Nothing adjustments a lady’s perspective — or confidence — like a contemporary blowout. However the days of popping into your favourite blow-dry bar or salon could really feel like historic historical past within the time of Covid, making hair dryers all of the extra vital. So to get that just-stepped-out-of-the-salon have a look at dwelling, we got down to take a look at 9 of the market’s top-rated fashions and had been, nicely…blown away by how a lot magic a brand new hair dryer can work.
We spent hours testing the dryers, ranging in value from $25 to $399, on 4 completely different hair textures: high-quality and straight-to-wavy; thick and curly; 4b curls with extensions; and thick and wavy-to-curly. We checked out apparent components, equivalent to dry time, warmth and airflow pace, but additionally different vital elements starting from attachments and distinctive options to wire size and weight.
By the top of the method, we’re fairly certain we at the least doubled our higher arm power (completely satisfied profit) and located three winners that left our hair trying wholesome, silky clean, frizz- and flyaway-free:
Finest reasonably priced hair dryer
Our worth vote goes to the Revlon One-Step. In case you’ve by no means been capable of get the grasp of holding a hair dryer in a single hand and a spherical brush within the different concurrently, this mannequin mashes the 2 collectively, leading to ultra-shiny, frizz-free hair.
Finest mid-range hair dryer
The Drybar Buttercup, from the favored blow-dry bar chain, is available in a enjoyable, cheery vibrant yellow. At $199, it’s expensive, however apart from the Dyson, it merely outperformed its rivals in dry time, settings and flexibility, working nicely on varied hair sorts.
Finest high-end hair dryer
The Dyson Supersonic is pricey. Like, $400 costly. However, man, does it reside as much as its hype. It dries hair at warp pace, blasts out warmth at a whopping 70 mph, is way, a lot quieter than different fashions we examined, and is simply futuristic and funky throughout.
A best-seller on Amazon, this much-beloved brush-style hair dryer had us curious. Would it not reside as much as the hype? Can 150,000 Amazon reviewers be flawed? Nicely, not solely had been our testers impressed by how briskly the One-Step dries hair at its highest setting, however the blowout outcomes it produced proper up there with the Dyson. “I cherished, cherished, cherished the best way this software made my hair look — straight, shiny and like I simply left the salon,” stated one tester. “Actually, I cherished this factor for its capacity to go away my hair shiny and frizz-free,” raved one other.
The One-Step dryer is exclusive in that it features a non-detachable brush head with nylon pin bristles, permitting you to each dry and brush by means of your hair on the identical time, easing the awkwardness of utilizing each a brush in a single hand and a dryer within the different, which supplies many of us hassle.
At 1.8 kilos, it’s on the heavier facet of the dryers we examined, however its design nonetheless manages to really feel mild in your hand. Because it was a bristled brush, we had been unnecessarily fearful about points with tangling (there was none in any respect), and the 4.25-inch oval barrel design helps you to get near the basis, permitting for a quantity enhance, whereas you can too bend or calmly curl the ends.
Different nice options embody ionic and ceramic know-how (which you’ll be able to learn extra about under), three warmth/pace settings and a cool choice, plus a four-year guarantee. The buttons, although, are on the backside of the deal with, so you have to to cease what you’re doing to alter settings.
Be warned: This sucker’s highest setting will get actually, actually sizzling. As in we had been beginning to sweat by the point we had been completed.
It’s main flaw, in fact, is that for those who don’t desire a glossy and glossy blowout and wish your hair to dry curly or wavy, or you’ve got time just for a tough dry, this isn’t the software to make use of and also you’ll want an extra hair dryer. However for those who solely straighten your hair throughout a blowout? That is all you’ll want.
Followers of Drybar will immediately acknowledge this high-end hair dryer by its vibrant yellow hue. And so they most likely gained’t be too stunned to study that this retail model, the identical model used within the blow-dry salons, delivers shiny, bouncy hair even with out a skilled stylist on the helm.
Weighing 1 pound, 2 ounces (solely two dryers, certainly one of which is journey measurement, had been lighter), it nonetheless packs quite a bit. It options ionic know-how (which you’ll be able to learn extra about under), a robust 1,875-watt motor and an extended, 9-foot wire. It has six settings, and there’s an important warmth vary with a particular distinction between low, medium and excessive, together with a really cool cool-shot button.
