The best hair dryers for pro styling at home, tried and tested by us

The humble hair dryer is an essential beauty tool, and finding the best hair dryer to fit your hair's needs and styling habits should make day-to-day grooming a breeze. 

Hair dryers are hugely popular, beating even the best hair straighteners as our top go-to beauty device. According to the Philips Global Beauty Index survey 76% of women (from a study of 12,000 across the globe) use one at home – so unsurprisingly the range of options on the market is huge. Models range from simple and lightweight styles to powerful, high-spec options like the Dyson Supersonic, but there are a few factors that you should keep an eye out for whatever your budget. 

Technology that cares for your hair's health is very beneficial, while multiple speed and heat settings, including a cool shot function, are key for styling. "Dry your hair on a low heat and only use the hotter setting for the finishing touches," advises ghd Global Ambassador Adam Reed. "Once you're done styling, seal the hair using the cool setting for a super smooth look." Extra attachments, like narrow nozzles or diffuser and comb attachments, are also big pluses, but if you don't know where to start we've tested dozens of models to bring you the best hair dryer options on the market right now. 

How we tested our best hair dryers

With decades of experience testing hair tools between them, woman&home's beauty team extensively put these best hair dryer picks through their paces, weighing up every aspect of these tools. During the testing process, they analyzed all of the following factors.

• How the dryer feels in the hand
• Usefulness of controls
• Number of heat and speed settings
• Ease of cleaning
• User experience
• Technical specs including weight, power, and warranty
• Whether attachments are included or have to be bought separately
• Price

While several models blew us away (if you'll pardon the pun), several options that we tested didn't make the final cut. We also found that the cordless and bonnet hair dryers we tried did not live up to their claims, and therefore could not feature in our best hair dryer edit.

Want more information on the types of dryers and hair dryer technology, or to learn why a cold shot function is so beneficial? Everything you need to know can be found in our FAQs at the end of this best hair dryer guide. Now for the best buys...

The best hair dryers, as reviewed by our beauty team

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: not everyone has this much money to spend on a dryer, and you certainly don’t need to (there are plenty of excellent lower-priced choices on this list). But, if you are planning to make a sizeable investment, it’s easy to see why the Dyson Supersonic has such a devoted fan base.

As you’d expect from the brains that managed to turn vacuum cleaners into a status symbol, the spec is impressive. The main selling point is power, generated from a 13-blade digital motor, positioned not in the head of the dryer, as is the industry norm, but in the handle. Said motor sends 13 liters of air per second up to the head, which is then multiplied to 41 liters and checked 20 times per second to maintain a precise temperature. The aim is fast, controlled drying and styling without the damage of extreme heat (for those wondering do hair dryers damage hair - the answer lies in how hot yours is) 

The dryer runs at a relatively low 1600W, proving bigger isn’t always better when it comes to power. And what’s it like to use? Impressive. Considering how much technology the Supersonic packs in, the experience is pleasingly pared back, with three speed controls and four heat, plus a cold-shot button. Tap the power button and it whooshes right to full speed, not a second wasted warming up, plus it’s noticeably quiet and a dream to control, thanks to that handle-based motor (why didn't anyone think of that before?). Nozzles attach magnetically, which is handy when you snap them on, but less so when they on occasion click back off of their own accord. We also managed to loosen the little vent at the base of the handle after a couple of months of continuous use, but needless to say, we're nitpicking. It's not easy finding negatives here. 

See our full Dyson Supersonic hair dryer review

When ghd launches a product, we pay attention. And the ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer promises that it's the brand's lightest, fastest professional dryer and will bless your 'do with 30% more shine than whatever you're drying with at the moment. 

First impressions are good. It looks a little sleeker and sexier than previous ghd models and there are five colors to choose from – black, ink blue, powder pink, white, and, our personal favorite, plum with gold accents. The casing is matte with a nice velvety texture. And although, at 1.72lb/780g, it isn't the lightest option we tested it feels nimble thanks to its ergonomic design, with the weight balanced fairly equally between the handle and head.

