We feel pretty confident in saying that millions of homes around the world contain at least one hair dryer. But the best hair dryers go beyond just functional blow drying; they're well-designed, easy to use, and their performance and attachments offer more than just taking your strands from wet to dry.
These aforementioned dryers likely even beat out the best hair straighteners as the most widely used hair tools, and can truly become a staple in your everyday routine if you invest in the right one. That said, with such a broad range now available to us, from options specifically designed with certain hair types in mind - like the best hair dryers for curly hair - to high-spec gadgets like the famous Dyson Supersonic, finding your perfect match can feel like quite an overwhelming prospect.
This is where our results-driven guide comes in handy, as we've shared detailed reviews and imagery to help narrow down your search, from the best overall (spoiler: it's the ghd Helios) to the best on a budget, having tested dozens of models, first-hand.
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Our top three picks
RRP: £179
Ghd's lightest and fastest dryer features ionic technology for smooth and shiny hair and, though minimal, the controls gave us everything we needed for that perfect blow dry. It's noisier than the Dyson, but its design is well-balanced and ergonomic.
RRP: £329.99
We've reviewed dozens of hair dryers and the Dyson Supersonic is the best in the business if money is no object. It's sleek, lightweight, quiet, and works a treat on all hair types, but this premium dryer is a serious investment. With a very well-designed diffuser, it's also one of the best choices for curly hair.
RRP: £199.99
Compact, lightweight, and so easy to use, mdlondon's BLOW hairdryer won over our team with its sleek T-shape design, lightweight feel and quiet but mighty blow-drying capabilities. It's ideal for travel and just for those who want a straightforward tool that won't take up too much real estate in your cupboard (or suitcase).
The 9 best hair dryers, reviewed by our beauty team
The best hair dryer overall
The ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
The successor to the much-loved Air, the ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer is the brand's lightest and fastest professional dryer that claims to impart 30% more shine than other dryers. My first impressions were good; it's a bit sleeker and sexier than other ghd models with five colourways to choose from – black, ink blue, white, mystic blue and (our personal favourite) plum with gold accents. The casing is matte with a nice velvety texture and, while it isn't the lightest at 780g, I found it pretty nimble. Thanks to its ergonomic design, the weight is balanced fairly equally between the handle and head.
The settings are also very user-friendly: two speed, two heat and one cool shot. This may seem simple but, honestly, how many more do you really use? Beyond good looks, the Helios offers solid performance with its light, brushless motor and 120kph airflow. You can feel that power when you flick it on to full heat and speed. The dryer roars into action and then releases negative ions to smooth as you dry (more on ions at the end of this guide). Our Beauty Director Sarah Cooper-White says it gives her "the sleekest, fastest blow-dry I've ever managed at home."
In short, it's a brilliant all-rounder with incremental improvements on previous models, but nothing that will alienate or annoy long-time ghd fans. This powerful tool has a satisfying and ultra-speedy – albeit not especially quiet – drying experience. It tops our list of the best hair dryers for fine hair, but we rate it for all hair types.
Read our full ghd Helios hair dryer review for more details
The best premium hair dryer
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen and Fiona McKim
Lucy: Let's get one thing clear from the get-go: I know many people don't have this kind of budget for a hair dryer and it's certainly not necessary to buy a good one. There are plenty of great, lower-priced choices in this guide. But if you are planning to make a sizeable investment, it’s easy to see why the Dyson Supersonic has won so many consumers over.
As you’d expect from an engineering-backed brand, the specs are impressive. The main draw is the power, generated from a 13-blade digital motor that sits not in the head of the dryer, but in the handle. Said motor sends 13 litres of air per second to the head, which is multiplied to 41 litres and checked 20 times per second to maintain a precise temperature. The result is fast, controlled drying and styling without the damage of extreme heat (for those wondering, do hair dryers damage hair, it depends on how hot yours is).
Though it's considered a top tool for all hair types, many hairdressers consider the Supersonic and its diffuser particularly great for curly hair types. Personally, it's my favourite pairing for drying her curls. The airflow is super gentle – you notice Dyson's engineering expertise in the diffuser's design – and I always get great, well-defined results.
