Best Hair Dryers

In our most recent testing, we identified the best blowers priced and evaluated our top 10 selections in our lab. After more than 40 hours of hands-on testing, we chose the Remington Pro as our favorite. It uses advanced thermal technology to distribute heat evenly and reduce heat damage. It comes with a diffuser, two concentrators, and three styling clips, and it has a tangle-free, salon-quality cord.

Top 7 Best Hair Dryers

Remington Pro Hair Dryer with Pearl Ceramic Technology

The Remington Pro is a comfortably-weighted hair dryer designed to work well on all hair types. It operates at 1875 watts – excellent power for home-based use – and it has two-speed settings and three heat settings. In our tests, it dried hair quickly and evenly.

This hair dryer combines ceramic heat (to distribute heat consistently and gently) with thermal heat (for even heating); this combination makes the Remington Pro especially good for fine or dry hair, but all hair types can benefit. Our testers described the air speed as soft but powerful, and they noted the quiet motor and noticeable differences between heat settings.

This is important because you’ll minimize damage if you dry your hair on the lowest setting that works well with your hair type, and fine hair needs cooler temperatures than thick hair. Like each hair dryer we tested, the Remington Pro has a cool shot button to help seal the hair cuticle and set your style. It also has a detachable filter so you can remove lint buildup more easily, and it has a 7-foot, tangle-free cord. It weighs 1.7 pounds and has an 80 to 169-degree temperature range. It comes with two concentrators, a diffuser, and three sectioning clips, and its attachments are of better quality than most.

They fit so securely that they can be difficult to remove, but this is preferable to them falling off during use. The Remington Pro is warrantied for four years, and customer support is available by email and phone.

INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR 1875 Watt AC Motor Pro Hair Dryer with Ceramic Technology

The Conair InfinitiPRO is an excellent value. One of our testers described it as “perfect,” and it gets consistently high consumer reviews. It comes with a concentrator and a diffuser, and it’s suitable for multiple hair types.

The InfinitiPRO has an 1875-watt AC motor that runs quietly and provides plenty of power. While DC motors both weigh and cost less, AC motors are often more durable. This hair dryer uses both ceramic and ionic heating technologies. Ceramic heat dries quickly and gently, and ionic technology reduces frizz. It also adds shine to your hair, but it’s not the best for volume, lift, and movement. The InfinitiPRO has three heat settings and two speed settings. In our tests, the volume ranged from 83.2 to 85.5 decibels, and its temperature ranged from 108 to 159 degrees.

It also has a cold shot button that provides an immediate blast of unheated air. Weighing just 1.1 pounds, it’s one of the lightest blowers we reviewed, but its cord is only 6 feet long. If you’d like more mobility as you style your hair, you may prefer a dryer with a longer cord. The attachments aren’t the sturdiest we’ve seen, but they fit securely and are easy to remove. Conair warranties the InfinitiPRO for four years, and you can reach customer service by email and phone.

Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer

The Panasonic Nanoe looks a little bit like a heat gun. Its unique design is supposed to promote optimal airflow, and the Nanoe heating technology is meant to improve your hair’s moisture content. This minimizes heat damage and helps control frizz to keep curly hair looking its best.

This hair dryer has an 1875-watt motor, a removable air filter, and a 9-foot cord. It also has a convenient cord wrap. Like every hair dryer we reviewed, it has an ALCI safety plug to stop the flow of electricity if the device is dropped in water. Its control switches are placed well and are easy to use, but we found the handle becomes less comfortable if the switches aren’t on parallel settings.

Like most of the best hairdryers, the Nanoe has three temperature settings and two speed settings. It comes with a concentrator, a diffuser, and a quick-dry nozzle. It also has a cool shot button to help you set your style, and its filter is removable for easy cleaning. The Nanoe has a temperature range of 120 to 197 degrees. With 79.8 decibels as its highest volume, it’s one of the quietest hair dryers we tested. This blower weighs 1.7 pounds, and its weight balance shifts forward slightly. Panasonic warranties the Nanoe for two years, which is average and provides customer support by email, phone, and live chat.

REVLON 1875W Compact Folding Handle Travel Hair Dryer

The REVLON 1875W is a powerful, compact hair dryer. Its dual-voltage makes it ideal for international travel, and it has a folding handle for easy packing. It’s also the lightest and least expensive hair dryer we reviewed.

The REVLON 1875W has an 1,875-watt motor and combines ceramic and ionic heating technologies. Its temperature settings range from 117 to 169 degrees, and its thermostat cycles off to prevent overheating. Unlike most of the hair dryers we tested, it doesn’t have separately controllable temperature and air speed settings. Instead, it simply has low/high switches, which can be a drawback if your hair is damage-prone and needs more precise styling options.

This hair dryer comes with a concentrator to help you smooth and straighten your hair. Unfortunately, this attachment falls off the blower’s nozzle quite easily. Like the best hair dryers, the REVLON 1875W has a removable endcap to access its filter for cleaning. Revlon warranties this dryer for three years.

Instyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer

The Instyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer is good for multiple hair types because it combines tourmaline technology with a ceramic grill. It weighs 1.3 pounds and has a heavy-duty 9-foot cord (with a cord wrap).

Although its design is compact, it isn’t lacking in power. This hair dryer has a durable DC motor and thin, light blades. These features, along with its jet turbine fan, give its 1,500-watt motor power comparable to that of a 2,000-watt blower. It also has a turbo setting for thick, coarse hair. Like most hair dryers we tested, the BLU comes with a concentrator and diffuser.

While they aren’t the most high-quality attachments we found, they do fit securely on the blower’s nozzle. Instyler designed the BLU with two heat settings and a variable airflow dial, which gives you precision control over airspeed. However, this dryer doesn’t have a removable endcap, which makes cleaning its filter more difficult. If you need help operating the BLU, Instyler provides customer service only by email.

CHI Rocket Hair Dryer

With its wide temperature range, cord length, low weight, and useful accessories, this hair dryer works well for any hair type but is not as good for thick hair as it is for fine hair.

The CHI Rocket Hair Dryer is a quality blow dryer from Farouk. This professional hair dryer is designed to strengthen your hair and reduce frizz. It also includes two attachments that make it easy to style and dry your hair, but it works better for some hair types than others.

The CHI Rocket did well among our testers with its relatively low noise level and well-balanced design. It weighs only 17.4 ounces, making it one of the lighter hair dryers. We measured the sound level at 91 dB, so it isn’t the quietest hair dryer but definitely isn’t the loudest either. It is powered by a DC motor, which weighs less than an average AC motor but typically doesn’t last as long either. It has only 1,500 watts of power and low airflow compared to the other hair blow dryers we tested, making it a good dryer for fine and curly hair but not a particularly good one for thick hair. This is a ceramic hair dryer; while this means it uses infrared heat to gently dry hair, it doesn’t protect hair as much as ionic or tourmaline heating technologies do. If you want a blow dryer that is gentle on sensitive or damaged hair, you might be interested in the Panasonic Nanoe.

Though the CHI Rocket has two-speed options, this hair dryer has a lower maximum air speed than other hair dryers in our review, so it makes hair drying take longer. However, the CHI Rocket’s power cord is 11 feet long, the longest cord in our review, which means that this hair dryer gives you the greatest range of movement when you dry. Farouk includes a Velcro strip attached to the power cord so you can keep the cord under control when not in use and wrap it up for traveling.

This professional hair dryer includes two accessories: a concentrator and a diffuser, both of which did well in our tests. The concentrator allows you to direct the airflow of the hair dryer to certain areas of your hair. The diffuser tool gives you an even blow, and it features prongs that enhance curls and waves. It also features a cold shot button. This button is ideal to use when your hair is still damp because it prevents over-drying and helps set in your style.

This product has a two-year warranty, which is average for this type of device, but it’s best for hair dryers at this price to have at least a five-year warranty. Farouk has email and telephone contact options in case you have any questions or concerns about this blow dryer. When we contacted Farouk via email, we received answers in a friendly and timely manner.

T3 Micro Cura Digital Ionic Professional Blow Hair Dryer

The T3 T3 Micro is a great lightweight option to tame frizzy hair and give added shine to your hair, despite its loud noise level.

The T3 T3 Micro is a lightweight blow dryer that reduces frizz and increases your hair’s shine and volume. This professional blow dryer features SoftAire and tourmaline technology, which helps keep your hair healthy. Additionally, it features 1,800 watts of power.

The T3 Micro is rated highly among our testers for its lightweight, well-balanced design and great airspeed. We were surprised to hear that most of our testers didn’t mind the noise level of this hair dryer, which we measured at 94 decibels. Although it is one of the loudest devices in our hair dryer reviews, the sound isn’t high-pitched or whiny.

The settings on this hair blow dryer are similar to those of comparable products. It has three heat settings, ranging between 80 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This wide temperature range allows you to choose the right temperature for your particular hair type. It also features two speed settings – high and low –which we measured at 16 mph and 23 mph.

This blow dryer has up to 1,800 watts of power. The high wattage provides plenty of heat and strength to dry thick hair, while the low settings and temperatures are ideal for thin and fine hair.

The T3 Micro provides SoftAire technology, which is designed to reduce frizz and increase your hair’s shine. It also helps hair stay moist and prevents it from over-drying. The tourmaline technology dries your hair quickly without causing extensive damage.

This blow dryer has a user-friendly design. We weighed it at 15.3 ounces, which makes it extremely lightweight to the point that this could be a good travel blow dryer. It has a 9-foot power cord, which is one of the longest cords we have seen in our review.

The accessories included with this professional blow dryer didn’t meet our full expectations. This product only includes a concentrator attachment, which allows you to direct airflow to certain areas of your hair. While our testers stated that the concentrator did work well, the device lacks a diffuser tool for keeping curls intact. If you want a blow dryer that comes with a diffuser, you might be interested in the Panasonic Nanoe.

