The most effective hair dryers for easy, speedy styling at house – no matter your hair sort


In my years of reviewing magnificence tech, it was upgrading my hair dryer that made the most important distinction to my routine. I used to dread hair-wash days: the chore of shampooing, conditioning and rinsing my hair, plus the time – and aching arms – spent getting it dry once more.

My clunky, bargain-bucket hair dryer of seven years was weighty, deafeningly loud, and took a painstaking 20 minutes to dry my hair. So happier days actually did arrive once I switched to a brand new mannequin.

My present hair dryer makes use of a light-weight digital motor that’s not solely far quieter, however can also be highly effective sufficient to dry my hair in simply 5 minutes. It appears trendy hair dryers have stepped up their sport. Right here, you’ll discover the most effective hair dryers I’ve examined, from mild choices with diffusers for curly hair to ultra-fast fashions that shave vital break day your morning routine. You’ll additionally discover knowledgeable hair-drying steerage from superstar hairstylist Melissa Timperley.


At a look


Why it’s best to belief me

I’ve been reviewing magnificence merchandise for 4 years and have amassed a near-encyclopaedic data of hair care. I’ve attended numerous styling masterclasses, interviewed hair stylists, and accomplished a beauty science course the place I realized precisely how hair development, styling and care work at a mobile degree.

I’ve examined and reviewed about 70 hair-styling instruments – together with hair dryers, curlers, sizzling brushes, wavers and straighteners – from big-name manufacturers and newcomers alike. And maybe most impressively, I’ve walked away with my hair wholesome and intact.

How I examined

Every hair dryer was examined for pace and sound ranges. {Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian

Having researched the most well-liked manufacturers and fashions, I put 22 hair dryers by way of their paces for this check. I additionally spoke to a hair stylist to search out out what she appears for in a hair dryer, earlier than cherrypicking the most effective 12 from my checks to incorporate right here.

I used an anemometer to check every mannequin’s most wind pace, which ranged from a measly 16 metres a second (m/s) to a mind-boggling 43.8m/s, and likewise a sound meter to measure noise ranges from 15cm away.

Claims of “enhanced shine or smoothness” aren’t quantifiable, however I did use each hair dryer to finish the identical process, noting how lengthy it took to rough-dry hair after which to complete. I additionally tried my hand at utilizing a spherical brush to attain a easy, bouncy blowout. Whereas I’m no skilled at this, it allowed me to make a judgment about how simple a hair dryer’s controls are to make use of, how exact and versatile its settings are, and luxury ranges over the course of styling.

When testing was full, I returned the samples to the producers who despatched them. If samples couldn’t be returned, they have been despatched to the Redbridge Attain Out home abuse service, which offers assist and refuge for survivors.


The most effective hair dryers

Blown away: the hair dryers vying for approval. {Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian

Greatest hair dryer general:
Hershesons The Nice

Hershesons The Great hairdryer in blue.

Hershesons

The Nice

from £235

What we love
Quick; light-weight; good outcomes on all hair varieties

What we don’t love
Archaic push-on attachments

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£235 at Hershesons
£235 at Amazon

Testing the Hershesons the Nice hair dryer confirmed my perception that there’s no must reinvent the wheel. This hair dryer perfects the fundamentals and irons out any frequent niggles. It’s the lightest choice I’ve ever examined, virtually the quickest – and a simple suggestion.

Why we like it
The Nice hair dryer has 4 speeds, three warmth settings and a cool shot. It reached a super-fast 38.4m/s in my checks, rough-drying my hair in lower than 5 minutes, and leaving it comfortable and healthy-looking.

You alter the settings utilizing buttons on the hair dryer’s deal with, which might then be locked into place. That is in contrast to button controls on different fashions, which may be by chance pressed mid-use.

One distinctive function of the Hershesons hair dryer, and one thing that goes an extended technique to justify its premium value, is its heat-proof mat. It will mechanically change off the dryer when it’s positioned on to it, resuming once more as soon as it’s lifted. I discovered this invaluable when blow-drying my hair with a spherical brush, since I may plonk the hair dryer all the way down to part my hair with out having to faff round with the controls.

Add on two concentrator nozzles, a diffuser, a material bag and a sturdier storage case, and the Nice is a hair dryer that really feels designed with the person in thoughts.

It’s a disgrace that … it’s so costly. Subsequent to hair dryers with magnetic attachments, the push-on system right here additionally felt archaic and made it harder to modify out instruments.

Weight (with out wire): 294g
Wire size: 2.75m
Warmth settings (including cool shot): 4
Pace settings: 4
Attachments: concentrator nozzles and a diffuser
Most wind pace: 38.4m/s
Quantity vary: 82-86dB

Hershesons The Great hairdryer in blue.

Hershesons

The Nice

from £235

What we love
Quick; light-weight; good outcomes on all hair varieties

What we don’t love
Archaic push-on attachments


Greatest price range hair dryer:
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion

BaByliss Hydro-Fusion hairdryer.

BaByliss

Hydro-Fusion

from £59.99

What we love:
Clean outcomes, smart value, quiet operation

What we don’t love
No high-tech options

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£59.99 at John Lewis
£60 at Argos

Should you ever wrestle with frizzy hair after blow-drying, likelihood is you want an ionic dryer. This budget-friendly BaByliss choice has an excellent vary of pace and warmth settings, a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser, making it appropriate for quite a few hair varieties. Moreover, because of its 2,100W motor, its 26.4m/s most wind pace rivals a number of the pricier choices on this web page.

Why we like it
It was instantly clear that the Hydro-Fusion was properly constructed and highly effective. It rough-dried my hair in about 10 minutes, leaving it feeling wholesome and completely free from frizz and flyaways. Regardless of this energy, it’s quieter than lots of the fashions right here, too.

Attachments securely clicked into place and stayed on with out concern whereas I accomplished my round-brush blow-dry check. I discovered the hair dryer’s two pace settings provided loads of management for extra exact styling, and the cool shot got here by way of rapidly in contrast with different cheaper hair dryers I’ve examined. As soon as styled, my hair was bouncy and glossy, with a frizz-free end that lasted a number of days.

It’s a disgrace that … its design is fairly fundamental; there aren’t any frills right here. A number of extra color choices would have been welcome, too, however you’re unlikely to discover a higher hair dryer for the worth.

Weight (with out wire): 430g
Wire size: 2.5m
Warmth settings (including cool shot): 4
Pace settings: two
Attachments: concentrator nozzle and a diffuser
Most wind pace: 26.4m/s
Quantity vary: 78-85dB

BaByliss Hydro-Fusion hairdryer.

BaByliss

Hydro-Fusion

from £59.99

What we love:
Clean outcomes, smart value, quiet operation

What we don’t love
No high-tech options


Greatest hair dryer for curly hair:
Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J

Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J hairdryer in black.

Panasonic

Nanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J

£199.99

What we love
Moisturising tech, with easy wholesome outcomes

What we don’t love
Complicated settings

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£199.99 at Amazon

As counterintuitive because it sounds, this hair dryer provides moisture to your hair. Panasonic’s Nanoe expertise creates microscopic water droplets that penetrate the hair’s cuticle so as to add additional moisture to the hair’s deepest layers. It claims this helps to scale back color fading, flyaways, cut up ends and breakage.

Why we like it
I examined the Panasonic EH NA0J hair dryer after a number of hair washes and located its distinctive form intuitive to make use of. For rough-drying, I used warmth and the quickest pace setting (23.4m/s), and was impressed at how rapidly the hair dryer labored its magic (in about 10 minutes).

In contrast with the opposite fashions right here, the Nanoe appeared to separate moist clumps of hair into smaller sections, drying strands quicker. Regardless of utilizing the one and solely warmth setting, my hair felt easy and wholesome after a tough dry. And when trying the round-brush blow-dry, the Nanoe set the model rapidly utilizing its cool shot.

This hair dryer is especially good at gently diffusing curly and coily hair varieties. The diffuser attachment locks securely on to the entrance of the physique, and its lengthy prongs are properly designed to unfold air gently from the foundation to the tip of a curl. Add in its moisturising capabilities, and also you’ll be left with comfortable, shiny, more healthy curls with every use.

It’s a disgrace that … it has just one warmth setting. As a substitute, the Nanoe presents a number of modes: alternating cold and hot for preserving shine; a Scalp Care mode and a Pores and skin Care mode. These gained’t be proper for everybody, significantly should you like adjusting the warmth ranges manually. But when your hair wants additional nourishment, this hair dryer is price a shot.

Weight (with out wire): 460g
Wire size: 2.7m
Warmth settings (together with cool shot): one (plus scalp care and alternating modes)
Pace settings: three
Attachments: concentrator nozzle and a diffuser
Most wind pace: 23.4m/s
Quantity vary: 73-84dB

Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J hairdryer in black.

