Best Hair Dryers

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Hair dryers are an essential part of many daily routines, helping to dry and style hair quickly while reducing frizz and even protecting against heat damage. Whether you have thick, curly hair or fine, straight strands, the right hair dryer can significantly improve your hair’s health and appearance. When choosing a dryer, consider factors like wattage for drying speed, multiple heat and speed settings for customized styling, and special features like ionic technology to reduce frizz or ceramic coatings for even heat. Weight and ergonomics matter too, especially for longer drying sessions. After hours of testing, we’ve found the best hair dryers for different hair types and needs, prioritizing speed, effectiveness, and hair protection.

  • Cosy Companions Ionic Hair Dryer

    10

    We recommend this hair dryer for its fast drying time and frizz-fighting ionic technology.

    10

    We recommend this hair dryer for its fast drying time and frizz-fighting ionic technology.

    Pros

    • Super quick drying
    • Reduces frizz effectively
    • Quiet operation

    Cons

    • May be too powerful for fine hair
    • Limited heat settings
    • Slightly heavy at 3 pounds

    This hair dryer impressed us with its speedy performance. The high-speed motor dried our hair in just a few minutes. We noticed a big difference compared to standard dryers.

    The ionic technology worked well to tame frizz. Our hair felt smoother and looked shinier after use. The three heat settings (hot, warm, cool) gave us some styling options, though we wished for more precise control.

    We liked how quiet this dryer was. The noise-reduction tech kept it from being too loud, even on the highest setting. The magnetic attachments were easy to snap on and off. While a bit on the heavy side, we found it comfortable enough to use.

  • Wavytalk Pro Hair Dryer

    9.7

    We think the Wavytalk Pro Hair Dryer is a solid choice for most people due to its powerful motor and versatile attachments.

    9.7

    We think the Wavytalk Pro Hair Dryer is a solid choice for most people due to its powerful motor and versatile attachments.

    Pros

    • Fast drying with 1875W motor
    • Comes with 3 useful attachments
    • Compact and lightweight design

    Cons

    • Feels a bit cheap
    • Cord could be longer
    • Can be noisy at high speed

    When we tested the Wavytalk Pro, we were impressed by how quickly it dried our hair. The 1875W motor packs a punch, cutting down drying time compared to other models we’ve used. We liked being able to switch between 3 heat settings and 2 speeds to find the right combo for our hair type.

    The included attachments are a nice bonus. We found the diffuser great for defining curls without frizz. The concentrator nozzle came in handy for smoothing and styling. The comb attachment helped detangle and straighten thick hair.

    We appreciate the compact size, which makes the dryer easy to pack for trips. It’s also pretty light, so our arms didn’t get tired during longer drying sessions. The controls are simple to use, though we had to be careful not to accidentally press buttons while styling.

    While not the fanciest model out there, we think the Wavytalk Pro offers good value. It gets the job done without breaking the bank. Just keep in mind it may not feel as sturdy as pricier options.

  • Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer

    9.5

    We think this hair dryer is a great choice for most people due to its powerful drying ability and hair-protecting features.

    9.5

    We think this hair dryer is a great choice for most people due to its powerful drying ability and hair-protecting features.

    Pros

    • Quick drying with 1875 watts
    • Infrared heat helps keep hair’s moisture
    • Comes with useful attachments

    Cons

    • Might be heavy for some users
    • Can be noisy at high speed
    • Takes up more space than compact dryers

    We tested the Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer and found it lived up to its promises. The 1875-watt motor dried our hair fast, cutting down on styling time. We noticed our hair felt softer and looked shinier after use, which we chalk up to the infrared heat technology.

    The ceramic coating and tourmaline ions seemed to help tame frizz and static. We liked having two heat and two speed settings to adjust based on our hair type and style goals. The cold shot button was handy for setting our style at the end.

    We appreciated the included concentrator and diffuser attachments. The concentrator let us focus on smoothing specific sections, while the diffuser was great for enhancing natural curls and waves. While it’s not the lightest dryer we’ve used, we think its performance and features make it worth considering for most hair types.

  • Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer

    9.4

    We think this powerful hair dryer is a great choice for most people looking for quick drying and frizz control.

    9.4

    We think this powerful hair dryer is a great choice for most people looking for quick drying and frizz control.

