Everyone knows how tough it is to achieve a perfect silky salon blowout at home. The effort to section your hair and hold a brush and hair dryer at the same time takes great patience — not to mention strength and coordination. Thankfully, mastering the art of blow drying your hair like a pro is much easier today: Advanced technologies, along with settings and additional attachments to help add volume and shine to your hair, are all being added to ensure a smooth salon finish. “Hair dryers are smaller with much more power,” says celebrity hairstylist Courtney Foster, owner of Courtney Foster Beauty in New York. “Blow dryers don’t look like blow dryers anymore."
To find out which hair dryers are worth considering for that perfect salon finish, we consulted hairstylists for their expert recommendations. They also explained the difference between ceramic, tourmaline, titanium and ionic technologies and offered insight on which factors are most important to consider when shopping for a quality hair dryer.
SKIP AHEAD How we picked the best hair dryers | Best hair dryers to shop
Our top picks
- Best overall:Dyson Supersonic
- Best for thick, coarse hair: BaByliss Nano Titanium Portofino
- Best for curly hair: T3 AireLuxe
- Best affordable: Wavytalk Professional Ionic
- Best splurge: Gama Professional IQ
How we picked the best hair dryers
Hair dryers today have so many variables — such as the number of power levels, attachments, heat controls and type of technology — it’s difficult to know which one will give you the best results for your specific hair type. Regardless of whether your hair is thick, straight, wavy, curly or coily, our experts said the following key elements are most important to keep in mind when exploring the dozens of options out there:
- Wattage: According to the hairstylists we spoke to, hair dryer wattage is a key measure of performance. “The higher the better,” says Jenna Lothrop, master stylist at Samantha’s Hair Studio in Chatham, Massachusetts. That’s because the higher the wattage, the more powerful the airflow, so your hair dries quicker, which equates to to less heat and thus less risk of damaging your hair.
- Speed settings: It is important for hair dryers to have at least three speed settings — low, medium and high — so you can adjust it for proper styling, says Lothrop., starting with a higher speed on wet hair.
- Heat settings: Three heat settings — cool, warm and hot — is ideal, says Lothrop. Too high a heat can cause damage, so our experts recommend reducing the temperature once your hair is about 75% dry.
- Attachments: The stylists we spoke to recommended looking for a hair dryer that comes with attachments, such as a diffuser and concentrator nozzle.
- Technology: All of the hair dryers we researched come with tourmaline, ceramic, ionic and titanium (or a combination of two) — each designed to distribute heat more effectively for healthier results.
- Cool shot button: Most professional hair dryers have a cool shot button, a burst of cool air that seals the cuticle so your hair stays in place, experts say.
Best hair dryers to shop
These blow dryer options feature a number of settings for airflow and temperature control and are ideal for a variety of hair types, including straight, wavy, curly and coily (defined ringlets that are springy and dense). They are all available across retailers like Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom and Walmart, or directly through brands like Dyson. We have included both expert-recommended options as well as highly rated options that align with our experts’ guidance.
Best overall hair dryer: Dyson
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
The Supersonic has all the key factors our stylists say are most important, so it’s not surprising Dyson’s unique-looking machine tops their list. It has four precise heat settings, three airflow settings and comes with five styling attachments — including a diffuser, styling concentrator, flyaway attachment, gentle air attachment and a wide-tooth comb — making it ideal for all hair types, according to the brand. Foster calls the Supersonic her "all-time favorite blow dryer," noting that "it prevents heat damage by [self-regulating] direct heat on the hair strands, eliminating frizz and providing high shine, which is crucial when it comes to getting the perfect blowout.” In fact, the Supersonic checks the temperature over 40 times a second to prevent damage to your hair.
It’s “a great at-home option for clients,” says celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation, adding that since the air suction is in the handle of the dryer, “you no longer worry about getting your hair sucked into the machine.”
