13 Best Hair Dryers, Reviewed by GLAMOUR editors
Meanwhile, Maria Sotiriou, hairstylist and founder of SILKE London, says to consider the weight, heat settings and power: “Something lightweight is very helpful as you’re usually holding it higher than shoulder height. And, as you know, the longer you hold something up in the air, the heavier it becomes. A quiet hairdryer is something I also think is important; being able to hear your phone, the doorbell go, someone calling your name and also less noise generally feels like less stress.”
Both hairstylists note the importance of looking for a travel-friendly and space-saving blow dryer. “Look out for the length of the electrical cord as sockets are not always placed in the most useful places, especially when travelling,” notes Maria.
Don’t forget to look for a cool shot if you want to set your style with a cold blast of air. It’s also worth considering ionic technology, which produces negatively charged ions that break down the positively charged ions in water – this stops water from soaking into your hair shaft and creating frizz. So, if you have an ionic hair dryer, you can dry your hair faster and at a lower temperature.
Finally, comfort is key: “When buying a hairdryer, hold it in your hand and place your fingers on the controls to see if the controls are comfortable to use,” advises Maria.
Behold, the best hair dryers for every budget and preference…
Best hair dryer overall
Why we love it: Ergonomically balanced and powerful, this ghd hair dryer is available in four chic colours to suit every dressing table. It’s lightweight and has a fast drying time, while its ionic frizz-fighting technology can easily tame your mane. Plus, it comes included with every attachment you could possibly need for a range of hair types and styling choices. Our Commerce Photo Editor Neamh Randall used it to dry her hair, and managed to do it in less than 10 minutes (without resorting to using extreme heat). We loved the ergonomic build, the innovative GHD technology, and the sleek design.
- Wattage: 2200W.
- Weight: 780 g.
- Attachments: 1 (contoured nozzle).
- Cord length: 3 metres.
- Speed settings: 2.
- Heat settings: 3.
- Ionic technology: Yes.
- Cold shot: Yes.
Best innovative hair dryer
Why we love it: The latest addition to Dyson’s impressive arsenal, the Nural uses high-tech sensors to automatically adjust airflow and temperature to protect your scalp and enhance shine. This is ideal for those with damaged hair or sensitive scalps. It’s also great for afro hair, which is generally more fragile than Caucasian and Asian hair types, as it’s less likely to cause damage. It also comes with a variety of attachments, including a diffuser and wide tooth comb, which is engineered to detangle, shape and lengthen curly and coily hair. This other-worldly trending dryer even features an auto-pause function, which lowers the power whenever you put it down.
