The best hair dryers for every hair type and budget that are worth every single penny

Behind every epic hairstyle is one of the best hair dryers, but taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach *won’t* work – not least because the best hair dryer brands (think: GHD, Revlon and Dyson) are now wise to the fact that different hair types require different technologies. Today, there are tonnes of professional hair dryers on the market.

So how to decipher which hair tool is best for you? Do you care about number of temperature settings? Do you want to reduce hair damage? Have you considered a cool shot button, nanoe technology and whether it has two speed settings? So much to consider, so we’ve compiled a guide to everything you need to know about shopping for the perfect hair dryer for your hair type and budget. Keep scrolling.

How do I choose a good hair dryer?

1. If you want to protect your hair from heat damage, look for hair dryers that boast ionic and ceramic technology. Less damaging than old school metal-based heating elements, ionic technology will give your locks that shiny, “swishy” feel and help your hair retain moisture.
2. You should also consider the wattage of your hair dryer. As a general rule of a thumb, the higher the wattage, the hotter and more powerful your hair dryer will be. With the exception of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer which has a wattage of just 1,600W, go for something with a wattage of at least 2,100W.
3. Lastly, opt for a styler with a cold shot button or cool setting. You can use the cold setting to help you set your hairstyle in place once you’ve finished drying.

Are expensive hair dryers worth it?

Expensive hair dryers tend to be more lightweight and able to dry your hair faster. Arm ache, be gone. They’ll also last you for longer, meaning they might give you better cost-per-blowout in the long run. 

Need proof? The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer (£329.99 at Boots) is lighter than most other alternatives on the market, is much quieter than every other hair dryer we’ve tried and it has a powerful digital motor which is, on average, six times faster than other hair dryer motors. 

That said, there are many sophisticated, high tech hair dryers available for less money. Babyliss’ PRO Keratin Lustre Hair Dryer, stocked on LookFantastic, is genuinely great, with a 2300-watt long-life AC motor which will style your hair super quickly, as well as ionic technology to control static and a keratin infusion which injects moisture into dry hair. 

How do I pick a hair dryer for thin hair?

Thin hair is more susceptible to damage, so you’ll want to opt for a hair dryer with a medium-wattage. This will ensure you don’t overheat your hair when styling it. One of the best hair dryers for fine hair is the Panasonic EH-NA98 (similar to the EH-NA65) which has four heat settings, leaves your hair feeling soft and boasts a scalp mode which emits a lower temperature airflow to gently dry the scalp area.

What hair dryers do hairdressers use?

Professional stylists use a range of hair dryers from a variety of brands, from the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer to the GHD Helios Hairdryer to the Babyliss Super Power Pro Hairdryer. 

ghd Helios™ Hair Dryer, Black

BaByliss Super Power Pro AC 2400 Hair Dryer

While selecting the right hair dryer is important, many professionals will tell you that it’s not the only factor that goes into a great blow dry. Celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel, whose clientele includes celebrities like Saoirse Ronan and Charlize Theron, swears by hair serum for a glossy polished finish, recently citing Virtue Labs Perfect Ending Split Ends Serum in a tutorial. He applies it after blow-drying, but before finishing off the look with a curling wand.

Which attachment should I use?

Those with curly hair who want to accentuate natural curls should use the diffuser attachment, and use the dryer to scrunch curls upwards towards the scalp while drying. Those looking for volume should use a smoothing nozzle and style hair by honing in on the roots, blowdrying against the direction the hair will lie when finished, and if you’re looking for a sleek look, use the smoothing nozzle in the direction the hair will lie to flatten it down and prevent any fly-aways.

After more hair care content? Head this way for the best hair straighteners, over here for the best curling wands and in this direction for the best travel hair dryers. We’ve also compared the best ghd hair straighteners on the market and found the best hair straighteners for curling. Not forgetting the best hot rollers, hot air brushes and sleep-in rollers, of course.

For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.

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