The 9 best hair dryers for salon-worthy results at home – reviewed by our beauty team

Homes all over the world contain at least one hair dryer on hand. But the best hair dryers go beyond just functional blow drying; they need to be well-designed and perform in a way that compliments both your styling habits and your hair's needs.

Hair dryers probably beat even the best hair straighteners as the hair tool most commonly found in homes. But with such a broad range of options on the market, from simple, "gets the job done" tools to powerful, high-spec models like the Dyson Supersonic, finding the right one for you can seem an overwhelming prospect.

Technology that preserves your hair's health is very beneficial, while multiple speed and heat settings, including a cool shot, are key, notes hairdresser and ghd Global Ambassador Adam Reed. "Dry your hair on a low heat and only use the hotter setting for the finishing touches," he says. "Once you're done styling, seal the hair using the cool setting for a super smooth look." Extra attachments, such as the narrow nozzles, the best diffusers and comb attachments, also win points.

Here, our tried and tested guide will help narrow down your search. During our beauty journalism careers, we've tested dozens of models to guide you through the best hair dryer options. Spoiler alert: it's the ghd Helios that gets our vote as the best hair dryer overall, but we've also narrowed down the top tools for specific categories including best for frizz-prone hair, best on budget and best for fine hair, too.

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Our six top picks

Our beauty team has tried and tested dozens of models and refined this list of the 10 best hair dryers from leading brands, including ghd, Dyson and Remington, to bring you a complete, results-driven guide to the top tools. But first, a quick look at our six favourites...

The best hair dryers to shop now – as reviewed by our beauty experts 

The best hair dryer overall

The follow-up to the fan-favorite Air, the ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer is the brand's lightest, fastest professional dryer and claims to impart 30% more shine than other dryers. Our first impressions were good; it's a little sleeker and sexier than other ghd models and there are five colours to choose from – black, ink blue, powder pink, white, and (our personal favourite) plum with gold accents. The casing is matte with a nice velvety texture and, while it isn't the lightest at 780g, we found it pretty nimble. Thanks to its ergonomic design, the weight is balanced fairly equally between the handle and head.

The settings are also very user-friendly: two speed, two heat and one cool shot. This may seem simple but, honestly, how many more do you really use? Beyond good looks, the Helios offers solid performance with its light, brushless motor and 120kph airflow. You can feel that power when you flick it on to full heat and speed. The dryer roars into action and then releases negative ions to smooth as you dry (more on ions at the end of this guide). Group Beauty Director Sarah Cooper-White says it gives her "the sleekest, fastest blow-dry I've ever managed at home."

In short, it's a brilliant all-rounder with incremental improvements on previous models but nothing that will alienate or annoy long-time ghd fans. This powerful tool has a satisfying and ultra-speedy – albeit not especially quiet – drying experience. It tops our list of the best hair dryers for fine hair, but we rate it for all hair types.

Read our full ghd Helios hair dryer review for more details

The best premium hair dryer

Let's address something first: many people don't have this kind of budget for their hair dryer and it's certainly not necessary to find a good one. There are plenty of great, lower-priced choices in this guide. But if you are planning to make a sizeable investment, it’s easy to see why the Dyson Supersonic has such a devoted fan base.

As you’d expect from an engineering-backed brand, the specs are impressive. The main draw is the power, generated from a 13-blade digital motor that sits not in the head of the dryer, as is the industry norm, but in its handle. Said motor sends 13 litres of air per second to the head, which is then multiplied to 41 litres and checked 20 times per second to maintain a precise temperature. The aim is fast, controlled drying and styling without the damage of extreme heat (for those wondering do hair dryers damage hair, the answer lies with how hot yours is).

Though it's considered a top tool for all hair types, many hairdressers consider the Supersonic and its diffuser particularly great for curly hair types. It's contributing beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen's favourite pairing for drying her curls. "The airflow is super gentle – you notice Dyson's engineering expertise in the diffuser's design – and I always get great, well-defined results," she says.

