The 7 best hair dryers for curly hair, reviewed by our curly-haired testers
Dry curls, coils and waves without frizz by drying with one of these top-rated dryers – all tested, reviewed and recommended by us
A summary of this article: Our curly-haired testers put a broad range of hair dryers through their paces, sharing detailed reviews of the best choices for curls in the following guide. The ghd Helios was deemed best overall, for its well-rounded performance and mid-to-premium price tag. Meanwhile the high-end Dyson Supersonic also scored very highly for its excellent results and attachment ranges,
As you probably know from experince, blasting any old hair dryer on full power, full heat is unlikely to get you your desired finish with curly hair. You'll likely to end up with a lack of definition and a lot of frizz. But the best hair dryers for curly hair are made with materials that help to preserve hair's moisture content with a range of settings and curl-friendly attachments, designed to dry gently for defined results. After much testing, our testers have found the top tools that tick those exact boxes, sharing their detailed reviews here.
We've also secured professionals' insights to guide you on what to look for while shopping. Firstly, the best hair dryersr for curls should be lightweight, as drying gently means you hold it for a long time. They should also have at least one low heat and speed setting and 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, two hair experts have also answered the most common questions about drying curls at the end of this guide. But first, here is our detailed guide to the top tools, based on years of beauty editor testing experience and insights from the woman&home team. After testing several hair dryers and diffusers on my own type 3a curls, these are the ones that performed best.
Best hair dryers for curly hair deals
These deals were last checked on 10/11/26 and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The quick list: Our top 6 tools
For Rhiannon, 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, available separately for £29.
The famous Dyson Supersonic lives up to the hype, we can confirm. It's quiet, easy to use and gave us soft, bouncy curls. It also comes with a pik-style comb attachment for coily and Afro hair types, so it caters to a broad range of curly hair types.
Compact and travel-friendly, this clever diffuser-and-dryer in one is equipped with three heat settings and ceramic tech to keep frizz to a minimum. We'd recommend it if you only ever diffuse your hair and want a straightforwad tool.
Quiet, well-balanced and chic, this dryer epitomises luxury. 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 dreamy user experience helps to make up for it.
With a design centred around curl definition, this dryer uses a lot of hair health-boosting technology and is a brilliant option for those 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 one of the go-tos. Powerful, trusty and sturdy, although it's a little loud it dries impressively quickly with a lovely finish – and comes with a diffuser bundle, 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
Although I've used it for years, my Helios still works as well as the day I first unboxed it. It's the one I always come back to, even after trying dozens of other dryers during more than a decade working in the beauty industry. It's just... great. Unpretentious, super powerful and easy to use, its controls are simple while the well-made attachments clip on and off with ease.
All that means it's the first tool I name when anyone asks for a recommendation for the best hair dryer for curly hair, as I think it's just as good at diffusing curls as stretching and smoothing them out (on the extremely rare days I can be bothered to try a sleeker blow dry).
You do have to pay extra for the diffuser, which is admittedly an inconvenience. But even then, the combined resulting total is still lower than many other options on this list, balancing out to make it my choice for curls. Sometimes I worry that this classic has taken a back seat in the hairstyling world – fancy, higher-tech tools seem to launch on a near-monthly basis – but I'll always be loyal to my Helios. It's never let me down.
Read Rhiannon's full ghd Helios review for an in-depth guide to this tool
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. It really is as good as everyone says. Colleagues raved about it for months before I tried it, so my expectations were high. But I'll admit I was also a little sceptical. How good could a hair dryer really be?
Well, it's worth the hype. It's lightweight, user-friendly and genuinely fun to use. I most 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. Contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen calls it "the best combination" for curls, and many hairdressers agree. Though Dyson has released a few more tools over the years, we still think it's the overall winner for curly hair. The newer Supersonic Nural's scalp features are great, but they don't work with the updated diffuser, which would be useful when holding the tool close to your head. It's still noticeably levelled-up, but you could save money and still get a great curly-friendly tool in the original.
Automatically including both the diffuser and comb attachment, designed primarily for coily and Afro hair, in one bundle also sets the Supersonic apart from other dryers in this guide, making 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
The best travel-friendly hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire
In terms of attachments, this tool is the opposite of a multi-styler like the Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap, as it's an all-in-one diffuser and dryer. So if you only ever diffuse, it's your ideal one-stop shop. This standalone unit is equipped with three heat and two speed settings, so you can be as gentle as you want while drying your curls, staving off excess frizz in the process.
I've long recommended the original Bellissima Diffuser because it's affordable and easy to use (Abbersteen agrees). But the newer, upgraded Prestige model is designed to offer a more luxe-feeling user experience. For example, this updated tool also has ceramic technology for a smoother finish.
All in all, I enjoyed using it. The curls-first design is satisfying and I'm still a fan of its fuss-free user experience. But I don't think the results are noticeably different enough to its predecessor, so if your budget is smaller, I recommend sticking to the original. Both tools are more compact than a traditional dryer, making them akin to the best travel hair dryers if you only plan to wear your hair curly while you're away, too. (Just be sure it matches the voltage of the country you're visiting, otherwise using it isn't safe, even with a travel adaptor.)
The best stylish hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire, Jess Beech
Hershesons is one of my favourite salons for a blow dry in London, so I was curious to see how their first hair tool, The Great Hairdryer performed, especially on curly hair. At a glance, this slim tool certainly looks different to many dryers. It's entirely in a bold electric blue – even the cord and plug, which is very pleasing.
As for the user experience, the diffuser secured on satisfyingly and the dryer still felt lightweight and balanced with it, not thrown off-kilter It was pretty quiet, too, thanks to the small motor. (If that's something you look for in a dryer, be sure to check out our guide to the quietest hair dryers on the market next.) My fellow beauty team member Jess Beech, whose results you can see above, also loves it, describing it as "small but mighty."
I almost always find drying my hair a massive chore, but the Hershesons dryer nixed that for me. It’s far from cheap, but if you want something stylish and exciting that performs well and is very aesthetically pleasing, this could well be it.
Read Jess' full Hershesons The Great Hairdryer review for more details
The 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 sense that this curly haircare brand has created a dryer specifically for curls, too. Curlsmith focused its innovation efforts on the eight-inch diffuser, one of the biggest we’ve ever used or seen and practically the size of a dinner plate. When you consider that most options available to consumers are about half that – ghd's is just five, for example – it's pretty impressive.
I used the two to dry my shoulder-length hair and will admit that the attachment felt a bit unnecessarily large for me, but if you have very long and/or thick hair, this will be a big draw. This dryer has incorporated a lot of healthy hair technology, like ionising and ceramic tech, to prioritise shape and definition and help prevent frizz. There's also a smoothing attachment included, should you want to create a sleeker finish, as well as a pik for type 4 coils. My overall verdict is that it's pretty brilliant and good value.
The best salon hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Rhiannon Derbyshire, Stephanie Maylor
So many snazzy, techy hair dryers have launched over the last couple of decades that it’s easy to forget about the classics. But underestimate Parlux's legacy at your peril, because there’s a reason it’s been hairdressers’ brand of choice for several decades.
This brand is best known for durable, hard-working hair dryers, which is why you'll find one in most hair stylists' kit bags. They're petite but powerful, able to create a big blow dry with body in minutes. While you have to buy a differ separately with some colourways, Parlux does offer bundles for a small saving when bought as a set. Either way, said diffuser is a robust, sizeable attachment that works well on longer hair.
I forgot how much I liked the Alyon until I re-tested it for this guide. It feels sturdy and reliable, while its smaller and more compact shape makes it feel light and useable. It's a little loud, but only compared to the whisper-quiet output of newer innovations. If you want a tool that will give you years (if not a decade) of regular use, this is it.
See Stephanie's full Parlux Alyon Hair Dryer review for more details on this tool
The best lightweight hair dryer for curly hair
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The Dyson Supersonic is great, and it was the brand's first hair dryer invention. But since then, they've developed two newer models – the Supersonic r, above, being one of them. Initially launching as a professional-only tool, a year later, Dyson released it for the rest of us hairstyling mortals to shop, too – and we're pretty glad that they did. Ultra lightweight at just under 700g, this tool whooshes into action for powerful blow drying that can be adapted for ultra-gentle diffusing, too. When drying my curls, I like the springy, defined and virtually frizz-free results just as much as with other Dyson dryers, very much appreciating how light it is to hold. This second point also makes it great to take away on trips, as it doesn't take up much space in your overnight bag or make it heavy. All this, and the range of attachments, makes it a worthy inclusion in this guide.
