The 7 quietest hair dryers for a gentler at-home blow-dry, reviewed by our in-house beauty experts
Blow drying is usually a noisy task, but not with our expert edit of the quietest hair dryers on the market
We're sure you'll agree with us when we say hair dryers can be loud. Like, really loud. But more noise doesn't necessarily mean better results in the hair space. The quietest hair dryers have still been designed to pack in decent power and styling prowess, but with less of an impact on your ears. You probably still have one burning question, though: How do I know it's quiet without taking it home and trying it? Well, that's what this guide is here for.
The good news is you can do more than just look at the best hair dryer specs for evidence that they might be quieter-than-standard. Hairdresser and mdlondon founder Michael Douglas recommends brushless (direct current, or DC) motors over traditional alternating current (AC) ones. The former have "fewer moving parts in the engine of the hair dryer, so there's less friction and it therefore creates less noise. I think on average it makes it about 12 decibels quieter, which is quite a big deal," he says. "A DC motor also consumes less energy, so it's more energy efficient and costs less money to blow dry your hair."
Better still, you can also use our testing notes below to ensure your new tool is a relatively quiet one. With decades of experience between us, woman&home's beauty team has reviewed many dryers over the years – including new quiet-yet-powerful models. We used this knowledge when testing a big set of contenders to properly decide on the best-performing (and quietest) buys. So for a dryer that doesn't sound like it's about to take off from a runway, these are the eight tools we recommend you choose from.
Quietest hair dryer deals
These deals were last checked on 22/09/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, the very best deals around at the moment.
The quietest hair dryers at a glance
It's no secret we love Dyson dryers, especially for curly and wavy hair. But the 325g Supersonic r is the quietest dryer in our guide, with a motor that barely hints at a whistle.
We loved this one for the lack of a subtle (and kind of annoying) 'whistling' sound present in many hair dryers we've tried. Its LED display consistently shows the temperature and speed setting, while if something blocks the rear vent or it gets too hot it handily turns itself off.
Created by hairdresser Michael Douglas, the BLOW Dryer takes the spot for the quietest we tested. The incredibly light hair dryer emits a sound of just 76 decibels thanks to a brushless motor – plus has a very useful self-cleaning feature.
The 7 quietest hair dryers, reviewed by our beauty team
The best quiet hair dryer overall
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The competition for the top spot in our quietest hair dryers guide, by ear, was a very close call. But based on volume ratings specified by each brand, this tool is the winner at just 75 decibels.
The Dyson Supersonic r was first launched as a professional-only tool, with an ultra-lightweight design (it weighs only 325g) and extra-long cable to suit hairdressers who work with dryers all day long. The following year, Dyson launched it onto the consumer market, so now us non-hairstylists can also enjoy the light-and-mighty tool. It's powerful, compact and small enough not to take up much space in your bag on an overnight trip or weekend away.
The initial iteration came with all the attachments we expect to see from a Dyson dryer – diffuser, pik-style comb, concentrator nozzle, gentle nozzle and flyaway attachment – though newer bundles separate these into Curly + Coily or Straight + Wavy. This makes it an incredibly adaptable dryer with great range.
Though the plug is quite bulky, knowing what I know about other tools from this brand, like the Dyson Airstrait, this helps to reduce the overall weight of the tool. It's fast, it's powerful, it's a versatile styler and, crucially, it's quiet without much of a whistle tone. I think it's great.
Read Lucy's full Dyson r Supersonic Hair Dryer review for more details
The best quiet hair dryer with no high-pitched sound
The Beauty Works AERIS Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
As well as its lightweight and aesthetically pleasing design, Beauty Works' AERIS Hair Dryer has a very quiet user experience. Yes, there's low noise, but what really stood out to me was the absence of that ever so slightly high-pitched "whistling" sound. It's usually slightly detectable, even in the quietest hair dryers, like mdlondon's model earlier in this guide – but not here.
As for the actual use, it's got an incredibly handy, circular LED display at the top of the tool, which I really appreciated; you can clearly see your current temperature (60°C, 90°C, 120°C) and speed at a glance while drying, a nice touch. Once finished, however, I noticed the dryer displays "OFF" until unplugged or switched off at the mains (this is, admittedly, a good reminder to do so). Another great safety feature is that this dryer will automatically shuts off if the rear vent is blocked, or if the temperature goes above 150°C.
