The 9 Best Hair Dryers We Tested for Salon-Worthy Blowouts at Home

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsAdd to CartWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesFAQWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is People Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Add to Cart

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

FAQ

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is People Tested?

Photo: People/Joy Kim

If you’ve ever gotten a blowout at the hair salon, you know how unstoppable you feel with all that extra volume and shine. But if you want to recreate that experience at home, you’ll need to start with an incredible hair dryer.There are a few factors you should take into account when looking for that perfect tool.Justine Marjan, celebrity hairstylist to clients such as Khloé Kardashian and Ashley Graham, says the best hair dryers include heat control to ensure hair health, concentrated airflow to ward off frizz, and quiet airflow. Ideally, the hair dryer should also be lightweight, so it’s easy to move your wrist while styling.Is an Ionic or Ceramic Hair Dryer Better?Celebrity hairstylistRenato Camporaexplains: “Anionic hair dryeris a type of hair dryer that has a negative ionic charge. When negative ions react with the positive ions in your hair, it helps to close the damaged cuticles of the hair.” Effectively, this helps to reduce frizz, static electricity, and flyaways.Ceramic hair dryersoffer different benefits. They heat quickly and evenly with infrared heat, which helps speed up the drying process. Ultimately, which is better for your hair will depend on your hair’s needs.In two and a half years we’ve tested more than four dozen hair dryers on different hair types, from thin and straight to thick and coily, both in our lab and at home. Every year we try popular new tools, considering the speed, heat settings, wattage, sound level, ease of use, and attachments of each, before deciding on our winners. Keep reading for the best hair dryers that PEOPLE tested.What’s My Hair Type?1A/B/C:Straight hair. No curl (A), slight wave (B), coarse, almost wavy hair (C)2A/B/C:Wavy hair. Loose wave (A), “S” shaped waves (B), tighter waves (C)3A/B/C:Curly hair. Large, loose curls (A), tighter curls (B), spirals (C)4A/B/C:Coily hair. Defined “S” shape (A), “Z”-shaped coils (B), zig-zag, springy coils (C)Our Top PicksBest Overall:BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler at Amazon$188Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALERemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer at Amazon$25$20Jump to ReviewBest Attachments:Dyson Supersonic Nural at Amazon$499Jump to ReviewBest Basic:Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser at Amazon$40Jump to ReviewBest for Travel:Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand at Amazon$150Jump to ReviewBest for Fine Hair:Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest for Curly Hair:SALEShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer at Amazon$200$169Jump to ReviewBest for Frizz Reduction:SALERemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer at Amazon$55$45Jump to ReviewBest for Long Hair:T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler at Amazon$300Jump to ReviewBest Heat Protectant Spray:SALEColor Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment at Amazon$28$21Jump to Review

If you’ve ever gotten a blowout at the hair salon, you know how unstoppable you feel with all that extra volume and shine. But if you want to recreate that experience at home, you’ll need to start with an incredible hair dryer.

There are a few factors you should take into account when looking for that perfect tool.Justine Marjan, celebrity hairstylist to clients such as Khloé Kardashian and Ashley Graham, says the best hair dryers include heat control to ensure hair health, concentrated airflow to ward off frizz, and quiet airflow. Ideally, the hair dryer should also be lightweight, so it’s easy to move your wrist while styling.

Is an Ionic or Ceramic Hair Dryer Better?Celebrity hairstylistRenato Camporaexplains: “Anionic hair dryeris a type of hair dryer that has a negative ionic charge. When negative ions react with the positive ions in your hair, it helps to close the damaged cuticles of the hair.” Effectively, this helps to reduce frizz, static electricity, and flyaways.Ceramic hair dryersoffer different benefits. They heat quickly and evenly with infrared heat, which helps speed up the drying process. Ultimately, which is better for your hair will depend on your hair’s needs.

Is an Ionic or Ceramic Hair Dryer Better?

Celebrity hairstylistRenato Camporaexplains: “Anionic hair dryeris a type of hair dryer that has a negative ionic charge. When negative ions react with the positive ions in your hair, it helps to close the damaged cuticles of the hair.” Effectively, this helps to reduce frizz, static electricity, and flyaways.Ceramic hair dryersoffer different benefits. They heat quickly and evenly with infrared heat, which helps speed up the drying process. Ultimately, which is better for your hair will depend on your hair’s needs.

Celebrity hairstylistRenato Camporaexplains: “Anionic hair dryeris a type of hair dryer that has a negative ionic charge. When negative ions react with the positive ions in your hair, it helps to close the damaged cuticles of the hair.” Effectively, this helps to reduce frizz, static electricity, and flyaways.

Ceramic hair dryersoffer different benefits. They heat quickly and evenly with infrared heat, which helps speed up the drying process. Ultimately, which is better for your hair will depend on your hair’s needs.

In two and a half years we’ve tested more than four dozen hair dryers on different hair types, from thin and straight to thick and coily, both in our lab and at home. Every year we try popular new tools, considering the speed, heat settings, wattage, sound level, ease of use, and attachments of each, before deciding on our winners. Keep reading for the best hair dryers that PEOPLE tested.

What’s My Hair Type?1A/B/C:Straight hair. No curl (A), slight wave (B), coarse, almost wavy hair (C)2A/B/C:Wavy hair. Loose wave (A), “S” shaped waves (B), tighter waves (C)3A/B/C:Curly hair. Large, loose curls (A), tighter curls (B), spirals (C)4A/B/C:Coily hair. Defined “S” shape (A), “Z”-shaped coils (B), zig-zag, springy coils (C)

What’s My Hair Type?

