Best cordless: quick menu
To give your hair the TLC it deserves, you’ll want one of the best hair dryers, but you might just be surprised by how many options there are. From ionic dryers to multi-stylers and brush dryers, there’s a lot to choose from these days.
There’s a lot to consider when buying a new hair dryer. First, you want a device well-designed enough as to not damage your hair, lightweight for extended use, but ideally powered by a beefy motor that can offer speedy yet silky results. You might not get all of this from a cheaper model, of course, but we’ve made sure to include models at various price points.
When we test hair dryers, we make sure to consider the design, performance and value of each model, but we also look at more specific features; is there a cool shot for setting your style; is the cord long enough for comfortable use; does it feature any tech that enhances results? We also think about different hair types and lengths, considering which options are best for different users.
Want to up your hair game further? You can always add one of the best hair straighteners or best Dyson Airwrap dupes to your styling station.
The quick list
The best hair dryer for most
With its chic aesthetic and great specs, this offers stunning and quick results, drying long, damp hair under a minute. It’s lightweight, quiet, and a great all-rounder.
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2. Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon Ionic
Best budget find
This affordable light hair dryer offers fast drying times despite its slightly underwhelming low-heat options. It’s pretty lightweight, but you can’t remove the filter for cleaning.
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Best money no object
It might be pricey, but it’s a fantastic dryer with abundant features and great specs. It’s compact, lightweight, and terrific at glossy results that won’t ever need straightening.
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Most balanced
This is the best not only for its various speed and temp settings, but for such features as a fantastic ion generator to minimize frizz and T3 RapidAire IQ tech for quick drying.
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Best for styling
Shark’s slightly more affordable take on the Dyson Airwrap can quickly shift between hair drying and multi-styling, performed excellently on test, and is very versatile.
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Best compact dryer
Light and super powerful, this features IonAir technology for quick, glossy and healthy results. It’s great for frizzy hair, despite its limited speed range.
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Best brush dryer
Great for when you don’t have the time or skill to fully blow-dry your hair with barrel brushes, it will give your hair lots of volume you expect from a professional blow-dry.
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Best for curly hair
This is excellent for curls, shipping with an advanced diffuser with extendable prongs for an even dry. It can also automatically adjust the temperature and air flow.
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Best for traveling
Incredibly lightweight, compact and foldable, it’s powerful enough to deliver quick drying times. Bear in mind that the results won’t be as glossy and smooth, however.
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Best Dyson alternative
With a brushless motor for fragile strands and intelligent thermo sensors to monitor temperatures, this minimizes heat damage while costing much less than a Dyson.
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The best hair dryer
Who knew you could get a hair dryer with a brushless motor? There’s a reason that the GHD Helios is such a strong hair dryer; it produces stunning, well-balanced, and fast-drying hair. And, of course, that brushless motor ensures a longer lifespan.
This blow dryer is pricey, but it’s also one of the fastest (if not the fastest) models we’ve reviewed. It’s also lighter, quieter, and with a longer power cable than the original, legendary GHD Air. While its speedy performance is the star of the show, not to mention the fact that it dries quickly without causing a frizzy mess, that speed can sometimes result in a little less volume and bounce. At least there’s a cold shot button to help with styling, though.
The GHD Helios is an attractive model that comes in a number of gorgeous colorways. And, like its predecessor, it has the looks, feel, and, most importantly, performance, of a salon hair dryer that you can use at home.
Read the full GHD Helios review
The best budget hair dryer
If you’re on a budget this hair dryer from Hot Tools is worth considering. On test, we found the hair dryer, which is known as the Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon 1875 Watts Ionic AC Motor Hair Dryer in the US, was simple to use and it took our shoulder-length fine hair from wet to dry on the hottest setting in a similar time to more expensive models in this list. Although on the lowest temperature setting, after six minutes we gave up as our hair wasn’t anywhere close to dry.
We feel that it is a good option for holiday go-ers or business travellers because the UK version comes with a dual plug. It’s also not the bulkiest or heaviest hair dryer we’ve seen so it’ll help when you’re trying to pack light.
