We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Want to dry without damaging? Find out which hair dryers blew us away Secador De Pelo Profesional
Behind every salon-worthy hairstyle is a great hair dryer. Whether you’re tired of deflated roots and straggly ends, or simply want your hair to dry in a flash, our expert testers are here to help with the best hair dryers for every hair type.
Ready for a bouncy blow dry even the Princess of Wales would envy? Look no further — the Good Housekeeping Institute has found the tools that will make quick work of any style and leave your locks looking and feeling healthier.
We asked over 300 testers with different hair types to review 23 market-leading models. They rigorously judged each appliance on its drying speed, ease of use, weight, noise level and end result.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we measured the temperature of the airflow, casing and nozzle, as well as assessing instructions, simplicity and design. To see how well each tool combatted frizz, we also used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine, which measured the amount of frizz and flyaways that occurred once hair was exposed to humidity.
Our winner gadget dries and styles in one. The latest launch from ghd absolutely outshone all competition in both our hair dryer and hair straightener tests, beating our runner-up hair dryers by 10 points. Although it may not be for everyone (for those with short hair or a fringe, the chunky paddles could make it tricky to get right up to the roots), most of our testers said this was tech you could really trust.
It left hair looking fully styled without the need to straighten separately (in most cases), so lengths were less exposed to heat damage over time. Our panellists also praised the speed at which it dried their hair and the glossy after-effects. Read our full in-depth review here.
Also from ghd, this hair dryer excelled when it came to smoothing and banishing frizz, and everyone agreed it left hair looking healthier.
Despite its speedy drying capabilities, it didn't leave anyone's strands feeling dehydrated, and the entire panel was happy with their desired styles. The diffuser attachment stood out for those with curly or wavy hair too.
The hair dryer that broke the internet back in 2016 has landed our joint runner-up spot. Every tester said they'd replace their current hair dryer with the Dyson Supersonic after it left their locks softer and free of static. They all said their style lasted until the end of the day and everybody was impressed by how much body and volume it gave them.
Reaching from the roots to the back of the head proved easy and it barely made any noise. It got the job done quickly, with 91% of our panel pleased with how long it took to dry their hair, and it scored highly in our lab test, heating up well without scorching strands. The control indicator lights could be clearer, but it delivered an outstanding performance.
Despite being compact, this space-saving device achieved impressive results. The panel reported softer, healthy-looking hair, with added body; and our experts also gave it their seal of approval in the lab for avoiding frizz.
The concentrator nozzle was particularly handy for targeting specific areas, and everyone was able to reach the back of their head without any awkward stretching.
Bellissima’s array of attachments was a hit among our testers, allowing everyone to easily achieve the look they were after.
Those with curly hair were particularly impressed with how much volume was created, with no static or frizz in sight. Everyone saw a boost in smoothness and shine, and most agreed their stands looked stronger and healthier.
Weighing in at just 294g, Hershesons takes top spot for the most suitcase-friendly hair dryer. Despite its size, it boasts impressive functionality, with two styling nozzles and a diffuser for sleeker curls. In fact, a perfect 100% of participants reported that it left their hair feeling smoother, without drying or dulling their colour.
According to our testers, the design “feels premium” and “durable”, and they appreciated the option to automatically save your preferred heat and speed setting for future use. That said, some felt the hair dryer was a little too powerful, and warned that the nozzle can get hot during use.
Innovative modes and a sleek design make this hair dryer one of our top contenders. Our panel was impressed by how well it handled frizz, with some testers noting that their style lasted all day. Hair was also left feeling softer and shinier.
Testers with afro hair loved the hot and cold mode (which auto-adjusts between hot and cold air) and the scalp mode — a lower temperature airflow designed for gently drying the scalp area.
Here’s a hair dryer that adds plenty of volume. And not only did it bring a little extra oomph to most of our testers' roots, but the magnetic styling nozzle attachments also made it super easy to switch up your look.
It didn’t strip moisture from hair and left it looking healthier for most testers. The majority of our panellists with coloured tresses also said it didn’t dull their shade either, and it helped eliminate frizz.
If you’re looking for a simple hair dryer that works quickly, DryBar’s Buttercup Blow-Dryer is hard to beat. Our panel appreciated the lightweight body and ability to change between drying modes, finding it quick and easy to create silky-smooth results using the attachable nozzles. Not only that, but the majority of testers said that they were satisfied with its performance and would continue to use it post-trial.
It’s worth noting that there’s no diffuser attachment to tackle natural curls, but this can be purchased separately should you wish.
