The 9 Best Affordable Hair Dryers for Under $100
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Updated October 26th, 2023: This article on the best affordable hair dryers was updated with new product picks based on hands-on editor product testing.
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Out of all the flashy hair styling tools on the market, the humble hair dryer remains the most essential for any home salon. High-tech hair dryers can run you up to $400 (looking at you, Dyson Supersonic!), but you can still get a fast-dry and smooth style among the best affordable hair dryers. In fact, these days they surpass the quality of most hotel hair dryers, thanks to lots of ionic and ceramic technology innovations provided by wallet-friendly professional hair dryer brands like Conair, Revlon, Babyliss, Bed Head, and more.
Today, the main difference you’ll notice between a $30 hair dryer and $400 hair dryer is performance and design, according to Cédric, a.k.a Fuat Celik, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Cédric Salon at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. “Most pro hair dryers are powerful and some of the new consumer dryers have smart technology in them that helps you to achieve a beautiful, smooth blowout without overheating your hair, which is always the goal,” Cédric says. The most notable downside to lower priced hair dryers is that they tend to sound louder than luxury alternatives. So, if you’re comfortable with a little extra noise in exchange for up to hundreds of dollars in savings, the best affordable hair dryers are a savvy investment.
Depending on the brand, hair dryers typically need to be replaced every few years anyway, so affordable options are a cost-effective choice, too — especially considering that new upgrades of bestselling models are constantly being released. But don’t let the price tag fool you, because there’s a wide range of the best budget hair dryers that can help you achieve salon-worthy blowouts and sleek styles for a mere fraction of the fee. You can find them at all the top beauty retailers, with Amazon and Ulta offering a slew of bestsellers that happen to be priced comfortably under $100.
In the past, low-cost hair dryers were often built as generic, air-blowing machines, but it’s become common practice among affordable brands to offer options specially-designed for different hair textures and styling preferences. “As with all things hair, shopping for a blow dryer depends on your personal hair type,” Cédric says. “If you have long or thick hair, you may want to look for a hair dryer that’s powerful, yet lightweight so it’s not too tiresome on the arms. But if you have shorter, finer, or thinner hair, a lightweight dryer (sans super turbo settings) works great.”
From expert-approved to editor-tested options, keep reading for the nine best affordable hair dryers you can buy for under $100.
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Top Affordable Hair Dryers of 2023
Best-Reviewed Conair InfinitiPro Hair Dryer
Best for Travel: Babylisspro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
Best Hair Dryer Brush: Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer Brush
Best for Curly Hair: Bed Head Curls-in-Check Hair Diffuser Dryer
Best Hair Dryer for Frizzy Hair: Shark Smoothstyle Heated Comb Straightener + Smoother
Best for Thick Hair: Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer
BEST-REVIEWED AFFORDABLE HAIR DRYER
Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,875 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.6 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings</strong>: 4<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: Concentrator, diffuser, and blowout hair brush<br><strong>Special features</strong>: Ionic and ceramic technology, infrared heat, AC motor<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong><br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.8/5 stars<br>
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The Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer is one of the best budget-friendly hair dryers on the market, at least according to our editors and over 22,000 rave Amazon reviews. It stands out for its high-quality pro-AC motor and ceramic and ionic technologies that dry hair up to 50 percent faster with less damage and frizz, but way more shine. In addition to offering strong airflow capabilities with its 1,875 watts of power it, also offers two speeds, four temperature settings, and weighs just under two pounds.
Editor testing and review notes: “This Infinitipro Conair hair dryer gives incredible volume and ensures a fast drying time, so there’s less heat exposure for your hair. Plus, it comes with a sleek concentrator that helps focus the airflow for precise drying. This is especially great for someone whose hair doesn’t need a lot of attention, just a quick dry so you don’t have to run out of the house with a wet head.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.99
BEST TRAVEL HAIR DRYER
Babylisspro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 2,000 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.92 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 3<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachements</strong>: Concentrator nozzle<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Nano ion technology, long-life DC motor<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong><br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.8/5 stars
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This Babylisspro blow dryer is one of the most lightweight options on our list, which makes it an amazing choice for a travel hair dryer. It may be small, but it’s definitely mighty, because its 2000-watt motor features nano ion technology. This means it not only dries hair quickly but also imparts a sleek, shiny look. It boasts two airflow speeds, three heat settings, and a cool shot function to set volume in place. Plus, it comes with a concentrator nozzle that’s handy for creating smooth blowouts on the go.
