The 14 Best Hair Dryers, Based on 4 Years of Testing (And Counting!)

Best Overall

Shark SpeedStyle

$230

$160 at Amazon

$230

$158 at Wayfair $229 at Sharkninja.com

Features: 4 heat, 3 airflow settings | Attachments: 3 (more available for purchase) | Cord Length: 8 ft | Weight: 1.69 lbs | Wattage: 1,700 W | Cool shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: Of all the tools available right now, this is the best hair dryer to buy. Sure, the rest of the hair dryers on this list work wonderfully, but none come close to the Shark, thanks to its innovative capabilities and unique blow dryer attachments. When you order it, you choose between any three attachments you want for no extra cost (though you can buy more for an added price), from a Lift & Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb to a FrizzFighter Finisher. While the Dyson Supersonic has more attachments included, we think the Shark attachments work slightly better, especially for those with curly hair—our curly-haired tester specifically pointed out the adjustable spokes on the diffuser attachment (extend the spokes to reach the root for those with long, thick hair and retract for those with short, fine hair who don’t need as much heat on the scalp).

The Shark is also slightly more powerful than the Dyson Supersonic with 1700 wattage vs. 1600 wattage, respectively, and at a fraction of the price. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the Shark hair dryer does not come with a storage case, though it's sleek shape and lightweight design makes it very portable. If you style your hair multiple times a week and want the Dyson’s versatility without the price tag, you’ll enjoy this one.

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with wavy hair (not shown): “Prior to testing, I’d never used this hair dryer before, but found it incredibly easy to use. You just have to pop on an attachment, turn it on, and get going. I found the QuickSmooth brush the most innovative attachment I’d ever used, and my wet waves were smoothed into a sleek, soft blowout in minutes with minimal fallout.”

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with curly hair (not shown): “Testing this hair dryer after testing the Dyson blow dryer was key because I could see just how well it compares, and let me tell you, it’s a very close race. It has most of the same attachments and is just as chic looking (I actually think it’s sleeker and lighter in weight). It’s a serious game-changer.”

Best Budget

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer

$100 at Amazon $100 at Ulta

$97

$100 at Target

Features: 3 heat, 2 speed settings | Attachments: 1 | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1.92 lbs | Wattage: 2,000 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: While it doesn’t boast futuristic technology or a sleek design like the Shark or the Dyson, this salon-quality hair dryer is simple, easy, and efficient. With three heat and two speed settings, it’s a tried-and-true, no-fuss blow dryer you can reach for repeatedly without getting tripped up by complicated features. It's equipped with an ion generator and 2,000 watts of power, making it a heavy-duty, professional-level option that dries hair fast. It's admittedly not the lightest blow dryer on the list, but it's a powerhouse that proves to be one of the best affordable hair dryers around. 

What the Expert Says: Hairstylist Krysta N. Rojas applauds this blow dryer for its user-friendly design. "It's easy on the wrist, which is helpful for continuous styling," she explains. "It's a great choice for beginners or seasoned pros, regardless of hair type."

Alyssa Kaplan, editor with straight hair (not shown): "This hair dryer is simple and easy to use, but strong and hot enough to dry and smooth my fine hair in just a few minutes."

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with curly hair (not shown): "It has a strong, even airflow that never felt like it overwhelmed my curl pattern. It dried my hair relatively quickly and didn't create much frizz or flyaways."

Best for Fine Hair

T3 AireLuxe Hair Dryer

$225 at Ulta $225 at Nordstrom $225 at T3micro.com

Features: 5 heat, 3 speed settings, volume boost switch | Attachments: 2 (others sold separately) | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1.06 lbs | Wattage: 1875 W | Cool shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: A smooth blowout that never flattens fine hair actually is possible with this mighty T3 hair dryer. The saturated airflow delivers 10 million negative ions per second, mitigating frizz and promoting shine. (It has a button to turn it off, though, if you want to focus more on building volume and body in flat hair.) The settings are equally impressive; this blow dryer has five temperature settings and three airflow speeds for 15 combinations you can play around with for a customized drying experience. That said, there’s a learning curve if you’re used to a blow dryer with standard low, medium, and high settings. Though it does come with two different-sized concentrators for targeted airflow, the attachment variety that comes with the tool could be better. You can technically buy a diffuser and a wide-toothed comb separately, but we wish they were included.

