The 14 Best Hair Dryers for Every Hair Type and Texture

From frizz-fighters to super-stylers.

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Best hairdryers collaged against textured gray background

Byrdie / Kevin Liang

Everyone needs a good hair dryer, whether you reach for it daily or on special occasions. The beauty world offers many options, from ionic technology to high-tech infrared air jets and diffusers promising bouncy natural curls—but even a great hair dryer isn't likely to give you the results you want if it's not the right tool for your hair type and texture. And you've probably wondered whether a $600 model is worth the price or if a budget hair dryer will fry your hair. So, which hair dryer is the one for you?

When shopping for a hair dryer, hairstylist Sky Kim says, "Make sure it has the heat settings and type of technology that works best for your hair." To help you find the best hair dryer, we tested 40 popular hair dryers on various hair types and textures, interviewed professional hairstylists, and compared our experiences to shopper reviews and ratings.

Our Top Picks

How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for You

Hair Type

To find the best hair dryer for you, start with your hair type. While the hair typing system is controversial, knowing your type, texture, thickness, and density will help you find the right tools and techniques.

Curly hair types graphic

Byrdie Tip

Not sure whether you have low- or high-density hair? Do the ponytail test. Pull your hair into a ponytail. If you can wrap the elastic only once, it's thick. If you can wrap the ponytail with an elastic two to three times, it's medium. If you need to wrap the band more than three times, your hair is thin.

Similar to that of a light bulb, a hair dryer’s wattage measures how powerful it is. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair will dry. “Look for a blow dryer that has at least 1,400 watts,” explains Kim. A higher wattage can be especially helpful for those with thick, coarse, or long hair that takes a while to dry. A lower wattage is better for those with thin or fine hair, as it prevents the blow dryer from over-drying (and, therefore, damaging) the hair. Once you know your hair type, texture, and density, look for these features when you're shopping for your next hair dryer:

  • Fine or Thin Hair: Low wattage, low heat, high airflow
  • Thick or Coarse Hair: High wattage, concentrator nozzle to focus airflow
  • Curly Hair: Moderate wattage, diffuser attachment

Design, Technology, and Features

Let's start with the basics—look for a lightweight dryer with a sturdy grip that you can hold comfortably in either hand and a long cord to give you freedom of movement as you dry the back, front, and side sections of your head. A blow dryer with multiple heat and speed settings or attachments is only a good investment if you'll use them.

There are five hair-drying technologies:

  • Traditional: Uses use metal coils that get hot quickly but lack temperature control.
  • Ceramic: Distributes heat evenly, preventing hot spots and minimizing damage. 
  • Infrared: Heat penetrates hair from within to dry it faster.
  • Tourmaline: Similar to ceramic, tourmaline emits negative ions and infrared heat, promoting shine and reducing frizz.
  • Ionic: Technology that relies on negative ions to dry the hair. These emit negative ions to neutralize the positive ions in water droplets, speeding up drying and potentially reducing frizz. 

Price

The price of a quality hair dryer varies widely—depending on the features, drying technology, and brand name—but ranges from around $40 for a basic dyer to $600 for the latest Dyson tool. If you wake up at 4 am to give yourself a salon-quality blowout before work, look for a dryer (or hot air brush) that combines drying and styling and expect to pay $200 and up. If you want to dry your hair before you walk out the door, you need a basic, reliable dryer with good airflow, which you can find for around $60. Just don't buy the cheapest hair dryer you can find. There are affordable hair dryers that will get the job done without causing heat damage.

The Best Hair Dryers

Best Overall: Dyson Supersonic

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Ulta

Why we chose it: The Supersonic relies on airflow rather than heat (the blades spin six times faster than the average dryer) to provide a quicker dry time. The attachments—including a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb, and a flyaway smoother—deliver a customizable blowout for most hair types and textures. Is a $430 hair dryer a worthwhile buy? It's an excellent investment for someone who dries and styles their hair often, but not so much if you're a novice who wants to get your wet hair dry.