What testers say: “This is a wonderful hairdryer. It is surprisingly lightweight but packs some great punch. My daughter has thick hair and a lot of it and it cut our drying time down significantly, without needing to bump the heat up and burn her head. I like the various heat and speed options but was leery about the switches being on the handle, but have not had that issue with this one at all.I also like the extra length of the 9 foot cord so that I have room to move around without tangling myself up. Or I can dry my hair outside the hot, foggy bathroom! One concentrator attachment comes with the dryer and I have not had any issues with it falling off while in use and I use it daily. All around, it’s great little dryer at a decent price.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $89.99
BEST AFFORDABLE HAIR DRYER BRUSH
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer Brush
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,100 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.63 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 4 <br><strong>Attachments</strong>: Detachable 2.4" round brush head<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Ionic and ceramic technology; lightweight ergonomic design<br><strong>#1 Amazon Bestseller in Hot-Air Hair Brushes</strong><br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 is one of our editors’ all-time favorite hair dryer brushes — and you can score it for just $33 right now. It’s a beloved TikTok beauty product and Amazon beauty product, and boasts well over 267,00 five-star customer ratings. While it’s not a traditional hair dryer, it’ll give you a quick result that delivers on a thorough dry, added volume, and super simple styling. Its barrel size is small, so it’s easy to get close to the root for a smooth lift. Although this tool is cost-effective, Revlon didn’t short you on special features: Dual bristles detangle while styling, three heat settings allow you to calibrate the temperature to your hair thickness, and it has ionic technology for extra shine.
Editor testing and review notes: “Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer hair dryer brush outperformed every other under $100 hair dryer brush on our list. You’ll get similar heat settings (four) that pricier hair dryer brushes deliver, and a similar result: It left my hair surprisingly shiny and with no frizz in sight. The only downside to the brush is its potential to damage fine hair types due to its high heat, but I found that a solid spritz of heat protectant kept my hair healthy throughout my two month testing period. Having tested the first version of this hair dryer brush, I found this newer iteration is easier to use, quieter, and brings a level of versatility that is hard to find elsewhere.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $33.19
BEST AFFORDABLE HAIR DRYER FOR CURLY HAIR
Bed Head Curls-in-Check Hair Diffuser Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,875 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.55 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 3<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: Removable diffuser<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Ionic technology<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong><br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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Curly girls and guys will love this Bed Head diffuser dryer that’s priced under $30 right now. Its nozzle is larger than most, which helps define natural curls and covers more surface area to reduce drying time. This curly hair dryer has ionic technology that combats frizz and adds shine, while its three heat and two speed settings allow you to customize your experience. As an added bonus, the colorful style looks cute resting on your vanity.
What testers say: “I have naturally curly hair that I recently chopped into a pixie. I decided to stop fighting it, and this hair dryer has been amazing. I have neurological issues, and it’s much easier to hold this smaller hair dryer than traditional ones and the diffuser itself does all the work — I can use it with my one good arm. I’ve used it every other day for around two months and it quickly dries my hair without frizz. It’s definitely a good value for the money. The colors are also pretty awesome.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $24.29
BEST HAIR DRYER FOR FRIZZY HAIR
Shark Smoothstyle Heated Comb Straightener + Smoother
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 900<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.56 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 1<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 3<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: 1 brush head<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Ceramic-coated plates<br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Ulta Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.8/5 stars<br><strong>Sephora Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.8/5 stars
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The Shark SmoothStyle hair tool gives you the best of both worlds: This tool is both a hair dryer brush and a styler. With one calibrated heat setting and three airflow settings, this tool evenly dries and adds volume to the hair without the risk of hot spots and damage. Its heated ceramic plates allow you to use it as a smoothing tool that tames frizz and boosts shine. Use it like a flat iron to create sleek strands, twist the wand for bouncy waves, or flip out the ends for a soft blowout.