1A/B/C:Straight hair. No curl (A), slight wave (B), coarse, almost wavy hair (C)2A/B/C:Wavy hair. Loose wave (A), “S” shaped waves (B), tighter waves (C)3A/B/C:Curly hair. Large, loose curls (A), tighter curls (B), spirals (C)4A/B/C:Coily hair. Defined “S” shape (A), “Z”-shaped coils (B), zig-zag, springy coils (C)

Our Top PicksBest Overall:BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler at Amazon$188Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALERemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer at Amazon$25$20Jump to ReviewBest Attachments:Dyson Supersonic Nural at Amazon$499Jump to ReviewBest Basic:Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser at Amazon$40Jump to ReviewBest for Travel:Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand at Amazon$150Jump to ReviewBest for Fine Hair:Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest for Curly Hair:SALEShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer at Amazon$200$169Jump to ReviewBest for Frizz Reduction:SALERemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer at Amazon$55$45Jump to ReviewBest for Long Hair:T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler at Amazon$300Jump to ReviewBest Heat Protectant Spray:SALEColor Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment at Amazon$28$21Jump to Review

Best Overall:BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler at Amazon$188Jump to ReviewBest Budget:SALERemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer at Amazon$25$20Jump to ReviewBest Attachments:Dyson Supersonic Nural at Amazon$499Jump to ReviewBest Basic:Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser at Amazon$40Jump to ReviewBest for Travel:Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand at Amazon$150Jump to ReviewBest for Fine Hair:Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest for Curly Hair:SALEShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer at Amazon$200$169Jump to ReviewBest for Frizz Reduction:SALERemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer at Amazon$55$45Jump to ReviewBest for Long Hair:T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler at Amazon$300Jump to ReviewBest Heat Protectant Spray:SALEColor Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment at Amazon$28$21Jump to Review

Best Overall:BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler at Amazon$188Jump to Review

Best Overall:BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler at Amazon$188

Best Overall:

Best Budget:SALERemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer at Amazon$25$20Jump to Review

Best Budget:SALERemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer at Amazon$25$20

Best Budget:

SALE

Best Attachments:Dyson Supersonic Nural at Amazon$499Jump to Review

Best Attachments:Dyson Supersonic Nural at Amazon$499

Best Attachments:

Best Basic:Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser at Amazon$40Jump to Review

Best Basic:Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser at Amazon$40

Best Basic:

Best for Travel:Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand at Amazon$150Jump to Review

Best for Travel:Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand at Amazon$150

Best for Travel:

Best for Fine Hair:Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer at Amazon$60Jump to Review

Best for Fine Hair:Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer at Amazon$60

Best for Fine Hair:

Best for Curly Hair:SALEShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer at Amazon$200$169Jump to Review

Best for Curly Hair:SALEShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer at Amazon$200$169

Best for Curly Hair:

Best for Frizz Reduction:SALERemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer at Amazon$55$45Jump to Review

Best for Frizz Reduction:SALERemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer at Amazon$55$45

Best for Frizz Reduction:

Best for Long Hair:T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler at Amazon$300Jump to Review

Best for Long Hair:T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler at Amazon$300

Best for Long Hair:

Best Heat Protectant Spray:SALEColor Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment at Amazon$28$21Jump to Review

Best Heat Protectant Spray:SALEColor Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment at Amazon$28$21

Best Heat Protectant Spray:

Best OverallBondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & StylerPHOTO: Sephora$188 at Amazon$188 at SephoraView on Bondiboost.com

Best OverallBondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler

Best Overall

BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler Blow Dryer & Styler

PHOTO: Sephora

$188 at Amazon$188 at SephoraView on Bondiboost.com

Star QualitiesLightweight, ergonomic designMultiple styling attachmentsImproved volume and smoothnessIncludes a storage bagRed FlagsShort attachment barrel made styling thick and/or long hair complicated

Star QualitiesLightweight, ergonomic designMultiple styling attachmentsImproved volume and smoothnessIncludes a storage bag

Lightweight, ergonomic design

Multiple styling attachments

Improved volume and smoothness

Includes a storage bag

Red FlagsShort attachment barrel made styling thick and/or long hair complicated

Short attachment barrel made styling thick and/or long hair complicated

The BondiBoost Everlast is so much more than a hair dryer. Our testers loved that this hair tool is also a straightener and curling iron, valuing this dryer far beyond its under-$200 price tag. It was easy to hold and maneuver this tool with any attachment, and the buttons are carefully placed to avoid accidental setting changes mid-style. Each attachment helped testers with a range of hair types get smoother, frizz-free styles in record time.

However, testers with long hair wished the attachment barrels were a bit longer to accommodate more hair. They had to style their hair in smaller sections than usual, which made this process a bit more tedious than those with medium-length or short hair. However, each section dried quickly and evenly, so even though the sections were smaller, they dried faster.

The included travel bag was also a huge selling point. It has slots for each attachment, a hanging hook, and “ample room to store the base of the dryer, a heat protectant, and a hairbrush,” according to one tester.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Deirdre Galvin

Hair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:Not listed |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Smoothing concentrator, angled concentrator, two ceramic air-wrap curlers, ceramic round brush, ceramic volumizing round brush, storage bag

Tester TestimonialsType 1B/C:Strong, even airflow cut our tester’s dry time “almost in half.”Type 2B:Achievedextra volumeand sleek, frizz-free hair with the round brush attachment — “no crisp or crunch!”Type 3A:Delivered much smoother results “andless heat damage” than usual.

Tester Testimonials

Type 1B/C:Strong, even airflow cut our tester’s dry time “almost in half.”Type 2B:Achievedextra volumeand sleek, frizz-free hair with the round brush attachment — “no crisp or crunch!”Type 3A:Delivered much smoother results “andless heat damage” than usual.

Type 1B/C:Strong, even airflow cut our tester’s dry time “almost in half.”

Type 2B:Achievedextra volumeand sleek, frizz-free hair with the round brush attachment — “no crisp or crunch!”

Type 3A:Delivered much smoother results “andless heat damage” than usual.

Best BudgetRemington Damage Protection Hair DryerPHOTO: Amazon$25$20 at Amazon$20 at Target$26 at WalmartStar QualitiesEffectively smoothed frizzIncludes useful attachmentsHigh-quality performance despite basic functionRed FlagsAwkward button placementShort cordBetween its frizz-controlling results, multiple heat and speed settings, and reasonable price, this model was easily the best choice for those who don’t want to spend a ton of money on a good hair dryer. Though simple in function and design, this tool has three heat and speed settings and includes two styling attachments, offering the same basic functions as most other dryers that we tested — just at a fraction of the cost.We appreciated its smooth and even airflow and were impressed with how quickly it dried our testers’ strands despite their varying hair types, a quality we can attribute to its ionic and tourmaline hair-protecting technology and ceramic heating system. While we did run into a few snags when it came to design (the cord is a bit too short and the buttons are easy to accidentally switch), we were more than happy with the results.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Kalina OllingerHair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, diffuserTester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Their hair “looked lovely” after using this tool, with lots of shine and smoothness, no heat damage.Type 2A:It only took a few minutes to dry their hair, and their frizz was more controlled than normal.Type 3B:The diffuser gave them good volume and smoothed their hair simultaneously — plus, the diffuser tips didn’t hurt when they hit their head.