The dryer runs at a relatively low 1600W, proving that more isn’t always more when it comes to power. The user experience is impressive, too; considering how much technology the Supersonic packs in, the experience is pleasingly pared back, with three speed controls and four heat, plus a cold-shot button. It whooshes right to full speed with not a second wasted warming up – plus, it’s one of the quietest hair dryers on the market and a dream to control, thanks to that handle-based motor. Nozzles attach magnetically – handy when you click them on, less so when they occasionally snap back off of their own accord. We also managed to loosen the little vent at the base of the handle after a couple of months of continuous use, but we're nitpicking – it's not easy finding negatives here!

Read our full Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer review for more insights

The best hair dryer for quick results

Initially, we thought the design team had clearly broken away from the modern dryer mould – which tends to be either sleek, slim and black, or as close to Dyson as they can without getting in trouble. This is a chunky and curvy number in gloss and matte greige, and we love it. If your idea of the best hair dryer is one that's cute and vaguely retro-looking, this will tick your visual boxes like no other.

Picking it up, you'll probably notice what we deem the only real downside – it's fairly heavy. Not the heaviest in our guide, but certainly weighty. That aside, this dryer blends convenience and care with ease of use. The main USP is Hydracare technology, which monitors your hair while drying and automatically adjusts the heat to prevent damage. This removes any guesswork for those concerned about the effects of daily heat styling. Of course, you don't have to use this function if you'd prefer to choose your own or simply want to go full-throttle every time (though, with the power of this device, you're unlikely to need it).

This was one of the fastest dryers on our list and though a bit of noise came with it, it was worth it for our tester's four-minute blow dry. Other notable mentions include the three-metre cable and a very chilly cold shot that doesn't need holding down, plus three accompanying nozzles (one diffuser and two concentrators). These attach not with the usual annoying click-around-the-edges mechanism but smoothly, like the final jigsaw piece, via a little nub in the centre of the attachment. Our verdict? It's these little touches that elevate this kind and fast dryer to one of the best on the market today.

The best lightweight hair dryer

If you ask a room full of hairdressers to name the best hair dryer, Parlux would probably win. The Italian brand has amassed a fierce cohort of professional fans over the years and, after testing its merits, we can certainly see why. Aesthetically, this is among a few dryers that could reasonably be described as sexy. It comes in 10 colours, from inky matte black to bright corals and yellows (we tried the peacock-like jade, above).

Design-wise, it's small, sleek and incredibly light, yet boasts a muscular 2250W of power that you notice right away. This is especially beneficial when drying thick hair – no achy arms here. In fact, that's also why this iconic hair dryer made it to our list of the best hairdryers for curly hair. Looks and feel aside, the Parlux Alyon also has plenty of useful features. The heat and speed options are uncomplicated – flick the switch at the side of the handle and off you go. "I found this particular detail so handy for mid-dry temperature adjustments, as I could intuitively use my thumb instead of having to pull the dryer away to see which button I was pressing," says Maylor. "It's the little things like this that make a big difference to everyday use."

The Alyon also helps prevent frizz and damage with ionic technology, while its K-Advance Plus motor promises powerful airflow and a lifespan of at least 3,000 hours. Additional touches include two smoothing nozzles in the box, plus a tactile cool button with a satisfying click. The dryer also features a patent-pending HFS – “Hair Free System" – a tiny corkscrew within the back vent that catches and prevents hair from getting trapped in the dryer. Though it appears tricky with its 10-step instruction booklet, this feature is actually quite simple to master – though we aren't quite convinced it deserves such fanfare compared to an ordinary twist-off vent.

Read our full Parlux Alyon review for our detailed guide

The best hair dryer for fine hair

The saying might traditionally be don't judge a book by its cover, but we say don't judge a hair dryer by its casing. Case in point: what appears to be a generic yet sleek and pleasant-looking device from Nicky Clarke actually houses pretty interesting technology and features. The first and most unique aspect is infrared technology. This, along with a unique honeycomb-shaped element, it helps to disperse heat evenly. Clarke says this makes for a kind, gentle hair-drying experience without sacrificing performance.

Mostly, we're sold. We tested it on fine hair and had a gentle and non-scorching experience, even on the highest heat setting, and enjoyed its low weight and nimbleness. Our hair was left smooth and dried without static or flyaways, even after rough drying, which we put down to the ion technology. Did we notice the infrared, particularly? No, but we trust it did its job of caring for both scalp and hair. We'd rate the drying time average for a tool of this price; not noticeably quick or slow, but certainly impressive considering its energy efficiency.