Beauty contributor Lucy showcases the results of the Dyson Supersonic's diffuser on her curly hair
The dryer runs at a relatively low 1600w, proving that more isn’t always more with power. The user experience is impressive, too; considering how much technology the Supersonic packs in, the experience is pleasingly pared back, with three speed and four heat controls, including a cold shot. It whooshes to full speed with not a second wasted warming up – plus it’s one of the quietest hair dryers around and a dream to control, thanks to that handle-based motor. Nozzles attach magnetically – handy when you click them on, less so when they occasionally snap off of their own accord. I also managed to loosen the vent at the base of the handle after a couple of months of continuous use, but I'm nitpicking – it's not easy finding negatives here. If you want additional benefits, like an idle mode and scalp care sensor, check out our detailed review of the newer Dyson Supersonic Nural, too.
Read our full Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer review for more insights
The best lightweight hair dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Originally designed for professional hairstylists, this latest iteration of the Dyson Supersonic offers power, a lightweight feel and a sleek, curved design. It comes with five styling attachments, including a diffuser, making it quite the all-rounder to have in your kit. The weight of the Supersonic r is also pretty much unrivalled, especially when you consider all the tech, from airflow to the power, that's packed into this compact model.
I found its ergonomic, easy-to-hold design very comfortable to use, and appreciated its 2.8m cord (which is longer than other Dyson hair dryer models), which I think lends itself well to professional settings, like salons and sets, as this model was designed to suit.
As for the attachments, it was the diffuser that I especially wanted to test, as someone with curly hair. The r’s boasts a larger surface area than previous Supersonic models; my one critique of the first diffuser was that, despite the superior airflow, it was pretty small. While it’s still on the smaller side, it did a great job of drying my natural curls and waves. Another great touch is that all the r's attachments are equipped with Dyson’s new-ish RFID chips. These remember your last programmed settings for each - from temperature to air speed - making styling all the more easy.
Read Lucy's full Dyson Supersonic R hair dryer review.
The best user-friendly hair dryer
The Parlux Alyon Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim and Stephanie Maylor
Fiona: If you ask a room full of hairdressers to name the best hair dryer, Parlux would probably win. The Italian brand has amassed a fierce cohort of professional fans over the years, and after testing it, I can certainly see why. Aesthetically, this is among a few dryers that could reasonably be described as sexy. It comes in 10 colours, from inky matte black to bright corals and yellows.
Design-wise, it's small, sleek and incredibly light, yet boasts a muscular 2250W of power that you notice right away. This is especially beneficial when drying thick hair – no achy arms here. In fact, that's also why this iconic hair dryer made it to our list of the best hairdryers for curly hair. Looks and feel aside, the Parlux Alyon also has plenty of useful features. The heat and speed options are uncomplicated – flick the switch at the side of the handle and off you go.
Stephanie: I found this particular detail so handy for mid-dry temperature adjustments, as I could intuitively use my thumb instead of having to pull the dryer away to see which button I was pressing. It's the little things like this that make a big difference to everyday use.
Beauty Editor Stephanie Maylor's hair after blow drying with the Parlux Alyon (L), plus the tool and its attachments (R)
The Alyon also works to prevent frizz and damage with ionic technology, while its K-Advance Plus motor packs 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 with a satisfying click. The dryer also has 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 initially with its 10-step instruction booklet, it's actually quite simple to master – though we aren't quite convinced it deserves such fanfare compared to the traditional twist-off vent.
Read our full Parlux Alyon review for our detailed guide
The best hair dryer for frizzy hair
Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
Luxury blow-dry bar Drybar also sells a range of salon-quality tools for at-home styling, many of which I've tried and found excellent (see our guide to the best hair dryer brushes for another one of our faves). Among them is the Buttercup Blow-Dryer, which, despite being quite lightweight, feels like a well-made, ergonomic and professional tool.
There are three heat and two speed settings here, but the thing I'd most like to shout about is that it's noticeably good at keeping frizz to a minimum – most likely down to its ionic technology which, in short, adds smoothness and definition. There are also two concentrator nozzles of different widths in the box, which help to create ultra-smooth styles (especially once you've learnt how to make your blowout last longer).