The Helios also includes user-friendly settings: two speeds, two heats, and one cool shot button. This might seem simple, but honestly, how many options do you really use? Beyond good looks, the ghd Helios offers solid performance from a light, brushless motor with an airflow of 120kph. You can feel that power when you flick it on to full heat and speed. The dryer roars into action, then releases negative ions to smooth as you dry (and what are ions, you ask? Check out the cheat sheet at the bottom of this article). Woman&home Group Beauty Director Sarah Cooper-White says this dryer gives her the, "sleekest, fastest blow-dry I've ever managed at home." 

Overall, this is a brilliant all-rounder. It features incremental improvements on previous models, but nothing that will alienate or annoy long-standing fans of the brand. This powerful tool makes for a satisfying and ultra-speedy – if not 100% silent – drying experience.

See our full ghd Helios hair dryer review

Luxury blow dry bar chain Drybar also sells a range of salon-quality tools for at-home styling, many of which we’ve tried and found to be excellent. Among them is the Buttercup Dryer, a reasonably light model that, despite its lower weight, still feels like a well-made, ergonomic, and professional tool.

There are three heat settings and two different speeds to play with here, but probably the most significant factor that we’d like to shout about is that The Buttercup is noticeably good at keeping frizz to a minimum, which is most likely down to its ionic technology. In short, ions help to create smoother hair with better definition. There are also two concentrated nozzles of different widths in the box, helping you create ultra-smooth styles and master how to make your blowout last longer. 

Drybar also makes one of the best diffusers for curly hair, The Bouncer, which is compatible with both the full and travel-sized Buttercup dryers, as well as some other non-Drybar models – though it does have to be purchased separately. Nevertheless, our hair was noticeably smoother with this dryer, whether enhancing our natural curls with the diffuser or blow-drying strands into a sleeker style. We don’t think you’ll disagree with us when we say that this dryer is seriously cheerful to look at. But more than that, it’s a great, quality dryer overall and an ideal match for you if a less-frizzy finish is your end goal. 

Call it the tech takeover of beauty, call it the pink tax – whatever’s happened, the cost of hair dryers has been on a steep incline for a few years now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find something great at a price that doesn’t require a few deep breaths before you hit “add to cart.” May we present the Remington Thermacare Pro 2400?

It certainly looks the part, with nice cream and metallic casing that feels a smidge plasticky, but is still pleasant enough in the hand. The technical spec matches up to its pricier counterparts in some ways; it’s got ionic technology and a ceramic grill for even heat. The motor sends out 90km/56mi of air per hour and boasts a quieter experience and twice the lifespan of the brand’s previous models.

As well as three heat and two speed options, there’s a cool shot and a booster button that ramps up the airflow for fast rough drying. This feature did make the dryer noisier, but not to the extent that we felt the need to apologize to our neighbors. It comes with two styling nozzles and one diffuser, a generous offering at this price, and gave a nice daily blow-dry in as much time as you would expect from any dryer.

One minor gripe: It would be nice if the nozzles were white, not black, as they looked a tad out of place on the end of the dryer, but aesthetics are far less important than performance, and we found that this performs very well indeed. If you want something decent-looking, fast and reliable that doesn't require you to take out a second mortgage, this could be the best hair dryer for you.

The first thing we noticed when picking up the Zuvi Halo to test is that it’s so light, weighing in at around one pound or 500 grams. But don’t be fooled, because this is a tech-heavy tool. Along with the dryer itself, in the box you get three different attachments: a diffuser, a concentrated nozzle, and a gentle air attachment so it’s adaptable to your hair’s styling needs. That low wattage also makes this dryer super energy efficient. 

We found that the Halo is nice and easy to use. Attachments are magnetic and very secure once snapped onto the dryer. There’s just one button that cycles through the four styling modes – slow, fast, care, and style – and acts as the cold shot when pressed and held. While some dryer’s cool shot functions are lukewarm at best, the Halo’s is noticeably chilly, and it zips from hot to cold and back again impressively quickly. 