The design isn't exactly a statement, in our opinion, but it is attractive and contemporary-looking with a velvety black finish. For us, the three-metre cord was a welcome touch, as was the smoothing nozzle, which did a great job of creating sleek sheets of hair when we used it alongside a round brush and had time to really put it through its paces. Overall, this is a strong and thoughtful foray back into premium devices from Nicky Clarke – kind to our hair, kind to the planet and not too unkind on budgets.

The best hair dryer for minimising heat damage

The first thing we noticed when picking up the Zuvi Halo is that it’s so light, weighing around one pound (just shy of 500g). But don’t be fooled, because it's a tech-heavy tool. Along with the dryer itself, there are three different attachments included: a diffuser, a concentrated nozzle and a gentle air attachment, so it’s adaptable to your hair’s styling needs. That low wattage also makes it super energy efficient.

We found the Halo easy to use with magnetic attachments that are very secure once secured onto the dryer. There’s only one button that cycles through the four styling modes – slow, fast, care and style – and which activates the cold shot when continually held. While some cool shot functions are lukewarm at best, the Halo’s is noticeably chilly and the dryer flits between temperatures impressively quickly.

If you usually loads up on heat protection for hair and blasts your strands, you’ll quite literally need to lower your expectations. The Halo styles at just 111°F (44°C) and – this is where the impressive tech comes in – also uses infrared light to dry water on the surface of the hair. According to research conducted by the brand’s labs, hair retains 109% more moisture at its core this way and, if you colour your hair, it also helps to reduce fade.

Our hair felt super soft after multiple styling sessions with the Zuvi and it dried hair fairly fast – though perhaps not dramatically faster than a traditional dryer. When drying curls, the diffuser creates excellent volume and definition, making it good for curly hair, too (though as with any diffuser and dryer combo, using it adds on drying time). The Halo’s big drawback is, of course, its price tag. For many, spending this kind of money on a hair dryer isn't an option, no matter how groundbreaking the technology. But if it’s within your price range, or you’re able to save for it, there are clear benefits to the investment.

You can read our full Zuvi Halo hair dryer review for more details

The best hair dryer for frizzy hair

Luxury blow dry bar chain Drybar also sells a range of salon-quality tools for at-home styling, many of which we’ve tried and found excellent (see our guide to the best hair dryer brushes for another one of our faves). Among them is the Buttercup Blow-Dryer, a reasonably light model that, despite this, still feels like a well-made, ergonomic, professional tool.

There are three heat settings and two different speeds here, but probably the most significant factor we’d like to shout about is that it's noticeably good at keeping frizz to a minimum, most likely down to its ionic technology which, in short, adds smoothness and definition. There are also two concentrated nozzles of different widths in the box, helping you create ultra-smooth styles and learn how to make your blowout last longer.

Drybar also makes a great diffuser, The Bouncer, compatible with both the full and travel-sized Buttercup dryers as well as some non-Drybar models. Sadly, it does have to be purchased separately, but our hair was noticeably smoother with this dryer whether we dried natural curls with the diffuser or created a sleeker style.

It may not feel quite as premium as the ghd Helios or techier options like the Dyson, but we think you'll agree that it is seriously cheerful to look at (is there a happier colour than yellow?). More than that, it’s a great, quality overall tool and an ideal match for you if you seek a less-frizzy finish.

The best hair dryer for easy styling

The Airwrap isn’t going to be for everyone. There is the obvious expense, but it’s also a little bit trickier to get the hang of (though our step-by-step guide to how to use the Dyson Airwrap will help with that). So it's probably not for anyone who just wants to blast their hair in the most fuss-free manner possible. If you like to experiment with styling, blow drying smooth one day and curling the next, you'll likely try the Dyson Airwrap and wonder where it has been all of your life.

The Airwrap Complete comes with six attachments that cover almost everything: a dryer attachment that essentially turns it into the Supersonic Dryer (minus the styling nozzles); 30mm and 40mm barrels to create waves of varying tightness; a round volumizing brush; plus firm and soft smoothing brushes.

