Best hair dryers 2023: Get salon-fresh results everytime
We've tested the best hair dryers for all budgets to take your hair from so-so to stunning
A good hair day can really lift your mood and confidence – the best hair dryers can shave precious time off your morning routine, smooth out frizz, and prevent heat damage with gentler heat settings. So, if your crowning glory is important to you, it makes sense to invest in a good hair dryer, too.
In addition to blowing hot air, the best modern dryers use ceramic and ionic technology to promote hair health by speeding up drying times, distributing heat evenly and sealing in moisture, giving hair a healthier and glossier finish.
We’ve taken the time to test a whole range of hair dryers to find the best you can buy at every price point. In our buyer’s guide, we will explain the key features different hair dryers provide and the performance you should expect from a decent dryer – and below we round up our top picks for home drying.
Whether you’re looking for a budget option that won’t damage your hair, or a salon-quality hair dryer that will keep going for years and years, you will find your new favourite among the dryers we’ve tested below.
Best hair dryers: At a glance
- Best budget hair dryer: Remington Shine Therapy | £33
- Best hair dryer for frizzy hair: Nicky Clarke Frizz Control | £40
- Best hair dryer for shine: Remington Keratin Protect | £63
- Best salon-style hair dryer: Parlux Alyon | £150
- Best luxury hair dryer: Dyson Supersonic | £330
How to choose the best hair dryer for you
What are the different kinds of dryer available?
All hair dryers use a fan to direct air through a heating element and out through a nozzle to the hair. A basic hair dryer may not do much more than switch on and off, but more sophisticated hair dryers will have a variety of heat and air speed settings. Lower temperatures are less damaging for fine hair, while higher heat settings will help thicker and more densely textured hair dry quickly.
Basic hair dryers also tend to use a metallic heating element, whereas more expensive modern hair dryers often use ceramic, which distributes heat evenly to prevent damaging hotspots, and generates infrared heat that dries quickly and seals the hair cuticle, giving a soft and shiny finish. The mineral tourmaline is also used in some high-end hair dryers, and has many of the same hair-health benefits as ceramic.
Many modern hair dryers also include ionic technology in which, put simply, negatively charged ions are generated when the air passes through an electric current in the heating element. These ions break up the water molecules in your hair, allowing ionic hair dryers to dry your hair more quickly and spread moisture more evenly throughout your hair for a smooth and glossy finish. Ionic technology is popular in many heat-styling tools, as by heating evenly and drying the hair quickly it helps reduce heat damage, and seals in moisture for shiny and hydrated hair. Ionic technology can be applied to any heating element, so you will see it in combination with ceramic, tourmaline or even metallic heating elements.
What difference does power rating make?
In general, a higher wattage indicates a more powerful and effective dryer. Hair salons will typically use dryers with 2,000W motors and above, allowing experienced stylists to blow-dry efficiently. However, like many salon products, these powerful tools are best left in the hands of professionals who know how to wield them safely. At-home hair dryers usually fall in the 1,000W-1,600W range.
Wattage isn’t the only measure of power, however. The latest “digital motors” (EC or Electronically Commutated motors, if you want to be fancy) allow increased air velocity with reduced heat, for amazingly efficient results without the damage associated with higher heat.
READ NEXT: The best hair wavers for every hair type
What other features should I look out for?
One of the easiest things to overlook when buying a hair dryer is how long the cable is. Some cheaper models come with relatively short cables, while pricier models often boast “salon-length” mains cables, which are as long as 4m.
Some models come with a concentrator nozzle, designed to make it easier to direct the airflow accurately onto a section of hair. These nozzles are great if you blow-dry around a round brush for a salon-style blowout.
It’s also common to find a diffuser nozzle. These are cones with internal fingers that are often used for drying curly hair. You can also use a diffuser on the roots of straight hair to give it more volume. Diffusers can be purchased separately, but an attachment made to fit your particular hair dryer is likely to give the best results.
How we test hair dryers
At Expert Reviews we know that hands-on testing gives us the best and most complete information about a product. We personally test all the hair dryers we review, drying hair using the different heat and speed settings each hairdryer offers and (where applicable) the attachments each dryer is supplied with. Where dryers are recommended for a particular hair type or usage, we test on that hair type to be sure of making an accurate recommendation.
When testing, we time the speed of drying from freshly washed hair to fully dry (noting the hair length and texture we test on); and evaluate the overall ease of use, noise, and the finish and feel of the hair after drying. We also note how well curls, waves and straightened styles last in a typical day of wear. Finally, we confirm the weight and dimensions of the tool.
Read on for our picks of the best hair dryers you can buy.
