Fact: Behind every great head of hair is a great hair dryer. Sure, some of us may be born with tresses that dry perfectly without any heated styling tools, but that's not most of us. With that being said, the latest hair dryer options have come a long way since our subpar options of yesteryear, with some leaving your strands so smooth and defined that you won't need to pick up another heated styling tool.
Best Hair Dryers of 2022
How To Shop For a Hairdryer
There are several reasons why you should use a hair dryer over airdrying. And a few of our favorite benefits include styling flexibility, reducing frizz, enhancing shine, and maximizing volume. But, with hundreds of options to choose from, it can feel like a continuous game of trial and error before you find the best hair dryer that cooperates with your strands. So, to help you shop smartly, we asked Aguirre, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, and celebrity hairstylist Nycole Jones, an ambassador for Cricket Tools, to spill the tea on what you should consider when shopping for a hair dryer.
- Thin and flat hair should look at dryers that add a bit of volume and substance and gain the most from choosing a ceramic hair dryer, which regulates heat to prevent damage to fragile hair strands.
- Curly hair people looking to enhance their curls should opt for a hairdryer that includes a diffuser. These prong-like attachments help prevent frizz and to improve your hair's natural texture.
- Dull, thick, and frizzy hair will enjoy ionic technology because they help your strands retain moisture and provide a smooth finish.
How We Chose
Real talk: Every single product featured in any of our content always goes through a diligent testing process. To help you discover the best hair dryers of 2022, our staff tested a slew of options across various price points to ensure you can find an effective product that's within your budget.
When testing these hair dryers, here's what we were looking for:
- How long does it take to dry hair?
- Any adjustable heat/speed settings?
- Any heat damage?
- How loud is it?
- Does it come with attachments?
- Is it really worth owning?
Best of all, most of these hair dryers have either been our editors' go-to favorites for years. Whether they're brand new finds or decades-old fan favorites, you can trust that our editors have had first-hand experience testing these blow dryers from one week to years worth of quick dries and at-home blowouts alike.
These hair dryers also have rave reviews from shoppers at retailers like Amazon, Sephora, Nordstrom, and more. Plus, a few of these blowdrying essentials have even won awards from major beauty publications like Allure, Glamour, and more. Here are the 11 best hair dryers that are undeniably worth owning.