1 week ago
All products featured connected WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we whitethorn person compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products done these links. Learn more.
Featured successful this article
Best Overall
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Read more
-SOURCE-Amazon.jpg)
Best Affordable
Conair InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap Hair Dryer
Read more
Best for Fast Drying
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer
Read more
-SOURCE-Sephora.jpg)
Best for Frizz
Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex Hair Dryer System
Read more
Most hairsbreadth dryers suck. No judgment, but nan champion hairsbreadth dryer shouldn't time off you pinch frizz, static, aliases a singed scalp; it mightiness beryllium clip for an upgrade. The problem is that uncovering nan correct 1 for your hairsbreadth is simply a nightmare. There are tons of options, ranging from inexpensive drugstore models that hardly past a twelvemonth to smart dryers that costs arsenic overmuch arsenic a month’s rent. And somehow, nan mediate ground, which is nan saccharine spot of affordability and performance, feels intolerable to find.
I’ve owned my adjacent stock of duds: dryers that committedness salon-worthy blowouts but underdeliver, models that sound for illustration pitchy engines, and others that time off my wavy hairsbreadth emotion crispy. But I’ve besides recovered immoderate existent standouts—dryers that activity fast, support power harm to a minimum, and make hairsbreadth styling easy for nan mean civilian.
I put nan latest and top to nan test, and these are nan ones worthy your money. Be judge to publication our different hairsbreadth attraction guides, including nan Best Hair Straighteners, Best Curling Irons, and Best Blow-Dry Brushes.
Updated August 2025: We've overhauled this guide, added adjuvant hair-care accusation and a merchandise comparison chart, and updated prices and links.
- Concentrator nozzle: This attachment narrows airflow for precise styling, making it perfect for straightening aliases sleek blowouts. It's besides useful erstwhile sectioning hair, moving pinch a information brush, aliases drying bangs. For champion results, barren hairsbreadth partially earlier utilizing to minimize nan consequence of power damage.
- Diffuser: A diffuser disperses airflow to heighten earthy texture without disrupting curl patterns aliases causing frizz. While it's astir effective for curls, it tin thief tame frizz-prone hairsbreadth of immoderate type.
- Cool changeable button: Many dryers characteristic a cool changeable fastener that blasts acold aerial to group your style and soft immoderate flyaways. It's a mini touch that makes a large quality successful nan longevity and decorativeness of your hairstyle.
- Ionic hairsbreadth dryers: Ionic dryers merchandise antagonistic ions that break down h2o droplets, speeding up evaporation and drying time. This besides helps power frizz and boost shine. But arsenic Abra McField, laminitis of Abra Kadabra Hair and Healing, notes, if you person good hairsbreadth and want much volume, you whitethorn not for illustration ionic dryers.
- Tourmaline: This gemstone is utilized successful immoderate hairsbreadth devices to emit antagonistic ions and infrared heat, arsenic seen successful models for illustration nan Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus. The infrared power is simply a celebrated prime for group shopping for accelerated but gentle-ish dryers.
- Ceramic: Ceramic hairsbreadth dryers are designed to evenly administer power and forestall basking spots. These devices are often seen arsenic gentler options.
- Motor type: There are 3 main types of motors successful hairsbreadth dryers: AC (alternating current), DC (direct current), and brushless. AC motors are much powerful and past longer, while DC motors are quieter and lighter. Brushless motors are newer and much expensive, but they besides connection semipermanent reliability and power efficiency.
Best Overall
Photograph: Amazon
Dyson
Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is 1 of nan champion hairsbreadth dryers connected nan market, but it’s besides 1 of nan priciest. It has 3 velocity settings, 3 power settings, and Dyson’s signature Air Multiplier technology, which triples airflow for speedy drying without sacrificing hairsbreadth health.