Panasonic

Nanoe Moisture+ EH NA0J

£199.99

What we love
Moisturising tech, with easy wholesome outcomes

What we don’t love
Complicated settings


Greatest hair dryer for delicate scalps:
Dyson Supersonic Nural

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer with five attachments

Dyson

Supersonic Nural

from £349.99

What we love
Nice scalp care; luxurious design; wholesome styling

What we don’t love
Excessive value, with marginally slower speeds

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
Straight and wavy, £349.99 at John Lewis
Curly and coily, £399.99 at Dyson

Dyson was as soon as greatest recognized for its vacuum cleaners, however lately has cultivated a repute for luxurious hair styling instruments. The 2016 Dyson Supersonic was the model’s first hair care product, with a particular design that ripped up the hair dryer rulebook. And in 2024, Dyson launched the Supersonic Nural, which mirrors the unique design however provides some useful scalp care options.

Why we like it
The Supersonic Nural needed to do some heavy lifting to justify its excessive price ticket. It appears similar to its predecessor other than a small sensor within the center, which controls the Nural’s new Scalp Defend mode. This tweaks the temperature of the air based mostly on the hair dryer’s proximity to the scalp, guaranteeing you by no means burn your scalp or frazzle the fragile hairs on the hairline.

As somebody with a fussy scalp, I typically discover the very best temperatures of hair dryers too harsh, however this ensured I used to be fully comfy all through drying. On the similar time, it dried the lengths of my hair with out frazzling them or inflicting pointless injury. It’s also possible to change this mode on and off should you desire to manage the temperature your self.

There are three speeds and 4 temperatures, and the button controls are intuitive. Its evenly weighted design was comfy to carry, its motor was very quiet, and I discovered its magnetic attachments handy and straightforward to make use of. I significantly favored the flyaway attachment, which rapidly and comfortably smoothed down my frizz and flyaways after rough-drying my hair.

It’s a disgrace that … it’s very costly and the hair dryer wasn’t fairly as fast as others I’ve examined. It took about seven minutes to blow dry my hair, however I used to be grateful that it may handle my scalp with out me having to make changes. It’s simply the best choice for these with delicate scalps.

Weight (with out wire): 485g
Wire size: 2.8m
Warmth settings (together with cool shot): 4
Pace settings: three
Attachments: concentrator nozzle, diffuser, flyaway attachment, mild air attachment and a wide-tooth comb
Most wind pace: 29.2m/s
Quantity vary: 75-81dB

Learn our full Dyson Supersonic Nural evaluation

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer with five attachments

Dyson

Supersonic Nural

from £349.99

What we love
Nice scalp care; luxurious design; wholesome styling

What we don’t love
Excessive value, with marginally slower speeds


Greatest light-weight hair dryer:
Electrical Head Jog Futaria

Electric Head Jog Futaria hairdryer.

Electrical Head Jog

Futaria

£139.95

What we love
Quick drying; light-weight; smart value

What we don’t love
Might be too highly effective for some

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£139.95 at Amazon

That is the quickest hair dryer I’ve ever examined, and weighing 304g, the Futaria is simply 10g heavier than the lightest choice – the Hershesons above. It was the darkish horse right here; I hadn’t encountered Head Jog earlier than testing, however with its quick wind speeds of 43.8m/s and cheap value, it’s a simple favorite.

Why we like it
The Futaria hair dryer packs a severe punch, rough-drying my hair in a blisteringly fast 4 minutes. Because of its three speeds and 4 warmth settings, I may grasp a exact round-brush blow-dry with out a lot effort in any respect. Personally, I discovered the broader concentrator nozzle greatest for styling bigger sections of hair, which sped up the method even additional.

The digital motor additionally makes the Futaria comparatively quiet, and regardless of its gentle weight, the design feels sturdy and evenly weighted, plus its rear filter is simple to scrub and preserve. As such, this mannequin is ideal to be used in busy salons to scale back wrist pressure and maximise time effectivity. And people of us at house may even profit from the dryer’s smooth design, which is offered in blue, pink and black.

It’s a disgrace that … because it’s tailor-made to skilled stylists, it’s not as extensively stocked as different hair dryers. Additionally, these involved about injury could discover the knock-your-socks-off energy just a little a lot. That stated, should you’re cautious with the very best depth settings and use a warmth safety spray, you shouldn’t fry your hair.

