Welcome to Our Hair Dryer Showdown—Winners (including Shark) Are on Sale (2025)

Everyone needs a good hair dryer, whether you reach for it daily or on special occasions. The beauty world offers many options, from ionic technology to high-tech infrared air jets and diffusers promising bouncy natural curls—but even a great hair dryer isn't likely to give you the results you want if it's not the right tool for your hair type and texture. And you've probably wondered whether a $600 model is worth the price or if a budget hair dryer will fry your hair.

When shopping for the best hair dryer, hairstylist Sky Kim says, "Make sure it has the heat settings and type of technology that works best for your hair." At Byrdie HQ, we test (and re-test) product categories every month, and hair dryers are one that we come back to time and time again. In fact, over the last three years, we tested over 120 hair dryers on various hair types and textures to land on this comprehensive list of the best. Plus, we interviewed professional hairstylists like Kim and compared our experiences to shopper reviews and ratings.

Product Reviews

Why We Chose It: Of all the hair tools available right now, this is the one to buy. Sure, the rest of the dryers on this list work wonderfully, but none come close to the Shark, thanks to its innovative capabilities and unique attachments. When you order it, you choose between any two attachments you want for no extra cost (though you can buy more for an added price); you can’t go wrong with any of them. There’s a Lift & Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb, a Turbo Concentrator, an Express Touchup Brush, a RapidGloss Finisher (key to a flyaway-free finish), a QuickSmooth Brush (a cross between a round brush and a comb), and the DefrizzFast Diffuser. While the attachments work slightly better than the Dyson Supersonic’s and come at a fraction of the price, the Shark does not have a storage case. If you style your hair multiple times a week and want the Dyson’s versatility without the price tag, you’ll enjoy this one.

Caitlyn Martyn | Hair Type 2B: “Prior to testing, I’d never used this tool before but found it incredibly easy to use. You just have to pop on an attachment, turn it on, and get going. I found the QuickSmooth brush the most innovative attachment I’d ever used, and my wet waves were smoothed into a sleek, soft blowout in minutes with minimal fallout.”

Ally Hirschlag | Hair Type 2C/3A: “Testing this one after testing the Dyson was key because I could see just how well it compares, and let me tell you, it’s a very close race. It has most of the same attachments and is just as chic looking (I actually think it’s sleeker and lighter in weight). My favorite was the diffuser with spokes that you can adjust up or down for added root lift. It’s a serious game-changer.”

Why We Chose It: This should come as no surprise. Dyson has become king in the hair care category due to the brand’s sleek designs and innovative technology. A standout among professional hair dryers, this dryer comes with six different attachments for all hair types—a flyaway attachment, a styling concentrator, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb—and offers three heat and speed settings, and a cold shot so you can tailor the experience to your hair’s unique needs. Because the attachments are magnetic, they pop on and off quickly without much effort.So, is a $430 hair dryer a worthwhile buy? It’s an excellent investment for someone who dries and styles their hair often, but not so much if you’re a novice who wants to get your wet hair dry.

What the Expert Says:“The real value in the Dyson Supersonic is in all the cool attachments for different hair types and styles. If you know what you’re doing, you can get salon results,” hairstylist D’Xenia Sky notes.

Alyssa Kaplan | Hair Type 2A: “The combination of power, design, and useful attachments helped me achieve a smooth finish that doesn’t totally lack body, something I always struggle with when doing an at-home blowout.”

Chantia|Hair Type 4C: “This is the most 4C-friendly hair dryer I have ever used. The results are shocking; one or two more rounds of blow-drying and I could almost get flat iron results. I would be willing to purchase this blow-dryer—and even more willing if it was on sale.”

Jessica|Hair Type 1B: “The first few times I used it, my hair looked frizzy, and I realized the concentrator attachment was way too powerful for my fine hair. Now, I use the gentle attachment, which gives me a sleeker look. The flyaway attachment helps tame those pesky stray hairs at the top of my head.”

Why We Chose It: A smooth blowout that never flattens fine hair too much is minutes away when you use this mighty hair dryer for fine hair. The saturated airflow delivers 10 million negative ions per second, mitigating frizz and promoting shine. (It has a button to turn it off, though, if you want to focus more on building volume and body.) The settings are equally impressive; the tool has five temperature settings and three airflow speeds for 15 combinations you can play around with for a customized drying experience. That said, there’s a learning curve if you’re used to a hair dryer with standard low, medium, and high settings. Though it does come with two different-sized concentrators for targeted airflow, the attachment variety that comes with the tool could be better. You can technically buy a diffuser and a wide-toothed comb separately, but we wish they came with the tool.

What the Expert Says:“I say ‘Yes!’ to the price because of the unique features, versatility, and fast drying time. I just wish it came with an assortment of slimmer nozzles and a longer cord for maneuverability,” Sky muses.

Kayla Friedman | Hair Type: 2b "The buttons were placed in a perfect location so there was no chance of accidentally messing with them. I especially enjoyed the extensive heat and power settings (there are 15 combinations) because you can customize them to your hair type and liking."

Caitlyn | Hair Type: 2b "I am definitely pro-hot brush or a blow-dryer with a comb attachment (I find them easier to control), but there was something about this hair dryer that was easy for me and had a gorgeous result.It felt so gentle on my hair. I was able to get the right speed and heat settings that worked best—it felt very custom."

Elena | Hair Type: 1a “It’s very important that I dry my roots after washing my hair because I have bonded extensions. With the AireLuxe, my whole head of hair—extensions and all—is dry within 10 minutes using the second lowest heat setting. I have to use the highest airflow setting to get the power I need.”

Why We Chose It: While it doesn’t boast futuristic technology or sleek designs like the Shark or the Dyson, this salon-quality dryer is simple, easy, and efficient. With three heat and three speed settings, it’s a tried-and-true dryer that you can reach for it repeatedly without getting confused or tripped up by complicated features. It's equipped with an ion generator and 2000 watts of power, making it a heavy-duty option that dries hair fast. It's admittedly not the lightest dryer on the list, but it's a powerhouse that proves to be one of the best affordable hair dryers on the market.

What the Expert Says: Hairstylist Krysta N. Rojas applauds this dryer for its lightweight, no-frills design. "It's easy on the wrist, which is helpful for continuous styling," she explains. "It's a great choice for beginners or seasoned pros, regardless of hair type."

Alyssa | Hair Type 2A: "This dryer is simple and easy to use but strong and hot enough to dry and smooth myfine hairin just a few minutes."

Kayla | Hair Type 2B: "For its large size, it felt very light—like an illusion. Unlike some other marketed 'lightweight' hair dryers, it left my hair sleek and smooth, proving that it doesn't compromise weight for power."

Ally | Hair Type 2C/3A: "It has a strong, even airflow that never felt like it overwhelmed mycurl pattern. It dried my hair relatively quickly and didn't create much frizz or flyaways."

Why We Chose It: This is the new and improved version of the Shark Speedstyle we know and love. Its unique foldable design makes it packing-friendly and flaunts a new setting called 'scalp shield' to protect new hair growth from heat. You'll also find upgraded attachments for better performance. It's safe to say you really can't go wrong here. During testing, it had the same impressive drying power—it dried hair from root to tip without overheating—and the four attachments lend themselves to all hair types. There's a diffuser for curls, a narrow nozzle for sleek finishes, a boar bristle brush for voluminous blowouts, and a finishing tool with heated panels to smooth stray hairs and flyaways. Plus, it has innovative technology that adjusts the heat and speed depending on the attachment, so you won't have to fiddle around.

Brittany | Hair Type 1B: “I noticed instant sleekness, smoothness, and shininess after drying my hair with the Shark—I couldn’t stop running my fingers through my hair, to be honest. I haven’t noticed any heat damage or excessive frizz, although I ensure not to dry my hair on the highest heat setting and turn on the Scalp Shield feature when drying near my scalp.”

Rachel | Hair Type 2B: “This hair dryer offers great value. With high-performance, sophisticated technology and multiple attachments, it delivers luxury results at a more affordable price. It’s worth every penny.”

Virginia | Hair Type 4B/C: “This blow drier works well on dense, coily curls and human hair extensions. The various attachments offer a variety of styling options for various hair types.”

Why We Chose It: The Nural took an already fantastic blow-dryer (the Dyson Supersonic Origin) and made it even better with features that work automatically, such as pause detection (it lowers airflow, heat, and noise when you set it down), auto-adjust heat to protect your scalp from burning when it gets too close, and attachment learning—the tool remembers what heat and airflow setting you used last with that attachment (be it the concentrator nozzle or diffuser) and starts it there when you use it next time. The dryer also comes with six attachments: wave + curl diffuser, concentrator nozzle, wide-tooth comb, bowl diffuser, gentle air diffuser, flyaway attachment, plus a storage case.

What the Expert Says: “For the everyday styler, someone who mainly rough-dries wavy, curly, or coily hair that diffuses, or anyone with a sensitive scalp—the Nural is the best option,” says Matthew Collins, hairstylist and Dyson Global Ambassador. “The original Supersonic may still be the best option for the die-hard round brush expert as the heat sensor isn’t needed as much.”

Read Full Review: Surprise! Dyson Dropped a New Hair Dryer, and Yes, It’s Better Than the Original

Lauren Pardee | Hair Type 1B/2A: "I love how the super strong airflow cuts my drying time in half and doesn't require high heat to get the job done. And if you have long hair like me, you'll appreciate that the motor is built into the handle rather than the back of the barrel, so no more strands getting sucked in and ripped out."

Shannon | Hair Type 2B: "I use heat three to four times a week between blow-drying and a curling wand. This tool gets me a fast dry with lots of styling options without worrying about extreme heat damage to my hair or scalp. It's the best hair dryer I've used in the last 10 years—including the original Dyson dryer, which I also own and love."

Olivia Hancock | Hair Type 3B/C: "The dryer's 'scalp protect mode' and the new wave and curl attachment immediately grabbed my attention. The dryer's innovative features help cut down dry time and leave me with a fluffy head of hair."

Why We Chose It: Traditional dryers use high heat to dry hair, which can overdry the hair and scalp, causing breakage and long-term damage. Zuvi’s one-of-a-kind hair dryer uses light (yep, just light) to dry only the water droplets on the surface of each hair. Doing so takes a bit longer, but it protects the hair from being stripped of its internal moisture (also known as the foundation of healthy hair). With this in mind, don’t be surprised if you find it hard to use at first. It dries hair a bit slower than you might be used to, but don’t question if it’s working. Still, the airflow is very light, so if you have thick, dense, or type 4 hair, there is a better dryer for you.

What the Expert Says:“The airflow is very light, and even on the highest heat setting, the dryer doesn’t get that hot. But the payoff is that it locks moisture into the hair well. It does everything I need; the process just takes a bit longer. If you used a flat iron or heat tool to finish, you’d have the sleekest, smoothest hair,” says hairstylist Geneva Clark.

Caitlyn | Hair Type 2B: “As the saying goes, good things take time, and that’s the case for this tool. At first I wasn’t impressed, but once I got comfortable with it, I loved how comfortable it felt on my scalp and my hair.”

Michal|Hair Type 1C:“The dryer is lightweight; it was comfortable to hold as I rough-dried my hair, then styled it, which is how the instruction manual recommends you use it. It took me a few tries to perfect my use of the attachments, but I was able to get the finished look I had in mind.”

Dana | Hair Type 3B: “My thick, curly hair definitely looks better than it would if I air-dried it, but it still has a little frizz. The air stream is fast but not very powerful, and it doesn’t get very hot.”

Why We Chose It: This classic hair dryer is unbeatable. It’s not super slim or sleek, but it’s lightweight and resembles traditional hair dryers. The buttons were right where we traditionally expected them to be. While it works on all hair types, we especially love it for thick hair. The concentrator attachment helps direct airflow and encourages faster styling (a welcome attribute for those with impossible-to-dry, long, thick hair). However, it would be ideal if it came with more options. If you appreciate the classics and don’t want to mess around with newer technology (aka if your approach is ‘don’t fix what isn’t broken’), you’ll love this one.

What the Expert Says: Hairstylist Shanys Rodriguez explains that it’s not too cumbersome despite the bulkier shape. “I don’t feel like it slows me down, and my arm doesn’t get tired while using it,” she explains. “It’s easy to maneuver, twist, and turn whichever way I need it to. It takes me about 16 minutes to achieve a smooth finish with some volume, which is what it usually takes me at the salon with my own hair dryer.”

Lauren | Hair Type 1B/2A: "The airflow was a little less intense on this device compared to others I tested, but that and the concentrator made styling a bit easier—rather than my hair getting completely blown away from my brush."