Best of all, nan dryer is packed pinch useful intelligent features I didn’t cognize I needed successful a dryer until I utilized it. The Scalp Protect Mode features a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor and infrared beam to observe erstwhile nan dryer is excessively adjacent to your scalp, automatically dropping nan somesthesia to 131 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s a Pause Detect feature, designed pinch a motion-sensing accelerometer that knows erstwhile you group nan dryer down, reducing airflow and noise. It besides features Attachment Learning—a first for Dyson—using magnetic IDs to admit which of nan 5 attachments you’re using; it past tweaks nan settings for optimal performance. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano peculiarly loves nan reengineered diffuser, which now has a removable prong strategy to create a vortex of aerial astir curls, speeding up drying without sacrificing definition. The Supersonic Nural is besides disposable successful galore colorways. If you’re aft a splurge, this one’s a no-brainer.
Specs Weight 1.8 pounds Wattage 1,600 watts Material Nylon casing, reinforced pinch fiberglass Number of Settings 4 heat; 3 speed Attachments Wave + curl diffuser, styling concentrator, gentle aerial attachment, wide bony comb, flyaway attachment Cord Length 8.6 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- Scalp protect mode
- Five magnetic attachments that auto-adjust to your preferred settings
- Automatically powers disconnected erstwhile you group it down
TIRED
- More costly than its competitors
- Takes up a batch of retention space
Best Affordable
Photograph: Amazon
Conair
InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap Hair Dryer
I utilized nan InfinitiPro by Conair SmoothWrap dryer for 2 years earlier upgrading to nan AirLight Pro. It’s nan champion fund dryer I’ve owned. In assemblage and grad school, I burned done much inexpensive Amazon bestsellers than I’d for illustration to admit—most hardly lasted a twelvemonth earlier fizzling out. But my Conair hairsbreadth dryer is still kicking.
It won’t revolutionize your routine, but it’s lightweight, reliable, and gets nan occupation done. The high-torque DC centrifugal is powerful, and nan 3 power and 2 velocity settings are conscionable capable control. There’s besides a removable select to thief widen its lifespan. If you request an affordable workhorse—or conscionable thing to rough-dry earlier hairsbreadth styling—this is simply a decent dryer that won’t fto you down.
Side Note: Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano has tested nan InfinitiPro by Conair Hair Dryer for $40, which is different affordable pick. According to her, its lowest mounting worked awesome connected her frizz-prone curls.
Specs Weight 2.12 pounds Wattage 1,875 watts Number of Settings 3 heat; 2 speed Attachments Diffuser and concentrator Cord Length 6 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- Usually connected waste for nether $50
- No learning curve
- Removable select for easy cleaning
TIRED
- Short cord
- Noisy
- Fewer attachments than higher-end models
Best for Fast Drying
Photograph: Dyson
Dyson
Supersonic r Hair Dryer
The Supersonic r is Dyson's astir important creation since nan original debuted successful 2016. At conscionable 0.7 pound, it's 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than its predecessors. The curved creation besides improves weight distribution and reduces strain during prolonged styling sessions.
It comes pinch 5 RFID-enabled attachments that auto-adjust airflow and power settings to your past presets. This not only speeds up styling but eliminates fiddling pinch settings mid-session. At $570, it's someway much costly than nan Nural and lacks nan Scalp Protect mode we adore from nan former, but if you want nan astir precise, fastest drying acquisition available, nan Supersonic r stands astatine nan apical of nan market.
Specs Weight 0.7 pound Wattage 1,700 watts Number of Settings 4 power (including cool shot); 3 speed Attachments Diffuser, pro concentrator, powerful aerial attachment, wide-tooth comb, flyaway attachment Cord Length 6 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- High power, mini package. Ergonomic design
- Weighs nether 1 pound
- Five Dyson-quality attachments
- Decent sound level astatine 75 decibels
TIRED
- Pricier than its competitors
- No Scalp Protect mode
- Not dual voltage
- No retention case
Best for Frizz
Photograph: Sephora
Shark
SpeedStyle Pro Flex Hair Dryer System
If you've been eyeing the Dyson Airwrap but are not truthful keen connected nan value tag, fto maine constituent you toward nan Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex, which is an fantabulous and much affordable dupe. Unlike nan Airwrap, it’s a hairsbreadth dryer and styling instrumentality pinch 4 versatile attachments: a styling concentrator, a quick-smooth brush, a frizz-fighter tool, and a defrizz accelerated diffuser.