Ever wanted to achieve Drew Barrymore’s look? Well, the Hollywood star has made copying her style that bit easier by launching her own brand of hair tools.
Our panel liked the “bright, eye-catching design” of this ultra-lightweight dryer, which proved particularly effective for those with naturally curly hair. Our testers with afro hair said it dried quickly, leaving a smooth finish. It minimised frizz for 80%, with 90% agreeing that their hair felt softer and looked healthier post-drying.
Look no further if you're after a powerful tool that won't leave your strands feeling desert-dry.
If you’re always in a rush, this premium hair dryer has been developed to provide faster airflow and styling time. Described by our testers as “luxurious”, it boasts metallic accents and a silicone hanging loop.
It scored well performance-wise too, delivering on softness and shine. The panel agreed that the airflow was powerful for its compact size and all said their hair looked smooth after use. It’s available in six different colours.
Dubbed “the Tesla of hair dryers”, this machine claims to use infrared light and cool air tech to dry hair quickly without damage. Safe to say, we were intrigued.
The majority of our panel agreed it lived up to the hype, leaving hair shinier, smoother and healthier. The lightweight, quiet tool aced our lab test for keeping frizz at bay, and most said they were keen to continue using it.
Short on time? Reach for this remarkably efficient tool. Not only was it speedy — all our testers said it dried and styled their hair in a flash — but the results also lasted from morning until night. It was comfortable to hold, making it easy to reach the back of the head and tackle specific sections.
Our lab test found it slightly slow to reach its maximum temperature and our panel wished it felt more luxe, but most were delighted by how soft and shiny it left their locks.
Overwhelmed by multiple settings? This tool simplifies things by offering just three, making it easy to achieve fuss-free results.
Fast-drying, yet gentle on fragile strands, both our panel and lab were impressed with the shiny, frizz-free results. It was easy to switch between heat and speed settings and many said the cool shot mode kept styles in place for longer.
Save your arm workout for the gym and invest in this lightweight tool instead. The sleek, slim design went down a treat with our panel, and the nozzle is the perfect size to dry close to the roots.
It works in a flash, with one tester commenting that it “took less than 10 minutes to dry my super-thick hair”. Impressive!
This handy kit comes with everything you'd ever need for a sleek blow dry or voluminous curls. And the magnetic attachments mean it’s super easy to switch between heads.
Powerful yet compact, this tool delivered shiny, smooth results quickly, with testers appreciating its intuitive design and easy-to-use settings.
If you bleach your hair, you’ll know that applying heat to fragile strands can be troublesome. However, this game-changing dryer is infused with keratin, argan and coconut oil, to help protect locks.
But did it work? Those with colour-treated strands confirmed that it didn't dull colour, leaving hair smooth, shiny and hydrated.
With six accurate temperature settings to choose from, all hair types should be happy with this tool. Frizz was eradicated across the board, and most agreed their hair felt more robust and healthier.
Made for travelling, this petite dryer will trump any hotel offering and won’t take up much space in your luggage. Our entire panel found it comfortable and lightweight to hold, making it easy to reach both the roots and the back of the head.
It was straightforward to use and left the majority of our panel with softer, static-free manes. Predictably, it didn't dry hair as quickly as bigger models, or provide the longest-lasting results, but it’s an effective on-the-go choice that won’t weigh you down.
Do those frazzled strands a favour with this hair-reviving dryer. It left our panel's hair looking and feeling glossier – most testers reported healthier, smoother, softer and less frizzy tresses after using it and were satisfied with how long drying took, as well as how long their style lasted.
The majority found it comfortable to use but its long shape made it a tad awkward to manoeuvre. Our testers with afro hair found the cool shot function ideal for drying naturally curly hair and noticed how straight it left their strands. Though not the quietest in use, it certainly delivered sleek results.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy.
Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits.
Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Orla is our Senior Beauty and Grooming Tester and has extensive knowledge of skin and hair composition thanks to her bachelor's degree in cosmetic science. Orla uses her years of product testing experience, market research and technical lab skills to put a wide variety of products to the test. In the past year Orla has tested more than 147 beauty products, including all the latest innovations to launch within the market.
Best travel hair dryers for 2023
VO5 On the Go Mini Dryer review
InStyler MINI travel dryer review
9 best shampoos and conditioners for curly hair
The best ceramide serums for 2023
The best dry shampoos for all hair types
19 best reusable period pants and pads
10 best IPL hair removal devices
How to choose the best hair removal products
Good Housekeeping, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Flat Iron Wholesal ©2023 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved.