THE TOP 9 HAIR DRYERS FOR 2023, ACCORDING TO BEAUTY EXPERTS

A high-quality hair dryer is one of the secrets to achieving gorgeous, salon-quality blowouts at home. According to Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and proprietor of Hair Addict Salon in Toms River, New Jersey, "you need the biggest amount of power with the best type of airflow to protect the hair, along with the lightest weight possible" for the best results. With so many models available and what seems like an endless number of things to take into account—from your hair type and concerns to each blow dryer's technology and your desired features—it can be difficult to know where to begin.

Professional hairstylists and scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab have given us the whole low-down on the best hair dryers available. In the most current hair dryer test, GH Beauty Lab scientists assessed 41 products for performance, usability, drying time, and other factors both in the lab and at home. The results of thousands of data points were then added together to create this ranking of the top hair dryers available.

1. REMINGTON PRO HAIR DRYER WITH THERMALUXE ADVANCED THERMAL TECHNOLOGY

The Remington, which won the GH Beauty Lab test, is the best drugstore dryer for the money. It received high scores for overall performance, quick drying of hair, and great control button placement. The cloth cord on the model is likewise tangle-free, however, it is shorter than other cords.

Despite the low cost, this instrument comes with a concentrator and diffuser attachment, among other features. Two people commented on the good air pressure and heat emitted, while some users believed it was a touch hefty and loud. A tester said, "It dried hair quickly but wasn't excessively hot." Another gushed, "After using this drier, my hair was not frizzy."

2. HOT TOOLS PROFESSIONAL TURBO IONIC DRYER

In our testing, this little Hot Tools model received near-perfect ratings for drying speed and was placed highly for powerful airflow. The fact that it left their hair less frizzy and was smaller and easier to store won over the testers. They gave it excellent grades for its ergonomic design and easy-to-reach controls, and both lab tests and consumer reviews noted how quiet it was.

The tool's cord is of a good length, but it is missing a tie. Users also reported that the provided concentrator attachment was shaky.

3. BIO IONIC GRAPHENEMX BRUSHLESS PROFESSIONAL HAIR DRYER

In GH Beauty Lab testing, Bio Ionic's hairdryer was more powerful than other models while also being kinder to hair and scalp, which is important for damaged or fine hair. Even with the lowest air temperature and the highest setting out of the three, it swiftly dried hair samples. Expert testers said the attachments were simple to attach and remove and that it was pleasant to carry. They also gave it credit for the cool shot button's simple operation and clever placement of the control buttons.

Despite being the most expensive of the most recent test winners and being loud in sound testing, it includes a storage bag and a 10-year warranty on the motor.

4. DYSON SUPERSONIC HAIR DRYER

This one-of-a-kind Dyson design, which has the engine in the handle, is a favorite among stylists since it dries hair more quickly than any other model tested in the GH Beauty Lab's history. In tests conducted in the lab, it dried an eight-inch hair sample in just 54 seconds and had a powerful airflow. Although it doesn't come with a tie, the tool also has a long cable, and testers felt that the buttons are difficult to reach.

The hair dryer comes with a unique set of five attachments, all of which are magnetic for easy use. These include two concentrators, a diffuser, an attachment for smoothing flyaways, and an attachment for gentle air.

5. PANASONIC EH-NA65 NANOE HAIR DRYER

Thanks to its strong airflow and temperature, the lightweight Olivia Garden blow dryer dried hair fast without making their scalps feel heated, according to GH Beauty Lab testers. It has a generously long chord, was simple to handle and use, and is scored perfectly for adjusting attachments.

One of our qualified reviewers said, "I appreciate the size and weight and it provides fairly forceful airflow." It is well-made and appears to be such.

6. INSTYLER TURBO MAX IONIC HAIR DRYER

The InStyler ionic hair dryer, which has a dial to adjust the heat level, excelled in GH Beauty Lab tests for producing a powerful airflow. It won for being easy to handle and having intuitive buttons, and the strong airflow translated to quick drying speed.

Although sound tests revealed it to be noisy, the tool was also lightweight and the attachments were simple to put on and take off. According to two specialists, they "love" this model. One person said that it is "lightweight but powerful, easy to handle and operate." Another commented, "Gives a wonderful, forceful airflow yet isn't overbearing."

7. FUNTIN HAIR DRYER WITH DIFFUSER

Intelligent Thermostat Technology mixes ionized air with high-velocity hot air for ultra-fast drying without heat damage. Your 3C thick hair could dry in 1-3 minutes with less frizz. It gives a very powerful output of 2200W, to further protect you when drying your hair, products have received the Europ CE Certification and CPC Certification Approved 16A BS Plug. Strong, fast-drying hair dryer for straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair Including a Diffuser, Brush, and Nozzle as accessories.

