Everyone needs a good hair dryer. Whether you’re in a time crunch and need a last-minute hairstyle or you’re aiming to create that perfect salon-level blowout, a hand hair dryer adds shine and volume to your hair in a pinch. And while straighteners and curlers are great, there’s nothing quite like the satisfying feeling of going from wet hair to a fresh blowout in a matter of minutes.
What to look for in the best hair dryer
The right dryer will largely depend on your styling needs, but there are a few must-have elements to look for. For starters, you’ll likely want a hair dryer with a cool shot button. What does this mean, exactly? Think of it as a seal for locking in your desired style.
After achieving your look, the cool shot button is a last-step setting that seals the style, boosting shine and ensuring your locks last.
Drying your hair can take time, and it shouldn’t be a burden on your arms. To avoid this, opt for a lightweight but powerful dryer. As a general rule, look for a model with at least 1,500 watts. (If you have thicker hair, closer to 2,000 watts will be best.)
Best overall
Drybar Buttercup blow dryer
Great blowouts are in your future with Drybar’s Buttercup blow dryer. Beloved by stylists and beauty editors alike, it’s an effective tool that’s also easy to use at home and our top pick.
Featuring a powerful 1,875-watt motor, it promises to dry hair 20 per cent faster than the average hair dryer. Plus, it features ionic technology to cut down on frizz and a concentrated airflow for a more efficient and gentle drying experience.
Pros
- Uses ionic technology to result in shinier, frizz-free hair
- AC motor with concentrated airflow and wider nozzle for easy styling
- Suitable for dry hair
- Faster dry than other models
Cons
- This pick is pricier than other options
Best budget
Shrate ionic hair dryer
Wallet-friendly doesn’t have to mean underwhelming. Out of all of our hair dryer picks, Shrate’s ionic hair dryer is arguably the best bang for your buck. Priced at just $65, it promises professional salon-level results.
With a low-noise, powerful performance and a sleek modern design, it uses ionic technology to reduce moisture loss and lock in shine. It’s small and compact, making it great for travel.
Pros
- One of the most affordable price points we’ve seen
- Comes with three nozzles and three wind speeds for customizable styling
- Low-noise performance
- Reviewers especially love how powerful and quick it is
- Professional performance for $65
Cons
- This dryer only comes with one heat setting
Best rated
Conair double ceramic dryer
With over 12,000 ratings and a solid four-star reputation, customers agree that this dryer is a great one to get. Its ceramic material is made to protect hair from damage, and it comes with a concentrated nozzle for more precise styling.
With three heat settings and a cool shot button to lock styles in place, this hair dryer gets the job done for most hair types.
Pros
- Ceramic material that reduces damage
- Affordable price
- Three heat settings + two speeds
- Fan uses infrared heat for more even wind application
Cons
- Some reviewers note that they wish it was a little more powerful
Best ionic
Revlon advanced ionic technology hair dryer
When it comes to hair dryers, ionic technologies up the game. This advanced science reduces static electricity, thus eliminating frizz. It also means the dryer can working more effectively at a lower temp, causing less damage.
Revlon’s ionic hair dryer smooths hair using this very technology. It’s lightweight, easy to use and comes equipped with two styling add-ons: a diffuser that delivers volume and a concentrator.
Pros
- Comes with two heat and speed settings, as well as a cool shot button
- Designed with a ceramic coating, which helps with heat distribution and prevents damage
- Comes with two attachments for styling versatility
Cons
- This dryer is bigger and bulkier than other options
Best luxury
Shark FlexStyle air styling dryer
You deserve to treat yourself. If you’re willing to spend a little more to get a little more, the Shark hair dryer is praised for bringing blowouts to new levels.
This device transforms from a concentrated dryer to a myriad of tools, including a styling wand and a heated round brush. It also prioritizes healthy hair, with technology that regulates the heat instead of getting hotter as it runs.
