We researched dozens of blow dryers, looking at versatility, power, and range of settings to narrow down the best choices. We also spoke with Rodney Cutler, owner of Cutler Salons and brand ambassador for Redken, to find out how to avoid heat damage and how to correctly use a diffuser. Our top pick is the ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer, which stands out for its versatility, lighter weight, and fast results. Check out all of our top picks below, plus tips on how to determine which blow dryer will be best for your hair type and other advice.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall Blow Dryer: ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer Best Budget Blow Dryer: Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon 1875 Watt Turbo Ionic Dryer Best Splurge Blow Dryer: Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Best Blow Dryer Brush: Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus Best Blow Dryer for Natural or Curly Hair: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Best Blow Dryer for Fine Hair: CHI Nano Hair Dryer Best Travel Blow Dryer: T3 Afar Travel Hair Dryer
Who it’s for: People looking for a lightweight, quiet blow dryer that dries hair fast. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment. The ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer dryer manages to maintain a lightweight feel while producing a powerful 75 mph airflow. It even comes with a unique contoured nozzle that perfectly focuses the airflow, decreasing drying time and leaving the hair looking shinier. This dryer is made with all hair types and textures in mind, although it doesn’t come with any extra attachments (like a diffuser) that allow for different styling. What it does have is variable power and temperature controls that immediately adjust to your styling needs so that you don’t damage your hair. This results in less heat damage over time, and much shinier, healthier hair overall. In terms of convenience, it’s built with an acoustic system that keeps the noise to a minimum and it comes with a 9-foot cord. Product Details:
Power: 1875 wattsWeight: 1.7 poundsAttachments: None
Who it’s for: Those looking for an all-around great blow dryer on a budget. Who it isn’t for: Those who want a larger diffuser attachment. When it comes to budget-friendly hair tools, the Pro Signature Salon 1875 Watt Turbo Ionic Dryer from Hot Tools is difficult to beat. It’s designed to put out a ton of air at once to shorten drying time—in fact, the brand claims it dries hair up to 40 percent faster than other dryers. It has three heat settings and three speed settings, plus a cool button, so you can get a totally customized drying experience. The handle has a comfort grip so that you never feel like holding it up is a lug–and it’s also only 1.3 pounds, so it’s pretty lightweight. Finally, it comes with diffuser and concentrator attachments for more versatile styling. All of this comes at a much budget-friendlier price compared to similar models, making this an ideal purchase for just about anyone. Product Details:
Power: 1875 wattsWeight: 1.3 poundsAttachments: Diffuser and concentrator
RELATED: I Tried Countless Heat Protectants—These 10 Left My Hair Soft, Not Crunchy Who it’s for: People who want a hair styler that can do just about anything. Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to splurge. If any hair dryer is worth $600, it’s this one. That’s because it’s truly the last hair tool you’ll ever need. In addition to a powerful blow dryer, the newly reimagined Dyson Airwrap comes with two flat brushes, one round brush, and two curler attachments, all of which minimize the amount of damage to your hair because they use air instead of extreme heat to create and set the curls. If you choose the curly/coily hair option, you also get a wide-tooth comb. It still has three heat and three speed settings so that you don’t have to forfeit those traditional favorites, but the attachments make it so much easier to get the effect you’re going for. The two flat brushes give you smoother, straighter hair, while the round brush is for volumizing and shaping. The two curlers are for different needs: one creates big, voluminous curls, while the other creates loose, bouncy curls. Plus, there are three different sets based on your hair type: one is for long hair, one is for short hair, and the other is for curly or natural hair. Overall, no matter what your hair type is, it’s hard to beat this styler. Product Details:
Power: 1300 wattsWeight: 1.5 poundsAttachments: 3 brush, 2 curlers, 1 dryer (curly/coily option also comes with wide-tooth comb and filter cleaning brush)
Who it’s for: People who want to dry and style their hair at the same time. Who it isn’t for: People looking for a blow dryer that’ll give them some curl. With 360-degree airflow, it doesn’t get much better than the newly upgraded Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus. The larger sides are slightly flat while the edges are rounded, which perfectly add volume to the hair’s root. The tufted pins are surrounded by nylon bristles, which work together to make sure the hair is extra smooth and voluminous. It has a smooth glide that won’t pull on your hair, and the four heat settings make it much harder to damage your hair–even if you’re starting with it completely wet. The detachable head makes it much easier to travel with, and it has a sleek, ergonomic handle so that you can stay comfortable while styling your hair. Product Details:
Power: Not listedWeight: 1.8 poundsAttachments: Oval barrel
Who it’s for: People looking for a dryer that’ll increase shine and decrease frizziness. Who it isn’t for: People looking for something more affordable. If you’re wondering why in the world we included both Dyson hair products given that they’re both much more expensive than the average blow dryer, know that there’s an important distinction: the Dyson Supersonic comes with a diffuser tool. A diffuser is essential for people with natural or curly hair, and Dyson’s is top of the line. The thing that really sets this diffuser apart from others is its power. Not only does it decrease drying time, but it gives you a customizable experience with precise settings for your specific hair needs. This dryer has four heat and three speed settings so that you can adjust it to your preference, and it uses air instead of extreme heat to increase smoothness and decrease friz. Aside from the diffuser, it also comes with a concentrator, wide-tooth comb, a flyaway attachment, and a gentle air attachment. Product Details:
Power: 1600 wattsWeight: 1.8 poundsAttachments: Diffuser, concentrator, wide-tooth comb, flyaway attachment, and gentle air attachment
Who it’s for: Those hoping to improve the health of their hair. Who it isn’t for: People who need a diffuser attachment. Not only does this hair dryer pack 1,875 watts of power, but it has nano blue light technology, which is designed to kill bacteria both in the air and the inside of the dryer. This gives you a healthier blow drying experience, and can even help with scalp health—which is great for hair growth and fine hair. Plus, this blow dryer is built with ionic technology and is designed to help the hair absorb moisture and leave each strand looking shinier and healthier. It weighs less than one pound yet still contains dual airflow vents, which help it produce more air at a higher speed. As for convenience, in addition to the low weight, it includes an extra-long 11-foot cord. Product Details:
Power: 1875 wattsWeight: Under one poundAttachments: Comb, concentrator
RELATED: The 9 Best Shampoos for Every Hair Type and Concern Who it’s for: Those looking for a powerful hair dryer in a small package. Who it isn’t for: People looking for extra attachments. This little hair dryer was created with travel in mind, from its small size to its included travel pouch and the dual-voltage power outlet that can be used with any international adaptor. Weighing in at only 12.2 ounces, this small-but-might blow dryer also has a handle that folds in so that it becomes even more compact. Don’t worry though—for such a small dryer, it still packs a powerful punch. It has 1500 watts of power and comes with a concentrator attachment so that you can get the smooth look you’re after. It’s a good option for all hair types and textures, but is made with volumizing and anti-frizz in mind. It’s definitely on the expensive side for a travel blow dryer, but it’s so good that it can easily be used as your primary blow dryer—especially if you live in a small space and want to save room in your bathroom. Product Details:
Power: 1500 wattsWeight: 12.2 ouncesAttachments: Concentrator
How to Shop for Blow Dryers Like a Pro
Settings
While heat settings shouldn’t be the determining factor when choosing a blow dryer, definitely make sure that your dryer goes up to at least 80 degrees. Then, focus on speed settings so that you can lower the heat and avoid damage. Most blow dryers come with three heat settings and three power settings, plus a button that provides a blast of cool air.
Hair Type
You’ll also want to consider your hair type when searching for a blow dryer or blow dryer brush. If you have curly hair, make sure you choose a hair dryer with a good diffuser attachment. If you have frizzy hair, opt for a brush dryer or a dryer with a great concentrator nozzle.
Attachments
Many, if not most, blow dryers come with at least a concentrator attachment that provides controlled air flow for drying specific sections. If you have curly hair, be sure to get a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment—this will disperse air evenly, helping to reduce frizz. High-end blow dryers and blow dryer brushes might come with extra attachments, but concentrators and diffusers are the two most popular.
Questions You Might Ask
How do you use a blow dryer diffuser?
It’s best to brush out any tangles before or during your shower. After getting out, make sure you wrap the hair in a smooth towel or t-shirt so that you don’t break up the curls. After letting it dry a bit, apply any oils or cream products that you typically put in your hair. Then, form the curls with your fingers, especially around your face. Gently drop the curls onto your diffuser and move the blow dryer up and down until the hair is about 80 percent dry. Cutler recommends starting with the ends of each curl and then moving upwards toward the root as the hair dries. “You can always flip your head over to reach the back and achieve extra volume,” says Cutler.
Are blow dryers bad for your hair?
Sustained exposure to heat isn’t good for anyone’s hair; however, the addition of ionic technology and range of power settings decrease the risk. In general, you’ll want to look for blow dryers that are more powerful and dry hair faster to make up for the fact that they emit less heat. To combat any negative side effects from heat, Cutler recommends “trying to limit using heat on your hair to only a few times per week and make sure your hot tools are on a low to medium heat setting.” He also emphasizes the importance of using a heat protector.
How hot does a blow dryer get?
This question is dependent on the exact blow dryer, but generally the answer is between 80 and 140 degrees. That said, the temperature shouldn’t be your determining factor when looking for a blow dryer. Many blow dryers dry faster using lower temperatures thanks to even air distribution and speed.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Brittany Loggins, a freelance writer who specializes in beauty, home, and lifestyle content. To write this article, she considered dozens of blow dryers, taking into consideration each one’s power, range of features, and attachments. She also interviewed Rodney Cutler, owner of Cutler Salons and brand ambassador for Redken, for expert advice on hair care.
