The 6 best hair dryers for curly hair, reviewed by our curly-haired beauty experts
Define curls, coils and waves without frizz with one of the top dryers for curly hair – all tested and reviewed by us
Lucy Abbersteen
When you have any type of curly hair, be it super tight coils or loose waves, simply picking up any hair dryer and blasting it on full power, full heat probably isn't going to get you the finish you're after. You're more likely to end up with a lack of curl definition and excess frizz. The best hair dryers for curly hair have a range of heat and speed settings, curl-friendly attachments, and are materials that help preserve your hair's moisture levels.
Our curly-haired testers have put in the hours to try a variety of tools and write detailed reviews of top-performing tools that tick those exact boxes. Along with some hair expert input, we've also shared exactly what you need to look for to get a tool that's compatible both with your hair's exact needs and your lifestyle. So, what to look for?
First and foremost, the best hair dryer for curls should be lightweight (drying gently and slowly means you hold it for a long time) with at least one lower heat and speed setting, plus have compatible diffusers for curly hair. As Eugene Smith, style director at John Frieda Mayfair, puts it: "The dispersed air allows the dryer to evenly dry the curls without disturbing their natural spiral texture."
For more expert know-how, I asked two hair experts some of the most common questions about drying curls. But first, this guide includes my detailed reviews of the top-performing models – drawing on my years of beauty editor testing experience and other testers' insights – including picks from ghd, Dyson and Revlon. After putting several hair dryers and diffusers to the test on my type 3a curly hair, these were the tools that came out on top...
Best hair dryers for curly hair deals
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The quick list
For our curly-haired tester, this tool is the gold standard of hair dryers. Packing in power and easy to use, it couldn't be better for creating definition with the diffuser attachment – which is available separately for £29.
We can confirm the famous Dyson Supersonic lives up to the hype. It's quiet, easy to use and creates soft, bouncy curls. It also comes with a pik-style comb attachment for coily and Afro hair, making it a great for various curl types.
Super travel-friendly, this clever diffuser-and-dryer in one is equipped with three heat settings and ceramic tech to keep frizz to a minimum. The design is much easier to throw in an overnight bag or suitcase, so we'd recommend it if you only diffuse your hair and want something compact.
Quiet, well-balanced and chic-looking, this dryer takes luxury to another level. Designed by the experts behind the Hershesons salon, it's ideal for elevating your curl game. The price tag is steep, but the luxurious design and the fact that it's a dream to use helps to make up for it.
Putting shape and curl definition at the forefront, this dryer uses a lot of hair health-boosting technology and is a brilliant option for those with curly hair, seeking a tool made by a dedicated curl brand and at a reasonable price point.
When it comes to hairdressers preferred tools, the Parlux Alyon is up there. Powerful, reliable and sturdy, while it's a little loud there's no denying that it dries quickly with a lovely finish – available in a bundle with a diffuser, too.
The best hair dryers for curly hair, reviewed by our beauty experts
The best hair dryer for curly hair overall
How Rhiannon's curls looked after using the ghd Helios
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
I've used my Helios for years and it still works as well as the day I first unboxed it. This is the dryer I always return to, even after trying near-countless others my decade working in the beauty industry. It's just... great. Unpretentious, extremely powerful and easy to use, the controls are simple while the well-made attachments come on and off with ease.
It's the first tool I will recommend to anyone asking for best hair dryer for curly hair recommendations, just as good at diffusing curls as stretching and smoothing them out on the (extremely rare) days when I can be bothered to try a sleeker blow dry.
You do have to pay extra for the diffuser, which is, admittedly, a little annoying. But the combined total is still cheaper than many of the other options on this list, which balances the scales to make it the top choice for curls, in my opinion. Sometimes I'm concerned that this classic has taken a metaphorical back seat in the hair tool world – ultra-fancy and higher-tech options seem to launch on a near-monthly basis – but I'll always be loyal to my Helios. It's never let me down.
See our full ghd Helios review for an in-depth guide to its capabilities
The best hair dryer for curly, coily and Afro hair
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer and how Rhiannon's curls looked after using it
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire, Lucy Abbersteen
The Dyson Supersonic was always going to make this list because it really is as good as everyone says. Colleagues waxed lyrical about it for months before I tried it, so my expectations were high. But I'll admit I was also a tiny bit sceptical. How good could a hair dryer really be?
Well, it's worth the hype. It's lightweight, user-friendly and genuinely feels fun to use. I mostly loved how quiet it is; drying my hair can take forever, leaving my ears feeling a little sensitive. But this was an absolute delight and my curls were left soft, defined, bouncy and shinier than air drying. It's also contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen's go-to, who calls it "the best combination" for curls (and many hairdressers agree). Though the brand has released a few more tools since the original, we still think it's the overall winner for curly hair. The newer Dyson Supersonic Nural's scalp protection features are great, but they don't work with the updated diffuser when you hover it close to your head. The Nural is still noticeably levelled-up, but you could save some money and still get a great curly-friendly tool in the original.
Including both the diffuser and comb attachment, designed primarily for coily and Afro hair, as standard also sets the Supersonic apart from other dryers in this guide – one of several attachments that make it a great, inclusive buy. Not so inclusive, however, is its price tag – though it's worth noting that many premium dryers today aren't far off that.