Best BudgetRemington Damage Protection Hair DryerPHOTO: Amazon$25$20 at Amazon$20 at Target$26 at Walmart

Best BudgetRemington Damage Protection Hair Dryer

Best Budget

Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer

PHOTO: Amazon

$25$20 at Amazon$20 at Target$26 at Walmart

Star QualitiesEffectively smoothed frizzIncludes useful attachmentsHigh-quality performance despite basic functionRed FlagsAwkward button placementShort cord

Star QualitiesEffectively smoothed frizzIncludes useful attachmentsHigh-quality performance despite basic function

Effectively smoothed frizz

Includes useful attachments

High-quality performance despite basic function

Red FlagsAwkward button placementShort cord

Awkward button placement

Short cord

Between its frizz-controlling results, multiple heat and speed settings, and reasonable price, this model was easily the best choice for those who don’t want to spend a ton of money on a good hair dryer. Though simple in function and design, this tool has three heat and speed settings and includes two styling attachments, offering the same basic functions as most other dryers that we tested — just at a fraction of the cost.

We appreciated its smooth and even airflow and were impressed with how quickly it dried our testers’ strands despite their varying hair types, a quality we can attribute to its ionic and tourmaline hair-protecting technology and ceramic heating system. While we did run into a few snags when it came to design (the cord is a bit too short and the buttons are easy to accidentally switch), we were more than happy with the results.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Kalina Ollinger

Hair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, diffuser

Tester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Their hair “looked lovely” after using this tool, with lots of shine and smoothness, no heat damage.Type 2A:It only took a few minutes to dry their hair, and their frizz was more controlled than normal.Type 3B:The diffuser gave them good volume and smoothed their hair simultaneously — plus, the diffuser tips didn’t hurt when they hit their head.

Type 1A/B:Their hair “looked lovely” after using this tool, with lots of shine and smoothness, no heat damage.Type 2A:It only took a few minutes to dry their hair, and their frizz was more controlled than normal.Type 3B:The diffuser gave them good volume and smoothed their hair simultaneously — plus, the diffuser tips didn’t hurt when they hit their head.

Type 1A/B:Their hair “looked lovely” after using this tool, with lots of shine and smoothness, no heat damage.

Type 2A:It only took a few minutes to dry their hair, and their frizz was more controlled than normal.

Type 3B:The diffuser gave them good volume and smoothed their hair simultaneously — plus, the diffuser tips didn’t hurt when they hit their head.

Best AttachmentsDyson Supersonic NuralPHOTO: Dyson$499 at Amazon$500 at Nordstrom$499 at SephoraStar QualitiesUseful smart heat technologyUnique, hair-perfecting attachmentsQuiet operationRed FlagsObjectively high priceIt’s no surprise that Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer (which Beyoncé usedwhile promotingher haircare line, Cécred), has historically earned high marks during our tests. But its latest iteration, the Nural, was even more impressive than its forebearer. Instead of manually selecting their heat and speed levels, our testers just needed to press the “on” button and the smart dryer sensed the correct settings. It dried their hair quickly, yet gently, thanks to its “Scalp Protect” mode, which senses how close the dryer is to your skin and cools off accordingly (a great quality for those with thin hair or children who aren’t used to high heat).Each tester felt that their hair was smoother, softer, and silkier than before thanks to its negative ion technology and multitude of styling attachments. Each was easy to attach and provided a function for all hair types — from wide tooth combs for natural coils to a flyaway attachment that controls skewed strands. Of course, its hefty price is a deterrent for many shoppers, but as one tester put it, “this dryer is in a category of its own.” You get what you pay for.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Bridget AnnearHair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1600 |Settings:4 heat, 3 speed, cold shot, pause detect, attachment learning |Attachments:Wide-tooth comb, diffuser, concentrator, gentle air attachment, flyaway attachmentTester TestimonialsType 1B:Their hair dried much faster than normal with the sensor-adjusted settings and looked ultra-sleek. They’re officially considering Dyson for future hair tools.Type 2B:The flyaway attachment smoothed, defined, and added extra shine to their waves.Type 3B:Experienced no heat damage from this dryer (especially compared to their old one).Type 4B/C:Steady airflow dried their hair much faster than normal, only 10-15 minutes for their whole head. Natural Afro-friendly!

Best AttachmentsDyson Supersonic NuralPHOTO: Dyson$499 at Amazon$500 at Nordstrom$499 at Sephora

Best AttachmentsDyson Supersonic Nural

Best Attachments

Dyson Supersonic Nural

PHOTO: Dyson

$499 at Amazon$500 at Nordstrom$499 at Sephora

Star QualitiesUseful smart heat technologyUnique, hair-perfecting attachmentsQuiet operationRed FlagsObjectively high price

Star QualitiesUseful smart heat technologyUnique, hair-perfecting attachmentsQuiet operation

Useful smart heat technology

Unique, hair-perfecting attachments

Quiet operation

Red FlagsObjectively high price

Objectively high price

It’s no surprise that Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer (which Beyoncé usedwhile promotingher haircare line, Cécred), has historically earned high marks during our tests. But its latest iteration, the Nural, was even more impressive than its forebearer. Instead of manually selecting their heat and speed levels, our testers just needed to press the “on” button and the smart dryer sensed the correct settings. It dried their hair quickly, yet gently, thanks to its “Scalp Protect” mode, which senses how close the dryer is to your skin and cools off accordingly (a great quality for those with thin hair or children who aren’t used to high heat).

