Choosing a hair dryer is much easier these days, thanks to a general increase in awareness of how to style and care for various hair types. So picking the right blow dryer for you first involves getting to know your specific hair type. If you have fine hair, the best hair dryer for you is one that offers a range of gentler heat settings to avoid burning your hair. For curly girls, the best hair dryer is one that comes with a diffuser to get definition on those gorgeous curls. Many of today's best blow dryers have built-in temperature awareness to better protect your hair during heat styling.
Conair InfinitiPro Hair Dryer
Good for all hair type
Included with the InfinitiPro hairdryer is a diffuser with a unique multi-chamber design. It impressively enhances curls so that they have plenty of shine, volume, and - most importantly - minimal frizz. If you decide you want to go sleek for the day, this Conair hair dryer also comes with a concentrator attachment for smooth hairstyles. This hair dryer has three heat and two speed settings for custom heat and airflow control. A cold-shot button locks in curls, waves, and style.
Revlon One-Step Hair and Volumizer Brush
For the best good hair day
This convenient hair dryer brush gives your hair gorgeous volume and excellent shine while keeping it neatly detangled with the nylon pin and tufted bristles. The brush can also go closer to the scalp than a traditional hairdryer to really ensure you get plenty of lift at the root. Plus, the tip stays cool to make it easier to hold as you style. The lightweight oval brush head can’t be removed, but there’s still plenty of flexibility with three heat and speed settings, plus a cold option too.
BaByliss Pro TT Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer
For bouncy, on-the-go blow-drys
This Babyliss travel hair dryer has your hair-styling needs covered wherever you go, with the dual voltage making it suitable for worldwide use. With a clever folding handle, this lightweight compact dryer won’t take up much room in your luggage. Packed with tech found in bigger dryers, the Babyliss travel hair dryer includes integrated tourmaline crystal technology to eliminate static and far-infrared heat to help your hair dry fast and protect against heat damage.
Remington D3190 Hair Dryer
A hot-shot blow dryer with attachments
This top-rated hair dryer comes with all the usual features you’d expect to find on a professional-standard blow dryer, including a concentrator nozzle, plus three heat and two speed settings. The diffuser on the Remington D3190 hair dryer is perfect for hair of all lengths, with a nice wide area to rest the hair on and longer ‘fingers’ to keep your hair in place while they dry. The dryer’s Advanced Coating Technology ensures damage protection for your hair too.
What features should a good hair dryer have?
Most of the hair dryers we have tested are designed with multiple heat and air speed settings, along with the following accessories and features. The accessories to look for when choosing the best hair dryer for you include:
Concentrators direct air to a focused section of your hair to provide faster drying times and help with straightening.
Diffusers are used to distribute airflow and can reduce frizz and define curl. Cool shot buttons provide a blast of unheated air to help seal the hair cuticle and set your style.
Some hair dryers come with extra accessories like straightening combs, quick-dry nozzles, and sectioning clips. Other things to look for include removable end caps and air filters for easy cleaning, longer cords for more mobility, and a good weight balance for comfortable handling. We also recommend considering the placement of control switches and buttons and getting a feel for your preferred grip type.
Does the hair dryer's power matter?
A hair dryer’s power is determined by its wattage. We tested blowers ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 watts. Experts recommend choosing a device with 1,800 watts or more for the best results, especially if you have thick hair. Salon models often have 3,600-watt models.
This higher power comes with a much higher price tag, but it can cut drying time in half. This is important because less exposure to heat results in less damage to your hair. Also, higher-wattage dryers tend to last longer.
Why trust us?
At TopTenReviews we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.
We have been reviewing hair dryers for over eight years, and over that time have consulted experts and developed a thorough methodology for testing and evaluating hair dryers. In our most recent testing, we identified the best blowers and evaluated our top selections in our lab spending more than 40 hours of testing.