What the expert says: "The real value in the Dyson Supersonic is in all the cool attachments for different hair types and styles. If you know what you're doing, you can get salon results," hairstylist D'Xenia Clark notes.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer before and after portraits of a person with type 2b hair

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

The Dyson Supersonic Testers

Phoebe | Hair Type: 2a

"I love it! My hair is bouncy and has so much volume and movement. Still, I probably wouldn't buy it with my own money because I don't style my hair at home very often and it's out of my price range."

Chantia | Hair Type: 4c

"This is the most 4c-friendly hair dryer I have ever used. The results are actually shocking, one or two more rounds of blow drying and I could almost get flat iron results. I would be willing to purchase this blow dryer—and even more willing if it was on sale."

Jessica | Hair Type: 1b

"The first few times I used it, my hair looked frizzy, and I realized the concentrator attachment was way too powerful for my fine hair. Now I use the gentle attachment, which gives me a sleeker look. The flyaway attachment helps tame those pesky stray hairs at the top of my head."

Best Budget: InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap

InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap

Ulta

Why we chose it: The Smoothwave rings up under $60, making its performance even more impressive. It uses ceramic technology to create even heat and airflow, drying hair efficiently without causing damage. The included diffuser has thick, wide-set prongs to evenly distribute air through thick and curly hair, reducing frizz and maximizing body. The design is basic—left-handed users may find it difficult to toggle the settings on the right side of the handle—but it’s a reliable workhorse.

What the expert says: “The airflow is efficient for an at-home dryer, so it gets hair smooth and straight. It could be used on a wide range of textures, including curly and coily (but not kinky!) as long you keep it on a lower heat setting,” says hairstylist Geneva Clark. 

The Infinitipro Smoothwave Testers

Helen | Hair Type: 1c

“I use heated hair tools at least five times a week because my naturally wavy hair gets frizzy. The Smoothwave did what it promised, making my hair smoother and straighter in under 10 minutes. I have carpal tunnel, so I appreciate that it’s lightweight and easy to grip.”

Rose | Hair Type: 3a

“I was surprised that an affordable hair dryer gave me such a great blowout. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver around my head. The temperature options are limited but the airflow is strong, so it’s great for drying but not styling hair.”

Best Splurge: IQ2 Perfetto Hair Dryer by Ga.Ma

IQ2 Perfetto Hair Dryer by Ga.Ma

Gamaiqdryer

Why we chose it: A favorite among pro hairstylists and at-home users, the IQ Perfetto is not as intimidating as it may look. It's loud but delivers measured airflow and heat to quickly dry hair from roots to ends, with a star-shaped nozzle that provides focused drying without the risk of burning or singeing. The best part? The finished look is well-defined, bouncy, and hydrated, which often doesn't happen after a blow dry. It also has a self-cleaning option, which you won't find on most consumer hair dryers.

What the expert says: "I love the long barrel and how slim and sleek it is. The performance and results are immaculate and can cater to anyone, regardless of their hair type and texture. It's truly universal, at the top of the hair dryer game," raves hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Person's hair before and after using GAMA Professional IQ2 Perfetto Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

The IQ2 Perfetto Testers

Danielle | Hair Type: 3b/3c

“It took less than 15 minutes to diffuse and set my curls, including my roots. My hair looked immaculate, with juicy soft curls and not a hint of crunchiness—much better than I ever thought I could achieve myself at home. It sounded like an airplane engine when I turned it on, but the airflow felt like a gentle summer wind.” 

Katie | Hair Type: 1c

“It's very user-friendly. The highest power setting was a bit too strong and left my hair tangled in knots. I found myself frequently relying on the middle setting, which sped up my drying time, but didn't make my hair frizzy or tankled. The lowest setting is great for styling, though I still needed to take a pass with a flat iron to get my hair as straight as I like it.”

Cydnie | Hair Type: 3b

“There are a lot of hair dryers that won't straighten my hair at all, but this one reached the perfect heat to transform my texture without damaging my hair. I typically share a hair dryer with my roommates or siblings and they all have different hair textures, but I feel like the IQ2 would perform well for anyone. It’s expensive but it’s worth it to me because it works so well on my 3b hair.”

