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The Best Hair Dryer on the Market
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Runner-Up
Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair
Budget Price Without Sacrifice
Hairitage Comin’ In Hot Dryer
Made for Curls
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL
Having curly hair is a challenge. I used to let it air dry, but I couldn’t stand sitting with wet hair all day and ending up with frizzy curls. I needed to find the best hair dryer for my unmanageable locks. Even if you don’t use it every day, it’s good to have one on hand for certain situations—like when you’re rushing to work straight out of the shower or if your finicky curls need to be diffused or if you crave smooth, glossy locks.
There’s an infinite number of hair dryers in every price range from a dizzying array of brands. If you have easy-to-manage hair that just needs to dry faster, you can probably go with any cheap dryer you find at your local CVS. But some of us have more temperamental hair that needs specific care. We’ve tried standard blow-dryers, blow-dry brushes, diffusers, and multiuse tools on coarse and fine hair. These are our favorites.
Be sure to read our other hair and beauty guides, including the Best Hair Straighteners and Best Curling Irons.
Updated August 2024: We’ve added the Dreame Pocket travel dryer.
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If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
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Photograph: Amazon
The Best Hair Dryer on the Market
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Dyson hair tools always get a lot of hype, but it’s well deserved with the 2024 Supersonic Nural (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s better than the original, and hands down the best hair dryer I’ve used, drying my thick curls quickly. It has impressive smart features like scalp protect mode, which uses a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor and infrared beam to detect when it gets close to your head and drops the temperature to 131 degrees Fahrenheit (it doesn’t work with all the attachments, though).
I was particularly impressed by its two-in-one diffuser. Use it as you would any other diffuser, getting into your roots or adding volume, or pop out the prong part to activate “dome mode,” which creates a vortex of air around curl clumps, drawing moisture away from hair. The problem is that it costs $500, which is more than most people probably want to spend on a hair dryer.
Three speeds, three heat settings, plus a cold shot button.
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Runner-Up
Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair
Dyson is fantastic, but not everyone can, wants, or needs to spend a small fortune to simply dry their hair. The Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair is a great option, because like the name says, it really is quieter than the competition—it’s certified by Quiet Mark, an independent organization that assesses how much noise pollution household products produce. While the price is technically $120, it’s almost always discounted to around $60 on Amazon, so you really don’t have to splurge.
This came recommended by WIRED contributor Victoria Woollaston-Webber, who recommends many of the dryers in this guide. I tried it and was equally impressed. You can actually talk to someone in your house without screaming or, as I like to do, put something on YouTube to make drying your hair not feel like such a chore. The reduction of sound isn’t a reduction of capability. The high-speed setting will blow the dryer right off your counter if you set it down.
Three speed settings and two heat settings, plus cool.
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Photograph: Hairitage
Budget Price Without Sacrifice
Hairitage Comin’ In Hot Dryer
If you simply need a basic dryer, Hairitage’s Comin’ in Hot Hair Dryer is compact, light, and costs just $40. It comes with just an air concentrator nozzle, but there is a separate diffuser for curls and a comb attachment for stretching hair as you dry. The gray and rose-gold design is pretty, too, with an almost velvety-soft coating. This was our top pick, but the attachments are frequently out of stock, sometimes for months at a time. If the ones you need are in stock, it’s a great buy.
Two speeds, three heat settings, a cold shot button, and uses ions.
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Made for Curls
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL
Bellissima’s dryer is essentially one giant diffuser, and it works great for styling curls without making them frizzy and puffy. The diffuser tips are silicone, so they kind of feel nice on your scalp while drying your roots. I didn’t think it would be comfortable to use a handleless hair dryer, but somehow it is—although I have to stop myself from holding it from the end, which is not recommended.
I have a lot of hair, which takes a long time to dry, and therefore my only complaint was that I wanted one higher airflow setting. Bellissima says this is by design, though, as faster airflow could add frizz. I can’t deny that my hair looked pretty damn good. There is also a smaller, $99 version, but that has just one temperature setting.
