The 9 best hair dryers for fine hair in 2025, reviewed by our beauty experts

After much testing, we've compiled detailed reviews to the best hair dryers for fine hair – for gentle but effective styling at various budget levels

Three of the best hair dryers from (left to right) ghd, Zuvi and Panasonic, set in white vertical boxes against a dusky pink watercolour-style background
(Image credit: ghd/Zuvi/Panasonic/Future)

When it comes to heated hair tools, it feels like a fairly safe assumption to make that a dryer is easily the most popular for at-home use. But they're far from a one-size-fits-all kind of device, and using one that suits your hair's thickness, pattern and condition is key to keeping it looking and feeling healthy. For those with thinner-textured strands, the best hair dryers for fine hair will dry and style gently and effectively, without frying them in the process – and our experienced beauty journalists have tested more than enough to know which ones suit these hair types well.

The key to finding the best hair dryer for you is all in the specs. "Look for hair dryers that have adjustable heat settings and cool air buttons," says hair restoration surgeon Dr Munir Somji. "That way, you can lower the heat to cause less damage and use cool air to seal the cuticle once finished." The materials used count, too: "If you have fine or dry hair, ceramic or metal nozzles give a consistent temperature and make the heat less harsh," Dr Somji adds.

With all that in mind, our beauty team has tested (and re-tested) many of the top tools on the market – from the ghd Helios , our overall best pick, to the Dyson Airwrap – to find the gentlest-yes-most-effective options for thinner and finer strands. The result is this detailed, results-driven guide to the best models on the market. But before we dive into our in-depth reviews on each tool, we've given you a quick look at our six overall favourite models for fine hair...

Best hair dryers for fine hair deals

Recent updates

These deals are checked daily and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.

ghd Helios Hair Dryer
Save £45 now
ghd Helios Hair Dryer: was £179 now £134 at Amazon

Save more than £50 on the tool that took the number one spot of this guide, the ghd Helios Hair Dryer. Offering more styling control and added shine, this dryer boasts a lightweight and noise-reducing design that leaves you with salon-worthy results. 

Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer
Get 46% off now
Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer : was £189.99 now £102.99 at Amazon

Save 46% on Panasonic's Hair Dryer which is designed to tackle signs of hair damage, such as lack of shine, frizz, dryness, dullness and split ends. It boasts Nanoe technology, which creates nano-sized water particles to help boost moisture and combat hair damage, while Double Mineral technology helps to minimise splitting.

Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer
Get £33 off now
Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer: was £99.99 now £66.66 at Amazon

You can now enjoy a £33 discount on Revamp's shine-boosting hair dryer. Equipped with a smart sensor to monitor airflow temperature (therefore preventing unnecessary damage), ionic jets to keep frizz at bay, plus keratin, argan and coconut oils to boost shine, this dryer is a quality investment. Plus, it comes with two concentrator nozzles and a diffuser, too.

The best hair dryers for fine hair at a glance

The best hair dryer for fine hair overall

ghd Helios Hair Dryer

The ghd Helios Hair Dryer

(Image credit: ghd)

1. ghd Helios Hair Dryer

Best hair dryer for fine hair overall

Specifications

RRP: £179
Weight: 1.495kg
Power: 2200W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 3
Included attachments : 1 concentrator nozzle (diffuser available separately)
Cord length: 3m
Warranty: 2-year guarantee
Available colours: Black, neo-mint, powder pink, ink blue, white, plum

Reasons to buy

+
Sophisticated look and feel
+
Powerful, highly concentrated airflow
+
Ionic technology for smooth results
+
User-friendly controls

Reasons to avoid

-
Upper end of the weight spectrum
-
Attachments sold separately

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Eight years after entering the hair dryer arena with the Air, ghd dropped the Helios. The cult brand stepped up its design game; as with the ghd Platinum+ hair straightener, the Helios takes a dresser from bleak to chic. It tops our list of the best hair dryers for fine hair as, not only do all of the stylish colourways look fabulous, this tool also packs a serious punch in terms of power. A mega-high wattage means a forceful 120kmph shot of air is delivered from the concentrator nozzle, which goes a long way in adding volume to fine hair – leaving ours shiny and bouncy in minutes.

In terms of downsides, it is quite high in price and we find it noticeably heavier than most other models we tested. However, this isn't too much of a problem for fine hair that dries quickly, as you won't need to hold it as long as someone with a head of very thick and/or curly hair types. Having said that, our curly-haired Senior Beauty Editor Rhiannon Derbyshire says it's firmly her favourite dryer. Either way, the design is so streamlined that we didn't notice heaviness while using it; the ergonomic shape, which makes creating a bouncy blow dry very easy, makes it worth it.