The T3 Micro comes with a two-year warranty, which is an average warranty length for a professional blow dryer. The best blow dryer warranties are five years or more. If you need to speak with a customer service representative, the company has email and telephone options.

Why Trust Us?

We’ve tested dozens of hair dryers since 2019, and our reviews involve much more than blowing hot air. In our most recent testing, we spent more than 40 hours examining and using 10 hair dryers, and our testing panel included volunteers with a variety of hair types, including fine, straight, thick, and curly hair. Long before we started blow-drying, we researched best-selling, high-performing products. We were wowed by popular hair dryers like the innovative Dyson Supersonic and the posh Harry Josh Pro, but we chose to focus on more affordable models.

“I can’t imagine paying more than $100 for a hair dryer,” we heard repeatedly from consumers. “What’s the best blower in my price range?”

As we researched hair dryers online, spoke with stylists, and interviewed customer support specialists, we learned how to choose versatile, affordable hair dryers with advanced heating technologies and accessories comparable to more expensive devices. Whether you prefer a sleek, smooth blowout or want to showcase your curls, we can help you choose a hair dryer that meets your needs.

How We Tested

After researching more than 25 hair dryers, we narrowed our list to 10, and we purchased these blowers for testing in our lab. Our testing panel included both men and women, and we used gadgets like wind funnels, decibel meters, and temperature gauges to get accurate readings on specifications such as airspeed, loudness, and temperature ranges. We also weighed each hair dryer, measured and examined its cord, assessed its safety features, and evaluated its balance and grip.

Modern Salon taught us the differences between ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline heating technologies, and we learned how an ALCI safety device makes a plug inoperable if you accidentally drop your hair dryer in the bathtub. During this process, we noted whether the instructional markings on each hair dryer made sense, and we tried every button and switch. As we pressed each cool shot button and tried every accessory, we took detailed notes, some of which were more subjective than others.

“The Instyler BLU feels evenly weighted from top to bottom, and the arc of its handle is nice,” our lab manager said.

“Its volume sounds weird at first, but it grew on me,” said a tester, “and I love the pretty blue light!”

As we learned more about design styles, heating technologies, and accessories, we asked our lab to evaluate 17 data points. Then, we invited volunteers to conduct hands-on testing. We provided them with spray bottles and heat-protectant spray and asked them to wet their hair and use each hair dryer. We asked them to consider factors such as each blower’s design, quality, ease of use, noise level, instructional markings, and price, and they completed a 12-question survey for each device. After we analyzed their input, we were able to rate each hair dryer, list its pros and cons and choose the best overall. We also identified the best value and the best blower for curly hair.

How to Choose the Best Hairdryer

Choosing the best hair dryer depends on factors such as your hair type, your hairstyle, and your budget. Quality is also important to consider, and it’s easy to get lost in descriptions of advanced heating technologies, styling instructions, and product recommendations. Picking the right hair dryer is a personal, sometimes complicated decision

“My mom still has the same hair dryer she had in college, but mine always breaks,” said one of our testers. “When it starts to spark, it’s time to get a new one!”

To help you find the best blower before sparks start to fly, here are some things to consider:

Price

You can find hairdryers intended for home use ranging in price from $7 to $700, though most people plan to spend between $20 and $100. Researching high-quality, affordable options, we selected hair dryers for our review priced between $17.99 and $155. If spending closer to $200 is in your budget, the Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer and the Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic Hair Dryer are excellent options.

Whatever their listed price, you can often find blowers for less at retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, and especially at Amazon.com, but you’ll have to do some price shopping to get the best deals. At the same time, several experts we interviewed told us you can justify splurging on a hair dryer because more expensive models will help your hair stay healthier. You can also expect a more expensive model to last longer. While a hair dryer priced under $30 may burn out after just a few years, a hair dryer priced above $100 should last at least five to 10 years.

Wattage & Heating Technology

A hair dryer’s power is determined by its wattage. We tested blowers ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 watts, and 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 watts. 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 typically last longer.

Heating technology also plays a role in protecting your hair, and you’ll want to choose the technology that works best for your hair type. Ceramic and tourmaline technologies are good for controlling and distributing heat and work well on curly or fine hair. However, tourmaline is not recommended for thin hair. Ionic hair dryers speed drying time and combat frizz. They are recommended for damaged and thick hair but aren’t as effective if you’re looking for volume, lift, and movement.

Nanotechnology infuses hair with moisture and provides far-infrared heat. It dries hair faster with minimal damage by penetrating the hair shaft from within. Thermal technology provides constant heat, even heat in every setting. While titanium heat works well on thick, heavy hair, it’s not recommended if your hair is prone to damage.

Features & Accessories

All the hair dryers we tested have multiple heat and air speed settings, along with the following accessories and features:

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 additional 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.

Warranty & Support

The hair dryers in our review have warranties ranging in length from one to four years, with two years being average. If you need customer service, most companies offer email and telephone support, and some offer live chat as well.