The 10 Best Hair Dryers of 2022, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall: Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold 2000 Watt Ionic Hair Dryer

5

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The Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold 2000 earned perfect scores all around in terms of ease of use, features, drying performance, look and feel durability, and overall value. Our tester loved how it felt in her hand. She said it was easy to maneuver, thanks to the ergonomic design, grooved control switches, easy-to-access turbo button, and extra-long power cord.

In addition to the turbo boost, this blow dryer has three speeds, three temperature settings, and a cold-shot button. There's also an ionizer switch for customizing how voluminous or smooth you want your hair.

Our tester said it not only dried her hair efficiently but also smoothed out her unruly waves, preventing them from getting frizzy in humid New York City weather. She used it with a round brush and loved how easy it was to create a sleek look with flippy ends and swoopy bangs. The price is somewhat steep, but considering the high-quality design and salon-level results, we think this hair dryer is well worth the investment.

Features: AC motor, 3 speeds, 3 temperatures, turbo boost, cold shot, diffuser, 9-foot power cord, ergonomic handle | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $72

Best Budget: Conair InfinitiPRO SmoothWrap Hair Dryer

4.9

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Interested in something more budget-friendly? We highly recommend Conair's InfinitiPRO SmoothWrap. Our tester liked the overall design, explaining that it's sturdy and compact with a long cord and a velcro strap for securing it. It's got two speeds, three heat settings, and a cold-shot button and comes with a concentrator attachment and a diffuser.

Our tester's hair was dry in under five minutes, and the concentrator nozzle helped minimize frizz. Though this isn't the cheapest hair dryer you'll find at the drugstore, we still think the price is on-point for the quality, features, and performance.

Features: Ceramic technology, dual ion therapy, 6 heat/speed settings, cold shot, diffuser, removable filter | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $40

Best Splurge: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

5

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This may not come as a surprise, but if you're open to splurging on a blow dryer, the Dyson Supersonic is where it's at. After trying it out in The Lab, we can confirm it is that good. Our tester wasn't sure where to place her hand at first since the air filter is at the bottom of the handle. Still, it dried her hair remarkably fast, leaving her with a smooth blowout in under five minutes.

This compact and sturdy hair dryer comes with a whopping five magnetic attachments, including a flyaway nozzle, a concentrator, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb. It also flaunts seven heat and speed settings, plus a cold-shot button for sealing in your look. Once you get the hang of all the bells and whistles, the Supersonic is quick and easy to use.

Features: Intelligent heat control, diffuser, flyaway attachment, concentrator nozzle, wide-tooth comb, gentle air attachment, 7 heat/speed settings, cold shot | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $600

Best Lightweight: Instyler Turbo Ionic Hair Dryer

4.8

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Prefer a lightweight model? The InStyler Turbo Ionic Dryer weighs less than a pound (13.5 ounces, to be exact) and boasts an efficient DC (direct current) motor and a powerful turbine fan. Our tester liked that the air settings are on a dial, making them easy to adjust as you dry your hair.

We also appreciate the extra-long power cord and included attachments. This blow dryer has only two heat settings, but it does the job. Though she would have liked to see a bit more shine, our tester said it made her hair nice and smooth. Considering the features, quality, and overall design, we think the price is pretty reasonable too.

Features: 2 heat settings, cold shot, custom airflow, tourmaline ceramic technology, diffuser, smoothing nozzle, 9-foot power cord | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $90

Best Quick-Drying: ghd Air 1600W Professional Hair Dryer

4.9

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If you're short on time and need something that dries your hair quickly, look no further than the GHD Air 1600W. This blow dryer is undoubtedly expensive, but hear us out. Toggling between high and low heat, our tester said it effectively dried her colored hair in seven minutes, leaving her with a high-volume, frizz-free finish she thinks would hold up in humid weather.

We liked the compact and sturdy design, long power cord, and range of settings. This hair dryer also comes with a smoothing concentrator and a diffuser ring for creating bouncy curls. While we'd like to see a couple more attachments for this price, we're all-around pleased with the performance of the Air 1600W.

Features: Precision nozzles, diffuser, AC motor, 3 temperatures, 2 speeds | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $199

Best Design: amika The CEO 360° Lightweight Powerhouse Hair Dryer

4.6

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We were thoroughly impressed with this pretty printed hair dryer from Amika. Flaunting a feature-rich design, The CEO has an ergonomic handle and adjustable temperature settings, plus positive and negative ion generators that promise to penetrate each strand, seal your hair cuticles, and deliver enviable volume.

Our tester said it doesn't emit a ton of heat, so her hair didn't feel fried afterward. She also liked the cold-shot button, explaining that it helped keep frizz at bay and gave her hair a bit of oomph. Though this blow dryer is one of the more expensive options we tried, it was ultimately user-friendly and effective. Not only that, but it passed the drop test with no scuffs or scratches to speak of.

Features: Ergonomic design, positive and negative ions, adjustable heat, cold shot | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $200

Best for Curly Hair: DevaCurl DevaDryer and DevaFuser For All Curl Kind

4.7

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Curly hair? The DevaDryer is your best bet. Our tester loved how it felt in her hand, explaining that it's comfortable, lightweight, and easy to maneuver with a long power cord. This blow dryer has three temperature settings, two fan speeds, and a cold-shot button. But it stands out for its signature hand-shaped diffuser attachment (aka the DevaFuser).

With the diffuser attached, this blow dryer dried our tester's curly mane within eight minutes. (This was a significant improvement from the typical 20 minutes it takes her). She loved the finished look of her hair, explaining that the DevaDryer and DevaFuser enhanced her natural texture and curl pattern while minimizing frizz and flyaways. The price is steep, but it might be a worthwhile investment if you want to give your curls the ultimate drying treatment.

Features: Hand-shaped diffuser, ionic technology, 3 temperatures, 2 speeds, cold shot | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $175

Best Portable: T3 Afar Travel Size Hair Dryer

4.7

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For on-the-go blowouts, we recommend the T3 Afar. Weighing just over 12 ounces with a convenient folding handle, this travel-sized hair dryer is lightweight and compact. But despite the small size, it doesn't skimp on features or performance. Our tester liked the various heat and speed settings. She said it dried her hair notably quickly, leaving her with healthy-looking strands and minimal frizz.

We also appreciate the extra-long power cord, especially since you never know where your nearest outlet will be when you're on a trip. And while there's no velcro strap to wrap up the cord, this hair dryer comes with a heat-safe travel pouch. It's pricey, but the two-year warranty can give you some peace of mind about your purchase.

Features: Ionic technology, folding handle, 3 temperatures, 2 speeds, cold shot, concentrator attachment, 9-foot power cord, travel case | Wireless: No

Price at time of publish: $180