The best hair dryers we tested
Best hair dryer: Revlon One-Step
Best mid-range hair dryer: Drybar Buttercup
Best high-end hair dryer: Dyson Supersonic
Best hair dryer for diffusing: DevaDryer and DevaFuser
Best multi-styling hair dryer: Shark Flexstyle Air-Drying and Styling System
It can feel almost impossible to replicate a salon-level hairstyle on your own. Whether you’ve got long locks, a frizz-prone mane, damaged hair or thinning strands, we’re here to tell you that it is possible to “DIY” a flowing, bouncy blowout. You only need a great hair dryer to feel like you just stepped out of a shampoo commercial.
A memorable hair day is bound to boost your confidence, especially when you can save money by doing it on your own. So, to get that just-stepped-out-of-the-salon look at home, we tested the market’s top-rated models.
We spent hours testing 13 hair dryers, ranging in price from $39 to $429. We tested them on four hair textures: fine and straight-to-wavy, thick and curly, 4b curls, and thick and wavy-to-curly.
We looked at obvious factors, such as dry time, heat and airflow speed, as well as other important components ranging from attachments and unique features to cord length and weight.
By the end of the process, we doubled our upper arm strength and found five winners that left our hair looking healthy, silky smooth and flyaway-free.
Our value vote goes to the Revlon One-Step. If you’ve never been able to get the hang of holding a hair dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other simultaneously, this model mashes the two together, resulting in ultra-shiny, frizz-free hair.
The Drybar Buttercup was bound to exceed expectations; it's created by the iconic Drybar salon. Better yet, it comes in a cheery bright yellow colorway. It's a pricier hair dryer, but in our testing it outperformed its competitors in key evaluation points including dry time, settings and versatility on various hair types.
The Dyson Supersonic is one of the most expensive hair dryers we tested. After rounds of testing, all testers agreed it was worth the hype. It dries hair at warp speed, blasts out heat at a whopping 70 mph and is much quieter than other models we tested.
If you've curly locks and struggle with heat damage, this is the hair dryer for you. Developed with curl-flexible alternating ionic technology, this hair dryer can create anything from defined curls to a shiny, sleek blowout. Combined with the hand-shaped DevaFuser, this dryer is the ultimate tool to get tight, defined waves and salon-worthy curls.
The Dyson AirWrap and Shark FlexStyle are comparable in terms of attachments and drying power. Both are powerful, fast and versatile dryers with stylers that curl, volumize, smooth and dry hair. The attachments are easy to use and can create standout blowouts. We found that the Shark FlexStyle is significantly more affordable and achieves the same result.
Best hair dryer: Revlon One Step
This viral brush-style hair dryer had us curious. Would it live up to the hype? The short answer was a resounding yes. Our testers were impressed with how quickly the One Step dried hair at its highest setting, in addition to the blowout results. Many even compared the blowout to the Dyson. “I loved, loved, loved the way this tool made my hair look — straight, shiny and like I just left the salon,” said one tester. “Honestly, I loved this thing for its ability to leave my hair shiny and frizz-free,” raved another.
The Revlon One-Step dryer is unique in that it includes a non-detachable brush head with nylon pin bristles, allowing you to both dry and brush through your hair at the same time, easing the awkwardness of using both a brush in one hand and a dryer in the other, which gives many folks trouble.
At 1.8 pounds, it’s on the heavier side of the dryers we tested, but its design still feels light in your hand. Since it was a bristled brush, we were unnecessarily worried about issues with tangling (there was none at all), and the 4.25-inch oval barrel design lets you get close to the root, allowing for a volume boost, while you can also bend or lightly curl the ends.
Other great features include ionic and ceramic technology (which you can read more about below), three heat/speed settings and a cool option, plus a four-year warranty. The buttons, though, are at the bottom of the handle, so you’ll need to stop what you’re doing to change settings.
Be warned: This dryer’s highest setting gets very hot; we were starting to sweat by the time we were done.
Its major flaw is that if you don’t want a sleek and shiny blowout and want your hair to dry curly or wavy, or you have time only for a rough dry, this isn’t the tool to use and you’ll need an additional hair dryer. But if you only straighten your hair during a blowout? This is all you’ll need.
Best mid-range hair dryer: Drybar Buttercup
Fans of Drybar will instantly recognize this high-end hair dryer by its bright yellow hue. And they probably won’t be surprised to learn that this retail version, the same style used in the blow-dry salons, delivers shiny, bouncy hair even without a professional stylist.
Weighing 1 pound 2 ounces (only two dryers, one of which is travel size, were lighter), it still packs a lot. It features ionic technology (which you can read more about below), a powerful 1,875-watt motor and a long, 9-foot cord. It has six settings, a great heat range with a distinctive difference between low, medium and high, and a very cool cool-shot button.
In use, it was one of the quietest models we tested with minimal vibration. It works well on various hair types and comes with two nozzle attachments: a smoother and a concentrator. The buttons are located on the inside of the handle and are comfortable to use and easy to manipulate. This placement allows for easy toggling between settings with your thumb while using it, too. Overall, it resulted in our testers’ hair looking healthy, shiny and super straight, all without too much bicep strain to get it there.
Next to the Dyson, the Buttercup gave the fastest finish time for our testers with fine, straight-to-wavy hair, 4b curls and thick, curly hair, and tamed even our most stubborn waves and curls without much effort.
A curly-haired tester noted that with no included diffuser attachment, the Buttercup’s focus is on rough-dries or straightening hair, so those embracing their curls may prefer another model. It’s also expensive (and only has a two-year warranty).
When we consider a single trip to a Drybar salon sets you back $50, shelling out $200 for countless blowouts feels like a bargain.
Best high-end hair dryer: Dyson Supersonic
Dyson’s Supersonic has received so many accolades and awards that we almost wanted it to be a flop. Because $400 for a hair dryer, who’s willing to pay that? But after putting this expensive, high-tech apparatus through multiple tests, we can firmly say: we are.
With a powerful V9 digital motor that’s cleverly housed in the handle, giving it a unique and even balance, the Dyson Supersonic features intelligent heat control that measures its air temp 40-plus times per second — so it won’t overheat and you get damage control. Air is sucked in through the bottom of the ergonomic, comfortable-to-hold handle (unlike most hair dryers, where it comes in at the back of the barrel), making it less likely for long hair to get pulled into the filter.
It also comes with three magnetic attachments — a diffuser, smoothing nozzle and concentrator nozzle — that stick on easily and securely. The attachments are also engineered so they don’t get hot, which means you can swap them out or rotate them without missing a beat or burning your fingers. Eight settings — three for speed (fast, regular, gentle), four for heat (including a cold setting) and cold shot (which you can read more about below) — are available and it has the best distinct heat range tested (that is, you can really tell a difference between high, medium and low heat).
This model also creates virtually no vibration, meaning it’s more comfortable to use. It has a 9-foot cord so you can move about freely. And while we don’t know of any silent hair dryer, this model is much quieter than others we tested. It’s quiet enough you can follow along with a TV show or FaceTime a friend while using it (a bonus for those trying to avoid waking small kids or sleeping partners). It isn’t the lightest hair dryer we tested, but its durable, distinct design makes holding it feel rather effortless. It also comes with a non-slip mat and storage hanger, and its compartmentalized packaging is, er, head and shoulders, above the rest.
As for the most critical elements (the time it takes to dry hair and its results), the Supersonic is lightning fast: It dried testers’ hair in half the time it took most other models. “This hair dryer is simply the greatest of all time,” one tester remarked. “Absolutely amazing,” said another. “Everyone on my work Zoom calls thought I’d just been to the salon,” raved another.
After a full blow dry, testers saw superior shine and smoothness, with even the curliest hair lying perfectly straight while retaining salon-worthy volume. Ends were sleek and frizz-free. And flyaways? What flyaways? One key to healthy, shiny hair is keeping heat exposure to a minimum, and, again, with its incredibly fast dry time, there’s less opportunity to cause damage.
If we have to nitpick, we must admit when we first used the dryer on high power it nearly blew our doors off and took a minute to figure out how to avoid shooting the air straight into our ear. And the hottest setting is definitely hot, which may be too much for sensitive scalps. It also has a limited two-year warranty, the same as the majority of the dryers tested, but not exactly amazing for such a pricey item.
