Your questions about hair dryers answered
What is the best hair dryer?
While Remington’s one dryer took the title of best hair dryer overall, thanks to its reasonable price point, attachments and precise approach to styling, it was ghd’s helios and Dyson’s supersonic nural dryer that proved the most effective on straight and afro hair. Remington won the prize for versatility, as well as being Nicole’s favourite for curly hair overall and, while it’s actually rather affordable, we felt it performed like a premium dryer. That said, Revlon’s airflow control dryer proved an even more affordable option and was both curly hair-friendly and suitable for on-the-go use.
How we tested hair dryers
Along with my fellow beauty experts, we tested dozens of hair dryers to whittle it down to the 17 best models. Ahead of using each tool, we made sure our hair was freshly shampooed, conditioned and damp, so we could assess how quickly it dried our hair and whether it left it shiny and soft post-wash. For each hair dryer, we looked at the following criteria:
- Hair types: To win IndyBest’s coveted ‘best buy’ award, the hair dryer needed to be suitable across all hair types. Our trio of experts (with afro, curly and straight hair) tested a wide range of hair dryers over four months. We assessed how well the tools tamed frizz, smoothed straight hair and diffused afro hair.
- Attachments: During testing, our reviewers made use of the attachments included and considered each device in terms of weight, price, unique features, heat settings (plus any protective features), power and noise.
- Drying efficiency: They assessed how effective each model was for each of their hair types, scrutinising the finished results in terms of sleekness, frizz control and the condition of curls.
- Value for money: As well as producing salon-worthy results, the hair dryers have to offer outstanding value for money. Some exceed £300 while others cost less than £30 – but all deliver a powerful blowdrying session.
What’s the best hair dryer for my hair type?
“Hairdryers have come a long way over the last decade,” says Swift, adding that while buying a hairdryer used to be a purely functional purchase, now, they’re a “vital part of our haircare routine and essential for creating polished looks with minimal frizz and flyaways”.
“Today, personalisation is key when it comes to choosing a hairdryer – people want more than just a tool to take hair from wet to dry,” says Swift. While fine, straighter hair types will benefit from ion technology to increase volume, variable heat settings will help those with brittle, bleached hair to limit the amount of heat damage.
If frizziness is your bugbear, a cool-shot button – which delivers a burst or ongoing stream of cold air – will seal the hair cuticle and help reduce the effects of humidity on your locks, while wavy and curly hair will benefit from the use of a diffuser – an attachment tool that allows for heat to be distributed evenly. For thick hair, a higher wattage will ensure a faster drying time, though, you can be more susceptible to heat damage, so always use a heat protection spray beforehand.
When drying afro hair that has dense curls and texture, too much continuous high heat can cause breakage, so, look for varying heat settings that allow you to control this and minimise damage.
What should I consider when buying a hair dryer?
Swift has six pieces of advice when it comes to the hair dryer features to look out for:
- Wattage: “Generally, higher wattage means faster drying time,” Swift explains, adding that you should look for a dryer in the 1,800-2,000W range, which is ideal for thick or long hair. Swift then suggests the ghd helios – our top pick for straight hair – as a professional-approved dryer in this high-wattage category.
- Lightweight design: Swift finds that hair dryers that are both lightweight and powerful are “ideal for home use” and a must for those with mobility issues. Her top recommendation here is Dyson.
- Technology: “Look out for ionic technology, which helps to reduce frizz and enhance shine by neutralising static,” Swift states.
- Attachments: When it comes to attachments, Swift separates them into those for straight hair and those for curly/textured hair. She describes how a narrow concentrator nozzle is essential if your main goal is a sleek, shiny finish, as it helps to “smooth and align the hair cuticle, minimising frizz”. Meanwhile, a diffuser is crucial for curly or textured hair, to maintain natural texture.
- Temperature control: “Opt for a dryer with multiple heat settings,” suggests Swift, advising everyone to dry their hair until “it’s about 80 per cent dry” on medium heat, before styling on a higher setting. Why? Because “using maximum heat on cold, wet hair can cause the hair shaft to crack, leaving it brittle and dry”.
- Special care options: For those with curly and/or textured hair, Swift tells us, the hair is “naturally drier and structurally weaker at each curve of the strand.” This means gentler drying techniques are more effective, in terms of preventing damage. When it comes to finding a dryer to tend to these more sensitive strands, Swift reassures: “There are so many hair dryers out there now, you’re bound to find one which is just perfect for your hair’s needs.”
What are ionic and ceramic technologies?
The word ‘ionic’ is often thrown around when it comes to hi-tech hair gadgets, but what exactly does it mean? The term comes from its use of negatively charged ions. While your hair features both negative and positively charged ions, the water on wet hair is positive. Ionic hair dryers blast negative ions to help break down the particles, which, in turn, helps hair dry faster compared with when it’s left to its own devices. Because the negative ions help close the hair cuticle, it also leaves strands smoother, sleeker and frizz-free. This is particularly helpful for protecting the definition and pattern of your curls.
Meanwhile, ceramic technology is designed to evenly distribute heat. This works by coating the inside of the dryer with ceramic (or sometimes porcelain) and covering the metal or plastic components, which conduct more extreme, uneven temperatures. Hair dryers with this technology also take extra measures to protect your hair from heat damage, repeatedly checking the temperature and adjusting accordingly. Temperatures will be hotter at the start of your blow-dry, cooling gradually.
While some hair dryers combine both technologies, most ceramic hair dryers are already equipped with negative ions to help control frizz – just not to the extent of an ionic hair dryer.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Smith is IndyBest’s beauty writer and has five years of experience in the industry. She’s an expert in the field, having interviewed beauty professionals like Kate Somerville and has covered everything from Dyson’s airwrap to leave-in conditioners.
Sheilla Mamona has worked as a beauty journalist for more than five years, and has covered all things afro hair, Black-owned beauty brands and the latest celebrity hair trends.
Nicole Ocran has years of experience in fashion and beauty. On top of her writing for well-known publications, Nicole works as an Instagram creator covering skincare, her 3C curly hair routine and more.
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