The 15 Best Hair Dryers for Every Hair Type and Texture

Everyone needs a good hair dryer, whether you reach for it daily or on special occasions. The beauty world offers many options, from ionic technology to high-tech infrared air jets and diffusers promising bouncy natural curls—but even a great hair dryer isn't likely to give you the results you want if it's not the right tool for your hair type and texture. And you've probably wondered whether a $600 model is worth the price or if a budget hair dryer will fry your hair. So, which hair dryer is the one for you?

When shopping for a hair dryer, hairstylist Sky Kim says, "Make sure it has the heat settings and type of technology that works best for your hair." To help you find the best hair dryer, we tested 40 popular hair dryers on various hair types and textures, interviewed professional hairstylists, and compared our experiences to shopper reviews and ratings.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall Hair Dryer: Dyson Supersonic Nural
• Best Budget: InfinitiPRO by Conair SmoothWrap
• Best Attachments: Dyson Supersonic
• Best Splurge: IQ2 Perfetto
  
• Best for Thick Hair: Shark HyperAir
• Best for Damaged Hair: Zuvi Halo
• Best for Frizzy Hair: Olivia Garden SuperHP Hair Dryer
• Best for Natural Hair: Pattern Blow Dryer
• Best Technology: T3 AireLuxe
• Best Brush: Dyson AirWrap
• Best for Travel: T3 Afar
  

How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for You

Hair Type

To find the best hair dryer for you, start with your hair type. While the hair typing system is controversial, knowing your type, texture, thickness, and density will help you find the right tools and techniques.

Similar to that of a light bulb, a hair dryer’s wattage measures how powerful it is. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair will dry. “Look for a blow dryer that has at least 1,400 watts,” explains Kim. A higher wattage can be especially helpful for those with thick, coarse, or long hair that takes a while to dry. A lower wattage is better for those with thin or fine hair, as it prevents the blow dryer from over-drying (and, therefore, damaging) the hair. Once you know your hair type, texture, and density, look for these features when you're shopping for your next hair dryer:

• Fine or Thin Hair: Low wattage, low heat, high airflow
• Thick or Coarse Hair: High wattage, concentrator nozzle to focus airflow
• Curly Hair: Moderate wattage, diffuser attachment

Design, Technology, and Features

Let's start with the basics—look for a lightweight dryer with a sturdy grip that you can hold comfortably in either hand and a long cord to give you freedom of movement as you dry the back, front, and side sections of your head. A blow dryer with multiple heat and speed settings or attachments is only a good investment if you'll use them.

There are five hair-drying technologies:

• Traditional: Uses use metal coils that get hot quickly but lack temperature control.
• Ceramic: Distributes heat evenly, preventing hot spots and minimizing damage. 
• Infrared: Heat penetrates hair from within to dry it faster.
• Tourmaline: Similar to ceramic, tourmaline emits negative ions and infrared heat, promoting shine and reducing frizz.
• Ionic: Technology that relies on negative ions to dry the hair. These emit negative ions to neutralize the positive ions in water droplets, speeding up drying and potentially reducing frizz. 
  

Price

The price of a quality hair dryer varies widely—depending on the features, drying technology, and brand name—but ranges from around $40 for a basic dyer to $600 for the latest Dyson tool. If you wake up at 4 am to give yourself a salon-quality blowout before work, look for a dryer (or hot air brush) that combines drying and styling and expect to pay $200 and up. If you want to dry your hair before you walk out the door, you need a basic, reliable dryer with good airflow, which you can find for around $60. Just don't buy the cheapest hair dryer you can find. There are affordable hair dryers that will get the job done without causing heat damage.

The Best Hair Dryers

Why we chose it: The Nural took an already fantastic blow dryer (the Dyson Supersonic) and made it even better with features that work automatically, such as pause detect (it lowers air flow, heat, and noise when you set it down), auto-adjust heat to protect your scalp from burning when it gets too close, and attachment learning—the tool remembers what heat and airflow setting you used last with that attachment (be it the concentrator nozzle or diffuser) and starts it there when you use it next time. The dryer also comes with six attachments: wave + curl diffuser, concentrator nozzle, wide-tooth comb, bowl diffuser, gentle air diffuser, flyaway attachment, plus a storage case.