What the Expert Says: “I say ‘Yes!’ to the price because of the unique features, versatility, and fast drying time. I just wish it came with an assortment of slimmer nozzles and a longer cord for maneuverability,” says Sky Kim, a New York-based hairstylist.

Emily Cieslak, associate editor with straight hair (not shown): “As someone with fine hair, I really appreciate how this hair dryer has five heat settings. It allows me to find the perfect setting that isn’t too cool or too hot, which can be hard when there are only two or three heat settings. Being able to control the airflow and the wider nozzle also prevents the airflow from being too concentrated and tangling my bleached hair.”

Kayla, tester with wavy hair (not shown): "The buttons were placed in a perfect location, so there was no chance of accidentally messing with them. I especially enjoyed the extensive heat and power settings (there are 15 combinations) because you can customize them to your hair type and liking."

Best for Thick Hair

Drybar Reserve Blow-Dryer

$285

$200 at Amazon $285 at Sephora $285 at Nordstrom

Features: 3 heat, 2 speed settings | Attachments: 1 | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1 lb | Wattage: 1875 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: This hair dryer from classic blowout bar brand, Drybar, is unbeatable. It’s not super slim or sleek, but it’s lightweight, visually aesthetic, and resembles traditional hair dryers with the buttons right where we expected them to be. While it works on all hair types, we especially love it for thick hair, thanks to the concentrator attachment that helps direct airflow and encourage faster styling (a welcome attribute for those with impossible-to-dry, long, thick hair). Plus, it has a powerful motor, with 1,875 wattage. However, it would be ideal if it came with more styling attachments and speed settings. If you appreciate the classics and don’t want to mess around with newer technology (aka if your approach is ‘don’t fix what isn’t broken’), you’ll love this one.

What the Expert Says: Hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez explains that it’s not too cumbersome despite the bulkier shape. “I don’t feel like it slows me down, and my arm doesn’t get tired while using it,” she explains. “It’s easy to maneuver, twist, and turn whichever way I need it to. It takes me about 16 minutes to achieve a smooth finish with some volume, which is what it usually takes me at the salon with my own hair dryer.”

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with straight hair: "The airflow was a little less intense on this device compared to others I tested, but that and the concentrator made styling a bit easier—rather than my hair getting completely blown away from my brush."

Best Dyson

Dyson Supersonic Nural

$449 at Amazon $449 at Sephora $450 at Nordstrom

Features: 4 heat, 3 speed settings, intelligent heat control | Attachments: 5 | Cord Length: 8.6 ft | Weight: 1.8 lbs | Wattage: 1,600 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: The Dyson Supersonic Nural multi-styler took an already fantastic blow dryer (the Dyson Supersonic Origin) and made it even better with features that work automatically, such as pause detection (it lowers airflow, heat, and noise when you set it down), auto-adjust heat to protect your scalp when it gets too close, and attachment learning—the tool remembers what heat and airflow setting you used last with that attachment and starts it there when you use it next time. These intelligent features are why we crowned it the best Dyson hair dryer from the brand’s portfolio. Even more, it comes with five attachments, making it an ideal hair dryer for styling: wave + curl diffuser, styling concentrator, wide-tooth comb, gentle air diffuser, and flyaway attachment, plus a storage case.

What the Expert Says: “For the everyday styler, someone who mainly rough-dries or diffuses wavy, curly, or coily hair, or anyone with a sensitive scalp—the Nural is the best option,” says Matthew Collins, hairstylist and Dyson Global Ambassador. “The original Supersonic may still be the best option for the die-hard round brush expert, as the heat sensor isn’t needed as much.”

