The hair dryers that Bazaar editors love (2024)

Not so long ago, a glossy, bouncing blow-dry was only achievable in the salon – but now, thanks to an influx of innovative new technology, recreating your stylist’s signature blow-out at home is an easier feat.

Whether you’re embracing your natural curls or want to add some volume to limp locks, you can now find a hair dryer precisely tailored to your needs. The days of the one-size fits all approach are long gone, and brands are now offering machines with a more diverse range of attachments, catering for every hair type and texture.

The hair dryer technology to know now

Ceramic hair dryers were long considered the gold standard – but we’ve come a long way in recent years. While the models of old used high heat to whip the moisture away from wet hair, today’s best hair dryers use ionic technology: this works by producing millions of negatively charged ions, which in turn stop water from settling on your strands. An ionic hair dryer is particularly useful for those with very thick, damaged or curly hair, as you can dry your lengths faster at a lower temperature, all while eliminating frizz.

“Invest in a hairdryer with variable heat and speed settings," says stylist Nicky Clarke. "This flexibility allows you to tailor your blowout to your hair type and the style you want to achieve. Check the tech! Ionic technology is a game-changer for frizz-prone hair as a final blast to hold smoother, sleeker results for longer, as is infrared which accelerates drying time."

One of the most exciting innovations in the arena (for the time being) is a self-adapting heat sensor, pioneered by Dyson and featured in the latest iteration of the perennially buzzy Supersonic hair dryer, the Supersonic Nural. Among other quintessentially Dyson features – like a pause-mode that decreases airflow when the tool is put down, and a host of clever attachments to suit and enhance every hair type – the heat sensor comes by way of the newly coined 'scalp protect mode'. In short, heat is reduced when the tool is held close to the scalp, and increased as space is created between the two, to maintain a maximum of 50 degrees at the scalp.

The weight of your dryer also matters more than you think. "Most blow-dry fails are linked to arm fatigue during styling, which is another reason infrared technology makes a difference," says Clarke.

The new generation of compact brushless motors has opened the door for smaller, lighter hairdryers. London-based salon brand Hershesons has harnessed a remarkably effective brushless motor, which helps to speed up drying time, in The Great Hairdryer, which weighs as little as an iPhone Pro Max and yet makes drying thick, long hair a seriously easy feat. Similarly, the Shark Flexstyle uses a brushless motor to dry, style and straighten hair swiftly.

There are a few factors you should consider before you invest in a new hair dryer. We’ve summarised them below based on hair type:

2A-3C curl types

A diffuser is key as it will even out heat and airflow to help keep your natural texture intact. The lower the speed, the better for keeping curls bouncing.

4A-4C curl types

Heat can often be the enemy for afro hair, so having a range of temperature settings is important. The lower the temperature, the less damage you'll experience.

Thick hair

It can be time consuming to dry long hair, but a high wattage hair dryer will help speed up the process by increasing airflow (and limit damage due to heat exposure).

Flyaways

An ionic hair dryer is the ultimate pairing for anyone prone to flyaways, as it helps seal the hair cuticle to leave strands looking smoother.

Below, see our verdict on the very best hair dryers to ensure every day is a good hair day...

The best hair dryers to invest in now

Fast, powerful and petite, this weighs about the same as your average can of soft drink and looks chic on your dressing table. Two styling nozzles and a diffuser deliver uniform airflow that dries all hair types quickly and with impressive polish thanks to ionic technology, so there’s less manual smoothing required on the user’s part. It purports to be very quiet, and while it doesn’t roar through walls, don’t expect a whisper either (other models we’ve tried are less noisy).

Revered stylist Michael Douglas has launched his own innovative dryer, and it impresses on so many levels. Firstly, the weight: it comes in at 360g, which is significantly less than a traditional model. Don't be fooled though, the blow-dry power is outstanding – even on long, thick and curly hair. With three heat and three speed settings alongside two nozzles, it's a comprehensive tool that ticks all the boxes. The fact you can tuck it inside the smallest drawer is merely a bonus.

Multi-stylers have gained considerable traction in recent years due to their unmatched ability to cut styling time in half. With Babyliss' offering, you can take damp, post-shower hair to a sleek, swishy style in one sitting; not only giving time back but also reducing heat exposure. This versatile tool comes with two attachments: one with detangling bristles to smooth and straighten your hair, and a curved brush to effortlessly add shape and volume to limp strands.

With two different diffuser attachments, one for gentle drying and one for curl definition, this is the perfect choice for soft and bouncy curls and waves at speed (120km per hour, to be exact). The flyaway attachment is neat for smoothing any frizz once hair is dry too. A temperature regulating sensor helps to minimise heat damage and the slim styling concentrator is nifty if a smooth blow dry is on the agenda. The only downside is that it’s weighty; steel yourself before styling.

Not just a good-looking option, the ionic T3 Aire Luxe comes with a wide array of welcome add-ons. There's a volume booster for lifting limp roots as well as plentiful heat and speed settings for personalised performance. The handle is even sensor-activated, so the air flow will pause when you set it down: a helpful addition for more involved blow-outs.

Most hotel hairdryers leave a lot to be desired, so if you're planning on blow-drying while on holiday, it's a wise move to bring your own. Ghd's model folds at the handle, so you can slot it into the petite travel case with ease, leaving plenty of space in your case for shoes.

If you're after a well-priced model that won't let you down, turn to Babyliss. This one isn't quite as sleek or speedy as others, but it does offer enough airflow control to help you achieve a smooth, sleek style. The accompanying diffuser is ideal for making the most of your natural texture, too.

Beauty Works might be known for its curling tongs and wavers, but this dryer is sure to gain a loyal fanbase of its own. The next-gen hair dryer boasts multiple slick functions: there's an LED display screen, ionic technology, an automatic cleaning feature, and two magnetic styling nozzles that click straight on (and stay there). As it's a brushless motor device, you can expect impressive speed coupled with quiet volume.

This unusual-looking hairdryer is specifically designed to speed up your drying time – and we can confirm it does just that. It boasts iconic technology, four heat settings, and a cool shot to set your style. Most report it gets the job done in as little as ten minutes, so you can make it to your morning coffee quicker.

Created for use in salons, the attachable nozzles on the Parlux Alyon blast very strong, hot jets of air for quick and effective styling. It's comfortable to hold (even when contorting to reach the back), and the quiet motor will make your mornings a touch more serene.