The technology hinges on a unique phenomenon called the Coanda effect, which creates pressurised airflow that draws hair towards the attachment, wrapping it around the barrel or holding it against the brush. Combined with heat, air is then pushed over the strands to dry and style without ever subjecting them to searing temperatures. You can set the hair using the cool-shot button, then release it, and out drops a shiny curl, bouncy wave or perfectly smoothed section of hair. We found it extremely satisfying and positively mouse-like compared to the volume of the average hair dryer.

"It may take a little time to master the technique of the Airwrap's curling barrels if you've not used anything similar before; it takes a little getting used to," says Abbersteen. "But once you've taken a minute to get the hang of it it creates smooth, bouncy curls." As a multi-styler, the Airwrap is ideal for travel as it doubles as the best hair dryer in one ultra-slim and lightweight package. Again, it isn’t for everyone, but if you regularly use a variety of drying and styling tools, this could replace them in spectacular style. The only thing we'd note is missing is a diffuser attachment to dry natural curls.

You can see our full Dyson Airwrap review for an in-depth analysis

The best hair dryer for family use

Ask any parent and they'll agree that drying a child's hair can be a tear-soaked and frustration-filled challenge. But the Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich + Family Care Hair Dryer aims to nip this in the bud with a clever and ultra-gentle drying experience that prevents painful, hair-damaging hotspots.

This is mainly down to a clever oscillating nozzle that distributes heat rather than directing it in one specific area. This allowed us to blast away with no worry of misjudging the distance or spending too long on one area and receiving a pained squeal in response. This hair dryer also incorporates Panasonic's Nanoe technology, which sends tiny moisture particles into the hair to hydrate while drying. This hair and scalp-loving tech not only makes it the best hair dryer for families but anyone with over-processed, frazzled hair or a sensitive scalp. In terms of noise and blast, we deem it a solid middle-of-the-pack option – neither noticeably loud nor one of the quietest hair dryers on the market.

As well as a generous four temperature settings and three speed options, a cool shot and both a concentrator and diffuser nozzles, there's a mighty 2000W of power, too. It's a little heavier than the Panasonic Nanoe + Double Mineral and also lacks the handy folding handle of its predecessor; for us, this omission makes it trickier to transport and slightly less nimble to manoeuvre when drying. Overall, it may not be the sexiest, most show-it-off dryer on our list, but it's definitely the kindest – and nice beats flash any day.

Read our full Panasonic EH-NA67 Enrich Family Care Hair Dryer review for more details

Fiona McKim

Beauty Editor Fiona might have the kind of naturally wavy hair that you could leave to air-dry but, with more than a decade of experience in the industry, she's flexed her at-home blow-dry muscles enough times to know what makes a brilliant hair dryer. She’s a big fan of Dyson, has been wooed by Shark and is partial to a Parlux.

Lucy Abbersteen

Lucy has curly hair, so knows what to look for in a dryer to get great definition in curls and be able to create a smooth, sleek style – without generating excess frizz either way. She has tested hair dryers with diffusers (like the Dyson Supersonic and Zuvi Halo) to see how well they can dry and define her spirals, plus plenty of others that create a sleek finish well.

Stephanie Maylor

Stephanie has great hair: it's long and thick with a natural wave. As an experienced beauty editor, she has tried and tested an impressive number of hairstyling tools over the years to maintain and style her lengths, including the hairdresser favourite, Parlux.

How we tested the best hair dryers

With decades of experience testing hair tools between them, woman&home's beauty team put these best hair dryer picks through an extensive test, analysing every aspect of these tools. They took all of the following factors into account for their reviews.

• Design
• How the dryer feels to hold
• Ease and usefulness of controls
• No. of heat and speed settings
• Ease of cleaning
• Tech specs including weight, power, and warranty
• If attachments are included or have to be bought separately
• Price

Many models here blew us away, but several other options we tested didn't make the final cut – including some cordless and bonnet hair dryers, which we tried did not live up to their claims and we therefore could not feature. Want more information on the types of dryers and hair dryer technology, or to learn why a cold shot function is so beneficial? Ahead we've answered key FAQs about buying a great hair dryer.