Built-in Negative Ion Technology, Thermostatic Temperature Control, and Intelligent Motor. independent switches for wind and temperature adjustment Powerful, all-in-one, and a gorgeous hair dryer at that!

8. CRICKET ULTRA SMOOTH PROFESSIONAL HAIR DRYER

In tests conducted by the GH Beauty Lab, Cricket's hair dryer model produced high heat emissions and strong airflow to quickly dry even dense or coarse hair. Although it may become too hot for hair types with fragile, fine, or damaged, it had the highest air temperature of the top dryers at 150°F, making it a good option for thick hair. One user noted that at the highest heat setting, the dryer can become excessively hot and the cool air didn't activate as quickly.

The instrument received great marks for being easy to use and for being pleasant to hold. It also includes a long cord with a Velcro tie connected.

9. DRYBAR BABY BUTTERCUP BLOW DRYER

The top-of-the-line dual voltage model from Drybar, which won the GH Beauty Lab's travel hair dryer test, offers powerful, quick-drying performance in a compact design. For having simple-to-use settings, drying hair samples fast, and having powerful airflow, it received an A+ in lab evaluations.

Although it was heavier than other models and took more work to properly position and remove the attachment, the tool was also the simplest to use and most pleasant to grip. A professional assessor said, "Wow, this is powerful." It's a perfect size and, until the handle is folded, doesn't look like a travel drier.

What to look for when shopping for the best hair dryer

According to GH Beauty Lab researchers, there are a number of things to take into account when buying a high-quality hair dryer:

• Heat and speed settings that you may change to suit your hair type and preferences. These settings let you choose how much heat and power the hair dryer produces.

• Attachments have a significant impact on different hair textures since they change the airflow of a hair drier. The two that are either sold individually or are most frequently included with hair dryers are these

• Diffusers are excellent for curly hair because they diffuse the airstream from the hair dryer to avoid frizz while circulating air to the ends of the hair, which can help define curls and even add volume.

• Concentrators restrict the airflow of the hair dryer so that it blows air directly onto the hair for sleek, silky styles. For various reasons, they are available in various sizes: Designed for wider surfaces, broad, extended concentrator nozzles are "helpful for thick and long hair as they help it dry faster," according to Wizemann. Curly and frizzy hair can achieve a sleek blowout using short, narrow concentrator nozzles since their forceful flows are perfect for taming frizz.

• "Cool shot" button The cold-shot button on all of the top-rated hair dryers in the most current GH Beauty Lab test can aid to shut the hair's cuticle and lock in the style, avoiding frizz after drying is complete.

• The Wattage. The watts of a hair dryer determine its power: The Beauty Lab advises using 1,500–2,000 watts for the greatest results on any type of hair (1,875 watts is the most common hair dryer wattage).

• The use of ions."The advantages of the ionization technique are clear "Explained Wizemann. "When you have ionized technology turned on and off, advantages are obvious. Without an ionizer, air blasting causes static to build up, whereas, with one, the hair is better aligned and appears shinier." If you have curly hair that is prone to frizz and flyaways, go for an ionic hair dryer.

• Be skeptical of claims about specialized technology. On their product packaging, several hair dryers promote unique technology like far-infrared radiation or ceramic/ceramic-tourmaline, however, these aren't necessary for an effective drying process.

What's the best hair dryer for my hair type?

• Finding a tool whose settings may be personalized for you is more important when selecting the best hair dryer for your particular texture or length. Observe some broad recommendations on what to look for depending on your hair type:

• If you have curly hair (curl types 3A to 4C), go for an attachment-rich ionic hair dryer. All curly and kinky hair types must use a diffuser if they want to appreciate their natural texture, and if they want to smooth it, they must use a small nozzle attachment, advises Wizemann.

• Thin hair: In general, choose a hair drier with modest heat settings because higher temperatures might harm delicate strands. "High temperature is unnecessary for swiftly drying thin and flat hair unless you have thick, coarse hair," says one expert.

• Long or thick hair: For optimal power, look for a drier with a higher voltage. According to Wizemann, "a higher voltage hair drier will typically display a more robust flow and temperature on higher settings, great for shaping thicker, denser, and longer hair that demands stronger heat and airflow.

• Hair extensions: Both synthetic and human hair extensions don't require a specific dryer. According to Cleveland, standard hair dryers work well on all hair types in general.