In a perfect world, we'd all indulge in a blowout from a pro on a daily basis. But who has the time (or budget) for that? Fortunately, there are salon-quality blow dryers that will provide a similar look from the comfort of your own bathroom. So, I found the best blow dryers on the market—tried-and-tested finds that will last.
Serious question: when did you last invest in a new one? And no, I don't mean how much your favorite dryer actually cost. No matter how much you spend on a new device, it's important to have a new one in your routine that's perfectly suited to your styling needs. "Having a hair dryer that works for your hair is really important," echoes celebrity stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, who also thinks a high-quality dryer is neccessary for proper hair health. "You are already doing all of these things on wash day to improve the quality of your hair for it to be healthy from the inside out," he says—So why not find the perfect dryer for you?
Here at Marie Claire, we've tried and tested almost every blow dryer you can think of, from the newest Dyson launches to a Shark dryer that is a real time-saver in your routine. I’ve scoured the internet to find the best blow dryer for you at any price point, including one that retails for under $50. From the most sought-after luxury blow dryers to the high-performance, budget-friendly options, our curated list is here to address every texture and hair care need.
Even with the launch of hair dryer brushes and the resurgence of Velcro and hot rollers, figuring out how to master a blowout was, for years, little more than an elusive pipe dream. I would simply load up my hair with heat-protectant products and rough-dry away, leaving me with frizz and flyaways. I also spoke to celebrity stylists Glenn Elis and Venner James alongside New York-based stylist Alex Efstratiou about the dryers—and tips!—that make styling a breeze.
The Best Hair Dryers at A Glance
- Why Trust Marie Claire
- What To Look For in the Best Hair Dryer
- Meet The Experts
- Common Types of Blow Dryers
Marie Claire's Favorite Blow Dryers
- Best Overall Hair Dryer: Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer
- Best Affordable Hair Dryer: INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Hair Dryer with Diffuser
- Best Travel Blow Dryer: T3 Afar Lightweight Travel Size Hair Dryer
- Best Blow Dryer for Thick Hair: ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
- Best Multistyling Hair Dryer: Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
- Best Lightweight Hair Dryer: Ga.Ma Italy Professional IQ Perfetto Hair Dryer
Shop The Best Blow Dryers
Dyson's Supersonic Hair Dryer has cemented itself as one of the top dryers on the market after finding fans in celebrity stylists and at-home pros alike. James—who has worked with Megan Thee Stallion and Nathalie Emmanuel—also says that it has "ceramic and ionic technology," which are "all about keeping the curls soft, voluminous and intact; it is an all in one diffusing and hair drying tool. The airflow is amazing." With a whopping five attachments and a total of seven heat and speed settings, this dryer is our top pick. When we tested it, it stood out from the rest for giving the shiniest, healthiest-looking hair in the least amount of time.
What We Love: Stylist-approved; great for all hair types; comes in several colors; comes with five attachments;
What We Don't: Filter can get clogged over time.
Number of Attachments Included: Six
Features: Three speed settings, four heat settings, cold shot
Review For MC: "The hype around this dryer is real. It's one that I use over and over because it's the perfect combination of being lightweight and powerful. I have medium-length hair that's medium-thickness (but I have a lot of strands), and over the months that I've tested this device, I've noticed that my routine is cut in half when I use the Dyson Supersonic. I normally use the highest heat and speed settings, and I haven't noticed significant damage. It just leaves my hair looking shiny and healthy." — Julia Marzovilla, Fashion E-Commerce Editor
Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla prefers the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer because it dries her hair in less time than any other options on the market.
"On a recent trip to my parent's house, I had to borrow my sister's blow dryer and was immediately blown away (pun intended) by the quality of it. This blow dryer packs a mighty punch—so much so that my hair completely dried in minutes. It's also lightweight and comes with two heat settings, a cool setting, and two attachments. When my sister told me she had gotten it for $30 on Amazon, I was even more shocked and immediately added it to my cart." — Brooke Knappenbeger, Associate Commerce Editor
What We Love: Editor-approved; costs under-$100; good for curly hair; good for thick hair; top-rated.
What We Don't: Some reviewers said it's too heavy.
Number of Attachments: Two
Features: Three heat settings, three speed settings, cold shot
Review for MC: "I don’t have any technique when it comes to blow drying my hair, so I don’t need a hair dryer with all kinds of bells and whistles—just something that works quickly and effectively. This hair dryer delivers on both fronts. Right off the bat, I was blown away (pun intended) by how powerful this blow dryer is. While it does have two speed settings, I found the high setting a bit too hard to control, whereas the low setting was plenty powerful. There are three heat settings, plus a cold shot button to set styles with, but the low setting is hot enough to dry my hair without feeling too hot. I also appreciate how easily you can clean this dryer with its removable filter and attachments in case I need a more stylized approach. All in all, this budget-friendly hair dryer packs a powerful punch and dried my hair in about 10 minutes." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenbergerloved the INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Hair Dryer with Diffuser and loved it for the high-quality resuts at the price point.
This pint-sized dryer is our pick for taking with you on the go. It's lightweight (as the name suggests) and bends in half to seamlessly fit into your travel suitcase or checked luggage. Despite its size, it doesn't compromise on power. While it does take slightly longer to dry your hair, the motor fights frizz and boosts shine thanks to IonAir Technology. And as you might expect from a travel dryer, it has dual-voltage.
What We Love: Travel-sized; editor-approved; powerful for its size; has dual-voltage capability; great for short to length hair; comes with a travel pouch.
What We Don't: Doesn't have attachments.
Number of Attachments: No attachments
Features: Three heat settings, two speed settings, cold shot
Review For MC: "This travel dryer is my most prized possession. In fact, I have two of them because my friends are constantly asking to borrow it. It's super compact and lightweight, so I can just throw it right into my carry on. Plus, it doesn't lose power with an adaptor, making it the ideal companion for international travel. There are three heat and power settings, so I can blow dry my whole head in under 10 minutes." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Beauty Editor Samantha Holender says the T3 Afar Lightweight Travel Size Hair Dryer is the ideal travel companion with its compact size.
"My favorite blow dryer is the GHD Helios Dryer," says Ellis. "It is super powerful and has different heat settings to ensure the right temp for any hair type." Available in three colors, this GHD dryer is a fan favorite. It uses ionic technology to reduce frizz and add shine, and blows hot hair at a top speed of 75 mph through the concentrated nozzle. And Ellis isn’t its only die-hard fan—this dryer also has over 300 glowing five-star reviews on Sephora’s website to boot.
What We Love: Stylist-approved; comes in several colors; has a top speed of 75mph; top-rated; speeds up drying time on longer hair; good for thick hair; lightweight.
What We Don't Some reviewers say that it's louder than others on the market.
Number of Attachments: One with more for purchase.
Features: Three heat settings, three speed settings, cold shot
Review For MC: "I straightened my hair a few days ago, but it’s been frizzing up recently because of the humid weather. I noticed curls forming around my roots, so I decided to use the GHD Helios blow dryer to smooth out my strands. While using this tool, I was super impressed by its powerful airflow, which undoubtedly sped up the smoothing process (it only took about 10 minutes). I also loved how it was so lightweight and easy to handle. That said, I wish this product had more than two temperature settings (I would have preferred a medium heat level because the highest setting felt a bit too strong)." — Lauren Tappan, Fashion Editor
Fashion Editor Lauren Tappan tested the ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer and was "super impressed by its powerful airflow."
If you've spent any time on TikTok, you'll no doubt have seen this versatile dryer from Shark. Reviewers say it's both lightweight and quieter than other options on the market, and cuts down drying time. While it does take a bit of a learning curve to master, the different attachments give you versatility as you go. It also reduces damage caused by heat styling by maintaining a lower heat setting for a longer period of time.
