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When sorting through the best hair dryers, there are a lot of things to keep in mind. Similar to dating, you’re going to want to get specific about what your intentions are, what really matters to you, and what your deal breakers are. Of course, you can compromise, but we’ve tested so many different hair tools over the years so that you don’t have to settle for anything but the very best.
According to celebrity hairstylist Larry Sims, “A good dryer is one with strength without excessive heat that can damage the hair. A dryer with ion technology is good because it helps the hair dry faster and absorb moisture without drying the hair out.” Beyond the strength and technologies, you should consider the speed and heat settings available, the wattage and weight, and if it offers a cool-shot button to seal the look—especially if you’re looking to follow with a hair straightener or curling iron.
Vogue’s Favorite Hair Dryers
- The Worthy Splurge: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $430
- For a Speedy Blow-dry: Elchim 3900 Healthy Hair Ceramic Hair Dryer, $210
- For Fine Hair: T3 Cura Digital Ionic Professional Hair Dryer, $245
- For a Power Shot: Paul Mitchell Neuro Halo Touchscreen Hair Dryer, $255
- For Frizz-Fighting: GHD Helios 1875w Advanced Professional Hair Dryer, $279
In This Story
- How To Choose A Hair Dryer
- What’s the difference between the various types of hair dryers?
- How To Blow Dry Hair Without Heat Damage
- Meet The Experts
Celebrity hairstylist David Lopez emphasizes the importance of understanding exactly how you plan to use a hair dryer before purchasing. “Are you using it to just take your hair from wet to dry? Are you someone who blows out your hair at home? Are you expecting a lot of power from it? Do you have very thick, curly hair?” he asks. “All these questions really dictate the dryer you end up using.” Lopez recommends paying attention to attachments for those who regularly style their hair with a blow dryer. “For example, if you’re someone that blows out your hair and you like to style your hair with the blow-dryer, you want to make sure that there are concentrators that come with the dryer or are available to purchase separately,” he advises.
Another key factor is heat control, especially when protecting hair health. “You want to have as many heat settings as possible (most dryers have two to three heat settings) to dial into a temperature that’s right for your hair,” says Lopez. He notes that wet hair is particularly fragile, and how you treat it during drying plays a major role in preventing breakage, dryness, and color fading. A cool shot button is also essential, as it helps to lock in style and reduce frizz.
Below, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best blow dryers—ranging from top stylist-approved picks to editor favorites at Vogue.
Best Splurge: Dyson Supersonic
- Why We Love It: Hairstylist Erinn Courtney—who’s known for her work with Nazanin Mandi, Storm Reid, and Willow Smith—says this is her favorite dryer. “I love that the technology is made to prevent overheating or burning the hair because healthy hair is my main priority,” she says, noting particular excitement for a comb attachment suitable for curly and coiled textures. The Los Angeles–based makeup artist and hairstylist known as Jay Artistry notes how he has been using the Supersonic for years and that no other dryers compare: “It helps to smooth hair by 75% without causing heat damage.” If that’s not enough to inform your buy, celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation says he loves everything about the Supersonic because it’s quiet, powerful, and easy to use. “When working with clients, I love to be able to hold a conversation and still give an amazing blowout.” He also loves the attachments, dubbing its diffuser one of the best he’s ever used. This and the Dyson Airwrap make an excellent duo.