Why We Chose It: Similar to the Dyson models, the AirLight Pro, L’Oreal Professionnel’s first hair dryer, allows you to modify heat and speed settings, meaning it will work well for all hair types. What makes it stand out is that it connects to your smartphone via built-in Bluetooth, allowing you to customize and save settings easily. (You’ll never need to worry about burning your scalp or damaging your strands via heat styling again). Our tester with fine, thin hair loved these smart features because they helped her achieve gorgeous blowouts without sacrificing hair health.It’s also powered by infrared technology to reduce dry time (and who doesn’t love that?).

Read Full Head-to-Head Review: Does the New L’Oreal Hair Dryer Stack Up to the Dyson Supersonic? I Have the Answer

Amanda Rosenthal | Hair Type 1A: "Its advanced infrared technology significantly shortened my drying time and minimized heat damage, making my hair feel healthier after each use. The infrared light helps protect hair from exposure and promotes smoother, shinier results, which I noticed right away."

Why We Chose It: This dryer was designed for people who regularly blow-dry their hair (we're talking at least twice a week). It's super lightweight and easy to maneuver around your head. At the same time, its powerful airflow and advanced ionic technology make the drying process lightning-fast (our tester said it cut her drying time down significantly). But it doesn't just smooth and straighten—it adds considerable volume, too. The result is gorgeous, shiny hair with zero frizz. No wonder ionic hair dryers have taken off in recent years!

Kayla | Hair Type 2B: "The nozzle was secure and had a steady airflow, and the cool-shot setting was quick to change the temperature, creating a pretty blowout with a ton of volume. It also dried my hair in a flash."

Why We Chose It: When shopping for a blow-dryer for natural hair, you can stop right here. First, as the name suggests, the tool is light, so you won't have to worry about that wash day arm workout. Secondly, it goes through the hair so effortlessly that you can dry your entire head without taking a break. Sometimes, comb attachments don't serve those with curly and coily hair, but the T3 comb attachment locks into place and slides through strands, leaving behind a soft blowout. The most impressive feature, though, is its versatility. You can set it for fine, medium, or coarse hair and take your pick between five heat settings (which, honestly, get pretty hot). This makes it a no-brainer for so many textures and even protective styles.

Dominique Hobdy | Hair Type 4B/4C: "While the controls aren't the most intuitive at first, the instruction booklet explained everything so that I could figure out the best settings for my hair type. I used the coarse hair setting, a high heat setting, and the highest speed setting and effectively dried my hair in 15 minutes."

Why We Chose It: This hair dryer for curly hair comes with four attachments—a brush to elongate, a wide-toothed comb to lift and detangle, a diffuser to shape and set, and a concentrator nozzle—that add a lot of value to the purchase price. Settings-wise, the dryer relies on ionic technology to mitigate flyaways and dial up the shine. It's an excellent one-and-done dryer for those with looser curls, but those with tight coils or dense z-shaped strands may have to use other hot tools to smooth out their ends and finish the job. It's great for setting curls, fluffing out your afro, or drying your twists, but it's not a replacement for a silk press.

What the Expert Says:"The Pattern Blow Dryer is for people who, like Pattern founder Tracee Ellis Ross, prefer to wear their hair in natural curls. If that's the look you're going for, it offers the perfect temperature settings, and the attachments work great for versatility, whether stretching, diffusing, or picking," says Clark.

Ally | Hair Type 2C/3A: “My hair dried completely in about 10 minutes, which is really good considering how thick my hair is. The diffuser is in the top three of the best I’ve ever used—it added volume and made my curls look like I’d used a curling iron.”

Samantha|Hair Type 3B: “My curls look very healthy and shiny after using the diffuser attachment. The blower dried my hair evenly all around and locked in the mousse product I applied. As someone who exclusively wears their hair natural, I would definitely consider buying this product.”

Brit|Hair Type 1B: “The first time I used the Pattern hair dryer, it took 7 minutes and 15 seconds to fully dry, which is a personal record for me! The lowest heat setting was a bit cooler than I expected, but I really enjoyed it because too much heat can cause static in my hair.”

How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for You

Design, Technology, and Features

Let's start with the basics—look for a lightweight dryer with a sturdy grip that you can hold comfortably in either hand and a long cord to give you freedom of movement as you dry the back, front, and side sections of your head. A blow-dryer with multiple heat and speed settings or attachments is only a good investment if you'll use them.