To keep the price low, there are some compromises with this hair dryer. It doesn’t have the look and feel of more premium hair dryers and the cable is shorter than we’d expect too. On top of that, the filter isn’t removable, which makes cleaning the hair dryer fiddly, but for those on a budget, these compromises are worth making.
Read our full Hot Tools Pro Signature Salon Ionic AC motor review
The best premium hair dryer
There’s no hiding the fact this is an expensive hair dryer – and let’s be honest, is beyond many people’s budgets for a haircare appliance. But Dyson has crammed a shed-load of tech into its Supersonic dryer making it the best hair dryer you can buy right now.
Instead of having the motor behind the nozzle, Dyson has moved it to the handle and this motor sucks in air via a filter in the base rather than through a vent in the barrel. This design shrinks the size of the Supersonic considerably, so it’s one of the most compact and lightest hair dryers we’ve tested.
During testing, it was extremely quick to use and provided enough shine to negate the need to run the straighteners over it afterward. However, we often blocked the filter with our hand and the buttons are a little fiddly to access mid-dry. We also couldn’t get the eye-watering price out of our minds but if you really, really need to have this hair dryer in our life then check out our constantly updated guide to the best Dyson Supersonic deals which could see you save some dollars.
Read our full Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
The most balanced
While the T3 AirLuxe might be a little heavy, it’s so well balanced that we don’t mind at all. In fact, we’re almost as big a fan of its ergonomic design as we are all the features that are on hand.
Specifically, there are five heat settings for more control as well as a fantastic ion generator that will get rid of frizz and help bring your hair to life. The T3 RapidAire IQ technology allows for a wider airflow for quicker drying.
While we do wish the diffuser and smoothing comb weren’t an extra cost, not to mention a storage bag, there’s enough on offer to overlook that. Besides the features already mentioned, a lock-in cool shot and volume boost switch are perfect for making you look like you just left the salon. Just don’t expect this to travel easily as it is a bit bulky and comes with a nine foot cord.
Read the full T3 AirLuxe review
The best styling hair dryer
The Shark FlexStyle – or to give its full name, the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Hair Drying System – is the US appliance giant’s take on the Dyson Airwrap. Part of an emerging category of hair dryers, the FlexStyle transforms from a hair dryer to a multi-styler with one easy motion.
When we first caught sight of the Shark FlexStyle at IFA 2022 Berlin we had very good first impressions, and we looked forward to trying it out in an at-home setting. We found that on finer, shoulder-length hair and thick, past shoulder-length hair it dried hair really well – and the paddle brush exceeded all others we’ve tested. It’s pretty easy to use and get started with, once you get past the barrage of attachments and styling options.
On offer with the FlexStyle is the option to dry with five ways to style; curl, straighten, volumise, smooth, and define which could be all you’ve ever dreamed of in a haircare appliance. As such, we found that it was incredibly versatile on test, yet it would be better suited to those who have longer, thicker hair and naturally wavy or curly hair.
Read our full Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Hair Drying System review
The best compact hair dryer
The T3 Fit promises to be super light and super powerful, and it delivers on both: it’s 20% lighter and 30% smaller than the standard T3 model, and we noted that the concentrator nozzle does a great job directing the airflow. Using IonAir technology, it delivers a wide, ion-infused airstream, meaning hair gets dried gently and quickly. Plus, its Ion Generator saturates the airflow with negative ions, resulting in a smooth and shiny finish; in particular, we noticed this works really well on frizzy hair.
The T3 Fit doesn’t have the huge range of speeds and settings that its bigger siblings offer, but if you’re looking for a compact hairdryer that doesn’t compromise it’s a very good option that manages to deliver impressive power from its relatively small size. It’s great for blowing out flicks, smoothing tresses and setting hair in place.
Read our full T3 Air review
The best brush hair dryer
The Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer & Volumiser is a slight wildcard in this list of best hair dryers because it’s classed as a 2-in-1 styler and dryer. If you don’t have the time, patience, or skill to fully blow-dry your hair with barrel brushes, the Revlon combines the two. It’s effectively a large brush with air vents below the bristles and two heat settings, plus a cold shot. As you move the brush through your hair, it dries and styles at the same time. This gave our fine hair a decent shine and levels of volume we typically only get from a professional blow-dry.
