A quality hair dryer is a must-have in both the home and salon. The right type of hair blow dryer can make the difference between dry, damaged hair and soft, silky healthy tresses. While a superior dryer may cost a bit more than the average big-box store brand, it may be worth paying more for a better unit, as the benefits you’ll reap in the long run will more than make up for the higher initial cost. The right hair dryer will shorten your drying time while leaving your hair healthy, silky and manageable.
After exhaustively analyzing and comparing close to 80 different hair dryer models, we invested over 21 hours creating this buying guide, comparison chart and list of the top ten hair dryers. Our selections were based on a number of different criteria, including heat settings, power, cord length, weight, attachments and price.
Best Overall: Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer
The Italian engineered Elchim 3900 is an exquisitely designed and crafted hair dryer that uses a triple combination of heat, air flow and power to dramatically reduce hair drying time. It’s also very lightweight and quiet, and is the only hair dryer on the market that comes with a lifetime warranty in the event the unit breaks or malfunctions. The ceramic and ionic system helps to hydrate the hair while drying it, enhancing the shine and reducing electrostatic charges.
The dryer comes with one nozzle to be used for precision styling and one for brushing. For more controlled action and to lock in a style, the Elchim 3900 also includes a cold shot button. The sleek design of the dryer offers an ergonomic handle with a raised hemisphere that allows the user to get a better grip. It’s also designed in such a way so as to reduce the risk of carpal tunnel in users who blow dry their hair often. Read reviews on Amazon >
Panasonic EH-NA65-K Nanoe Hair Dryer
The Panasonic EH-NA65-K Nanoe has been shown to help reduce the damage that can be caused by everyday brushing. This advanced hair dryer pulls moisture from the air and gently infuses the moisture particles into the hair. Additionally, this powerful blow dryer comes with three pro-quality attachments: a Concentrator nozzle that focuses the airflow directly for precise styling, a dual airflow quick-dry nozzle that speeds up the drying time, and a full-sized diffuser which adds volume to the hair while fighting to keep frizz at bay.
The Panasonic EH-NA65-K Nanoe also offers two speeds and three different temperature settings. The settings are hot, warm and cool and work with different hair types. A cool-shot button also allows users to set in their hair style after their hair is dry. The Panasonic also offers one of the longest cord lengths, at nine-feet, and comes with a rotating power cord and hanging loop that helps keep the dryer safely stored when not in use. Read reviews on Amazon >
BaBylissPRO BABNT5548 Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
The BaBylissPRO BABNT5548 Nano Titanium is unique in that it’s designed to automatically form perfect curls as you’re blow drying your hair. Every BaBylissPro dryer contains the MaxLife PRO brushless motor, designed to provide precision control for anyone with curly hair, no matter the type. This heavy-duty dryer offers 2000-watts of drying power, as well as a lightweight, ergonomic handle that helps reduce pain in the wrist from extended use.
The BaBylissPRO has six different heat and speed settings, as well as a cold shot button to lock in styles. The concentrator nozzle will also help provide a large range of different styling options for salon-like results in your own home. The ionic technology helps to make any hair type shinier and healthier, as well as reduce fly-aways, frizz and cowlicks. An added feature of this hair dryer that is quite unique is the removable filter, which makes cleaning the unit a breeze. Read reviews on Amazon >
4 Rusk Engineering W8less 2000-Watt Blow Dryer
The Rusk Engineering W8less is used in salons all around the world and is highly recommended by virtually all hair professionals. Weighing under a pound, this is one of the lightest hair dryers in the world, making it great for people who like to take their time when drying their hair, as well as for those who like to take their dryer with them when travelling.
The Rusk Engineering W8less is infused with ceramic and tourmaline, which enables a person’s hair to endure a higher level of heat for longer periods of time without damage. In addition, it uses far-infrared heat to help reduce drying times as it dries the hair from the inside out, as well as reducing fly-aways and frizz. This blow dryer comes with seven heat and speed settings and a cool shot button. It also has a long 8′ foot cord and comes with a concentrator nozzle as well. All in all, a terrific dryer that will work for any hair length or type, and is proven to be durable and long-lasting. Read reviews on Amazon >
5 Best Value: BaBylissPro BAB2000 Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer
Of all the hair dryers that we looked at, the BaBylissPro BAB2000 Ceramix Xtreme seemed to strike the best balance between price and performance. This hair blow dryer has a guaranteed life-long motor that comes with six different speed and heat combinations.
In addition, the narrow barrel of the unit provides maximum air pressure for faster drying times. The micro-concentrator nozzle directs the heat to small sections of the hair, which also helps to speed up the drying process. The far-infrared heat provides extra gentle air that protects the hair from heat damage.
