Once upon a time, shopping for the best hair dryers was as simple as walking into the drugstore and debating among four or five options. Is it cheap? Does it have enough watts to get super hot? Done. Thankfully, the beauty industry has wised up to the fact that the one-size-fits-all options do not, in fact, work for all, and a new era of high-tech blow-dryers were born. But with so many hyped-up styling tools available, we turned to hair stylists to get their recommendations on the hair dryers and dryer brushes worth the money (spoiler—yes, the Dyson Supersonic is one of them). Below are the best options for every hair texture and budget, recommended by professional stylists and Glamour reviewers who genuinely use them every day.
Best hair dryers, at a glance
Your hair dryer questions, answered
What type of hair dryer is least damaging?
The least damaging hair dryers usually have ceramic or tourmaline technology, according to Rogerio Cavalcante, owner of Second Floor Salon in NYC. “Ceramic dryers give off even heat, which helps avoid hot spots that can burn your hair, while tourmaline emits negative ions that help seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture,” he says. Both of these reduce frizz and help keep your hair smooth, making them quite gentle compared to regular plastic dryers. “Avoid touching the dryer to your hair and leaving it in the same spot for long periods of time (more than 10-20 seconds),” says Cavalcante, which can contribute to burning and hair damage.
What’s the difference between ionic and ceramic hair dryers?
Ionic hair dryers release ions that break down water molecules, which speeds up drying time and reduces frizz, so they’re better for thicker, coarser hair. “On the other hand, ceramic dryers give off even heat that’s gentle on hair and causes less heat damage, making them a solid choice for all hair types, especially those with finer or more delicate strands,” says Cavalcante.
What should you look for in a hair dryer?
Cavalcante recommends looking for a dryer that has a cool shot button (a feature that quickly blasts cold air), and attachments like a concentrator nozzle or diffuser to help lock in the hairstyle, particularly if you have curls or waves. He also suggests avoiding hair dryers that go above 410° F. Most dryers will heat up between 100°F and 200°F, which will also reflect in wattage (ranging from 1200 to 2000). If you have finer hair, you’ll want to use lower temperatures (no higher than 130°), and if you have thick, coarse hair you can comfortably heat up a dryer to the 200° range. Speed settings can also be useful depending on your hair type. Higher, faster fan speeds can dry thick hair more quickly, while lower, slower fans should suffice when drying thinner hair. Bonus points if the hair dryer is lightweight with a long enough cord.
How we tested hair dryers
At Glamour, we believe the old adage about “bad hair days” is true. Feeling confident about your hair can change a trajectory, and that foundation all starts with a stellar dryer. That’s why, everything on this list has been both endorsed by not only a pro, but also our editors and reviewers who feel the same way and have spent years trying blow dryers before finding their holy grail tool–and since technology has evolved, trying new ones as they come on the market. All of these dryers have been used for at least one month to three years–and counting.
We endorsed the dryers that maintained consistent (but not overly hot) heat, and we looked to see how thoroughly and quickly they dried various hair textures, plus how easy the hair was to style after drying. We also looked at our hair every day (in some cases, for years) and evaluated the dryers based on how smooth and frizz-free it remained for a full day, also accounting for humid and dry weather. The picks below met all of these criteria, and then some.
Best Overall: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Original video by Glamour contributor Brittany Loggins
The price tag on the Dyson might take you aback at first, but if you’re looking for what the pros actually use, this tool is your ticket. It rids frizz, and leaves hair looking sleek, soft and flyaway-free. It also has four powerful heat settings with a 1600 wattage, plus multiple speed settings that allow you to get into every nook and cranny of your strands. “The Dyson Supersonic truly ruins every other hair dryer you’ve ever used based on its power alone. It can be adjusted to three power settings, and the highest level will dry even the thickest hair in a matter of minutes,” says Glamour contributor Brittany Loggins, who has medium thick hair. It cut off 10 minutes of her normal drying time routine, especially when she sections out her hair. “For each brush-sized section of hair, the Supersonic fully dries my locks in no more than three passes. For sleeker looks, I also love the concentrator, which makes it easy to get a flat-ironed look from a blowout,” she notes.
This pick is also a favorite amongst Glamour editors, including our commerce director Brie Schwartz who has curly hair, and says that this is the best hair dryer she’s ever owned. “My mother was a hairdresser, and until recently I never used another blower besides her professional salon tool–none got hot enough for me, but I took the plunge two years ago and I haven’t looked back,” she says. “I love how lightweight it is, especially compared to what my mother used–so much so that it’s my travel dryer. While it’s costly, I’ve used it virtually every day since I bought it, and it’s fallen on the floor more times than I can count, yet it’s still in great shape, and it very quickly straightens my fine, curly hair, even on the most humid days.” The good news: we also found this dryer refurbished on Walmart for under $250.
- Why we like it: It comes with four different attachments that allow you to customize your drying routine depending on your hair type
- Pros: It has 1380 watts, making it one of the most powerful dryers on this list
- Cons: It’s expensive
- Reviewer used for: 8 years combined
- Weight: 1.13lbs
- Heat Settings: 4
- Cool Shot Button: Yes
- Ion Technology: Yes
- Attachments: Styling concentrator, diffuser, flyaway attachment, wide tooth comb
Best for Curly Hair: The Pattern Blow Dryer
Original video by Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs
A diffuser is the best way to achieve a controlled dry on curly and coily hair types, and this pick rose to the top for its sleek and easy to maneuver attachment. “I haven’t had much luck with dryers the past—they’re usually too hot and leave my curly/wavy hair frizzy at the top and fried-feeling,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. She was impressed by how lightweight this was when she took it out of the box, compared to others she’s tried. It comes with several attachments (a diffuser, a brush, a wide tooth comb, and a concentrator nozzle) specifically for curly/coily hair.
Griggs found that the wide diffuser and the wide tooth comb at the top was the best match for her hair. She particularly liked that it was easy to use and never got super hot. “My Dyson gets scaldingly hot fast, which makes it hard to hold it in one place for long. The Pattern’s heat, by comparison, is gentler. Perhaps it took longer to dry my hair, but it felt gentler on my curls for the long term. I also like that you could lock the cool shot button; I didn’t need to press it in place in order to keep using it,” she says. The diffuser attachment on this one also held a lot of curls in its wide bowl, making it a standout pick for Griggs. “Overall, it took around 20 minutes to dry my hair, and left soft, shiny curls—I was quite pleased.”
- Why we like it: It keeps frizz away and the the wide bowl makes it easy to capture a lot of curls at once
- Pros: Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Cons: It has locks on various settings which might make it harder to control with precision
- Used for: 1 month
- Weight: 1.12lbs
- Heat Settings: 3
- Cool Shot Button: Yes
- Ion Technology: Yes
- Attachments: Diffuser, brush, wide tooth comb, concentrator nozzle
Best for Thick Hair: T3 Aireluxe Hair Dryer
Original video by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle
If you have medium to thick hair, the T3 Aireluxe is a great option. “I’ve owned this T3 hair dryer for a few years now and it’s never let me down. It’s powerful but I don’t feel like I’m burning my hair. I can easily control the temperature, and the nozzle attachment lets me concentrate the hot air to my round brush when I’m styling it. My boyfriend has been using this hair dryer as well and he has wavy medium hair. We take it with us whenever we travel because its light and easy to store. I will say, you do need to learn how to section and blow dry your hair first before getting that salon-worthy blowout. It took me a few tries and lots of video tutorials,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
- Why we like it: The temperature doesn’t get too hot
- Pros: Sleek, lightweight design
- Cons: Only has one attachment
- Used for: 4 years
- Weight: 1.06 lbs
- Heat Settings: 5
- Cool Shot Button: Yes
- Ion Technology: Yes
- Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Best Multi-Styler Dryer: Shark Beauty Sharkflex Styler
Original video by Glamour contributor Tanisha Cherry
Looking to master your silk press routine? Beauty influencer Tanisha Cherry says that this dryer is the secret to nailing her flawless look. “I recently started using this dryer, and let me tell you, it’s extremely powerful, cuts my blow-dry time in half, and is so light that my arms don’t feel like they’ve had a workout,” she says. Cherry says it takes her just 15 minutes to style her hair, compared to a half hour with her old hair dryer brush. “I usually make two passes with this dryer on my towel-dried hair with a paddle brush, and I love that this dryer doesn’t get overly hot,” she says. The temperature is regulated to maintain consistent, safe heat, with a maximum that’s half of a traditional hot tool, making it perfect for a variety of hair types. “It’s an absolute chef’s kiss,” she says.