Two speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button, and uses ions.
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Photograph: DryBar
Best to Reduce Frizz
DryBar Buttercup
Its bright yellow design may be an acquired taste, but the DryBar Buttercup dryer is one of the best dryers I’ve tried for leaving my hair looking shiny and smooth, all in super quick time and without excess heat. This is one of a small number of dryers where the hottest heat setting doesn’t feel like it’s burning my scalp, even while I’m attempting to add volume to my roots.
It comes with two air concentrator nozzles, and both have small little notches cut into them. This seemingly helps with the distribution of heat and airflow and means that the Buttercup doesn’t end up overdrying the hair, which can cause it to look dry and frizzy. Instead, both attachments help to create shine, even on blonde hair. It’s a lightweight, well-balanced dryer too, even with the nozzles attached, and I never experienced any aching arms. Nor did I ever have trouble maneuvering it around my head.
Design-wise, the positioning of the speed and heat controls don’t quite work—I manage to change at least one of the settings accidentally every time I use this dryer—but this is a small complaint on an overall recommendation. —Victoria Woollaston-Webber
Two heat and speed settings, plus cool.
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Photograph: Medea Giordano
A Great Travel Dryer
Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer
I was thoroughly impressed by the Dreame Pocket dryer. Despite its small size, it’s highest setting is powerful enough to use on a daily basis, not just while traveling. But when you are away, it folds up to fit in a purse, never mind a suitcase.
It lacks a diffuser, which can be a mortal sin for curly hair. But I found the smoothing nozzle attachment helped to dry my hair without blowing my curls all over. It wouldn’t be my daily choice, but it did the job, and if you have wavy or straight hair, it could work as your only dryer. It comes with a curling wand attachment, a la the Dyson Airwrap or Shark FlexStyle, so you can blow your hair out and curl it without taking up precious luggage or cabinet space.
Two speeds and three heat settings, plus a hot/cold combo mode.
★ Another Travel Dryer: The Paul Mitchell Neuro Grip Hair Dryer ($154) is another great travel dryer, and this one comes with a collapsible diffuser. The handleless design seems odd, but it was comfortable to use makes it much more portable than a traditional dryer. Paul Mitchell hair tools are consistent favorites.
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Photograph: RevAir
The Best for Drying and Straightening in One
RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer (2022)
The RevAir has legitimately changed my life. It’s the only thing to dramatically cut down on drying and styling time—and damage—when I want to wear my curls straight. I’ve been obsessed with the RevAir since trying it in 2021, and the 2022 version is smaller and lighter than the original, but it’s more expensive and still a large device you’ll need to store.
After sectioning your wet or damp hair, you feed each section into the wand, like a vacuum, and the device dries and straightens in one step. Tiny openings at the tip of the wand direct air out to dry your scalp, while the rest of your hair is dried with air going down, so you don’t get frizzy. Crazy, I know, but it works. Wet curls went in, and dry straight hair came out in around 30 seconds. I still had to use a flat iron to smooth my hair, because its natural state is a puff, but I used the RevAir on a friend whose curls are soft, fine, and down to her hips. She didn’t have to use a flat iron at all. If I could splurge on one product for the rest of my life, it would be this.
Seven speeds/tensions and two temperature settings, plus a cold setting.
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Photograph: Neslihan Ostrowski/Volo
A Surprisingly Nice Cordless Dryer
Volo Go Cordless Dryer
I was far more impressed by this dryer than I thought I would be. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like it would work for most people: It has just one speed setting, and its heat settings are Cold, Full Heat (172 degrees Fahrenheit), or Smart, which automatically adjusts the heat as your hair dries. It also doesn’t have a diffuser and it’s very expensive. If you can spend a bit more and get the Dyson, go that route, but if you really want cordless, it’s a great dryer.