However, the Revlon is noisy and heavy, coming in at 850g. That said, on test it was fast to dry our hair. While it’s near-on perfect for creating voluminous, bouncy blow dries there is no versatility beyond this. You can’t rough dry your hair with it, or create different styles like you can with traditional dryers and this was a significant downside for us.
Read the full Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer and Volumiser review
The best hair dryer for curly hair
For those that have curly hair, a diffuser is a must as it disperses the air stream to ensure the curl pattern of the hair isn’t disrupted. However, while many hair dryers ship with a diffuser, the Shark Style iQ, which is known as the Shark HyperAir in the US, goes one step further.
The diffuser it ships with has extendable prongs that ensure the roots, as well as the ends of curly hair, can be dried evenly, reducing the risk of heat damage, which is why it’s our pick for those with curly hair. Even better, the hair dryer will automatically adjust the temperature and air flow settings when you connect the diffuser and other attachments it comes with, so ensure they’re at the optimum. It was also fast at drying out hair too.
However, while it’s not as expensive as the Dyson Supersonic, it’s expensive compared to the rest of the market and the attachments are bulkier than we’d have expected. We were also disappointed during testing to find that it lacks a removable filter, which makes removing lint and dust a breeze.
Read our full Shark Style iQ hair dryer review
The best travel hair dryer
If you’re looking for a hair dryer that is ideal for taking away with you, the GHD Flight is the ideal choice. At just 0.9lb / 422g, it’s 50% lighter than the GHD Air, but is still 70% as powerful, ensuring quick drying times.
This lightweight model is complemented by a foldable design that sees it transform into a more compact, easy to pack appliance, and it supports dual voltage so really can be used anywhere in the world. During testing, we found it was quick to dry our hair but couldn’t achieve the shine and smoothness other hair dryers could.
It also lacks the array of attachments other hair dryers come bundled with – it comes with just one concentrator nozzle, so while good for creating sleek styles, it may not suit those that want to achieve an array of different look. The filter isn’t removable either, which makes it slightly more difficult to clean.
Read our full GHD Flight review
The best Dyson alternative hair dryer
Much like the Dyson Supersonic and GHD Helios, the Laifen Swift offers super-fast drying that’s still gentle enough to keep hair well-protected, bolstered by its intelligent thermal sensors which allow for real-time temperature monitoring to prevent any heat damage. All this for a pocket friendly price of $159.99.
Much like the name implies, the Laifen Swift offers rapid hair drying with its high-powered jets of ionized air. During our testing, we were impressed that this hair dryer could completely dry damp, thick, medium-length hair on its highest setting. Yes, the Dyson Supersonic still comes out on top, offering four and a half minutes in the same test setting, but it’s a very decent alternative at a much lower price. For less porous and thinner hair, we’d expect a drying time of about five and a half minutes with the Laifen Swift, which just about matches the manufacturer’s claims.
It does get a bit hot during use, but not uncomfortably so – though watch out for the accessories, which heat up too. Luckly, they are easily removed, thanks to the magnetic fixture.
Read our full Laiten Swift review
How to choose the best hair dryer for you
When it comes to buying the best hair dryer for you, there are a number of features you should consider starting with three different types of heating element, which warm the air before its projected from the barrel, used in modern hair dryers. Metal elements ensure the hair dryer is more affordable but will cause more heat damage, while ceramic elements ensure the heat is more evenly distributed to diminish the damage. Finally, tourmaline elements release negative ions in the air flow, which speeds up evaporation of the water molecules reducing drying time but also make hair appear smoother.
The higher the wattage of a hair dryer, the faster the air flow, which means it will dry your hair quicker. However high wattage hair dryers are usually powered by an AC (alternating current) motor, which makes them heavier. Lower wattage hair dryers are more lightweight because they tend to use lighter DC (direct current) motors but they’re not as powerful.
Also, consider whether you want a hair dryer that has ‘iconic technology’. These hair dryers usually feature tourmaline elements, and as we’ve already mentioned release negative ions to speed up evaporation and reduce flyaway strands, but some will also eject positive ions that can be used to boost the volume at the roots of the hair.
