Whether you’re thinking, ‘salon finish’ or simply want to shave a few minutes off your morning routine, treat yourself to the best hair dryer for wonderful results, at home.
Best Hair Dryer UK
We’ve compared 76 hair dryers to find the best model in every price category. Tested in UK homes & rated by experts, here’s everything you need to know to help you choose the right model, quickly.
Curly, straight, frizzy, thick, fine – whatever your hair type & budget, here are the best hair dryers you can buy, right now…
TRESemme 5542DU – Budget Choice
£21 – £33 | See Best Price on Amazon
The TRESemme is a no-fuss, lightweight hairdryer that’s also good value for money.
Surprisingly at this price, Ionic technology (info below) is built-in. Plus, this hairdryer only weighs around 500g – it’s one of the lightest full-size models available.
The controls are limited to a single sliding switch that adjusts power and heat together. Plus there’s no cool shot button. Affordable and with 1000s of very happy owners. it clearly gets lots right but we’d recommend spending a few quid more to get separate controls and a cool shot button.
POWER 2200w | AIRFLOW & TEMP SETTINGS 3 | COOL SHOT No | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER No | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.5kg | CORD LENGTH 2.4m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 1 Year
If you want a cheap, super-light, no-fuss hairdryer buy this TRESemme
BaByliss Platinum Diamond
£39 – £60 | See Best Price on Amazon
This hair dryer is perfect for curly (or straight!) hair
Plus, it comes with a diffuser and nozzle attachment – making it a good choice for straight hair too. It’s excellent value and has the all-important separate heat & power controls that are missing on the TRESemme above.
With three heat settings and two for power, the BaByliss Curl Dry gives you the all-important, separate controls. Plus, there’s a cool shot button, for locking in shape and curl. The previous Babyliss model had a rather short cord, but happily, this new model comes with a decent 2.5m
POWER 2300w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 2 | TEMP RANGE 3 | COOL SHOT Yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER Yes | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.7kg | CORD LENGTH 2.5m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 3 Year
With the all-important separate heat and power controls, plus a cool shot button, the BaByliss Curl Dry is our standout affordable hair dryer – perfect for all hair types
Beurer Style Pro – Best for Travel
£25 – £25 | See Best Price on Amazon
A travel hair dryer must be super light, small and work anywhere in the world. Plus, it must be great at drying your hair! The Beurer Style weighs under 450 grams. It’s super light & measures less than 22cm in length.
The folding handle means it will easily fit in most handbags. Plus, with dual voltage, it will work anywhere in the world. A single slider switch on the handle changes airflow and temperature together which is a small compromise. But if you’re only using this device on your travels, rather than every day, it’s not a big problem. Happily, there’s a cool shot button.
It’s powerful for its size and weight. But don’t be surprised that the output is less than full-size, more expensive models.
POWER 1600w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 2 | TEMP RANGE 2 | COOL SHOT Yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER No | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.43kg | CORD LENGTH 1.8m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 3 Year
If you’re looking for a low-cost, light, travel hair dryer to take anywhere, then the Beurer Style Pro is the right model for you
Wahl PowerPik 5000 – Best for Frizzy & Afro Hair
£30 – £37 | See Best Price on Amazon
The Wahl PowerPik 5000 is designed for afro and frizzy hair. This ionic hair dryer is powerful and has good controls. However, it’s the Pik comb that makes it perfect for afro hair.
The Pik attachment fits firmly to this Wahl model allowing you to pull the curl out, as you dry. Importantly, the long tooth design directs airflow through to the hair root and doesn’t overheat.
This powerful hair dryer has two settings for airflow and three for heat, plus a cool shot button giving you the right controls to lock in your style. This model feels robust and well-made, although it’s a little heavier than some.
POWER 2000w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 2 | TEMP RANGE 3 | COOL SHOT yes | CONCENTRATOR NOZZLE Yes | PIK Yes | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.85kg | CORD LENGTH 3m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 1 Year
The Wahl PowerPik 5000 is a good choice for anyone looking for a quality hair dryer and a clear best-buy for frizzy & afro hair
Panasonic Nanoe – Best Hair Dryer
£60 – £110 | See Best Price on Amazon
There’s everything to like about the Panasonic Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer.
With four temperature settings, three air-flow and a cool shot trigger, this hair dryer gives you the right control and the latest technology for beautiful shiny glossy hair.
It comes with three nozzles – concentrator, quick-dry and diffuser. It’s a top choice for all hair types. However, it’s the technology that makes this blow dryer stand out.
This hair dryer is designed to lock in moisture and reduce the chance of split ends. Proderm, a German testing lab specialising in beauty products, confirm the effectiveness of the Panasonic technology. In short, it’s perfect for sleek, smooth & shiny hair.
This hair dryer is reasonably lightweight, it has a removable filter & the cord is a good length at 2.7m. Plus, the Panasonic brand has a good heritage, giving confidence that this blow dryer is built to last.
POWER 2000w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 3 | TEMP RANGE 4 | COOL SHOT Yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER Yes | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.6kg | CORD LENGTH 2.7m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 1 Year
The Panasonic Nanoe comes with the right technology for beautiful shiny hair. And when discounted, it’s affordable too
Parlux 3200 Plus – Best Pro Hair Dryer
£120 – £168 | See Best Price on Amazon
Maximum performance and longevity make this hair dryer from Parlux the choice for Pro hairdressers across the UK.