Weight (with out wire): 304g
Wire size: 3m
Warmth settings (including cool shot): 4
Pace settings: three
Attachments: two concentrator nozzles and a diffuser
Most wind pace: 43.8m/s
Quantity vary: 78-84dB

Electric Head Jog Futaria hairdryer.

Electrical Head Jog

Futaria

£139.95

What we love
Quick drying; light-weight; smart value

What we don’t love
Might be too highly effective for some


Greatest journey hair dryer:
Dyson Supersonic Journey

Dyson Supersonic Travel hairdryer in ceramic pink.

Dyson

Supersonic Journey

from £249.99

What we love
Common voltage and quick; easy styling

What we don’t love
Its excessive value

{Photograph}: Lise Smith/Thr Guardian
£249.99 at Dyson
£249.99 at John Lewis

I’ve sat by draughty home windows that would dry my hair faster than a resort hair dryer, so when Dyson introduced it was launching a travel-size Supersonic, I used to be all ears. Should you can afford it, it’s simply the most effective dual-voltage journey hair dryer in the marketplace, with warmth monitoring, quick speeds, versatile controls and a construct that Dyson claims is 25% lighter and 32% smaller than the unique. And, in fact, it has the posh design Dyson is understood for.

Why we like it
Other than its dinky measurement and weight, it has the identical intuitive controls as Dyson’s different hair dryers. That features two button-controlled warmth and pace settings, and an influence change on the deal with. That’s fewer choices than the full-size mannequin, however extra versatility than different journey dryers.

It packs a punch, too. Its motor spat out air at a formidable 18.4m/s on its highest pace, which is sufficient to rival a number of the full-size choices right here. Tough-drying my hair took 10 minutes and, utilizing the nozzle offered, a round-brush blow dry left my hair feeling easy, smooth and wholesome. That’s partly due to the hair dryer’s built-in heat-monitoring system, which helps hold styling temperatures wholesome and constant.

And, should you’ve already splashed the money on a Dyson Supersonic or Nural, the journey dryer is appropriate with all present full-size attachments. Should you journey typically and hair well being is a precedence, this can be a well-engineered journey dryer that offers you virtually all the advantages of the Supersonic on the go.

It’s a disgrace that … it’s so costly – some full-size choices listed here are much better worth, so price contemplating above the Dyson. Occasional travellers are more likely to be simply high quality with a less expensive journey mannequin, or a light-weight hair dryer they’ll simply pack.

Weight (with out wire): 330g
Wire size: 2m
Warmth settings (together with cool shot): three
Pace settings: two
Attachments: concentrator nozzle
Most wind pace: 18.4m/s
Quantity vary: 85-89dB

Learn our full Dyson Supersonic Journey evaluation

Dyson Supersonic Travel hairdryer in ceramic pink.

Dyson

Supersonic Journey

from £249.99

What we love
Common voltage and quick; easy styling

What we don’t love
Its excessive value


The most effective of the remainder

‘My hair was left with beautiful shine’: the Cloud 9 Airshot Professional. {Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian

Parlux 3200 Plus

Parlux 3200 Plus hairdryer in silver-white.

Parlux

3200 Plus

from £104.63

What we love
Shiny end, tactile controls

What we don’t love
Heavier than others

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£147.89 at Sally Magnificence
£104.63 at Amazon

Greatest for: fuss-free styling

Italian model Parlux is well-known for making high-quality, highly effective, long-lasting hair dryers. In keeping with the model, the Parlux 3200 Plus (beforehand Compact) is probably the most extensively used skilled hair dryer in the marketplace. I discovered it properly balanced and cozy within the hand and favored its tactile, retro-feeling switches.

Throughout testing, it dried my hair extremely rapidly, leaving a shiny, frizz-free end. That’s because of the inclusion of Parlux’s Ok-lamination motor, which offers the facility of a 2,800W motor whereas utilizing only one,900W. The hair dryer is offered in a variety of colors, and is a classy choice – should you can look previous the field, which appears freshly fished from the early 2000s.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … it’s heavier than different choices right here, plus it lacks the design refinements of costlier fashions.

Weight (with out wire): 588g; twine size: 3m; warmth settings (together with cool shot): three; pace settings: two; attachments: two concentrator nozzles; most wind pace: 26m/s; quantity vary: 80-85dB

Parlux 3200 Plus hairdryer in silver-white.

Parlux

3200 Plus

from £104.63

What we love
Shiny end, tactile controls

What we don’t love
Heavier than others


Cloud 9 the Airshot Professional

Cloud Nine Airshot Pro

Cloud 9

The Airshot Professional

from £199

What we love
Quiet operation with shiny outcomes

What we don’t love
No devoted cool-shot button

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£299 at Very
£199 at Amazon

Greatest for: quiet operation

Taking the very best and lowest noise ranges into consideration, the Airshot Professional is the quietest hair dryer I’ve examined. As well as, my hair was left with beautiful shine because of the Sericite-infused warmth tech that options in Cloud 9’s heat-styling instruments.

In addition to providing a terrific vary of temperature controls, with a steady cool-shot choice, the Airshot’s magnetic concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachments proved safe and suited to a spread of hair varieties.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … it lacks a devoted cool-shot button, and it’s not as speedy as others on this value vary. Nonetheless, some could also be swayed by its quiet operation.

Weight (with out wire): 448g; twine size: 3m; warmth settings (including cool shot): 4; pace settings: three; attachments: two concentrator nozzles, diffuser; most wind pace: 23.8m/s; quantity vary: 75-79dB

Cloud Nine Airshot Pro

Cloud 9

The Airshot Professional

from £199

What we love
Quiet operation with shiny outcomes

What we don’t love
No devoted cool-shot button


GHD Pace

GHD Speed hairdryer.

What we love
Quick styling; versatile controls; fashionable look

What we don’t love
Heavy weight; top-heavy construct; excessive value

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£299 at GHD
From £263.12 at Amazon

Greatest for: rapidly smoothing very thick hair

GHD hair dryers have traditionally been a number of the greatest you should purchase, and the GHD Pace is a large step up for the model when it comes to options, design and value.

It has 4 warmth settings, plus a cool-shot button and 4 speeds, and there’s a useful lock change to forestall you from by chance altering the settings by urgent buttons mid-styling. It additionally contains GHD’s “halo” expertise, which produces a hoop of cool air across the central heated airflow. The corporate claims this cools the hair’s temperature by 20C, which can assist restrict injury from drying.

This hair dryer comes with one magnetic concentrator nozzle, and different attachments are offered individually from £15. The included nozzle clipped on securely and swivelled round to assist get the right angle for styling. It additionally options two channels to accommodate the “halo” of cool air. The dryer took simply 10 minutes to get my lengthy, thick hair from moist to styled, with a long-lasting easy end – not too shabby.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … it’s heavy, with a barely odd, top-heavy weighting. The contoured deal with and controls additionally really feel extra suited to skilled use, fairly than for private use; it’s not as comfy to level in the direction of your personal head as it’s to level it away from you. I additionally observed the dryer creating extra frizz across the root for me, the place my new hair development is. For such a excessive value, I anticipated higher than that.

Weight (with out wire): 620g; twine size: 3m; warmth settings (together with cool shot): 5; pace settings: 4; attachments: concentrator nozzle; most wind pace: 24.3m/s; quantity vary: 85-92dB

GHD Speed hairdryer.

What we love
Quick styling; versatile controls; fashionable look

What we don’t love
Heavy weight; top-heavy construct; excessive value


Bellissima B-travel

Bellissima B-travel hairdryer.

Bellissima

B-travel

from £29.99

What we love
Quick, compact and lightweight

What we don’t love
Warmth and pace settings are linked

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£29.99 at Boots
£30 at AO

Greatest for: occasional travellers

The dinky Bellissima B-travel hair dryer is an excellent choice for journeys and holidays. It has dual-voltage controls, so you need to use it wherever you might be on the earth. Its folding deal with and carry case hold the whole lot secure in transit, and it feels very sturdy contemplating its value.

In contrast to most resort hair dryers, which solely set free a pathetic trickle of air, this hair dryer offers wind speeds of as much as 18.9m/s – quicker than some full-size choices I’ve reviewed (and a tad quicker than the Dyson Supersonic Journey above). That’s extremely spectacular given the hair dryer’s gentle weight. You additionally get a concentrator nozzle for precision styling and two pace choices.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … there’s one management change, so you’ll be able to’t modify the warmth setting independently from the pace settings, and the distinction between the 2 warmth settings is negligible. Its travel-based use case is restricted; you’d be higher off investing in another with a number of temperature settings to make use of at house.