In use, it was one of many quietest of the fashions we examined with minimal vibration. It really works nicely on quite a lot of hair sorts and comes with two nozzle attachments: a smoother and a concentrator. Buttons, situated on the within of the deal with (which itself was actually snug and makes the dryer straightforward to govern), make it straightforward to toggle between settings together with your thumb whereas it’s in use. General, it resulted in our testers’ hair trying wholesome, shiny and tremendous straight, all with out an excessive amount of bicep pressure to get it there.
Subsequent to the Dyson, the Buttercup gave the quickest end time for our testers with high-quality, straight-to-wavy hair, 4b curls and thick, curly hair, and tamed even our most cussed waves and curls with out a lot effort.
Drawbacks? A curly-haired tester notes that with no included diffuser attachment, the Buttercup’s focus is on tough dries or straightening hair, so these embracing their curls could want one other mannequin. It’s additionally costly (and solely has a two-year guarantee).
After we take into account a single journey to a Drybar salon units you again $50, shelling out $200 for numerous blowouts seems like a discount.
Dyson’s Supersonic has obtained so many accolades and awards that we virtually wished it to be a flop. As a result of $400 for a hair dryer? Who’s prepared to pay that? However after placing this costly, high-tech equipment by means of a number of checks, we are able to firmly say: we’re.
With a robust V9 digital motor that’s cleverly housed within the deal with, giving it a novel and even stability, the Supersonic options clever warmth management that measures its air temp 40-plus occasions per second — so it gained’t overheat and also you get harm management. Air is sucked in by means of the underside of the ergonomic, comfortable-to-hold deal with (not like most hair dryers, the place it is available in behind the barrel), making it much less seemingly for lengthy hair to get pulled into the filter.
It additionally comes with three magnetic attachments — a diffuser, smoothing nozzle and concentrator nozzle — that stick on tremendous simply and securely. The attachments are additionally engineered in order that they don’t get sizzling, which suggests you possibly can swap them out or rotate them with out lacking a beat — or burning your fingers. Eight settings — three for pace (quick, common, light), 4 for warmth (together with a chilly setting) and chilly shot (which you’ll be able to learn extra about under) — can be found and it has one of the best distinct warmth vary examined (that’s, you possibly can actually inform a distinction between excessive, medium and low warmth).
Different highlights: This mannequin creates nearly no vibration, which suggests it’s extra snug to make use of. It has a 9-foot wire, so you possibly can transfer about freely. And whereas we don’t know of any hair dryer that’s silent, this mannequin is way quieter than others we examined. Actually, it’s quiet sufficient you possibly can observe together with a TV present or FaceTime a pal whereas utilizing it (a bonus for these making an attempt to keep away from waking small youngsters or sleeping companions). It isn’t the lightest hair dryer we examined, however its sturdy, distinct design makes holding it really feel reasonably easy. It additionally comes with a non-slip mat and storage hanger, and its compartmentalized packaging is, er, head and shoulders, above the remaining. (Plus, for those who select the “gift edition,” a red-and-nickel model, your Supersonic will arrive together with a elaborate faux-leather carrying case.)
As for essentially the most crucial parts (the time it takes to dry hair and its outcomes), the Supersonic is lightning quick: It dried testers’ hair in half the time it took most different fashions. “This hair dryer is just the best of all time,” one tester remarked. “Completely superb,” stated one other. “Everybody on my work Zoom calls thought I’d simply been to the salon,” raved one other.
After a full blow dry, testers noticed superior shine and smoothness, with even the curliest hair mendacity completely straight, however whereas retaining salon-worthy quantity. Ends had been glossy and frizz-free. And flyaways? What flyaways? One key to wholesome, shiny hair is maintaining warmth publicity to a minimal, and, once more, with its extremely quick dry time, there’s much less alternative to trigger harm.
If we’ve to nitpick, we should admit once we first used the dryer on excessive energy it practically blew our doorways off and took a minute to determine how one can keep away from capturing the air straight into our ear. And the most popular setting is certainly sizzling, which can be an excessive amount of for delicate scalps. It additionally has a restricted two-year guarantee, the identical as the vast majority of the dryers examined, however not precisely superb for such a dear merchandise.
Finally, this beast is definitely worth the funding as it really works wonders on varied hair sorts, comes with helpful attachments, is quick, quick, quick and leaves hair so shiny, so wholesome and so frizz-free. Dyson Supersonic? You are able to do no flawed. A lot in order that our testers summed it up with some variant of: “I can’t think about switching to anything after utilizing it.”