Best for Thick Hair: Shark HyperAir

Shark HyperAir

Shark

Why we chose it: Don't call it a dupe! The HyperAir is often referred to as a lower-priced version of the Dyson Supersonic, but it stands out on its own, delivering a 'healthy' blow-out and stunning results. (Check out the Before and After!) The dual-purpose concentrator allows you to rough dry hair or focus the airflow, and the styling brush attachment harnesses ionized air to create sleek looks. Speaking of airflow, it's so powerful you won't need to go higher than the second speed setting to get a silky finish on fine or thin hair. Curly girls take note; The Supersonic is the better choice for type 3c and all type 4 hair, which is often thick and dense.

What the expert says: "The HyperAir imparts a natural shine and seals the cuticle well because the cool shot button works immediately to cut the heat. It's compact, but I was surprised by how heavy it was for a newer model hair dryer," says hairstylist D'Exenia Clark.

Portraits of a person before and after having their hair styled with the Shark HyperAir Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

The Shark HyperAir Testers

Cai | Hair Type: 2a

“My hair looks so healthy and shiny after using the HyperAir. It’s full of body and bounce, which is usually very difficult to acheive on my hair—it’s fine but I have a lot of it—without using a ton of product. The compact body is easy to hold and maneuver around my head, and it doesn’t take up much space in my bathroom cabinet or my suitcase.”

Danielle | Hair Type: 3b/3c

“The HyperAir has low, medium, and high air settings, but I’d call them strong, stronger, and very strong, as the airflow and heat feel quite powerful even on the lowest setting. (I use the cold shot button a lot.) Still, with the styling brush attachment, I’m able to achieve a myriad of hair looks, from straight to full and curly.”  

Isabel | Hair Type: 1b

“The pre-style and precision style modes on the rotating concentrator attachment lets me do a rough dry on my whole head of hair, then streamline the airflow to polish the look. I like using the HyperAir on the highest heat setting to dry my hair quickly, though if I’m not careful to keep it moving I get a slight burning sensation on my scalp.”

Best for Natural Hair: The Pattern Blow Dryer

The Pattern Blow Dryer

Ulta

Why we chose it: The Pattern dryer was designed for natural hair, with four attachments—a brush to elongate, a wide tooth comb to lift and detangle, a diffuser to shape and set, and a concentrator nozzle—that add a lot of value to the purchase price. It's an excellent one-and-done dryer for those with looser curls, but those with tight coils or dense z-shaped strands may have to use other hot tools to smooth out your ends and finish the job. It's great for setting curls, fluffing out your afro or drying your twists, but it's not a replacement for a silk press.

What the expert says: "Many Black women use a hair dryer to straighten their hair, but the Pattern dryer is for people who, like [Pattern founder] Tracee Ellis Ross, prefer to wear their hair in natural curls. If that's the look you're going for, it offers the perfect temperature settings, and the attachments work great for versatility, whether stretching, diffusing, or picking," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Person before and After Using the Pattern Blow Dryer

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

The Pattern Testers

Samantha | Hair Type: 3b

“My curls look very healthy and shiny after using the diffuser attachment. The blower dried my hair evenly all around and locked in the mousse product I applied. As someone who exclusively wears their hair natural, I would definitely consider buying this product.”

Jada | Hair Type: 4c

“I love that the Pattern hair dryer and attachments take into consideration specific hair texture for Black people, but they work best on looser curls. I was a little underwhelmed by my result—my 4c hair was still kinky at the ends after drying, which is good enough to put it into a protective style, but I had to use another tool to smooth them out.”

Brit | Hair Type: 1b

“The first time I used the Pattern hair dryer, it took 7 minutes and 15 seconds to fully dry, which is a personal record for me! The lowest heat setting was a bit cooler than I expected, but I really enjoyed it because too much heat can cause static in my hair.” 

Best Technology: T3 AireLuxe Ionic Professional

T3 AireLuxe Professional Hair Dryer

T3 Micro

Why we chose it: Dryers with ionic technology blast out negative ions that counteract the positive ions found in wet hair and help dry it without causing as much damage as a traditional coil-heated dryer. The T3 AireLuxe dryer takes the technology one step further with a unique ionic generator that infuses the air with 10 million negative ions per second, leaving hair soft and glossy. It has 15 digital heat and speed combinations that can be customized to meet the needs of your hair type, but there’s a learning curve if you’re used to a hair dryer with standard low, medium, and high settings. Diffuser and smoothing comb attachments are available but must be purchased separately.

What the expert says: “I say ‘Yes!’ to the price because of the unique features, versatility, and fast drying time. I just wish it came with an assortment of slimmer nozzles and a longer cord for maneuverability,” hairstylist D’Exenia Clark muses.

Person before and after using T3 AireLuxe Professional Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

The T3 AirLuxe Testers

Mariah | Hair Type: 2c

“My curly hair was straight and mostly smooth in about 30 minutes. I used a heat protectant but no other hair products before drying—other than noticing a few flyaways I was very impressed with the results.”

Elena | Hair Type: 1a (with 2a extensions)

“It’s very important that I dry my roots after washing my hair, because I have bonded extensions. With the AireLuxe my whole head of hair—extensions and all—is dry within 10 minutes using the second lowest heat setting. I have to use the highest airflow setting to get the power I need but it definitely has it.”

Cindy | Hair Type: 4c

“As someone who usually gets her hair professionally washed and dried, I was shocked by how easy it was to use on myself. I would normally hold the dryer by the nozzle to straighten my kinky hair, but the nozzle on the Air Luxe is too small to get a good grip.” 

Best Fast-Drying: Bondi Boost Sonic

BondiBoost Sonic Dryer

Bondi Boost

Why we chose it: If you have thick hair that feels like forever to dry, we recommend the Bondi Boost Sonic. It has top-tier airflow and a narrow concentrator attachment that boosts volume at the roots and makes it easy to target the ends of your hair—though you'll have to take your time to work in smaller sections. A diffuser attachment is included, but it's hard to take it on and off and not particularly impressive. To get the most out of this dryer, it helps if you're skilled with a round brush. 

What the expert says: "Because the dryer is light and compact and the barrel is small, the airflow feels more concentrated, and it dries faster than I expected. The buttons are confusing and placed on the side of the handle, so accidental switching of the settings is common," notes hairstylist Dawn Brocco.

Person's hair before and after using the BondiBoost Sonic Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

The Bondi Boost Sonic Testers

Sophia | Hair Type: 1b

“My hair is definitely less frizzy and smoother, and I don't notice any heat damage, or burning smell. It’s expensive, but if you’ll make use of all the features and spend a lot of time doing your hair at home, it’s worth it.”

Joanna | Hair Type: 2a

“This thing is a powerhouse. Because the nozzle is so small, I have to dry smaller sections, but that ultimately gives me better control and lots of volume at the roots.” 

Stephanie | Hair Type: 4c

“It will take time to build my relationship with this dryer, but off the bat I like that it gives me a more voluminous afro and helps me get more curl when I use it with rollers in my hair.”

Best for Damaged Hair: Zuvi Halo

Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer

Zuvi Life

Why we chose it: The Zuvi Halo is an excellent option for users with color-treated, dry, or heat-damaged hair. Inspired by the evaporation process found in nature, it dries hair with infrared-light energy, which pulls water from the hair's surface to limit heat exposure. It even comes with a Gentle Air attachment to treat very damaged or fragile hair with a light touch to reduce breakage. The airflow is very light, so if you have thick, dense, or type 4 hair, there is a better dryer for you. 

What the expert says: "The airflow is very light, and even on the highest heat setting, the dryer doesn't get that hot. But the payoff is that it locks moisture into the hair well. It does everything I need; the process just takes a bit longer. If you used a flat iron or heat tool to finish, you'd have the sleekest, smoothest hair," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Person's hair before and after using Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Tamara Staples

The Zuvi Halo Testers

Dana | Hair Type: 3b

"My thick, curly hair definitely looks better than it would if I air dried it, but it still has a little frizz. The air stream is fast but not very powerful, and it doesn't get very hot."

Michal | Hair Type: 1c

“The dryer is lightweight, it was comfortable to hold as I rough dried my hair then styled it, which is how the instruction manual recommends you use it. It took me a few tries to perfect my use of the attachments, but I was able to get the finished look I had in mind."

Best with Suction: RevAir Reverse-Air Hair Dryer

RevAir Reverse Air Hair Dryer

Amazon

Why we chose it: The RevAir Reverse Dryer is the first (and only) at-home hair dryer with an aerodynamically designed wand that can dry, stretch, and straighten hair, whether loose or worn in a protective style like locs or extensions. My type 3b hair—which I only heat style a few times a year—was dry, flat, and stretched without noticeable breakage or burning smell after just 20 minutes. This tool is so different from the hair dryer you're probably used to, so it will take some time to master features like the suction wand and tension settings. Since it's large, you'll also need plenty of counter space.—Byrdie contributor Desiree Johnson

Person's hair before and after using RevAir Reverse-Air Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Desiree Johnson

Read Full Review: I Tried The Viral RevAir Hair Dryer on My Natural Curls—Here's What Happened

Best for Travel: T3 Afar

T3 Afar

Why we chose it: For a great blowout on the go, it doesn't get better than the T3 Afar. (It has auto dual voltage, so just be sure to buy a compatible plug adaptor before you go.) It's 25% lighter than the full-sized T3 dryer and has a foldable handle, so it won't add weight or bulk to your weekender bag. Plus, it works as efficiently as a full-size dryer, thanks to ion-infused airflow. This tool can get extremely hot on the highest setting, so we recommend starting on the lowest heat to avoid singeing your hair while you get to know the tool.

What the expert says: "The Afar gets hot, but not to the point of burning the scalp. The airflow is even, so it dries and smooths the hair simultaneously. It even works fast on extensions, which usually take longer to dry," says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

The T3 Afar Testers

Kait | Hair Type: 1c

“In my experience, compact hair dryers like this are rarely worth it, but the Afar is terrific. I don't know how they did it, design-wise, but they created a small hairdryer with the features you'd get from a full-size dryer.”

Rosie | Hair Type: 2c

“I actually had an easier time styling my hair with this travel dryer because I didn't get tired of holding it up like I usually would with a full-size dryer. And my hair definitely looks smoother and shinier when I use this hair dryer versus my old one.”

Sierra | Hair Type: 4a

“It is very gentle and quiet. I don't think it gets as hot as other dryers because of its size, but I don't mind because the hottest temperature is actually a good level to use on my hair without causing heat damage. It felt safe to use.”

Read Full Review: The 8 Best Travel Hair Dryers 

Best for Frizzy Hair: Olivia Garden SuperHP

Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer

Olivia Garden 

Why we chose it: We've all tried to recreate a salon blowout at home and failed miserably. While it has much to do with technique, the tool also matters. Enter Olivia Garden's professional hair dryer, equipped with a powerful ionic generator that seals in moisture and eliminates flyaways—even on hot, humid days. The powerful airflow and narrow concentrator also make it easy to target small sections and achieve a smoother result. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and relatively quiet for a professional dryer.

What the expert says: "I would recommend it to professionals and non-professionals alike. The average person could use it at home without burning their hair off, but it's still powerful enough to be used in a salon," says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

Portrait of a person before and after using the Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer

Byrdie / Jhett Thompson

The Olivia Garden SuperHP Testers

Bianca | Hair Type: 1a

“I have a lot of hair, but after using the Olivia Garden dryer, it looks very silky and smooth. The finish is beautiful—I don't need to use another hot tool or any product to remove frizz because the dryer takes care of it.”

Irene | Hair Type: 2b

“It only takes about 15 minutes to give myself a sleek blowout—and I have very long hair!”

Jamie | Hair Type: 3c

“It feels like my scalp has less build-up, which happens when I don’t get my thick hair completely dry at the roots. I love the volume it gives my hair when I do a blowout, but I wish it had the attachments I’d need to create styles that highlight my curls.”

Best Design: TYMO AirHype

TYMO AirHype

TYMO

Why we chose it: The state-of-the-art TYMO dryer uses ionic technology and low heat to create smooth, shiny, mostly frizz-free blow-outs. Between the long nozzle that delivers steady airflow powerful enough to dry whole sections in one go and the ultra-lightweight design, you never have to worry about arm fatigue. The heat setting maxes out at the low end of the spectrum for a thermal heat styling tool. If you have thin or fine hair, that’s ideal, but if your hair is thick or coarse, you’ll need a dryer that delivers more heat.

What the expert says: “The TYMO works best on fine to medium types. It gets hair nice and smooth, but it takes a little longer because the heat only goes up to 250 degrees. I would not recommend this for anyone with curly, coiled, or kinky hair—it would probably get those hair types somewhat smooth, but you would have to use a flat iron to finish the look,” says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

The TYMO AirHype Testers

Dwija | Hair Type: 2c

“It takes a few extra passes on each section to get all of the frizz smoothed out, but I love the finished look. Since the risk of heat damage is low, even someone who isn’t that experienced can get a great blowout without burning their hair.”

Joy | Hair Type: 1c

“I don’t know much about hair dryer design or technology, but I do see a noticeable difference on my hair using the TYMO and it takes half the time to dry it than with my old hair dryer. I've also tried the Dyson, but I prefer the TYMO because I feel like I have more control.”

Kim | Hair Type: 3a/b

“The TYMO lives up to its claim to smooth out frizz and leave hair healthy and shiny, especially when I use the smoothing nozzle attachment. It even manages to tame my unruly postpartum baby hairs!”

Best Compact: Revlon Airflow Control

Revlon Airflow Control

Ulta

Why we chose it: There's a big difference between a cheap hair dryer and an affordable one. While many less expensive dryers can cause heat damage and burns, the Revlon Airflow Control is a reliable and super affordable tool. Though it doesn't deliver a salon-quality blowout, it cuts down on drying time, thanks to a broad, rotating concentrator. The design is similar to a travel dryer—all nozzle and no barrel—and the button placement makes it easy to switch between settings while you work.

What the expert says: "For the price, it's great—compact, lightweight, travel friendly, and it gets hair dry relatively quickly. I wouldn't use it in my salon, but it's a good tool for someone who occasionally wants to blow dry their hair at home," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

The Revlon Airflow Testers

Diana | Hair Type: 1c

“I heat style my hair about once a month, so I’m not looking to spend a fortune on a hair dryer. The Revlon Airflow is reliable, the heat and speed settings are easy to adjust, and the included diffuser speeds up my drying time.”

Martha | Hair Type: 2b

“The concentrator is excellent—it provides a steady stream of air without blowing my hair around willy-nilly like a normal dryer does. I don’t get a sleek blowout, but I do get a more polished, air-dried look that highlights my natural curls.”

Taylor | Hair Type: 3a

“I typically use a diffuser to dry my hair, so I am able to use the Revlon diffuser to dry my curls and style them exactly like I would with a more expensive hair dryer. It’s small, but it has power.”

Best Brush: Dyson AirWrap Multi-Styler

Dyson AirWrap Multi-Styler

Sephora

Why we chose it: Yes, the hype surrounding the Dyson Airwrap is justified—the quality, design, and functionality are hard to beat. In addition to the blow dryer attachment, it comes with barrels to create bouncy curls, a round brush attachment for a sleek blowout, and two different paddle brush attachments. It's no more difficult to hold than a traditional curling iron or flat iron, but the technique requires some practice because it uses an air vacuum to keep your hair in place. Just don't expect to cut down on drying time—your hair needs to be 60% dry before you use the Airwrap to style it.

What the expert says: "Because of the way it wraps the hair, the curls it produces aren't always uniform. But once you figure it out, it's pretty easy to use. It works great to keep baby hairs and flyaways smoothed down," says hairstylist Dawn Brocco.

Person before and after using the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long

Byrdie / Tanya Akim

The Dyson Airwrap Testers

Tanya | Hair Type: 2b

“Once in a blue moon, a hair tool comes around and changes my life. The Airwrap is one of those rare tools. I was shocked by how quickly and efficiently the firm smoothing brush attachment straightens my hair.”

Sophia | Hair Type: 1b

“Each attachment allows you to achieve a different look, which is amazing!. It didn’t cause any damage, but it didn’t conceal my split ends like a curling iron does.”

Daniella | Hair Type: 3b/3c

“The highest setting can feel quite hot against my scalp, but it's not painful and it doesn’t cause damage or burning. I haven't quite managed to get my hair to look like the model's does in the Dyson styling guide, but I get closer the more I use it.”

Read Full Review: The Dyson Airwrap Is Really Worth It—See My Results

How We Tested

We believe in using the products we recommend just like you would—which is why make it a priority to test products in real-life settings and in our NYC beauty lab.

  • Hair Dryers tested: 40
  • Testing period: Three months
  • Methodology: Hair dryers were tested in our lab with the help of professional hairstylists, and at home in our everyday lives. Each hair dryer was tested on three different hair types (type 1-2, type 2-3, and, type 3-4).
  • Factors considered: Features (cold shot, heat and speed settings, infrared technology), attachments, power cord length, weight, design, overall results, value.

Now Testing

We're currently testing the Shark SpeedStyle Set for Curly & Coily Hair and the Dyson Supersonic R, which just made its debut at New York Fashion Week. If these tools live up to our standards, we'll add them to this list.

FAQs

What type of hair dryer is safest for hair?

Drying your hair with a hair dryer will inevitably cause damage. However, hair dryers that use ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline technology with multiple heat settings are safest. There are some affordable hairdryers that offer this technology. Remember that any type of hair dryer can cause damage if you over dry or use high heat settings, so it's a good idea to use a heat protectant spray before you blow.

How long should a hair dryer last?

A well-made hair dryer from a reputable brand will generally last longer than a cheap one. Higher quality materials and construction contribute to durability. While a mid-range hair dryer typically lasts 3-5 years, a high-end hair dryer can last up to 7 years. Regularly cleaning the filter and avoiding overheating the dryer can extend its lifespan.

Should I buy a professional hair dryer?

Professional hair dryers offer more features and more power, but are bulkier and heavier than consumer models and often more expensive. If you regularly style your hair at home, feel comfortable working with hair tools, and have the freedom to spend a bit more, a professional hair dryer may help you take your hair game to the next level. If you just want to get your hair dry, frizz-free, and shiny, you don't need to invest in a professional model.

Why Trust Byrdie

For this story, writers Caitlyn Martyn and Alyssa Kaplan relied on their experience as beauty writers and product reviewers. Caitlyn has wavy, fine hair and has tested three hair dryers in the last 12 months. She uses both Dyson dryers interchangeably in her routine and thinks they’re absolutely worth the hype. (Just remember to clean the filters.) Alyssa has fine, damaged hair and has tested four dryers in the last year. Her go-to is the Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer thanks to the concentrated airflow, multiple heat and speed settings, and ergonomic design.

We consulted with six hairstylists to learn more about what to know when shopping for a hair dryer and evaluate the dryers we tested.

  • Sky Kim is a New York-based hairstylist with over a decade of professional experience. She is also a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
  • Geneva Clark is a professional hairstylist with over 12 years of experience. She currently works at the Amoy Couture Hair Salon located in Manhattan, where she specializes in hair care, blow drying, braiding, silk press, and extensions/weave installation. 
  • Hairstylists D'Xenia Clark, Dawn Brocco, Shanys Rodriguez, and Geneva Clark were our in-Lab experts, guiding testers through the use of each blow dryer and trying them our themselves to give us their professional perspective.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair dryers from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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