Yahoo LifestyleThis Best-Tested Hair Dryer Dries Sections in Just 54 Seconds
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This Best-Tested Hair Dryer Dries Sections in Just 54 Seconds
We updated this article in January 2023 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our top picks, based on testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute, remain the same.
One of the keys to getting stunning, professional-level blowouts at home is a top-quality hair dryer. For the best results, "you need the maximum amount of power with the best type of airflow to protect the hair, combined with the lightest weight possible," explains Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Hair Addict Salon in Toms River, New Jersey. But it's tricky to know where to start, with so many models on the market and seemingly endless factors to consider, from your hair type and concerns to each blow dryer's technology and your desired features.
We've got the full blow-by-blow on the best hair dryers you can buy from Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and professional hairstylists. GH Beauty Lab experts rigorously test hair dryers in our Lab on human hair samples and consumer testers to assess how well they work and whether they cause hair damage. In the most recent test of hair dryers, GH Beauty Lab analysts evaluated 41 products in the Lab and at home for ease of use, performance, drying time and more. Thousands of data points were then tallied to compile this list of the best hair dryers you can buy.
Our top picks:
Whether you're looking for a blow dryer you can use every day at home, an affordable drugstore pick, a travel hair dryer or an easy-to-use hair dryer brush, here is everything you need to know about shopping for the best hair dryer for your needs, based on GH Beauty Lab testing and expert insights.
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1) Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
BaBylissPro
amazon.com
$75.99
Built for speed, the BaBylissPro hair dryer was number 1 in GH Beauty Lab testing: It dried hair fast, earning a perfect score for drying time, plus received high marks for strong airflow and easy-to-use buttons and attachments. Lab evaluations found the hair dryer comfortable to hold, lightweight and that it has ample cord length (8.7 feet). It was also quiet, receiving a three star rating from Quiet Mark, a third party certifier that determines sound emission.
Expert evaluators found it was on the bulkier side, but also said, “it is elegant-looking and has a long nozzle and handle, but it feels proportional and good to hold," an evaluator marveled. "It works wonderfully — not heavy or too loud yet it is powerful and the airflow feels fast.” Note that this model doesn't come with a diffuser attachment, so you'll need to purchase one separately if you want one!
Babyliss Pro - 3/20
2) Pro Hair Dryer with Thermaluxe Advanced Thermal Technology
Remington
walmart.com
$45.00
If you're looking for an affordable drugstore dryer that really works, GH Beauty Lab test winner Remington is it. Testers gave it high marks for drying hair fast, great control button locaiton and overall performance. The model also has a tangle-free fabric cord, though it is shorter than others.
Even though it's a bargain price, this tool doesn't skimp on extras, including both concentrator and diffuser attachments. Some users thought it was a little heavy and loud, but two users commented on the good air pressure and heat emitted. "It dried hair fast but was not too hot," a tester reported. Another raved: "My hair was not frizzy after using this dryer."
Remington - 4/20
3) Hot Tools Professional 1875W Ionic Lightweight Turbo Dryer
Hot Tools - 5/20
4) GrapheneMX Brushless Professional Hair Dryer
Bio Ionic
sephora.com
$245.00
Power-packed yet gentler than other models, Bio Ionic’s hairdryer was mild on both hair and scalp in GH Beauty Lab testing, key for damaged or fine hair. It had the lowest air temperature at the highest of three settings, yet still dried hair samples quickly. Expert evaluators found it comfortable to hold and that the attachments were easy to put on and take off. They also gave it points for the strategically located control buttons and easy-to-use cool shot button.
Though it was loud in sound testing and is the priciest of the most recent test winners, it comes with a 10-year motor-life warranty and a storage bag. That said, it doesn't come with a diffuser, so it may not be the best pick for curly-haired folks. An expert called this pick “sleek-looking," and liked its "balanced weight and size that’s not too heavy or big and feels powerful." Two others commented: "I like that it has three temperatures," and, "it worked really well."
