After 16 hours of research evaluating 110 products, we picked Xtava Double Shine Ionic Dryer as our top choice.
Almost everyone has made the mistake of buying the first (or cheapest) blow dryer they see at the store. It’s a product that most of us don’t really pay much attention to.
However, not buying a quality hair dryer can leave you with seriously damaged hair. According to Annals of Dermatology, “Hair dryers can cause hair damage such as roughness, dryness and loss of hair color.”
The benefits of using a quality blow dryer are game-changing. You (and everyone else) will notice shinier, softer, and healthier hair. And, your drying time will most likely be cut in half. Which leaves more time for other things – like actually having breakfast in the morning.
You might be wondering:
What makes a quality hair dryer? And, with so many hair dryers to choose from, it can be tough to know which one to buy. We at Lovablepicks are here to help.
We’ve spent hours researching the best models, reading honest reviews, and trying out a few ourselves to bring you the best hair dryers for every hair type.
Also, if you’re looking for a dry shampoo so you don’t have to wash your hair as often, we’ve got you covered there, too.
#1 Best Overall Ionic Hair Dryer
Xtava Double Shine Ionic Dryer
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- Tons of settings allow you to customize your blowout
- Looks and feels like a professional hair dryer
- Leaves hair soft and shiny without damaging hair
Pros
A salon-quality hair dryer with customizable ion settings and a beautiful black and rose gold design.
Cons
The dryer doesn’t get very hot and it can be heavy to use.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
#2 Best Hair Dryer for Frizzy Hair
dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
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- Extremely lightweight so you won’t get tired of holding it
- Leaves your hair feeling smooth and soft
- Will cut your dry time in half
Pros
A hair dryer with a high-speed, powerful, brushless, digital motor and intelligent heat control for shine.
Cons
Expensive and only comes with a two-year warranty.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
#3 Best Hair Dryer for Fine Hair
Drybar Buttercup Blow Dryer
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- Doesn’t leave your hair feeling dry and brittle
- Gives body to thin hair
- Your thin hair will never look better
Pros
The Buttercup was designed for use by stylists at Drybar salons across the US to deliver perfect, long-lasting blow-outs. Additionally, this good looking dryer features a trendy design and vibrant yellow color.
Cons
Expensive and only comes with a one-year warranty.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
#4 Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair
DevaCurl DevaDryer & DevaFuser
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- Best dryer for curly haired girls
- Creates a uniform curl appearance
- Diffuser attachment dries hair faster
Pros
A dryer and diffuser duo specifically designed for wavy and curly hair.
Cons
This dryer doesn’t have a lot of heat (to prevent frizziness) so some say it has a long drying time.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
#5 Best Hair Dryer for Thick Hair
BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Dryer
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- Blow dries the thickest hair in half the time
- Gives lots of volume to thin hair
- The cool button is actually cool air not room temperature
Pros
A powerful 200-watt hair dryer that will blowdry thick hair fast.
Cons
Doesn’t come with a diffuser.
Product Ratings
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#6 Best Affordable Hair Dryer
Remington Damage Control Ceramic Hair Dryer
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- Affordable and does exactly what it needs to do
- Doesn’t leave your hair frizzy
- Features a hook so it can be hung on the wall easily
Pros
An affordable hair dryer that reduces frizz and adds shine. Comes with 3 heat and 2 speed settings in addition to a cool shot button.
Cons
The diffuser attachment doesn’t stay put and falls off of the dryer, and the cord also isn’t very long.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
#7 Best Travel Hair Dryer
Sephora Collection Mini Blast Travel Ionic Blow Dryer
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- As much power as a full size blow dryer
- Barely weighs anything
- Affordable and you can take it anywhere
Pros
A petite, ultra-light, yet powerful, ionic dryer with all the features of a full-size dryer – ideal for storage or travel.
Cons
Doesn’t include a cool blast setting.
Product Ratings
Who’s it for?
Best Hair Dryer Expert Tips & Guide
What should you look for in a hair dryer? What are some features of a good hair dryer?
When shopping for a hair dryer it’s easy to become overwhelmed rather quickly. Hair dryers have come a long way and now feature countless bells and whistles. It’s easy to buy the first (or cheapest) blow dryer they see at the store. It’s a product that most of us don’t really pay much attention to. However, not buying a quality hair dryer can leave you with seriously damaged hair. According to Annals of Dermatology, “Hair dryers can cause hair damage such as roughness, dryness and loss of hair color.” The benefits of using a quality blow dryer are game-changing. You (and everyone else) will notice shinier, softer, and healthier hair. And, your drying time will most likely be cut in half.
High wattage:
The first thing you want to look for in a hair dryer is high wattage. This means how much wind power the hair dryer actually has. If a hair dryer has low wattage (low wind power), it’s only blowing out hot air, which can cause serious damage. A hair dryer with low wattage fries your hair. High wattage will help your hair dry faster and cut your drying time down significantly. Those with thinner hair should look for a hair dryer with 1800 or higher, while girls with thicker hair should find a dryer around 3600.
Ceramic and tourmaline:
If you’re looking for a hair dryer that leaves your hair smooth and silky, this is a feature you are going to want. Tourmaline is a mineral that seals the cuticle, keeping moisture in your hair. And, a ceramic dryer is going to distribute heat evenly.
Attachments:
When looking for a hair dryer, check to see if it comes with attachments. Most hair dryers typically do however, some are an added cost. You are going to want a nozzle attachment, especially for blowouts. This attachment forces the air directly where you point it, reducing frizz while straightening. If you like to wear your hair curly, you want a diffuser attachment as well.
A cool shot button:
This button is crucial in a hair dryer. Not only does it seal your style at the end, but it also boosts shine.
Lightweight:
Professional hair dryers can be heavy because of their powerful motors. But keep in mind; you’re going to be holding it for 20 minutes or more. Although it’s a good workout, you don’t want your arm to go numb. Find a hair dryer with a powerful motor yet is lightweight enough to hold. You’ll thank us later.
What is an ionic hair dryer?
Ions are charged particles with either a positive or negative charge. Think back to high school chemistry. Your hair naturally has areas of positive or negative charge, too. The ionic technology in hair dryers breaks up the water molecules, which dries your hair much faster. It also leaves your hair looking shiny and frizz-free. Not only does a ionic hair dryer use heat and wind power, but it also uses ions.
What is a ceramic hair dryer?
Ceramic is a material that is made of clay. It heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly throughout your hair. Ceramic hair dryers use infrared heat that goes into the hair shaft, keeping hair’s natural moisture and shine. So they’re a good choice for fine or dry hair that damages easily.
How do you use a hair dryer? How do you blow-dry your hair?
Blow-drying your hair isn’t easy, it’s a process. Especially if you want that perfectly smooth, blow out look. Here’s how to blow-dry your hair like a pro:
Step one: Wash your hair with a good shampoo and conditioner
The type of shampoo and conditioner you’re using can make all the difference. You want a moisturizing shampoo with any harmful chemicals like sulfates. Sulfates damage your hair and strip the color. Also, try leaving your conditioner in for 5-10 minutes while you clean the rest of your body. The longer you leave it in, the more it can penetrate into your hair.
Step two: Towel dry your hair or let it air dry
Blow-drying your hair when its sopping wet can lead to even more damage. Not to mention, it’s more time that your hair is getting blasted with heat. Instead, wait to start the blow dryer until your hair is slightly dry. You can either let it air dry for few minutes or use a towel. Gently wrap your towel around your hair and squeeze a few times to absorb the excess water. Rubbing your hair with your towel will only cause more damage and frizz.
Step three: Separate your hair into sections using clips
If your hair is short or thin, you may only need two sections. However, if your hair is longer, you will probably want to separate your hair into three or four. Keep in mind the bigger your sections, the longer it will take to dry.
Step four: Start blow-drying
Using the nozzle attachment and a large, round brush, start blow-drying small manageable sections. It’s important to aim the nozzle down to prevent damage and frizz. And, blow dry the sections away from your scalp. Unclip the top layers and repeat until all of your hair is dry.
Step five: Finish with a blast of cold air
Using your cool shot button, run the blow dryer over your hair. The cool air will seal your style and lock in shine.
What is the best hair dryer?
The Xtava Double Shine Ionic Dryer is a professional-quality hair dryer with customizable ion settings and a beautiful black and rose gold design. This must-have hair dryer delivers amazing results for any type of hair. It provides high heat for those of you with thick or coarse hair and low heat for those of you with thin or fragile hair. Not only is it beautiful (it’s black and rose gold) but also it provides salon quality at an affordable price. What sets this hair dryer apart is the innovative ion settings. Most dryers come with heat and speed settings, but the Xtava actually lets you customize the amount of ions you want. You can switch the ion setting to 2 for a sleek and silky blowout or down to 0 for more texture and volume. The Xtava Double Shine Ionic Dryer is packed with 2x more ions, so you can achieve your silkiest, glossiest hair yet. As a bonus, it comes with two attachments: a concentrator nozzle and diffuser. This hair dryer is $46.99 and the best news is, it comes with a two-year warranty.
What is the best travel hair dryer?
The Sephora Collection Mini Blast Travel Ionic Blow Dryer is a petite, ultra-light, yet powerful, ionic dryer with all the features of a full-size dryer – ideal for storage or travel. This little dryer is for anyone who travels often (or doesn’t have a lot of bathroom storage). This amazingly compact, lightweight, mini dryer features dual-voltage technology, so you can use it anywhere around the globe. Inside, it has a powerful DC motor, which infuses negative ions into your hair.
The ionic drying reduces static and seals the cuticle, helping your hair retain natural moisture and enhance shine. Dual settings allow your hair to dry in half the time, and a plug adapter enables easy powering when you’re travelling abroad. The dryer also includes a diffuser nozzle and features a soft-touch rubberized finish. You really can’t beat the $26 price. You’ll be glad you got this handy little dryer for your next vacation. It’s much better than the one you’ll find in the hotel.
Is it good to use a hair dryer?
We hate to say it, but no it’s not good to use a hair dryer. According to Dr. Oz, using a hair dryer too much can cause damage to your hair by drying it out and breaking it. To limit how much you use a blow dryer, let your hair air dry partially before you use the hair dryer. If you don’t need the blow dryer every day, don’t use it. Instead, stick to using a hair dryer once a week.
What are the disadvantages of using a hair dryer?
Obviously, hair dryers produce a lot of heat, which isn’t good for your hair. When too many heat tools are used, your hair loses its natural oils. This causes your hair and scalp to become seriously dry. Also, when your hair follicles are exposed to too much heat, it can cause them to break apart. The result: split ends, and dull, frizzy hair.
How do you air-dry your hair?
Air drying your hair is pretty much the best thing you can do to keep it healthy. And, it all starts in the shower. While your conditioner is setting, use a wide-tooth comb to brush through your hair. Brushing your hair as it dries after your shower is a serious no-no. It causes unwanted frizz and breakage.
Once you’re out of the shower, don’t towel dry your hair too much. Instead, gently squeeze your ends to absorb excess water. After your hair is somewhat dry, use a leave in conditioner. This can be as simple as coconut oil. Apply it to your hair as you scrunch. If you desire natural, beachy waves, do the twist. This means, twist sections of your hair into spirals and spritz with sea salt spray.