Hair dryers with cool shot buttons are ideal for those that painstakingly style their hair rather than rough dry it, as a blast of cool air will set the style. It’s worth checking out the attachments included with the hair dryer; nozzles are good for sleek, smooth styles, while diffusers ensure curly hair is defined and bouncy.
Once you’ve bought you’re new hair dryer, it may be helpful to check out our guides on how to blow dry your hair the right way and which hair dryer settings you should use to get the results you want without doing any damage. This will help you to get the most out of your new purchase.
Frequently asked questions about hair dryers
Which hair dryer brand is best?
From our at-home testing we can say with confidence that the best hair dryer brand is GHD. We love the GHD Helios. It’s quick to heat up and has a super-fast hair drying time. We’re also a big fan of the stunning design – it’s available in different colors and just feels nice to hold.
A very close runner-up is from Dyson. It’s not surprising that the Dyson Supersonic happens to be the most expensive on our list but aside from this, it is one of the best hair dryers we have reviewed which would be our #1 choice it it wasn’t for the money.
Does a good hair dryer make a difference?
A good quality hair dryer will have the heat control and power to dry hair quickly. The quicker you can dry your hair, the better. This is because the hair will be less exposed to the direct source of heat.
Keep a look out for tourmaline and ceramic technology. Ceramic will help to distribute the heat more evenly, and the tourmaline is a mineral that’ll help to combat frizz by helping to retain some moisture.
What hair dryer is best for curly hair?
As we’ve already mentioned, those with curly hair should opt for a hair dryer that includes a diffuser. This attachment, which has a head much wider than the barrel of a hair dryer, features prongs designed to lit each strand of hair so the hot air can penetrate it. At the same time, the diffuser disperses the air stream to ensure the curl pattern of the hair isn’t disrupted.
While many hair dryers come with a diffuser, we particularly rate the Shark HyperAir, which is known as the Shark Style iQ in the UK, for two reasons. First the diffuser it ships with has extendable prongs, so the roots as well as the ends of curly hair, can be dried evenly – this helps reduce the risk of heat damage to the hair.
Secondly, the hair dryer will automatically adjust the speed and temperature to the optimum levels for the attachments connected to the hair dryer, including the diffuser. So you don’t have to worry about changing these yourself – again helping to reduce the amount of heat damage or curl disruption caused by the hair dryer.
Is a hair dryer harmful to hair?
Using any heat on your hair will damage the outer protective coating, known as a cuticle layer. Tiny holes will start to appear, and continued use of high heat will see these grow bigger and bigger, with the cuticle layer disintegrating completely, leaving the inner layer of hair strands. When these are exposed, the strands very quickly suffer from breakage.
However, leaving your hair to dry naturally isn’t an option for many of us. With that in mind, if you are planning on using a hair dryer, apply a heat protection styling spray before blow drying, and keep the heat level to a medium, to reduce the amount of damage a hair dryer causes to your hair.
How we tested these hair dryers
To test the products we’ve featured in this best hair dryers guide we take in to account the speed settings, temperature settings and how well they blow dry hair. We also monitored the sound level, and factored in how comfortable and balanced they were to use. We also considered cable length, and handy features like hanging loops, cord storage, and even cool shot buttons.
Our review panel all have different hair types so to compare the hair dryers we access the specifications and review verdicts to ensure they are ordered correctly in this guide.
Meet our reviewers
Why you can trust TechRadar
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Victoria Woolaston
Vicky has reviewed a lot of hair dryers for us over the years. She’s reviewed the GHD Helios, Shark FlexStyle and Revlon Pro Collection One Step Dryer and Volumiser in this guide. Vicky has thin, should length hair with a natural curl.
Josephine Watson
Our Managing Ed, Josie, has a keen eye for the cool shot on hair dryers, amongst other essential features. She’s reviewed the Laifen Swift in this round-up. Josie has thick, medium-length hair.
Emily Peck
A regular contributor for TechRadar, Emily has reviewed various appliances for the home, including hair dryers. She has reviewed the T3 Fit in this buyer’s guide. Emily has long, wavy hair that’s prone to frizz.
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