5 best travel hair dryers in 2024 for easy but effective styling on-the-go

The best travel hair dryers should be able to fit much-needed high-quality drying capabilities into a space-saving design that you can pack on a trip - not an easy feat... 

Most of us have our specifically-chosen best hair dryer that meets our hair's needs - whether it's a hair dryer for curly hair to smooth frizz and diffuse in shape, or a hair dryer for fine hair to tame flyaways and create volume - but they'll likely be way too heavy and way too bulky to take away on holiday. Luckily, the tech in travel hair dryers is constantly advancing and we're no longer stuck with a low-power, one-heat dryer that's not much better than the offering in the hotel bathroom.

Not only are travel dryers now often equipped high-power and slick tech specs, many - like our top pick, the ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer - also come with handy features like a foldable handle, dual voltage functionality and, of course, that all-important lightweight feel. Ahead are the need-to-knows on which hair dryers are easiest to pack, lightweight to hold and hassle-free to style with.

The best travel hair dryers, reviewed by our beauty team

If you have any degree of knowledge about hair styling tools, you probably won't be surprised to see an entry from ghd, makers of some of the best hair dryers for fine hair, thick hair and everything in between. At a glance, the Flight+ Travel Dryer (which has had a very slight makeover since it first launched), has a similar design to the brand's Air model, just packed into a smaller size with a foldable handle. The travel case has also been redesigned and now takes the form of a zip-around shape with a stylish shoulder strap – updates that we are big fans of. 

As for what it's like to use? There are three settings on offer here, providing decent power and a smooth stream of air. However, we would say the cool shot, used for "setting" your style, could perhaps be a little cooler for our liking. Nevertheless, it's a great little dryer; the voltage is also super easy to adjust by twisting a dial on the handle with a screwdriver (or perhaps more accessible on a holiday, a coin). Another minor quibble is that the concentrated nozzle, pictured, is a bit light and plasticky and doesn't feel as premium as the rest of the dryer. But overall, the Flight is a solid example of why ghd is a brand you can put your trust – and money – in without no real risk of disappointment.

The first thing to note about this fun and funky dryer, as shown in our image below, is its size; dryers that have been designed specifically for travel are almost all smaller than standard, but Amika's Mighty Mini Dryer is barely bigger than our hand. Because of this, we were genuinely impressed by how much power it managed to rev up when we first switched it on – mighty and mini indeed! But not only that, we were pleased with how well it dried our hair and it didn't take an age to do so. 

Another plus point is that, along with the concentrator nozzle, this dryer also comes with a teeny tiny diffuser, which isn't that standard for travel dryers. This will be very welcome to those who usually use one of the best hair dryers for curly hair who like to define their natural curls while drying. Granted, you can't fit much hair into this tiny diffuser, but it's better than no diffuser whatsoever, and was a very beneficial inclusion in our books. For those who want or need to travel as light as possible, this will take up an incredibly small amount of space without significantly compromising the results. 

The first thing that caught our attention before trying this BaByliss dryer was the extremely accessible price point from such a trustworthy big-name brand. Sure, it doesn't feel as premium as some of the other tools we've featured in this guide, but it's also significantly cheaper – almost a quarter of the price of some of the higher-end buys. We therefore think it's extremely good value in line with its performance.

This dryer comes with just the one attachment, a narrow nozzle, which is useful for more precise and focused styling. When we used it on the higher of the two heat-speed settings we found it to be surprisingly powerful; it dried our hair pretty quickly, though we think the lower setting is better for hair that's prone to frizzing. In an ideal world, we would have liked to see a cool shot function, too, but overall this dryer does the job pretty well – and certainly better than a rogue hotel room dryer.

Drybar's Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer was one of the closest options to a full-size dryer that we tested for this guide. It's extremely powerful, serving up a 1,200-watt motor and two heat settings for decent customisation and, much like the ghd Flight+, it features a folding handle for yet more space-saving capabilities. This dryer was able to dry our tester's hair in record time – all without generating the excess frizz that many other hot tools leave in their wake. 

All this is thanks to the negative ion generator, which seals the cuticle and keeps flyaways at bay while drying. This is a big plus if you want to keep your destination's weather – be it humidity or wind – from impacting your hair. This model also comes with a concentrator nozzle for more precise styling, which is also very beneficial when you're relying on a travel dryer. We're fans of Drybar's signature canary yellow-hued products and, though a sturdier case like ghd's would have been nice, we appreciate that the brand also includes a dust bag in this bundle to keep this dryer protected.

If you're willing and able to invest in a reliable, high-quality model, we recommend trying this one from T3. Lauded for its frizz-reducing and volume-inducing properties, this dryer incorporates the brand's IonAir Technology, which dries hair quickly and keeps it looking smooth for days. It also boasts three heat and two speed settings, offering excellent customisation for various hair textures and styling preferences. 

What sets this model apart from others, though, is its auto-dual voltage, which automatically shifts depending on your location. This meant we could enjoy worry-free styling, as we had no concerns that we'd forget to adjust it to the correct setting in whichever country. We also appreciated being able to pop on a concentrator nozzle for smoother looks. All in all, this is a winning dryer that'll give you great results with every use. 

How we tested the best travel hair dryers

To provide a truly comprehensive guide to the best tools on the market, we tested dozens of dryers from various price points in different scenarios, both at home and on the go. We also assessed how easy it was to pack each one into a carry-on or suitcase, as well as how their performance compared with our usual full-size hair dryer. During the testing process, we took each of the below factors into account when making our assessments. 

• Design
• Size and weight
• Any included attachments, e.g. concentrated nozzles or diffuser
• If the dryer came with a case or dust bag
• How well and how quickly it dried our hair
• How the results looked
• Price

How to choose the best travel hair dryer for you

Whether you're travelling internationally, domestically or locally, there are a few different important factors to take into account before you purchase a travel hair dryer, which we've expanded on below with the help of some experts. 

• Size and weight: The first thing to consider is where you're travelling and what mode of transport you'll use, which will determine how big and heavy the hair dryer should be. "If you are taking it on a plane, you'll want something that's lightweight and small enough to fit in your carry-on bag," says Asako Ito, beauty expert and founder of Divine Lashes. If you're travelling by train or car, you may be able to get away with something a bit heavier and bigger. Some travel dryers are small enough to fit into a small duffel bag or purse, which can be helpful for quick on-the-go touchups if you're running in between meetings or stopping by Happy Hour after work.
• Dual voltage: Many travel hair dryers come with dual voltage functionalities, and it's definitely an option to seek out if you make frequent international trips. According to Jasmine Rilington, hairstylist and founder of The Glam Room, "using a non-dual-voltage hair dryer overseas could cause a fuse to be blown at best and damage to your hair at worst."
• Design and materials: As with tools like the best hair straighteners, a tool's materials matter. "Ceramic is a great option as it puts out non-damaging infrared heat, which is good for frizzy hair and protects the hair from heat damage," Rilington explains. "Tourmaline emits infrared heat, too, but also negative ions, which can make the styling process easier and provide a glossy finish." This material is a great option for those wondering how to get shiny hair.