Our complete ghd Helios hair dryer review provides a more in-depth analysis of the tool

Best luxury hair dryer for fine hair

A press shot of the Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer, on a white background

The Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Zuvi Halo)

2. Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer

Best energy efficient hair dryer for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £329 (£309 without diffuser)
Power: 680W
Speed/heat settings: 3 modes
Included attachments: 3 – gentle air attachment, diffuser, concentrator nozzle
Cord length: 1.8m (standard) 2.7m (Pro)
Warranty: 2 years
Available colours: White
Technology: Infrared drying

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely gentle
+
Unique infrared technology 
+
Stylish and lightweight 
+
Energy efficient 
+
Intuitive attachments

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Slower drying 

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Yes, it's undeniably expensive, up there with the Dyson. But the Zuvi Halo's low, low wattage also makes it very efficient and, therefore, better for your electricity bill longer-term – so if you can invest initially, you'll reap rewards later on. But the technology here is very innovative, too. Aside from looking exceptionally slick, the Halo's USP is that infrared light – alongside gentle air and heat – mimics air drying your hair in the sun. We loved how gentle and quiet it is; you can tell it's caring for your hair and our fine, bleached strands weren't left feeling frazzled. The brand notes this tech leaves hair up to 109% more hydrated, while being five times more energy-efficient than standard models.

We also love this dryer's intuitiveness. Instead of having to figure out heat and speed combos, you choose from Care, Fast and Style modes, which are programmed to be used with the accompanying concentrator, diffuser, or gentle air attachment. A slight downside here is that reading the instructions is therefore essential, but after that the hard work is done for you. Another is that the dryer is on the slow side – part of the kind-to-hair-package – which we didn't mind, but may bother you if you're time poor or impatient. The same goes for very long, coarse and/or thick hair (though the latter is unlikely, given that you came to a guide to the best hair dryers for fine hair!).

Our Zuvi Halo hair dryer review has more details on this energy efficient tool

Best hair dryer for fine hair for less damage

A press shot of the Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer with two attachments pictured, on a white background

The Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Panasonic)

3. Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer

Best hair dryer for fine hair for less damage

Specifications

RRP: £139.99
Power: 1800W
Speed settings: 3
Heat settings: 2
Included attachments: 2 – concentrator nozzle and diffuser
Cord length: 2.7m
Technology: Nanoe and double mineral to reduce damage
Extras: Diffuser, styling nozzle, quick dry nozzle

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive technology
+
Very easy to use
+
Foldable handle
+
Ideal for damaged hair

Reasons to avoid

-
Only two attachments

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Designed to tackle the visible signs of damaged hair, such as lack of shine, frizz, dryness, dullness and split ends, this dryer's unique Nanoe and double mineral technologies work to add moisture back into strands, resulting in healthier-looking and feeling hair. All of this is a big win if you have fine hair that's also damaged or prone to damage.

While testing, the range of speed settings on offer seriously impressed us. The lowest yielded very soft airflow, which is beneficial to fine hair, while the highest setting packs a real punch if you want to dry quickly. Inbuilt sensors also ensure optimum temperature is maintained, so there's little risk of using too much heat. Meanwhile an alternating hot and cold air mode (to lock in moisture), a gentle scalp mode and even a skin mode (which uses mini steam particles to moisturise your face). What can't this hair dryer do?

All in all, this worked incredibly well on our dry and bleach-damaged hair; it created an impressively smooth blow dry and diffused curls well. Another big plus is the foldable handle and shorter barrel, which tuck away easily and make it one of the best travel hair dryers, too.

Read our Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer review for an in-depth guide to this tool

Best shine boosting hair dryer for fine hair

A press shot of the Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer on a white background

The Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Revamp)

4. Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer

Best shine-boosting hair dryer for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £119.99
Power: 1800W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 4
Included attachments: 2 – concentrator nozzle, diffuser
Cord length: 3m
Warranty: 3 year guarantee
Technology: Ionic technology to reduce frizz
Extras: Diffuser, two nozzles

Reasons to buy

+
Promotes shine
+
Very easy to use
+
Three attachments
+
A good number of settings

Reasons to avoid

-
Attachments are slightly fiddly

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Keeping fine hair glossy can be tricky, as heavy products like oils and conditioners can easily weigh it down. So when we came across this hair dryer that promised to boost shine, we were all ears. Revamp makes some of the best curling irons for thick hair, but its tools cater to fine hair types just as well.

While using the Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer, we found it so quick and easy to use. Three attachment means we created a sleek blow-dry finish easily, with a diffuser for curls, too. We did find attaching each one a bit fiddly at first, but after a little practice this wasn't an issue. The combination of iconic technology and essential oil infusion gave our hair a lovely, shiny, healthy finish – without weighing it down or leaving it looking greasy.

If your fine hair is frizz-prone and your priority is its health, we think you will love this dryer. The variable speed allows for a customisable experience to whatever your hair needs, as well as a cold setting to set your finished style. Another model with intelligent temperature sensors, there's no real danger of frazzling your strands here.

Best brush hair dryer for fine hair

A press shot of the babyliss 4 in 1 hydro fusion hair dryer for fine hair with three attachments pictured, on a white background

The BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 4-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush

(Image credit: BabyLiss)

5. BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 4-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush

Best hair dryer brush for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £80
Power: 1000W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 2
Included attachments: 4 – round vented brush, nozzle, 2 paddle brushes
Cord length: 2.5m swivel cord
Warranty: 2 year guarantee
Technology: Advanced Plasma Technology with dual ionic system
Available colours: Blue

Reasons to buy

+
Multiple attachments
+
Gentle enough for fine hair
+
Easy to switch between heads
+
Reasonably priced

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly bulky

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

If you are looking for a customisable tool that makes creating a various of styles a breeze, the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 4-in-1 Hair Dryer Brush is one of our favourites. From mastering the flicks of the C-shape haircut to the ultimate salon-worthy, sleek blow dry, this offers plenty of options.

We found the pressure of the blow dryer attachment fairly gentle, ideal for those with fine hair who don't need a great deal of power or who don't like to use much heat when drying. If you find your hair takes a while to dry or you find you prefer higher heat, the blow dryer attachment also works as a pre-styler; we used it to get excess water out of the hair before using one of the three styling attachments to create a sleek finish. There is only one speed setting, however, so you can expect the same gentle drying experience from each of the brush heads.

The only downsides to this dryer are that it's slightly bulky and multiple attachments aren't so ideal for travel. However, we love its versatility and that it works especially well on our tester's fine hair. If yours is prone to frizz, you'll probably be pleased to hear that the largest brush head also smooths flyaways brilliantly – rivalling the best hair straightener brushes.

Best travel hair dryer for fine hair

white and rose gold T3 Featherweight Dryer, one of w&h's picks for the best hair dryers for fine hair, on a white background

The T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Hair Dryer

(Image credit: T3)

6. T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Hair Dryer

Best travel hair dryer for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £125
Weight: 394g
Power : 1200W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 2
Included attachments: 1 – concentrator nozzle
Cord length: 2.75m
Warranty: 2 year guarantee
Available colours: White & rose gold, black, hot pink, soft lavender
Extras: Folding handle

Reasons to buy

+
Light and sturdy
+
Gorgeous design
+
Smooth finish List

Reasons to avoid

-
Dries slowly 

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Going on holiday can be all fun and games until you have to brave the hair dryer provided in your hotel room or worse, the pitiful one that's hooked up to the bathroom wall. But T3’s Featherweight folding model is here to save you from the horrors of sub-par holiday hair styling with its light and portable design, effective performance and enviable results. It also looks straight out of a five-star salon, so there's that, too.

With a hinged handle that makes it a breeze to fold and pack into your carry-on, the dryer has an unusually small barrel that looks slightly strange, but we found that this makes for painless styling. Despite being slower than our other favourites (as you can reasonably expect from a smaller, travel-friendly dryer), we found that it had more than enough power for our fine hair and is easily superior to the tools you’ll find in most hotel rooms. It also comes with a cool shot and a concentrator nozzle for sleek styling, plus it's great if you have a bangs hairstyle and need to keep your fringe in check on the go.

If you want an entirely separate dryer just for travel, this would be a great choice both for convenience and performance. (If not, a relatively light, high-tech dryer such as the luxe Zuvi Halo further down, might suit you.)

Best budget hair dryer for fine hair

A press shot of the remington ionic hair dryer, pictured alongside a diffuser attachment and on a white background

The Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Amazon)

7. Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Dryer

Best budget hair dryer for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £56.99
Weight: 1.05kg
Power: 2200W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 3
Included attachments : 2 – concentrator nozzle, diffuser
Warranty: 2 years
Available colours: Black, purple

Reasons to buy

+
Ionic technology
+
Adds shine and protects hair
+
Powerful cool-shot button
+
Affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
On the heavier side

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

We love that you get serious bang for your buck with this bargain hair dryer. There's customisable styling at play, thanks to the smoothing nozzle and diffuser attachments, so it's a versatile tool whether you want to style bouncy blow dries or curly hair.