Wattage: 1600 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 4 | Technology: Ionizer | Attachments: 5 | Cool Shot Button: Yes| Hair type: All
Best Dyson Supersonic rival: Shark HyperAir
Shark HyperAIR Fast-Drying with IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator
Like the Dyson, Shark is a vacuum company that has ventured into the hair tool space with their HyperAir, which experts say rivals Dyson’s Supersonic and has a much friendlier price tag. The HyperAir’s dual optical sensors recognize hair thickness and texture and automatically set the appropriate airflow and temperature settings for you. Otherwise, you can manually shift between its three heat and three airflow settings, based on your preference. By combining high-velocity heated air with ionized air, the HyperAir is fast-drying and achieves smoothness and shine without the frizz and flyaways, says Shark. It comes with three attachments: HyperAir’s IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator to focus airflow in a targeted area; an IQ Styling Brush, which has both detangling and smoothing bristles; and an IQ Curl Defining Diffuser for even drying from root to tip. The Shark has a 4.3-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon.
Wattage: 1680 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: Ionizer | Attachments: 3 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All
Best 2-in-1 hair dryers: Revlon and Conair
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer
“[These brush dryers] are all the rage,” Foster says, because they simplify the hairstyling process by simultaneously brushing your strands while drying your hair. This highly rated Revlon tool has nylon and tufted bristles designed to detangle and get close to the roots to create volume, according to the brand. Revlon’s One-Step has three heat settings and three speed settings, along with a cooling feature to help your style last longer. It has both ionic technology to dry your hair quickly, as well as ceramic to distribute heat evenly, according to the brand. “It’s the ease of using it that makes it attractive, and it gives you that salon finish,” says Karla Marabello, owner of K’Bello Organic Hair in New Jersey, adding that the Revlon One-Step is ideal for thick and curly hair.
Wattage: 1100 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: Ionic and Ceramic | Attachments: None | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair types: All, but especially thick or curly hair
InfinitiPRO by Conair Frizz-Free Hot Air Brush
Foster prefers the Conair to the Revlon because of its powerful ion generator that reduces frizz. This model has a 1.5-inch titanium ceramic-coated barrel that distributes heat evenly, and its ionic technology ensures a no-frizz blowout, according to the brand. It has a 4.1-star average rating from more than 1600 reviews on Amazon.
Wattage: 500 | No. of speed settings: 1 | No. of heat settings: 2, plus a cool setting | Technology: Ionic | Attachments: 0 | Cool Shot Button: No | Hair type: All
Best lightweight hair dryer: ghd
ghd Helios hair dryer
The ghd Helios is one of Nation’s all-time favorites because it’s both extremely powerful and it uses ionic technology, which means it can dry long, thick hair super fast without damaging it, he says. It also weighs just 1.7 pounds. Unlike many other hair dryers, which have AC motors that use carbon brushes, the ghd uses a DC brushless motor, which relies on magnets and electronics to drive the motor, extending the lifetime of the dryer about tenfold, say our experts. The ghd also has acoustic technology built in to ensure a low sound level and features three heat and two speed settings. It is also ergonomically balanced to make it easier to manage while styling, according to ghd. Marabello says a lighter, smaller dryer like this one is best for clients to use on their own because they can manipulate it better when also holding a brush. One caveat, though, is that it comes with only one attachment — a contouring nozzle — but ghd just released a compatible diffuser, which is available for purchase separately.
Wattage: 1875 | No. of speed settings: 2 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: Ionic | Attachments: 1 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All, but especially good for long, thick hair
Best for thick, coarse hair: BaByliss
BaByliss Nano Titanium Portofino
At 2000 watts, this hair dryer is one of the more powerful ones on our list, making it a good option for people with thick, coarse hair, according to our experts. That’s because the BaByliss will dry hair faster, resulting in less damage. Foster uses this hair dryer in her salon and recommends it to her clients. The BaByliss is also one of Marabello’s favorites. “I love it because it is super lightweight and I can go all day blowing out and [won’t] have an ache in my shoulder,” she says. Foster notes that because the blow dryer is infused with nano titanium properties, it helps prepare hair in the blowout process by removing static and closing the hair cuticles. The ionic dryer comes with two concentrator nozzles, but the diffuser must be purchased separately.
