In my years of reviewing beauty tech, it was upgrading my hair dryer that made the biggest difference to my beauty 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 again.
My clunky, bargain-bucket hair dryer of seven years was weighty, deafeningly loud, and took a painstaking 20 minutes to dry my hair completely. So happier days really did arrive when I switched it up for a new model.
My current hair dryer uses a lightweight digital motor that’s not only far quieter, but is also powerful enough to dry my hair in just five minutes. It seems modern hair dryers have stepped up their game. Here, you’ll find the best hair dryers I’ve ever tested, from gentle options with diffusers for curly hair to ultra-fast models that shave significant time off your morning routine. You’ll also find expert hair-drying guidance from celebrity hairstylist Melissa Timperley.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
I’ve been reviewing beauty products for four years and have amassed a near-encyclopaedic knowledge of hair care. I’ve attended countless styling masterclasses, interviewed hair stylists, and completed a cosmetic science course where I learned exactly how hair growth, styling and care work at a cellular level.
I’ve tested and reviewed more than 57 hair-styling tools – including hair dryers, curlers, hot brushes, wavers and straighteners – from big-name brands and newcomers alike. And perhaps most impressively, I’ve walked away with my hair healthy and intact.
How I tested
Having researched the most popular brands and models, I put 18 hair dryers through their paces for this test. I also spoke to a hair stylist to find out what she looks for in a hair dryer, then cherrypicked the best 10 from my tests to include here.
I used an anemometer to test each model’s maximum wind speed, which ranged from a measly 16 metres a second (m/s) to a mind-boggling 48m/s, and also a sound meter to measure noise levels from 15cm away.
Claims of “enhanced shine or smoothness” aren’t quantifiable, but I did use every hair dryer to complete the same task, noting how long it took to rough-dry hair and then to finish. I also tried my hand at using a round brush to achieve a smooth, bouncy blowout. While I’m no professional at this, it did allow me to make a judgment about how easy a hair dryer’s controls are to use, how precise and versatile its settings are, and comfort levels over the course of styling.
When testing was complete, I returned the samples to the manufacturers who sent them. If samples could not be returned, they were sent to the Redbridge Reach Out domestic abuse service, who provide support and refuge for survivors.
The best hair dryers in 2025
Best hair dryer overall:
Hershesons the Great
Testing the Hershesons the Great hair dryer confirmed my belief that there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. This hair dryer perfects the basics and irons out any common niggles. It’s the lightest option I’ve ever tested, almost the quickest – and an easy recommendation.
Why we love it
The Great hair dryer has four speeds, three heat settings and a cool shot. It reached a super-fast 38.4m/s in my tests, rough-drying my hair in less than five minutes, and leaving it soft and healthy-looking.
You change the settings using buttons on the hair dryer’s handle, which can then be locked into place. This is unlike button controls on other models, which can be accidentally pressed mid-use.
One distinctive feature of the Hershesons hair dryer, and something that goes a long way to justify its premium price, is its heat-proof mat. This will automatically switch off the dryer when it’s placed on to it, resuming again once it’s lifted. I found this invaluable when blow-drying my hair with a round brush, since I could plonk the hair dryer down to section my hair without having to faff around with the controls.
Add on two concentrator nozzles, a diffuser, a fabric bag and a sturdier storage case, and the Great is a hair dryer that truly feels designed with the user in mind.
It’s a shame that … it’s so expensive. Next to hair dryers with magnetic attachments, the push-on system here also felt archaic and made it more difficult to switch out tools.
Weight (without wire): 294g
Cord length: 2.75m
Heat settings (including cool shot): four
Speed settings: four
Attachments: concentrator nozzles and a diffuser
Maximum wind speed: 38.4m/s
Volume range: 82-86dB
Best budget hair dryer:
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion
If you ever struggle with frizzy hair after blow-drying, chances are you need an ionic dryer. This budget-friendly BaByliss option has a good range of speed and heat settings, a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser, making it suitable for numerous hair types. Furthermore, thanks to its 2,100W motor, its 26.4m/s maximum wind speed rivals some of the pricier options on this page.
Why we love it
It was immediately clear that the Hydro-Fusion was well built and powerful. It rough-dried my hair in about 10 minutes, leaving it feeling healthy and totally free from frizz and flyaways. Despite this power, it’s quieter than many of the models here, too.
Attachments securely clicked into place and stayed on without issue while I completed my round-brush blow-dry test. I found the hair dryer’s two speed settings offered plenty of control for more precise styling, and the cool shot came through quickly compared with other cheaper hair dryers I’ve tested. Once styled, my hair was bouncy and shiny, with a frizz-free finish that lasted multiple days.
It’s a shame that … its design is pretty basic; there are no frills here. A few more colour options would have been welcome, too, but you’re unlikely to find a better hair dryer for the price.
Weight (without wire): 430g
Cord length: 2.5m
Heat settings (including cool shot): four
Speed settings: two
Attachments: concentrator nozzle and a diffuser
Maximum wind speed: 26.4m/s
Volume range: 78-85dB
Best hair dryer for curly hair:
Panasonic Nanoe Moisture+
As counterintuitive as it sounds, this hair dryer adds moisture to your hair. Panasonic’s Nanoe technology creates microscopic water droplets that penetrate the hair’s cuticle to add extra moisture to the hair’s deepest layers. It claims this helps to reduce colour fading, flyaways, split ends and breakage.
Why we love it
I tested the Panasonic EH NA0J hair dryer after several hair washes and found its distinctive shape intuitive to use. For rough-drying, I used heat and the fastest speed setting (23.4m/s), and was impressed at how quickly the hair dryer worked its magic (in about 10 minutes).
Compared with the other models here, the Nanoe appeared to separate wet clumps of hair into smaller sections, drying strands faster. Despite using the one and only heat setting, my hair felt smooth and healthy after a rough dry. And when attempting the round-brush blow-dry, the Nanoe set the style quickly using its cool shot.
This hair dryer is particularly good at gently diffusing curly and coily hair types. The diffuser attachment locks securely on to the front of the body, and its long prongs are well designed to spread air gently from the root to the tip of a curl. Add in its moisturising capabilities, and you’ll be left with soft, shiny, healthier curls with each use.
It’s a shame that … it has only one heat setting. Instead, the Nanoe offers multiple modes: alternating hot and cold for preserving shine; a scalp care mode and a skin care mode. These won’t be right for every user, particularly if you like adjusting the heat levels manually. But if your hair needs extra nourishment, this hair dryer is worth a shot.
Weight (without wire): 460g
Cord length: 2.7m
Heat settings (including cool shot): one (plus scalp care and alternating modes)
Speed settings: three
Attachments: concentrator nozzle and a diffuser
Maximum wind speed: 23.4m/s
Volume range: 73-84dB
Best lightweight hair dryer:
Head Jog Futaria
This is the fastest hair dryer I’ve ever tested, and weighing in at 304g, the Futaria is just 10g heavier than the lightest option – the Hershesons above. It was the dark horse here; I hadn’t encountered Head Jog before my most recent round of testing, but with its super-fast wind speeds of 43.8m/s and reasonable price point, it’s an easy favourite.
Why we love it
The Futaria hair dryer packs a serious punch, rough-drying my hair in a blisteringly quick four minutes. Thanks to its three speed and four heat settings, I could master a precise round-brush blow-dry without much effort at all. Personally, I found the wider concentrator nozzle best for styling larger sections of hair, which sped up the process even further.
The digital motor also makes the Futaria relatively quiet, and despite its light weight, the design feels sturdy and evenly weighted, plus its rear filter is easy to clean and maintain. As such, this model is perfect for use in busy salons to reduce wrist strain and maximise time efficiency. And those of us at home will also benefit from the dryer’s sleek design, which is available in blue, pink and black.
It’s a shame that … since it’s tailored to professional stylists, it’s not as widely stocked as other hair dryers. Also, those concerned about damage may find the knock-your-socks-off power a little much. That said, if you’re careful with the highest intensity settings, and use a heat protection spray, you shouldn’t fry your hair.
Weight (without wire): 304g
Cord length: 3m
Heat settings (including cool shot): four
Speed settings: three
Attachments: two concentrator nozzles and a diffuser
Maximum wind speed: 43.8m/s
Volume range: 78-84dB
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The best of the rest
Parlux 3200 Plus
Best for: fuss-free styling
Italian brand Parlux is well known for making high-quality, powerful, long-lasting hair dryers. According to the brand, the Parlux 3200 Plus (previously Compact) is the most widely used professional hair dryer on the market. I found it well balanced and comfortable in the hand and liked its tactile, retro-feeling switches.
During testing, it dried my hair incredibly quickly, leaving a glossy, frizz-free finish. That’s thanks to the inclusion of Parlux’s K-lamination motor, which provides the power of a 2,800W motor while using only 1,900W. The hair dryer is available in a wide range of colours, and is a stylish option – if you can look past the box, which looks freshly fished from the early 2000s.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s heavier than other options here, plus it lacks the design refinements of more expensive models.
Weight (without wire): 588g; cord length: 3m; heat settings (including cool shot): three; speed settings: two; attachments: two concentrator nozzles; maximum wind speed: 26m/s; volume range: 80-85dB
Cloud Nine the Airshot Pro
Best for: quiet operation
Taking both the highest and lowest noise levels into account, the Airshot Pro is the quietest hair dryer I’ve tested. In addition, my hair was left with gorgeous shine thanks to the Sericite-infused heat tech that features in Cloud Nine’s heat-styling tools.
As well as offering a great range of temperature controls, with a continuous cool shot option, the Airshot’s magnetic concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachments proved secure and suited to a range of hair types.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it lacks a dedicated cool shot button, and it’s not as speedy as others in this price range. Still, some may be swayed by its quiet operation.
Weight (without wire): 448g; cord length: 3m; heat settings (including cool shot): four; speed settings: three; attachments: two concentrator nozzles, diffuser; maximum wind speed: 23.8m/s; volume range: 75-79dB
Bellissima B-travel
The dinky Belissima B-travel hair dryer is a brilliant option for trips and holidays. It has dual-voltage controls, so you can use it wherever you are in the world. Its folding handle and carry case keep everything safe in transit, and it feels very sturdy considering its price.
Unlike most hotel hair dryers, which only let out a pathetic trickle of air, this hair dryer provides wind speeds of up to 18.9m/s – faster than some full-size options I’ve reviewed and highly impressive given the hair dryer’s light weight. You also get a concentrator nozzle for precision styling and two speed options.
It didn’t make the final cut because … there’s one control switch, so you can’t adjust the heat setting independently from the speed settings, and the difference between the two heat settings is negligible. Its travel-based use case is limited; for the same price, you’d be better off investing in an alternative with multiple temperature settings to use at home.
Weight (without wire): 305g; cord length: 1.8m; heat settings (including cool shot): two; speed settings: two; attachments: concentrator nozzle; maximum wind speed: 18.9m/s; volume range: 79-84dB
Gtech DryOnic
Best for: precise temperature controls
One of my biggest bugbears with hair dryers is that you never quite know how much heat you’re using on your hair. Thankfully, the Gtech DryOnic has a screen on the back that displays the airflow setting and its temperature. With temperatures that range from 40-100C, you can make precise adjustments for your hair type.
I found the various airflow settings useful and liked how securely the magnetic concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachments fitted on to the dryer. After styling, my hair felt soft and hydrated, with minimal frizz.
It didn’t make the the final cut because … it’s not quite as quick as others here at a similar price, and its 2m cord isn’t quite long enough for my liking. I also found it too easy to accidentally press the buttons and change the temperature midway through styling.