    Pros

    • Fast drying with strong airflow
    • Reduces frizz and adds shine
    • Comes with useful attachments

    Cons

    • Slightly heavier than some models
    • Can be loud at highest setting
    • May be overkill for very short hair

    When we tested the Conair InfinitiPRO, we were impressed by its speedy drying abilities. The 1875-watt motor pumped out a strong airflow that cut our drying time nearly in half compared to basic models. Our hair felt smoother and looked shinier after use, likely thanks to the ionic technology.

    We liked the variety of heat and speed settings, which let us customize the airflow for different hair types and styles. The cold shot button worked well to set our style at the end. The included diffuser and concentrator attachments were handy for creating different looks.

    While not the lightest dryer we’ve used, we found the InfinitiPRO comfortable to hold during longer styling sessions. The controls were easy to adjust, even with damp hands. We noticed it ran a bit loud at the highest setting, but not more than other pro-style dryers we’ve tried.

  • Alloom Pro Blow Dryer

    9.3

    We think the Alloom Pro Blow Dryer is a top pick for anyone seeking a powerful, efficient hair dryer that delivers salon-quality results at home.

    9.3

    We think the Alloom Pro Blow Dryer is a top pick for anyone seeking a powerful, efficient hair dryer that delivers salon-quality results at home.

    Pros

    • Ultra-fast drying with 160,000 RPM motor
    • Smart temperature control with LED indicators
    • Lightweight design at just 0.89 pounds

    Cons

    • May be pricier than basic models
    • Could be too powerful for some hair types
    • Corded design limits portability

    We were impressed by the Alloom Pro’s drying speed. Its 160,000 RPM motor dried our hair much faster than standard dryers. Short hair took about a minute, while longer hair dried in just a few minutes.

    The smart temperature control is a standout feature. We liked the LED ring that shows hot (red), warm (orange), and cool (green) settings. This made it easy to adjust the heat for different hair types and styles. The dryer also has a sensor that keeps the temperature steady, which we found helpful for preventing heat damage.

    At 0.89 pounds, this dryer is super light. We could style our hair without our arms getting tired. It’s also pretty quiet, which we appreciated for early morning use. The included magnetic diffuser and nozzle attachments were easy to swap out for different styling needs.

  • OLDAO Speed Dryer

    9.1

    We think this hair dryer is a great choice for anyone looking to dry their hair quickly and safely.

    9.1

    We think this hair dryer is a great choice for anyone looking to dry their hair quickly and safely.

    Pros

    • Super fast drying time
    • Quiet operation
    • Smart digital display

    Cons

    • May be too powerful for some
    • Pricier than basic models
    • Learning curve for settings

    We were amazed by how fast this OLDAO dryer worked. It dried our hair in just a few minutes, which is perfect for busy mornings. The 160,000 RPM motor is no joke – it blasts out air at high speed.

    The smart display is really handy. We could see the exact temperature and speed we were using. This made it easy to find the right setting for our hair type. There are 3 heat levels and 2 speeds to pick from.

    We loved how quiet this dryer is. At only 51 dB, we could use it early in the morning without waking anyone up. The magnetic attachments are also great. They snap on easily and stay put while styling.

  • Conair Double Ceramic Dryer

    9

    We think this Conair dryer offers good value for most people looking for a basic, reliable hair dryer.

    9

    We think this Conair dryer offers good value for most people looking for a basic, reliable hair dryer.

    Pros

    • Powerful 1875-watt motor
    • Double ceramic technology for even heat
    • Ionic conditioning to reduce frizz

    Cons

    • Plastic build feels a bit cheap
    • Can be loud on highest settings
    • Short power cord limits mobility

    We tested the Conair Double Ceramic dryer and found it works well for everyday use. The 1875-watt motor packs enough power to dry hair quickly. We liked the double ceramic coating, which seemed to distribute heat more evenly than basic models.

    The ionic conditioning feature helped tame frizz and left our hair looking smoother. We appreciated having three heat settings and two speeds to customize the airflow. The cool shot button was handy for setting styles at the end.

    While not the fanciest dryer, we think it’s a solid pick for the price. The plastic body feels a bit flimsy, but it’s lightweight and easy to handle. The short cord can be annoying if your outlet isn’t close to a mirror. Still, for basic drying and styling, this Conair model gets the job done without breaking the bank.

  • Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer

    8.7

    We think the Shark SpeedStyle is a top pick for most people looking for a powerful yet gentle hair dryer that won’t break the bank.