Drybar also makes a great diffuser, The Bouncer, which is compatible with both this and the travel-sized Buttercup dryer, as well as some non-Drybar models, but does have to be purchased separately. Either way, my hair was noticeably smoother with this dryer whether I dried natural curls with the diffuser or created a sleeker style.
It may not feel quite as premium as the ghd Helios or techier options like the Dyson, but I think you'll agree it's seriously cheerful to look at (is there a happier colour than yellow?). More than that, it’s a great, quality overall tool and an ideal match for you if you seek a less-frizzy finish.
The best hair dryer for easy styling
Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete, plus all available attachments
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The Airwrap isn’t for everyone. There is the obvious expense, but 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 like to experiment with styling, blow drying smooth one day and curling the next, you'll likely try the Dyson Airwrap and wonder where it has been all of your life.
The Airwrap Complete comes with six attachments that cover almost everything: a dryer attachment that essentially turns it into the Supersonic Dryer (minus the styling nozzles); 30mm and 40mm barrels to create waves of varying tightness; a round volumising brush; plus firm and soft smoothing brushes.
The technology hinges on a unique phenomenon called the Coanda effect, which creates pressurised airflow that draws hair towards the attachment, wrapping it around the barrel or holding it against the brush. Combined with heat, air is then pushed over the strands to dry and style without ever subjecting them to searing temperatures. You can set the hair using the cool-shot button, then release it, and out drops a shiny curl, bouncy wave or perfectly smoothed section of hair. I found it extremely satisfying and positively mouse-like compared to the volume of the average hair dryer.
Beauty contributor Lucy after using the Dyson Airwrap's curling barrels
It can take time to master the Airwrap curling barrels technique, if you've not used anything similar before; it takes a little getting used to. But once you've taken a minute to get the hang of it, it creates smooth, bouncy curls. As a multi-styler, the Airwrap is ideal for travel as it doubles as the best hair dryer in one ultra-slim and lightweight package. Again, it isn’t for everyone, but if you regularly use a variety of drying and styling tools, this could replace them in spectacular style. The only thing I'd note is missing is a diffuser attachment to dry natural curls.
You can see our full Dyson Airwrap review for an in-depth analysis
The best compact hair dryer
Reviewed by: Jess Beech and Naomi Jamieson
Naomi: Small but mighty, this sleek hairdryer, from renowned hairdresser Michael Douglas, is more than meets the eye, but even upon first glance, its sleek, compact design and aesthetic colourways are already impressive enough.
When using this hair dryer, I was constantly in awe of just how much power this fairly small tool contained, not to mention how quiet it was, compared to some of the other hair dryers on this list. Its T-shape design makes it so easy to pack away (I'd dub it a great travel hair dryer option because of this), while its lightweight feel makes for a comfortable styling experience. Attachment-wise, it comes with two: a short nozzle, for short hair and fringes, as well as a longer one, which is great for smoothing longer strands and larger sections of hair.
Jess: I think the thing I love most about the mdlondon Blow Hair Dryer is that it doesn’t over-promise with big claims about a huge reduction in drying time or eliminating damage. It just quietly makes the styling process more efficient. There's also a personal feel to the brand, with QR codes included in the instruction leaflet leading you to explainer videos from Douglas himself, on how to make the most of the tool.
Our one gripe is that the attachments can be a little hard to remove, but that also means they're locked in tight when styling - they won't just fall off or come loose mid blow-dry.
Read Jess' full mdlondon BLOW hair dryer review for a full breakdown on the tool.
The best affordable hair dryer
Revlon Smoothstay Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
Ranked as one of the best hair dryers for curly hair, and by far the most affordable model on this list, Revlon's Smoothstay hair dryer is definitely one to consider, especially if you're on the hunt for a straightforward, gets-the-job-done sort of tool.
It costs a fraction of the price of a Dyson and yet boasts impressive smoothing gadgetry, thanks to its blend of ionic and ceramic technology, as well as its coconut oil-infused nozzle. While I didn't notice any obvious shine-boosting effects from said coconut infusion, I appreciated the idea of a hair dryer putting hair health first.