Bio Ionic - 6/20
5) Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson
sephora.com
$429.00
A favorite of professional hairstylists, this one-of-a-kind Dyson design (the motor is in the handle!) dried hair faster than any model in the history of GH Beauty Lab hair dryer testing. In Lab evaluations, it dried an eight-inch hair sample in only 54 seconds and had strong airflow. The tool also features a generous cord length, though it doesn't come with a tie, and evaluators found the controls are not easy to reach.
The hair dryer includes a rare five attachments to customize to your hair type and needs, including two concentrators, a diffuser, an attachment for smoothing flyaways and a gentle air attachment, all of which are magnetic for simple usage. Testers loved how sleek it looked and one raved, "On the most humid of days, it got hair smoother, and in less time, than any hair dryer I've used." Another echoed: "The air pressure was great and I do feel like it dried my hair faster than normal."
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Why the Dyson Supersonic Dryer Is Actually Worth It
Dyson - 7/20
6) Light Tourmaline Hair Dryer
Paul Mitchell Neuro
amazon.com
$170.00
Paul Mitchell has a track record of implementing new technologies in their tools, and the Neuro Dry is no exception. The dryer features a digital LED display for heat and power settings and has a “clean filter” indicator light, plus comes with a diffuser included, key for drying curly and natural hair textures, plus, in GH Beauty Lab testing, it received a top drying rate score due to its airflow and high heat settings.
Testers also gave it high marks for minimizing frizz, with one noting it “added fullness" and another that "it seemed to dry my hair quickly." Though testers and experts found it easy to operate and liked the controls, some found it uncomfortable to hold. It was also one of the heaviest hair dryers evaluated.
Paul Mitchell - 8/20
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8) Baby Buttercup Blow Dryer
Drybar
sephora.com
$139.00
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab's travel hair dryer test, Drybar’s top-of-the-line dual voltage model delivers fast-drying power in a portable package. It scored perfectly in Lab evaluations for having easy-to-use controls, dried hair samples quickly and had strong airflow.
The tool was also easiest to maneuver and comfortable to hold, though it was heavier than other models and more effort was required for proper placement and removal of the attachment. "Wow, this is powerful," an expert evaluator marveled. "It's the right size and doesn't look like a travel dryer until you fold the handle — I like that it that it could do double duty for home and away."
Drybar - 10/20
9) Turbo Max Ionic Hair Dryer
InStyler
amazon.com
$90.99
With a dial that lets you customize the heat level, InStyler's ionic hair dryer was a winner in GH Beauty Lab testing for delivering strong airflow. The powerful airflow translated to fast drying speed, and it came out on top for being comfortable to grip and having easy-to-navigate buttons.
The tool was also lightweight and the attachments are simple to put on and take off, though sound evaluations found it to be noisy. Two experts noted they “loved” this model. It is “lightweight but powerful, easy to hold and use," one noted. "Gives a great, strong airflow but not overpowering," another said.
InStyler - 11/20
10) Ceramic + Ion Professional Hair Dryer
Olivia Garden
amazon.com
$109.95
GH Beauty Lab testers found this lightweight Olivia Garden blow dryer dried hair quickly, thanks to its robust airflow and temperature, without feeling hot on the scalp. It was easy to hold and operate and received a perfect score for maneuvering attachments, plus it offers a generously long cord.
A caveat: The dryer was a bit loud, confirmed by the Quiet Mark noise measurement test, receiving 1 out of 3 stars."I like the size and weight and it has quite powerful airflow," one of our expert evaluators noted. "It looks and feels well-made."
Olivia Garden - 12/20
11) Ultra Light Pro Dryer
Harry Josh Pro Tools
dermstore.com
$349.00
You've probably seen this ultra-chic, pint-sized pastel dryer from Harry Josh Pro Tools all over Instagram, but now it comes in a lightweight, compact design that makes it perfect for drying bangs. The GH Beauty Lab tested the original Harry Josh Pro Tools 2000 hair dryer and testers loved how much power it packed.
It's also a beauty editor favorite. "Super lightweight, great speed and high heat settings," a reviewer reported. Another raved: "It cuts down my dry time significantly and leaves me with the best blow out." Note that some users complained that the tool malfunctioned over time.
