Give Yourself A Killer Blowout For A Fraction Of The Price With These Under $75 Hair Dryers

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Every day should be a good hair day. Period. But whether you have curly hair with curtain bangs or a stick-straight bob, finding the perfect hair dryer to style your locks can be overwhelming. And let’s be honest, dropping hundreds of dollars on a hair tool isn’t so appealing.

Good news: There are many affordable hair dryers on the market that will give you a fantastic blowout, says Cody Renegar, a celebrity hairstylist and master barber. “Expensive dryers usually have more advanced technology, but cheaper models can also provide good results,” he explains. As long as a dryer has multiple heat and speed settings, dries quickly, and leaves you with shiny, smooth hair, then you’re good to go, he adds.

Preview some of the best affordable hair dryers ahead:

Not to mention, there are some crazy good affordable hair dryers that use must-have ionic or ceramic technology to reduce frizz, eliminate static, and protect against heat damage, says Katelyn Ellsworth, a hairstylist, natural color and extension specialist, and founder of The Roslyn salon in San Diego, California.

Ready for a killer blowout without breaking the bank? Thought so! Read on for the 13 best affordable hair dryers, according to experts and rave reviews.

Ionic Hair Dryer

Less than $40 for a professional-grade hair dryer? Say less. This powerful dryer is one of Ellsworth’s go-to recommendations thanks to the strong airflow, 1800-watt motor, and noise muffling technology. With three nozzles, three wind speeds, and a detachable dust proof back cover, you can expect dry, frizz-free hair within minutes.

Rave review: “It dried my hair fast and the concentration nozzle and diffuser attachment work wonderfully on my thick, curly hair. The black is also very aesthetic and it’s super compact.”

Cermix Extreme Hair Dryer

This ultra-sleek hair dryer is perfect for fine hair thanks to the extra gentle, infrared heat that protects hair from damage. With a professional AC motor, six speed settings, cold-shot button, and removable rear filter, Ellsworth raves about this select. The eight-foot power cord is also tough to beat.

Rave review: “I am by no means a professional, but I love this. It’s my go-to style tool when I'm running late and need something cute to happen in a snap.”

1875 Watt Turbo Hair Dryer

If you’re looking for a simple, lightweight hair dryer with two heat and speed settings and a cold-shot button, this is Renegar’s pick. The 1875 watts deliver powerful airflow, and the ionic technology reduces frizz for a sleek, shiny mane. The hinged filter is also designed for easy cleaning to extend motor life.

Rave review: “Well, it's fabulous! When dried with this dryer, my hair actually feels silky. And my hair has NEVER felt silky!”

INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Hair Dryer

Have thick hair but want quick results with less frizz and more shine? Here ya go! “I like this one because it uses ionic and ceramic technology and infrared heat and has multiple heat and speed settings with a cool-shot button,” says Renegar. It also comes with a diffuser, concentrator, and blowout brush so you have everything you need for the perfect look.

Rave review: “It has a powerful and comfortable flow of warm/hot air and gets the hair dry amazingly fast! Not only that, but NO FRIZZ.”

INFINITIPRO Performa Series Hair Dryer with Diffuser

This hair dryer offers salon-quality results by using ceramic technology to help reduce hot spots and style smooth, silky hair. With three heat settings, two speed options, and four bonus attachments for customized airflow and styling, this pick gets the thumbs up from Ellsworth. The iconic technology also leaves hair with 75 percent less frizz.

Rave review: “I love this hair dryer. Not only does it dry hair in record time but it has all the attachments one needs.”

Hair Dryer with Diffuser

There’s nothing cute about lugging around a bulky hair dryer, but this pick is the perfect option for your next trip. The foldable handle makes it portable and easy for packing and the two speeds and three heat settings will leave you with stunning hair every single time. It’s also extra lightweight which is a must for travel.

Rave review: “The best hair dryer I have ever had. I have used hair dryers for the past 50+ years and never have I owned such a fantastic hair dryer. If I could give it 100 stars, I would!”

Curls-in-Check 1875W Hair Diffuser Dryer

Curly locks deserve proper care, and this dryer has a built-in diffuser to boost shine, tame frizz, and minimize static. The three heat and two speed settings are designed to suit your needs and preferred style, and the diffused airflow is key for adding texture and definition.

Rave review: “It is fabulous, quiet, and designed to cover a large area of your head. A great purchase and HIGHLY recommended.”

Damage Protection Hair Dryer

This dryer protects against damage with a micro-conditioner infused grill and far-infrared energy to prevent hair cuticles from overheating. The ceramic coating and included concentrator and diffuser are also perfect for eliminating frizz and creating curls, waves, or sleek blowouts depending on your mood.