What We Love: Comes with several attachments; lightweight; good for damaged hair; dries hair quickly; editor-tested and reviewed.
What We Don't: Requires a learning curve to master.
Number of Attachments: Three
Features: One heat setting, one speed setting, a bendable arm for easier styling.
Review for MC: "I’ll never stop singing praises for the Shark Flexstyle. The multi styler is the only reason I can style my hair successfully, and it’s a major upgrade from the drugstore blow dryer I had for far too many years. It’s incredibly lightweight, enough to ensure my arm never gets tired while holding it. It also dries my whole head in about 10 minutes flat. The best part is that I can dry and style my hair at the same time, which makes all the difference on busy mornings." — Brooke Knappenberger, Associate Commerce Editor
Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger loves how the Shark FlexStyle because it's lightweight and easy to use.
This sleek, lightweight dryer from Ga.Ma Italy weighs just 10.3 ounces. Despite its size, this powerful dryer promises to dry your hair in less time (30 percent less) than other options on the market. It's also customizable—you have the option of 12 heat and speed combinations, with three speed options and three heat options.
What We Love: Editor-tested and approved; lightweight; good for long hair.
What We Don't: Some reviewers say the on-off switch is very touchy.
Number of Attachments: Three
Features: Three heat settings, three speed settings
Review for MC: "I am very lazy with my hair—a roll-out-of-bed, call-it-messy-à-la-Chloë-Sevigny kind of girl. But when I need to make a smidge more effort, I use GAMA Italy Professional's iQ Perfetto Hairdryer. It's the lightest hairdryer on the market at only 0.65 lbs, and its compact design makes it the ideal gadget for those living in small spaces with limited storage (someone like me, for instance, who's in an NYC shoebox). And not only does its air flow-optimized design dry hair 30 percent faster, but it emits active oxygen with anti-bacterial properties while in use to make your hair shinier." — Emma Childs, Fashion Features Editor
Fashion Features Editor Emma Childs loves the Ga.Ma Italy Professional IQ Perfetto Hair Dryer because its sleek design and powerful motor.
Other Hair Dryers We Love
BaBylissPRO is known for its high-performing straightening tools, and their blow dryer is no different. It has six different heat and speed settings (plus a cold lock button!) to give you a smooth salon-worthy blowout, this best-selling bright blue titanium dryer checks all my boxes. Priced at just under $100, it’s a great mid-point option for those looking to invest in a quality device without splurging. The nine-foot-long power cord also guarantees easy styling, no matter where the outlet is placed in your bathroom.
What We Love: Has a nine-foot chord; has six heat and speed settings
What We Don't: Some reviewers say that the attachments fall off as you use; some reviewers say it gets too hot
Number of Attachments: One
Features: Three heat settings, three speed settings, cold shot
This white hair dryer from Zuvi is our pick for damaged hair. It uses light, not traditional heat, to dry hair. The process mimics evaporation, which protects hair's moisture levels and causes less damage. It also keeps the hair's cuticle safe, which reduces the risk of split ends and frizz. When you buy the Zuvi dryer, you also get a diffuser attachment, a concentrator, and a gentle air attachment for lighter airflow.
What We Love: Comes with three attachments; good for damaged hair; uses new technology to reduce damage; lightweight design.
What We Don't: Some reviewers say it takes longer to get their hair dry.
Number of Attachments: Four
Features: One heat setting, five speed settings
Drybar's dryers are next-level, and this one from the brand combines a super-powerful motor with a one-pound design. The patented ergonomic design fits comfortably in your hand, but you won't have to hold onto it for very long considering it promises to dry your hair in less time thanks to Ionic Desiccant Technology. Glowing reviewers love it because it makes easy work of thick or curly hair without adding frizz.
What We Love: Good for thick hair; good for curly hair; lightweight; ergonomic design; Dries in less time
What We Don't: Some reviewers said it got hot while they used it
Number of Attachments: One
Features: Three heat settings, Two speed settings, a cold shot
This dryer from T3 is our pick for the best ionic dryer on this list. Ionic dryers maintain an even temperature across the hair so that damage is reduced. The dryer automatically turns on this feature to boost shine but has an off button in case you're wanting more volume. It has a combination of five heat settings and three speed settings (with a cold shot!) that let you get ultra-precise about your styling technique.
What We Love: Boosts shine; Has a volumizing setting; Has 15 heat and speed combinations.
What We Don't: The many heat and speed settings can be finnicky.
Number of Attachments: Two, with more available for purchase
Features: Five heat settings, three speed settings, cold shot
This top-rated dryer from viral brand Wavytalk—the brand is going viral on TikTok right now—is outfitted with attachments that magnetically attach for easier, faster styling. It touts drying speeds of between three and five minutes thanks to a brushless motor. All of this tech is neatly housed in a sleek gray device that weighs less than a pound. Fitzsimons loves this dryer for its Eolic technology, which actually improves the look of your hair as it dries. This dryer is "defrizzing your hair, this dryer dryer is adding shine to your hair without you having to overload your hair with products to achieve those results," he says. "To have a really light-weight, really compact hair dryer that does all of that I think is a no brainer"
What We Love: Fast-drying; lightweight design; comes with magnetic attachments; fights frizz
What We Don't: Some reviewers say it gets too hot as you use it.
Number of Attachments: Two
Features: Three heat settings, three speed settings,
Why Trust Marie Claire
We tapped three hair stylist experts to pull together the best hair dryers on the market. Ultimately, we selected five to test. Our team of testers (comprised of Marie Claire staffers who pride ourselves on testing almost every new launch that comes across our desks) then reviewed their dryers based on how fast they dried our hair, the level of shine they gave our strands, and how easy they were to use. The rest of the dryers are top-rated by five-star reviews.
What To Look For in the Best Hair Dryer
The blow dryers on this list aren’t the same ones your mom or grandma used. Modern dryers come with tons of promises these days, from shorter dry times to higher-shine finishes, while others promise to be virtually silent. Regardless of your hair type and texture, there are a few key features to look out for.
- High Wattage: "Wattage corresponds to the amount of power in your blow dryer," says New York City-based stylist Alexandra Efstratiou. "Ideally, your hair dryer should have 1600 watts, at least. I think high wattage is absolutely critical—I personally hate the type of dryer that gets super hot but doesn’t have a strong wind flow. Both are important but air pressure is a non-negotiable in having a quick, smooth blow dry."
- Type of Dryer: There are three common types of hair dryers that you’ll see on the market right now—ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium ionic—and they’re all great for different reasons. Some boost shine and others are better for volume. Choosing the one that's perfect for your needs will help you find the best dryer.
- Adjustable Heat Settings: Three heat settings—low, medium, and high— are generally the standard for dryers in 2023. Having several allows you to customize your experience as you go. High heat settings are great for rough drying and can shorten your drying time.
- Several Speed Settings: Just like with heat settings, having several speed settings allows you to get the most out of your blow dryer. Dryers will most commonly have three speed settings: low, medium, and high.
- A Cold Shot Function: If you're like me, you never really considered the cool shot button your dryer. But, they're actually incredibly important when it comes to setting your style. "Think about it like taking your clothes out of the dryer: if they sit in there until they cool off all the way they will be extremely wrinkly," says Efstratiou. "If you take them out and fold or hang them while they’re still hot, they’ll take the shape of whatever position you put them in. Hair is a fabric in a way, and it follows those same principles. I always use a cool shot over the entire head of hair after finishing the style whether it be sleek and straight or curly and bouncy. It just gives the hair the opportunity to lock in the desired outcome before destructive elements like humidity, wind, and even it bending and resting on your own shoulders changes the look."
- Attachments: Attachments like diffusers and concentrators are the key to achieving a versatile array of styles at home. The former is usually used with curly and wavy hair types to maintain your original curl texture by—as the name might suggest—diffusing the hot air throughout a larger area. Concentrators, on the other hand, are great for sleeker, straighter styles.
Common Types of Blow Dryers
- Ceramic Hair Dryers: These types of dryers allow for a frizz-free blowout” says James. He says that ceramic dryers are better for thick or coarse hair because it can be “smoothed out with ease without changing the integrity of the hair” and “dries hair fast without causing damage.” These machines also have the technology to set a style using the cool shot feature.
- Tourmaline Dryers: These types of dryers use negative ions to emit heat, making them gentler on the hair and providing a shinier finish. They also help lock in moisture due to an electrical charge emited from the dryer.
- Titanium Ionic Dryers: Ionic dryers are popular because they maintain an even temperature and provide an even dry that takes less time. They're better if you want shine, but some ionic dryers (Like the T3 Micro Aireluxe above) has an voluminizing setting.
Meet The Experts
Before he was known as Hollywood’s top hair stylist, Andrew Fitzsimons has been obsessed with fashion, beauty and form for more than two decades. His passion led him from humble roots in Ireland to cultivate his talent in the fashion industry in Dublin, then to Paris and New York and LA where he counts Bella Hadid, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Megan Fox, Joan Smalls, and Shay Mitchell as his regular clientele. Andrew’s incredible knowledge and eye for trend turned him into one of the most respected and finest hair stylists, but it’s his personal beauty philosophy that keeps him the A-list favorite. This free spirit combined with his know-how gives him the ability to translate trends through to individual personal style.
Venner James is an internationally - acclaimed celebrity and personal stylist the founder of the Venner-James Brand. After many years in the industry starting off and better known to be a Loctician, Venner-James developed a interest in hair loss and in October 2018 became a certified hair loss practitioner. Venner-James has worked with a number of celebrities including- Precious Mustapha, Priscilla Anyabu, Emma Katherine McDonald, Solea, Kenya Moore, and Kelvin Harrison Jr, to name a few. With the skill set of wig making and application prior to this training Venner-James has incorporated the classic male toupe as a premium private service and is now one of the leading male non surgical hair replacement unit stylist in London. Alongside installing custom female units. Venner-James has an extensive portfolio which includes, short cuts, relaxers, Locs, custom wigs, barbering, braiding and much more.
Originally from Southern California, hair stylist Glenn Ellis is praised for his ability to adapt to different hair types and textures. Glenn is just as skilled at taming the most rebellious curls as he is at creating voluminous manes out of lifeless hair. Glenn’s talent and versatility has garnered the attention of the film, fashion, television, and music industries. He has earned accolades within the hairstyling community for his work featured in CR Fashion Book, Vogue, and Nylon Magazine, and he has had the privilege of working with renowned personalities, including Olivia Wilde, Tinx, Sara Paulson, Meg Ryan, Jane Fonda, Sienna Miller, and Sia.
Alex Efstratiou is a hair stylist and colorist in New York City. Hailing from the Hudson Valley, after graduating from hair school she quickly found herself in Soho immersed in an intensive apprenticeship at Arrojo. After many years of traveling the country as a sought out haircutting educator, she decided to shift her focus and incorporate hair coloring into her salon repertoire. With over 14 years in the industry, she is known for her dynamic haircutting skills and sun-kissed hair colors.
-
Jennifer Lopez Test Drives the Apple Picking Aesthetic in a Plaid Flannel and Torn-Up JeansThe singer is going back to the fall basics.
-
Members of One Canadian Town Council Are Refusing to Swear Allegiance to King Charles"It's a bit of a sticky situation."
-
Hailey Bieber Turns 28 in an Opulent Feather Top and a Martini Manicure"A tini bit 28."
