The Best Hair Dryers

We tried blow-dryers, brushes, and a machine that sucks up your locks like a vacuum. These are our top tools to dry your do.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Featured in this article

Made for Curls
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL
Read more

$169 at Amazon

4 / 18

Having curly hair is a challenge. I used to let it air dry, but I couldn’t stand sitting with wet hair all day and ending up with frizzy curls. I needed to find the best hair dryer for my unmanageable locks. Even if you don’t use it every day, it’s good to have one on hand for certain situations—like when you’re rushing to work straight out of the shower, your finicky curls need to be diffused, or you crave smooth, glossy locks.

There’s an infinite number of hair dryers out there in every price range, and from a dizzying array of brands. If you have easy-to-manage hair that just needs to dry faster, you can probably go with any cheap dryer you find at your local CVS. But some of us have more temperamental hair that needs specific care. We’ve tried standard blow-dryers, blow-dry brushes, diffusers, and multi-use tools on coarse and fine hair. These are our favorites.

Be sure to read our other hair and beauty guides, including the Best Hair Straighteners and Best Curling Irons.

Updated May 2024: We’ve added the Tymo Airhype Hair Dryer to the honorable mentions. We’ve also moved the blow-dry brushes to their own guide.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Photograph: Hairitage
Best for Most People
Hairitage Comin' In Hot Dryer
You don't have to spend a lot to get a great hair dryer. Hairitage's Comin' In Hot Hair Dryer is compact, light, and costs just $40. For most people who need a basic dryer, this will be fine, and because the brand now has its own diffuser—something we noted it was lacking previously—us curlies can dry our hair on the cheap now too. There's also a comb attachment for stretching hair as you dry and the gray and rose-gold design is pretty, with an almost velvety-soft coating.
At the time of this writing, the diffuser is out of stock. If you need one, go with the Hot Tools below and we'll monitor to see if it's coming back.
Two speeds, three heat settings, a cold shot button, and uses ions.
$40 at Walmart
Photograph: Hot Tools
A Quiet Runner-Up
Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair
A lot of hair dryers claim to be quiet, and until recently, the Dyson Supersonic was the only dryer I’d tried that lived up to these claims. That was until I tested the Hot Tools Pro Artist Quietair. I usually can’t hear my 4-year-old shouting my name or asking for snacks while drying my hair, but with the Hot Tools Quietair, I could easily have a full-blown conversation with him without having to turn the dryer off, even with the speed set to high. It’s so quiet, in fact, it’s Quiet Mark–certified. Quiet Mark is an independent organization that assesses how much noise pollution household products produce.
I had expected the performance of this dryer to suffer a little to account for the lower noise, but it doesn’t seem like you have to sacrifice any power. Even on the low-heat/low-speed setting, it cut down dry time to only a few minutes and left my hair looking and feeling soft and smooth thanks to its anti-frizz, ionizing technology. The high-speed setting is so strong that when I put the dryer down while it was still switched on, it blew straight off my dresser! The official price is over $100, but it's worth waiting for the frequent sales that dip to around $60 or less.—Victoria Woollaston-Webber
Three speed settings and two heat settings, plus cool.
$55 at Amazon
$120 at Ulta

Photograph: DryBar
Best Upgrade
DryBar Buttercup
Its bright yellow design may be an acquired taste, but the DryBar Buttercup dryer is one of the best dryers I’ve tried for leaving my hair looking shiny and smooth, all in super quick time and without excess heat. This is one of a small number of dryers where the hottest heat setting doesn’t feel like it’s burning my scalp, even while I’m attempting to add volume to my roots.
It comes with two air concentrator nozzles, and both have small little notches cut into them. This seemingly helps with the distribution of heat and airflow and means that the Buttercup doesn’t end up overdrying the hair, which can cause it to look dry and frizzy. Instead, both attachments help to create shine, even on blonde hair. It’s a lightweight, well-balanced dryer too, even with the nozzles attached, and I never experienced any aching arms. Nor did I ever have trouble maneuvering it around my head.
Design-wise, the positioning of the speed and heat controls don’t quite work—I manage to change at least one of the settings accidentally every time I use this dryer—but this is a small complaint on an overall recommendation. —Victoria Woollaston-Webber
Two heat and speed settings, plus cool.
$199 at Amazon
$199 at Target
$199 at Drybar
Photograph: Bellissima
Made for Curls
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme Ionic XL
Bellissima's dryer is essentially one giant diffuser, and it works great for styling curls without making them frizzy and puffy. The diffuser tips are silicone, so they kind of feel nice on your scalp while drying your roots. I didn't think it would be comfortable to use a handleless hair dryer, but somehow it is—although I have to stop myself from holding it from the end, which is not recommended.
I have a lot of hair, which takes a long time to dry, and therefore, my only complaint was that I wanted one higher airflow setting. Bellissima says this is by design, though, as faster airflow could add frizz. I can't deny my hair looked pretty damn good. There is also a smaller, $99 version, but that one only has one temperature setting
Two speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button, and uses ions.
$169 at Amazon
$169 at Bellissima