Despite the power of this Remington dryer (and trust us, it is very powerful), damage control has very much been factored in, meaning it's still a good pick for finer strands. When we tested it, our dry, bleached hair was left feeling hydrated and smooth without frizz – likely down to the tourmaline, ionic and ceramic technologies, all of which protect and transfer micro-conditioners to the hair for a healthy finish.

This is one of the heavier models we tested but, thanks to the power and quick drying time, that really wasn't an issue for us. From stepping out of the shower, a rough all-over dry only took us 10 minutes or so – about half the time our tester's hair usually takes to dry and style. For extremely quick heat styling that you can trust will look good, this is our go-to.

Best multi-styler dryer for fine hair

The Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler and Dryer Complete Long bundle

The Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

(Image credit: Dyson)

8. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

Best multi-styling dryer for fine hair

Specifications

RRP: £479.99
Weight: 660g
Power: 1300W
Speed settings: 3
Heat settings: 4
Included attachments : 6 – selection depends on chosen bundle
Cord length: 2.62m
Warranty: 2-year guarantee
Available colours: Grey & fuschia, black & purple

Reasons to buy

+
Light, compact
+
Clever attachments 
+
Allows for multiple styling options
+
Gentle on fine hair

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Trickier to master

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

A pro-blow dry is difficult to recreate at home, but the Dyson Airwrap and its comprehensive attachments are designed to do the hard work for you. This multi-functional tool can take some getting used to (though our step-by-step guide to how to use the Dyson Airwrap will help there) But if you normally rely on a multiple hair tools to add volume and boost your fine hair, then this tool will be up your street.

Though the price probably equates to a large percentage of your monthly rent or mortgage payment, the Airwrap does at least offer you many different styling options in one. We find the drying attachment is similar to the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, but there are also two different-sized barrel attachments for bouncy curls, two brush attachments for smoothing, plus a round brush for a voluminous blow dry look.

Our thick and curly-haired tested found it's not quite powerful enough to create a smooth, frizz-free finish on her strands and needed to use one of the best straighteners for curly hair, too – but for finer hair, it does the job in seconds (though a priming product like the Dyson Chitosan helps with lasting hold). In other words, it's definitely worthy of being called one of the best hair dryers for fine hair.

Our Dyson Airwrap review has the full details on this multi-styler

Best hydrating hair dryer for fine hair

A press shot of the Babyliss Hydra-Fusion Hair Dryer, alongside the diffused attachment and on a white background

The Babyliss Hydra Fusion Hair Dryer

(Image credit: Babyliss)

9. BaByliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer

Best hair dryer for fine hair and soft strands

Specifications

RRP: £80
Weight: 570g
Power: 2100W
Speed settings: 2
Heat settings: 3
Included attachments : 2 – concentrator nozzle, diffuser
Cord length: 2.5m
Warranty: 3 years
Available colours: Icy blue

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Powerful
+
Boosts shine
+
Helps boost moisture

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly heavy

Reviewed by: Emma Stoddart

Spending ages doing your hair only for it to go frizzy and static is a disheartening problem that fine-haired types regularly face. If your hair's on the drier side, it's important to pick products specially designed to counter that – and this affordable option from BaByliss is perfect for fine and frizz-prone hair.

Though not as light as some other dryers we've tested in our time, the benefits soon balance this out. 2100 watts make for a powerful blast of air, while three heat settings mean you can stick to a lower temperature and avoid frying your hair without compromising on drying time. It comes with two attachments: a smoothing nozzle and a diffuser, so it works well for a variety of hair types. When we tested it on fine and curly hair, it left it looking shiny and soft without a hint of frizz.

The price point is brilliantly affordable, too, and we were really impressed by how smooth this tool left our hair – especially compared to some other options several times its price. If you're looking for the best hair dryer for frizzy, fine hair that's a relative bargain, this is a solid bet.

Our BaByliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer review has the full details

How we tested the best hair dryers for fine hair

Three hair dryers (from Remington, Revamp and Panasonic) are pictured against a white sheet background

A small selection of the hair dryers we tested for this guide

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

In order to share a truly thorough guide to the very best hair dryers for fine hair currently on the market, our beauty contributor Emma Stoddart tested an array of tools first-hand (from the likes of ghd to Remington), to see how each model dried and styled their own strands. The woman&home beauty team also contributed their insights from using the tools so as to draw on more than one fine-haired tester's experience.

In order to make sure we had tested a range of different options from the market – and that you can trust that the tools featured here were performed effectively on fine hair – we put tools to the test that had a range of different price points and from both big-name and lesser-known brands. Each one was used to dry our tester's hair at least once and was closely examined in the following areas to assess its overall design and performance.