Weight (without wire): 426g; cord length: 2m; heat settings (including cool shot): five; speed settings: four; attachments: concentrator nozzle and diffuser; maximum wind speed: 18.8m/s; volume range: 78-85dB
Remington Shine Therapy
Best for: tight budgets
This lesser-known hair dryer is the sister product to the popular Remington Shine Therapy hair straighteners. It offers equally brilliant value and is designed to add shine to the hair using ionic technology.
While difficult to quantify in tests, I found the hair dryer did dry my hair relatively quickly and left it shiny and smooth after a round-brush blow-dry. Multiple heat and speed settings, plus a concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment, make it a good option for all hair types.
It didn’t make the cut because … of its short 1.8m cord and the fact it’s pretty noisy compared with other models here. That said, it can’t be beaten on price and is a sensible choice if you’re hoping to upgrade an old hair dryer on a budget.
Weight (without wire): 449g; cord length: 1.8m; heat/cool settings: four; speed settings: two; attachments: concentrator nozzle and diffuser; maximum wind speed: 18.6m/s; volume range: 84-89dB
What you need to know
I interviewed Melissa Timperley, hair stylist and founder of Melissa Salons, to discover her tips for choosing a hair dryer. “When it comes to protecting your hair and achieving the style you want, the tool you use matters just as much as the products you pair it with,” she says.
What features should I look for?
According to Timperley, the key features are adjustable speed and heat settings, which “allow for better control and protection, depending on your hair type and styling needs”. Look for hair dryers with a cool shot button, too, which “help to seal the cuticle and set your style”.
Design-wise, consider weight, which is “especially important for longer hair or professional use” to prevent arm strain. Also look for a dryer that has a removable or self-cleaning filter, as “this makes cleaning and maintenance easy, which helps preserve motor life”.
What to avoid when choosing a dryer
Timperley warns that there are some features, or omissions, that could be detrimental to hair health. It’s best to avoid “single-setting dryers that don’t allow heat or speed control”, as well as low-wattage dryers under 1,800W, because “they often take longer to dry hair, exposing it to heat for too long”.
However, some of the dryers I’ve chosen here are below 1,800W. That’s because these use digital motors, which are smaller and lighter than brushed motors and produce faster airflow. That means, in those cases, the difference in drying speeds is negligible.
She also warns against buying “heavy, bulky dryers that are uncomfortable to use regularly” and “poor-quality nozzles or diffusers that don’t fit securely or distribute air properly”.
Put simply, she says: “If the dryer doesn’t clearly list its motor type, wattage or heat settings, that’s a red flag.”
What makes a hair dryer good for different hair types?
Picking out the right hair dryer for your hair type can be challenging. “The best hair dryers cater to your hair’s specific needs – whether that’s smoothing frizz, protecting fine strands or cutting through thick, coarse textures,” says Timperley.
For fine or damaged hair, Timperley advises looking for “lower heat settings and a ceramic or tourmaline dryer that distributes heat more gently”. For thick or coarse hair, “higher wattage and powerful airflow are essential – infrared, ionic and titanium dryers are great for cutting drying time without excessive heat”. And finally, for curly or textured hair, “a diffuser attachment is key, as is a dryer that offers heat control without sacrificing volume or natural texture”.
What’s the difference between ionic and ceramic hair dryers?
“Ionic hair dryers emit negative ions that help break down water molecules faster, reducing drying time and frizz,” says Timperley. “They’re great for smoothing and shine, especially if you have thick, frizzy or unruly hair.”
Conversely, “ceramic hair dryers use ceramic heating elements to distribute heat evenly, which helps prevent hotspots and damage. They’re ideal for fine or delicate hair”.
“Some of the best hair dryers,” says Timperley, “combine both technologies, giving you faster drying without sacrificing hair health.”
Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who specialises in health and beauty reviews. In her four years of product testing, she’s worked her way through countless hair styling, hair removal, light therapy and skincare tools. In her spare time, you’ll find her lightly scolding her friends for not wearing SPF or getting sucked into a Vinted wormhole