I’ve never been able to dry my hair in its natural state without a diffuser, unless I’m planning to go through it with a flat iron later. I thought the Volo would destroy my curls, but it didn’t. The speed was just enough to dry the hair, but it doesn’t blow it all over the place, so curls are left intact—some diffusers do more harm than this did. Likewise, it’s hot enough to dry the hair, but doesn’t burn your flesh as it flashes across your face. Being cordless is nice, but it’s also its downfall. It weighs around 2.8 pounds, and that starts to feel heavy quickly. The battery only lasts roughly 25 minutes or so, which is not enough time for my hair to be completely dry. On a normal day, I only dry it halfway and plop my curls before or after (occasionally using Volo’s own hair towel), but that could be a dealbreaker for some.
One speed and two heat settings, plus cold.
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Photograph: Zuvi
If You Prefer Less Heat
Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer
The Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer is expensive, but it works really well, drying hair quickly with way less heat than you’d expect. It does this by using infrared heat rather than convective heat, meaning it can dry your hair without making the entire room burn up to oven-like conditions. Zuvi says it heats just the outside of your hair instead of frying it deep to its core, which is difficult to test. That said, this dried my hair quicker and at a lower temperature than other models.
The Halo comes with a standard air concentrator nozzle and a unique gentle air attachment that helps output even softer and cooler air— the package with the diffuser has been sold out for a few months. At CES 2024, L’Oreal announced it partnered with Zuvi to create the AirLight Pro dryer. It’s for professionals only at first launch, but we’ll try it when it’s available for consumers.
Four settings that combine heat and speed, plus a cold shot by holding down the mode button.
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Wet-to-Straight Tool That Doesn’t Sizzle
Dyson Airstrait Straightener
The Airstrait (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is another of Dyson’s hair innovations. It’s a straightener, but uses airflow instead of two hot plates to dry and straighten hair simultaneously. This isn’t the type of wet-to-dry styler you might remember burning your hair to a crisp in the ’00s; it actually works with less heat than a flat iron. You can also close the plates to use the device separately as a dryer. Though, if you don’t plan on straightening it and only want to dry your hair, thinner hair will be easier to manage.
Results vary based on hair type. WIRED reviewer Brenda Stoylar had amazing results on her wet curls, but my coarser, curlier hair straightened better when it was damp or dry. I still prefer the RevAir.
Two speeds and four heat settings, plus a cold shot button.
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Photograph: Shark
A Complete Hairstyling Tool
Shark FlexStyle Drying & Styling System
If you’re curious about the viral Dyson Airwrap (8/10, WIRED Recommends), consider Shark’s FlexStyle, which is a direct dupe for significantly less cash. I think it even outshines Dyson because it’s actually a full-fledged hair dryer with attachments, plus curling barrels and hot brushes. With the Airwrap, the dryer attachment is almost an afterthought—it’s for people who don’t have curls that are always fighting frizz.
Three speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button.
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Photograph: Revlon
A Blow-Dry Brush
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0
The Revlon Volumizer Plus is the newer, smaller, faster version of Revlon’s two-in-one styler. It has a 2-inch, oval-shaped hot brush barrel that dries and styles hair at the same time. I have fine, limp hair, and the Volumizer Plus is the only dryer I’ve used that gives me the bounce, volume, and movement I crave. It’s also quick—it dries and styles my hair in just under six minutes—and really easy, because you don’t have to be a blow-drying whizz to use it. It cuts out all the maneuvering that comes with using standard dryers and separate brushes.
It’s also great at bringing second-day hair back to life. The barrel is covered in nylon and charcoal pins, and the charcoal is said to help strip the hair of any build-up and “buff away” impurities. The brush is detachable, which makes it easy to store or travel with. Note: Make sure not to confuse this with Revlon’s original One-Step dryer, which had to be recalled in the UK in 2020 over reports of overheating and safety. —Victoria Woollaston-Webber
Two speeds and two heat settings, plus cool.