The Beauty Works AERIS Hair Dryer
You also get two nozzles and a handy dust bag for storage, but the compatible diffuser has to be bought separately, which does let it down a little in my eyes given its price. Some argue that not everyone needs a diffuser or comb if included, but including them in a bundle means some hair types aren't charged more than others for their dryer to do what they need. All in all though, this ultra-light, ultra-quiet tool didn’t disappoint in styling, drying my hair quickly and yielding a pretty smooth finish. No wonder it won a 2023 woman&home beauty award for best hair dryer – in fact, we deem it one of the best hair dryers for fine hair, too.
The best lightweight quiet hair dryer
The mdlondon BLOW Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Jess Beech
Created by celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas, this compact and lightweight dryer looks and feels incredibly premium. Even the colour options are stylish: dark teal, olive green and blush pink. I tested the former for this piece, as did my colleague Jess Beech, who says: "I've tried dozens of them, but the mdlondon BLOW Hair Dryer is the one I use most," praising its compact size, quietness and impressive results on her very thick hair.
In terms of how well (and how quietly) it performs, on the lowest speed setting, it is impressively hush due to that brushless motor. It's also approved by Quiet Mark, an independent global certification program that assesses products spanning various categories to verify the quietest toolson the market – so you can trust it really is quiet, as hair dryers go.
The mdlondon BLOW Hair Dryer in casal blue
Along with the neat design, what also sold it to me is how quickly it switches between hot and cold settings. There barely any waiting around for the dryer to cool, so if you’re styling in a hurry you can set things quickly.
I do have a couple of quibbles. Firstly, you have to hold down the button for a little while to turn it on and off, and the diffuser has to be bought separately. But these things didn't make a significant dent in my overall opinion. It left my hair feeling great and ticked all my boxes – as you'd expect from an experienced hairdresser's brand.
Read Jess's full mdlondon BLOW Hair Dryer review
The best quiet hair dryer for curly hair
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer with its diffuser
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Fiona McKim
Perhaps the most famous hair dryers in history, which our Beauty Channel Editor Fiona McKim called a "game-changer" in her review, the Dyson Supersonic was truly revolutionary when the tool first launched in 2016. Alongside its smart-engineered airflow system that dries hair quickly and efficiently, it's also famously quieter than your standard hair dryer – even on the top speed setting. A Dyson engineer tells us that the motor, in the base of the handle, is quieter thanks to a silencer, while the V9 Digital Motor's fan was tweaked slightly to prevent high-pitched whistling. (This is consistent across subsequent iterations of this coveted dryer, the Dyson Supersonic r and Supersonic Nural.)
While the Supersonics are great for all hair types, I wanted to give it a particular shout-out for styling curly hair types because the expertly engineered airflow is so gentle on curls through the accompanying diffuser – just one of a whopping five attachments that come with this dryer as standard. Admittedly, this attachment could be slightly larger, but it has lots of tiny holes to evenly disperse the air, which can add volume (for those who feel they need it) and definition. In other words, it's easily one of the best diffusers for curly hair.
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
I can also say from experience that it’s the best pairing for styling curly hair with definition and without excess frizz. Unless I'm testing new tools, I almost always use my Dyson dryer if I'm drying mine curly as it is, quite simply, the best. And on another note, I've really never seen flyaways flattened as well as the unique flyaway attachment can. It's a brilliant.
Read Fiona's full Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer review and Lucy's Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer review
The best quiet hair dryer for fast drying
Reviewed by: Jess Beech, Lucy Abbersteen
In striking bold blue, The Great Hair Dryer's launch marked luxury hair salon group Hershesons' first entry into the hot tool space. In its handy, chic metal case, complete with a leather-look handle, are three accompanying attachments: two concentrator nozzles and a diffuser.
Overall, we'd bill this as a small but very mighty dryer. Its quietness and under-300g weight makes it ideal for travel, but it still packs impressive blow-drying power and results. There are three speed and heat settings, including a cool shot and "oxy active technology" to aid shine and colour protection.