Powerful and lightweight it’s easy to use and very effective. Weighing less than 500 grams this is one of the lightest hair dryers you can buy. Plus, the 3m cord brings convenience to dry your hair where you want, rather than the feeling of being tethered to the wall socket.
This pro-rated hair dryer has all the right controls, it’s powerful, doesn’t overheat and it’s easy to use. Plus, designed for salon use, it will keep going, year after year. Looking for negatives, the packaging could be better, but aside from this, the Parlux 3200 is near perfect.
Ask your hairdresser which is the best hair dryer brand and they’re likely to say Parlux
POWER 1900w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 2 | TEMP RANGE 4 | COOL SHOT yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER No | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.5kg | CORD LENGTH 3m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 1 Year
This hair dryer stands out for salon professionals and is the top pro-choice for UK homes
ghd Air – Best Seller
£100 – £119 | See Best Price on Amazon
ghd Air owners love this hairdryer. Many describe it as the best blow dryer they’ve ever owned. It has three settings for heat, two for power and a cool shot button to lock in style & shape. It’s super powerful and dries hair quickly. This ghd hairdryer feels robust and well-made.
The 3m cord and a wide nozzle attachment, add to the great specification. Furthermore, if you’re buying this model as a gift, it comes in a stylish box. The ghd Air feels like a hairdryer you’d find in a top salon. Highly rated for power & design, it comes highly recommended.
POWER 2100w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 2 | TEMP RANGE 2 | COOL SHOT yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER No | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.71kg | CORD LENGTH 3m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 1 Year
Everyone wants healthy, shiny hair and this model from ghd is a decent alternative to the Parlux (detailed above)
Dyson Supersonic – Blow the Budget Hair Dryer
£330 | See Best Price at Currys
According to Dyson, no other hairdryer is faster. It avoids extreme heat and it’s engineered to suit different hair types. Plus, the powerful motor which is built into the handle rather than the body is super quiet. It’s the right choice for every hair type, with a smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator and diffuser all included. Plus the 2.8m power cord should be long enough.
There are three power settings, three for heat and a cool shot button for locking in your style. This blow dryer won’t frazzle your locks, as it has clever electronics to constantly monitor and control the temperature. Plus, its high power output will dry your hair quickly. It does this at a lower temperature than most hairdryers, promising healthier glossy hair.
The Dyson investment in hair dryer technology has undoubtedly lifted the whole market. And while the Supersonic is unquestionably a great option, at over £300, it’s expensive.
POWER 1600w | AIR FLOW SETTINGS 3 | TEMP RANGE 4 | COOL SHOT Yes | CONCENTRATOR/NOZZLE Yes | DIFFUSER Yes | IONIC Yes | WEIGHT 0.66kg | CORD LENGTH 2.8m | REMOVABLE FILTER Yes | WARRANTY 2 Year
If you want the absolute best, blow the budget & buy the Dyson
Choosing The Best Hair Dryer
We use eight principal criteria to separate the best models from the mediocre and duds. If you’re looking to do your own research, this list is a good starting point.
- Separate controls for temperature & airflow are super important. Too much heat will leave your hair looking dull & lifeless. Whatever your hair type, you need full control for a fast effective blow dry.
- Power rating gives an indication of maximum airflow & temperature. However, a high wattage doesn’t necessarily translate to a good hairdryer. Some are more efficient than others.
- A cool shot button is essential for locking in a style.
- A lightweight design is much easier to use. (Unless you’re looking for a morning workout!)
- Get the right attachments for your hair type. A concentrator nozzle is a must for straight hair, a diffuser is best for curly locks and a Pik is great for afro hair.
- Cord length is important – use your hairdryer where you want rather than feeling tethered to the wall socket.
- A powerful quiet hair dryer always wins over a noisy model.
- Longevity – the best hair dryer must work well for years, not months.
FAQs
What’s the best hair dryer for fine hair?
Heat damages your hair. To dry fine hair, use a narrow nozzle and good controls. This allows you to dry your hair with a low heat setting. Cranking up the temperature will suck out all the moisture leaving your hair dry and brittle. Plus, keep the hairdryer moving. Take care, not to over-dry your hair – especially the finest strands close to your face.
What’s the best hair dryer for curly hair?
The longer you leave your hair to dry naturally, the better. Then use a final blast on high settings, if you want to add volume. However, this isn’t always practical. For those days when you need to look great, quickly, it’s definitely worth using a hairdryer with a diffuser.
What’s the best hair dryer for thick hair?
If you’re reading this, it will come as no surprise that drying thick hair takes a long time. Choose a powerful blow dryer and crank up the airflow. However, look to keep the heat on a low or medium setting. Only use high heat for the final set.
What’s an ‘Ionic’ Hair Dryer?
The use of Ionic technology in hairdryers is claimed by manufacturers and stylists to reduce static and improve shine. The idea is that blasting your hair with negatively charged ions will do this. While there does seem to be some consensus that the immediate effects of an Ionic hairdryer are preferable to a standard model, there is a lack of scientific evidence to verify this – some debate over the technology continues. However, there is no downside to the technology and all our recommended models are Ionic.
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UK VERDICT
The Babyliss is a bargain. Separate heat & power controls, plus a cool shot button give this model standout appeal at the budget end of the market.
The Panasonic Nanoe is the overall Best Buy – The latest technology gives exceptional shine and it comes with all the right attachments for every hair type.
Costing a few quid more, the Parlux 3200 is the choice for professional hairdressers. Powerful & well built, it’s designed for regular use and most importantly, beautiful hair.
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