- Wattage: 1600 W
- Attachments: Flyaway Attachment, Styling Concentrator, Diffuser, Gentle Air Attachment, Wide-tooth Comb
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High, Cool Shot
- More to Know: Uses a brushless digital motor
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multiple attachments | The price tag is a splurge |
| Works well with all hair types | |
| Prevents heat damage |
Best Ionic: GHD Helios 1875w Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
- Why We Love It: The GHD Helios is surely one of the most acclaimed hair dryers in the market right now. Celebrity hairstylist Charlotte Mensah notes that this is her favorite because “it’s powerful and works with ionic technology to fight frizz. It helps to achieve a salon finish that’s two times faster than your regular hair dryers. The beauty of the concentrator nozzle is that it directs the airflow, leaving the hair soft, smooth, and shiny.” Celebrity hairstylist and GHD ambassador Justine Marjan loves this model too. “It’s lightweight and powerful and ergonomically designed to decrease pressure on the wrist. I use this blow-dryer for smooth, shiny strands and fab big blowouts and with the diffuser attachment for soft, bouncy curls.” Sims loves the comb attachment, how smooth and shiny it makes the hair, and that it’s relatively quiet.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: Concentrator, Diffuser
- Weight: 1.7 lb
- Heat Settings: Low, High, Cool Shot
- More to Know: AeroprecisTM technology assists in concentrated temperature and airflow distribution
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Fast drying technology | Some found the tool to be heavier when styling long or textured hair |
| Ergonomic design | Only one attachment included |
| Works well for smoothing frizz and adding shine |
Best Ceramic: Elchim 3900 Healthy Hair Ceramic Hair Dryer
- Why We Love It: Jimmy Paul, who has lent his talented hands backstage at Self-Portrait and Thom Browne, turns to this tool when speed is of the essence—hello, serial multitaskers and new moms. “Elchim makes my favorite blow-dryer because it dries hair very fast,” he explains.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: 2 Integrated Hair Concentrators
- Weight: 510 gr/18 oz
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High
- More to Know: Reduces drying time by more than 30%, Offers protection against electromagnetic fields
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reviewers found the tool to be quiet | Only one attachment included |
| Ceramic plates smooth | |
| Fast drying |
Best for Curls: Pattern Beauty Blow Dryer
- Why We Love It: While this hair dryer is safe to use for all hair types, it was specifically designed for curly, coily, and tight-textured hair. It comes with everything you need to shape, stretch, smooth, and define your curls, thanks to its four attachments: a diffuser, brush, wide-tooth comb, and concentrator nozzle. And did we mention it’s beautiful? The terracotta shade looks great on any vanity.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: Brush, Wide Tooth Comb, Concentrator Nozzle, Diffuser
- Weight: 1.12 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High
- More to Know: Black owned, Powerful AC motor to reduce drying time
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multiple attachments included | No dual voltage |
| Ideal for all hair types, especially curly to coily | |
| Lightweight |
Best for Flyaways: Shark Speed Style
- Why we love it: Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, notably known for styling Kim Kardashian’s hair, credits the Shark SpeedStyle as one of his go-to styling tools for clients! “The product never reaches heat-damaging temperatures, so you get the beautiful end result without the damage. The RapidGloss finisher attachment is also a real game-changer to get rid of frizz and flyaways for an effortless sleek finish.” Plus, since it’s lightweight and compact, it easily fits into a travel bag so you don’t have to sacrifice style while on the go.
- Wattage: 1700 W
- Attachments: Rapid Gloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, Turbo Concentrator, DefrizzFast Diffuser, Lift and Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb, Express Touch Up Brush
- Weight: 1.67 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High, Cool Shot
- More to Know: Regulates heat 1000 times per second to reduce damage
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multiple attachments included | No dual voltage |
| Smooths frizz and flyaways easily | |
| Portable and lightweight |
Best Innovation: T3 Aire IQ Hair Dryer Set
- Why we love it: Talk about smart tech—T3’s Aire IQ hair dryer takes innovation to a whole new level with a device that can be customized to your unique hair type. Plus, it’s a Vogue editor favorite. From the moment the device is turned on, the LED touch screen allows you to customize your experience, sharing your hair thickness and texture and choosing your desired heat and speed based off that. The built-in-memory remembers your custom settings after each use, ensuring a seamless styling experience. With two nozzles and a diffuser to swap out your styling experience, you don’t have to figure out how to adjust the device—smart attachment recognition instantly recognizes your connected attachment to refine heat and airflow to your styling needs. Plus, the auto pause sensor makes sure the dryer turns off when put down, and turns right back on when picked up again. “I’m on my natural hair journey and I’ve just started using a diffuser—Kiana upgraded me to this high tech T3 blow dryer. Now my hair dries shockingly fast, and the temperature is always perfectly adjusted for my texture and thickness (whether I want to leave it wavy, or blow it out straight),” Ciarlo says.
- Wattage: 1200 W
- Attachments: Quick dry nozzle, style attachment nozzle, diffuser
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Heat Settings: Customizable; four heat settings and four speed settings that adjust to your specific hair texture
- More to Know: Provides fast drying results with advanced damage prevention.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Smart technology customizes heat and speed settings automatically | The price tag is a splurge |
| Auto-pause sensor turns off the device when placed down | Not dual voltage |
Best Lightweight: BaBylissPRO Hair Dryer
- Why We Love It: This hair dryer uses infrared heat and natural ions to minimize heat damage, eliminate static, for smooth, shiny hair every time. Not only that, but it has multiple heat and speed settings so you’re able to personalize your experience depending on your hair type. For those who own a salon, it’s lightweight enough to be used all day and it has a ten-foot-long cord, allowing for easy movement.