The Hershesons The Great Hair Dryer
On some tools, it's easy to knock the buttons and unintentionally change settings, particularly on smaller and more compact dryers. But the Great Hair Dryer's smart lock function nips that particular problem in the bud; you can input your desired settings and forget all about any accidental changes until you switch it off.
As we expect from any hairdresser-founded brand, it performs brilliantly – which is why hairstylists and beauty editors alike have been raving about it since its launch. Senior Beauty Editor Rhiannon Derbyshire notes it's one of the best hair dryers for curly hair, while Fashion & Beauty Editor Jess Beech calls it "the Usain Bolt of hair dryers" as it dries her hair twice as quickly as the Dyson Supersonic. Impressive stuff.
Read Jess's full Hershesons The Great Hair Dryer review
The best quiet hair dryer with a stylish design
The Bondi Boost Sonic Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Although we did notice that the Sonic Hair Dryer is ever so slightly noisier than others featured here when you start it up, it's still noticeably quieter than traditional hair dryer motors – which is why it made the cut.
Aside from the chic monochromatic colourway, it also comes with two useful attachments: a narrow nozzle and decent-sized diffuser. The overall drying experience was nice, leaving my hair soft and frizz-free – two things that scored it points in the review process.
Our only real quibble was that it was difficult to tell the current programmed setting simply by looking at the dryer. Instead, you have to cycle through them all to work out where you’re at before settling on the right one. This dryer would also benefit from an even lower speed setting than is currently available, but it’s still a lightweight and undeniably quiet tool that dries well.
The best quiet hair dryer with a long warranty
The BioIonic Smart-X High Efficiency Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The Smart-X Dryer's impressive credentials got my attention when doing my initial research. Using enhanced air pressure, not excessive heat, it claims to dry hair 75% faster than competitors. To me, the highest heat setting still felt pretty hot, but I was reassured by the brand's note that the tool ensures consistent drying by balancing the air and temperature 100 times per second.
While drying, it was noticeably powerful, leaving my hair feeling soft, though I didn’t notice a massive difference in the drying time compared with top-tier tools from the likes of Dyson, mdlondon and Beauty Works. Either way, this dryer does have the feel of a premium gadget, and one I enjoyed using at that.
The BioIonic Smart-X High Efficiency Dryer
Other noteable tech specs here are the switch that locks in your programmed settings and even remembers them next time you fire it up, plus a light indicating the self-cleaning feature. And with a practically unheard of 10 year guarantee, this dryer is one you can rely on to go the distance after you've made the initial investment.
How we tested the quietest hair dryers
Some of the quietest hair dryers we tested for this feature from (L-R) Bio:Ionic, Dyson, mdlondon, Zuvi and Beauty Works
Ahead of writing this guide, I tried and tested a variety of hair dryers that were promoted as being particularly quiet by their manufacturers, also comparing them against one another to find the overall quietest tool. The noise levels emitted from each dryer were assessed by ear and compared with each other. Each tool was also used at least once to fully dry my hair and assess its capabilities. The woman&home beauty team continually tests the latest launches, so we are always considering new additions to our list of the quietest hair dryers, provided they make the cut.
While noise was the most important factor here, it wasn’t the only category that we required these dryers to score well in. Tools featured also had to be all-around excellent dryers, offering a nice user experience and great styling results, so we assessed all of the following factors while testing.
- Volume: As well as a general perception test of the noise emitted by all the dryers we trialled, we also compared the decibel ratings of each model where these were specified.
- How loud settings sound: Low power settings might be whisper quiet, but you'll most likely use higher settings when drying your hair. We therefore assessed every setting on each dryer.
- Price: We tested tools from a range of price points, ensuring that more expensive contenders justified their greater expense. Every offer needed to offer value for money in terms of the performance.
- Design, weight + feel: AKA how ergonomic each dryer is to use and felt in the hand.
- No. of heat & speed settings: Variable options are important in both cases to ensure you can style your unique head of hair to your likings.
- Attachments and extras: Both in the box and available to purchase separately – from concentrator nozzles and diffusers to carry cases.
- Advanced features: Extra points were scored for features and technology that were fairly unique to the dryer.
Many of the quietest hair dryers are an investment, due to the advanced technology used in making them less noisy. On the flip side, this means they are often lighter and more compact, which ups their value for money as they often double as one of the best travel hair dryers.
How to choose the quietest hair dryer for your hair
As well as noise output, you still want to ensure your new dryer ticks all of your boxes to suit your hair type and styling needs. The following are, therefore, all important considerations to make before you purchase any tool.
- Attachments: Ideally included rather than additional purchases, these may include concentrator nozzles for precise styling and getting into the roots of your hair; combs to lift and stretch tightly coiled textures; and diffusers for drying curly hair types. Look for bundles that have the ones you are most likely to use.
- Speed + heat settings: Having multiple speeds and temperatures means you can adapt your dryer to your hair's needs and/or desired finish.
- Size + weight: Both crucial to day-to-day use, especially if you're hoping to avoid the dreaded arm ache. This is important if you travel frequently and don't want it to take up too much space or weight in your bag.
- Technology: Special features that have been incorporated into a dryer, like ionic technology for a smoother finish, or ceramic for more even heat distribution, help to boost the results.
What is the average decibel level of a hair dryer?
As Hairdressers Journal reports, the average decibel level for a hair dryer is usually between between 80 and 90 dB. Ratings under 80dB would be considered quieter than standard and should, therefore, make for a less noisy blow dry. The quietest dryer in our guide is the Dyson Supersonic r, whose rating is 75 dB.
How do you know if a hair dryer is quiet before buying?
Alongside this detailed guide, there are a couple of things to look out for that indicate a given model will be quieter than a classic roaring dryer:
- A brushless or DC motor is less noisy than an AC motor
- A decibel rating below 80, if specified by the brand, is quieter than average
- Quiet Mark certifies hair dryers as part of its work to verify quieter at-home gadgets and tools (though at the time of writing very few have their certification)
Are quiet hair dryers suitable for thick and frizzy hair?
Absolutely, yes. While some people with very thick hair might instinctively gravitate towards powerful – and often noisy – hair dryer options, a quieter tool doesn't have to mean less power to get the job done.
The Dyson Supersonic is a great example of this kind of hair dryer, featured in this guide to the quietest tools. Though quiet, it still boasts an impressive 1600w wattage – plenty of power for anyone who want or need a strong shot of air when drying and styling their hair.
How to prolong the life of a quiet hair dryer
Caring for your hair dryer is key to ensuring it does its job for years. And while your hair dryer is unlikely to suddenly become very loud if you don't look after it well, most of us know that feeling of a hair dryer not sounding so healthy after years of use. Keeping it in a dust bag or case will help prevent build up that affects its performance and life, as will regularly cleaning the filter. Look after the safety and instruction manual so that you can refer to the specific cleaning guidance for your tool – and don't neglect it for too long!
Our expert panel
Lucy is one of our contributing beauty editors who has also written for Marie Claire, Glamour, OK! and Cosmopolitan. She has more than 10 years of experience testing and reviewing hair tools, including hair dryers. As well as testing every model here, she collated feedback from the woman&home beauty team to ensure this guide was as thorough as possible. (Her partner is also very sensitive to the whistle tone you commonly get with quieter hair dryers, which also proved useful during the testing period.)
As woman&home's Beauty Channel Editor, Fiona has tried more products than she’s had hot dinners and nothing makes her happier than raving about brilliant finds on womanandhome.com or her Instagram grid. Fiona joined us as Assistant Beauty Editor in 2013 and has since covered every corner of the industry; she reviewed several quiet hair dryers featured in this guide (and plenty that didn't make the cut).
Jess is an experienced fashion & beauty editor, with more than 10 years experience in the publishing industry. She has written for woman&home, GoodtoKnow, Now, Woman, Woman’s Weekly, Woman’s Own and Chat, and former Deputy Fashion & Beauty Editor of Future plc. A beauty obsessive and extremely experienced journalist, Jess rigorously tested and reviewed some of the hair dryers in this guide (and plenty more besides), sharing her experiences and results.
Michael Douglas is a hairdresser with a career spanning over three decades, and is the founder of both the mdlondon hair salon and hair tool brand of the same name. In this guide, he's shared his insights into what makes quiet hair dryers exactly that – and just so happens to make one of the dryers we deemed quietest after the thorough testing period.
