These are the 10 best hair dryers for fine hair in 2024, tried and tested by us
Our edit of the best hair dryers for fine hair – achieve volume and enjoy gentle blow drying at every budget
Best hair dryer for fine hair 2024: Jump Menu
The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: ghd Helios
2. Best high-tech: Shark iQ
3. To reduce damage: Panasonic EH-NA9J
4. Best shine-boosting: Revamp Progloss
5. Best brush: Babyliss Hydro-Fusion
6. Best travel: T3 Featherweight
7. Best budget: Remington Ionic
8. Best luxury: Zuvi Halo
9. Best multi-styler: Dyson Airwrap
10. Best hydrating: Babyliss Hydro Fusion
How we tested
FAQs
When it comes to scouting out the best hair dryers for fine hair, it's important to remember that not all dryers are made equal. Thinner hair types need something that won't frazzle delicate ends or leave locks flat or wispy.
The best hair dryers for fine hair should pay attention to hair health above all else. "Look for hairdryers that have adjustable heat settings and cool air buttons. That way you can lower the heat to cause less damage and use cool air to seal the cuticle once finished," advises hair restoration surgeon, Dr Munir Somji. 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," explains Dr Somji.
With some of the industry's best hair straighteners under its belt, it follows that hair titan ghd made our list with the excellent ghd Helios. This dryer is kind yet powerful and comes in a gorgeous selection of colors. We also love the futuristic Zuvi Halo for supremely gentle high-tech drying and the pioneering Dyson Airwrap Styler, which makes achieving a variety of looks a cinch.
Our top 6 picks
Our beauty team has tried and tested 10 of the best hair dryers for fine hair from the top brands, including ghd, Shark and Babyliss to bring you a complete, results-driven guide on the top models. Below, are six of our overall favourites for fine hair.
Best overall
The best we've tried for fine hair
This fantastic release from ghd tops our list of the best hairdryers on the market overall, and it's just as phenomenal for fine hair, we can reassure you. It has a huge wattage, which leads to volume and shine for fine hair. We think it's genius and our overall top-rated pick.
Best high-tech
Best high-tech
This hair dryer is smart, so much so that it uses ionised air to dry fine hair with less damage. As well as being exactly what we're looking for, it also improved our hair's shine, and the three temperature settings make this a versatile pick too.
Best to reduce damage
Best to reduce damage
If you need a dryer to help you cut down on split ends and damage rather than add to it, then the tech in this pick is bound to help you undo the worst of it. Easy to use and with a foldable handle, we quite like this one for popping in our suitcase too.
Best shine-boosting
Best shine-boosting
To add hydration and shine to your hair drying routine, look nof further than this Revamp tool, which also boasts a fab selection of attachments for your money. Our only complaint is that attaching them can be a little fiddlier than it needs to be.
Best brush
Best brush
Hot brushes can work for those with fine hair and this one from Babyliss is the perfect example. It's gentle while still being effective, and has a range of heads that it's easy to switch between. Sure it's a little bulky, but we think the results are worth it.
Best travel
Best travel
Lightweight, with a super sleek design, and built to be packed away thanks to the folding hinge, we think there isn't a better hair dryer for fine hair that's travel-friendly out there. Though the drying time is unsurprisingly a little slower than non-travel driers, it is perfect for on-the-go, and absolutely looks the part for your next holiday too!
The best hair dryer for fine hair overall
Specifications
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Eight years after entering the hair dryer arena with the Air, GHD dropped the Helios. And it seems that the cult brand has stepped up its design game, as, just like the ghd Platinum+ hair straightener, the Helios hair dryer will take any vanity from bleak to chic. It tops our best hair dryers for fine hair list, as not only does it look fabulous in every one of the six stylish colour options, but it also packs a serious punch when it comes to power. A mega-high wattage means that you’re getting a forceful 120km/h shot of air through the concentrated nozzle, which goes a long way in adding volume to fine hair and left us with a shiny, bouncy look in minutes.
It is at the higher end of the price spectrum and we found that it is heavier than most of the others we tested, but this isn't such a problem for fine hair as it is thick or curly. Plus, the design is so streamlined that we didn't feel the difference when using it – its ergonomic shape, which makes giving yourself a bouncy blow dry very easy, made the minimal extra weight on this tool definitely worth carrying.
Our full GHD Helios hair dryer review has the full details.
Best high-tech hair dryer for fine hair
2. Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler
Our expert review:
Specifications
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Reasons to avoid
Following in Dyson’s footsteps, technology giant Shark released a hair dryer that’s high-tech, innovative, and delivers impressive results on fine hair. Granted, it’s more expensive than most – but if you’re after a hair dryer that cuts down on damage as well as drying time, this could be the hot tool for you.
Powered by something called iQ Technology, the dryer uses speed over force to generate a constant flow of ionized air that dries fine hair quickly with minimal damage. The results? We experienced smoother, shinier strands. You can also take control of the dryer with three temperature and airflow settings (low, medium, high) and even the highest heat doesn't feel searingly hot.
As for attachments, there may only be two, which feels a little minimal for the price point, but they’re both intelligent. We found the attachments magnetically connect more securely than other models (Dyson included) at which point the Shark recognizes which attachment is on and alters the heat and speed settings accordingly to give you the best results. With the iQ dryer, choose between the concentrator for sleek results or the diffuser to turn this into the best hair dryer for curly hair. We also love how compact this dryer is and it’s quieter than most hair dryers we’ve tried. For a slightly pricier alternative with even more styling attachments, our Shark FlexStyle review breaks down what the brand's other hero dryer has to offer.
Our Shark hair dryer review has the full details.
Best hair dryer for fine hair to reduce damage
3. Panasonic EH-NA9J Hair Dryer
Our expert review:
Specifications
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Reasons to avoid
Designed to tackle signs of damage like lack of shine, frizziness, dryness, dullness, and split ends. this dryer's unique Nanoe & Double Mineral features work to add moisture back into strands, making for healthier-looking and feeling hair - a big win if you have fine hair that is also damaged.
When testing, we were seriously impressed by the range of speed settings that this drier has. The lowest gave a very soft blow that fine hair types really benefit from, but the highest setting packs a real punch if you want a quick dry. Plus, built-in sensors keep the dryer at the optimum temperature, so you're not at risk of using too much heat. There is also an alternating hot and cold air mode to lock in moisture, a scalp mode that works gently to encourage healthy growth, and even a skin mode that uses mini steam particles to moisturize your face – what can't this hair dryer do?
We loved using the Panasonic hair dryer on our dry and bleach-damaged hair, and it did a very impressive job at giving a smooth blow dry and diffusing our curls. Another big plus is that it has a foldable handle and a shorter barrel that can easily tuck away, so it makes one of the best travel hair dryers too.
Best shine boosting hair dryer for fine hair
4. Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
It can be a struggle to keep fine hair glossy, as heavy products like oils and conditioners can weigh down this hair type. So when we came across a hair dryer that could also provide shine, we were all ears. Revamp is known to make some of the best curling irons for thick hair, but the good news is that they cater to fine hair types just as well.
On testing, we loved how quick and easy this tool was to use. With three attachments, we achieved a sleek blow-dry finish plus it caters to curly hair types with the diffuser, so there's something for everyone. We did find it slightly fiddly to attach each one at first, but after a little practice, this was no issue. The combination of iconic technology and the essential oil infusion gave us gorgeously shiny results and a healthy appearance without weighing it down or looking greasy.
If you have fine, frizzy hair and you want to achieve a healthier look, you will love this hair dryer. The number of speed settings allows for a customizable experience so you can adjust to what your hair needs, with the option of a cold setting to lock in your style. Another drier with intelligent temperature sensors, there's no danger of overheating your fine hair.
Best brush hair dryer for fine hair
5. BaByliss Hydro-Fusion 4-in-1
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
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If you are looking for a one-and-done hair tool that will cater to absolutely all of your needs, the new BaByliss Hydro-Fusion multi-use dryer is one of our favourites on the market. From mastering the flicky C-shape haircut to getting the ultimate salon-worthy sleek blow dry, this offers plenty of options for on-trend looks.
When we tried the blow dryer attachment on wet hair, we found the pressure to be fairly gentle. This is ideal for those who have fine hair and don't need huge amounts of power when drying or don't want to apply too much heat. If you have hair that tends to take quite a while to dry or requires maximum heat, the blow dryer attachment also works as a pre-styling step. We used it to get excess water out of the hair before following up with one of the three styling attachments for a sleek finish. There is only one speed setting, so you can expect the same soft drying when using each of the brush heads.
The only downside to this dryer is that it is slightly bulky, and the multiple attachments mean that it isn't ideal for travelling. However, we love the versatility of this tool and how well it works for various hair types, especially fine hair. If you have hair that is prone to frizziness, the largest brush head works as a smoother to tame those pesky flyaways - and its results rival that of the best hair straightener brushes.
Best hair dryer for fine hair for travel
6. T3 Featherweight Compact
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Going away on vacation is all fun and games – until you have to brave the hotel-provided hair dryer or worse, the pitiful stock version hooked up to the bathroom wall. T3’s Featherweight Compact is here to save you from the horrors of sub-par vacation styling with its light, portable design, effective performance, and enviable results. Oh, and it looks like something straight out of a five-star salon, so there's that too.
With a folding hinge that makes it a breeze to fit into your carry-on, the dryer has an unusually small barrel that can look slightly strange, but we found that it makes for painless styling. Despite being a bit slower than our other favourite hair dryers (as you would probably expect from a smaller, travel-friendly product), we found that it packs more than enough punch for finer hair types and is easily superior to most tools you’ll find in a hotel room and comes with a cool-shot option and a concentrator nozzle for sleek styling. It's also great if you have a bangs hairstyle and need a tool to keep your fringe in check on the go.
It's up to you whether you want a whole separate dryer just for travel (if not, perhaps a relatively light, high-tech dryer such as the luxe Zuvi Halo might suit) But if you do, this would be the best choice for convenience and performance.
Best budget hair dryer for fine hair
7. Remington Ionic Conditioning Hair Dryer
Our expert review:
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You get serious bang for your buck with this bargain hair dryer. This one tool gives three different finishes thanks to the included smoothing nozzle and diffuser attachments, so whether you are after pin-straight locks or a natural, wavy style, this dryer will work for you.
Fine hair can often need some extra TLC when it comes to heated tools, which can cause the hair to become brittle or damaged. Despite the power of this Remington hair dryer (and trust us, it is very powerful), damage control is very much factored in. When we tested it, we found that our dry, bleached hair was left feeling hydrated and smooth with no frizz. This is thanks to the tourmaline, ionic and ceramic technologies that protect hair and also transfer micro-conditioners for a healthy finish.
This is one of the heavier hair dryers we tested, however thanks to its power and quick drying time, this wasn't an issue for us. From stepping out of the shower, a rough all-over blow dry only took about 10 minutes – about half the usual time our hair takes to dry and style from wet. For extremely quick heat styling that you can trust to look good, this is our go-to.
Best luxury hair dryer for fine hair
8. Zuvi Halo
Our expert review:
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Yep, she's expensive. This is our luxury pick of the best hair dryers for fine hair, so if you want something economical the Zuvi Halo won't be it. But if you want the absolute best, technology-wise, and have more to spend then step this way.
Aside from looking exceptionally slick, the USP of this self-dubbed 'Tesla of hair dryers' is that as well as heat and air, it uses infrared light to mimic air drying your hair in the sun. We loved how gentle and quiet it is, you can tell it is really caring for your hair and our fine, bleached strands never felt frazzled. The brand says it keeps hair up to 109% more hydrated and that the dryer is five times more energy-efficient than standard models, which is becoming increasingly important to a lot of us.
We also love this dryer's intuitiveness. Instead of figuring out heat and speed combos you choose from Care mode, Fast mode, and Style mode, which are programmed to be used with the included concentrator, diffuser, or gentle air attachment. This means instruction reading is necessary, but after that, all the hard work is done for you. Any downsides? It's a little slower than some – that's part of the kind-to-hair-package, but if you're a time-poor or impatient styler that might bother you. The same goes if you have very long, coarse, or thick hair (unlikely, given you're reading a guide to the best hair dryers for fine hair)
Our Zuvi Halo hair dryer review has the full details.
Best multi-styling dryer for fine hair
9. Dyson Airwrap Complete
Our expert review:
Specifications
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Professionals make achieving a bouncy blow-dry look effortless, most DIY blow dryers understand the perils of wrangling all those barrels and brushes. Enter the Dyson Airwrap with its attachments that claim to do all the hard work for you. The multi-functional tool does take some getting used to (although our step-by-step guide to how to use the Dyson Airwrap can help with that) But if you normally rely on a plethora of different hair tools to add volume and boost fine hair day-to-day, then this one is definitely up your alley.
While the Airwrap probably gives your mortgage payment a run for its money, its all-purpose attachments do represent bang for your buck. We found that the dryer attachment essentially transforms it into the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, and it also comes with two different-sized barrel attachments to easily create bouncy waves and curls, two brush attachments for straightening and smooth drying, and a round brush to create a dreamy blow-dry.
When we tested it, we found that it’s not quite powerful enough to leave a smooth, frizz-free finish on thick and curly hair – for that you might need to pair it with one of the best straighteners for curly hair – but for fine hair, it does the job in seconds, so it's definitely worthy to be classed as one of the best hair dryers for fine hair.
Our Dyson Airwrap review has the full details.
Best hydrating hairdryer for fine hair
10. BaByliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
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 for your locks to ensure it gets an extra boost of hydration. This affordable option by Babyliss is perfect for fine, frizz-prone hair.
Although maybe not as lightweight as some of the others that we tried, the benefits balance that out. 2100 watts makes for a powerful blast of air, and the three heat settings mean you can stick to the lower temperatures, to help prevent hair from getting fried. It comes with two attachments – a smoothing nozzle and a handy diffuser for curls, so really it works on almost all hair types. When we tested it on fine, curly hair, it left our coils looking shiny and soft without a hint of frizz.
The price point is brilliantly affordable too – we were really impressed with how smooth our hair was, especially when compared to other options several times its price. If you're looking for the best hair dryer for frizzy, fine hair - this is your best bet.
Our Babyliss Hydro Fusion Hair Dryer review has the full details.
How we tested the best hair dryers for fine hair
When it comes to investing in a hair dryer for fine hair, it's important to know that it will work for this specific hair type. That's why we've tried and tested each dryer to see how they compared on:
- How the dryer feels in the hand
- Usefulness of controls
- Number of heat and speed settings
- User experience
- Technical specs including weight, power, and warranty
- Whether attachments are included or have to be bought separately
- Price
We've included traditional models and modern hair dryer brushes to help you select the best type of device for your styling needs, while taking care of fragile, fine hair and boosting volume.
FAQs
How to choose the best hair dryer for fine hair
Both ionic and ceramic hair dryers can work wonders for fine and thin hair, but there are a few other factors to consider when looking for the best hair dryers for fine hair:
- Wattage and power: Take into account the temperature settings and power level to ensure that you are not using anything that will damage your hair type. Fine hair often only requires gentle power, or powerful settings at a lower heat. Opt for hair dryers with multiple power controls to ensure the best possible blow dry for fine hair.
- Multiple 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 - a low-speed button can help, so make sure your hair dryer has this,” says Craig Taylor, creative director at Hari’s.
- Multiple heat settings: Lower heat settings will help prevent damage, which is a good thing for finer, more delicate strands. A lot of the best hair dryers for fine hair offer a good selection of one or two lower-temperature settings.
- Cold button: “I like a cold button for 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 mimic in the hair,” says Taylor. Cold air will also seal the hair cuticle, so hair looks smoother and shinier, too.
Is an ionic or ceramic hair dryer better for fine hair?
Both ceramic and ionic hair dryers function in a similar way, but depending on your specific hair type, you may find one suits you slightly better. Ionic hair dryers work by producing negative ions that neutralize the positive charge of wet hair, targeting frizz and flyaways to give a smooth finish. This is especially beneficial for curly hair, as it works to define curls and waves.
Ceramic hairdryers feature clay in the dryer shaft that works to retain the hair's natural moisture and shine. Ceramic dryers also ensure that heat is distributed evenly, meaning the hair usually dries more quickly and with less damage. For frizzy hair that needs taming, an ionic hair dryer should be your pick. For dry, damaged hair that needs a little more TLC, ceramic is your best bet.
Which hair dryer is least damaging?
With any type of heat tool, there is always a risk of damaging the hair, which is why applying a heat protectant is a vital step in protecting all hair types. However, certain tools have factors in place to limit damage levels. Ceramic hair dryers are brilliant for ensuring that the hair doesn't become frazzled, whilst ionic hair dryers can operate at lower heat but offer the same drying times as regular hair dryers.
For the best of both worlds, tourmaline hair dryers combine the elements of ionic and ceramic hair dryers. Search for any of these three key hair dryer types when looking for the least damaging hair dryers.
How to blow dry fine hair gently
Thinner hair needs to take extra care when it comes to heat styling, according to Dr Somji - which is why picking the best hair dryer for fine hair is important. He advises, "Use a microfiber towel to retrieve as much moisture from the hair as possible, then use a hair dryer. Doing this means that you will be using it for a much shorter amount of time, therefore reducing the risk of extensive heat damage."
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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.
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