Editor testing and review notes: “This two-in-one tool marries the styling ease of a hair dryer brush with the shiny, lustrous results you’ll get from a hair straightener. Our tester found that the drying mode worked quicker than similar hair dryer brushes, and without hair-singeing heat. The straightening comb setting is a brilliant addition to the Shark Beauty hair tool lineup, as it removes frizz and lends a polished look without making your hair fall flat.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $99.99
Related:
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Shark SpeedStyle Review
BEST AFFORDABLE HAIR DRYER WITH COOL SHOT
Flower Beauty Ionic Pro Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 2,000 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 2.4 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 2 and a cool shot<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong><strong>Attachments</strong></strong>: Concentrator nozzle<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Ionic technology, customizable airflow<br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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The Flower Beauty Ionic Pro Hair Dryer by Drew Barrymore is no doubt the cutest affordable hair dryer of the bunch. Its diamond patterned head allows the tool to sit on a vanity without rolling around, while the Barbiecore colorway adds a fun pop of playfulness. Aside from its aesthetic features, this affordable hair dryer employs aerospace-designed airflow that’s infused with an ion boost to tame frizz. It has two options for heat, plus a cool shot, and an airflow control dial that allows you to precisely regulate its force. It also comes with a pink concentrator nozzle for direct drying and smooth styling.
Editor testing and review notes: “I was blown away — pun intended — at how shiny this dryer left my hair. I love to use the nozzle to dry my hair straight, which usually takes a substantial amount of time since my hair is long. But with this, I can get the job done in well under 10 minutes. If you’re in the market for a new blow dryer but your budget caps at 100 dollars, this is a great option for smooth blowouts and simple drying. And can we talk about the design? It’s easily the cutest hair tool in my rotation.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $76.97
CHEAPEST HAIR DRYER
Revlon Compact Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,875<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.18 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 2<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: None<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Travel-friendly size<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong> <strong><br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong></strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Target Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.6/5 stars<br><strong>Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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If you’re after a major bargain, you can’t go wrong with the Compact Hair Dryer from Revlon. Its priced at mere a $10, making it the cheapest hair dryer we recommend. While it doesn’t come with any additional attachments, this hair dryer has over 53,000 five-star reviews on Amazon for its ultra lightweight design and effective 1,875 wattage. It has two heat settings to toggle between, along with two settings for airflow control. Its small size makes it an ideal hair dryer for travel that you can rely on in a pinch.
What testers say: “Honestly, this is a really great hair dryer. It is low-cost and really effective. I bought a more expensive Conair hair dryer, and this one trumps it! This hair dryer gets hot really fast and dries your hair quickly and effectively.
Price upon publish date of this article: $10.19
Slopehill Professional Ionic Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,800 watts<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 1.85 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 3<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: Diffuser, concentrator, and smoothing nozzle<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: Ion, infrared heat + bio-ceramic technology<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong> <br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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Glance at this dryer quickly, and you’ll see some design similarities to the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, but this Slopehill dryer is about $350 cheaper. While it doesn’t have Dyson’s technology, this affordable blow dryer does have 18 centrifugal fan blades, an ionic cylinder motor that’s ultra-quiet, and a temperature protection function to prevent overheating hair. This dryer also comes with three magnetic attachments, three heat and two speed settings, and, unlike the Dyson version, a foldable handle that makes it easy to take on-the-go.
What testers say: “Save your money and buy this. It works almost identical to a Dyson. I love its stylish design, compact shape, and how lightweight it is. It’s easy to store, lighting fast, and very hot. My hair was dry in a flash and for only a fraction of the cost.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.99
BEST AFFORDABLE HAIR DRYER FOR THICK HAIR
Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer
<strong>Wattage</strong>: 1,875<br><strong>Weight</strong>: 2.07 lbs<br><strong>Number of heat settings:</strong> 2<br><strong>Number of speed settings</strong>: 2<br><strong>Attachments</strong>: Concentrator and diffuser<br><strong>Special</strong> <strong>features</strong>: <span style="font-weight: 400;">Infrared technology, ceramic tourmaline</span> design<br><strong>Amazon's Choice</strong> <br><strong>Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars<br><strong>Walmart Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: </strong>4.5/5 stars
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Over 35,000 Amazon customers have rated this this Revlon dryer with five stars. For under $30, the 1875-watt model features infrared heat technology designed to reduce drying time and ionic technology to leave hair shinier and healthier. It also has two heat and speed settings, as well as a cool shot button, and comes with concentrator and diffuser attachments that make it versatile for styling and suitable for straight to curly hair types.
What testers say: “I have extremely thick hair that’s hard to smooth out in Florida weather. This blow dryer has done a fantastic job! I put it through an extreme workout a couple of times a week. It hangs in there! I go through a lot of hair dryers. I can always rely on this one. It has been a really great value for the money.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $26.44
What to Look for in the Best Affordable Hair Dryers
Settings: The more heat and speed settings, the better. This provides optimal control over your results, because it makes styling more precise and reduces the risk of heat damage. Most affordable hair dryers offer at least two heat and two speed settings, and it’s always a bonus if there’s a cool shot function to lock and set styles in place.