See our full Dyson Supersonic review for more details
Best travel-friendly hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
In terms of attachments, this tool is the polar opposite to something like the Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap, as it's a combined dryer-and-diffuser unit in one. By that we mean that if you only need a dryer for diffusing curls, it's an ideal one-stop shop. This standalone diffuser unit is equipped with three heat and two speed settings, so you can be as gentle as you want while drying – and stave off excess in the process.
I've long recommended the original Bellissima Diffuser because it's an affordable, easy hair dryer for curly hair. (Abbersteen agrees.) But the newer, swisher Prestige version is ideal if you want something a bit more luxe in feel and user experience. This updated version also has ceramic technology to aid a smoother, frizz-free drying session.
All in all, I enjoyed using this tool. The all-in-one, curls-first design is satisfying and I liked the fuss-free user experience. But I have to say the results aren't massively different to the original Diffon, so if your budget is smaller, I'd stick to that. These tools are also more compact than others, which makes them great options for the best travel hair dryer if you only plan to wear your hair curly while you're away. Because nobody wants to risk frying curls with a dodgy hotel dryer...
Best stylish hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire, Jess Beech
Hershesons is one of my favourite blow dry spots in London, so I was curious to see how its own brand dryer performed – especially when it comes to drying curls. (I'll admit that when I'm at a salon, I tend to opt for a swishy, straight blow dry, mostly for the novelty factor.)
From the off, it looks completely different to many other dryers. It's got a slim design entirely in bold, electric blue – even the cord and plug match, which is very pleasing. Its diffuser slotted in satisfyingly and it still felt incredibly lightweight and nicely balanced, not tipping at an angle with the attachment secured on. It was very quiet, too, thanks to the petite motor. My beauty team colleague Jess Beech, whose results you can see above, also loves it – describing it as a "small but mighty" little tool.
I normally find drying my hair a huge chore, but I found Hershesons' dryer really removed that feeling. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you want a stylish and exciting tool that performs well and looks gorgeous on your dressing table, this is it.
Best hair dryer for long curly hair
The Curlsmith Defrizzion Dryer & XXL Diffuser and how Rhiannon's curls looked after using it
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
It makes total sense that this curly haircare brand has created a dryer specifically for curls. Curlsmith has focused the innovation on the diffuser, the biggest we’ve ever used or seen – practically the size of a dinner plate at 8". When you consider that most mass market options are about half that (ghd's is just five, for example), I think it's pretty noteworthy.
I used the dryer and diffuser to dry my shoulder-length hair and will admit that the attachment felt a bit unnecessarily big for me, personally. But if you have long or very thick hair, or both, it will be a huge time saver, especially if you've found standard diffusers haven't cut it in the past.
Prioritising shape and definition, this dryer has incorporated a lot of hair technology, like ionising and ceramic tech, to help prevent frizz. There's also a smoothing attachment, should you want to dry with a sleeker finish, as well as a pik for type 4 coils. My overall verdict is that it's a brilliant option, reasonably priced and is the best hair dryer for curly hair by a dedicated curl brand.
Best salon-style hair for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
So many all-singing, all-dancing hair dryers have launched in the last 10-to-20 years that it’s easy to forget the classics. But underestimate the legacy of Parlux at your peril, because there’s a reason it’s been hairdressers’ brand of choice for several decades.
The brand is best known for its durable, hard-working hair dryers, one of which you'll find in most hair stylists' kit bags. They're petite but powerful, creating a big blow dry with body in minutes. Though with some colourways you have to buy the compatible diffuser separately, Parlux does offer bundles for a small saving when you buy it as a set. Either way, the Alyon is a robust, sizeable attachment that will still work well on longer hair.
I forgot how much I liked this dryer until I revisited it for this guide. It feels sturdy and reliable, while the smaller and more compact shape helps it feel light and useable. It's a little loud, but only compared to the whisper-quiet output of some newer designs. If you want a tool that will last you years – if not a decade – of regular use, this is the one.
See our Parlux Alyon hair dryer review for more details
How we tested the best hair dryer for curly hair contenders
A selection of the curl-friendly hair dryers that were tested for this guide
We tested dozens of dryers to assess their curly capabilities and ensure the final edit was made up of truly the best tools. Anything featured in this guide outperformed the other contenders. Each one was tested on my 3a curls, but I also looked out for signs that each one would suit other curl types, from tighter type 4 coils to looser type 2 waves. These models are generally universal, with notes in the specs and review if it suits specific types. After trying a broad range from the market, I narrowed down the list based on these factors.
- Design: Ergonomic and not too fiddly or weighty was a must, particularly given the time needed to dry curly hair gently for soft, defined results.
- Ease of use: A dryer shouldn't long to get to grips with, nor should it be easy to accidentally change settings or for attachments to come loose.
- Settings: A range of both speed and heat settings, including a cool shot, is key to customisable drying and the "low and slow" method. Big power wasn't necessarily important here so as to avoid excess frizz in curly hair types.