  • How the dryer feels to hold
  • Ease and usefulness of controls
  • Number of heat and speed settings
  • Technical specs including weight, power and warranty
  • Whether attachments are included or have to be bought separately
  • Design
  • Price

We've also included both traditional models and as well as some hair dryer brushes to help you select the best type of device for your styling needs – all while taking care of fragile, fine hair and boosting volume.

How to choose the best hair dryer for fine hair

Both ionic and ceramic hair dryers can work wonders on fine and thin hair, but there are a few other factors to consider when looking for the best hair dryers for fine hair.

  • Wattage & power: Check the settings and power level to ensure your tool of choice won't be unneccessarily forceful and potentially damaging to your strands. Fine hair often only requires gentle airflow to dry, or a powerful setting at a lower temperature for styling. Opt for one with variable settings so that you can tailor these accordingly.
  • Speed settings: Low speeds can give you more styling flexibility, especially if you have a short hairstyle or bob hairstyle. “With finer hair, you need to control the direction of the blow-dry so that you can stop it blowing out of the brush," explains Craig Taylor, creative director at Hari’s. "A low-speed button can help, so make sure your hair dryer has this."
  • Heat settings: Lower temperatures reduce damage, a big plus for finer, more delicate strands. The best hair dryers for fine hair will have a good selection of at least one lower-temperature settings.
  • Cold shot: “I like a cold button when I'm trying to set movement into the hair or root; blowing cold air helps set the bend and body that you're trying to [create],” says Taylor. Cold air also seals the hair cuticle, making it look smoother and shinier.

FAQs

Is an ionic or ceramic hair dryer better for fine hair?

Both ceramic and ionic dryers function similarly but, depending on your hair's characteristics, you may find one suits you slightly better than the other. Ionic dryers emit negative ions that neutralise the positive charge of wet hair, targeting frizz and flyaways for a smooth finish. This is especially beneficial for curly hair as it can help to improve definition.

Ceramic dryers incorporate clay to the dryer shaft, which helps hair to retain natural moisture and shine. Ceramic also ensures that heat is distributed evenly, meaning hair usually dries more quickly and with less damage. If you have frizzy hair, an ionic hair dryer should be your pick, while dry, damaged hair that needs a little more TLC will get on well with a ceramic tool.

Which hair dryer is least damaging?

With any hot hair tool, there is always a risk of a level of damage, which is why applying a heat protectant is a vital step no matter your hair type. However, some have measures in place to limit the level of damage inflicted. Ceramic hair dryers are brilliant for preventing hair from becoming too frazzled, while ionic ones can operate at a lower temperature with the same drying time as other dryers.

For the best of both worlds, tourmaline hair dryers combine the elements of both ionic and ceramic hair dryers in one tool. Search for any of these three key hair dryer types when looking for the least damaging options.

How to blow dry fine hair gently

Thinner hair requires care when it comes to heat styling, Dr. Somji notes, which is why having the best hair dryer for fine hair to hand is important. We recommend washing with the best shampoo for fine hair, then, "Use a microfibre towel to retrieve as much moisture from the hair as possible, then use a hair dryer," he advises. "This means you will be using it for a much shorter amount of time, therefore reducing the risk of extensive heat damage."

Our expert panel

Reviewed by
Emma Stoddart
Reviewed by
Emma Stoddart

Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist who has worked for some of the UK’s top titles including NET-A-PORTER, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience covers both online and print, including producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists. As well as her years of experience, having fairly fine hair herself means she knows firsthand what makes a good hair dryer for fine hair.

Expert advice from
Expert advice from
Dr Munir Somji

Dr Munir Somji is the Chief Medical Officer and Founder of Dr MediSpa, an award-winning group of three London-based clinics. He is a hair loss expert, offering restoration treatments at his clinics, therefore knows the importance of a blow dryer that cares for the unique needs of both fine and thinning hair.

Expert advice
Expert advice
Craig Taylor

Craig Taylor is a session hairstylist and the creative director at London hair salon HARI's – which means he knows a lot about the best hair dryers, including those that work well on fine hair.

Emma Stoddart

Emma Stoddart is a freelance beauty journalist and self-confessed skincare aficionado with over five years’ industry experience. Emma has worked for some of the UK’s top women’s titles including Net-A-Porter, Stylist and Grazia. Her experience spans online and print as well as producing editorial shoots with some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Val Garland. Asides from working with them behind the scenes, she’s also had the chance to interview the likes of Patrick Ta, Pat McGrath, and Sam McKnight for all their insider tips and tricks.

With contributions from