If you’re the kind of person who usually loads up on heat protection for hair and blasts your strands, you’ll need to lower your (temperature) expectations. The Halo styles at just 111°F/44°C and – this is where its impressive tech specs come in – also uses infrared light to dry water on the surface of the hair. According to research conducted by the brand’s labs, this means your hair retains 109% more moisture at its core. If you color your hair, this combination also helps to reduce color fade. 

We found our hair felt super soft after multiple different styling sessions and that it dried hair reasonably fast. When drying our natural curls, the diffuser creates excellent volume and definition, making this one of the best hair dryers for curly hair on our list. Though, as with any diffuser and dryer combo, using it understandably adds drying time. The Halo’s one major drawback is, of course, its price tag; for many, spending that kind of money on a hair dryer just isn’t an option, no matter how groundbreaking its technology. But if it’s within your price range or you’re able to save for it, we really don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

See our full Zuvi Halo hair dryer review 

If you ask a room full of hairstylists to name their best hair dryer, expect Parlux to win the majority vote. This Italian brand has amassed a fierce cohort of professional fans, and, after testing its merits, we can certainly see why. Aesthetically, this is among the few dryers that could reasonably be described as sexy. It comes in 10 colors, from inky matte black to bright corals and yellows. (We tried the peacock-like jade, above.)

Design-wise, it's small, sleek, and incredibly light yet boasts a muscular 2250W of power, which you’ll notice right away. Especially when drying thick hair – no achy arms here. Looks and feel aside, the Parlux Alyon also has plenty of useful features. The heat and speed options are uncomplicated – flick the switch on the side of the handle and off you go. This proved surprisingly handy for mid-dry temperature adjustments, as we were able to intuitively use our thumbs instead of having to pull the dryer away to see which button we were pressing. Small things like that make a big difference when you use a tool every day.  

The Alyon also helps prevent frizz and damage with ionic technology, while the K-Advance Plus motor promises powerful airflow and a lifespan of at least 3,000 hours. Additional touches include two smoothing nozzles in the box, plus a tactile cool button that has a satisfying click. The dryer also features a patent-pending HFS “Hair Free System" – a tiny corkscrew within the back vent that catches and prevents hair from getting trapped in the dryer. Though it appears tricky, with a 10-step instruction booklet, this feature is actually quite simple to master. Still, we aren't convinced it deserves such fanfare compared to an ordinary twist-off vent.

See our full Parlux Alyon review

Available in white or black with rose gold accents, we really love the chic design of this dryer, but it’s most impressive when it comes to the actual drying. There are a whopping five heat settings on offer here, which the dryer alternates between very fast thanks to its internal microchip, plus two different speed settings for a truly customizable drying experience. This is further evidenced by the built-in volume booster shot, whose lifting powers really wowed us – adding body to hair that is normally determined to lie flat. 

The auto pause function is also extremely useful – should you need to stop midway through drying, you can leave the dryer to turn itself off within a few seconds, then quite literally pick up where you left off. Admittedly this does take some getting used to, as you have to ensure your fingers cover the sensor at all times while drying, but it’s a very handy feature.   

The Cura Luxe comes with two different-sized narrow nozzles although, again, the diffuser has to be bought separately. These add-ons could feel a little more premium, especially given the dryer’s price tag, but for us it’s not that big of a sticking point. This is another dryer that has built-in ionic technology for controlled drying and a sleek finish, and it’s one of the best we’ve ever tested for keeping excess frizz to a minimum. Another very worthy investment!

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we say don't judge a hair dryer by its casing. Because what appears to be a generic, albeit sleek and pleasant-looking device from celeb stylist Nicky Clarke actually hides some pretty interesting technology and features. The first and most unique aspect of this dryer is infrared technology. Here, along with a unique honeycomb-shaped element, it helps to disperse heat evenly. This makes for a kind, gentle hair-drying experience without sacrificing blow dry performance, according to Clarke. 