- Technology: Any features that were especially curly-friendly all scored points. These could have been be ionic technology (helps reduce frizz by balancing the ions in hair), ceramic (helps with even heat and retaining moisture in the hair) or tourmaline (improves smoothness and drying time), for example.
- Attachments: Availability of compatible diffuser and comb attachments scored points, ensuring the tool could style various curly hair types. I wasn't too snippy about buying these separately if the dryer is otherwise excellent (they're nice to have but including them in every box is arguably wasteful when some won't use them (but that's a debate for another day!).
- Price: Advanced technology helps to justify a larger price tag, but any dryer had to offer good value for money in line with the user experience and results.
How to choose the best hair dryer for curly hair
When your goal is to order a dryer that's suitable for curly hair, taking a look at the following features in particular is a good place to start.
- Heat & speed settings: Important for styling, as curls need to be dried carefully at a lower temperature to help avoid damage and generating excess frizz.
- Wattage: Those with curly, coily or wavy hair will benefit from a powerful wattage, between 1,800 to 2,000 watts, to help reduce drying time and potential damage.
- Ionic technology: Works to break down water molecules and spread moisture evenly throughout the hair – for reduced frizz and static, sealed in moisture and a shinier finish.
- Materials: Ceramic is ideal for those with delicate and/or damaged curls as it works to evenly distribute heat, yielding smooth and shiny results. Tourmaline, however, is ideal for a gentler approach, as it locks in moisture and allows for a shiny, frizz-free, salon-worthy finish.
- Cable: Beneficial in any hair dryer, a long cable comes in extra handy when diffusing curls as it makes it easier to move the dryer around – and prevents you from being limited to the vicinity of a wall socket.
FAQs
How do you dry curly hair without ruining curls?
Using even the best dryer for curly hair in the wrong way can leave curls looking undefined and flat – and even damaged. Afro and textured hair specialist Michelle Thompson, who is also an ambassador for ghd, has shared the best step-by-step method below.
- "Semi-dry the roots by using a 'hover method' and slowly circulate [the dryer] around the curls towards the ends. This will help to prevent frizzing during the drying process.
- "Once the hair is 60% dry, start to cup the curls into the diffuser, gently moving the dryer towards the root area, and hold for up to 10 This is called the 'scrunch method' and enhances your curls to give them volume and bounce.
- "Make sure the scalp, roots and hair are 100% dry as this will give you a longer-lasting result."
Should I blow dry curly hair with hot or cold air?
Thompson advises using a low heat and speed setting to prevent frizz from forming; we recommend slightly warm air, usually the first setting on your dryer. The cold shot is good for setting your style but it'll take a lot longer to dry hair completely on this setting. (Yes, extreme heat can seriously affect curls, but you' need some if you want to do the job in reasonable time.)
Keisha Jo Lawler, curly hair specialist and TREPADORA founder, confirms you can get away with slightly warmer heat when using a diffuser. "When using a diffuser in our salon, we generally recommend medium speed, medium temperature," she says. "The beauty of a diffuser is that it is not concentrated heat, so it is a lot gentler for your curls."
Is ceramic or ionic hair dryer best for curly hair?
Both have their benefits, but there are some distinctions you can make if you're torn between the two. "Ionic is best suited for thicker, dry, and/or frizzy curly hair, due to its ability to lock in moisture and leave behind a soft, smooth finish," Smith confirms.
Thompson agrees: "The ionic technology produces negative ions while you dry and style to neutralise the positive static charge on hair, which reduces frizz and flyaways."
What are the long term effects of using high heat on curly hair?
Heat is incredibly damaging to hair, regardless of type, weakening strands and causing split ends and breakage. But curly hair is already naturally weaker, due to the bends in the shape, and damage shows up as a lack of definition (often referred to as "losing your curl pattern"). When heat damaged, you'll notice curls and coils are flat, looser and misshapen, as well as breakage. This is why it's so important to always apply a product like the best heat protection spray for hair before using any heated tools. Some experts would advocate using little-to-no heat at all, but if you are drying, "low and slow" is the way to go. Once serious damage has been done, the only way to truly "fix" the situation is with a haircut – so unless you want a major chop, protect your strands as best as possible.
Our expert panel
Rhiannon Derbyshire is Senior Beauty Editor at woman&home and other women's titles. During her career, she's specialised in beauty, fashion, interiors and health, but beauty remains her favourite topic. Since embracing her natural hair texture, she hasn't looked back, making her our go-to in-house expert in nailing a curly hair routine.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry – and with hair as one of her specialisms – she's tested a lot of hair tools on her curly hair during her career. As such, she's also shared her insights on some of the top-rated dryers in this guide.
Eugene Smith is a hairdresser and Style Director at John Frieda's Aldford Street salon. As well as his in-salon experience, during his 30-year career he's worked on many campaigns and with icons including Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey.
Michelle Thompson is a hairdresser and award-winning Afro and textured hair expert who has worked on numerous campaigns and editorials during her career. She is also an ambassador for ghd.
Keisha Jo Lawler is an entrepreneur and the founder of the curly haircare brand and salon TREPADORA. A curl expert and with curly hair herself, she knows what to look for in a hair dryer that suits these hair types well.