New and Improved: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Hair Dryers of 2022
Top-Performing Hair Dryers of 2025: Thoroughly Evaluated
Craving that just-stepped-out-of-the-salon look at home? Look no further! We've put various popular hair dryer models through the wringer to help you achieve salon-worthy hairstyles without breaking the bank. Here's our rundown of the top-performing hair dryers on the market today, for every budget and hair type.
Best Overall: Revlon One-Step Volumizer and Ionic Hair Dryer
This viral brush-style hair dryer exceeded our expectations. Our testers raved about its ultra-fast drying time and blowout results, comparing it to the pricier Dyson. Its unique design includes a non-detachable brush head with nylon pin bristles, allowing you to dry and brush your hair simultaneously. Plus, with three heat/speed settings, cool shot, and a four-year warranty, you're bound to love this high-performing, wallet-friendly beauty.
Best Mid-Range: Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer
Fans of Drybar will instantly recognize this vibrant yellow dryer by its iconic salon design. Not only does it deliver healthy, shiny, and frizz-free hair, but it also outperformed other dryers tested in key evaluation points like dry time, settings, and versatility. Weighing in at 1 pound 2 ounces, it's both powerful and easy to handle, with a long, 9-foot cord and two nozzle attachments (smoother and concentrator). Testers loved its quiet operation and overall performance, leaving their hair looking salon-worthy without needing a professional stylist.
Best High-End: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
The Dyson Supersonic lived up to the hype, boasting an ultra-fast dry time and blowout results that rivaled the salon. Its powerful V9 digital motor ensures even heat distribution while minimizing damage with intelligent heat control, and it features three magnetic attachments (diffuser, smoothing nozzle, and concentrator nozzle). With eight settings, including a cool shot, plus a quiet operation, ergonomic design, and included non-slip mat and storage hanger, this luxury dryer is worth every penny.
Best for Diffusing: DevaDryer and DevaFuser
This unique hair dryer and diffuser system is ideal for those with curly hair who struggle with heat damage. Developed with curl-flexible alternating ionic technology, this duo can create anything from defined curls to a shiny, sleek blowout. The hand-shaped DevaFuser mimics the sensation of scrunching curls, ensuring defined waves and salon-worthy curls with targeted heat flow. For those with thicker, curlier hair, this hair dryer truly sets itself apart.
Best Multi-Styling: Shark Flexstyle Air-Drying and Styling System
The Shark Flexstyle is comparable to the Dyson AirWrap in terms of attachments and drying power, featuring a powerful motor, ultra-fast dry time, and versatile styling options. Its attachments are easy to use and can create a variety of blowout styles. While it may not be as expensive as the Dyson, it still packs a powerful punch, leaving hair smooth, shiny, and looking salon-worthy.
How We Tested
We spent countless hours testing 13 hair dryers, ranging in price from $39 to $429, on four hair textures: fine and straight-to-wavy, thick and curly, 4b curls, and thick and wavy-to-curly. We evaluated each dryer based on dry time, heat and airflow speed, attachments and unique features, cord length and weight, and overall performance on various hair types. By the end, we had found five winners that left our hair looking healthy, silky smooth, and flyaway-free.
Enrichment Data
Overall
Here's a breakdown of top-rated hair dryers based on their performance across key criteria:
- Dry Time & Airflow Performance
- Shark Flexstyle Pro FLEX: Delivers rapid drying with adjustable airflow and heat settings
- Dyson Supersonic: Features intelligent heat control to minimize damage while maintaining fast drying speeds
- T3 AirePRO Professional: Uses T3 Tourmaline and IonAir technology for faster and more efficient drying
- Heat Settings & Safety
- T3 AirePRO Professional: Adjusts heat output automatically to protect hair integrity
- Shark Flexstyle Pro FLEX: Includes a "scald protection" feature to minimize heat damage
- Dyson Supersonic: Monitors airflow temperature 40 times per second to prevent extreme heat damage
- Attachments & Styling Versatility
- Shark Flexstyle Pro FLEX: Includes diffuser, concentrator, and styling attachments for various styling options
- Dyson Supersonic: Offers magnetic attachments (smoothing nozzle, diffuser, styling concentrator) for precise styling
- T3 Featherweight: Utilizes interchangeable magnetic attachments for versatile styling options
- Unique Features
- Conair Infiniti Pro: Features ionic technology and adjustable temperature settings
- Revlon One-Step: Combines a round brush with a hair dryer for effortless styling and blowouts
- Dyson Corrale: Uses flexible copper coils to shape and control hair for a salon-worthy style
- Hair Type Performance
- Curly/Coily Hair (Type 4B/C): T3 Featherweight's diffuser attachment helps lock in moisture and prevent frizz
- Thick/Wavy Hair: Dyson Supersonic delivers consistent heat with minimal damage, while Shark Flexstyle Pro FLEX aids in reducing moisture retention and flyaways
- Fine/Straight Hair: Conair Infiniti Pro's ionic technology can add shine, while Revlon One-Step offers volumizing effects without excessive dryness.
For travelers, the Shark’s foldable design and multi-tool system stand out, while the Dyson remains a premium choice for those prioritizing hair health. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option, versatile styling attachments, or the quickest dry time, our top picks cater to various preferences and needs, ensuring you achieve that just-stepped-out-of-the-salon look at home.
Sources:1. Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer Review2. Revlon One-Step Volumizer vs Dyson Airwrap: Which is Better for You?3. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Review4. Best Hair Dryers of 20225. Professional Hairstylist Reviews 7 Top Hair Dryers of 2022
- For those seeking to integrate their hair dryer into their home lifestyle, the Shark Flexstyle Air-Drying and Styling System, similar to the Dyson AirWrap, offers a versatile, foldable design suitable for home-and-garden environments.
- Surprised by the quiet operation and overall performance, buyers of the Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer, with its fashion-and-beauty-inspired design, found their hair looking salon-worthy without the need for a professional stylist, making it a perfect addition to their lifestyle.
- Technology enthusiasts might be drawn to the Dyson Corrale, which stands out due to its unique flexible copper coils, a feature also found in the Dyson Supersonic, allowing for precise styling and control that mirrors salon results.
- To incorporate a touch of technology into sports activities or outdoor adventures, the compact and lightweight Revlon One-Step Volumizer and Ionic Hair Dryer, known for its combination of a round brush and hair dryer, offers convenient, versatile styling on-the-go.
- For those who value both functionality and sustainability in their fashion-and-beauty choices, the Best Mid Range pick, the Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer, boasts key features like energy efficiency in its powerful, quiet operation, contributing to an eco-friendly lifestyle.
