Hair drying tech has come a long way in recent years and thankfully we’re no longer required to fry our strands when trying to achieve the perfect blowout—but that doesn’t mean all hair dryers are created equal.
We’ve scoured the beauty market for the very best in hair drying innovation so you can achieve bouncy, shiny, healthy hair without huge amounts of time and effort.
Keep reading for the best hair dryers to get your hands on no matter your budget or hair type.
Best All Rounder Hair Dryer
Parlux 385 Premium Hair Dryer
PRICE: $299
You’ll find the Parlux 385 hair dryer in the hands of some of the world’s best hairdressers because it’s just that good. Light to hold yet powerful enough to take your locks from wet to dry in no time at all, the Parlux is made with ionic and ceramic technology, along with recyclable materials. Made in Italy, it features four temperatures and two speed settings, as well as a cold shot button for locking in that blow-dried bounce. In the box you’ll find small and large nozzles for a professional finish and you can grab a diffuser add on if you’ve got curls for days. Buy it here.
Best Top End Hair Dryer
Dyson Supersonic Black Nickel
PRICE: $599
Say hello to smooth tresses thanks to the brand new anti-flyaway attachment that now comes with Dyson’s highly praised Supersonic hair dryer. While it might seem a little too pricey, if your hair sits in the difficult to style (or dry) category, this hair dryer will be your best friend. Heat damage is a thing of the past thanks to Dyson's tech which checks the temperature 40 times a second. With three speed settings, four heat settings and five magnetic attachments included you’ll be able to achieve any ‘do you desire. Buy it here.
Best Travel Hair Dryer
Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer
PRICE: $214
Ultra lightweight and compact, Drybar’s travel blow dryer is the bee’s knees. Weighing in at just 360g, the hair dryer features a collapsible handle, two heat settings and can be operated at 120 and 220-240 volts meaning you can take it anywhere without risk of frying the motor. Pop it in the included travel bag and shove it in one of your shoes for your next adventure. Buy it here.
Best Affordable Hair Dryer
Mermade Hair Hair Dryer
PRICE: $89
Affordable and cute, this small but mighty hair dryer from Mermade Hair won’t damage your hair thanks to its ionic technology. Choose between 96, 106 and 116 degrees celsius, two speed settings and two concentrating attachments depending on the style you want to achieve, and remember to seal off your hair cuticles with the cool shot post styling sesh. Buy it here.
Best Hair Dryer For Curly Hair
GHD Helios Professional Hair Dryer With Diffuser Nozzle
PRICE: Dryer $236 Nozzle $32
The GHD Helios is an incredible hair dryer on its own, but pair it with curls and the diffuser nozzle and you can say hello to shiny, bouncy locks in the blink of an eye. This salon-worthy hair dryer is lightweight and features a three metre power cord, as well as a quieter motor so you can dance around to your favourite tunes while you create curly hair goals. Buy the dryer here and the nozzle here.
Best Anti-Static Hair Dryer
CLOUD NINE The Airshot Hairdryer
PRICE: $240
For a salon-quality, speedy dry without static and frizz, the CLOUD NINE Airshot is your bestie. The ceramic dryer works well on all hair types with variable temperature control and a cool shot button to set your style in place. With two directional nozzles, the dryer features a swivel cord so you can say goodbye to getting all tangled up. Buy it here.
Best Wet To Dry Hair Dryer
Dyson Airwrap Styler Complete
PRICE: $799
A boujee buy for sure, but one that you won’t regret, particularly if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands to create dreamy hair on the reg. The Dyson Airwrap Styler dries and styles all at once using the same tech as the Supersonic hair dryer, along with the Coanda effect which protects your strands from heat damage. In the box you get everything to create bouncy waves, smooth blowouts and shiny curls. Buy it here.
Best Brush Hair Dryer
Drybar The Double Shot Oval Blow Dryer Brush
PRICE: $230
If you’re a little uncoordinated when it comes to holding your hair dryer and your brush then this blow dryer brush from Drybar has got your name all over it. Combining ionic technology, loads of vents for maximum airflow and a barrel-style brush with nylon and tufted bristles you can expect to create a shiny, smooth blowout with very little effort. It’s got three temperature settings and features a lightweight and ergonomic design to make life even easier. Buy it here.
Here's everything you need to know about clean cosmeceuticals.
Image Credit: Urban List