Pros
- Comes with a cool shot button that sets hair
- Suitable for all hair types
- Features three airflow settings and three temperatures for styling versatility
- Weighs just over 1.5 lbs for a perfect on-the-go tool
Cons
- Reviewers say there’s a bit of a learning curve when getting used to the different attachments
Best for travel
Revlon compact hair dryer
Not only is this hair dryer super compact, it’s also incredibly well-priced. Even though it’s lightweight, it has major power with two heat and speed settings, plus a cool shot button. Plus, the end cap is removable so it can be easily cleaned. You’ll never travel without a hair dryer again.
Pros
- Reviewers love how lightweight it is
- Features a cold shot button
- Hanging ring for easy storage on-the-go
Cons
- This is a smaller dryer, so handling it takes a little bit more getting used to
Best for kinky hair
Pattern Beauty blow dryer
If you’ve got kinky, coily or curly hair, you want a dryer that will protect your natural style. Enter: Tracee Ellis Ross’s brand, Pattern. This award-winning curl-conscious dryer is designed to enhance curls and keep textured hair intact.
Complete with four attachments, it’s equipped with an AC motor that reduces dry time and ionic technology to ensure a reliable smooth styling session. Not to mention, it’s got a sleek design that just looks cool.
Pros
- Comes with four removable attachments to help shape & and define natural curl patterns
- Features a cool shot button to lock in styles
- Features three speeds and two heat settings for customizable settings
- Black and female-owned business
Cons
- Because the attachments are intended for precise styling purposes, some reviewers found that there was a learning curve
Best for fine hair
T3 AireLuxe hair dryer
Those of us with thin and damaged hair have a fraught relationship with hot tools. Putting more heat on your already dried-out ends feels pretty counterintuitive. But the T3 AirLuxe hair dryer does things differently. A modernized fan transforms hot air into efficient high-volume airstream for quicker drying time and less damage.
Plus, its ionic technology guarantees a frizz-free blowout. With five heat settings and three-speed settings, it offers 15 combinations for precise styling.
Pros
- Cool shot button to seal styles
- Lightweight feel with four attachments
- With multiple heat and speed settings, it’s made to protect hair from heat damage
Cons
- This pick is pricier than other options
Best dryer brush
Revlon one-step hot air brush
Dryer brushes hold a special place in the blow dryer realm. Both easy-to-use styling tools and powerful dryers, they get the hairstyling job done quickly. For a more controlled hair drying experience, opt for this fan-favourite one-step hot air bush by Revlon.
With a unique oval design, it mimics a round brush to give you extra lift at the root that stays in place. The bristles are tangle-free and the tip stays cool so you don’t risk burning yourself.
Pros
- Tangle-free bristles
- Certified Amazon best-seller
- Ionic technology that promises frizz-free styling
- Comes in six colours
Cons
- Because this is a larger device, some reviewers say it’s harder to use on short hair
Quietest
Wavytalk ionic hair dryer
Let there be hairstyling peace! This high-powered model stands out for its quiet technology, making for a spa-like addition to your regimen. Not skimping on power, this 1,875-watt dryer is beloved for its ability to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Plus, it comes with a filter and three attachments for a targeted straight style, defined waves and a classic drying nozzle.
Pros
- Comes with three attachments for styling versatility
- Features a cool shot button for heat protection
- Uses ionic technology to reduce frizz and increase shine
- Reviewers love its lightweight feel
- Great for short, medium and long hair
- Mirrors the capabilities of a professional hair dryer
Cons
- Compact size takes time to get used to
Best lightweight
L’Ange Hair Le Styliste
If you want a lightweight hair dryer, look no further. This pastel pink model is less than one pound! With a lightweight feel and an ergonomic grip, it’s a slim device that is easy to hold and designed to be user-friendly.
Though petite, this hair tool promises potent results with 1,875 watts of airflow that helps dry hair four times faster than the average market option. Not to mention, it’s full of extra luxe features, like self-cleaning technology and overheating protection that helps keep hair looking voluminous with each use.
Testing hair dryers is more fun when your arm doesn’t get sore.
Pros
- Comes with three heat and speed settings for styling versatility
- Uses noise-reducing technology for a quieter experience
- Uses ionic technology to retain moisture and reduce frizz
- Sleek, unique light pink design
- Can delivery high heat if desired
Cons
- This pick is pricier than other options
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