So, how do you choose between the Dyson Supersonic and the Supersonic r? To be honest, outside of the design, it's difficult to discern a visible difference in how these tools perform. But there are a couple of disctinctions. First and foremost, the latter is extremely light without compromising on power (it was designed with the pros in mind, after all), plus it comes with a nice lengthy cable that reduces restrictions on where you dry your hair. The r is also more expensive, so if you think the Supersonic is more than good enough, it may be worth saving money by shopping the original.
See Lucy's full Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer review for an in-depth guide
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
To find the very best dryers for curly hair, we tested dozens of tools to thoroughly assess their styling abilities – ensuring the final edit was only made up of truly the top tools. Each one featured here outperformed the other contenders.
I tested them all 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, as well as taking notes from fellow curly-haired testers, who put a selection of models to the test, too.
These curl-friendly tools are generally universally suitable, but I made sure to call out in the specs and review itself if a tool would suits specific types. During my testing process, all of the following factors were taken into account.
- Design: Being ergonomic and not too heavy were musts, particularly given the time needed to dry curly hair gently for soft, defined results.
- User experience: 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 being able to dry low and slow. Big power wasn't necessarily important for our testing considerations as, here, we want avoid excess frizz in curly hair types.
- Technology: Any curly-friendly tech scored points. This could be ionic tech (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: Given that these tools were being assessed for their suitability to style curly hair types, having diffuser and comb attachments available were important. I wasn't too snippy having to purchase 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 and great results help to justify a larger price tag, but every dryer that made the final edit had to offer good value for money for its user experience and results.
How to choose the best hair dryer for curly hair
As well as our detailed guide, when shopping for a curly hair-friendly hair dryer, looking at the following features is a good place to start.
- Range of settings: Important for styling, as curls need to be dried carefully on a lower temperature and power to help avoid damage and reduce 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: As mentioned, this 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 delicate and/or damaged curls as it works to evenly distribute heat and yield smooth and shiny results. Meanwhile tourmaline is ideal for a gentler approach, as it locks in moisture and allows for a shiny, frizz-free, salon-worthy finish.
- Cable length: 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?
Even the best dryer for curly hair in the wrong way can leave curls looking undefined and flat – and even damaged – if used in the wrong way. Afro and textured hair specialist Michelle Thompson, also a ghd ambassador, has shared her recommended 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 you use a low heat and speed setting to prevent excess 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 would take an age to fully dry your hair on this setting. (Yes, extreme heat seriously affects curls, but you need some if you want to dry your hair in a reasonable amount of time.)
Keisha Jo Lawler, curly hair specialist and TREPADORA founder, confirms you can get away with slightly warmer heat 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 ceramic and tourmaline have their benefits, so one isn't necessarily "better" than the other, but there are some distinctions that are helpful to know if you're choosing 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.
"The ionic technology produces negative ions while you dry and style to neutralise the positive static charge on hair, which reduces frizz and flyaways," Thompson agrees.
What happens if you use too much heat on curly hair?
Heat is incredibly damaging to all hair types, weakening strands and causing split ends and breakage. But curly hair is already naturally weaker, due its bends, and damage can show up as a lack of definition, often referred to as a loss of curl pattern. Here, curls and coils will often look flat, looser and misshapen along with breakage. This is why it's so important to always apply the best heat protection spray or leave-in treatment before using any hot tools.
Some experts advocate using little-to-no heat at all, but if you do use a hair dryer, "low and slow" is the recommended way to go. Once serious damage has been done, the only way to truly "fix" it is with a haircut; unless you want a major chop, always protect your strands as best you possibly can.
Our expert panel
Rhiannon Derbyshire is Senior Beauty Editor at woman&home and Future plc's 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 is a freelance beauty journalist and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editors. With a decade of experience in the industry, with hair as one of her specialisms, she's tested a lot of hair tools on her curly hair during her career. She also shared her testing insights on some of the top-rated tools in this guide.
Eugene Smith is a hairdresser and Style Director at John Frieda's Aldford Street salon in Mayfair, London. As well as his salon experience, during his 30-year career he's worked on many campaigns and styled 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.
Entrepreneur Keisha Jo Lawler is the founder of curly haircare brand TREPADORA and the salon of the same name. As a curl expert – and with curly hair herself – she knows what to look for in a hair dryer that suits these hair types well.