As for the overall finish and usability of this tool, it's perfectly straightforward and fuss-free. Its diffuser helped to boost volume in my curls and add lift to my roots, and all in all, delivered exactly what you'd want from your everyday, go-to hair dryer. That said, it is quite heavy, which can make drying your hair feel like a bit of a workout, but for the budget price, this is easily forgiven.
The best hair dryer for family use
The Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich Family Care Hair Dryer
Reviewed by: Emma North
Ask any parent and they'll agree that drying a child's hair can be a tear-soaked and frustration-filled challenge. But the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer aims to nip this in the bud with a clever and ultra-gentle drying experience that prevents painful, hair-damaging hotspots.
This is mainly down to a clever oscillating nozzle that distributes heat rather than directing it in one specific area. This allowed us to blast away with no worry of 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 while drying. This hair and scalp-loving tech not only makes it the best hair dryer for families, but anyone with over-processed, frazzled hair or a sensitive scalp. In terms of noise and blast, we deem it a solid middle-of-the-pack option – neither noticeably loud nor one of the quietest hair dryers on the market.
Beauty contributor Emma using the Panasonic Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer
As well as a generous four temperature settings and three speed options, a cool shot and both a concentrator and diffuser nozzles, there's a mighty 2000w of power, too. It's a little heavier than the Panasonic Nanoe + Double Mineral and also lacks the handy folding handle of its predecessor; for us, this omission makes it trickier to transport and slightly less nimble to manoeuvre when drying. It may not be the sexiest, most show-it-off dryer on our list, but it's definitely the kindest, and nice beats flash any day.
Read our full Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich Family Care Hair Dryer review for more details
How we tested the best hair dryers
A selection of the hair dryers the woman&home beauty team tested for this piece
With decades of experience testing hair tools between them, woman&home's beauty team put these best hair dryer picks through an extensive test, analysing every aspect of these tools. They took all of the following factors into account for their reviews.
- Design
- How the dryer feels to hold
- Ease and usefulness of controls
- No. of heat and speed settings
- Ease of cleaning
- Tech specs including weight, power, and warranty
- If attachments are included or have to be bought separately
- Price
Several options we tested didn't make the final cut, including some cordless and bonnet hair dryers, because we found they did not live up to their claims, meaning we couldn't feature them.
How to choose a hair dryer
When it comes to investing in a new hair dryer, there are a few key things to consider.
Technology that preserves your hair's health is very beneficial, while multiple speed and heat settings, including a cool shot, are key, according to hairdresser and ghd global ambassador Adam Reed. "Dry on a low heat and only use the hotter setting for the finishing touches," he says. "Once you're done styling, seal the hair using the cool setting for a super smooth look." Attachments like narrow nozzles, the best diffusers and comb attachments also win points. Then there's also the case of practical features, like cord length and the size of the tool itself.
- Heat & speed settings: "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, session stylist and BaByliss ambassador. If you have long or thick hair, try to accelerate the styling process with power over heat. Cooler temperatures work best for colour-treated or brittle hair to minimise damage and frizz.
- Attachments: "If you’re after a salon-worthy blow dry full of volume, the narrow styling nozzle is the attachment for you," notes Dafydd Thomas, ghd's 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 nozzle is perfect for adding additional volume and shape without disturbing natural movement. If you’re looking to enhance and define natural curls, a diffuser will allow [for this]."
- Practical features: Specs like cord length or weight aren't that fancy, but they are important. Consider your routine here – if you regularly dry thick hair into salon-style flicks, ensure your dryer is lightweight with a swivel cord so you won't get tangled or experience arm ache. If it'll sit in a drawer most of the time, heavier is OK, but a robust dust filter is probably a good shout. Need a 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?
Generally speaking, there are three main types of hair dryers. The right one for you will depend on your hair's condition and type, including how long it usually takes you to dry it.