Editor's pick: GHD Helios
READ NEXT: Best hair dryers for curly hair
The best hair dryers you can buy in 2023
1. Remington Keratin Protect: Best hair dryer for shine
Price when reviewed: £63 | Check price at Amazon
The Keratin Protect is a slim, sleek-looking dryer that doesn’t weigh an awful lot, and its cable is long enough for even the largest of bedrooms.
Read our full Remington Keratin Protect review
Key specs – Heating element: Ceramic/ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,200W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 2.5m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle; Weight: 665g
2. Remington Shine Therapy: Best budget hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £33 | Check price at Robert Dyas
It comes with a brilliant range of features, which include two speeds, three heat settings and a cool shot button. These give it enough control for controlled round-brush styling, as well as gentle diffusing. Pair this with the diffuser and concentrator nozzle that securely clip onto the front of the dryer, and you’ve got a relatively faultless dryer that is a great option for a wide range of hair types and textures.
The dryer also has a handy hang-up loop and a removable, easy-clean grille, which will help you keep dust and dirt from building up in the dryer and ultimately prolong its life. While the Remington Shine Therapy is a fabulous dryer at full price, keep an eye out for sales as it regularly comes on sale for under £20. At that price, it’s a no-brainer.
Read our full Remington Shine Therapy hair dryer review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,300W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 1.8m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser; Weight: 611g
3. GHD Helios: Best hair dryer for superfast styling
Price when reviewed: £179 | Check price at John Lewis 
Despite the smaller number of settings, it’s the drying power that sets the Helios apart from the rest: the 2,200W motor rivals the Dyson Supersonic in its drying time and ability to deliver a frizz-free finish, which is no easy feat for a hair dryer that costs half the price. That’s thanks to GHD’s AutoPrecis technology creating a blast of focused air that travels at 75mph, as well as the concentrator nozzle that precisely directs airflow for a smooth blow dry.
Overall, with the GHD Helios, you can expect your hair to be dried in record time with natural volume, stunning shine and a smoothness like no other. Its price point places it firmly in the premium hair dryer category, but it’s an investment your hair will thank you for.
Read our full GHD Helios review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 2; Power: 2,200W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator; Weight: 510g
4. Parlux Alyon: Best salon-style hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £150 | Check price at Parlux Aylon
The compact design, weighing just 425g, comes in ten gorgeous shades from matte black to candy pink and metallic green, and there are two concentrator nozzles in the box for sleek styling (a diffuser attachment for curly styling is available to purchase separately). The Parlux Alyon is a good quality, salon-style dryer used and recommended by hairdressers. It dries quickly, keeps hair in good condition, and will look great in your bedroom, too.
Read our full Parlux Alyon review
Key specs – Heating element: Ceramic/ionic; Temperature settings: 2; Power: 2,250W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 1.5m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: 2 x concentrator nozzles; Weight: 425g
5. Panasonic EH-NA98 Nanoe: Best hair dryer for afro-textured hair
Price when reviewed: £144 | Check price at Amazon
The Nanoe also has an innovative alternating hot and cold mode, which blasts hot air along the hair shaft to flatten and style, followed automatically by cool air to seal the cuticle and set the style. A scalp mode gently dries the roots and scalp at 50˚C, and is particularly good for dry and sensitive scalps. The dryer is lightweight and has a foldable handle, making it neat to store at home and perfect for travel.
Key specs – Heating element: Ceramic/ionic with Nanoe technology; Power: 1,800W; Temperature settings: 4; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.7m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser and quick dry nozzles; Weight: 578g
6. Tresemme Fast Dry 2000: Best hair dryer under £20
Price when reviewed: £18 | Check price at Amazon
It is missing the ionic technology of its more expensive rivals, meaning your hair isn’t left as shiny, but this compact dryer does a more than adequate job of creating a lasting, elegant style in a hurry and if you would have told us this dryer was £20 or £30 more expensive, we wouldn’t have doubted you.
Key specs – Heating element: Standard; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,000W; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 1.8m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle; Weight: 400g
7. Nicky Clarke Frizz Control 2200W Ionic Dryer NHD177: A great budget hair dryer for frizzy hair
Price when reviewed: £27 | Check price at Amazon
The 2,000W motor is powerful enough to dry hair fast and with a minimum of fuss, and the dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle to direct airflow. The long barrel also helps make it easy to direct airflow where you want it, and there are two speed and three heat settings for drying flexibility, plus a cool shot to set your finished style. If you’re on a budget, this is an excellent alternative to some of the pricier products reviewed above.
Key specs – Heating element: Ceramic/ionic with tourmaline; Power: 2,200W; Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle; Weight: 590g
8. Shark Style iQ: Best hair dryer for versatility
Price when reviewed: £150 | Check price at John Lewis
The Shark Style iQ offers power, with a focus on using airflow rather than excessive heat to dry hair without frizz or damage. In the box, you will find an adjustable concentrator nozzle that comes in handy when trying to achieve sleek, pin-straight hair, while the diffuser attachment is great for conjuring curls. The attachments automatically set the optimum choice of three heat and three airspeed settings for your style; the settings are also independently adjustable, making precision styling a breeze. Finally, there’s a handy cool shot to set your style in place.
Best known as a homecare brand, Shark has channelled its engineering expertise into creating a hair dryer that dries quickly and leaves hair looking soft, glossy and as polished as your front room after a whizz with one of its vacuums.
Read our full Shark Style iQ review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Power: 1,520W; Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.5m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser; Weight: 730g
9. Dyson Airwrap 2022: Best dryer for adding curls to your style
Price when reviewed: £480 | Check price at John Lewis
The tool comes with a gentle drying attachment to rough-dry wet hair ready for curling; two different barrel sizes (30mm or 40mm) to create looser or tighter curls as desired; two paddle brushes for smoothing; and one round brush for salon-style volume. The switches to control the heat and speed of the airflow are built neatly into the handle and very easy and intuitive to find and use while styling the hair. There are three independently adjustable heat and airflow settings, plus a cool shot mode to finish each curl.
At almost £500 there’s no denying that this is an expensive hair styling tool – more expensive than Dyson’s own Supersonic, or than the previous version of the Airwrap. However, the speed and quality of the curls produced by the Airwrap, plus the benefits to hair health, make this worth the investment if you do curl your hair regularly.
Read our full Dyson Airwrap Multi-styler review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Power: 1,300W; Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.6m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: smoothing dryer, 30mm barrel, 40mm barrel, soft and firm smoothing brushes, round brush, filter cleaning brush and storage case; Weight: 661g
10. Revamp Progloss 5500 AC Professional Ionic Hair Dryer DR-5500: Best for long and thick hair
Price when reviewed: £100 | Check price at Sephora
The dryer is especially good for tackling very long or very thick hair, as it dries quickly without overheating or damaging the hair, and the protective oils really do add extra shine. It comes with both a concentrator nozzle for styling straight hair, and a diffuser attachment to gently dry curls. There are two speed and three heat settings, which can be independently selected, and an ultra-cool “freeze” shot to set your finished style. A 3m cable, much longer than supplied with most home hair dryers, makes moving the dryer around the hair a breeze.
The Revamp Progloss 5500 looks stylish with its matte black finish, and feels nicely balanced in the hand. If you have very long or thick hair this dryer should make light work of heavy tresses, and leave them shiny and healthy, too.
Read our full ReVamp Progloss 5500 review
Key specs – Heating element: ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,400W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser attachment; Weight: 650g
11. Dyson Supersonic: Best luxury hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £330 | Check price at John Lewis
The magnetic concentrator and diffuser attachments fit on, and can be removed, without too much force; the magnets also mean the attachments stay put while drying instead of turning and moving. Other features of the Supersonic include flexible speed and heat settings, and thermal sensors to prevent the unit or attachments getting too hot.
Since launch, Dyson has also added a range of attachments to join the nozzles and diffuser. The “Gentle air dryer” attachment resembles the hem of a skirt and uses its waves to diffuse the airflow, making it softer without reducing drying time; it’s perfect for fine or damaged hair. A new wide-tooth comb attachment, designed for curly or coily hair, detangles the hair while drying to prevent damage and make it easier to style.
The Supersonic creates smooth, shiny styles and dried our hair superfast. This is the ultimate combination of quietness, speed and hair-drying finesse. The lengthy cable, non-slip mat and beautifully crafted leather case help seal the deal.
Read our full Dyson Supersonic review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 4; Power: 1,600W; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.7m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser and smoothing nozzles; Weight: 690g
12. Babyliss Hydro Fusion: Best mid-range hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £60 | Check price at John Lewis
When we reviewed the BaByliss Hydro Fusion, we thought it performed remarkably well for the price. BaByliss’ flagship “advanced plasma” technology does wonders for your hair’s health because it allows the dryer to dry your hair quicker at lower temperatures. It’s only available in the ice blue colour pictured above: that’s the same colour as the hydro fusion air styler – which also uses ionic technology – so if you’re building your BaByliss collection these two look great together.
Read our full Babyliss Hydro Fusion review
Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,100W; Speed settings: 2; Cable length: 2.5m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser; Weight:570g