- Wattage: 2000 W
- Attachments: Two snap in concentrator nozzles
- Weight: Less than 1 pound
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High
- More to Know: Removable noise for over 50% quieter operation
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point | Only includes nozzle attachments |
| Lightweight | |
| Quiet |
Best for Straightening: Dyson Airstrait
- Why We Love It: The first of its kind, the Dyson Airstrait isn’t exactly a hair dryer but rather a straightener designed for use on wet hair. That said, it offers both wet and dry styling modes, utilizing the optimal heat level and controlled airflow to dry and style the hair simultaneously. Even better, it’s made without hot plates to prevent heat damage and to protect the hair’s natural shine.
- Wattage: 1,600 W
- Attachments: N/A
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
- Heat Settings: 175 F, 230 F, 285 F
- More to Know: Glass bead thermistors regulate airflow to prevent extreme heat damage, Non-slip heat mat included
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Simultaneously dries and straightens hair | No attachments |
| Protects against heat damage | Price point is a splurge |
Best Affordable: Hot Tools Pro Signature
- Why We Love It: At under $50, this Hot Tools dryer is a great deal for those who don’t want to splurge but don’t want to compromise on quality. It uses infrared heat to fight frizz and seal the cuticle, making it suitable for all hair types and resulting in voluminous, healthy hair quickly. With six speed and heat settings, there’s a lot of room to figure out what works best for you. Moreover, there’s a cool shot setting, allowing you to set your style in place and ensure your salon-worthy blowout doesn t frizz up as soon as you step outside.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: Concentrator, Diffuser
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High, Cool
- More to Know: Removable lint filter for easy cleaning.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dual voltage | Some found the tool to be a bit loud |
| Affordable price point | |
| Diffuser included |
Best for Travel: L ange Le Styliste Luxe Digital Salon Dryer
- Why we love it: Per Rogerio Cavalante, stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon, this hair dryer not only looks good but is also super lightweight, compact, and great for traveling. “The temperature control and the digital screen are very helpful when choosing different settings for people with varying hair textures,” he says. Not to mention, it’s super quiet, so you don’t have to startle those around you every time you turn it on.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: Diffuser, Two Air Concentrators
- Weight: 0.9 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High, Cool Shot
- More to Know: Reduced ambient noise output
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Weighs under one pound | A bit pricier |
| Reduced ambient noise out put, and quiet | |
| Dual voltage |
Best TK: Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer
- Why we love it: If you don’t have the time or money to visit a Drybar location, this at-home dryer is “the closest to a professional hair dryer that I have ever tried,” says Cavalante. “I like the heat and speed, but I also appreciate the sturdiness of this hairdryer—if you accidentally drop it, the damage is minimal. I highly recommend it for those with thick and unruly hair,” he says.
- Wattage: 1875 W
- Attachments: Wave Heater
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Heat Settings: Low, Medium, High, Cool Shot
- More to Know: Ionic Technology
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Features ionic technology for smoothing frizz | Not dual voltage |
| Lightweight | Some report the device broke within a year |
Best Infrared: L’Oréal Paris AirLight Pro Hair Dryer
- Why We Love It: The L’Oréal AirLight Pro Hair Dryer is a game-changer in hair care, combining cutting-edge infrared LightCare technology with a powerful 17-blade motor to deliver faster drying times and enhanced hydration. Its intuitive design and smart features make it a must-have for professionals and beauty enthusiasts alike.
- Wattage: 1875W
- Attachments: Two auto-detect magnetic attachments (concentrated nozzle, diffuser)
- Weight: 1.7 lbs
- Heat Settings: Offers 3 heat settings and 3 airflow speeds, with the ability to customize further via the AirLight Pro app.
- More to Know: The AirLight Pro features an 11.5-foot power cord, operates at a quiet 76 decibels, and includes a smart filter that notifies users when cleaning is needed.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Fast drying time | No dual voltage |
| Minimum ambient noise while styling | Premium price point |
| Smart attachments |
Everything You Need To Know:
How To Choose A Hair Dryer
According to hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons, the best hair dryer depends on your hair’s texture and desired results. It’s important to note that different hair types have varying requirements regarding heat and airflow settings. “For instance, thick or curly hair may require higher heat levels and stronger airflow for effective styling, whereas fine or damaged hair may need lower heat and gentler airflow to prevent further damage,” explains hairstylist Angelo David.