There are five hair-drying technologies:

• Traditional: Uses metal coils that get hot quickly but lack temperature control.
• Ceramic: Distributes heat evenly,preventing hot spots and minimizing damage.
• Infrared: Heatpenetrates hair from within to dry it faster.
• Tourmaline: Similar to ceramic,tourmaline emits negative ions and infrared heat,promoting shine and reducing frizz.
• Ionic: Technology that relies on negative ions to dry the hair. These emit negative ions to neutralize the positive ions in water droplets,speeding up drying and potentially reducing frizz.

Hair Type

Consider your hair type and its specific needs. While thehair typing system is controversial, knowing your type, texture,thickness, and densitywill help you find the right tools and techniques.

Like a light bulb, a hair dryer’s wattage measures its power. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair will dry. “Look for a blow-dryer that has at least 1,400 watts,” explains Kim. A higher wattage can be especially helpful for those with thick, coarse, or long hair that takes a while to dry. A lower wattage is better for those with thin or fine hair, as it prevents the blow-dryer from overdrying (and, therefore, damaging) the hair. Once you know your hair type, texture, and density, look for these features when you’re shopping for your next hair dryer:

• Fine or Thin Hair:Low wattage, low heat, high airflow
• Thick or Coarse Hair:High wattage, concentrator nozzle to focus airflow
• Curly Hair:Moderate wattage, diffuser attachment

Price

The price of a quality hair dryer varies widely—depending on the features, drying technology, and brand name—but ranges from around $40 for a basic dyer to $600 for the latest Dyson tool. If you wake up at 4 a.m. to give yourself a salon-quality blowout before work, look for a dryer (orhot air brush) that combines drying and styling and expect to pay $200 and up. If you want to dry your hair before you walk out the door, you need a basic, reliable dryer with good airflow, which you can find for around $60. Just don't buy the cheapest hair dryer you can find. Affordable hair dryers will get the job done without causing heat damage.

How We Tested Hair Dryers

We believe in using the products we recommend just like you would, which is why we prioritize testing products in real-life settings and our NY-based Lab.

• Hair Dryers Tested:129
• Testing Period:Three years (and counting!)
• Methodology:Hair dryers were tested in our Lab with the help of professional hairstylists and at home in our everyday lives. Each hair dryer was tested on three different hair types(1-2, 2-3, and 3-4).
• Factors Considered:Features (cold shot, heat and speed settings, infrared technology), attachments, power cord length, weight, design, overall results, and value.

Other Good Hair Dryers

These blow-dryers didn't make our list of the very best, but they still have standout technology, attachments, or value.

Add to Cart

Before you check out, here are some other blow-drying essentials for a silky, salon-quality blowout.

Meet Our Experts

We consulted with seven hairstylists to learn more about what to know when shopping for a hair dryer and evaluate the dryers we tested.

• Sky Kim is a New York-based hairstylist with over a decade of professional experience. She is also a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board.
• Geneva Clark is a professional hairstylist with over 12 years of experience. She currently works at the Amoy Couture Hair Salon in Manhattan, specializing in hair care, blow-drying, braiding, silk press, and extensions/weave installation.
• Matthew Collins is a professional hairstylist and a Dyson Global Ambassador.
• Hairstylists D'Xenia Sky and Shanys Rodriguez were our in-lab experts. They guided testers through the use of each blow-dryer and tried them out themselves to give us their professional perspective.
• Krysta N. Rojas is a hairstylist based in Chicago. She specializes in curly and textured hair.
  

Why Trust Byrdie

For this story, associate editor Caitlyn Martyn relied on her experience as a beauty writer and product reviewer. Caitlyn has wavy, fine hair and has tested dozens of hair dryers over the last two years working on Team Byrdie. She uses both Dyson blow-dryers (Supersonic and Airwrap) interchangeably in her daily routine (yes, they’re worth the hype; just remember to clean the filters!). Caitlyn compiled her insights and those of her Team Byrdie colleagues to crown the best after collectively testing more than 120 hair dryers thus far.We’re not stopping here either—you can count on us to continue testing hair dryers regularly to ensure our list is up to date with the best offerings.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair dryers from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.