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This roundup includes everything from simple-but-effective budget blow dryers to models geared more towards hair health or styling.
Read on for our top picks for a range of different customers and needs.
(Image credit: Future)
Happy where you are?
Read on for the best hair dryers around.
Budget option
Best cheap
This affordable hair dryer offers fast drying times and is pretty lightweight.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s great for smaller budgets, but doesn’t pack the power of pricier models.
It’s also efficient and effective at styling different hair types.
Best mini
The dinky Laifen Mini is travel-sized but packs plenty of power.
There’s temperature cycling and a gentle child-friendly mode, and cool (if slightly confusing) design.
The lightweight, foldable design dryer packs plenty of power, too.
The best hair dryer for most people
1.
The T3 AireLuxe is our pick for the best hair dryer for most people.
The build is lightweight, and well-balanced so it’s comfortable to hold.
Two concentrator nozzles come included, and there’s a compatible diffuser and smoothing comb that cost extra.
Read our fullT3 AirLuxe review
The best fast hair dryer
2.
GHD Helios
You want speedy drying:The Helios dries hair remarkably quickly.
The GHD Helios has been around a little longer, but remains the fastest hair dryer we’ve tested.
If you have thick hair, this will get the job done quickly.
On test, our reviewer found it left her hair feeling smooth and frizz-free with minimal flyaways.
For that speed, though, you’ll sacrifice some features.
You’ll get a concentrator included, and there’s acompatible diffuseravailable to purchase if you need one.
Read our fullGHD Helios review
The best budget hair dryer
3.
Not everyone needs an ultra-fancy hair dryer.
It’s not super-bulky or heavy, although the cord is a little short at 1.8m.
However, for the price it’s an excellent buy.
It has features you won’t find on any another hair dryer.
The Nural also knows when it has been put down, and swaps to low-power mode in response.
Read our fullDyson Supersonic Nural review
The best mini hair dryer
4.
The Laifen Mini is the best mini hair dryer we’ve tested.
This does look very cool, though.
All that for a very affordable price.
There are a few frustrations.
Read the fullLaifen Mini review
The best hair dryer for frizz
6.
If you’re looking hair dryer to manage frizz, check out the Dreame Pocket.
It comes bundled with an ‘Unfrizz’ nozzle that’s reminiscent of the Dyson flyaway attachment.
Further to that, you’re getting multiple modes geared towards styling.
This dryer will also work well as a travel hair dryer.
Read the fullDreame Pocket hair dryer review
The best hair dryer with a brush
7.
The Revlon Pro Collection One-Step Dryer & Volumiser is the best brush hair dryer we’ve tested.
The One-Step has two heat parameters, plus a cold shot to set your style.
Our testers also found it noisy and heavy.
And ideally it should work with any country’s power supply.
The GHD Flight+ succeeds in most of these areas.
Read our fullGHD Flight+ hair dryer review
The best Dyson alternative hair dryer
9.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s surprising, then, that it lacks more standard features like a standalone cool shot setting.
Luckily, they are easily removed, thanks to the magnetic fixture.
Power and settingsPrimarily, most people want something that will dry their hair quickly and efficiently.
(Image credit: Future)
On that front, you want to consider windspeed and temperature.
It’s also worth factoring in the tweaks on offer.
For this, look at weight and size.
Cord lengthDo not underestimate how annoying a short cord can be.
Especially worth factoring in if your home’s power outlets aren’t located near your mirrors.
If you have more specific styling needs, some premium options offer more advanced tools.
If you just want to do bouncy blow-dries, you could opt for a dedicated brush dryer.
You might want to opt for a hair dryer with ‘ionic technology’.
These models release charged ions with the aim of smoothing hair as it dries it, and reducing flyaways.
This is the part that warms the air before its projected from the barrel.
Frequently asked questions about hair dryers
Which hair dryer brand is best?
From our at-home testing we can say with confidence that the best hair dryer brand is GHD.
We love the GHD Helios.
It’s quick to heat up and has a super-fast hair drying time, and it looks good too.
If you want something more feature-heavy, then we also really rate Dyson.
Most dryers come with a concentrator nozzle, but others (like the Supersonic Nural) offer a wider range of attachments
Elsewhere, Revlon, T3 and Shark are all worth a look-in when weighing up your options.
What hair dryer is best for curly hair?
Those with curly hair should opt for a hair dryer that includes / has a compatible diffuser.
While many hair dryers come with a diffuser, some are more specialized than others.
Is a hair dryer harmful to hair?
Using any heat on your hair will damage the outer protective coating, known as a cuticle layer.
When these are exposed, the strands very quickly suffer from breakage.
However, leaving your hair to dry naturally isn’t an option for many of us.
What does wattage mean for hair dryers?
Anything over 1500W is acceptable, and if you want something really efficient, 1800W is ideal.
We also monitored the sound level, and factored in how comfortable and balanced they were to use.
Vicky has thin, should length hair with a natural curl.
She’s reviewed the Laifen Swift in this round-up.
Josie has thick, medium-length hair.