    8.7

    We think the Shark SpeedStyle is a top pick for most people looking for a powerful yet gentle hair dryer that won’t break the bank.

    Pros

    • Super fast drying with no heat damage
    • Lightweight and easy to handle
    • Smart attachments for different hair types

    Cons

    • Takes some practice to master
    • Slightly bulky design
    • More expensive than basic dryers

    When we tried out the Shark SpeedStyle, we were impressed by how quickly it dried our hair without making it feel fried or frizzy. The RapidGloss Finisher attachment gave our locks a nice shine and smoothness we don’t usually get from air drying.

    At just 1.69 pounds, this dryer felt light in our hands even after several minutes of use. We liked that it automatically adjusts heat and airflow for each attachment, taking the guesswork out of styling. The cool shot button also helped set our style at the end.

    While it took us a bit to get used to the unique shape, we found the results worth the learning curve. For the price, we think this dryer offers great value compared to pricier options. It works well on both straight and wavy hair types, though very curly hair may need different tools.

  • Cosy Companions Speed Dryer

    8.7

    We think this hair dryer is a solid choice for most people due to its fast drying time and thoughtful features.

    8.7

    We think this hair dryer is a solid choice for most people due to its fast drying time and thoughtful features.

    Pros

    • Dries hair very quickly
    • Quiet operation
    • Multiple heat settings

    Cons

    • Slightly heavy
    • No cold shot button
    • May be too powerful for some

    When we tested this Cosy Companions dryer, we were impressed by how fast it dried our hair. The 150,000 RPM motor blasts out air at high speeds, cutting down drying time a lot. We found it took only a few minutes to go from sopping wet to fully dry.

    The noise level surprised us too. Despite its power, this dryer is pretty quiet. We could easily chat while using it, which isn’t always the case with high-powered models. The three heat settings (shown by different colored LEDs) let us pick the right temp for our hair type and style.

    We liked the diffuser attachment for curly hair days. It spread the airflow evenly, helping to keep curls intact and frizz-free. The dryer felt a bit heavy after extended use, though. And we missed having a cold shot button for setting styles. Some users with fine hair might find the airflow too strong, even on the lowest setting.

  • BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer

    8.6

    We think this powerful, lightweight hair dryer is a great choice for most people looking for salon-quality results at home.

    8.6

    We think this powerful, lightweight hair dryer is a great choice for most people looking for salon-quality results at home.

    Pros

    • Dries hair quickly and smoothly
    • Lightweight and easy to handle
    • Multiple heat and speed settings

    Cons

    • Attachments may fall off during use
    • Gets very hot with extended use
    • Pricier than some other options

    When we tested the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium hair dryer, we were impressed by its performance. The 2000-watt motor packs a punch, drying hair faster than many other models we’ve tried. It left our hair feeling soft and looking shiny, with noticeably less frizz.

    The dryer feels light in our hands, which makes it comfortable to use for longer styling sessions. We like the multiple heat and speed settings, which let us customize the airflow for different hair types and styles. The cool shot button is also handy for setting styles in place.

    One thing to note is that the attachments can be a bit finicky. We found they sometimes come loose during use, which can be frustrating. The dryer also gets quite hot after extended use, so be careful when handling it. While it’s more expensive than some budget options, we think the performance justifies the price for those who dry their hair often or want salon-quality results.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a hair dryer, there are several key factors to consider:

Power and Heat Settings

We recommend looking for dryers with at least 1800 watts of power. Multiple heat and speed settings allow for more styling versatility.

Weight and Ergonomics

A lightweight dryer (under 1 pound) helps reduce arm fatigue. Look for an ergonomic design that feels comfortable to hold.

Attachments

Concentrator nozzles and diffusers can be helpful depending on your hair type and styling needs. Check which accessories are included.

Technology Features

Some dryers offer ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline technology. These can help reduce frizz and dry hair faster.

Cord Length

A longer cord (at least 6 feet) provides more flexibility when styling.

Noise Level

Quieter dryers are more pleasant to use, especially for early morning styling.

Price

Hair dryers range widely in price. We suggest setting a budget based on your needs and frequency of use.

FeatureWhat to Look For
Power1800+ watts
WeightUnder 1 pound
Cord6+ feet long
SettingsMultiple heat/speed options

By considering these factors, we can find a hair dryer that meets our needs and budget.