The best travel hair dryers to take on your mini-break this summer that are just as good as your full-sized one

3. Dual voltage

To power your hair dryer at home, you need around 220-240V, but this can vary in different countries. If you’re a frequent traveller and plan on using your hair dryer in various different destinations, dual voltage will come in handy. Make a beeline for travel hair dryers with “120/220-240V” printed on the label. This means it’s a dual voltage travel hair dryer.

4. Wattage

In our guide to the best hair dryers, we recommend (with the exception of the Dyson Supersonic – which has a wattage of 1600) opting for a wattage of above 2100. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair dryer will style your hair. That said, a higher wattage generally results in a heavier hair dryer, which isn’t always ideal for travel. Consider how often you’ll be carrying your travel-size hair dryer in your weekend bag or gym bag, and opt for something with a strong wattage but that’s still lightweight. This super affordable BaByliss travel hair dryer (£25, Beauty Bay) is really lightweight, but it has a pretty decent wattage of 2000W.

Can you take a hair dryer through airport security?

Yep! You’re permitted to take hair dryers in both cabin luggage and carry-on bags.

What voltages are used in different countries?

As we said earlier, you need around 220-240V for your hair dryer to work at home, but this can vary in different countries. So, if you’re planning some international travel to one of the destinations below (lucky you), then make sure to take a travel hair dryer that matches the country’s voltage. And don’t forget to pack your travel adapter too.

• Europe: 230V
• USA: 120-240V
• Canada: 120V-240V
• Australia: 230V-240V
• Thailand: 220V
• Japan: 100V-200V

What is the best travel hair dryer?

This depends on your budget and hair type. The ghd Flight travel hair dryer is a popular choice – lightweight and compact while still retaining 70% of the power of other heavier ghd models, it comes with a precision nozzle, dust bag and variable heat and styling settings.

But there’s approximately *thousands* of travel hair dryers out there, and so to help you make your decision on which is best for you, we’ve assembled a comprehensive guide of the best travel hair dryers on the market, including budget buys, more premium options and cult-favourites that will never let you down (our your hair). You can thank us later.

How we chose and tested the best travel hair dryers

As a team of fashion, interiors and beauty experts, we happen to know a thing or two about which brands are the best in the business, and we love to share that with you, our loyal readers.

We’ve trawled through countless customer reviews, websites and brands to find nothing but the best travel hair dryers for your beautiful locks. We combined these findings with specific data on the kind of travel hair dryers you’ve been looking for, as well as checking that the products we feature are of high-quality, high-durability and inclusive of all hair types, to result in our selection of the best travel hair dryers on the market in 2023. Happy shopping!

Revamp your haircare routine with the help of our guides on the best heat styling tools, best curling wands and the best shampoos and conditioners for all hair types.

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