Attachments: You want to look out for included attachments that coincide with your hair type and styling goals. If you’re looking to smooth frizz and straight-dry your hair, select an affordable hair dryer that comes with a concentrator nozzle. This helps to apply airflow exactly where you want it, from root to tip. Curly or kinky textures should always look for a hair dryer that comes with a diffuser attachment, because this will help comb and tame coils without over drying your strands. Added combs or brush attachments can also help to create a sleek, knot-free end result.
Special features: Hair dryers under $100 come with a wide selection of special features and are often equipped with either ionic, ceramic, or infrared technology. Ion-emitting hair dryers are among the most common and bode well for thick or coarse hair. They work to deposit negative ions into the hair to split positively-charged water molecules, which results in a super speedy dry time and less frizz. Ceramic hair dryers are best for fine or damage-prone hair because they apply heat the most gently and evenly. Hair dryers that use infrared heat are best at retaining moisture and boosting shine, which is great choice for those with color-treated, dry, or previously damaged hair.
How to Blow Dry Your Hair Fast
If you have limited time and a limited budget, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to blow dry your hair fast:
Spritz a blow-drying styler throughout your strands, like Bumble and Bumble’s Heat Shield Blow Dry Accelerator, which can help with any hair density.
Go in with your blow dryer at medium heat and rough dry your entire mane until all the hair is nearly dry.
Next, grab the section of hair at the back of your crown with a round hair brush. Direct the hair dryer nozzle over the bristles as you brush the section for an instant boost of volume at the root.
Using the round brush again, blow dry the front two side sections on each side of the face, pulling it up and back.
That’s it. This quick fix will give your hair effortless body, while the front sections will look polished, curled and sleek for a fresh, model-off-duty hairstyle. If you’re looking to achieve a bouncy blowout, take stock of the attachments that came with your hairdryer. “Use the thin nozzle if you want a smoother, flatter look and use the larger nozzle to give hair more body and volume,” Cédric says. After following the above steps for a quick hair dry, Cédric recommends setting the hair with velcro rollers for as long as possible and then applying a spritz of lightweight hairspray for hold. “The longer you want your volume to last, the longer you should keep the rollers in,” he says.
How We Tested & Reviewed the Best Affordable Hair Dryers
In order to curate our list of the best affordable hair dryers, our team of three WWD Shop editors put several blow dryers to the test. Each tool was evaluated against different hair types, lengths, textures, and concerns, and trialed for different styling results, such as bouncy blowouts, straight-styling, and curl shaping. We evaluated key criteria throughout our testing period, such as user-friendly designs, airflow power, setting options, technology features, sounds levels, tool weight, included attachments, and whether these hair dryers lived up to their fast-drying or salon-styling claims. We tested many of the products features on this list, but any that were not personally tested were vetted through extensive research and genuine customer reviews.
How We Chose the Best Affordable Hair Dryers
We chose the best hair dryers under $100 based on extensive editor-approved testing. We referenced bestselling hair dryers offered at top beauty retailers to select our contenders and made sure to evaluate hair dryers that serve a variety of hair types, textures, styling needs, and functional preferences, such as whether they are travel-friendly, emit low sound levels, or come with unique attachments. We also chose the best affordable hair dryers based on insight provided by our expert hair stylist source, coupled with comparisons of hundreds of customer reviews to share the most satisfactory options at wallet-friendly price points.
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Meet the Expert
Cédric, a.k.a. Fuat Celik, is a celebrity hair stylist and the founder of Cédric Salon at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. He began his 25 year career in Brussels styling hair at the Jacques Dessange Salon. He now works in Los Angeles and New York City as a hair stylist to celebrities and high-profile clientele.
Meet the Author
Kristin Limoges is a New York-based beauty and wellness freelance editor. Previously, she created the beauty and wellness vertical for Domino where she served as the lifestyle editor for both print and digital content. In addition to all things beauty, she also covers travel and fitness. She can usually be found hair masking and testing new tools in her Chinatown apartment. Limoges wrote the original version of this affordable hair dryers story in July 2022.
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. She updated this story in October 2023 with new releases, more product picks, and tips for shopping the best affordable hair dryers.
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