Mostly, we're sold. We tested it on fine hair and experienced a gentle and non-scorching feel, even at the highest heat, and enjoyed the low weight and nimbleness of the model. Our hair was left smooth and dried without static or flyaways, even after rough drying without taking too much care, which was perhaps down to the ion technology. Did we notice the infrared, particularly? No, but we trust it was doing its job of caring for our scalp and hair. Drying time was probably bang on average for a hair dryer of this price; not noticeably quick or slow, but certainly, an impressive showing considering the energy efficiency of the device. 

You won't get a statement design from this dryer, but it is attractive and contemporary-looking, with a velvety black finish. The 3m cord is a welcome touch, as is the smoothing nozzle, which did a great job of creating sleek sheets of hair when we tested it with round brushes and had a bit more time to put it through its paces. Overall, this is a strong and thoughtful foray back into premium devices from Nicky Clarke – kind to our hair, kind to the planet, and not too unkind to our bank balances.

We're a fan of this dryer's sleek long shape that makes throwing it into your weekend duffel a breeze. But its slim body isn't just for aesthetics' sake – it actually helps provide a straight shot of air, which speeds up drying time and uses less electricity all while maintaining a stronger airflow of up to 110,000 rpm/min.

The casing is made from the brand's signature ceramic technology, which means it's able to maintain a consistent temperature and even heat distribution. For hair, this means smoother, more professional-looking results. We didn't experience any frazzling while using this dryer and found that the cool air setting came in handy when it came time to lock in our style. Plus, the dryer comes with a ton of variety: Four heat settings and three speed settings mean you can customize based on your hair texture and desired style.

We also love that it comes with three attachments: a diffuser, a precision concentrator, and a smoothing nozzle. Like the Dyson Supersonic, these attachments are magnetic, which we found to be helpful to click on and off in a pinch. For instance, we liked using the diffuser to enhance our natural curl pattern but also having the option of being able to blow dry hair smooth using a precision concentrator. The fact that the attachments are magnetic makes swapping them out a no-fuss process.

See our full Chi Lava Pro hair dryer review

Let's talk about how this dryer looks. This design team clearly broke free of the modern dryer mold, which either aims for sleek, slim and black, or as close to Dyson as they can without getting in trouble. This is a chunky, curvy little number in a mix of gloss and matte greige. We love it. If your idea of the best hair dryer is one that's cute and vaguely retro-looking, this will tick your visual boxes like no other. 

Picking it up you'll probably notice what we would class as the only real downside – it's fairly heavy. Not the heaviest on this list but it certainly packs a robust weight into its squat form. That aside, this is a dryer that melds convenience and care with ease. The main USP is hydracare technology, which is a sensor that checks your hair as it dries and automatically switches the heat around to prevent damage. This really takes the guesswork away for anyone worried about the dangers of daily heat styling. You don't have to have that function switched on of course. If you prefer to choose your own heat adventure or just want to go full-throttle every time that's available to you – although with the power of this device, you shouldn't need to go full pelt. 

This was one of the fastest dryers on the whole list, and although a bit of noise came with that power it was worth it for a four-minute blow dry. Other notable mentions include the three-meter cord, an extremely chilly cold shot that you don't have to hold down and three included nozzles (one diffuser and two concentrators) These attach not by the usual annoying click-around-the-edges mechanism but slip smoothly on like the last missing jigsaw piece via a little nub in the center of the attachment. It's little touches like this that really elevate this kind, fast dryer into being one of the best on the market today.   

Rusk's W8less Professional Hair Dryer is aptly named – at less than two pounds, it's perfect for those who are prone to getting tired arms. For our tester (who has extremely thick, long, and curly hair), this dryer's lightweight feel was a refreshing break from some of the heavier models on the market.