An unusual feature of this dryer is the removable filter that helps users keep their equipment clean. The sleek, attractive model comes in both red and black and only weighs 2.2 pounds. Read reviews on Amazon >
6 Jinri JR-104A Infrared Salon Hair Blow Dryer
Key features of the popular Jinri JR-104A are its powerful AC motor, which boasts 1875 watts of hair drying power, and its built-in anti-overheating mechanism that allows the unit to be used for extended periods of time. The blow dryer also offers an ALCI safety-certified plug that is a feature most dryers don’t have.
Additionally, the infrared X technology of this unit provides up to 50{88454e838380835437410b8dd4980e42836d50c1d7c06d32c28ecbc57e5157a9} faster drying time for every hair length and type. Infrared heat is a term used for hair dryers, but most people don’t realize that it also helps provide relief from muscular pains. Using it on the hair and scalp can actually help the blood circulate and reduce hair loss. Additionally, the dryer’s cold shot button will lock in all hair styles. This unit also includes a concentrator nozzle as well as a diffuser, to help keep frizz down when drying. The nine-foot power cord includes a hanging loop that is perfect for the home or salon. Read reviews on Amazon >
7 Berta 104AII Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer
The Berta 104AII is an infrared hair dryer that generates significantly more negative ions than the average dryer. The result is healthier looking hair with much less static. This dryer also features an ionic generator that helps to add shine to the hair, as well as the classic infrared heat technology that aids in drying the hair faster and with less damage.
This revolutionary hair dryer offers two different speed settings, three heat settings and a cold shot button. The two speeds are strong and gentle, while the three heat settings include hot, moderate and warm. This allows users to pick the speed for their particular hair styling needs, as high heat can be great for thicker hair but damaging for thinner, fragile hair. In addition, the Berta 104AII has an 1875-watt motor that generates an air flow of 90km/hour, and also comes with a concentrator nozzle.
The far-infrared technology provides a longer wavelength than conventional heat does. This enables the dryer to penetrate right into the cortex of each hair cuticle, heating the hair evenly and reducing damage. The moisture found on the surface of the hair breaks easily into small drops, which then get absorbed into the hair and locked into the cuticles. Not only that, hair drying time is cut in half. Read reviews on Amazon >
8 Jinri 021 1875-Watt Hair Blow Dryer
The Jinri 021 probably isn’t any professional hair stylist’s dream dryer, but this lightweight unit does offer a number of useful features, like a Pentagram outlet grille which is a design that is quite exclusive among hair dryers, as it prevents the intake of all your hair at the same time. Also, the end cap is removable, making it easy to clean, and a hanging loop allows for easy storage when not in use. The Jinri 021 has 1875 watts of professional power which helps to create the perfect style for anyone.
This unit also employs the use of negative ion technology, which helps to keep frizz at bay while increasing shiny, healthier and more hydrated hair. The dryer has both high and low speeds, as well as three different heat settings and a cool shot button. Its 6 foot cord works well in the home or salon, and the unit has a two-year replacement warranty. Read reviews on Amazon >
9 Best Budget Model: Wazor 1875-Watt Ceramic Ionic Hair Dryer
The Wazor Ceramic is a good choice if you’re looking for a decent hair dryer that won’t damage your hair OR budget. This sleek, ergonomic hair dryer is lightweight, yet offers an 1875-watt DC motor, making it easy to dry your hair quickly.
Additionally, this affordable blow dryer features a ceramic tourmaline air outlet grill with a negative ionic function, allowing users to protect their hair from damage. In addition, this home hair dryer comes with two speed and three heat settings, as well as a cool shot button to lock in style.
Unique features of this model include a removable lint filter, double safety net and better modeling. The Wazor Ceramic also comes with a soft, curvier design and in a sleek red color, with a 6 foot power cord and hanging loop. Read reviews on Amazon >
10 Conair 256P Pro Styler Hair Blow Dryer
The Conair 256P Pro Styler comes in two different colors: a sleek black color and chrome barrel with a very sparkly black finish, or turquoise body with a black barrel. It’s no Elchim or BaBylissPRO, but this aesthetic, stylish looking blow dryer still offers a respectable level of hair drying power, especially for such an inexpensive model.
The ionic conditioning of the dryer will help to keep static electricity in the hair at bay while keeping it silky and shiny. In addition, the dryer comes with three heat settings and two speed settings, as well as the cool shot button.
Also included with the unit is a concentrator for precision styling and a removable filter for easy cleaning. Weighing a light 1.5 pounds, the Conair 256P Pro Styler is a decent hair dryer for home use or to take with you when travelling. Read reviews on Amazon >
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Hair Dryer
Types of Hair Dryers
There are a few different types of hair dryers that one can choose from when looking for a quality product:
- Professional Models: These are used by stylists in their salons.
- Conventional Models: Standard models used in the home.
- Travel Models: Smaller dryers that are lightweight and compact for travel.