Weight (with out wire): 305g; twine size: 1.8m; warmth settings (together with cool shot): two; pace settings: two; attachments: concentrator nozzle; most wind pace: 18.9m/s; quantity vary: 79-84dB

Bellissima B-travel hairdryer.

Bellissima

B-travel

from £29.99

What we love
Quick, compact and lightweight

What we don’t love
Warmth and pace settings are linked


Gtech DryOnic

Gtech DryOnic hairdryer in off-white colour.

What we love
Clear warmth settings with exact controls

What we don’t love
Wire isn’t lengthy; it actually wants a settings lock

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£119 at AO
£119 at Currys

Greatest for: exact temperature controls

One in every of my greatest bugbears with hair dryers is that you simply by no means fairly understand how a lot warmth you’re utilizing in your hair. Fortunately, the Gtech DryOnic has a display on the again that shows the airflow setting and its temperature. With temperatures that vary from 40C to 100C, you can also make exact changes in your hair sort.

I discovered the assorted airflow settings helpful and favored how securely the magnetic concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachments fitted on to the dryer. After styling, my hair felt comfortable and hydrated, with minimal frizz.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … it’s not fairly as fast as others right here at the same value, and its 2m twine isn’t fairly lengthy sufficient for my liking. I additionally discovered it too simple to by chance press the buttons and alter the temperature halfway by way of styling.

Weight (with out wire): 426g; twine size: 2m; warmth settings (including cool shot): 5; pace settings: 4; attachments: concentrator nozzle and diffuser; most wind pace: 18.8m/s; quantity vary: 78-85dB

Gtech DryOnic hairdryer in off-white colour.

What we love
Clear warmth settings with exact controls

What we don’t love
Wire isn’t lengthy; it actually wants a settings lock


Remington Shine Remedy

Remington Shine Therapy hairdryer in white and turquoise.

Remington

Shine Remedy

from £18

What we love
Funds value; good settings and attachments

What we don’t love
Greater noise ranges with a brief twine

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian
£18 at AO
£18 at Amazon

Greatest for: tight budgets

This lesser-known hair dryer is the sister product to the favored Remington Shine Remedy hair straighteners. It presents equally sensible worth and is designed so as to add shine to the hair utilizing ionic expertise.

Whereas troublesome to quantify in checks, I discovered the hair dryer did dry my hair comparatively rapidly and left it shiny and easy after a round-brush blow-dry. A number of warmth and pace settings, plus a concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment, make it an excellent choice for all hair varieties.

It didn’t make the ultimate minimize as a result of … of its brief 1.8m twine and the truth that it’s fairly noisy in contrast with different fashions right here. That stated, it could’t be crushed on value and is a good choice should you’re hoping to improve an outdated hair dryer on a price range.

Weight (with out wire): 449g; twine size: 1.8m; warmth/cool settings: 4; pace settings: two; attachments: concentrator nozzle and diffuser; most wind pace: 18.6m/s; quantity vary: 84-89dB

Remington Shine Therapy hairdryer in white and turquoise.

Remington

Shine Remedy

from £18

What we love
Funds value; good settings and attachments

What we don’t love
Greater noise ranges with a brief twine


What you should know

{Photograph}: Sarah Matthews/The Guardian

I interviewed Melissa Timperley, hair stylist and founding father of Melissa Salons, to find her suggestions for selecting a hair dryer. “In relation to defending your hair and attaining the model you need, the instrument you employ issues simply as a lot because the merchandise you pair it with,” she says.

What options ought to I search for?

In keeping with Timperley, the important thing options are adjustable pace and warmth settings, which “enable for higher management and safety, relying in your hair sort and styling wants”. Search for hair dryers with a cool-shot button, too, which “assist to easy the cuticle and set your model”.

Design-wise, contemplate weight, which is “particularly necessary for longer hair or skilled use” to forestall arm pressure. Additionally search for a dryer that has a detachable or self-cleaning filter, as “this makes cleansing and upkeep simple, which helps protect motor life”.

What to keep away from when selecting a dryer

Timperley warns that there are some options, or omissions, that could possibly be detrimental to hair well being. It’s greatest to keep away from “single-setting dryers that don’t enable warmth or pace management”, in addition to low-wattage dryers underneath 1,800W, as a result of “they typically take longer to dry hair, exposing it to warmth for too lengthy”.