Shark claims it’s dermatologist-approved for scalp protection owed to nan Scalp Shield feature, which automatically adjusts nan power to protect delicate skin. The somesthesia regularisation strategy measures power 1,000 times per 2nd to guarantee it ne'er exceeds 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Paired pinch its high-velocity airflow (0–100 mph successful nether a second), nan Shark SpeedStyle makes for a speedy and gentle drying acquisition for each hairsbreadth types. It’s besides practical, pinch a folding grip that makes it easy to stash successful a drawer aliases container for travel.
The 1 downside is that Shark Beauty doesn’t see a retention bag, but nan marque sells a soft neoprene 1 for $42 if you’re consenting to walk extra.
Specs Weight 1.57 pounds Wattage 1,750 watts Number of Settings 3 heat; 3 airflow settings Attachments QuickSmooth brush, DefrizzFast diffuser, FrizzFighter finishing tool, styling concentrator Cord Length 8 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- Scalp Shield feature.
- Weighs nether 2 pounds.
- Four frizz-fighting attachments.
TIRED
- Doesn't see retention case.
- Noisy.
Best for Professionals
Photograph: Ulta Beauty
L’Oreal Professionnel
AirLight Pro
The L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro is nan fastest hairsbreadth dryer I’ve tested that doesn’t trust connected scorching power to get nan champion results. Instead, it uses near-infrared light, powerful airflow, and controlled power to barren nan hairsbreadth while retaining its moisture. L’Oréal claims this keeps hairsbreadth 33 percent much hydrated and 59 percent smoother than accepted dryers. I person type 2A hairsbreadth and I get a frizz-free blowout successful astir 10 minutes.
It’s only $45 much than the Dyson Supersonic hairsbreadth dryer ($430) and cheaper than the Nural ($500)—but it’s besides quieter, faster, and much customizable, pinch settings that activity for each hairsbreadth types. The 11.5-foot cord outstretches any Dyson, Shark Speedstyle, and GHD Helios Professional.
The AirLight Pro is besides built to last. L’Oréal Professionnel rates it for a 10-year lifespan of master use, assuming 2 hours of regular use, 5 days a week. It’s repairable and features a filter-cleaning alert and auto-shutoff function, truthful you’ll cognize erstwhile it needs to beryllium cleaned. Bonus: It consumes 31 percent little power than a modular dryer, which is awesome for nan satellite and your energy bill.
Specs Weight 1.7 pounds Wattage 1,875 watts Number of Settings Access 3 power and 3 airflow settings connected nan handle. With nan app, set successful increments of 5 percent for airflow and 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Attachments Diffuser and concentrator Cord Length 11.5 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- Ultra-fast drying
- Magnetic attachments
- Suitable for each hairsbreadth types
- Better for hairsbreadth and nan planet
- Long cord length
TIRED
- App features are basal (as of yet)
- Fewer attachments than its competitors
Best for Curly Hair
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
The Pattern Blow Dryer comes from a institution owned by Tracee Ellis Ross, and nan full attraction is each astir curls, curls, curls. There are a fewer curl-specific features that make this dryer truthful darn great. Even astatine its highest setting, it doesn’t get rather arsenic basking arsenic different dryers, which helps forestall harm (something each curly-haired group should strive for). The 4 included attachments—a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb, a brush, and a concentrator nozzle—can beryllium locked successful spot either vertically aliases horizontally, which makes it easy to target different areas of your hairsbreadth for circumstantial styling needs. As 1 example, I for illustration to usage nan concentrator nozzle to target my roots without messing pinch my curls astatine my mid-lengths and ends.
The buttons are foolproof—choose from 3 power levels, 2 airflow levels, ions connected aliases off, and a acold changeable button. And finally, I emotion nan diffuser, arsenic mentioned successful our guideline to nan Best Diffusers for Curly Hair. All successful all, this dryer is easy to usage and gentle connected your mane, and it’s easy capable to clasp that your biceps won’t springiness retired if you’re spending a agelong clip getting your hairstyle conscionable right. —Louryn Strampe
Specs Weight 1.12 pounds Wattage 1,875 watts Number of Settings 2 heat; 3 speed Attachments Brush, wide bony comb, concentrator nozzle, diffuser Cord Length 7 feet Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 2 years WIRED
- Curl-conscious
- Four attachments
- Weighs nether 1.5 pounds
TIRED
- Short cord
Best for Thick Hair
Photograph: RevAir
The RevAir has legitimately changed my life. It's nan only point to dramatically trim down connected drying and styling clip (and damage) erstwhile I want to deterioration my curls straight. I've been obsessed pinch nan RevAir since trying it successful 2021, and nan 2022 version is smaller and lighter than nan original, but it's much costly and still a ample instrumentality you'll request to store.
After sectioning your damp hair, you provender each portion into nan wand, for illustration a vacuum, and nan instrumentality dries and straightens successful 1 step. Tiny openings astatine nan extremity of nan wand nonstop aerial retired to barren your scalp, while nan remainder of your hairsbreadth is dried pinch aerial going down, truthful you don't get frizzy. Crazy, I know, but it works. Wet curls went in, and barren consecutive hairsbreadth came retired successful astir 30 seconds. I still had to usage a flat iron to soft my hairsbreadth afterwards, but I utilized nan RevAir connected a friend whose curls are softer, finer, and she didn't person to usage a hairsbreadth straightener astatine all. If I could splurge connected 1 merchandise for nan remainder of my life, it would beryllium this. —Medea Giordano
Specs Weight 8 pounds Wattage 800 watts Number of Settings 2 heat; 7 hostility settings Attachments N/A Cord Length 6.5 feet. Hose length is 5.5 feet. Cool Shot Button Yes Warranty 1 year WIRED
- Works connected extensions, twist outs, braids, locs, and wigs
- Gentle capable for kids
- No brushwood required
TIRED
- Short cord
- Quite ample and heavy
- Not awesome for frizz
Compare Top 7 Hair Dryers
More Hair Dryers to Consider
Photograph: Amazon; Getty Images
Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair for $135: The Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair is certified by Quiet Mark, an independent statement that assesses really overmuch sound contamination family products produce. While nan value is technically $120, it's almost ever discounted to astir $60 connected Amazon, truthful you don't person to splurge. The simplification of sound isn't a simplification of capability. The high-speed mounting will rustle nan dryer correct disconnected your antagonistic if you group it down. It has 3 power settings and 2 velocity settings, positive a cool changeable button.
Hairitage Comin' Hot Dryer for $40: Hairitage’s Comin’ successful Hot Hair Dryer is compact astatine 1.6 pounds and costs conscionable $40. The basics are covered: 2 speeds, 3 power settings, and a cool changeable button. It only comes pinch an aerial concentrator nozzle, but you tin acquisition a separate diffuser for curls and a comb attachment. The add-ons are often retired of stock, though, sometimes for months astatine a time.
Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer for $135: This dryer comes pinch a concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment successful summation to its removable oscillating caput that mimics nan back-and-forth mobility you make pinch your hand. There are 3 power settings and 2 velocity settings, which is nan minimum standard. Panasonic besides claims nan dryer uses electrostatic daze to disperse h2o molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which mightiness trim hairsbreadth damage. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano tested nan compact type for $100, which she says makes for a awesome recreation hairsbreadth dryer.