Harry Josh Pro Tools - 13/20
12) Nano Weight Pro 1900 Turbo
FHI Heat
amazon.com
$125.99
A top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, the FHI Heat dryer scored high for being lightweight, very quiet and comfortable to hold. Note that while the dryer itself stays temperate, the air it emits on its highest settings can get hot. That said, "the attachments are easy to use and give me the styling options I want," a tester commented. Another raved that it was "light, quiet and fast."
FHI - 14/20
13) Goldpro Dryer
Bio Ionic
walmart.com
$89.94
This easy-to-handle dryer from Bio Ionic was the least noisy of the GH Beauty Lab's top performers. Testers loved the "powerful dryer in a small package" and raved about how comfortable it was to hold. Despite its strong airflow, the tool is also very light. "The hair dryer quickly dried my hair and the narrow concentrator helped to straighten my hair moreso than some I've used." a reviewer commented. "As a result of that, I felt that the hair dryer helped to minimize my frizz."
Bio Ionic - 15/20
14) Professional Ionic Blow Dryer
Sam Villa
amazon.com
$187.05
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann loves the way this easy-to-maneuver Sam Villa hair dryer feels in her hands — and how her short hair looks after using it. "It provides a shiny, salon-caliber look in no time that was what truly blew me (and my hair) away," she says. "It turns out my hairstylist has been using this one for years, which made me happy that I followed my instincts." An Amazon reviewer agrees: "It dries my hair in a fraction of a second and I’m pretty sure my hair breaks a lot less now."
amazon.com - 16/20
15) Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer
Conair
amazon.com
$29.99
While we haven't hands-on tested this pick, Conair's affordable model has over 11,000 five-star ratings on Amazon and slashes drying time with its powerful AC motor and it also comes with both a concentrator and diffuser. "It was fabulous and dried my thick, long hair in record time," a reviewer raved. Plus, the removable filter makes cleaning lint and dirt a breeze. "This is by far the best hair dryer I've bought, and it's incredible for the price," another user enthused.
Conair - 17/20
16) 360 Surround Hair Dryer and Styler
Revlon
amazon.com
$58.38
No, you're not imagining things: There really is an open "tunnel" right through the middle of this Revlon dryer. The barrel opens and closes so you can dry your hair vertically — similar to how you'd feed your hair through a flat iron. That means quick, intuitive styling. "It does a nice job straightening my hair as well as drying it," a reviewer noted.
Revlon - 18/20
17) Hair Blow Dryer Brush
amika
sephora.com
$100.00
The winner of our hair dryer brush test, easy-to-hold Amika was best of all those evaluated at creating volume, was the quietest of the winners, had the gentlest heat and worked well on all hair types. An impressive 100% of expert testers agreed that the tool delivered the perfect blowout, gave hair volume, wasn’t overly loud, had an ideal weight and didn’t burn hair or skin on the highest heat. It was also versatile: “Easy to create curls, giving a bouncy look” and “gave volume at the roots and a straight blowout,” two testers commented.
Amika - 19/20
18) Damage Protection Hair Dryer
Remington
amazon.com
$17.63
Amazon's top-selling hair dryer is a major bargain: Remington's affordable tool has over 30,000 five-star ratings. It comes with two attachments, an air concentrator and diffuser, for styling versatility. One reviewer suggests taking advantage of the handy loop by hanging it on a hook for easy, out-of-sight storage. "It dries quickly and my hair is smooth after," another found.
amazon.com - 20/20
19) How we test hair dryers
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has been testing hair tools, including hair dryers — plus hair dryer brushes and travel hair dryers — for over a decade. In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent test, our scientists evaluated 41 hair dryers over eight weeks (for a total of 320 hands-on testing hours), recording 2,244 data points to determine the winning models. These included dozens of airflow and temperature experiments and weight and cord length measurements.
In the Lab, scientists evaluate hair dryers across price points and power ratings (ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 watts) by measuring drying speed on standardized human hair samples, airflow force, weight, air and surface temperature and cord length. In addition, we rate ease of use, including comfort of hold, ease of putting on and removing attachments, location and ease of controls and buttons, and any potential irritation or damage to scalp, skin or hair. Finally, each hair dryer's noise emission level is determined via the third-party certifier Quiet Mark, which issues a star rating based on recorded sound level tests.
Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab
