We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (2024)

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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?

Our Top Picks

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Best Hot Air Brush:

Dyson Airwrap at Amazon$600

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Best Hair Dryer for Natural Hair:

SALE

T3 Featherweight StyleMax at Sephora$200$140
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Best Hair Dryer Under $50:

SALE

Conair InfinitiPRO SmoothWrap at Amazon$55$33
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When shopping for the best hair dryer, hairstylist Sky Kim says, "Make sure it has the heat settings and type of technology that works best for your hair." At Byrdie HQ, we test (and re-test) product categories every month, and hair dryers are one that we come back to time and time again. In fact, over the last three years, we tested over 120 hair dryers on various hair types and textures to land on this comprehensive list of the best. Plus, we interviewed professional hairstylists and compared our experiences to shopper reviews and ratings.

Testing By the Numbers

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (1)

126

Hair Dryers Tested

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (2)

2,064

Hours of Testing

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (3)

512

Testers

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (4)

Product Reviews

Features: 6 heat and speed settings | Attachments: 2 (more available for purchase)

Why we chose it: Of all the hair tools on the market right now, this is the one to buy. Sure, the rest of the dryers on this list work wonderfully, but none come close to the Shark, thanks to its innovative capabilities and unique attachments. When you order it, you choose between any two attachments you want for no extra cost (though you can buy more for an added price); you can’t go wrong with any of them. There’s a Lift & Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb, a Turbo Concentrator, an Express Touchup Brush, a RapidGloss Finisher (key to a flyaway-free finish), a QuickSmooth Brush (a cross between a round brush and a comb), and the DefrizzFast Diffuser. While the attachments work slightly better than the Dyson Supersonic’s and come at a fraction of the price, the Shark does not come with a storage case. Those who style their hair multiple times a week and want the Dyson's versatility without the price tag will enjoy this one.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (6)

The Shark SpeedStyle Testers

Caitlyn Martyn | Hair Type: 2b

"Prior to testing, I'd never used this tool before but found it incredibly easy to use. You just have to pop on an attachment, turn it on, and get going. I found the QuickSmooth brush the most innovative attachment I'd ever used, and my wet waves were smoothed into a sleek, soft blowout in minutes with minimal fallout."

Ally Hirschlag | Hair Type: 2c/3a

“Testing this one after testing the Dyson was key because I could see just how well it compares, and let me tell you, it's a very close race. It has most of the same attachments and is just as chic looking (I actually think it's sleeker and lighter-weight). My favorite was the diffuser with spokes that you can adjust up or down for added root lift. It's a serious game-changer.”

Features: 3 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cold shot | Attachments: 6

Why we chose it: This should come as no surprise. Dyson has become king in the hair care category due to the brand’s sleek designs and innovative technology. A standout among professional hair dryers, this dryer comes with six different attachments for all hair types—a flyaway attachment, a styling concentrator, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb—and offers three heat and speed settings, and a cold shot so you can tailor the experience to your hair’s unique needs. Because the attachments are magnetic, they pop on and off quickly without much effort.So, 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.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (8)

The Dyson Supersonic Testers

Alyssa Kaplan | Hair Type: 2a

"The combination of power, design, and useful attachments helped me achieve a smooth finish that doesn’t totally lack body, something I always struggle with when doing an at-home blowout."

Chantia|Hair Type: 4c

"This is the most 4c-friendly hair dryer I have ever used. The results are 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."

Features: 5 heat settings, 3 speed settings, cold shot, volume boost switch, ionic switch | Attachments: 2 (others sold separately)

Why we chose it: A smooth blowout is minutes away when you use this best ionic hair dryer from T3. It’s automatically ionic, so the saturated airflow delivers 10 million negative ions per second, mitigating frizz and promoting shine. (It has a button to turn it off, though, if you want to focus more on building volume and body.) The settings are equally impressive; the tool has five temperature settings and three airflow speeds for a total of 15 combinations that you can play around with for a customized drying experience. That said, there’s a learning curve if you’re used to a hair dryer with standard low, medium, and high settings. Though it does come with two different-sized concentrators for targeted airflow, the attachment variety that comes with the tool could be better. You can technically buy a diffuser and a wide-tooth comb separately, but we wish they came with the tool.

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,” Clark muses.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (10)

The T3 AireLuxe Testers

Kayla Friedman | Hair Type: 2b

"The buttons were placed in a perfect location so there was no chance of accidentally messing with them. I especially enjoyed the extensive heat and power settings (there are 15 combinations) because you can customize them to your hair type and liking."

Mariah | Hair Type: 2c

“My curly hair was straight and mostly smooth in about 30 minutes. I used heat protectant before drying, and other than a few flyaways, I was very impressed with the results.”

Elena | Hair Type: 1a

“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.”

Features: 3 heat settings, 3 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 1

Why we chose it: While it doesn’t boast futuristic technology or sleek designs like the Shark or the Dyson, this salon-quality dryer is simple, easy, and efficient. With three heat and three speed settings, it’s a tried-and-true dryer that you can reach for it repeatedly without getting confused or tripped up by complicated features. It's equipped with an ion generator and 2000 watts of power, making it a heavy-duty option that dries hair fast. It's admittedly not the lightest dryer on the list, but it's a powerhouse that proves to be one of the best affordable hair dryers on the market.

What the expert says: Hairstylist Krysta N. Rojas applauds this dryer for its lightweight, no-frills design. "It's easy on the wrist, which is helpful for continuous styling," she explains. "It's a great choice for beginners or seasoned pros, regardless of hair type."

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (12)

The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Testers

Alyssa | Hair Type: 2a

"This dryer is simple and easy to use but strong and hot enough to dry and smooth myfine hairin just a few minutes."

Kayla | Hair Type: 2b

"For its large size, it felt very light—like an illusion. Unlike some other marketed 'lightweight' hair dryers, it left my hair sleek and smooth, proving that it doesn't compromise weight for power."

Ally | Hair Type: 2c/3a

"It has a strong, even airflow that never felt like it overwhelmed mycurl pattern. It dried my hair relatively quickly and didn't create much frizz or flyaways."

Features: 3 heat settings, 2 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 1

Why we chose it: This classic hair dryer is unbeatable. It’s not super slim or sleek, but it’s lightweight and feels most similar to traditional hair dryers. The buttons were right where we traditionally expected them to be. While it works on all hair types, we especially love it for thick hair. The concentrator attachment helps direct airflow and encourages faster styling (a welcome attribute for those who have impossible-to-dry long, thick hair), though it would be ideal if it came with more options. If you're someone who appreciates the classics and doesn't want to mess around with newer technology (aka if your approach is 'don't fix what isn't broken'), you'll love this one.

What the expert says: Hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez explains that despite the bulkier shape, it's not too cumbersome. "I don't feel like it slows me down, and my arm doesn't get tired while using it," she explains. "It's easy to maneuver, twist, and turn whichever way I need it to. It takes me about 16 minutes to achieve a smooth finish with some volume, which is what it usually takes me at the salon with my own hair dryer."

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (14)

The Drybar Reserve Tester

Lauren Pardee | Hair Type: 1b/2a

"The airflow was a little less intense on this device compared to others I tested, but that and the concentrator made styling a bit easier—rather than my hair getting completely blown away from my brush."

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 5

Why we chose it: The Nural took an already fantastic blow dryer (the Dyson Supersonic Origin) and made it even better with features that work automatically, such as pause detection (it lowers airflow, heat, and noise when you set it down), auto-adjust heat to protect your scalp from burning when it gets too close, and attachment learning—the tool remembers what heat and airflow setting you used last with that attachment (be it the concentrator nozzle or diffuser) and starts it there when you use it next time. The dryer also comes with six attachments: wave + curl diffuser, concentrator nozzle, wide-tooth comb, bowl diffuser, gentle air diffuser, flyaway attachment, plus a storage case.

What the expert says: "For the everyday styler, someone who mainly rough-dries wavy, curly, or coily hair that diffuses, or anyone with a sensitive scalp—the Nural is the best option," says Matthew Collins, hairstylist, and Dyson Global Ambassador. "The original Supersonic may still be the best option for the die-hard round brush expert as the heat sensor isn’t needed as much.”

Read the Full Review: Surprise! Dyson Dropped a New Hair Dryer, and Yes, It’s Better Than the Original

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (16)

The Dyson Nural Testers

Lauren | Hair Type: 1b/2a

"I love how the super strong airflow cuts my drying time in half and doesn’t require high heat to get the job done. And if you have long hair like me, you’ll appreciate that the motor is built into the handle rather than the back of the barrel, so no more strands getting sucked in and ripped out."

Shannon Bauer | Hair Type: 2b

“I use heat 3-4 times a week between blow drying and a curling wand. This tool gets me a fast dry with lots of styling options without worrying about extreme heat damage to my hair or scalp. It’s the best hair dryer I’ve used in the last 10 years—including the original Dyson dryer, which I also own and love.”

Olivia Hancock | Hair Type: 3b/c

“The dryer’s “scalp protect mode” and the new wave and curl attachment immediately grabbed my attention. The dryer’s innovative features help cut down dry time and leave me with a fluffy head of hair.”

Features: 8 heat and speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 2

Why we chose it: Complete with eight speed and heat settings, this small but mighty hair dryer for fine hair works wonders. The compact, ergonomic design makes it easy to manage thin hair, all while toggling between ionic and non-ionic technology. Opt for ions when you want a sleek style, or flip it off when you want something with more volume—or switch between the two for a look that’s smooth on the bottom and voluminous on the top. The highest speed admittedly can be too much for some. If you find that’s the case, the middle-speed option strikes the perfect balance between fast and gentle styling.

What experts say: "With this dryer, you get 1875 watts and 125 volts that will blow hair 80+ mph to cut drying time in half," Kim explains. "Plus, the ion functionality allows for a customized look."

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (18)

The Harry Josh Ultra Light Pro Testers

Caitlyn | Hair Type: 2b

"Though I found the fastest setting to be too much for my hair, I was able to dry my hair in 10 minutes on the low and slow setting. I achieved volume and smoothness—two things I normally can't get simultaneously—with minimal effort."

Kayla | Hair Type: 2b

"Mega points go to this dryer for its compact, lightweight design and easy-to-control buttons. I caught myself wishing this dryer got a little hotter, but then grew to appreciate that it didn't cause damage while drying my hair."

Features: 3 heat settings, 2 speed settings, cold shot, folding handle | Attachments: 1

Why we chose it: Looking for the best travel hair dryers to pack on your next trip? It doesn’t get better than the T3 Afar for a great blowout on the go. (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 it has a foldable handle, so it won’t add weight or bulk to your bag. Plus, it works as efficiently as a full-size dryer, thanks to ion-infused airflow. This tool can get very 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 at once. It even works fast on extensions, which usually take longer to dry," says Rodriguez.

The T3 Afar Testers

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.”

Features: 3 heat settings | Attachments: 4

Why we chose it: Traditional dryers use high heat to dry hair, which can overdry the hair and scalp, causing breakage and long-term damage. Zuvi’s one-of-a-kind hair dryer uses light (yep, just light) to dry only the water droplets on the surface of each hair. Doing so takes a bit longer, but it protects the hair from being stripped of its internal moisture (also known as the foundation of healthy hair). With this in mind, don’t be surprised if you find it hard to use at first. It dries hair a bit slower than you might be used to, but don't question if it's working. Still, 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.

Read the Full Review: Meet Zuvi: The Sustainable, High Tech Hair Dryer You’ll Actually Enjoy Using

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (21)

The Zuvi Halo Testers

Caitlyn | Hair Type: 2b

"As the saying goes, good things take time, and that's the case for this tool. At first I wasn't impressed, but once I got comfortable with it, I loved how comfortable it felt on my scalp and my hair."

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."

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."

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 6

Why we chose it: We’ll say it: The hype around this best hot air brush is justified. There’s a lot to love between the quality, design, and functionality. 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 since it requires an air vacuum to keep hair in place. Just don’t expect it 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.

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

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (23)

The Dyson Airwrap Testers

Caitlyn | Hair Type 2b

"I've been using this tool for over a year and have been impressed by how well it styles without inciting damage. I have fine, damage-prone hair and am consistently shocked at how little fallout I find on the attachments when I'm finished. It's so gentle yet efficient, I don't know how Dyson did it."

Tanya | Hair Type: 2

“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.”

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.”

Features: 5 heat, 3 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 4

Why we chose it: When shopping for a blow dryer for natural hair, you can stop right here. First of all, as the name suggests, the tool really is light, so you won't have to worry about that wash day arm workout. Secondly, it goes through the hair so effortlessly that you can dry your entire head without taking a break. Sometimes, comb attachments just don't serve those with curly and coily hair, but the T3 comb attachment locks into place and slides its way through strands, leaving behind nothing but a soft blowout. The most impressive feature, though, is it's versatility. You can set it for fine, medium, or coarse hair, and take your pick between five heat settings (which, honestly, get pretty hot). This makes it a no-brainer for so many textures and even protective styles.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (25)

The T3 Featherweight StyleMax Tester

Dominique Hobdy | Hair Type: 4b/4c

"While the controls aren't the most intuitive at first, the instruction booklet explained everything so that I could figure out the best settings for my hair type. I used the coarse hair setting, a high heat setting, and the highest speed setting and effectively dried my hair in 15 minutes."

Features: 3 heat settings, 3 speed settings, cold shot | Attachments: 4

Why we chose it: This hair dryer for curly hair comes 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. Settings-wise, the dryer relies on ionic technology to mitigate flyaways and dial up the shine. 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:"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.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (27)

The Pattern Hair Dryer Testers

Ally | Hair Type: 2c/3a

"My hair dried completely in about 10 minutes, which is really good considering how thick my hair is. The diffuser is in the top three of the best I've ever used—it added volume and made my curls look like I'd used a curling iron."

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.”

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.”

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 thehair typing system is controversial, knowing your type, texture,thickness, and densitywill help you find the right tools and techniques.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (28)

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: Heatpenetrates 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 (orhot 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.

How We Tested Hair Dryers

We believe in using the products we recommend just like you would—which is why make it a priority totest productsin real-life settings and in our NY-based Lab.

  • Hair Dryers Tested:126
  • Testing period:Three years (and counting!)
  • 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.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (29)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (30)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (31)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (32)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (33)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (34)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (35)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (36)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (37)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (38)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (39)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (40)

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (41)

Other Good Hair Dryers

These blow dryers didn't make our list of the very best, but still have standout technology, attachments, or value.

FAQ

  • 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.

Meet Our Experts

We consulted with seven 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.
  • Matthew Collins is a professional hairstylist and a Dyson Global Ambassador.
  • Hairstylists D'Xenia Clark, Dawn Brocco, and Shanys Rodriguez were our in-Lab experts, guiding testers through the use of each blow dryer and trying them out themselves to give us their professional perspective.
  • Krysta N. Rojas is a hairstylist based in Chicago. She specializes in curly and textured hair.

Add to Cart

Before you check out, here are some other blow-drying essentials for a silky, salon-quality blowout.

  • ColorWow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment: Frizz and flyaways are no match for this multipurpose heat protectant. The spray acts like a mini raincoat, sealing in the style and protecting it from humidity.
  • Living Proof Hair Oil: Heat styling can be damaging, so to prevent breakage, we recommend enlisting the help of a hair oil. This one keeps hair shiny, soft, and nourished—before, during, and after blow-drying.
  • It’s a 10 Miracle Round Brush: To ensure the bounciest blowout, you’ll need a round brush to twist and twirl the hair. This one comes in five sizes and has holes throughout the barrel to keep it airy. Plus, we love that the core is made of tourmaline metal, so it heats up and acts almost like a hot iron to lock in the style.

Why Trust Byrdie

For this story, associate commerce editor Caitlyn Martyn relied on her experience as a beauty writer and product reviewer. Caitlyn has wavy, fine hair and has tested dozens of hair dryers over the last two years working on Team Byrdie. She uses both Dyson blow dryers (Supersonic and Airwrap) interchangeably in her daily routine (yes, they’re worth the hype, just remember to clean the filters!). Caitlyn compiled her insights and those of her Team Byrdie colleagues to crown the best after collectively testing more than 120 hair dryers in total thus far.We're not stopping here either—you can count on us to continue testing hair dryers regularly to ensure our list is up to date with the best offerings on the market.

Bronwyn Barnes has over 20 years of experience reviewing beauty products. For this story, she tested the Shark HyperAir hair dryer, which she still uses several times a week to dry and style her shoulder-length fine hair. She loves the rotatable IQ styling brush attachment to smooth flyaways and frizz. Although the HyperAir is compact, Bronwyn keeps the T3 Afar travel hair dryer in her suitcase to get a quick, sleek blowout while she's on the road.

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.

We Tested Over 120 Hair Dryers to Find 12 That Are Worth Your Money, From $33 (2024)
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