How to choose a hair dryer

• Heat & speed settings: "A bad habit most of us have is to turn the dryer up to the fastest and hottest setting – that can cause damage, overheating the cuticle, and frazzled, dry ends," says Syd Hayes, session stylist and BaByliss ambassador. If you have long or thick hair, try to accelerate the styling process with more power over heat. Cooler temperatures work best for colour-treated or brittle hair to minimise heat damage and frizz.
• Attachments: "If you’re after a salon-worthy blow dry full of volume, the narrow styling nozzle is the attachment for you," notes Dafydd Thomas, ghd's global head of education. "The wide styling nozzle is great if you want to blow dry your hair smooth, quickly as it covers a larger surface area. A comb styling nozzle is perfect for adding additional volume and shape while not disturbing natural movement. If you’re looking to enhance and define natural curls, a diffuser will allow [for this]."
• Practical features: Specs like cord length or weight aren't that fancy, but they are important. Consider your routine – if you regularly dry thick hair into salon-style flicks, ensure your dryer is light and has a swivel cord so you can style without tangling. If it'll be in a drawer most of the week, heavier is OK, but a robust dust filter is probably a good shout. Need a dryer for the whole family? Look for gentle temperatures and a vent that comes off easily for cleaning.

What are the types of hair dryers?

Generally speaking, there are three main types of hair dryers. The right one for you will depend on your hair's condition and type, including how long it usually takes you to dry it.

• Ionic: One of the most popular features in modern dryers with good reason. Our hair has a natural positive charge, which is what causes frizz and static. Ionic dryers release a stream of negative ions that grab onto these positive ones and neutralise them to smooth. This can also reduce drying time; the positive ions in the water in your hair are broken down and dispersed so you can dry for less time on a lower heat, thus reducing damage.
• Ceramic: Essentially, hair dryers work by pushing concentrated air over something hot, which then dries wet hair. The material of said “something hot” affects the efficiency of this process; to many, ceramic is the gold standard because it heats up extremely quickly and evenly, so every iota of air emitted from your dryer maintains a consistent temperature. In other words, no one section of your hair is frazzling while a surrounding area is out in the cold.
• Tourmaline: Another material used for “the hot bit,” tourmaline is a gemstone that’s crushed into powder then reformed for use in dryers and other hot tools. When heated, it generates infrared heat and an ionic charge, both of which help dry hair quickly – with less damage and good smoothing properties, too.

How powerful does a hair dryer need to be?

Generally, the more powerful a dryer is, the hotter the element will get and the faster it can dry your hair. However, this doesn't account for technology like airflow concentrators and brushless motors – and extreme heat causes damage, so bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to power. The best hair dryers usually have more than 1,500W of power, though some high-tech options cut this right down.

If you only use a dryer every so often, you'll probably get on fine with a basic, low-power model, whereas if you have thicker and/or denser hair and frequently take a considerable amount of time creating a professional blow-dry, it’s worth investing more in a techier, more powerful tool.

Do I need a diffuser or a cold shot button?

If you have curly hair then yes, a diffuser is a good idea (although some might argue that curly hair types should avoid using a dryer altogether). Nonetheless, many people find that the air-drying process is neither practical nor enjoyable. Knowing how to use a diffuser will allow you to dry far more gently, rather than forcing the cuticle this way and that and disrupting the natural curl pattern.

And what about the cold shot? For anyone who likes to dry their hair into a particular style, such as using tension to straighten it or a round brush to add flicks or a root lift, a cold-shot button is essential. This is because the cooler air sets a style in place, locking it in for longer.

"When blow drying your hair, always finish with the cold shot, this seals the cuticle to reduce atmospheric damage to the hair and allows longevity with hair styling," says Reed. "This will also add shine to ensure your hair looks healthy and its best.”

What hair dryers do hairdressers use?

This is very subjective and varies hairdresser to hairdresser. Big salons often work with specific brands preferred by their top stylists, as well as those that said stylists have relationships with – ghd and Dyson are both brands we see a lot in professional settings.

Then there are those that are widely used in-salon and by session stylists on location and shoots, but that aren't as widely available to consumers; these include brands like Elchim and Parlux, whose Alyon model features in this guide.

Ask a stylist what they look for in a hair dryer and three key themes will emerge: power, reliability and ergonomics – even if your hair is seriously thick and takes what feels like an age to dry, a hairdresser spends longer with a dryer in their hand than you do any day, so comfort and ease of movement are crucial. That's why you'll often see compact models, such as the Dyson and Parlux, in the hands of the pros.