Rave review: “Lightweight and very powerful. The attachments fit snugly on the end and are great features for this tool. Love the temps, speeds, and cool-shot!”

High Speed Ionic Hair Dryer with Diffuser

This ionic hair dryer produces 200 million negative ions which balance the static electricity in the hair to lock in moisture and add a soft, silky finish. The high-speed motor is perfect for drying all hair types in record time, and the noise muffling technology won’t wake up the entire house. It’s also super lightweight (0.9 lbs.) and compact which is perfect for on-the-go style and travel.

Rave review: “I didn’t expect much but it has exceeded my expectations. I’ve used the Dyson Airwrap and I feel like this is almost identical, if not better, for only a fraction of the price.”

Turbo Hair Dryer

Combat frizz and static with negative ions to achieve a soft, smooth, shiny blowout. The ceramic coating distributes air evenly to prevent heat damage, and the turbo airflow button increases circulation to dry hair up to 50 percent faster. And no need to worry about a sore hand because this soft-feel handle offers comfort and control.

Rave review: “If you are looking for a hair dryer that gives you good volume and does not damage your hair this is as far as you need to search.”

Healthy Heat 2-In-1 Blowout Brush

Looking for a multi-tasking tool that can dry and style your hair? This is it. The tourmaline-infused ceramic barrel emits negative ions to reduce frizz and smooth hair, and the three-inch oval barrel provides extra lift and volume at the root. The sleek lavender color is also extra chic, and the eight-foot swivel cord is key for effortless styling.

Rave review: “I've used a bunch of different blowout brushes and this one is the perfect mix. The smaller size gets in the root and adds more bounce, and the heat is high enough to get the hair smooth without burning.”

Airflow Control Dryer

Say hello to smooth, shiny hair with this wildly fast blow dryer. The long and narrow concentrator is perfect for short hair since it increases airflow speed and rotates 90-degrees to direct heat exactly where you want it. You can also expect little frizz thanks to the ceramic technology.

Rave review: “This is a really great dryer to have that is no fuss and easy to use—especially in those mornings when you are in a rush. It heats and cools quickly.”

Hair Dryer

Get ready for a professional-grade blowout with this ionic, easy-to-use hair dryer. The ceramic tourmaline design reduces frizz and enhances shine, and the infrared heat prevents hot spots and damage. You’ll also receive a concentrator, diffuser, and comb attachment to level-up your locks.

Rave review: “This dryer has been much healthier for my hair. The ends don't feel as dry, my hair definitely lays smoother, no flyaways, no frying, just silky soft.”

How we chose the best affordable hair dryers

For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including writer Andi Breitowich, have been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated affordable hair dryers. Our team consulted professional hairstylists for opinions, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best affordable hair dryers for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Meet the experts

Katelyn Ellsworth is a hairstylist, natural color and extension specialist, and founder of The Roslyn salon in San Diego, California. Cody Renegar is a celebrity hairstylist and colorist and master barber.

What to look for in an affordable hair dryer

When it comes to selecting the best hair dryer, a lot comes down to personal preference and your hair type.

• Attachments: Always make sure there’s a nozzle or air concentrator attachment on the end of the blow dryer, says Ellsworth. It protects against heat damage, concentrates the airflow for a more controlled style, and helps minimize flyaways, she explains. Curly and wavy haired girls, always select a dryer with a diffuser attachment, says Renegar. “It enhances curls, gives them bounce and volume, and reduces frizz,” he explains. Piks are also helpful for smoothing and straightening curly hair without leaving your locks flat, he adds. If you’re looking for anti-frizz capabilities, Ellsworth recommends a blow comb attachment which is excellent for smoothing out frizzy or textured hair and reducing the amount of dry time. Negative ions and tourmaline technology are also key for thick or frizzy hair since they reduce dry time, minimize frizz and static, and seal the hair cuticle to retain moisture, adds Renegar.

• Heat settings: When it comes to heat settings, Renegar says the more the merrier. “At the bare minimum, you want it to have a high setting for removing moisture, a low setting to finish styling or for thin or fine hair, and a cool-shot to set your style,” he explains. Adjustable speeds are also key for customization, adds Ellsworth. “If you have thin, fine hair, you can lower the amount of air and raise the heat to dry faster without tangling, and if you have very thick, coarse hair, having it on a strong speed and high heat is going to blow dry hair the fastest and with the most control.”

• Weight: Lastly, both Ellsworth and Renegar suggest opting for a lightweight hair dryer (about 1 lb.) for maximum comfort and efficiency.

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