Nonetheless, a number of the dryers I’ve chosen listed here are under 1,800W. That’s as a result of these use digital motors, that are smaller and lighter than brushed motors and produce quicker airflow. Which means, in these instances, the distinction in drying speeds is negligible.

She additionally warns towards shopping for “heavy, cumbersome dryers which might be uncomfortable to make use of recurrently” and “poor-quality nozzles or diffusers that don’t match securely or distribute air correctly”.

Put merely, she says: “If the dryer doesn’t clearly listing its motor sort, wattage or warmth settings, that’s a pink flag.”

What makes a hair dryer good for various hair varieties?

Choosing out the proper hair dryer in your hair sort may be difficult. “The most effective hair dryers cater to your hair’s particular wants – whether or not that’s smoothing frizz, defending high quality strands or slicing by way of thick, coarse textures,” says Timperley.

For high quality or broken hair, Timperley advises in search of “decrease warmth settings and a ceramic or tourmaline dryer that distributes warmth extra gently”. For thick or coarse hair, “larger wattage and highly effective airflow are important – infrared, ionic and titanium dryers are nice for slicing drying time with out extreme warmth”. And at last, for curly or textured hair, “a diffuser attachment is essential, as is a dryer that gives warmth management with out sacrificing quantity or pure texture”.

What’s the distinction between ionic and ceramic hair dryers?

“Ionic hair dryers emit damaging ions that assist break down water molecules quicker, lowering frizz,” says Timperley. “They’re nice for smoothing and shine, particularly in case you have thick, frizzy or unruly hair.”

Conversely, “ceramic hair dryers use ceramic heating components to distribute warmth evenly, which helps stop hotspots and injury. They’re best for high quality or delicate hair.”

“A number of the greatest hair dryers,” says Timperley, “mix each applied sciences, providing you with quicker drying with out sacrificing hair well being.”

What to do together with your outdated hair dryer?

If it nonetheless works and is in good situation, you’ll be able to donate your outdated hair dryer to a charity store or shelter. The British Purple Cross typically accepts small electrical objects, together with hair dryers. You should definitely clear out any mud from the rear filter and take away any hair from brush attachments earlier than you move it on.

In case your hair dryer is useless, don’t throw it in your regular bin. Take it to your native recycling centre, which you could find utilizing Recycle Your Electricals. Alternatively, Currys presents a free recycling service in-store for electrical objects, together with these you didn’t purchase from it.

cease your hair dryer from damaging your hair?

A standard false impression is that warmth safety is barely vital when utilizing warmth styling instruments, equivalent to hair straighteners or curlers, however the warmth out of your hair dryer may be simply as damaging. All the time put together moist hair utilizing a warmth safety cream or spray earlier than drying. In keeping with Timperley, “this creates a protecting barrier between the hair and warmth, whereas serving to to easy and situation the strands.”

“Keep away from mechanically reaching for the very best warmth setting,” continues Timperley. “Extended publicity to extreme warmth can weaken the hair cuticle, resulting in dryness, frizz, breakage and a lack of shine over time.” As a rule, go for the decrease warmth settings so long as they nonetheless permit you to obtain the model you need, and hold the dryer shifting continually to keep away from frazzling small sections of hair.

In contrast to conventional warmth stylers, styling with a hair dryer presents the most effective outcomes when the hair is about 80% dry. Timperley warns, “as soon as a bit is absolutely dry, further warmth presents little styling profit and considerably will increase the chance of harm.” She recommends re-dampening any hair strands you’re sad with and restyling for the healthiest outcomes.

For extra:
The most effective hair masks for each hair sort
Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer evaluation
Dyson Supersonic Journey hair dryer evaluation
The most effective hair oils, capsules and serums


Sarah Matthews is a shopper journalist who specialises in well being and wonder critiques. In her 4 years of product testing, she’s labored her manner by way of numerous hair styling, hair removing, gentle remedy and skincare instruments. In her spare time, you’ll discover her flippantly scolding her buddies for not carrying SPF or getting sucked right into a Vinted wormhole

This text was initially printed on 26 August 2025. Evaluations printed within the Filter could also be periodically up to date to replicate new merchandise and on the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most up-to-date replace may be discovered within the timestamp on the prime of the web page. This text was amended on 4 September 2026; the Dyson Supersonic Journey and GHD Pace have been added after testing, and costs have been up to date all through.

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