Wattage: 2000 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: Nano titanium ionic | Attachments: 2 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All, especially thick and coarse hair
Best salon-level hair dryer: Harry Josh Pro
Harry Josh Pro Tools Ultra Light Pro Dryer
Foster and Nation both agree that this lightweight professional-grade hair dryer packs a powerful punch. “As soon as you turn it on, [your hair] dries quickly,” said Foster, adding that it also stores very easily. It weighs less than 1 pound, so it's lightweight enough to hold when you're drying your hair at home. If you like to hold your nozzle while drying your strands, you can also purchase the Long Nozzle Concentrator, which uses patented Cool Air Flex Technology so you don't accidentally burn your hands. Harry Josh Pro Tools says the blow dryer’s dual filtration system helps reduce energy consumption, and it comes with an 11-foot extension cord. Nation says that if you want a slightly more affordable option, opt for the Pro Dryer 2000, which is his “favorite luxury hair dryer hands down.”
Wattage: 1600 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 4 | Technology: Ionic | Attachments: 5 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All
Best affordable hair dryers: Red Pro and Wavytalk
Red by Kiss Ceramic 3200 Turbo Dryer
“This Red packs a punch,” Foster says. Ideal for both straight and curly hair, this dryer is lightweight at just 1 pound and comes with an air concentrator attachment, which allows you to concentrate the heat on sections of hair without damaging the integrity of your curls, the brand says. Its tourmaline ceramic technology helps seal in moisture and prevent frizzy hair, according to our experts. Other attachments include its patented Double-Layered Detangler Pik and Single-Layered Detangler Pik, and its filter is removable so you can clean it, which Lothrop says is super important.
Wattage: 1875 | No. of speed settings: 2 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: tourmaline ceramic | Attachments: 3 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: Straight and curly hair
Wavytalk Ionic Hair Dryer
This ceramic ionic hair dryer is designed for all hair types and has nearly all of the features our experts recommended for a smooth finish without the high price tag. It also has a 4.5-star average rating from over 4,000 Amazon reviews. It offers three temperature settings and two airflow speeds and comes with a diffuser to straighten hair, a concentrator to maintain curly hair, a straightening comb to manage frizziness and a holder for easy storage. It also has a removable filter for easy cleaning. At just 1.45 pounds, it’s also easy to take on the go.
Wattage: 1875 | No. of speed settings: 2 | No. of heat settings: 3 | Technology: Ceramic ionic | Attachments: 3 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All
Best investment-worthy hair dryer: Gama
GAMA Italy IQ Perfetto Professional Hair Dryer
At just under 1 pound, the Italy IQ Perfetto is lightweight and powerful. It has an LED display and operates via a DC brushless motor, which extends its life cycle, our experts say, and is ergonomically designed with the brand’s Oxy Active Technology, which Gama says blasts air to help lock in your hair style. Additionally, it has an auto-cleaning technology that rotates the turbine in reverse to expel particles and deep clean the filter, along with a memory function technology that locks in your preferred speed and temperature among 18 possible configurations. It comes with a diffuser and two concentrator nozzles. The Gama Professional IQ hair dryer has a 4.2-star average rating from more than 400 reviews on Amazon.
Wattage: 1700 | No. of speed settings: 3 | No. of heat settings: 5 | Technology: Ionic | Attachments: 3 | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All
Best hair dryer for curly hair: T3
T3 AireLuxe
Select favorite brand T3 has an entire line of styling tools, but Foster loves the T3 AireLuxe. “It’s great for curly girls,” she says. “It’s very sleek. It gives you the look of the Gama, but it’s less expensive and just slightly bigger.” This hair dryer has a custom-engineered fan to provide a wide airflow so it can dry larger sections of hair faster, according to the brand, but because its airstream is infused with 10 million negative ions per second, it prevents frizz. There’s a Volume Boost Button, and inside the T3 is a smart microchip that digitally controls 15 heat and speed combinations. It comes with the T3 Smooth Paddle Brush, T3 Volume 2.5 Round Brush, drying concentrator and styling concentrator, but the compatible diffuser and smoothing comb must be purchased separately.
Wattage: 1875 | No. of speed settings: Monitored by smart chip | No. of heat settings: Monitored by smart chip | Technology: Ionic | Cool Shot Button: Yes | Hair type: All, but especially curly hair
How to shop for a hair dryer, according to hairstylists
Know your hair type. Is your hair thick? Curly? Prone to frizz? While some blow dryers say they are suitable for all hair types, other factors that play a key role include things like materials, heating technology, attachments and wattage. Understanding your hair type is key to choosing the best hair dryer for your needs.