Attachments are also crucial to consider—David suggests purchasing one with a range of attachments, including concentrators, diffusers, and comb nozzles. These attachments can help smooth hair, plus adjust the airflow and temperature to suit your desired style. “A good hair dryer will have at least three heat settings (hot, warm, and cool) and a high/low setting to control the airflow,” says Fitzsimons. It’s beneficial to choose a hair dryer with adjustable heat settings to prevent damage and customize your experience based on your hair type and styling goals.
The weight of the device is also a matter of personal preference—that mean s extra long, and thick hair might feel like an arm workout with a heavier styling tool. David explains that some hairstylists prefer lightweight dryers for easy handling during prolonged use, while others may prioritize other features over weight. For optimal maneuverability, Fitzsimons opts for hair dryers no more than one pound.
The design and ergonomics of the dryer can also affect your styling experience. “For instance, a hair dryer with a comfortable grip and well-balanced weight distribution can help reduce hand fatigue,” says David. Also, consider factors like cord length, control placement, and wattage. Fitzsimons advises looking for a dryer with at least 1500 watts for everyday use and 1800 to 2000 watts for thicker hair.
What’s the difference between the various types of hair dryers?
Contrary to what you may have been taught, hair dryers are not one-size-fits-all. You should consider your hair density and hair type before deciding which tool is best for you—and there are many different designs, with many of the most popular ones including ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline.
- Ceramic hair dryers: “Ceramic hair dryers are made with a clay-like material, typically found in the body or internally in the hair dryer, creating infrared heat evenly distributed throughout the hair,” explains Fitzsimons. They are appropriate for all hair types but are especially helpful for those with bleached, fine, or fragile hair since they are much gentler on the strands.
- Ionic hair dryers: David explains that ionic dryers emit negative ions that break down water molecules on the surface of the hair, decreasing drying time and reducing frizz. They are particularly beneficial for those with frizzy or coarse hair, but can be used on all hair types for smoother and sleeker results. Ionic hair dryers let you dry your hair faster at a lower temperature, making them ideal for anyone with curly or hair susceptible to frizz. “When used improperly, it can be easy to over-dry your hair, so ionic hair dryers are not ideal for those with fine hair, which can be easily damaged,” says Fitzsimons.
- Tourmaline hair dryers: These combine tourmaline gemstones with ceramic technology, producing infrared heat and negative ions. “They are renowned for their quick drying time, reduced frizz, and enhanced shine, making them suitable for all hair types, especially those prone to frizz and dullness,” says David.
As for the best type of hair dryer, it ultimately depends on your individual hair type, styling preferences, and budget. Ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline dryers all offer unique benefits, so consider experimenting with different types to find the one that works best for you. “It’s like purchasing a car; you typically choose the design of the hair dryer based on its functionality and lifestyle,” says David.
How To Blow Dry Hair Without Heat Damage
According to Lopez, one way to mitigate heat damage is to use a heat protectant (he’s partial to Bumble and Bumble Invisible Oil). “To further help with breakage, partially let your hair air dry because when your hair is very wet, it is a little more stretchy. You can also achieve a fuller look when you’re blowing out your hair if you let it partially air dry,” he says.
It’s also important to use the right heat attachment. Lopez explains, if you are just rough-drying your hair, you want to make sure that you’re using a wider nozzle or no nozzle at all to distribute the airflow more evenly. Make sure you keep the dryer moving the entire time–don’t hold it in one place.
Also, ensure you’re choosing the correct heat setting for your hair: a lower heat setting for more delicate or very fine hair, a higher one for thicker hair. Many dryers are very powerful and use high-speed air, which can actually be too strong for your hair. “When you’re blasting your hair with that very high speed and a very thin concentrator, you’re actually more prone to breakage around the hairline and the crown because your hair is super delicate when wet,” he says.
The speed of the air on the dryer can also wreak havoc on your hair, so turn down the speed or opt for a dryer with a more gentle airflow or a wider distribution of air.
Meet The Experts
- David Lopez is a celebrity hairstylist and Ulta Pro Team member
- Larry Sims is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Gabrielle Union and Lupita NYong’o
- Chris Appleton is a celebrity hairstylist whose star studded clients include Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez
- Rogerio Cavalante is professional hair stylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon
- Laura Polko is a celebrity hairstylist to stars like Gigi Hadid, Alix Earle, and Vanessa Hudgens
- Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Megan Fox and Khloe Kardashian
