05-08-2025
5 best hair dryers of 2025, tested and reviewed
Best overall
Dyson Supersonic Nural
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is a thoughtful, feature-packed luxury hairdryer, with smart personalization and heat protection that make styling faster and easier. It's lightweight, ergonomically balanced, and far less tiring to use than traditional dryers. If a high-end hair dryer is within your budget, the Nural's intelligent design and best-in-class features make it worth the splurge.
The original Dyson Supersonic has been my go-to hairdryer for nearly a decade, thanks to its speed, sleek design, and ability to leave my hair shiny and smooth without frying it. But after testing the new Dyson Supersonic Nural, it's precisely the upgrade we deserve. The new smart features make styling faster, easier, and more personalized — enough to justify the $100 premium over the original, if you're already considering the splurge.
The upgraded features are all about personalization and strand protection. The five included magnetic attachments now have built-in sensors that memorize your preferred heat and speed settings for each one, which saves time and keeps styling consistent. The new "Scalp Protect" mode is another thoughtful touch. It senses how close the dryer is to your scalp and automatically lowers the heat to help prevent damage. I also love the new pause-detect feature, which pauses airflow when you set the dryer down on the counter and resumes when you pick it up again. Add in the included carrying case, six stylish color options, and override-friendly presets, and the Nural nails a more advanced and user-friendly evolution of the original, without sacrificing any of its already great features.
While its structure is nearly identical to the original Supersonic, the lightweight and balanced design remains among my favorite benefits. At 1.9 pounds, with a bottom-heavy design that places the motor in the handle, Dyson hairdryers are far easier to maneuver than traditional top-heavy dryers and far less taxing on my arms during longer blowouts. As a seasoned beauty editor, I've done thorough testing of dozens of hairdryers over the years, from budget-friendly options to luxury devices. For people who are willing to invest in a high-end hair dryer with best-in-class features, the Supersonic Nural is the one I'd confidently recommend.
The Laifen Swift Special hairdryer is our top pick in our guide for the best hair dryer for curly hair, but it's also our top value/budget pick for most other hair types as well. It has a very similar look and feel to the Dyson Supersonic and Supersonic Nural, but at a much more affordable $160 price point. It shares the same sleek, bottom-heavy design with the motor in the handle, which makes it ergonomic and easy to maneuver. While it doesn't offer the smart features or customization that come with Dyson's high-end models, it's a solid option for someone who wants a similarly effective but simple hair dryer without the steep cost.
While the fact that the Laifen Swift Special comes in five colors is a fun perk, the best features are that it includes two concentrator nozzles and a diffuser for easy styling. The buttons are placed well so that I didn't accidentally push them while drying my hair. That said, the Swift Special wasn't the best match for my hair type. It only has two speed settings, and both felt too powerful for my long, fine hair. Even on the lower setting, the airflow was so strong that my hair kept tangling, which can lead to breakage. However, I think people with thicker or shorter hair might actually appreciate the extra power — it dries hair impressively fast. The heat settings (cold, warm, and hot) are easy to toggle through and even light up blue, orange, or red depending on your selection, which is a nice visual touch, even if it doesn't add much functionality.
For the price, it offers similar handling to luxury models that are four times the price. But if you have long hair that's prone to tangling or prefer more precise airflow control, this may not be the best fit.
Best lightweight
At just 0.7 pounds, this hairdryer barely feels like anything in my hand. Still, it's Dyson's most powerful and fastest-drying model yet, thanks to a 1700-watt motor spinning at 110,000rpm. My hair dried quickly, felt super soft and shiny, and there was zero arm fatigue after styling. The new curved, lowercase-r shape feels even more balanced and ergonomic than the Dyson's traditional Supersonic shape, which was already close to perfect.
The Supersonic r comes with five magnetic attachments, each with built-in RFID chips that remember your last used settings. That said, you do need to attach one for the dryer to turn on, and I wish Dyson had included its new pause-detect sensor, especially given the high price. Still, if ergonomics and lightweight design are your top priorities, the Supersonic r is compact, efficient, and a dream to use.
Best technology
If you want a lightweight, travel-friendly option that offers a cool mix of traditional design and modern features, the SRI DryQ is definitely worth considering. Those who prefer the classic long-barrel, short-handle shape over Dyson-style dryers will appreciate this upgraded version that feels intuitive and familiar but better. At well under a pound, it's lightweight, and it even folds in half for easy packing if you want to travel with it. I was especially impressed by how soft and shiny my hair was after using it. The variation between the heat and speed settings gave me solid control, and it dried my hair quickly without leaving any frizz.
Perhaps the coolest feature is the built-in red light therapy, which is designed to help promote scalp health, dry hair faster, and even stimulate hair growth over time. (Studies show that 650 nm red light stimulates hair growth, and the SRI DryQ produces 600 to 800+ nm red light, according to a spokesperson for the brand.) I didn't test it long enough to be able to prove out the red-light benefits, especially since it's a difficult factor to prove outside of a lab setting. But it's definitely a unique addition that sets this dryer apart. The memory function is a nice bonus too, saving your preferred settings for next time.
That said, the button placement wasn't ideal. I kept accidentally changing the settings mid-blowout since the controls are on the barrel rather than the handle. The on/off switch also felt a bit stiff. Still, with four heat settings (including a cold shot), three speed options, and three included magnetic attachments, the SRI DryQ product is a solid pick if you want a feature-rich dryer in a more classic silhouette.
Best for travel
This dual-voltage hairdryer packs serious power in a compact, foldable design. It dries hair quickly and efficiently thanks to its 1200-watt motor and ionic technology, which helps minimize frizz. The heat and speed settings are combined, which I didn't mind for use on short trips, but I prefer being able to move heat and speed independently for my at-home hairdryer. The long 7-foot cord offers great flexibility, and at just 13 ounces, it won't weigh down your luggage. It also comes with a travel bag and a concentrator nozzle (though I found the nozzle a little tricky to attach).
I also tested the T3 Afar, a smaller and more compact travel dryer overall. It wins on portability since it takes up less space, but when it came to performance, the Baby Buttercup clearly came out ahead. The T3 took longer to dry hair and just didn't feel as powerful. So, if you have a little extra room in your suitcase, the Drybar is the smarter pick. It's not quite full-size, but it performs like it is.
What to look for
Heat settings
You'll want to adjust the amount of heat you're applying to your hair throughout the drying process. High heat is fast and efficient, however, it should be used with caution to prevent damage. Low heat takes longer but minimizes the risk of breakage and dryness. Hair dryers with three or more heat settings allow for better control, making it easier to tailor the temperature to your hair type and the stage of the drying process.
Speed settings
Multiple speed settings give you greater control over airflow, which is essential for both drying and styling. The ability to adjust speed independently from heat allows for more customized drying, which can help minimize damage and improve overall results. Hair dryers with three or more speed settings are ideal.
Cord length
A longer cord makes it less critical that your outlet be directly next to your mirror. In tight spaces where the outlet is near your mirror, a longer cord may drag and knock over nearby items. Longer cords also allow for more flexibility when styling. For instance, if you flip your head upside down for the rough dry, you'll appreciate the added slack.
Attachments
Which attachments you'll use largely depend on your hair type and styling preferences. A concentrator is the most common attachment, which directs a more concentrated airflow for precision styling. If you have curly or wavy hair, you can benefit from a diffuser, which disperses airflow to enhance your hair's natural pattern. Luxury hair dryers often come with a wider range of attachments, including comb attachments for detangling and stretching textured hair, as well as flyaway attachments designed to smooth and tame frizz for a sleek, polished finish.
Sound
Noise level can be a major factor, especially if you're sensitive to sound or share your space with others. Some high-powered dryers can be quite loud, so look for low-decibel operation if that's a priority for you.
What's the best way to blow-dry hair?
"The best blow-drying approach varies by hair type, however, there are some universal rules to follow," explained Stanley Nolan, a Texas-based Ogle School cosmetologist and beauty educator, who has 20 years of experience working with hair. "Always start with a heat protectant, opt for a dryer that offers multiple heat and speed settings, and avoid blasting high heat directly onto wet hair."
Ballance recommends starting by gently towel drying hair before even picking up your hair dryer. "Then rough dry [your hair] to around 70% before going in with a brush," he said. "Tension and technique matter more than cranking up the heat. High airflow, medium heat is the sweet spot for most hair types, unless you're working with thick or coarse hair, then controlled high heat with a proper dryer makes all the difference." For curls and coils, he uses a diffuser on low heat and speed to "protect shape and definition." For fine hair, a "lighter airflow and a round brush at the roots will lift without scorching."
As for frequency, "how often you should blow-dry your hair really depends on your hair type and overall routine, however, for most people, 1-2 times a week is completely safe," added Nolan.
FAQs
What's the best hair dryer for my hair type?
Nolan recommended the following:
Fine hair: Opt for a dryer with lower wattage, multiple heat and speed settings, and a concentrator nozzle.
Thick hair: A higher-wattage tool helps cut down dry time.
Wavy and curly hair: Look for a product that includes a diffuser attachment, and use it on low heat to add definition without disrupting the natural curl pattern.
Straight hair: Pick a dryer with a cool shot button to lock in a sleek finish.
Dry hair: Choose a dryer that provides consistent, non-damaging heat.
Frizz-prone hair: Use an ionic or tourmaline dryer to help seal the cuticle.
Oily hair: Opt for a dryer with high heat settings and a cool shot button.
Damaged hair: To preserve your strands, get a low-heat, infrared dryer
Is an ionic or ceramic hair dryer better?
It depends. "Ionic dryers help with frizz and shine, while ceramic distributes heat evenly and is better for sensitive or fine textures," said Ballance, adding that most high-end and professional-level dryers have both.
Which hair dryer is the least damaging?
While Nolan likes infrared or ceramic hair dryers for non-damaging results, Ballance noted the importance of choosing a dryer with greater control over heat and airflow settings.