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with straight hair (not shown): "I love how the super strong airflow cuts my drying time in half and doesn't require high heat to get the job done. And if you have long hair like me, you'll appreciate that the motor is built into the handle rather than the back of the barrel, so no more strands getting sucked in and ripped out."

Olivia Hancock, senior editor with curly hair (not shown): "The dryer's 'scalp protect mode' and the new wave and curl attachment immediately grabbed my attention. The dryer's innovative features help cut down dry time and leave me with a fluffy head of hair."

Best for Damaged Hair

BondiBoost Sonic Dryer

$199 at Sephora $199 at Ulta

Features: 4 heat, 3 speed settings, smart memory | Attachments: 2 | Cord Length: 8 ft | Weight: Less than 1 pound | Wattage: 1600 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: Traditional hair dryers use high heat to dry hair, which can overdry the hair and scalp, causing breakage and long-term damage. We appreciate how this best hair dryer for damaged hair has four different heat levels, so you can pick the right one for your hair type rather than being locked into high heat. Thanks to ionic technology, the device dries damaged hair four times faster without the need for high heat, and leaves strands shinier and less frizzy. That said, while the powerful motor is great for speeding up drying time, some of our testers found it to be a bit too powerful and concentrated, making it hard to control. However, one of our testers with thick, long hair appreciated that her hair never got caught in the motor, and our testers were equally impressed with how lightweight and quiet this blow dryer was.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with straight hair (not shown): “When testing this pick, the technology delivered a silky smooth blowout with no frizz, and my hair wasn't scorched in the process. The device is really lightweight and quieter than others while maintaining a strong airflow. My hair never got caught in the motor, and the concentrator attachment made for a more direct and accurate blowout."

Best for Curly Hair

T3 Hair Dryer

$400 at Sephora

$400

$300 at Ulta $399 at Dermstore

Features: 5 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 3 | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1.3 lbs | Wattage: 1200-1400 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: Drying thick, curly hair is no easy task, but this hair dryer gets the job done at an elite level. Our tester credits this success to the high-tech, Heat ID functionality of this T3 hair dryer—a smart screen for customizing heat and airflow settings. After selecting your hair type on the display, the device automatically adjusts to the optimal temperature and intensity. Even better: This blow dryer remembers your favorite settings for each attachment and automatically applies them once the attachment is in use. However, if you want to customize the settings yourself, a manual settings option is also available. It also features an auto-pause sensor, turning off and on when you pick it up or set it down. Our tester experienced long-lasting, frizz-free curls, with no disruption in her curl pattern. Among two other attachments, it comes with a diffuser, an essential attachment for most people with curly hair.

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with curly hair (not shown): "I think the photos speak for themselves, but the difference is also in how long my curls last after wash day. When I use this dryer, I get well-defined, frizz-free curls for at least four days after, without needing to refresh with product. That’s never been the case with other dryers."

Best Travel

Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex

$250

$180 at Amazon $249 at Sephora $250 at Ulta

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings, scalp shielding | Attachments: 3 included | Cord Length: 8 ft | Weight: 1.6 lbs | Wattage: 1,750 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: This is the improved version of the Shark Speedstyle hair dryer we know and love, and it’s such a handy hair dryer for travel. Its unique foldable design and lightweight handle make it easy to pack, so you no longer have to sacrifice lots of space in your bag just for your hair tool. During testing, it had the same impressive drying power as the original—it dried hair from root to tip without overheating—and we like that you can choose your own three attachments that suit your needs best, making the dryer truly customizable. Available attachments include a FrizzFighter Finishing Tool, diffuser for curls, touch-up brush for blowouts, Lift & Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb, smoothing brush, and Turbo Concentrator. Plus, it has innovative technology that adjusts the heat and speed depending on the attachment, so you won't have to fiddle around with choosing the settings. Another new and improved feature, it flaunts a new setting called 'scalp shield' to protect new hair growth from heat. All this to say, you really can't go wrong with this multi-styler.

Virginia, tester with coily hair (not shown): “This blow dryer works well on dense, coily curls and human hair extensions. The various attachments offer a variety of styling options for various hair types.”

Brittany, tester with wavy hair (not shown): “I noticed instant sleekness, smoothness, and shine after drying my hair with the Shark hair dryer—I couldn’t stop running my fingers through my hair, to be honest. I haven’t noticed any heat damage or excessive frizz, although I ensure not to dry my hair on the highest heat setting and turn on the Scalp Shield feature when drying near my scalp.”

Best Brush

Dyson Airwrap Coanda2x

$749 at Amazon $749 at Sephora $750 at Dyson.com

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 6 | Cord Length: 6.56 ft | Weight: 0.9 lb | Wattage: 1,700 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: When Dyson came out with its new and improved version of the Airwrap, the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Multi-Styler and Dryer, we were eager to see if it actually was as powerful and fast as the brand claims; We’re happy to report it is. While it’s definitely an investment, we think it’s worth it for those who regularly blow out their hair (especially since it’s way less damaging than the typical hot tool) and need multiple attachments to get their preferred look (it comes with six). Both of our testers—one with curly hair and one with straight hair—found the tool does an incredible job at eliminating frizz and adding volume, and at an impressive pace. Plus, the included storage case makes it easy to keep all the attachments and dryer in one place.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director with straight hair: “My biggest challenge has always been getting volume and bounce into my thick, long hair. This tool met my expectations and then some, adding lift and life to my usually weighed-down hair in record time with minimal effort. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to transform your style, you won't be disappointed.’

Ally Hirschlag, former associate editorial director with curly hair (not shown): “It didn't cause any visual damage, in fact, it feels like it uses more tempered heat than other dryers I've tried. It met my expectations in that way—I always look for tools that enhance my curl pattern, reduce frizz, and add lift at the roots, which this tool certainly did.”

Best Fast-Drying

Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dyer

$549 at Amazon $549 at Sephora $550 at Ulta

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 5 | Cord Length: 6 ft | Weight: 0.7 lbs | Wattage: 1,700 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: The Dyson Supersonic ‘r’ Hair Dryer is legitimately the fastest-drying hair dryer we've ever tried. It takes Dyson’s famous Supersonic Nural (and Supersonic Origin) a step further, delivering a more compact, lightweight model. Its ‘r’-shaped design offers more precise airflow and better control. Our tester found this powerful hair dryer to be comfortable and ergonomic, explicitly noting its easy-grip made it stand out from other dryers she’s tried. Plus, the button placement was in an ideal spot, so there was less risk of accidentally changing the settings as she worked through her hair. The attachments are similar to the original Supersonic’s (they both have magnetic capabilities and automatic airflow adjustment technology), except we found that the concentrator paired with the precise airflow of the blow dryer made for a powerful jet-like flow that dried thick, coarse hair fast. (Our tester even said it helps people like her who don’t typically have styling chops to give themselves salon-worthy blowouts.)

Leann, tester with wavy hair (not shown): “My hair was extremely smooth, soft, and shiny after use. Normally, after blow-drying my hair, I need to whip out my flat iron to touch up certain areas (like my face frame, baby hairs, and the underside around my neck). But that wasn’t the case here. The different attachments allowed me to target the unique areas of my hair so that one tool was all I needed. Plus, it looks and feels healthier than when air-dried.”

Best for Natural Hair

T3 Featherweight StyleMax

$210

$179 at Amazon $210 at Sephora $210 at Ulta

Features: 5 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 4 | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1.04 lbs | Wattage: 1,875 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: If you’re shopping for a hair dryer for natural hair, you can stop right here. First, as the name suggests, this hair dryer is super lightweight—weighing just over a pound—so you won't have to worry about that wash day arm workout. Secondly, sometimes comb attachments don't serve those with curly and coily hair, but the T3 comb attachment locks into place and slides through strands, leaving behind a soft blowout. The most impressive feature, though, is its versatility. You can set it for fine, medium, or coarse hair and take your pick between five heat settings (which, honestly, get pretty hot). This makes it a no-brainer for so many textures and even protective styles.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor with coily hair (not shown): "While the controls aren't the most intuitive at first, the instruction booklet explained everything so that I could figure out the best settings for my hair type. I used the coarse hair setting, a high heat setting, and the highest speed setting, and effectively dried my hair in 15 minutes."

Best Ionic

GHD Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer

$329

$246 at Amazon

$279

$179 at Sephora $329 at Ulta

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 1 | Cord Length: 9 ft | Weight: 1.7 lbs | Wattage: 1,875 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: This ionic dryer was designed for people who regularly blow-dry their hair (we're talking at least twice a week). It's super lightweight and easy to maneuver around your head. At the same time, its powerful airflow, along with its advanced ionic technology make the drying process lightning-fast (our tester said it cut her drying time down significantly). Ionic hair dryers produce negatively charged ions that counteract the positively charged ions of water (aka wet hair), leading to a faster drying time, a reduction in frizz, added shine, and an overall sleeker look. But it doesn't just smooth and straighten—it adds considerable volume, too. The result is gorgeous, shiny hair with zero frizz.

Kayla, tester with wavy hair (not shown): "The nozzle was secure and had a steady airflow, and the cool-shot setting was quick to change the temperature, creating a pretty blowout with a ton of volume. It also dried my hair in a flash."

Best 2-in-1 Hair Dryer Straightener

Shark SilkiPro

$250

$199 at Amazon

$249

$199 at Sephora

$250

$200 at Ulta

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings | Attachments: 3 | Cord Length: 7 ft | Weight: 1.69 lbs | Wattage: 1000 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: The latest buzz in hair dryer tech is air straighteners, and Shark’s version, the Shark SilkiPro, impressed us beyond. The two-in-one hair dryer straightener can be used on wet or dry hair, making it much quicker to achieve that sleek, flat iron look immediately post-wash. It uses HeatSense ceramic plates that monitor heat 1,000 (!!) times per second. These sensors adjust the heat accordingly, ensuring no damage, whether you use it on wet or dry hair. It also has auto-pause technology, and our tester says the noise level is super tolerable (she could hear her music over the blow dryer). It comes with three comb attachments—a wide-tooth comb, a gentle comb, and a precision comb—allowing you to smooth, stretch, or straighten hair.

Anna Traver, writer with curly hair: “I have naturally curly hair, so I'm always a bit skeptical of air straightener blow dryers. The fact that the heat and airflow could get my curls so smooth and straight without using another tool was so impressive to me. It took about 45 minutes for my wet hair to be completely dried and straightened to my liking, which I consider a win since straightening alone can sometimes take that long. I received so many compliments on how healthy and shiny my hair looked!”

Best High Speed

FHI Heat AeroMax Style Dryer

$100 at Target $150 at Fhiheat.com

Features: 3 heat, 3 speed settings, foldable | Attachments: 1 | Cord Length: 6.5 ft | Weight: 0.7 lbs | Wattage: 1,600 W | Cool Shot: Yes

Why We Chose It: We were impressed with how powerful a punch this small, travel-friendly hair dryer from FHI packs. Despite its size, it features a digital motor that runs at 100,000 RPM and delivers 1,600 W of power, resulting in mighty airflow and speed. It has a foldable design, making it a breeze to pack and travel with, and it’s easy to use on the go thanks to how lightweight it is. Our tester with kinky-curly hair says it worked better and faster than some of the higher-end hair dryers she’s used previously, and her results were “soft, smooth, voluminous, and defined” curls. While the hair dryer doesn’t come with a diffuser attachment, our tester was surprised to discover she didn’t even need one. One thing to note is that although there is a cool shot, you have to hold down the button the entire time you want it on, which can be a hassle if you want to use cool air to dry your entire head.

Cortney, tester with curly hair: “I feel this dried my hair much faster and offered more definition without the need for a diffuser attachment. I'm all about time- and space-saving nowadays, and this product delivers on both.”