Each tester felt that their hair was smoother, softer, and silkier than before thanks to its negative ion technology and multitude of styling attachments. Each was easy to attach and provided a function for all hair types — from wide tooth combs for natural coils to a flyaway attachment that controls skewed strands. Of course, its hefty price is a deterrent for many shoppers, but as one tester put it, “this dryer is in a category of its own.” You get what you pay for.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Bridget Annear

Hair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1600 |Settings:4 heat, 3 speed, cold shot, pause detect, attachment learning |Attachments:Wide-tooth comb, diffuser, concentrator, gentle air attachment, flyaway attachment

Tester TestimonialsType 1B:Their hair dried much faster than normal with the sensor-adjusted settings and looked ultra-sleek. They’re officially considering Dyson for future hair tools.Type 2B:The flyaway attachment smoothed, defined, and added extra shine to their waves.Type 3B:Experienced no heat damage from this dryer (especially compared to their old one).Type 4B/C:Steady airflow dried their hair much faster than normal, only 10-15 minutes for their whole head. Natural Afro-friendly!

Type 1B:Their hair dried much faster than normal with the sensor-adjusted settings and looked ultra-sleek. They’re officially considering Dyson for future hair tools.Type 2B:The flyaway attachment smoothed, defined, and added extra shine to their waves.Type 3B:Experienced no heat damage from this dryer (especially compared to their old one).Type 4B/C:Steady airflow dried their hair much faster than normal, only 10-15 minutes for their whole head. Natural Afro-friendly!

Type 1B:Their hair dried much faster than normal with the sensor-adjusted settings and looked ultra-sleek. They’re officially considering Dyson for future hair tools.

Type 2B:The flyaway attachment smoothed, defined, and added extra shine to their waves.

Type 3B:Experienced no heat damage from this dryer (especially compared to their old one).

Type 4B/C:Steady airflow dried their hair much faster than normal, only 10-15 minutes for their whole head. Natural Afro-friendly!

Best BasicConair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with DiffuserPHOTO: Amazon$40 at AmazonStar QualitiesSleek designEasy to useFast-dryingRed FlagsA little heavyIf you’re looking for a hair dryer that hits all the high notes without the extra money (or frills), look no further than this Conair hair dryer. This tool utilizes both ionic and ceramic heat technology to quickly and gently dry wet hair, cutting testers’ dry times in half while reducing the chance of heat damage, leaving them with silky-smooth strands. Testers said they never felt like their hair had a crunchy or stripped feeling after styling with this tool, and they appreciated the included attachments that were easy to take on and off.Some of us with wrist issues do wish that the dryer was a bit lighter, but in general, there wasn’t much that we would change for its amenable price. For basic functionality and a sleek ‘do, this is one of the cheapest routes to go (without sacrificing quality).PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Lauren MiklerHair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, diffuserTester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Dried their whole head of hair in 10 minutes, but delivered a more shiny, polished look in 20.Type 2A/B:Significantly smoothed their hair and cut their drying time down.Type 3A:The lowest heat setting was strong enough to dry their thick, dry hair quickly.Type 3B/C:The airflow was not as strong as this tester would have preferred.

Best BasicConair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with DiffuserPHOTO: Amazon$40 at Amazon

Best BasicConair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser

Best Basic

Conair InfinitiPRO Hair Dryer with Diffuser

$40 at Amazon

Star QualitiesSleek designEasy to useFast-dryingRed FlagsA little heavy

Star QualitiesSleek designEasy to useFast-drying

Sleek design

Easy to use

Fast-drying

Red FlagsA little heavy

A little heavy

If you’re looking for a hair dryer that hits all the high notes without the extra money (or frills), look no further than this Conair hair dryer. This tool utilizes both ionic and ceramic heat technology to quickly and gently dry wet hair, cutting testers’ dry times in half while reducing the chance of heat damage, leaving them with silky-smooth strands. Testers said they never felt like their hair had a crunchy or stripped feeling after styling with this tool, and they appreciated the included attachments that were easy to take on and off.

Some of us with wrist issues do wish that the dryer was a bit lighter, but in general, there wasn’t much that we would change for its amenable price. For basic functionality and a sleek ‘do, this is one of the cheapest routes to go (without sacrificing quality).

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Lauren Mikler

Hair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, diffuser

Tester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Dried their whole head of hair in 10 minutes, but delivered a more shiny, polished look in 20.Type 2A/B:Significantly smoothed their hair and cut their drying time down.Type 3A:The lowest heat setting was strong enough to dry their thick, dry hair quickly.Type 3B/C:The airflow was not as strong as this tester would have preferred.

Type 1A/B:Dried their whole head of hair in 10 minutes, but delivered a more shiny, polished look in 20.Type 2A/B:Significantly smoothed their hair and cut their drying time down.Type 3A:The lowest heat setting was strong enough to dry their thick, dry hair quickly.Type 3B/C:The airflow was not as strong as this tester would have preferred.

Type 1A/B:Dried their whole head of hair in 10 minutes, but delivered a more shiny, polished look in 20.

Type 2A/B:Significantly smoothed their hair and cut their drying time down.

Type 3A:The lowest heat setting was strong enough to dry their thick, dry hair quickly.

Type 3B/C:The airflow was not as strong as this tester would have preferred.

Best for TravelConair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying WandPHOTO: Ulta$150 at Amazon$150 at Ulta$150$130 at Kohls.comStar QualitiesLightweight, portable designUseful attachmentsComparable to premium dryersRed FlagsDoesn’t smooth hair wellAnother favorite from Conair is the Drying Wand, which we thought was a comparable, yet more budget-friendly alternative to the pricey Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle. The wand itself acts as a fast-drying hair dryer, and its slim body is easy to pack in a suitcase or carry-on luggage. Additionally, its styling attachments are useful and easy to switch out, making at-home blowouts easy to do. We mostly loved the volumizing and detangling tools, the former boosting body across all hair types, and the latter carefully combing through curls and coils.Though the dryer uses anti-frizz technology, this tool is not ionic, which means that it didn’t leave all of our testers’ hair as smooth as some of the others (testers with straight and wavy hair saw more success than those with curls). However, we still think this is a great option in lieu of the pricey, premium models that this wand imitates.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Lily LiuHair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:Not listed |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Detangling comb, straightening comb, volumizing brushTester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Fully dried their hair in about 10 minutes, which was “faster than any other hair dryers” they’ve tried.Type 2A/B:Their hair looked a lot smoother than before — a result of its anti-frizz technology.Type 3B:Drastically cut down drying and styling time, combining both into one 30-minute process.