It's extremely impressive in terms of performance, too, boasting 2000 watts of power along with an ionic generator that emits negative ions and infrared light that dries hair from the inside out. The result: less frizz, more smoothness, and shine like you wouldn't believe. That's not surprising considering the dryer is made out of a fusion of ceramic and tourmaline technology.

During testing, we found that this dryer required very little effort to smooth out the hair. In fact, even on the lowest speed setting, we were able to dry our hair in just a few minutes. It does come with a concentrator nozzle, which is great for precision styling. Using this dryer is an overall pleasant experience. Aside from being easy to hold, it's not excessively loud, making it a great choice if you don't live alone, or if you're using it to dry down your pet. The handle and button placement also make it comfortable and ergonomic. Plus, we found that the cool shot button left our tester's hair looking and feeling buttery smooth after blow-drying the hair straight.

One minor con: Visually, it's nothing to write home about. We would have liked to see it in a few different colors, or at the very least, a slimmer design.

See our full Rusk W8less Professional Hair Dryer review

The Dyson Airwrap isn’t going to be for everyone. There is the obvious expense. It’s also a little bit trickier to get the hang of (though our step-by-step guide to how to use the Dyson Airwrap will help with that). So it's probably not for anyone who just wants to blast their hair in the most fuss-free manner possible. If you do like to experiment with your hair, blow drying smooth one day, curling in waves the next, you may likely try the Dyson Airwrap and wonder where it has been all of your life.

If you go for the Airwrap Complete, you will get a total of six attachments that cover everything you can imagine doing with your 'do: A dryer attachment that essentially turns it into the Supersonic Dryer (minus the styling nozzles); 30mm and 40mm barrels to create waves of varying degrees of tightness; a round volumizing brush; plus firm and soft smoothing brushes. 

The technology hinges on a phenomenon called the Coanda effect, which creates a pressurized flow of air to attract hair towards the attachment, wrapping it around the barrel or holding it against the brush. Air is then pushed over the strands, combined with heat, to dry and style hair without ever subjecting it to the searing temperatures of hot styling tools. You can set the hair using a cool-shot button or just flick it back off and out drops a shiny curl, bouncy wave, or perfectly smoothed section of hair. It really is very satisfying and positively mouse-like in volume compared with your average hair dryer.

There’s definitely a knack for using the waving barrels, which you probably won't master the first time. But we found the sleek sexiness of the device is more than enough motivation to keep trying and we had nailed it by the third time. The Airwrap is ideal for travel as it’s essentially every styler plus your best hair dryer in one ultra-slim and lightweight package. As we said, it isn’t for everyone, but if you are a heavy user of a variety of drying and styling tools, this could replace them all in spectacular style.

See our full Dyson Airwrap review 

Ask any parent and they'll agree that drying children's hair can be a tear-soaked, frustration-filled challenge. Cleverly, Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care aims to solve this issue by creating a light, ultra-gentle dryer that prevents painful, hair-damaging hotspots. 

How? Mainly because of a clever oscillating nozzle that spreads the heat around rather than directing it in one specific area. This means you can blast away, free from worry about misjudging the distance or spending too long on one area and receiving a pained squeal in response. This hair dryer also incorporates Panasonic's Nanoe technology, which sends tiny moisture particles into the hair to hydrate as it dries. All this hair and scalp-loving tech mean this isn't just the best hair dryer for families, it would also be excellent for anyone with over-processed, frazzled hair or a sensitive scalp. In terms of noise and blast, we would call this a solid middle-of-the-pack option – we found it was neither noticeably loud nor mystifyingly quiet. 

As well as a generous four temperature settings and three for speed, a cool shot, concentrator and diffuser nozzles we get a mighty 2000w of power. It's a little heavier than the brand's previous model, the Panasonic Nanoe + Double Mineral. It also lacks the handy folding handle of its predecessor, which we found makes it trickier to transport and slightly less nimble to maneuver when drying. It may not be the sexiest most show-it-off dryer on the list, but it's definitely the kindest. Smart girls know nice beats flash any day.