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

Read Full Review: Dyson Dropped a New Hair Dryer, and Yes, It’s Better Than the Original

Why we chose it: The Smoothwave rings up under $60, making its performance even more impressive. It uses ceramic technology to create even heat and airflow, drying hair efficiently without causing damage. The included diffuser has thick, wide-set prongs to evenly distribute air through thick and curly hair, reducing frizz and maximizing body. The design is basic—left-handed users may find it difficult to toggle the settings on the right side of the handle—but it’s a reliable workhorse.

What the expert says: “The airflow is efficient for an at-home dryer, so it gets hair smooth and straight. It could be used on a wide range of textures, including curly and coily (but not kinky!) as long you keep it on a lower heat setting,” says hairstylist Geneva Clark. 

Why we chose it: The Supersonic relies on airflow rather than heat (the blades spin six times faster than the average dryer) to provide a quicker dry time. The attachments—including a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb, and a flyaway smoother—deliver a customizable blowout for most hair types and textures. Is a $430 hair dryer a worthwhile buy? It's an excellent investment for someone who dries and styles their hair often, but not so much if you're a novice who wants to get your wet hair dry.

What the expert says: "The real value in the Dyson Supersonic is in all the cool attachments for different hair types and styles. If you know what you're doing, you can get salon results," hairstylist D'Xenia Clark notes.

Why we chose it: A favorite among pro hairstylists and at-home users, the IQ Perfetto is not as intimidating as it may look. It's loud but delivers measured airflow and heat to quickly dry hair from roots to ends, with a star-shaped nozzle that provides focused drying without the risk of burning or singeing. The best part? The finished look is well-defined, bouncy, and hydrated, which often doesn't happen after a blow dry. It also has a self-cleaning option, which you won't find on most consumer hair dryers.

What the expert says: "I love the long barrel and how slim and sleek it is. The performance and results are immaculate and can cater to anyone, regardless of their hair type and texture. It's truly universal, at the top of the hair dryer game," raves hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Why we chose it: Don't call it a dupe! The HyperAir is often referred to as a lower-priced version of the Dyson Supersonic, but it stands out on its own, delivering a 'healthy' blow-out and stunning results. (Check out the Before and After!) The dual-purpose concentrator allows you to rough dry hair or focus the airflow, and the styling brush attachment harnesses ionized air to create sleek looks. Speaking of airflow, it's so powerful you won't need to go higher than the second speed setting to get a silky finish on fine or thin hair. Curly girls take note; The Supersonic is the better choice for type 3c and all type 4 hair, which is often thick and dense.

What the expert says: "The HyperAir imparts a natural shine and seals the cuticle well because the cool shot button works immediately to cut the heat. It's compact, but I was surprised by how heavy it was for a newer model hair dryer," says hairstylist D'Exenia Clark.

Why we chose it: The Pattern dryer was designed for natural hair, with four attachments—a brush to elongate, a wide tooth comb to lift and detangle, a diffuser to shape and set, and a concentrator nozzle—that add a lot of value to the purchase price. It's an excellent one-and-done dryer for those with looser curls, but those with tight coils or dense z-shaped strands may have to use other hot tools to smooth out your ends and finish the job. It's great for setting curls, fluffing out your afro or drying your twists, but it's not a replacement for a silk press.

What the expert says: "Many Black women use a hair dryer to straighten their hair, but the Pattern dryer is for people who, like [Pattern founder] Tracee Ellis Ross, prefer to wear their hair in natural curls. If that's the look you're going for, it offers the perfect temperature settings, and the attachments work great for versatility, whether stretching, diffusing, or picking," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Why we chose it: Dryers with ionic technology blast out negative ions that counteract the positive ions found in wet hair and help dry it without causing as much damage as a traditional coil-heated dryer. The T3 AireLuxe dryer takes the technology one step further with a unique ionic generator that infuses the air with 10 million negative ions per second, leaving hair soft and glossy. It has 15 digital heat and speed combinations that can be customized to meet the needs of your hair type, but there’s a learning curve if you’re used to a hair dryer with standard low, medium, and high settings. Diffuser and smoothing comb attachments are available but must be purchased separately.