Gama iQ2 Perfetto for $330: The iQ2 includes an auto-clean usability to automatically move disconnected should it overheat (it did not do this successful testing, thankfully). There's a mounting fastener truthful you tin barren your hairsbreadth without accidentally changing nan velocity aliases heat. Plus, it comes pinch a silicone thermal mat that puts nan dryer into standby mode erstwhile you spot it down, turning it backmost connected erstwhile you prime it up. This is adjuvant if you're sectioning disconnected strands and often person to put nan dryer down. But it's expensive, and nan microperforated magnetic mesh select screen tends to autumn off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Ionic Hair Dryer Better Than a Ceramic One?
Ionic hairsbreadth dryers merchandise ions that break down h2o molecules, which expedites drying clip and reduces frizz. They're suitable for each hairsbreadth types, but they're particularly amended for heavy and/or curly hair. Ceramic dryers are meant to administer power evenly, which is expected to trim power damage. Again, suitable for each hairsbreadth types, but particularly those pinch good hair.
What Features Should I Look for successful a High-Quality Hair Dryer?
Wattage: The powerfulness of a dryer is chiefly dictated by its wattage, typically ranging from 800 to 2,000 watts. Higher wattage intends faster drying times and much heat, but it tin besides mean a heavier dryer and higher power consumption.
Weight: A lightweight dryer tin make a large difference, particularly if you're styling your hairsbreadth daily. It reduces manus strain and provides amended maneuverability, making nan drying process much comfortable.
Heat and velocity settings: These settings find some nan somesthesia and airflow of your dryer. More adjustable options let you to personalize your acquisition and workout greater power complete your hair. I find a cool changeable fastener aliases mounting a must for locking successful my hairdo because I seldom usage hairspray.
Attachments: Choose 1 that comes pinch useful attachments, specified arsenic concentrator nozzles aliases diffusers, depending connected your hairsbreadth type and texture.
How to Fix Heat-Damaged Hair?
Disclaimer: You whitethorn request to speak to a hairstylist, particularly if your hairsbreadth was chemically treated.
A hair disguise aliases deep-conditioning treatment whitethorn beryllium nan first measurement to reconstruct your hair's earthy proteins and seal successful moisture. Your hairstylist whitethorn besides urge a haircut to trim nan surgery ends.
Finally, protect your hairsbreadth from further damage. Use a power protectant spray earlier blow-drying. The Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer is our favorite, but we besides emotion nan R+Co Hot Spell Thermotech Blow Out Balm for curly aliases heavy hair. For much recommendations, cheque retired our guideline to nan Best Heat Protectant Sprays. Get a value hairsbreadth towel to debar frizz and breakage. A regular assemblage towel is excessively unsmooth connected hair, particularly vulnerable curls. A plain aged fabric T-shirt useful awesome for drying, and you apt person 1 successful your closet that you nary longer wear. You'll find circumstantial hairsbreadth towels anyplace you shop for hairsbreadth products, but erstwhile WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano recommends TO112's Bamboo Wrap ($39).
We trial connected a assortment of hairsbreadth types, lengths, and textures. This includes but isn't constricted to fine, straight, thick, curly, and color-treated hair. Our testers unrecorded successful different climates—sticky cities for illustration New York, somesthesia swings successful Chicago, bedewed conditions successful Portland—so we're besides capable to measure really these hairsbreadth dryers grip frizz, static, and shine.
We measure weight, cord length, and dual-voltage compatibility for predominant travelers. Each exemplary is timed connected freshly washed hair, evaluated for drying time, power output, and airflow strength. We besides trial attachments and accessories for easiness of use, durability, and styling results.
Lastly, we behaviour semipermanent testing, utilizing each dryer for months to cheque for centrifugal wear, select maintenance, and immoderate wide capacity loss.
What Are We Testing Next?
Power up pinch unlimited entree to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber contented that's excessively important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(737x177:739x179)/60th-Academy-Of-Country-Music-Awards-acms-2025-shaboozey-lainey-wilson-kelsea-ballerini-050825-a951b17aa1284384938e2410bc768a87.jpg "The Best Dressed Stars at the 2025 ACM Awards")
English (US) · 
Indonesian (ID) ·