Understand the technology: According to our experts, there are four types of hair dryers — ceramic, tourmaline, titanium and ionic — each designed with a technology that applies heat to your strands in a healthier way to avoid damage and add shine. But not every type of dryer is best suited for every hair type.
Here’s a look at the science behind each:
- Ceramic is a coating on interior parts of a hair dryer that is excellent at distributing heat evenly without any “hot spots,” which means it's more gentle on the hair — too much heat can cause damage, Marabello explains. Ceramic dryers are great for all hair types but especially for fine, thin hair.
- Titanium is also an effective heat conductor, which tends to be lighter in weight than ceramic models. However, Marabello says titanium dryers tend to get a lot hotter than ceramic dryers, so there’s more chance of damaging the hair than with a ceramic dryer, especially if your hair is fine. Consequently, titanium is better suited for thicker hair.
- Ionic is a technology that “is all about preserving the health of the hair,” says Marabello. Ionic hair dryers emit negative ions, which causes water on the hair to quickly disperse, allowing the hair to dry quickly. “Less heat means there’s less risk of damaging the hair,” she says. Ionic is ideal for thick, frizzy-prone hair, experts say.
- Tourmaline is a technology that is rapidly gaining momentum over ionic and ceramic hair dryers, according to the 2022 hair dryer research report by Technavio. That’s because tourmaline dryers are lighter in weight and while they emit negative ions like ionic dryers, they also use infrared heat to seal the hair cuticles, which in turn makes your hair shinier. Tourmaline dryers are great if you want to combat frizz and for styling curly, coily and wavy hair.
Additional key elements to keep in mind:
- Wattage: The higher the wattage, the hotter and more powerful the dryer, which means your hair dries quicker and will be less prone to damage. Hair dryer wattage ranges from about 800 watts (typical for a compact, travel hair dryer) to 3,500 watts for a professional blow dryer. The average hair dryer falls somewhere in the middle, at about 1800 watts. According to our experts, lower wattage hair dryers (around 1,600 watts) are best suited for those with medium-to-fine hair; those with thick or coarse hair should look for blow dryers equipped with 2,000 watts or more.
- Heat settings: Most dryers come with three heat settings — cool, warm and hot — which is ideal, says Lothrop. Too high a heat can cause damage, so our experts recommend using the hottest setting when your hair is wet, then reducing it as your hair gets drier.
- Speed settings: Do a speed check. Most dryers come with two or three speed settings, with three being ideal, says Lothrop. Less speed allows more control when styling. Start with a higher speed on wet hair, then adjust down as your hair dries.
- Cool shot button: A cool shot button is a real benefit, say experts, because it sends a burst of cool air after heat styling to seal the cuticle so your hair stays in place. Most dryers now come with one.
- AC vs. DC: Conventional hair dryers operate using an AC carbon motor, but new designs are coming out with DC brushless motors, which last about 10 times longer than AC carbon motors. These DC motors are designed to provide more power and less noise and are ideal for hairstylists who can sometimes use their blow dryers 100 times in a single week. However, an AC motor is generally fine for the home user.
- Attachments: “Attachments are always something you want to have,” says Lothrop. “The concentrator nozzle will protect your hair from the heat and improve the airflow to help dry and style your hair.” Other helpful attachments include a comb and a diffuser. Some come with the blow dryers and others can be purchased separately.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Courtney Foster is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Courtney Foster Beauty in New York. She is a licensed cosmetologist, certified hair loss practitioner and cosmetology educator.
- Graham Nation is a Los Angeles-based hairstylist and educator. His work has been featured in publications such as Vogue UK, W, Bustle and Schon.
- Karla Marabello is the owner of K’Bello Organic Salon in northern New Jersey. She is a master organic hairstylist focused on health and well-being.
- Jenna Lothrop is the master hairstylist at Samantha’s Hair Studio in Chatham, Massachusetts.
Why trust Select?
Barbara Booth is an editor at Select who has published several guides on self care and beauty products, including best curling irons, best under-eye patches and best mineral sunscreens. For this article, Barbara interviewed celebrity hairstylists and salon owners to get expert-recommended tips on best hair dryers and researched dozens of top-rated options on the market to recommend other options to consider.
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