Hair dryers are a must-have tool for their sheer versatility. Not only can they dry your wet hair after a shower, but they can also create many different hairstyles that will last all day. But you want to look for hair dryers that are gentle on your tresses, and won’t destroy your dyed hair or distress already damaged locks.
For those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands but would like to have neatly styled hair that is selfie-ready every day, a reliable dryer can be a godsend. We’ve rounded up some of the best hair dryers on the market.
Rusk W8less Ceramic and Tourmaline Hair Dryer ($59)
The Rusk W8less Ceramic and Tourmaline Hair Dryer is an all-around dependable dryer that won’t damage hair, make your arm ache, or break the bank.
A luxury hair dryer often comes with tons of features but also a high price tag. The Rusk W8less hair dryer has all the features you’d need, but it costs only a portion of what you’d pay for a luxury brand. It produces a fast air stream at 60 mph, and it reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The design is simple, sleek, and fool-proof, with buttons that are easy to press but likely won’t cause you to accidentally push them.
This dryer also has a cool-shot feature, but while most dryers make this button tiny so that it hurts your finger to hold down for several seconds, the button on the Rusk is nice and wide. The Rusk W8less will dry your hair as quickly as a salon-quality dryer, but you won’t have to pay salon-level prices for it.
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Conair Infiniti Pro Dryer ($25)
The Conair Infiniti Pro Dryer gets the job done well without breaking the bank.
With its affordable price point, this dryer is such a high-quality ionic option that you may be surprised by how well it works. The AC motor means you’re getting a quick dry without singeing your hair. You can also toggle to the cold shot button for cool air that locks in your carefully created styles. The dryer is ergonomically designed with comfort in mind, so your hands won’t get tired while you blow-dry your locks.
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Bio Ionic Goldpro Dryer ($88+)
The Bio Ionic Goldpro Dryer was designed to dry your hair with less heat.
Long-term heat styling likely won’t do any favors for the health of your hair. Some hair dryers blow air that is so hot and forceful, you’ll feel like you’re in a drying machine. You may have damaged, dry, or frizzy locks from years of using dryers and irons on your tresses, but at the same time, you just can’t part with your styling tools. With this Goldpro hair dryer, you’ll get a barrel made with 24k gold.
You read that right — the gold helps to distribute the heat more evenly than traditional hairdryers, so it dries your hair more quickly and allows you to spend less time using heat. At the same time, the dryer’s ionic technology keeps your hair hydrated. The device itself is also durable and pretty lightweight, so your arms won’t get tired while drying your mane.
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Nume Signature Hair Dryer ($95)
The Nume Signature Hair Dryer is lightweight and compact enough for easy portability.
Don’t be fooled by the small package. This compact, lightweight dryer delivers controlled heat to minimize hair damage and boost sleek shine in your locks. The dryer also utilizes infrared heat, which leaves hair looking smoother and also helps to reduce frizz. Thanks to its portability, this dryer is perfect for throwing in your suitcase and bringing along on trips. As an added bonus, you can choose from three colors: black, pink, and turquoise.
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DevaCurl Dryer & DevaFuser ($140+)
The DevaCurl Dryer & DevaFuser will help you manage your curly frizz.
Gals and guys with curly manes can have a hard time finding a dryer that is delicate on fine tresses and also effective at calming unruly hair. Thanks to its ionic heat, this dryer dries your hair to define your natural curls. The diffuser attachment, albeit strange-looking, provides five prongs and 50 air vents that deliver 360-degree airflow toward your curls, thus enhancing the natural waves of your hair while also taming frizz. The dryer is gentle enough that it won’t damage fine hair, and will leave a sleek shine in your tamed curls.
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Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer ($30)
Ceramic and tourmaline make a great combination when it comes to blow-drying, as you can see with the Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer.
When it comes to heat styling tools, it’s a good idea to choose ceramic material. The heat created through ceramic is able to penetrate the hair shaft while maintaining the hydration in your tresses. Ceramic also heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, so you can expose your locks to heat for a shorter amount of time. Better yet, reach for a ceramic hair dryer that includes Tourmaline, which gives your hair an extra shot of negative ions that can lead to smoother tresses.
This ceramic and tourmaline hair dryer from Conair is one of the best in the market, with three heat settings and two speed settings that allow people of all hair types to get the perfect blowout. When you’re done styling, blast your ends with the cool-shot function to seal those curls in place all day long.
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Harry Josh Pro Hair Dryer 2000 ($249)
The Harry Josh Pro Hair Dryer 2000 is one of the most powerful dryers on the market.
This hair dryer carries some pretty awesome specs. With 1,875 watts of power, you get a powerful blast, and there’s also the option to use the cool-shot button for cool air. You can choose between ionic heat (which is better for sleeker styles) and nonionic heat (which is preferred if you want maximum volume), making this dryer highly versatile for creating different looks.
While it’s not exactly a compact, travel-friendly dryer, you’ll likely want to throw it into your suitcase anyway on your next overnight trip. After using this dryer, you’ll never be able to go back to the ones provided in hotels. It’s no surprise this dryer was honored in Allure Magazine’s Best of Beauty Awards three years in a row.
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