If you're thinking there's something familiar-looking about this vacuum company's first foray into the hair dryer market, you wouldn't be alone. Physical and pedigree similarities aside, the Shark Style iQ Hair Dryer & Styler is no Dyson dupe. The main schtick is this; the Shark Style IQ aims to merge drying and styling together into one session. It does this by including two clever attachments. One is an adjustable concentrator nozzle that you can use for both rough drying and focused styling with a brush, the other a diffuser with adjustable prongs that can cradle the hair from root to tip to create a curl pattern and dry in one. In testing we found these both uniquely useful for creating defined styles and leagues above the usual nozzles they throw in the hair dryer box. 

As for settings, you can go two very different ways with the Shark. Either use the handy switch on the side to adjust the dryer to your perfect airflow and heat from three options apiece. Or, snap on one of those clever attachments and allow the dryer to select the perfect settings for the hair type that the attachment suits. If you're after a hair dryer with even more styling options, our Shark FlexStyle review breaks down what you need to know about the brand's multi-purpose dryer tool.

Even turned up to the max, we didn't feel particularly blasted with heat or noise, yet our hair dried quickly and smoothly with a lovely shine. This comes down to ultra-powerful, concentrated airflow, which despite the relatively low wattage, allows for fast drying without extreme heat damage. Good old ionic technology helps smooth the finished look and combat frizz, as does a cool shot button. The 2.5m cord is easy to store and we think would be sufficient for anyone. This is undoubtedly a luxuriously priced dryer, it repays that investment in luxury features, kindness to the hair and clever touches that we're yet to see elsewhere.

See our full Shark hair dryer review 

We know that's not entirely possible to dry and style your hair without damage. but this is designed with a unique infrared light that penetrates deep within the hair cuticle rather than sitting on the surface of the hair shaft. What does this mean for your hair? Less drying time (meaning heat hits your hair for a shorter amount of time) and more even heat distribution (so less risk of hot spots and burns).

Beyond this, the Boujee Blow Dryer has ultraviolet technology that kills bacteria build-up in the dryer, which is ideal for folks who don't take the time to clean their dryer. The dryer's self-cleaning and deodorizing qualities mean it'll emit cleaner air for longer, allowing for better styling and, ultimately, better performance. This dryer has straightforward features that we found very easy to navigate – three heat settings (low, medium, and high) to suit various hair types, lengths, and textures. Visually, the black and rose gold color scheme appears sleek on our bathroom vanity, and we also appreciate the minimalistic, non-bulky design that fits nicely with the rest of our hair accessories.

During testing, we found that this gave ample volume at the roots and nixed the all-over frizz that our tester usually experiences with dryers. The two concentrator nozzles were helpful when it came to blowing out our roots and ends – two areas we typically have trouble smoothing out. Our hair was left exceptionally smooth after using this (despite having significant damage to start out with!).

See our full Boujee Beauty Blow Dryer review

How to shop for a hair dryer – FAQs

• Heat and speed: Don't assume that more is more. "A bad habit most of us have is to turn the dryer up to the fastest and hottest setting – that can cause damage, overheating the cuticle and frazzled, dry ends," says Syd Hayes, Babyliss Ambassador and Session Stylist. If you have long or thick hair, try to accelerate the styling process with more power, rather than heat. Cooler temperatures work best for color-treated or brittle hair to minimize heat damage and frizz. 
• Attachments: The key is selecting the right shape. "If you’re after a salon-worthy blow dry full of volume the narrow styling nozzle is the attachment for you," explains Dafydd Thomas, ghd global head of education. "The wide styling nozzle is great if you want to blow dry your hair smooth, quickly, as it covers a larger surface area. A comb styling nozzle is perfect for adding additional volume and shape whilst not disturbing natural movement. If you’re looking to enhance and define natural curls, the best diffusers for curly hair will allow you to cup your hair for a natural finish."
• Practical features: Specs like cord length aren't seductive, but they are important. Think about your habits – if you dry thick hair into salon-style flicks every day, make sure your dryer is light and has a swivel cord you can turn without tangling. If your dryer will be in a drawer for half the week heavier is ok, but a robust dust filter is a good shout. Need the best hair dryer for the whole family? Look for gentle temperatures and a vent that comes off easily for cleaning. 

