Whether you wash your hair every day or once a week, the humble hair dryer is probably one of the most heavily used beauty devices we have in our homes. However, when they all come with different claims, endless attachments and a wide range of price points, it can be hard to know which hair dryer is best for you.
To ensure you’re using the best one for your hair type, the Women's Health Lab rigorously tested the biggest brands in haircare to see which live up to the hype. And we’ve found powerful machines that create salon-worthy results for as little as £24.99. Here are our testers' top picks:
Best hair dryers for 2023
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Best hair dryer for under £50
The Hair Lab by Mark Hill Professional Hair Dryer
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Best diffuser attachment
Revamp Professional Progloss 5500 Hair Dryer
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10
Best hair dryer for fine hair
Untamed Defrizz Wave Tame Machine Untamed Hair Dryer
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What is ionic technology and do I need it?
Today, many machines come with ionic technology. This produces negative ions that are transferred from the dryer to the hair and attract the positive ions in water molecules, resulting in fewer flyaways and quicker drying times. It’s a useful feature to have if you’re looking for silky-smooth hair.
Other key features to look out for
If you're looking to streamline your beauty admin, it can be tempting to go with a hair dryer with higher wattage, and while this does mean you’ll benefit from stronger airflow, and therefore a faster dry time, it can also make machines heavier and harder to wield, so something to bear in mind.
Look out for machines with multiple heat and speed settings, as this will allow you to pick the right one for your hair type, as well as a cool shot button for setting your style.
What is the best hair dryer for my hair type?
Those with fine hair should avoid very high temperatures, so look for machines offering lower heat settings.
Turn the temperature up, though, if you have thick hair — this will enable you to dry your locks more quickly, reducing potential heat damage in the process.
A diffuser is key to distributing heat slowly and evenly through curly hair, while variable heat settings and ionic technology will help to protect afro hair from breakages. A cool shot setting will set curls in place, too.
How we test
We asked 350 women with a range of hair types, from fine to afro, to try out 65 different hair dryers. Each machine was judged on speed, ease of use, noise levels and weight. Most importantly, we also wanted to know which ones created the best finished result for every hair type.
Over in the WH Lab, our team measured airflow and casing temperatures and further assessed the instructions and design.
Dry hair, already?! The BaByliss proved super-speedy in action, meaning you won’t have to hog the mirror at the gym for too long. Our panel found it comfortable to hold and manoeuvre around their heads, leaving long-lasting results.
It took a while to reach its maximum temperature in the lab, but it left our testers with softer and shiner strands.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle and diffuser |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.42 |
| Hanging loop? | No |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2100 |
| Weight (g): | 570 |
You may want to drop some not-so-subtle birthday hints about this one. It’s certainly at the top end of what we’d be prepared to spend on a hair dryer; however, having tested it, we can attest to the Dyson Supersonic’s greatness.
The blade-less design constantly monitors the temperature to ensure hair doesn’t overheat, and there’s a selection of magnetic nozzles to cater for every hair type. We suggest leaving this link open somewhere someone might see it...
Key specifications
| Attachments: | 2 concentrator nozzles, non-slip mat, removable hanging loop, protective case (optional) |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.7 |
| Hanging loop: | No |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 3 |
| Number of heat settings: | 4 |
| Wattage (watts): | 1600 |
| Weight (g): | 0.66 |
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Oh-so-quiet and satisfyingly sleek, the T3 doesn't come cheap but boy does it deliver. The volume booster is our favourite function, which worked a treat, but the extensive heat and speed settings allow complete personalisation, whatever your hair type. Well-balanced, with a slim handle, the testers couldn’t have been happier with their soft, shiny hair.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 5 |
| Cord length (m): | Not disclosed |
| Wattage (watts): | 1900 |
| Weight (g): | 540 |
Yes, prolonged use of hair tools can damage our tresses, but this dryer seemed to do the opposite. Impressively, our testers said their locks looked healthier, softer, smoother and less frizzy after using it.
Those with afro hair were delighted by how effectively it straightened their hair and appreciated the cool shot function for keeping natural curls frizz-free. Most found it comfortable to hold but — minor niggle alert! — its long nose was quite tricky to angle.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle x2 |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 3.03 |
| Ionic technology: | No |
| Number of speed settings: | 3 |
| Number of heat settings: | 2 |
| Wattage (watts): | 1600 |
| Weight (g): | Not disclosed |
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It’s never been easier to toss your hair dryer into your gym bag and dash out the door than with this compact styler. Compact and lightweight, it proved comfortable to hold and straightforward to use.
It gave our testers silky-soft, static-free strands but its small size meant it wasn't the most powerful model on test, so drying took slightly longer. Still, if you're a regular traveller, it's unbeatable.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.7 |
| Hanging loop: | No |
| Ionic technology: | No |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | Not disclosed |
| Weight (g): | 400 |
Standing out from the crowd, our testers appreciated this aesthetically pleasing 'bright, eye-catching design' from Hollywood actor Drew Barrymore's hair tool brand.
It got the thumbs up from our testers with curly hair, reducing frizz for them. Those with afro hair were especially pleased with how speedily it dried their 'do, leaving it iron-smooth.
Everyone agreed that it didn’t dry out their locks and wasn’t too bulky to use, and were happy with how much it boosted volume. It gave softer strands, too — essentially, here's a trusty, powerful dryer for under £80.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 3 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2000 |
| Weight (g): | 382 |
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Want the luxe look without the hefty price tag? This is your guy. Our panel was pleased with the quick drying time, with testers admiring their shinier hair.
It could have been more ergonomic to hold, but nobody needed to so much as a glance at the instructions to figure out how to use it (yes, it's that easy) and its concentrator nozzle helped deliver a sleek, polished finish. It didn't do much for volume but it did leave our testers with improved softness. In short, it's a steal.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle and diffuser |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 3 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2300 |
| Weight (g): | Not disclosed |
ghd’s first ionic hair dryer is still just as impressive as it was when it was first released. It’s super-speedy, compact and light as, er, air.
The concentrator nozzle allows for precise airflow, leaving hair so smooth you may not bother with the brand’s straighteners.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 3 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 2 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2100 |
| Weight (g): | 1540, with cord |
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For those with curly hair, a hair dryer with a deep bowl diffuser is a must. This one helped distribute airflow gently and evenly, and there are a further two concentrator nozzles for effective styling.
Using ionic technology, this clever machine has two modes. Press the ‘smooth’ button to emit negative ions, or ‘volume’ to boost body.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Deep bowl diffuser, 2 concentrator nozzles |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.98 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2400 |
| Weight (g): | 736 |
Don’t let that strange little mini tank thing put you off — it contains argan oil for spritzing hair as you dry it, leaving your tresses looking hydrated and shiny. Our panel didn’t find it the best at banishing frizz, but it left testers with moisturised, healthy-looking ends and all agreed that it added volume around their roots.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.92 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2000 |
| Weight (g): | Not disclosed |
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11
Best hair dryer for afro hair
Panasonic EH-NA98 Nanoe & Double Mineral Advanced Hair Dryer
Designed to transform dull, damaged hair into a sleek masterpiece, our panel was particularly impressed with how it eradicated flyaways. The auto-adjusting hot and cold mode was great for afro hair and there’s a gentle scalp setting to protect your skin (it’s a game changer for doing your fringe!) The folding handle also means you could legit pack this one in your gym bag for gorgeous hair on the go.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.65 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 3 |
| Number of heat settings: | 4 |
| Wattage (watts): | 1800 |
| Weight (g): | 578 |
Similar to the ghd Air (above), albeit a little lighter and even quieter, the Helios is a good-looking machine, with impressively fast airflow for speedy drying. Available in six colours, testers loved the matte body and metallic details, but most importantly, their hair was left soft, shiny and smooth.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.86 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 2 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2000 |
| Weight (g): | 585 |
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Say goodbye to arm ache with our lightest dryer on test. Not only does it weigh next to nothing, it dries hair quickly too, even on the lowest heat and speed setting.
Relatively quiet, given the power, our panel particularly liked the cool shot button, which, unlike most other machines, doesn’t need to be held down to work. The only downside is you may need to do a few extra reps on arm day.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 2.94 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | Continuous |
| Number of heat settings: | 2 |
| Wattage (watts): | 1700 |
| Weight (g): | 431 |
Save yourself some precious minutes in the morning with this speedy rose gold machine. The majority of testers said the powerful airflow dried hair quickly, and the diffuser emphasised curls while reducing frizz. Overall, a well-balanced machine, offering sleek results at a great price.
Key specifications
| Attachments: | Diffuser and concentrator nozzle |
|---|---|
| Cool shot: | Yes |
| Cord length (m): | 3.02 |
| Hanging loop: | Yes |
| Ionic technology: | Yes |
| Number of speed settings: | 2 |
| Number of heat settings: | 3 |
| Wattage (watts): | 2400 |
| Weight (g): | 619 |
Florence Reeves-White
Senior Beauty Writer
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Tested byDenny Daily
Former Beauty and Grooming Tester
Denny our Former Beauty and Grooming Tester has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.