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Photograph: Chi
The Lightest, Thinnest Dryers We Tried
Upgrades Worth Considering
From the time the first hair dryer was introduced for home use in the 1920s, every one looked nearly identical until Dyson debuted its Supersonic dryer in 2016, which matched the design of its bladeless fans. Now, several companies are adapting their drying tech into the lightest, thinnest package possible, looking more like a heat gun than a hair dryer (these are a type of heat gun, technically).
I’ve used these three. They’re each less than a pound, relatively quiet, and have self-cleaning functions—you take the filter cover off the back and activate cleaning mode; the dryers shoot air in reverse to push dust and debris out. While each one stands out on its own, I wish I could combine all three for one perfect dryer.
- Chi Lava Pro for $337: This one is slightly lighter than the other two. It has an LED screen indicating the exact temperature, which is a nice but rare feature, and there are four heat settings from cool to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The big flaw, however, is that far too much air comes through the diffuser, blowing hair around more than should happen with that attachment.
- Gama IQ2 Perfetto for $330: The Gama dryer is sleek and includes a safety feature to automatically turn off should it overheat (it did not do this in testing, thankfully). There’s a setting lock so you can dry your hair without accidentally changing the speed or heat. Plus, it comes with a silicone mat that puts the dryer into standby mode automatically when you place it down, turning back on when you pick it up. This is really helpful if you’re sectioning off hair for a blowout, and frequently have to put the dryer down. But it’s expensive and the magnetic filter cover constantly falls off.
- Bio Ionic Smart-X High-Efficiency Dryer for $329: This Bio Ionic also has a settings lock, which I now believe should be on every styling tool. I prefer the look of this one the best, however, it doesn’t come with a diffuser, which I think should be standard at this price point.
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Photograph: Bed Head
More Great Blow-Dryers
Honorable Mentions
There are simply too many hair dryers out there. Here are a few more we’ve tried and like.
- Tymo Airhype Hair Dryer for $170: I love Tymo’s Ring straightener comb, so I was excited to try the brand’s dryer. It’s compact, with attachments that magnetically attach, including a great diffuser and comb. There’s also a digital screen so you know exactly what temperature you’re using. It’s a great hair dryer; I was just expecting it to be a bit more affordable given the price of its other products. If you see it with a solid discount, grab it.
- InfinitiPro by Conair Hair Dryer for $40: If you don’t use a dryer every day, this is a great budget option. Its low setting is higher than some of the others on this list, so it will work faster on frizz-prone curls.
- DevaCurl DevaDryer for $180: This is a favorite among Curly Sues. The dryer is light and easy to maneuver, but the diffuser is the star here. It looks like a big green hand, mimicking the effects of hand scrunching, and it gets right into your roots to create volume and definition.
- T3 Aireluxe for $200: Oh how I love this dryer. It’s constructed out of plastic, but that makes it so light and effortless to use. There are five heat and three speed settings. It lacks a diffuser but the brand now has a dryer that comes with one. We’ll try that one soon.
- Laifen SE Hair Dryer for $130: The SE is compact and comes in pretty color. Importantly, it really did dry my hair quickly. It claims to dry a full head of hair in 10 to 15 minutes. It took me around 45 minutes, but I have more hair than multiple people combined. It does it without singeing your head off—it has settings for 122 and 176 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few months, though, the diffuser fell off and separated mid-dry so be careful.
- Kosa The Triple Threat Blow-Dryer for $159: This hair dryer is basic, but I find myself reaching for it often. It’s light and compact, similar to the Hairitage, which made those longer sessions easier to handle. The diffuser is nice and big too. I just think it’s expensive for what it is.
- Bed Head Curls in Check Diffuser Hair Dryer for $35: Everything about the Bed Head brand screams ’90s in the best way, including the design of this hair dryer. It’s cheap and works nicely to dry curls without disrupting their pattern. It’s super light and thin, and at 4 inches wide, the mouth of the dryer is larger than any I’ve seen. However, I wish there was a medium speed setting, because the low setting is too low, and high can cause frizz in some hair, even with the diffuser.
- Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer for $160: This dryer comes with a few attachments, including an oscillating quick-dry nozzle that rapidly moves side to side as you dry, mimicking the back and forth motion you might make with your hand. The low setting was too low for me, and the high was too much for my hair. But if you don’t use the diffuser, I like the oscillating nozzle a lot. Panasonic also claims the dryer uses electrostatic shock to disperse water molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which might reduce damage. There’s also a compact version for $100 that’s a great travel ahir dryer.
- Dyson Airwrap for $600: We think the Shark FlexStyle is a better price, but if you’re set on Dyson, the Airwrap was updated recently with slightly redesigned attachments. The primary attraction is the curling wands, but there are three different types of hot brushes for blowouts too.
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Photograph: Amazon
You Need This Dryer Hood
Bonnet Hood Dryer Attachment
Even the best, most powerful hair dryers on this list can’t give me results like this $20 dryer hood attachment does. It works to dry all hair types, but curlies will probably see the most benefit, especially if diffusing usually takes more than an hour for you.
It fits any standard hair dryer—larger mouth ones like the Shark and Dyson will need to use their concentrator attachments. As the air from the dryer travels up the hose, it inflates the inside of the hood, releasing air through its many ventilation holes. Your hair dries quickly and evenly.
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Photograph: Rizos Curls
More Dryer Accessories
To Pair With Your Hot Tools
A good hair dryer can’t always stand alone. You might need a few other accessories.
Get a diffuser if your dryer doesn’t come with one. The Rizos Curls Travel Diffuser ($20) is affordable and compact, and does the job. It folds into itself, so you can easily store it or pack it in a bag. It also fits most dryers, because it can be attached in two ways: Slip it over a standard, long and thin barrel as is, or fold the attachment part inward to create an opening to grip onto wider barrels, like on the Hairitage dryer. It won’t fit super-wide dryers like the Dyson, but those come with their own.
Get a quality hair towel to avoid frizz and breakage. A regular body towel is too rough on hair, especially fragile curls. A plain old cotton T-shirt works great for drying, and you likely have one in your closet that you no longer wear. You’ll find specific hair towels anywhere you shop for hair products, but I love the extra large Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel ($25) and TO112’s Bamboo Wrap ($39). Bamboo is also better for the environment than microfiber, which is made from plastic.
Use a heat protectant. You can use sprays before you start drying to keep your hair from getting brittle or breaking. Chi’s 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection ($13) comes highly recommended. Moroccanoil also makes solid products, but they cost a bit more.
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Photograph: Getty Images
A Glossary of Hair Dryer Terms
Before You Buy
Air Concentrator Nozzle: Most dryers come with diffusers and concentrators. The latter directs air only to where you’re pointing it, so your hair doesn’t blow all over the place if you’re using a brush. This also works well for drying bangs. If you have curly hair, opt for a diffuser instead.
Diffuser: Diffusers disperse the air around your curls so it doesn’t disrupt the natural curl patterns and cause frizz. If you’ve ever used a blow-dryer on curly or wavy hair without one, you know the mess it causes. A diffuser is best for curls, but if you have frizz-prone hair of any type, it might make a difference in your styling.
Ions: As we explain in our hair straightener guide, negative ions help reduce frizz and increase shine. Abra McField, founder of Abra Kadabra Hair and Healing, explains that ionic hair dryers reduce the water’s surface tension and help break up water droplets. She says that if you have fine hair and want volume, you may not like ions.
Cool Shot Button: Blasting cold air after you heat dry can help set a style in place and reduce frizz. Most hair dryers have either a cool setting and/or a cool shot button that’s even colder. The stand-alone button is for ending each section with cold air without having to change the settings back once you move on to another section.
Speed and Heat Settings: These settings control the rate at which air is blown out of the dryer and the temperature of the air, in addition to the separate cold button. We prefer hair dryers with more options.