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,” hairstylist D’Exenia Clark muses.

Why we chose it: If you have thick hair that feels like forever to dry, we recommend the Bondi Boost Sonic. It has top-tier airflow and a narrow concentrator attachment that boosts volume at the roots and makes it easy to target the ends of your hair—though you'll have to take your time to work in smaller sections. A diffuser attachment is included, but it's hard to take it on and off and not particularly impressive. To get the most out of this dryer, it helps if you're skilled with a round brush. 

What the expert says: "Because the dryer is light and compact and the barrel is small, the airflow feels more concentrated, and it dries faster than I expected. The buttons are confusing and placed on the side of the handle, so accidental switching of the settings is common," notes hairstylist Dawn Brocco.

Why we chose it: The Zuvi Halo is an excellent option for users with color-treated, dry, or heat-damaged hair. Inspired by the evaporation process found in nature, it dries hair with infrared-light energy, which pulls water from the hair's surface to limit heat exposure. It even comes with a Gentle Air attachment to treat very damaged or fragile hair with a light touch to reduce breakage. The airflow is very light, so if you have thick, dense, or type 4 hair, there is a better dryer for you. 

What the expert says: "The airflow is very light, and even on the highest heat setting, the dryer doesn't get that hot. But the payoff is that it locks moisture into the hair well. It does everything I need; the process just takes a bit longer. If you used a flat iron or heat tool to finish, you'd have the sleekest, smoothest hair," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Why we chose it: The RevAir Reverse Dryer is the first (and only) at-home hair dryer with an aerodynamically designed wand that can dry, stretch, and straighten hair, whether loose or worn in a protective style like locs or extensions. My type 3b hair—which I only heat style a few times a year—was dry, flat, and stretched without noticeable breakage or burning smell after just 20 minutes. This tool is so different from the hair dryer you're probably used to, so it will take some time to master features like the suction wand and tension settings. Since it's large, you'll also need plenty of counter space.—Byrdie contributor Desiree Johnson

Read Full Review: I Tried The Viral RevAir Hair Dryer on My Natural Curls—Here's What Happened

Why we chose it: For a great blowout on the go, it doesn't get better than the T3 Afar. (It has auto dual voltage, so just be sure to buy a compatible plug adaptor before you go.) It's 25% lighter than the full-sized T3 dryer and has a foldable handle, so it won't add weight or bulk to your weekender bag. Plus, it works as efficiently as a full-size dryer, thanks to ion-infused airflow. This tool can get extremely hot on the highest setting, so we recommend starting on the lowest heat to avoid singeing your hair while you get to know the tool.

What the expert says: "The Afar gets hot, but not to the point of burning the scalp. The airflow is even, so it dries and smooths the hair simultaneously. It even works fast on extensions, which usually take longer to dry," says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

Read Full Review: The 8 Best Travel Hair Dryers 

Why we chose it: We've all tried to recreate a salon blowout at home and failed miserably. While it has much to do with technique, the tool also matters. Enter Olivia Garden's professional hair dryer, equipped with a powerful ionic generator that seals in moisture and eliminates flyaways—even on hot, humid days. The powerful airflow and narrow concentrator also make it easy to target small sections and achieve a smoother result. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and relatively quiet for a professional dryer.

What the expert says: "I would recommend it to professionals and non-professionals alike. The average person could use it at home without burning their hair off, but it's still powerful enough to be used in a salon," says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

Why we chose it: The state-of-the-art TYMO dryer uses ionic technology and low heat to create smooth, shiny, mostly frizz-free blow-outs. Between the long nozzle that delivers steady airflow powerful enough to dry whole sections in one go and the ultra-lightweight design, you never have to worry about arm fatigue. The heat setting maxes out at the low end of the spectrum for a thermal heat styling tool. If you have thin or fine hair, that’s ideal, but if your hair is thick or coarse, you’ll need a dryer that delivers more heat.

What the expert says: “The TYMO works best on fine to medium types. It gets hair nice and smooth, but it takes a little longer because the heat only goes up to 250 degrees. I would not recommend this for anyone with curly, coiled, or kinky hair—it would probably get those hair types somewhat smooth, but you would have to use a flat iron to finish the look,” says hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez.

Why we chose it: There's a big difference between a cheap hair dryer and an affordable one. While many less expensive dryers can cause heat damage and burns, the Revlon Airflow Control is a reliable and super affordable tool. Though it doesn't deliver a salon-quality blowout, it cuts down on drying time, thanks to a broad, rotating concentrator. The design is similar to a travel dryer—all nozzle and no barrel—and the button placement makes it easy to switch between settings while you work.

What the expert says: "For the price, it's great—compact, lightweight, travel friendly, and it gets hair dry relatively quickly. I wouldn't use it in my salon, but it's a good tool for someone who occasionally wants to blow dry their hair at home," says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Why we chose it: Yes, the hype surrounding the Dyson Airwrap is justified—the quality, design, and functionality are hard to beat. In addition to the blow dryer attachment, it comes with barrels to create bouncy curls, a round brush attachment for a sleek blowout, and two different paddle brush attachments. It's no more difficult to hold than a traditional curling iron or flat iron, but the technique requires some practice because it uses an air vacuum to keep your hair in place. Just don't expect to cut down on drying time—your hair needs to be 60% dry before you use the Airwrap to style it.

What the expert says: "Because of the way it wraps the hair, the curls it produces aren't always uniform. But once you figure it out, it's pretty easy to use. It works great to keep baby hairs and flyaways smoothed down," says hairstylist Dawn Brocco.

Read Full Review: The Dyson Airwrap Is Really Worth It—See My Results

How We Tested

FAQs

What type of hair dryer is safest for hair?

Drying your hair with a hair dryer will inevitably cause damage. However, hair dryers that use ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline technology with multiple heat settings are safest. There are some affordable hairdryers that offer this technology. Remember that any type of hair dryer can cause damage if you over dry or use high heat settings, so it's a good idea to use a heat protectant spray before you blow.

How long should a hair dryer last?

A well-made hair dryer from a reputable brand will generally last longer than a cheap one. Higher quality materials and construction contribute to durability. While a mid-range hair dryer typically lasts 3-5 years, a high-end hair dryer can last up to 7 years. Regularly cleaning the filter and avoiding overheating the dryer can extend its lifespan.

Should I buy a professional hair dryer?

Professional hair dryers offer more features and more power, but are bulkier and heavier than consumer models and often more expensive. If you regularly style your hair at home, feel comfortable working with hair tools, and have the freedom to spend a bit more, a professional hair dryer may help you take your hair game to the next level. If you just want to get your hair dry, frizz-free, and shiny, you don't need to invest in a professional model.

Why Trust Byrdie

For this story, writers Caitlyn Martyn and Alyssa Kaplan relied on their experience as beauty writers and product reviewers. Caitlyn has wavy, fine hair and has tested three hair dryers in the last 12 months. She uses both Dyson dryers interchangeably in her routine and thinks they’re absolutely worth the hype. (Just remember to clean the filters.) Alyssa has fine, damaged hair and has tested four dryers in the last year. Her go-to is the Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer thanks to the concentrated airflow, multiple heat and speed settings, and ergonomic design.

We consulted with six hairstylists to learn more about what to know when shopping for a hair dryer and evaluate the dryers we tested.

• Sky Kim is a New York-based hairstylist with over a decade of professional experience. She is also a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
• Geneva Clark is a professional hairstylist with over 12 years of experience. She currently works at the Amoy Couture Hair Salon located in Manhattan, where she specializes in hair care, blow drying, braiding, silk press, and extensions/weave installation. 
• Hairstylists D'Xenia Clark, Dawn Brocco, Shanys Rodriguez, and Geneva Clark were our in-Lab experts, guiding testers through the use of each blow dryer and trying them our themselves to give us their professional perspective.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair dryers from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.