian.com. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Vanity Fair Fashion.