- Ionic: One of the most popular features, with good reason. Our hair has a natural positive charge, which causes frizz and static. Ionic dryers release a stream of negative ions that grab onto the positive ones to neutralise and smooth them. This can also reduce drying time; the positive ions in water in your hair are broken down and dispersed so you can dry for less time on a lower heat, thus reducing damage.
- Ceramic: Hair dryers work by pushing concentrated air over something hot to dry wet hair. The material of said “something hot” affects the efficiency of this process; to many, ceramic is the gold standard because it heats up extremely quickly and evenly, so every iota of air emitted from your dryer maintains a consistent temperature. I.e., no one section of your hair is frazzled while another is out in the cold.
- Tourmaline: Another material used for “the hot bit,” tourmaline is a gemstone that’s crushed into powder then reformed to be used dryers and other hot tools. When heated, it generates infrared heat and an ionic charge, both of which help dry hair quickly with less damage and more smoothness.
How powerful does a hair dryer need to be?
Generally, the more powerful a dryer is, the hotter the element gets and the faster it can dry your hair. However, this doesn't account for technology like airflow concentrators and brushless motors – and extreme heat causes damage, so bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to power. The best hair dryers usually have more than 1,500W of power, though some high-tech options cut this right down.
If you only use a dryer every so often, you'll probably get on fine with a basic, low-power model, whereas if you have thicker and/or denser hair and frequently take a considerable amount of time creating a professional blow-dry, it’s worth investing more in a techier, more powerful tool.
Do I need a diffuser or a cold shot button?
If you have curly hair then yes, a diffuser is a good idea. Though some argue that curly hair types should avoid using a dryer altogether, many people find that the air-drying process is neither practical nor enjoyable. Knowing how to use a diffuser allows you to dry far more gently, rather than forcing the cuticle this way and that and disrupting the natural curl pattern.
Then there's the cold shot. For anyone who likes to style their hair with their dryer, such as using tension to straighten it or a round brush to add flicks or lift the roots, this function is essential because the cooler air sets a style in place, boosting its longevity. "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," confirms Reed. "This will also add shine to ensure your hair looks healthy and at its best.”
What hair dryers do hairdressers use?
This really depends and varies from hairdresser to hairdresser. Big salons often work with specific brands preferred by their top stylists, or those that said stylists have relationships with – ghd and Dyson are both popular in professional settings. Then, there are those that are widely used in-salon and by session stylists on location and shoots, but that aren't as widely available to consumers; these include brands like Elchim and Parlux, whose Alyon model features in this guide.
Ask a stylist what they look for in a hair dryer and three key themes will emerge: power, reliability and ergonomics – even if your hair is seriously thick and takes what feels like an age to dry, a hairdresser spends longer with a dryer in their hand than you do any day, so comfort and ease of movement are crucial. That's why you'll often see compact models, such as the Dyson and Parlux, in the hands of the pros.
Our expert panel
Beauty Editor Fiona might have the kind of naturally wavy hair that you could leave to air-dry but, with more than a decade of experience in the industry, she's flexed her at-home blow-dry muscles enough times to know what makes a brilliant hair dryer. She’s a big fan of Dyson, has been wooed by Shark and is partial to a Parlux.
Lucy has curly hair, so knows what to look for in a dryer to get great definition in curls and be able to create a smooth, sleek style – without generating excess frizz either way. She has tested hair dryers with diffusers (like the Dyson Supersonic and Zuvi Halo) to see how well they can dry and define her spirals, plus plenty of others that can dry efficiently with a smooth finish.
Stephanie has great hair: it's long and thick with a natural wave. As an experienced beauty editor, she has tried and tested an impressive number of hairstyling tools over the years to maintain and style her lengths, including the hairdresser favourite, Parlux.
Adam Reed is a leading hairdresser and the founder of the ARKIVE Headcare brand and salon. At the time of writing, he was also global ambassador for ghd.
Syd Hayes is a renowned hair stylist and the owner of the Q Cut salon in Kew Gardens, London. He is also an ambassador for BaByliss and has worked on countless photo shoots and fashion week shows during his career.
With a background in hairdressing and hair education, Dafydd Thomas is ghd's Global Head of Education, and has shared some insights on the role of various attachments for the best hair dryers.