Power
Power is an important part of choosing hair dryer, as the Watts used will determine how much force and heat comes from the unit. Professional hair dryers tend to have the highest power, usually between 1900 and 2400 Watts. Conventional models used in the home are generally between 1200 and 1800 Watts, and compact models typically stay at 1200 Watts and below. While having a professional hair dryer with a high Wattage may seem like the best way to go, these models are the most expensive. They can also be more damaging to the hair because of the higher temperature of the airflow. If you do use these types of dryers, a diffuser will help evenly distribute the heat, causing less damage.
Ease
When picking a hair dryer, usability is also a feature that one should take into account. The weight of the dryer is important, as well as the cord length. If you have an electrical outlet that is further away from the mirror and you need to watch as you blow your hair dry, you may want to choose a dryer with a longer cord. Some dryers also come with attachments that will help you style your hair in certain ways, such as curly or straight. These are good features if you wish to bypass the use of a straight iron or curling iron in your beauty routine.
Cost
While cost is always a factor that many people must consider, purchasing a quality hair dryer means spending a bit more. Even professionals agree that to keep the hair healthy one must use a more expensive product. A better dryer also dries the hair faster and easier, which is perfect for busy mornings and also for the arm! Choosing a higher priced hair dryer will pay off in the long run when you don’t have to replace it every two years or so because it breaks. Plus, many high-end models come with a warranty, which is something you won’t get with a $20 model found in a wholesale store.
Additional Features
Ceramic & Tourmaline
Ceramic hair dryers help to dry the hair faster and will protect against heat damage by the use of infrared heat. Tourmaline dryers use a stone that boosts negative ion productions while emitting infrared heat, making the dryer gentler on the hair. Using a tourmaline dryer also enables the user to dry their hair for longer with less risk of damage. These two features are great for:
- Eliminating frizz
- All hair types
- Keratin-treated hair
- Heat damaged hair
Ionic Technology
Ionic technology hair dryers also generate negative ions which help to lock moisture in and will create smoother hair. These dryers also decrease drying time and are great for:
- Frizzy hair
- Dry hair
- Damaged hair
- Thick hair
Dual Voltage
Buying a hair dryer that has a dual voltage option is perfect for those who wish to take their dryer overseas without worrying about having the right converter.
Different Heat Settings
When blow drying your hair, the heat level you use should always be adjusted to the condition of your hair and the texture. High heat does help for those who have thick or coarse hair, but it also removes moisture easily. Always keep the dryer moving to different spots and do not focus on one spot for more than a few seconds at a time.
The lower settings are best for men and women with thinner hair that may be more fragile. The cool settings on hair dryers help to seal the hair cuticle. This works best when your hair is close to being dry as it will help prevent overheating. The cool shot setting is also great for those who wish to lock in curls, especially if you have curlers in your hair while using it.
Hair Dryer Attachments
Diffusers
The use of a diffuser on a hair dryer is an added benefit for anyone. A diffuser will distribute the heat more evenly around instead of it being concentrated on just one area of the head. Those who have a light wave in their hair will find that a diffuser helps to add bounce and body and will help keep natural curls intact. A diffuser should be used at a lower heat setting so it releases a gentle and indirect stream of air that will not be too overpowering.
Concentrator Nozzle
A concentrator nozzle helps to keep hair from getting frizzy. It’s especially helpful when the goal is to straighten the hair without a flat iron.
Sealants and Sprays
Even if you only blow dry your hair a couple of times a week, always use a protectant serum or spray to help keep damage to your hair at bay. These products help keep moisture in the hair and can aid in protecting against damage done by too much blow drying, or by the use of curling or flat irons.
Comparison Chart
Our Top Pick
$$$$$
2000 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
9 ft.
1.5 lbs.
Best Value
$$$
2000 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
6 ft.
1.5 lbs.
Best Budget Model
$$
1875 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
5 ft
1.8 lbs.
Top Rated
$$$$
1875 Watts
Yes (Nanoe)
No
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concen., Quick-Dry, Diffuser
9 ft.
1.2 lbs.
Top Rated
$$$$
2000 Watts
Yes
Yes (Nano Titanium)
Cool, Lo, Med & Hi
Hi & Low
Concen. & Diffuser Nozzle
9 ft.
1.8 lbs.
Very Good
$$$
2000 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
8 ft.
1 lbs.
Very Good
$$$
1875 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Lo, Med & Hi
Hi & Low
Concen. & Diffuser Nozzle
9 ft.
1.5 lbs.
Good
$$
1875 Watts
Yes
Yes
Cool, Lo, Med & Hi
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
8 ft.
1.7 lbs.
Good
$$
1875 Watts
Yes
No
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
6 ft.
1.2 lbs.
Decent
$
1875 Watts
Yes
No
Cool, Warm & Hot
Hi & Low
Concentrator Nozzle
4.5 ft.
1.5 lbs.
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