Top 10 Best Hair Dryers in 2021

We searched online for the most popular hair dryers, read the reviews, and ranked them to make it easy for you to choose! We also included a buying guide at the end with lots of information to help you style your hair and keep it looking at its best.

There are a ton of different hair dryers on the market - everything from small, fast-drying dryers to the more exclusive ones often seen at hair salons. What should you consider before investing in one, and what hair dryer suits your own hair texture?

It can also be confusing getting to know the different functions and settings and what they can do for your hair. Do the wattage, speed and material really make any difference? Of course they do!

You may or may not be surprised to know that it's not the heat level that's vital to keeping your hair protected, but to the wattage of the device. Here's what you should aim for.

Using a hair dryer with a high wattage gives you the option to lower the heat, preventing your hair from over-drying. This is essential for those with easily damaged, fine hair. We recommend looking for a hair dryer that is at least 1800 watts. Lucky for you, most of the hair dryers we chose in our ranking meet this standard!

With a low-wattage dryer you have less blowing power, meaning it will take longer to get your hair dry and you will in the process expose your hair to more heat than if you had a high-wattage device. This causes more damage to your hair.

A low-wattage dryer is at the same time not as long-lasting as a high-wattage hair dryer. Low-wattage dryers are usually much cheaper but may need to be replaced sooner. Most dryers designed for travel are low in terms of wattage, so make sure your home dryer has a higher one!

Depending on what material your hair dryer is made from, it will affect how powerful the hair dryer is. A good idea is to compare the different parts' materials to choose what features and qualities you want when blow-drying your hair. 

With a dryer with tourmaline parts, the heat comes out more gently during styling and will make your hair less frizzy and more shiny. This is because of the infrared heat, along with the negative ions, which makes sure that the hair can endure a higher heat-level and dry faster without suffering damage. 

With ceramic or porcelain parts, you blow dry your hair gently with their non-damaging infrared heat that adds heat protection. This also means the heat is consistent. Even if you choose a porcelain or ceramic blow dryer, though, you still need to be cautious and not continue to dry your hair when it's already dry. 

Choosing a hair dryer with titanium infusion will dry your hair super quickly compared to other materials, but it's not a good choice for those with thin, fragile hair. The high heat will create further damage to an already-sensitive hair strand. 

Besides different settings and heat speeds, it's also very important that your hair dryer is easy to use and fits well in your hand. If you are used to blow-drying your hair section by section, you will benefit from choosing a hair dryer that won't make you tired while drying your hair. 

Blow drying your hair with a brush often takes a bit of time, and holding your dryer over your head will eventually make you tired. 

Investing in a hair dryer with an ergonomic handle will not only make you feel more comfortable while using it; it will also spare your hands from the pain of holding your dryer the wrong way.

A lightweight dryer is one of the best dryers to start with if you do not have any styling experience. It's user-friendly and the fact that it's not heavy on your hands makes it easier to work with, especially when using a brush. 

This type of dryer is also the best choice for travel, where you would want to pack your suitcase as lightly as possible. 

When looking for a hair dryer, it's always a good idea to check what settings and features the dryer has. With different speeds, you can choose to fast-dry your hair or use a lower speed to prevent your hair from the risk of damage. 

With additional settings you can choose different heat levels and a cool air features, depending on your hair type and the look you're going for. 

A high-heat dryer works better for people with a thick and strong hair texture. If you also have curls, a high-heat hair dryer will get into the curls easily and dry your hair faster by evenly spreading the air flow. 

Even if you have a strong hair texture, though, don't forget to always use a nourishing serum or a spray before blow-drying your hair. 

If you have a hair type that is fragile and easily damaged, a lower heat setting on your hair dryer can do the trick. If you dry your hair on high-heat you risk over-drying it. 

Sure, it will take longer to get your hair completely dry, but it will save your hair from further damage. 

To get a finish with health and shine, you should choose a hair dryer with a cooling feature. By choosing the "cool shot" button, you style the hair with cooled air instead of hot. Many seem to forget this button, but it's there for a reason. 

This makes the style last longer and gives you a shiny, glossy look. A hair dryer with a cool air system seals the hair cuticle, preventing it from further damage and making your hair shiny without any frizz. It works the same way as washing your face with hot water and then using cold water to tighten pores.

Not all hair types and textures need the same care. Those with thin, fragile hair will need a different blow-dryer and settings than someone with thick, curly hair. Make sure you know what hair type you have before you decide which device to buy.

Fine hair often looks lifeless and dull. Just blow-drying your hair won't make it look the part. If you have a hair texture that easily becomes fragile, you need to invest in the right products. Use a heat protecting spray before blowing your hair and a spray that adds volume for a nice finish.

Besides working with different hair products, there are also hair dryers that will give your hair extra volume. With the right attachments, you can section-dry your hair to add loads of volume when using the right brush, angle and heat.

If you have sensitive skin, chances are your scalp is, too. Too much heat is damaging to the hair, especially if it's already dry from ends to roots. By using a low heat setting, you spare your hair and roots from further damage. 

If your hair texture is dry and you bleach or use hair dye in your hair on top of that, it is a recipe for disaster. Hair masks, hydrating shampoos and oil serums all play a part in taking care of your dry hair, but so does your blow dryer.  

There are hair dryers with an extra shine setting to prevent your hair from becoming frizzy when you dry it. But, to get the best result, always use a product especially made for dry texture in damp hair before switching on the blow dryer.

For curly and wavy hair, a standard blow dryer is not always strong enough. You need to invest in a hair dryer with high-heat for faster drying, since people with curls and waves often have thicker hair and more volume. Choose a hair dryer that dries your curls fast and evenly.

Having to travel often leaves you needing to plan and pack your suitcase wisely. Many hair dryers are unfortunately quite big and if you need to travel very light, bringing a huge hair dryer is not an option. 

A lightweight hair dryer doesn’t add weight or take much space in your suitcase. This is the smartest option if you need to bring your own hair dryer when traveling. 

Just because it's small doesn't mean that it won't do the job as well as bigger hair dryers. Many small-sized hair dryers also have the same type of attachments as the bigger dryers, making them perfect to bring with you on a vacation.

There are some hair dryers with smart connection technology with dual voltage, which means you can use your blow dryer anywhere in the world without an adapter, so no more searching for power plugs to fit the current country you are in!

A styler is perfect for beginners and people who want to dry and style at the same time. It's not only a smart blow dryer when it comes to saving time, but the fact that it combines two devices in one leaves you additional space in your drawer for other products and items.

Aside from the hair dryer itself, many devices have removable attachments that serve different purposes and change the style of your hair all with the same product.

One day, you might want to have shiny, straight hair; and the next, messy curls. It all depends on your style of clothes that day and what kind of look you're going for. With hair dryer attachments, you can achieve many different looks with just one device. 

With a diffuser attachment, you get a frizz-free drying experience that leaves curls intact, which is especially good for girls with curly or thick hair. The diffuser attachment looks like a bowl with holes in it to make the air go through. This way, less air is being directed to one area, making it much more gentle on strands while drying. 

A concentrator nozzle is exactly what the name implies. It makes sure the air from the blow dryer doesn't go in every direction, but that the airflow stays focused on the target of the drying. 

With a concentrator nozzle, you can dry specific sections at a time and add volume to the roots of you hair and bangs.

A good hair dryer can do wonders for dull, dry and non-styled hair. But let's be honest, without styling products, the perfect finishing look wouldn't be possible. Depending on what style you are going for, a good and nourishing product will make all the difference. 

Using a hair damage protection spray before blow drying your hair is essential for healthy, strong and nice looking hair. When your hair is exposed to the heat of a blow dryer, it can cause serious damage to your tresses. 

In many cases, hair damage is permanent. Hair is a collection of dead cells, and once they've been damaged they can't be repaired. By using hair damage protection you can prepare and prevent your fragile hair from permanent damage. It's a habit that will keep your hair healthy a lot longer!

When we think of hair mousse, we often think of the crazy and creative hair styles of the eighties. The fact of the matter is that hair mousse does wonders for a wavy and curly look. 

Putting mousse on damp hair makes the hair look fuller at the crown and the waves keep their shape all day long. Once you apply mousse evenly on damp hair, just leave it to air dry, and voila! 

A hair serum can soften, smooth and protect your hair from environmental damage and keep your hair soft and nourished. However, a hair serum should not be confused with hair oil.

A hair serum is a styling product used to coat the surface of your hair, containing many vitamins and nourishing ingredients. It tames frizz and also protects against humidity. Just make sure not to use hair serum at the roots of your hair to avoid greasy-looking hair.

For flat hair looking for a boost, a volume thickening spray is the perfect product to pump up the volume. 

A thickening spray gives a long-lasting lift, makes the hair look thicker and gives you the volume you always dreamed of. A thickening spray is perfect to use on damp hair just before a blow dry. 

A dry shampoo is the ultimate savior when you don't have time to wash and style your hair but desperately need to get rid of the oily and the dirty look. 

A dry shampoo is also perfect to "freshen up" your hair between washes, since it's not good for your hair to be washed too often.

To get the salty, summer beach look, you don't have to wait until you have a swim in saltwater. A saltwater spray will do the job no matter the season. 

Just spray over dry, wavy hair and the salt water spray will take care of the texture and keep your hair looking messy and sun-kissed. 

Beautiful hair needs more than just drying! We have a lot of other great articles to help you out!

A good hair dryer can do wonders for dull and damaged-looking hair. Besides giving your hair a good blow-dry, it can shape it and give your hair a totally different look with the right techniques and hair attachments. Make sure not to use too much heat while using the dryer to prevent your hair from damage and a dry, frizzy look.

There are plenty of hair dryers on the market today, ranging from quality budget dryers to professional ones with over-the-top prices. Whatever device you are looking for, make sure it’s not damaging to your tresses.

Writing: Vicky Taylor

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