What are the types of hair dryers?

There are three main types of hair dryers. The best hair dryer type for your hair will depend on the condition of your locks and how long it takes to dry them.

• Ionic hair dryers: One of the most popular features in modern dryers and with good reason. Our hair has a natural positive charge, which causes frizz and static. Ionic hair dryers release a stream of negative ions, which grab onto the positive ones and neutralize them for a smoothing effect. Ions can also help reduce drying time as they break down positive ions in the water in your hair, dispersing it so you can dry for less time on a lower heat, thus reducing damage.
• Ceramic hair dryers: Essentially, hair dryers work by pushing concentrated air over something hot, then said heated air blasts your wet hair dry. The material of the “something hot” affects the efficiency of this process and, to many, ceramic is the gold-standard material. The reason for this is ceramic heats up extremely quickly and evenly, so every iota of air emitted from your dryer retains a consistent temperature and no one section of your hair is frazzling while a surrounding area is out in the cold.
• Tourmaline hair dryers: Another material used for “the hot bit,” tourmaline is a gemstone that’s crushed into a powder then reformed to be used in dryers and other hot tools. The reason it’s so popular is that, when heated up, it generates infrared heat and an ionic charge, both of which help dry hair quickly – with less damage and good smoothing properties too.

How powerful does a hair dryer need to be?

In simple terms, the more powerful a dryer is, the hotter the element will get and the faster it can blow-dry your hair. However, this doesn't take into account technology, such as airflow concentrators and brushless motors, plus extreme heat causes damage, so bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to power. As a general guide, the best hair dryers have more than 1500W of power, though some high-tech options cut this right down.

If you have low-maintenance hair and use a dryer every so often, go with a basic, low-power model, whereas if you have thick, unmanageable hair and spend hours creating a professional blow-dry most mornings, it’s worth investing in something with a few more bells and whistles, higher power as well as a higher price tag.

Do I need a diffuser or a cold shot button?

If you have curly hair, yes, a diffuser is a good idea (although some would argue that very curly hair types shouldn't go anywhere near a dryer.) Nonetheless, waiting to air-dry is neither practical nor enjoyable a lot of the time. Knowing how to use a diffuser will allow you to cradle hair as it gently blow dries, rather than forcing the cuticle this way and that, and destroying your lovely natural movement.

And what about the cold shot? For anyone who likes to dry their hair into a particular style, such as using tension to straighten it or a round brush to add in flicks or add root lift, a cold-shot button is essential. This is because the cooler air will set in place whatever style you have just used heat to create, locking it in for longer. 

"When blow drying your hair, always finish with the cold shot, this seals the cuticle to reduce atmospheric damage to the hair and allows longevity with hair styling," says Reed. "This will also add shine to ensure your hair is looking healthy and its best.”

What hair dryers do professionals use?

That really depends on the professional. Well-known salons often work with specific brands preferred by their big-name stylists, as well as those that said stylists have relationships with – Dyson and ghd are brands we see a lot in a professional setting. 

Then there are the hair dryer brands that are widely used in salons and by session stylists on location and shoots but aren't widely available in the usual places where we would look for beauty tools. These are brands like Elchim and Parlux, whose Alyon model we have named our best salon dryer above. 

Ask a professional what they look for in a hair dryer and three key themes will emerge: Power, reliability, and ergonomics. That last factor might sound strange, but even if your hair is seriously thick and takes what feels like an age to dry, your hairdresser spends longer with a hair dryer in their hand on any given day, so the comfort of holding and movement is crucial. This is why we often see more compact models, such as the Dyson and Parlux, in the hands of the pros, over powerful but heavier options here.