Photograph: RevAir
The Best for Drying and Straightening in One
RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer (2022)
The RevAir has legitimately changed my life. It's the only thing to dramatically cut down on drying and styling time—and damage—when I want to wear my curls straight. I've been obsessed with the RevAir since trying it in 2021, and the 2022 updated version is smaller and lighter than the original, but it's more expensive and still a large device you'll need to store.
After sectioning your wet or damp hair, you feed each section into the wand, like a vacuum, and the device dries and straightens in one step. Tiny openings at the tip of the wand direct air out to dry your scalp, while the rest of your hair is dried with air going down, so you don't get frizzy. Crazy, I know, but it works. Wet curls went in and dry straight hair came out in around 30 seconds. I still had to use a flat iron to smooth my hair, because its natural state is a puff, but I used the RevAir on a friend whose curls are soft, fine, and down to her hips. She didn't have to use a flat iron at all. If I could splurge on one product for the rest of my life, it would be this.
Seven speeds/tensions and two temperature settings, plus a cold setting.
$399 at Amazon
$360 at Best Buy
Photograph: Dyson
If You’re a Dyson Loyalist
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson has made a thriving business by turning ordinary household products into premium consumer goods, including the compact Supersonic Hair Dryer (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It uses the same technology as the company's bladeless fans. The speed and heat settings are on the back of the barrel, so you won't accidentally hit them when you're styling. Plus, there's one more speed setting than with most of the above options. The Supersonic has what the company calls intelligent heat control that measures the temperature 40 times a second to prevent extreme heat damage. (This technology is also in its straightener at 100 times a second.)
It has a nice diffuser and two air concentrators that attach to the barrel magnetically. But like all Dyson products, it comes at a high price.
Three speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button, and uses ions.
$430 at Amazon
$430 at Ulta
$430 at Dyson

Photograph: Paul Mitchell
A Travel Hair Dryer
Paul Mitchell Neuro Grip Hair Dryer
Like with the Bellissima, it feels incredibly wrong to hold a hair dryer with no handle, but you get used to it. About halfway through drying my hair, I realized the Neuro Grip would be perfect for anyone who does blowouts the old-school way with a round brush and a separate dryer. Blowouts aren't my forte, but it's a lot more comfortable to hold the Neuro Grip at the necessary angles than a handled dryer. It's also great for traveling, because it takes up significantly less space and comes with a collapsible diffuser. We also like and trust this brand; Paul Mitchell flat irons have been a favorite of mine since I first used one in 2012.
Three speeds and three heat settings, plus a cold setting.
$154 at Amazon
$154 at Paul Mitchell
Photograph: Neslihan Ostrowski/Volo
A Surprisingly Nice Cordless Dryer
Volo Go Cordless Dryer
I was far more impressed by this dryer than I thought I would be. On the surface, it doesn't seem like it would work for most people: It has just one speed setting, and its heat settings are Cold, Full Heat (172 degrees Fahrenheit), or Smart, which automatically adjusts the heat as your hair dries. It also doesn't have a diffuser and it's very expensive. But alas, it became one of my favorites.
I've never been able to dry my hair in its natural state without a diffuser, unless I'm planning on going through it with a flat iron later. I thought the Volo would destroy my curls, but it didn't. The speed was just enough to dry the hair, but it doesn't blow it all over the place, so curls are left intact—some diffusers do more harm than this did. Likewise, it's hot enough to dry the hair, but doesn't burn your flesh as it flashes across your face. Being cordless is nice, but it's also its downfall. It weighs around 2.8 pounds, and that starts to feel heavy quickly. The battery only lasts roughly 25 minutes or so, which is usually not enough time for my hair to be completely dry. On a normal day, I only dry it halfway and plop my curls before or after (occasionally using Volo's own hair towel), but that could be a dealbreaker for some.
One speed and two heat settings, plus cold.
$450 at Volo

Photograph: Shark
A Dyson Dupe With Unique Attachments
Shark HyperAir Blow Dryer
The vacuum brand Shark has come for Dyson's hair care thrown with dupes for the brand's dryer and Airwrap (see more on that below). The powerful HyperAir comes with a brush attachment to turn it into a blow-dry brush. You rotate the attachment with a button on top for better positioning, which is a lot easier than trying to blow your hair out with a separate brush and dryer.
The nozzle of the air concentrator can expand or shrink depending on how you're styling—a lot of dryers come with two, so it's nice that this is a two-in-one. You can also shorten or lengthen the diffuser prongs, depending on your hair length and whether you want to dry the roots. There are straight and curly hair versions with specific attachments, and you can buy those separately. The prices have been fluctuating, and this model isn't available directly from Shark as of this writing, so we're not sure how long it will be around.
Three speeds, three heat settings plus a cold-shot button, and uses ions.
$150 at Amazon
Photograph: Zuvi
If You Prefer Less Heat
Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer
The Zuvi Halo Hair Dryer is expensive, but it works really well, drying hair quickly with way less heat than you'd expect. It does this by using infrared heat rather than convective heat, meaning it can dry your hair without making the entire room burn up to oven-like conditions. Zuvi says it heats just the outside of your hair instead of frying it deep to its core, which is difficult to test. That said, this dried my hair quicker and at a lower temperature than other models.
The Halo comes with a standard air concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment, but it includes a unique gentle air attachment that helps output even softer and cooler air. At CES 2024, L'Oreal announced it partnered with Zuvi to create the AirLight Pro dryer. It's for professionals only at first launch, but we'll try it when it's available for consumers.
Four settings that combine heat and speed, plus a cold shot by holding down the mode button.
$349 at Zuvi

Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Wet-to-Straight Tool That Doesn’t Sizzle
Dyson Airstrait Straightener
The Airstrait (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is Dyson's latest bit of innovation. It's a straightener, but uses airflow instead of two hot plates to dry and straighten hair simultaneously. This isn't the type of wet-to-dry styler you might remember burning your hair to a crisp in the ’00s; it actually works with less heat than a flat iron. You can also close the plates to use the device separately as a dryer. Though, if you don't plan on straightening it and only want to dry your hair, thinner hair will be easier to manage.
Results vary based on hair type. WIRED reviewer Brenda Stoylar had amazing results on her wet curls, but my coarser, curlier hair straightened better when it was damp or dry. I still prefer the RevAir.
$500 at Nordstrom
$499 at Amazon
$500 at Dyson
$500 at Ulta
Photograph: Shark
A Complete Hairstyling Tool
Shark FlexStyle Drying & Styling System
If you're intrigued by Shark's hair dryer, but also want a curling iron and a blow-dry brush, go with the brand's FlexStyle. It's a direct dupe of the Dyson Airwrap for significantly less cash. I think it even outshines Dyson because it's actually a full-fledged hair dryer with attachments, plus curling barrels and hot brushes. With the Airwrap, the dryer attachment is almost an afterthought—it's for people who don't have curls that are always fighting frizz. Like Shark's standalone dryer, there are bundles for straight or curly hair, plus a build-your-own option for $250.
Three speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button.
$300 at Amazon
$300 at Shark

Photograph: Revlon
A Blow-Dry Brush
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0
The Revlon Volumizer Plus is the newer, smaller, faster version of Revlon’s two-in-one styler. It has a 2-inch, oval-shaped hot brush barrel that dries and styles hair at the same time. I have fine, limp hair, and the Volumizer Plus is the only dryer I’ve used that gives me the bounce, volume, and movement I crave. It’s also quick—it dries and styles my hair in just under six minutes—and really easy, because you don’t have to be a blow-drying whizz to use it. It cuts out all the maneuvering that comes with using standard dryers and separate brushes.
It’s also great at bringing second-day hair back to life. The barrel is covered in nylon and charcoal pins, and the charcoal is said to help strip the hair of any build-up and “buff away” impurities. The brush is detachable, which makes it easy to store or travel with. Note: Make sure not to confuse this with Revlon’s original One-Step dryer, which had to be recalled in the UK in 2020 over reports of overheating and safety. —Victoria Woollaston-Webber
Two speeds and two heat settings, plus cool.
$40 at Amazon
$37 at Walmart
Photograph: Chi
The Lightest, Thinnest Dryers We Tried
Upgrades Worth Considering
From the time the first hair dryer was introduced for home use in the 1920s, every one looked nearly identical until Dyson debuted its Supersonic dryer in 2016, which matched the design of its bladeless fans. Now, several companies are adapting their drying tech into the lightest, thinnest package possible, looking more like a heat gun than a hair dryer (I guess these are a type of heat gun, technically).
I've used these three. They're each less than a pound, relatively quiet, and have self-cleaning functions—you take the filter cover off the back and activate cleaning mode; the dryers shoot air in reverse to push dust and debris out. While each one stands out on its own, I wish I could combine all three for one perfect dryer.
Chi Lava Pro for $337: This one is slightly lighter than the other two. It has an LED screen indicating the exact temperature, which is a nice but rare feature, and there are four heat settings from cool to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The big flaw, however, is that far too much air comes through the diffuser, blowing hair around more than should happen with that attachment.
Gama IQ2 Perfetto for $450: The Gama dryer is sleek and includes a safety feature to automatically turn off should it overheat (it did not do this in testing, thankfully). There's a setting lock so you can dry your hair without accidentally changing the speed or heat. Plus, it comes with a silicone mat that puts the dryer into standby mode automatically when you place it down, turning back on when you pick it up. This is really helpful if you're sectioning off hair for a blowout, and frequently have to put the dryer down. But it's expensive and the magnetic filter cover constantly falls off.
Bio Ionic Smart-X High-Efficiency Dryer for $329: This Bio Ionic also has a settings lock, which I now believe should be on every styling tool. I prefer the look of this one the best, however, it doesn't come with a diffuser, which I think should be standard at this price point.

Photograph: Bed Head
More Great Blow-Dryers
Honorable Mentions
There are simply too many hair dryers out there. Here are a few more we've tried and like.
Tymo Airhype Hair Dryer for $130: I love Tymo’s Ring straightener comb, so I was excited to try the brand’s dryer. It’s compact, with attachments that magnetically attach, including a great diffuser and comb. There’s also a digital screen so you know exactly what temperature you’re using. It’s a great hair dryer; I was just expecting it to be a bit more affordable given the price of its other products. If you see it with a solid discount, grab it.
InfinitiPro by Conair Hair Dryer for $40: If you don't use a dryer every day, this is a great budget option. Its low setting is higher than some of the others on this list, so it will work faster on frizz-prone curls.
DevaCurl DevaDryer for $180: This is a favorite among Curly Sues. The dryer is light and easy to maneuver, but the diffuser is the star here. It looks like a big green hand, mimicking the effects of hand scrunching, and it gets right into your roots to create volume and definition. The brand sells a universal version of its diffuser for $55 that might fit a dryer you already have.
Shark SpeedStyle for $200: Shark's SpeedStyle is smaller and lighter than the HyperAir. It's not as powerful, and it took a little longer to dry my very thick hair, but it still does a great job at drying and styling. I was most impressed by the RapidGloss Finisher that tamed what I thought was forever frizz.
T3 Aireluxe for $200: Oh how I love this dryer. It's constructed out of plastic, but that makes it so light and effortless to use. There are five heat and three speed settings. It lacks a diffuser but the brand now has a dryer that comes with one. We'll try that one soon.
Laifen SE Hair Dryer for $130: The SE is compact and comes in pretty color. Importantly, it really did dry my hair quickly. It claims to dry a full head of hair in 10 to 15 minutes. It took me around 45 minutes, but I have more hair than multiple people combined. It does it without singeing your head off—it has settings for 122 and 176 degrees Fahrenheit. After a few months, though, the diffuser fell off and separated mid-dry so be careful.
Kosa The Triple Threat Blow-Dryer for $159: This hair dryer is basic, but I find myself reaching for it often. It's light and compact, similar to the Hairitage, which made those longer sessions easier to handle. The diffuser is nice and big too. I just think it's expensive for what it is.
Bed Head Curls in Check Diffuser Hair Dryer for $35: Everything about the Bed Head brand screams ’90s in the best way, including the design of this hair dryer. It's cheap and works nicely to dry curls without disrupting their pattern. It's super light and thin, and at 4 inches wide, the mouth of the dryer is larger than any I've seen. However, I wish there was a medium speed setting, because the low setting is too low, and high can cause frizz in some hair, even with the diffuser.
Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer for $160: This dryer comes with a few attachments, including an oscillating quick-dry nozzle that rapidly moves side to side as you dry, mimicking the back and forth motion you might make with your hand. The low setting was too low for me, and the high was too much for my hair. But if you don't use the diffuser, I like the oscillating nozzle a lot. Panasonic also claims the dryer uses electrostatic shock to disperse water molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which might reduce damage. There's also a compact version for $100 that's a great travel ahir dryer.
Dyson Airwrap for $600: We think the Shark FlexStyle is a better price, but if you're set on Dyson, the Airwrap was updated recently with slightly redesigned attachments. The primary attraction is the curling wands, but there are three different types of hot brushes for blowouts too.
Photograph: Amazon
You Need This Dryer Hood
Bonnet Hood Dryer Attachment
Even the best, most powerful hair dryers on this list can't give me results like this $20 dryer hood attachment does. It works to dry all hair types, but curlies will probably see the most benefit, especially if diffusing usually takes more than an hour for you.
It fits any standard hair dryer—larger mouth ones like the Shark and Dyson will need to use their concentrator attachments. As the air from the dryer travels up the hose, it inflates the inside of the hood, releasing air through its many ventilation holes. Your hair dries quickly and evenly.
$19 at Amazon

Photograph: Rizos Curls
More Dryer Accessories
To Pair With Your Hot Tools
A good hair dryer can't always stand alone. You might need a few other accessories.
Get a diffuser if your dryer doesn't come with one. The Rizos Curls Travel Diffuser ($20) is affordable and compact, and does the job. It folds into itself, so you can easily store it or pack it in a bag. It also fits most dryers, because it can be attached in two ways: Slip it over a standard, long and thin barrel as is, or fold the attachment part inward to create an opening to grip onto wider barrels, like on the Hairitage dryer. It won't fit super-wide dryers like the Dyson, but those come with their own.
Get a quality hair towel to avoid frizz and breakage. A regular body towel is too rough on hair, especially fragile curls. A plain old cotton T-shirt works great for drying, and you likely have one in your closet that you no longer wear. You'll find specific hair towels anywhere you shop for hair products, but I love the extra large Aquis Microfiber Hair Towel ($25) and TO112's Bamboo Wrap ($39). Bamboo is also better for the environment than microfiber, which is made from plastic.
Use a heat protectant. You can use sprays before you start drying to keep your hair safe. Chi's 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection ($14) comes highly recommended. Moroccanoil also makes solid products, but they cost a bit more.
Photograph: Getty Images
A Glossary of Hair Dryer Terms
Before You Buy
Air Concentrator Nozzle: Most dryers come with diffusers and concentrators. The latter directs air only to where you're pointing it, so your hair doesn't blow all over the place if you're using a brush. This also works well for drying bangs. If you have curly hair, opt for a diffuser instead.
Diffuser: Diffusers disperse the air around your curls so it doesn't disrupt the natural curl patterns and cause frizz. If you've ever used a blow-dryer on curly or wavy hair without one, you know the mess it causes. A diffuser is best for curls, but if you have frizz-prone hair of any type, it might make a difference in your styling.
Ions: As we explain in our hair straightener guide, negative ions help reduce frizz and increase shine. Abra McField, founder of Abra Kadabra Hair and Healing, explains that ionic hair dryers reduce the water's surface tension and help break up water droplets. She says that if you have fine hair and want volume, you may not like ions.
Cool Shot Button: Blasting cold air after you heat dry can help set a style in place and reduce frizz. Most hair dryers have either a cool setting and/or a cool shot button that's even colder. The stand-alone button is for ending each section with cold air without having to change the settings back once you move on to another section.
Speed and Heat Settings: These settings control the rate at which air is blown out of the dryer and the temperature of the air, in addition to the separate cold button. We prefer hair dryers with more options.

Medea Giordano turned her shopping problem into a career as a product writer for WIRED. She covers a little bit of everything but loves health, beauty, and pet tech. Prior to WIRED, she was an assistant editor at Wirecutter and an assistant in the newsroom of The New York Times.... Read more

Writer and Reviewer

Victoria Woollaston-Webber is a freelance journalist, editor and founder of science-led health, beauty and grooming sites, mamabella and MBman. She has more than a decade's experience in both online and print journalism, having written about tech and gadgets since day one for national papers, magazines and global brands. Victoria specializes in... Read more

Wired Contributor

TopicsShopping fashion & beauty household buying guides home