Ultimately, this beast is worth the investment as it works wonders on various hair types, comes with useful attachments, is fast, fast, fast and leaves hair so shiny, so healthy and so frizz-free. Dyson Supersonic? You can do no wrong. So much so that our testers summed it up with some variant of: “I can’t imagine switching to anything else after using it.”
Best hair dryer for diffusing: DevaDryer and DevaFuser
We tested hair dryers on a range of hair types and textures — and testers with thicker, curlier hair found The DevaDryer and DevaFuser to be a winning hair dryer for diffusing curls.
This unique hair dryer is designed with curl-flexible alternating ionic technology that has two speed settings to improve volume and smooth frizz. Some might find the lack of speed settings a downside but if you’re only looking to diffuse hair, this is an excellent option. Just remember to purchase the DevaFuser too.
The DevaDryer is 1800 watts, powerful enough for blowouts and diffusing. It also features a cool shot button to reduce frizz, similar to other dryers we tested.
In our testing, we found the hand-shaped diffuser made this dryer stand out from the rest. Curly-haired testers found this helped curls dry faster without making coils frizz or feel damaged. The diffuser mimics the sensation of scrunching curls by hand, all with targeted heat flow to volumize curls without ruining the shape of your hair.
The dryer has a 360-degree airflow which is unlike most diffusers on the market, meaning it gets more done in a shorter amount of time. The Devafuser is designed to fit the dryer — but if you want to use your own hair dryer, the universal DevaFuser attachment fits most commercial hair dryers. Both retail for $180 on the Devacurl website but you can purchase the universal diffuser for $55 on Amazon and Devacurl, which we felt was worth the investment.
One tester with 4B curls wrote: “The attachment really makes it feel like you’re scrunching your hair with your hands which helps lock in product and define curls.” Another tester with thicker, wavy strands added: “This hair dryer feels like it makes my curls look the most defined.”
Best multi-styling hair dryer: Shark Flexstyle Air-Drying and Styling System
The Shark FlexStyle, with two auto-wrap curlers, an oval brush, a paddle brush, and a concentrator, usually retails for $300 on Ulta but you can build your own system on the Shark website for $250. All testers with a range of hair types agreed that we preferred this multi-styler over Dyson’s option.
Similar to the Dyson, the Shark FlexStyle is designed with low heat settings in mind and ultra-fast drying power. This tool also measures and regulates temperatures 1,000 times per second to ensure consistent air temperature — so instead of getting hotter as it runs, the Shark minimizes heat exposure.
The Shark styler rotates into a hair dryer, which is ergonomic and convenient. We thought this standout feature gave better angle control when styling and drying.
One tester with 4B curls noted that, although it gave her a salon-level blowout, it did take some time to get the hang of. She wrote: “It got tangled in my hair at times as I was twisting the brush to curl the ends.” However, overall, she felt it was easy to use, lightweight and can be used to recreate all kinds of hairstyles.
Another tester with straight hair wrote: “I think this dryer does the same things as the Dyson for much less. Granted it doesn’t have the ultra-premium feel but I also think this is a better bet if you’re looking for one device to do it all.” She added: “I mainly used the round brush, oval brush, curling and regular drying attachments. I like that I can quickly dry my hair, add volume or give some bouncy wavy, curls. I reach for this tool more than any other hair tool I have. There is a learning curve with these kinds of stylers if you’re used to a normal dryer or even blow dry brush, but once you get it, it’s easy.”
View this interactive content on CNN.comHow we tested
After some serious hair dryer market research, we narrowed our test group down to critically lauded models. From there, we carefully tested each dryer, taking detailed notes and evaluating each one based on both performance and build.
Each hair dryer was tested at least three times, including a full blowout, rough dry and combo of the two. We spent several weeks testing these dryers, and testing was performed on multiple hair types: fine and straight-to-wavy, thick and curly, 4b curls and wavy-to-curly. In addition to overall performance, we also used the below criteria breakdowns in making our final evaluations.
Performance
- Time to dry hair: For each dryer, we set a timer and recorded how long it took to go from just-out-of-the-shower towel-dried hair to completely dry. The shorter the time, the higher the score.
- Settings: Models received higher scores for more settings, such as multiple airflow speeds, heat options and a cold shot button.
- Versatility: We assessed how each hair dryer worked on four different hair textures, noting whether longer hair was sucked into the fan, and assessing how well it worked for a full blowout, a quick air dry and a combination quick dry/blowout.
- Difference in heat settings: For dryers with multiple heat settings, we took notes on everything from a noticeable difference in high, medium and low heat and whether settings were too extreme — either too hard or too soft, for example.
- Cool-shot button: Most models included cool-shot buttons, meant to help lock in the finished hair style. We assessed whether the cool shot was actually cool, even after extended use on high heat.
- Frizz/flyaway control: During testing, we took notes on the hair’s appearance after drying, looking for any frizz or flyaways, as well as shine and an overall healthy appearance.
Build
- Cord length: For this category, we looked at how long each cord was — a longer cord allows for more flexibility and room to maneuver, so longer cords received higher scores.
- Weight: We weighed each model on a scale, giving higher marks to lighter hair dryers, as lighter models are easier to hold for extended periods of time. This is especially important for those with long or thick hair.
- Maintenance/durability: We examined each dryer to test how easy it was to remove and/or clean the filter, looked for signs of scuffs or scratches and performed a “drop” test, dropping it to the floor while in use to see how it stood up to normal wear and tear.
- Attachments/unique features: Many hair dryers come with different nozzles (such as smoothing, concentrator or diffuser), while others have a built-in brush, ionic technology or ceramic build. We noted such features and add-ons, which resulted in higher scores.
- Button placement: In addition to the number of button controls, we also rated just where the buttons were located. The ability to change heat settings without having to stop the drying process to fumble with the buttons, for example, earned more points, while placement that allowed you to accidentally switch from high to low heat or airflow resulted in lower points.
- Handle comfort: When you’re holding a hair dryer above your head for an extended period of time, comfort is key. We looked at the grip, shape and ergonomics of each handle, assessing how it felt in our hands.
- Noise level: If there’s a silent hair dryer on the market, we haven’t found it. But, especially for those drying their hair early in the morning while the rest of the family is still fast asleep, a loud model may be a deal-breaker. We compared each model, noting how much noise it made, and doling out more points to quieter dryers.
- Vibration levels: Again, when you’re holding a hair dryer for a long time, comfort is a huge bonus, and a machine that vibrates annoyingly is far from ideal. So we assessed vibration levels, giving more points to dryers that stayed still in our hands.
- Warranty: We checked the number of years of warranty for each tool.
Other hair dryers we tested
We tested the much-hyped Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb and Blow Dryer Brush, which we thought wasn't as great as the Revlon One Step. This heated brush is designed to straighten and smooth hair and has a blow dryer brush mode for a wet-to-dry volumizing effect. The ceramic-coated plates are designed to maximize the shape and volume of hair, which is great considering ceramic coatings on any kind of high-temperature product create a heat-resistant barrier.
The brush is made with nylon and boar bristles, which are great for grabbing strands of hair and smoothing them out. It does more than just dry hair and can create volumized hairstyles that last, so if you’re looking for that salon-level bounce and curved ends, this could be the dryer for you — but again, it’s not as affordable as the Revlon. One straight-haired tester noted: “As far as blowout round brushes go, I don’t think this would be a top pick of mine.”
Thermal brush dryers have also surged in popularity, going hand in hand with round brush dryers. If you’re looking for a sleeker, straighter style without much volume, a thermal brush can help you achieve this look. This hair dryer from Amika styles hair three times faster than most thermal brushes.
We thought this brush stood out because it’s made with infrared technology to lock in moisture and maximize shine, all at three different heat settings. This could be a helpful tool in your styling routine — but for those with curly hair, we think this tool will pull on defined waves or coils and can be harder to compensate for in the long run.
We were impressed with this high-end hair dryer designed by a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Gisele Bundchen, Rose Byrne and Ellen Pompeo. Third-fastest in dry time, it has a great variety of settings, including a unique ion off/on button (turn it on to tame frizz, off to increase volume), and is nice and light, weighing in at just over a pound. It comes with two nozzle attachments: one for styling and one for concentrated heat.
This dryer also has a powerful 1,875-watt motor. We appreciated its compactness and contoured handle, which made it easy to control. The short nozzle makes this dryer ideal for travel. Although it was among our favorites, it was nudged out of the winner’s circle for its noise level. It was one of the loudest models we tested.
For a just-under-$100 model, this hair dryer received high marks from testers for its relatively fast dry time, multiple settings and ability to leave hair shiny and smooth. The Rusk is infused with ceramic and titanium for a higher heat transfer, Take it from us: this one does get hot. The highest heat was “extreme," as noted by multiple reviewers.
The dryer itself is lightweight, which makes it easy to maneuver. However, the plastic felt flimsy. Although it did survive our drop test, it felt less durable than our winners. The awkward button placement was also an issue; some reviewers noted they accidentally changed settings while using the dryer. This dryer comes with two attachments, a diffuser and concentrator nozzle, making it a good choice for those who mostly do quick dries or are seeking a wavy/curly result. However, those with coarse, curly or coily hair say it wasn’t as effective as the winning models when blowing out natural hair without leaving frizz.
Built with nano titanium ionic technology designed to dry faster with less frizz and even heat, this hair dryer landed right in the middle of the pack of the ones we tested. Featuring six heat and speed settings, it comes with a concentrator nozzle, is lightweight and the toggle buttons are easy to manipulate while in use.
As far as dry time, loudness, handle comfort and versatility? It came right down the middle in comparison to other dryers tested. It doesn’t seem to get as hot as other models, but it does a solid job of creating a sleek and shiny look. We did note that the ends weren’t as smooth as other hair dryer tests. This is a good pick if you’re looking for a dependable hair dryer that doesn’t cost a fortune. If you’re willing to spend more, you can do better.
Made with a ceramic barrel infused with 24K gold MX, the brand’s proprietary mineral complex, it’s said to condition the hair and lock in moisture for added shine. One tester noted the GoldPro beat four full-size dryers when it came to dry time and it resulted in a shiny, healthy blowout with very few flyaways and no frizzy ends. Although it’s super-small, weighing in at .85 pounds and featuring a folding handle to make it compact, it still manages to dry hair swiftly and with few flyaways.
The Goldpro comes with a travel bag, concentrator nozzle and very cheap-looking plastic travel brush. And, as you might expect in a travel model, it’s pretty bare bones when it comes to settings: just two speeds — high and low power. The cord is shorter than nearly all other models tested. But in comparison to the usual hotel dryer attached to the bathroom wall? This might be our favorite new travel companion.
We had high hopes for this low-cost hair dryer that uses ceramic and ion technology to increase shine and prevent frizz and damage. Things we like: the ergonomic handle design, its light 1-pound weight, the fact that it features a cold shot plus three heat settings and two speeds and that it comes with a concentrator nozzle and diffuser.
This Conair dryer is sufficient for those with straight and fine hair, however, it lacks the performance capabilities of the other hair dryers we reviewed. First, the 5-foot cord — the shortest of all models tested — is an issue for those who require more room. It also feels cheap because of the flimsy plastic, meaning it doesn’t seem durable like the higher-end models we tested. It’s among the loudest hair dryers evaluated and has one of the longest dry times. Although the strong fan didn’t suck long hair into the back fan, we did have to stop repeatedly to brush out tangles during a rough dry and it left frizz in wavier sections of our hair.
For those who have trouble working a hair dryer and a round brush at the same time, this drying brush is a handy option. The oval-shaped styling tool features airflow vents and nylon bristles and works well on all hair types. It's also built with an ion generator for faster drying and has a ceramic coating to help protect hair from damage. The brush resulted in a just-stepped-out-of-the-salon style with no frizz and healthy, shiny tresses, and was lightweight and easy to grip.
We noted it took longer than any other model we tested to get our hair completely dry. It also has minimal settings (cool, low, high) and takes some getting used to. We clunked ourselves in the head with the hard brush multiple times and burned ourselves when touching the hot brush. Although there’s no filter access, users are advised to clean the air vents daily, which we find impractical.