Best for TravelConair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying WandPHOTO: Ulta$150 at Amazon$150 at Ulta$150$130 at Kohls.com

Best for TravelConair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand

Best for Travel

Conair InfinitiPRO DigitalAire Drying Wand

PHOTO: Ulta

$150 at Amazon$150 at Ulta$150$130 at Kohls.com

Star QualitiesLightweight, portable designUseful attachmentsComparable to premium dryersRed FlagsDoesn’t smooth hair well

Star QualitiesLightweight, portable designUseful attachmentsComparable to premium dryers

Lightweight, portable design

Useful attachments

Comparable to premium dryers

Red FlagsDoesn’t smooth hair well

Doesn’t smooth hair well

Another favorite from Conair is the Drying Wand, which we thought was a comparable, yet more budget-friendly alternative to the pricey Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle. The wand itself acts as a fast-drying hair dryer, and its slim body is easy to pack in a suitcase or carry-on luggage. Additionally, its styling attachments are useful and easy to switch out, making at-home blowouts easy to do. We mostly loved the volumizing and detangling tools, the former boosting body across all hair types, and the latter carefully combing through curls and coils.

Though the dryer uses anti-frizz technology, this tool is not ionic, which means that it didn’t leave all of our testers’ hair as smooth as some of the others (testers with straight and wavy hair saw more success than those with curls). However, we still think this is a great option in lieu of the pricey, premium models that this wand imitates.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Lily Liu

Hair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:Not listed |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Detangling comb, straightening comb, volumizing brush

Tester TestimonialsType 1A/B:Fully dried their hair in about 10 minutes, which was “faster than any other hair dryers” they’ve tried.Type 2A/B:Their hair looked a lot smoother than before — a result of its anti-frizz technology.Type 3B:Drastically cut down drying and styling time, combining both into one 30-minute process.

Type 1A/B:Fully dried their hair in about 10 minutes, which was “faster than any other hair dryers” they’ve tried.Type 2A/B:Their hair looked a lot smoother than before — a result of its anti-frizz technology.Type 3B:Drastically cut down drying and styling time, combining both into one 30-minute process.

Type 1A/B:Fully dried their hair in about 10 minutes, which was “faster than any other hair dryers” they’ve tried.

Type 2A/B:Their hair looked a lot smoother than before — a result of its anti-frizz technology.

Type 3B:Drastically cut down drying and styling time, combining both into one 30-minute process.

Best for Fine HairHot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair DryerPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$68$50 at WalmartStar QualitiesEasy to maneuverSmooth, shiny resultsDries thin hair fastRed FlagsMedium airflowWith its adjustable settings and ionic technology, this low-priced dryer is a great choice for anyone with fine hair. Its basic design and lightweight body made this model easy to maneuver, keeping arm fatigue at bay while we dried our hair, which happened at a surprisingly fast pace for those with fine hair. Testers with thick hair thought that the airflow was average compared to the expensive models they tried, but they did appreciate the boost in shine and smoothness that this tool delivered. (One’s even planning to recommend it to their mom.)While we wish it came with a better diffuser (this one didn’t give our hair as much volume as some others did), this dryer is still a good option for anyone looking for a basic hair dryer that is fine hair-friendly and doesn’t create extra heat damage.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Nathaly MartinezPHOTO: People / Sarah RobertsHair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, diffuserTester TestimonialsType 1B:Their hair looked “less frizzy than usual” and dried a few minutes earlier than it would normally.Type 2B:They ended up with a bouncy, shiny blowout with the concentrator and defined waves and curls with the diffuser.Type 3A/B:The diffuser delivered smoother curls while the concentrator gave them a shiny blowout minus the smoothness.

Best for Fine HairHot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair DryerPHOTO: Amazon$60 at Amazon$68$50 at Walmart

Best for Fine HairHot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer

Best for Fine Hair

Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer

$60 at Amazon$68$50 at Walmart

Star QualitiesEasy to maneuverSmooth, shiny resultsDries thin hair fastRed FlagsMedium airflow

Star QualitiesEasy to maneuverSmooth, shiny resultsDries thin hair fast

Easy to maneuver

Smooth, shiny results

Dries thin hair fast

Red FlagsMedium airflow

Medium airflow

With its adjustable settings and ionic technology, this low-priced dryer is a great choice for anyone with fine hair. Its basic design and lightweight body made this model easy to maneuver, keeping arm fatigue at bay while we dried our hair, which happened at a surprisingly fast pace for those with fine hair. Testers with thick hair thought that the airflow was average compared to the expensive models they tried, but they did appreciate the boost in shine and smoothness that this tool delivered. (One’s even planning to recommend it to their mom.)

While we wish it came with a better diffuser (this one didn’t give our hair as much volume as some others did), this dryer is still a good option for anyone looking for a basic hair dryer that is fine hair-friendly and doesn’t create extra heat damage.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Nathaly MartinezPHOTO: People / Sarah Roberts

Tester TestimonialsType 1B:Their hair looked “less frizzy than usual” and dried a few minutes earlier than it would normally.Type 2B:They ended up with a bouncy, shiny blowout with the concentrator and defined waves and curls with the diffuser.Type 3A/B:The diffuser delivered smoother curls while the concentrator gave them a shiny blowout minus the smoothness.

Type 1B:Their hair looked “less frizzy than usual” and dried a few minutes earlier than it would normally.Type 2B:They ended up with a bouncy, shiny blowout with the concentrator and defined waves and curls with the diffuser.Type 3A/B:The diffuser delivered smoother curls while the concentrator gave them a shiny blowout minus the smoothness.

Type 1B:Their hair looked “less frizzy than usual” and dried a few minutes earlier than it would normally.

Type 2B:They ended up with a bouncy, shiny blowout with the concentrator and defined waves and curls with the diffuser.

Type 3A/B:The diffuser delivered smoother curls while the concentrator gave them a shiny blowout minus the smoothness.

Best for Curly HairShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair DryerPHOTO: Shark$200$169 at Amazon$200 at UltaView on Sharkclean.comStar QualitiesHelpful styling attachmentsSmart technologyEffectively controls frizzRed FlagsCan get very hot on scalp despite protective modesNo volumizing attachmentThere wasn’t much we didn’t love about this fast-acting hair dryer from Shark. From its lightweight design to the powerful airflow, this tool delivered sleek and shiny strands in no time — especially when used with one of its many attachments. Testers especially loved the finishing tool and smoothing brush, noting that while this dryer can stand on its own, “the smoothing attachments take it to the next level.”We do wish that it came with one round brush attachment for volume, but if frizz-taming is what you need, then these attachments will deliver. Also, a word to the wise: make sure to manually enact “Scalp Shield” mode when drying close to your skin, or else it can feel too hot.If you want something similar to the Dyson Supersonic but don’t want to spendthatmuch, the Shark SpeedStyle is a great alternative.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Kathleen TenefranciaHair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:1750 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, Scalp Shield mode |Attachments:Smoothing brush, concentrator, finishing toolTester TestimonialsType 1A:So quick-drying that they needed to use the lowest settings to style.Type 2B:Achieved dry hair in a little over 10 minutes — an impressive feat for their thick locks.Type 4C:Quickly dried their hair, smoothed frizz, and boosted volume without being too hot or damaging.

Best for Curly HairShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair DryerPHOTO: Shark$200$169 at Amazon$200 at UltaView on Sharkclean.com

Best for Curly HairShark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer

Best for Curly Hair

Shark SpeedStyle Pro Hair Dryer

PHOTO: Shark

$200$169 at Amazon$200 at UltaView on Sharkclean.com

Star QualitiesHelpful styling attachmentsSmart technologyEffectively controls frizzRed FlagsCan get very hot on scalp despite protective modesNo volumizing attachment

Star QualitiesHelpful styling attachmentsSmart technologyEffectively controls frizz

Helpful styling attachments

Smart technology

Effectively controls frizz

Red FlagsCan get very hot on scalp despite protective modesNo volumizing attachment

Can get very hot on scalp despite protective modes

No volumizing attachment

There wasn’t much we didn’t love about this fast-acting hair dryer from Shark. From its lightweight design to the powerful airflow, this tool delivered sleek and shiny strands in no time — especially when used with one of its many attachments. Testers especially loved the finishing tool and smoothing brush, noting that while this dryer can stand on its own, “the smoothing attachments take it to the next level.”

We do wish that it came with one round brush attachment for volume, but if frizz-taming is what you need, then these attachments will deliver. Also, a word to the wise: make sure to manually enact “Scalp Shield” mode when drying close to your skin, or else it can feel too hot.

If you want something similar to the Dyson Supersonic but don’t want to spendthatmuch, the Shark SpeedStyle is a great alternative.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Kathleen Tenefrancia

Hair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:1750 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, Scalp Shield mode |Attachments:Smoothing brush, concentrator, finishing tool

Tester TestimonialsType 1A:So quick-drying that they needed to use the lowest settings to style.Type 2B:Achieved dry hair in a little over 10 minutes — an impressive feat for their thick locks.Type 4C:Quickly dried their hair, smoothed frizz, and boosted volume without being too hot or damaging.

Type 1A:So quick-drying that they needed to use the lowest settings to style.Type 2B:Achieved dry hair in a little over 10 minutes — an impressive feat for their thick locks.Type 4C:Quickly dried their hair, smoothed frizz, and boosted volume without being too hot or damaging.

Type 1A:So quick-drying that they needed to use the lowest settings to style.

Type 2B:Achieved dry hair in a little over 10 minutes — an impressive feat for their thick locks.

Type 4C:Quickly dried their hair, smoothed frizz, and boosted volume without being too hot or damaging.

Best for Frizz ReductionRemington ONE Multi-Style Hair DryerPHOTO: Remington$55$45 at AmazonView on Remingtonproducts.comStar QualitiesSmoothed frizzy strandsCustomizable heat and speed settingsGreat value for priceRed FlagsSome found the dryer heavier than othersCompact and easy to maneuver, this hair dryer from Remington has a sleek, stout body that makes it easy to add attachments, store, and pack in your travel bag. We appreciated its strong airflow and several heat and speed settings, which made each styling session a personalized experience depending on hair type and texture. While testers with fine hair had faster drying times than those with thicker hair, everyone got smoother, sleeker, and shinier strands as a result.The diffuser and flyaway tamers were both proficient in controlling strands gone awry and helped dry our hair evenly. Though this dryer goes for just over $50, we think it’s worth a lot more for its functionality alone.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Sarah NaftzgerHair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:8 heat and speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, flyaway tamer, diffuserTester TestimonialsType 1B:Dried their hair in under ten minutes and the flyaway tamer smoothed their strands to the ends.Type 2A/B:Ionic technology did not lessen their dry time, but they saw “60 percent less frizz” than normal.Type 3A/B:The diffuser’s unique cup shape granted sleek, defined curls that didn’t separate.

Best for Frizz ReductionRemington ONE Multi-Style Hair DryerPHOTO: Remington$55$45 at AmazonView on Remingtonproducts.com

Best for Frizz ReductionRemington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer

Best for Frizz Reduction

Remington ONE Multi-Style Hair Dryer

PHOTO: Remington

$55$45 at AmazonView on Remingtonproducts.com

Star QualitiesSmoothed frizzy strandsCustomizable heat and speed settingsGreat value for priceRed FlagsSome found the dryer heavier than others

Star QualitiesSmoothed frizzy strandsCustomizable heat and speed settingsGreat value for price

Smoothed frizzy strands

Customizable heat and speed settings

Great value for price

Red FlagsSome found the dryer heavier than others

Some found the dryer heavier than others

Compact and easy to maneuver, this hair dryer from Remington has a sleek, stout body that makes it easy to add attachments, store, and pack in your travel bag. We appreciated its strong airflow and several heat and speed settings, which made each styling session a personalized experience depending on hair type and texture. While testers with fine hair had faster drying times than those with thicker hair, everyone got smoother, sleeker, and shinier strands as a result.

