The best hair dryers
Faster drying, less frizz and arms that don't ache halfway through. Here's what's worth paying for.
A hair dryer gets used almost every day, so the difference between a cheap one and a good one shows up as minutes saved and frizz avoided, week after week.
Watts aren't everything. The attachments, the cable length and how heavy it feels by the end matter just as much. We've picked across the range, from a light dryer for the gym bag to a high-speed one that weighs about the same as a phone.
What matters
- Attachments: a diffuser for curls, a concentrator for a smooth blow-dry.
- Weight and cable length, which you notice every single day.
- A cool shot button to set the style.
- Low heat settings for fine or coloured hair.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Remington PROluxe Midnight Hair Dryer (AC9140B)
£79.99 RRP
It comes with a diffuser for curls and two concentrators for a sleek blow-dry, so one dryer covers every style. The AC motor is the kind salons use, and it's backed by a five-year guarantee (six if you register it).
What owners say: Owners find it powerful, with plenty of heat settings, and say it cuts drying time right down.
A closer look: Use the diffuser on the low speed for curls, then a blast of the cool shot to set them. The 3m cable reaches from a socket by the mirror to most of a bedroom.
- 2400W AC motor
- 3 heats, 2 speeds and a cool shot
- Diffuser and 2 concentrators
- Ionic conditioning
- 3m cable
Best for: Every hair type
- Power
- 2400W (AC motor)
- Settings
- 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot
- Attachments
- Diffuser, 2 concentrators
- Cable
- 3m
#2 of 5
Best value
BaByliss Power Smooth 2400 Hair Dryer (5736CU)
£20–£30 Price range
Light enough that arms don't ache halfway through thick hair, with 2400W behind it to get the job done quickly. The 2.2m cord gives room to move.
What owners say: Owners love how light it is and how quickly it dries, and think it's great value.
A closer look: BaByliss's own advice: use the lower heat settings on fine, bleached or coloured hair, and spray on a heat protector first. Save the top heat for thick hair.
- 2400W
- 3 heats, 2 speeds and a cool shot
- Ionic frizz control
- Lightweight
- 2.2m cord
Best for: Everyday drying
- Power
- 2400W
- Settings
- 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot
- Attachments
- Concentrator
- Cable
- 2.2m
#3 of 5
TRESemmé Smooth & Shine 2200 Hair Dryer (5542DU)
£20–£30 Price range
A dependable everyday dryer with a rear filter that pulls off for cleaning, which keeps it fluff-free and running at full power. Two heats and a cool shot keep it simple.
What owners say: Owners find it easy on the wrist, powerful and quick, even on long or thick hair.
A closer look: Pull the rear filter off every few weeks and brush out the fluff: a clogged filter makes any dryer run hot and slow. Use the concentrator nozzle for a smooth, shiny finish.
- 2200W
- 2 heats, 2 speeds and a cool shot
- Ionic and tourmaline-ceramic
- Removable rear filter
- 2.4m cable
Best for: Low-fuss daily use
- Power
- 2200W
- Settings
- 2 heat, 2 speed, cool shot
- Attachments
- Concentrator
- Cable
- 2.4m
#4 of 5
Best budget
Revlon Fast and Light 2000W Hair Dryer (RVDR5823)
£10–£20 Price range
Small, light and cheap: the one to keep in a gym bag, at a partner's, or for a student heading off to halls. Revlon itself started out in 1932, selling nail enamel.
What owners say: Owners find it powerful for its size, quick even on long hair, and easy to use with one hand.
Heads up: The cable is 1.8m, shorter than the others here, so it's happiest with a socket near the mirror.
A closer look: Hang it up by the loop rather than wrapping the cable tightly round the handle, which is the quickest way to wear out any dryer's cable.
- 2000W
- 3 heats, 2 speeds and a cool shot
- Ionic ceramic grille
- Concentrator
- Hanging loop
Best for: Travel, gym bags and students
- Power
- 2000W
- Settings
- 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot
- Attachments
- Concentrator
- Cable
- 1.8m
#5 of 5
Best high-speed
Faszin 330g High-Speed Hair Dryer
£100–£150 Price range
A small 110,000rpm motor pushes the air hard rather than relying on heat, and at 330g it weighs about the same as a phone. Three magnetic nozzles click on and swivel.
What owners say: Owners find it light, quiet and quick, and think it's well worth the money.
A closer look: Before the first use, peel the protective film off the filter at the bottom, and clean the filter regularly so it doesn't cut out with an overheat warning. It has a UK plug and works on UK voltage only, so it won't suit a trip to America.
- 330g
- 110,000rpm brushless motor
- 4 heats, 3 speeds and a cool shot
- 3 magnetic nozzles, including a diffuser
- Under 69dB
Best for: Light, quiet, quick drying
- Power
- 1700W (high-speed motor)
- Settings
- 4 heat, 3 speed, cool shot
- Attachments
- Diffuser, concentrator, smoothing nozzle
- Cable
- 2m
How they compare
| Feature | #1Remington PROluxe Midnight | #2BaByliss Power Smooth | #3TRESemmé 2200 | #4Revlon Fast and Light | #5Faszin high-speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best value | Best budget | Best high-speed | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.9 |
| Price | £79.99 RRP | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £100–£150 Price range |
| Power | 2400W (AC motor) | 2400W | 2200W | 2000W | 1700W (high-speed motor) |
| Settings | 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot | 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot | 2 heat, 2 speed, cool shot | 3 heat, 2 speed, cool shot | 4 heat, 3 speed, cool shot |
| Attachments | Diffuser, 2 concentrators | Concentrator | Concentrator | Concentrator | Diffuser, concentrator, smoothing nozzle |
| Cable | 3m | 2.2m | 2.4m | 1.8m | 2m |
| Best for | Every hair type | Everyday drying | Low-fuss daily use | Travel, gym bags and students | Light, quiet, quick drying |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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