The Best Hair Dryer for Every Type of Hair and Budget

I have to admit, I had never really paid much attention to hair dryers. Case in point: I bought my last dryer from Target four-ish years ago, and chose it because it looked cute and was around $20. It wasn't until I switched to my current fave: a powerful dryer with a wide nozzle, that I realized choosing the right quality hair dryer can make a huge difference on everything from how long it takes to style my hair in the morning, to how shiny and frizz-free it feels post-blowout.

I guarantee that once you discover a hair dryer that works for your hair type and preference, you'll never look back (no disrespect to my Target dryer!). I asked Andrew Fitzsimons, the Kardashian fam's go-to celeb hairstylist and NatureLab. TOKYO's brand ambassador, how to find that perfect dryer. And don't worry, quality doesn't always mean more way more $$ — like all beauty things, you have to find the one that works for you and whatever preferences you have.

If you have hair that falls under the thick or frizzy category, Fitzsimons recommends an ionic or tourmaline hair dryer. Ionic means that it shoots negative ion technology to dry hair faster and leave it sleeker, which is a huge plus for thick, frizzy hair. But if you lean towards thin, fine hair, he suggests going with a ceramic hair dryer, which will distribute heat evenly throughout your hair to prevent further dehydration, and still keep it frizz-free.

When it comes to attachments (aka the nozzles you can swap out on hair dryers), Fitzsimons says a good hair dryer always has them, as they're a "lifesaver for blowouts." Different attachments distribute air in different ways — while a concentrator (a narrow nozzle) gives you more control over airflow and leaves your strands sleek and smooth, a diffuser (bowl-shaped attachment) will reduce airflow and is meant for hair with texture, as the prongs will lift hair, define curls, and tame frizz.

Now that you have all this info, it's time to pick that special hair dryer. Let us help you make this BIG decision (some hair dryers are like $300+, OK?) Here are the best hair dryers at every style and price point...