The diffuser and flyaway tamers were both proficient in controlling strands gone awry and helped dry our hair evenly. Though this dryer goes for just over $50, we think it’s worth a lot more for its functionality alone.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Sarah Naftzger

Hair type:All |Ionic:Yes |Wattage:1875 |Settings:8 heat and speed, cool shot |Attachments:Concentrator, flyaway tamer, diffuser

Tester TestimonialsType 1B:Dried their hair in under ten minutes and the flyaway tamer smoothed their strands to the ends.Type 2A/B:Ionic technology did not lessen their dry time, but they saw “60 percent less frizz” than normal.Type 3A/B:The diffuser’s unique cup shape granted sleek, defined curls that didn’t separate.

Type 1B:Dried their hair in under ten minutes and the flyaway tamer smoothed their strands to the ends.Type 2A/B:Ionic technology did not lessen their dry time, but they saw “60 percent less frizz” than normal.Type 3A/B:The diffuser’s unique cup shape granted sleek, defined curls that didn’t separate.

Type 1B:Dried their hair in under ten minutes and the flyaway tamer smoothed their strands to the ends.

Type 2A/B:Ionic technology did not lessen their dry time, but they saw “60 percent less frizz” than normal.

Type 3A/B:The diffuser’s unique cup shape granted sleek, defined curls that didn’t separate.

Best for Long HairT3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air StylerPHOTO: T3 Micro$300 at Amazon$300 at Nordstrom$300 at SephoraStar QualitiesLightweight, ergonomic bodyEasily styles long hairLess-expensive Airwrap alternativeRed FlagsStill expensive, thoughStyling long hair can be a chore, but this long-barreled multi-styler was more than up for the challenge. One tester achieved a “big, Texas blowout” in 45 minutes without feeling arm fatigue, though they could do a simple dry job in just 15 minutes — taking their hair from wet to styled in much less time than their usual dryers would have.The ceramic-coated attachment heads were instrumental in the smooth, sleek styles that each tester, no matter their hair type, was able to achieve. However, we did notice that type 1 (straight) hair didn’t hold curls as well as other textures did. With its air-curling attachments, this tool mimics the look of the Dyson Airwrap. Though it has a lower price than the Dyson, it’s still pricey enough that we’d prefer to buy it on sale.PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Genevieve CepedaPHOTO: People / Genevieve CepedaHair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:1500 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:2 curling barrels, concentrator, oval brush, storage toteTester TestimonialsType 1A/B:The long attachments helped this tester with long, straight hair attain a bouncy, “really smooth” blowout.Type 2B:They achieved a smoother result with more volume and likened it to their Dyson Airwrap.Type 3A:Delivered bouncy, lush curls with lots of shine — though they had to use the cool shot on the top layer to keep frizz at bay.

Best for Long HairT3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air StylerPHOTO: T3 Micro$300 at Amazon$300 at Nordstrom$300 at Sephora

Best for Long HairT3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler

Best for Long Hair

T3 Aire 360 Ceramic Air Styler

PHOTO: T3 Micro

$300 at Amazon$300 at Nordstrom$300 at Sephora

Star QualitiesLightweight, ergonomic bodyEasily styles long hairLess-expensive Airwrap alternativeRed FlagsStill expensive, though

Star QualitiesLightweight, ergonomic bodyEasily styles long hairLess-expensive Airwrap alternative

Lightweight, ergonomic body

Easily styles long hair

Less-expensive Airwrap alternative

Red FlagsStill expensive, though

Still expensive, though

Styling long hair can be a chore, but this long-barreled multi-styler was more than up for the challenge. One tester achieved a “big, Texas blowout” in 45 minutes without feeling arm fatigue, though they could do a simple dry job in just 15 minutes — taking their hair from wet to styled in much less time than their usual dryers would have.

The ceramic-coated attachment heads were instrumental in the smooth, sleek styles that each tester, no matter their hair type, was able to achieve. However, we did notice that type 1 (straight) hair didn’t hold curls as well as other textures did. With its air-curling attachments, this tool mimics the look of the Dyson Airwrap. Though it has a lower price than the Dyson, it’s still pricey enough that we’d prefer to buy it on sale.

PHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: People / Joy KimPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Genevieve CepedaPHOTO: People / Genevieve Cepeda

Hair type:All |Ionic:No |Wattage:1500 |Settings:3 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |Attachments:2 curling barrels, concentrator, oval brush, storage tote

Tester TestimonialsType 1A/B:The long attachments helped this tester with long, straight hair attain a bouncy, “really smooth” blowout.Type 2B:They achieved a smoother result with more volume and likened it to their Dyson Airwrap.Type 3A:Delivered bouncy, lush curls with lots of shine — though they had to use the cool shot on the top layer to keep frizz at bay.

Type 1A/B:The long attachments helped this tester with long, straight hair attain a bouncy, “really smooth” blowout.Type 2B:They achieved a smoother result with more volume and likened it to their Dyson Airwrap.Type 3A:Delivered bouncy, lush curls with lots of shine — though they had to use the cool shot on the top layer to keep frizz at bay.

Type 1A/B:The long attachments helped this tester with long, straight hair attain a bouncy, “really smooth” blowout.

Type 2B:They achieved a smoother result with more volume and likened it to their Dyson Airwrap.

Type 3A:Delivered bouncy, lush curls with lots of shine — though they had to use the cool shot on the top layer to keep frizz at bay.

If you’re looking for your next hair dryer, you may like these other PEOPLE-Tested hair care must-haves. Our team of editors and independent testers put each product through rigorous testing to ensure they only highlight the best, and nothing less.

Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment$28$21 at Amazon$28$12 at Sephora$28 at UltaMoroccanoil Color Depositing Mask$30 at Amazon$30 at Nordstrom$30$8 at SephoraShark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System$329 at Amazon$290$210 at Walmart$300 at UltaBaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron$160 at Amazon$90 at Walmart$160 at Ulta

Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment$28$21 at Amazon$28$12 at Sephora$28 at Ulta

Color Wow Dream Coat Anti-Frizz Treatment

$28$21 at Amazon$28$12 at Sephora$28 at Ulta

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask$30 at Amazon$30 at Nordstrom$30$8 at Sephora

Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask

$30 at Amazon$30 at Nordstrom$30$8 at Sephora

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System$329 at Amazon$290$210 at Walmart$300 at Ulta

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System

$329 at Amazon$290$210 at Walmart$300 at Ulta

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron$160 at Amazon$90 at Walmart$160 at Ulta

BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Dual Ionic Flat Iron

$160 at Amazon$90 at Walmart$160 at Ulta

What to Know About Hair Dryers

Hair Type

The biggest factor to consider when shopping for a new hair dryer is the type of hair that you have. Oftentimes, straight or wavy hair will require different hair dryer functions (think the strand-smoothing benefits of theRemington One Multi-Style Hair Dryer) than curly or textured hair (theShark SpeedStyle Prowas our favorite), so identifying your hair type and catering to it will deliver the best results.

While there is no “type” of hair dryer that works best for certain hair types, Marjan puts hair protection at the forefront when it comes to blow drying. Even a few spritzes of a goodhair detanglerbefore blow-drying can make a difference. It’s of peak importance that the dryer does “not get too hot, so that the hair health is protected,” says Marjan. And that goes for any hair type.

Speed and Heat Settings

Every hair dryer comes with its own set of features, but it’s up to you to decide which ones are worth buying. If customizable settings are on your list of priorities, then keep an eye out for tools with several heat and speed settings or special modes, like theDyson Supersonic Nuraland its scalp-protecting technology.

Cool shot buttons and special features like turbo or volume settings are an extra perk, as well. For those looking for a timesaver that delivers smooth and volumized results without extra tools,hot air brushesare another great option.

Attachments

Many hair dryers will come with a concentrator, but attachments can go as far as wide-tooth combs and flyaway treatments (ahem, Dyson, once again). Marjan points out how versatile your hair dryer can be once you add attachments. “You can use [a] comb attachment to stretch out curls, wide styling hair dryer nozzle for smooth blow dries, diffuser to shape curls, or no attachment for added volume,” she says.

Finding which attachments work for your hair will dictate whether or not you need them in tandem with your hair dryer (plus what otherhair productsyou want to have in your arsenal).

Wattage

A hair dryer’s wattage indicates how much power the dryer produces, which, in turn, gives you an idea of how long it will take the dryer to dry your hair. A lower wattage means your hair will take longer to dry while a higher wattage will dry your hair faster. That said, you don’t want a dryer with too high a wattage as it can be damaging to your hair. The hair dryers on our list range from 1,500 to 2,000 watts, which is a good benchmark for wattage.

People / Joy Kim

We take our hair dryers very seriously — so much so that as new hair dryers hit the market, we test them, and re-evaluate our previous winners to give you the most up-to-date info on which tools you should buy. We tested 12 of the newest dryers this year (bringing our total to 46, including previously tested) in our lab and at home. We had professional hairstylists use the hair dryers on us before we took them home for long-term testing.

Frequently Asked QuestionsThe wattage level on your hair dryer is a great indicator of how hot the blow dryer can get and how quickly it can dry your hair. For the fastest (and safest) results, 1800 to 1850 watts is the sweet spot. However, several products surpass this amount and use 1875 watts without showing any signs of heat damage, such as theInfinitiPro By Conair Hair DryerandHot Tools Pro Signature Hair Dryer.But generally, anything 2000 watts or less is safe to use at home. Tools with low wattages will take a longer time to dry your hair, which means our picks at 1600 watts or less (like theT3 Aire 360) may require a bit more time, but your hair may sustain less heat damage in the end. Regardless, always use aheat protectantbefore you begin styling.The price of a hair dryer varies depending on the brand, materials, functionality, and attachments included with the purchase. You can nab a great-performing dryer, like the $19Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer, or you can splurge on higher-priced tools like the $500Dyson Supersonic Nural.There are several attachments and nozzles that a hair dryer can come with, the most popular being concentrators and diffusors. Concentrators funnel the air from the hair dryer onto a targeted area, making it easier to manipulate the hair.Diffusers, on the other hand, are used to dry and define curls and provide volume. This type of nozzle funnels the air over a wider area than the physical tool’s opening allows for, expanding the hair dryer’s reach and providing a gentler airflow than a direct blast.

Frequently Asked Questions

The wattage level on your hair dryer is a great indicator of how hot the blow dryer can get and how quickly it can dry your hair. For the fastest (and safest) results, 1800 to 1850 watts is the sweet spot. However, several products surpass this amount and use 1875 watts without showing any signs of heat damage, such as theInfinitiPro By Conair Hair DryerandHot Tools Pro Signature Hair Dryer.But generally, anything 2000 watts or less is safe to use at home. Tools with low wattages will take a longer time to dry your hair, which means our picks at 1600 watts or less (like theT3 Aire 360) may require a bit more time, but your hair may sustain less heat damage in the end. Regardless, always use aheat protectantbefore you begin styling.

The price of a hair dryer varies depending on the brand, materials, functionality, and attachments included with the purchase. You can nab a great-performing dryer, like the $19Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer, or you can splurge on higher-priced tools like the $500Dyson Supersonic Nural.

There are several attachments and nozzles that a hair dryer can come with, the most popular being concentrators and diffusors. Concentrators funnel the air from the hair dryer onto a targeted area, making it easier to manipulate the hair.Diffusers, on the other hand, are used to dry and define curls and provide volume. This type of nozzle funnels the air over a wider area than the physical tool’s opening allows for, expanding the hair dryer’s reach and providing a gentler airflow than a direct blast.

There are several attachments and nozzles that a hair dryer can come with, the most popular being concentrators and diffusors. Concentrators funnel the air from the hair dryer onto a targeted area, making it easier to manipulate the hair.

Diffusers, on the other hand, are used to dry and define curls and provide volume. This type of nozzle funnels the air over a wider area than the physical tool’s opening allows for, expanding the hair dryer’s reach and providing a gentler airflow than a direct blast.

Styling TipApply a littlehair oilto damp hair to nourish, smooth, and add shine to your hair before styling with your dryer.

Styling Tip

Apply a littlehair oilto damp hair to nourish, smooth, and add shine to your hair before styling with your dryer.

Alyssa Brasciais a shopping writer at PEOPLE with an expertise in beauty. She has covered PEOPLE’s hair dryer tests for the past two years, analyzing insights from a team of testers who have tried 46 hair dryers in total, updating the article accordingly with the team’s latest findings.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com