All three hair dryers resulted in professional-looking blowouts carried out in a minimal period of time and topped their rivals primarily based on quite a lot of standards. However for those who’re questioning what a few of the phrases imply and what elements are supposed to do, right here’s a fast explainer:
Attachments: Diffusers — you already know, these spherical, bowl-like add-ons with plastic spikes — are used to disperse air over a big space, serving to to outline curls or maintain waves intact and add quantity, however not frizz. Concentrator and smoothing nozzles permit air to be directed by means of a slender, flat vent and are particularly useful for drying lengthy hair sooner as you’re capable of level the warmth proper the place you need it. These work rather well for smoothing hair on the again of the top and hard-to-reach spots.
Twine size: When you have a small toilet, this might not be a difficulty, however for these working in rooms with inconveniently positioned retailers, having the ability to transfer round — to see in a mirror, for instance — is vital. Subsequently, hair dryers with longer cords had been ranked larger (lengths different from 5 to 9 toes).
Weight: At a look, all of the dryers we examined seemingly could be thought-about light-weight — all weighed in at lower than 2 kilos. However whenever you’re holding one thing up over your head, even for simply 10 to fifteen minutes, your arm will get drained shortly, that means even a couple of ounces can add to fatigue. And the extra drained your arm will get, the extra seemingly you’ll be to surrender early earlier than ending drying your entire head.
Cool shot button: This little gizmo is included in lots of hair dryers and does simply what you’d suppose: It blasts cool air. So, why would you like cool air? Professionals say it helps seal the model into place and retains ends from frizzing, leading to a longer-lasting blowout. (Confession: Generally we purpose it down our shirt after an extended, sizzling drying sesh for a bit DIY AC, particularly in the course of the summer season months.)
Ionic and ceramic know-how: Many hair dryers now tout know-how that alerts the discharge of adverse ions, stated to hurry dry time, cut back static and stop frizz (that is usually advisable for these with textured or curly hair). Ceramic coils, in the meantime, lead to extra even warmth distribution than their steel counterparts. So, what does this imply? Whereas ionic dryers could cut back static electrical energy, in accordance with scientists on the University of California Santa Barbara, that doesn’t quantity to a lot, as frizz attributable to static solely tends to final a couple of minutes. And, sure, ceramic warmth is environment friendly, that means much less dry time and, theoretically, much less warmth harm. However as all of the hair dryers we examined boasted both ion or ceramic know-how (most supplied each), neither made a lot of a distinction in our rankings.
After some critical hair dryer market analysis, we narrowed our take a look at group all the way down to 9 extremely rated, bestselling and critically lauded fashions. From there, we fastidiously examined every dryer, taking detailed notes and evaluating each primarily based on each efficiency and construct.
Every hair dryer was examined at the least 3 times, together with a full blowout, tough dry and combo of the 2. We spent a number of weeks testing these dryers, and testing was carried out on a number of hair sorts: high-quality and straight-to-wavy; thick and curly; 4b curls with extensions; and thick and wavy-to-curly. Along with general efficiency, we additionally used the under standards breakdowns in making our closing evaluations.
Efficiency
- Time to dry hair: For every dryer, we set a timer and recorded how lengthy it took to go from just-out-of-the-shower towel-dried hair to fully dry. The shorter the time, the upper the rating.
- Settings: Fashions obtained larger scores for extra settings, equivalent to a number of airflow speeds, warmth choices and a chilly shot button.
- Versatility: We assessed how every hair dryer labored on 4 completely different hair textures, noting whether or not longer hair was sucked into the fan, and assessing how nicely it labored for a full blowout, a fast air dry and a mixture fast dry/blowout.
- Distinction in warmth settings: For dryers with a number of warmth settings, we took notes on the whole lot from a noticeable distinction in excessive, medium and low warmth and whether or not settings had been too excessive — both too onerous or too smooth, for instance.
- Cool-shot button: Most fashions included cool-shot buttons, meant to assist lock within the completed hair model. We assessed whether or not the cool shot was truly cool, even after prolonged use on excessive warmth.
- Frizz/flyaway management: Throughout testing, we took notes on the hair’s look after drying, on the lookout for any frizz or flyaways, in addition to shine and an general wholesome look.
Construct
- Twine size: For this class, we checked out how lengthy every wire was — an extended wire permits for extra flexibility and room to maneuver, so longer cords obtained larger scores.
- Weight: We weighed every mannequin on a scale, giving larger marks to lighter hair dryers, as lighter fashions are simpler to carry for prolonged intervals of time. That is particularly vital for these with lengthy or thick hair.
- Upkeep/sturdiness: We examined every dryer to check how straightforward it was to take away and/or clear the filter, regarded for indicators of scuffs or scratches and carried out a “drop” take a look at, dropping it to the ground whereas in use to see the way it stood as much as regular put on and tear.
- Attachments/distinctive options: Many hair dryers include completely different nozzles (equivalent to smoothing, concentrator or diffuser), whereas others have a built-in brush, ionic know-how or ceramic construct. We famous such options and add-ons, which resulted in larger scores.
- Button placement: Along with the variety of button controls, we additionally rated simply the place the buttons had been situated. The flexibility to alter warmth settings with out having to cease the drying course of to fumble with the buttons, for instance, earned extra factors, whereas placement that allowed you to by accident change from excessive to low warmth or airflow resulted in decrease factors.
- Deal with consolation: If you’re holding a hair dryer above your head for an prolonged time frame, consolation is vital. We regarded on the grip, form and ergonomics of every deal with, assessing the way it felt in our palms.
- Noise degree: If there’s a silent hair dryer available on the market, we haven’t discovered it. However, particularly for these drying their hair early within the morning whereas the remainder of the household continues to be quick asleep, a loud mannequin could also be a deal-breaker. We in contrast every mannequin, noting how a lot noise it made, and doling out extra factors to quieter dryers.
- Vibration ranges: Once more, whenever you’re holding a hair dryer for a very long time, consolation is a big bonus, and a machine that vibrates annoyingly is way from best. So we assessed vibration ranges, giving extra factors to dryers that stayed nonetheless in our palms.
- Guarantee: We checked the variety of years of guarantee for every software.
Utilizing the above standards, we assigned scores in every subcategory to every hair dryer, mixed these numbers for a complete rating in every subcategory, after which added the scores for an general whole. The scores had been damaged down as follows:
- Efficiency had a most of fifty factors: time to dry hair (10); settings (10); versatility (10); distinction in warmth settings (5); cool-shot button (5); and frizz/flyaways (10).
- Construct had a most of 55 factors: wire size (10); weight (10); upkeep/sturdiness (10); attachments/options (5); button placement (5); deal with consolation (5); noise (5); and vibration (5).
- Guarantee had a most of 5 factors: lifetime (5), two to 5 years (2), lower than two years (0).
Harry Josh Professional Instruments Professional Dryer 2000 ($329.99; amazon.com)
Rather a lot impressed us when it got here to this beautiful mint inexperienced, high-end hair dryer designed by the superstar hairstylist whose shoppers embody Gisele Bundchen, Rose Byrne and Ellen Pompeo. Third-fastest in dry time, it has an important number of settings, together with a novel ion off/on button (flip it on to tame frizz, off to extend quantity), and is good and lightweight, weighing in at simply over a pound.
It comes with two nozzle attachments — one for styling and one for concentrated warmth — and has a robust 1,875-watt motor. We additionally recognize its compactness and the best way its barely contoured deal with that simply suits your hand, makes it straightforward to regulate. The quick nozzle, in reality, makes this dryer good for journey. However whereas it was amongst our favorites, it was nudged out of the winner’s circle for its noise degree — it was one of many louder fashions we examined — and for the tangles it left in lengthy hair, particularly throughout tough dries.
Rusk Engineering CTC Lite ($94.95; walmart.com)
For a just-under-$100 mannequin, this hair dryer obtained excessive marks from testers for its comparatively quick dry time, a number of settings and talent to go away hair shiny and clean.
The Rusk is infused with ceramic and titanium for a better warmth switch (and belief us, this one does get sizzling — the very best warmth was famous as “excessive” by a number of reviewers). It’s light-weight, which makes it straightforward to maneuver, however the plastic appears reasonably flimsy — though it did survive our drop take a look at — and fewer sturdy than our winners. Button placement can be a difficulty, with some reviewers noting they by accident modified settings whereas utilizing the dryer, which will be annoying.
This dryer comes with two attachments — a diffuser and concentrator nozzle — making it a good selection for many who largely do fast dries or are searching for a wavy/curly consequence. Nevertheless, these with coarse, curly or coily hair say it wasn’t as efficient because the profitable fashions when it got here to blowing out pure hair with out leaving frizz.
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium ($89.99; amazon.com)
Constructed with nano titanium ionic know-how designed to dry sooner with much less frizz and even warmth, this hair dryer landed proper in the course of the pack of those we examined. That includes six warmth and pace settings, it comes with a concentrator nozzle, is light-weight and the toggle buttons are straightforward to govern whereas in use.
So far as dry time, loudness, deal with consolation and flexibility? All proper down the center compared to different dryers examined. It doesn’t appear to get as sizzling as different fashions, however does a strong job in creating largely straight and glossy hair, though the ends weren’t as clean as with different variations. In case you’re on the lookout for a reliable hair dryer that doesn’t break the bank, it is a good decide. In case you’re prepared to spend extra, you are able to do higher.
Bio Ionic Goldpro Journey Dryer ($99; amazon.com)
You might not be doing an entire lot of touring nowadays, however when issues get again to regular, those that discover themselves staying in accommodations regularly ought to take into account buying this useful journey mannequin. Made with a ceramic barrel infused with 24K gold MX, the model’s proprietary mineral complicated, it’s stated to situation the hair and lock in moisture for added shine.
And from our testing, that declare appears to be extra than simply, nicely, sizzling air. One tester famous the GoldPro beat out 4 full-size dryers when it got here to dry time and it resulted in a shiny, wholesome blowout with only a few flyaways and no frizzy ends. Though it’s super-small, weighing in at a scant .85 kilos, and that includes a folding deal with to make it further compact in your suitcase or keep on, it nonetheless manages to dry hair swiftly and with few flyaways (it does take some further muscle to get the waviest hair straight, nonetheless).
The Goldpro comes with a journey bag, concentrator nozzle and really cheap-looking plastic journey brush. And, as you may count on in a journey mannequin, it’s fairly naked bones in the case of settings: simply two speeds — excessive and low energy — and its wire is shorter than practically all different fashions examined. However compared to the same old lodge dryer hooked up the toilet wall? This may simply be your favourite new journey companion.
Infinitipro by Conair ($24.94, recurrently $34.99; amazon.com)
A prime vendor on Amazon with a 4.7-star score, we had excessive hopes for this low-cost hair dryer that makes use of ceramic and ion know-how to up shine and stop frizz and harm. Issues we like: the ergonomic deal with design, its mild 1-pound weight, the truth that it includes a chilly shot plus three warmth settings and two speeds, and that it comes with a concentrator nozzle and diffuser.
However whereas the Infinitipro might be enough for these with straight, high-quality hair, it merely lacks the efficiency capabilities of the opposite hair dryers we reviewed. First, the 5-foot wire — the shortest of all fashions examined — is a matter for many who require extra room. It additionally feels cheaply made (the plastic is mild, and doesn’t appear sturdy like higher-end fashions we examined), is among the many loudest hair dryers evaluated and has one of many longest dry occasions. And whereas the maybe overly robust fan didn’t suck lengthy hair into the again fan, we did need to cease repeatedly to brush out tangles throughout a tough dry and it left frizz in wavier sections of our hair.
Gold ‘n Sizzling Skilled One-Step Sizzling Air Brush ($45.53, initially $59.99; amazon.com)
For many who have hassle working a hair dryer and a spherical brush on the identical time, this drying brush is a useful choice. The oval-shaped styling software options airflow vents and nylon bristles and works nicely on all hair sorts, together with textured. This mannequin can be constructed with an ion generator for sooner drying and has a ceramic coating to assist defend hair from harm and provides even warmth distribution. The comb did lead to a just-stepped-out-of-the-salon model with no frizz and wholesome, shiny tresses and was light-weight and straightforward to grip.
That half was nice. But it surely took longer than another mannequin we examined to get our hair fully dry, has minimal settings (cool, low, excessive) and likewise takes some getting used to — we clunked ourselves within the head with the onerous brush a number of occasions (ouch!) and burned our finger once we by accident touched the new brush. It additionally has a comparatively quick 6-foot wire and whereas there’s no filter entry, customers are suggested to scrub the air vents each day — which we discover impractical.
Learn extra from CNN Underscored’s hands-on testing:
