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The Best Hair Dryers

Updated April 2026·Experts: WIRED, Good Housekeeping, Tom's Guide

Best Overall

Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer

$449-$550
$449-$550 at Amazon→

If you have thick, frizzy, or curly hair and dread wash day, this is the dryer that changes everything. Yes, it's expensive, but every tester who used it said it was worth it.

What holds up

  • Scalp Protect mode auto-lowers temperature when dryer gets too close to scalp
  • Attachment Learning remembers your preferred heat/speed settings per attachment
  • Pause Detect reduces airflow when set down, no more blasting your counter
  • Redesigned dual-mode diffuser (diffuse + dome) for curls and waves
  • Five magnetic attachments included

What to know

  • Very expensive at $500-$550
  • Not dual voltage, can't use internationally
  • Takes up significant storage space
  • Cord shorter than original Supersonic's 9-foot cord
Expert verdict
The Supersonic Nural is one of the best hair dryers on the market... packed with useful intelligent features I didn't know I needed in a dryer until I used it.
WIREDView source
Expert verdict
The first time I used the Nural, paired with its brand-new diffuser, I got my hair about 75 percent dry in 17 minutes.
WIRED (Medea Giordano)View source
Get it for $449-$550
Read the full breakdown →
Best Budget

Conair InfinitiPRO SmoothWrap Hair Dryer

$25-$71
$25-$71 at Amazon→

This is the dryer you buy when you want something that just works without drama. Under $55, reliable, and still going strong after years of daily use, that's the kind of track record that matters.

What holds up

  • Usually available for under $50-$55
  • High-torque DC motor with 1,875 watts of power
  • Removable filter extends lifespan
  • Three heat and two speed settings, enough control for most users
  • Includes diffuser and concentrator attachments

What to know

  • Short 6-foot cord limits positioning flexibility
  • Noisy compared to premium models
  • Fewer attachments than higher-end dryers
  • Won't revolutionize your routine, purely functional
Expert verdict
It won't revolutionize your routine, but it's lightweight, reliable, and gets the job done... still kicking.
WIREDView source
Expert verdict
Its lowest setting worked great on her frizz-prone curls.
WIRED (Medea Giordano)View source
Get it for $25-$71
Read the full breakdown →
Best for Curly Hair

Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer

$169-$250
$169-$250 at Amazon→

Shark has quietly become the best mid-range alternative to Dyson. The SpeedStyle delivers salon-level results at a fraction of the price, and real owners with thick, long hair consistently rave about how fast it works.

What holds up

  • Ultra-fast drying even on thick, long hair
  • 5 attachments suitable for straight and curly hair types
  • Compact and lightweight despite powerful output
  • Adjustable heat and airflow settings
  • Sturdy design with simple attachment swaps

What to know

  • Heavier than some competing travel-friendly models
  • Doesn't fold up for compact storage
  • Fewer smart features than Dyson at similar price points
Expert verdict
It promised power without bulk and it seriously delivered. It dried my hair faster than anything I've used before, with way less heat damage.
Tom's Guide (Alix Blackburn)View source
Expert verdict
Best for Frizz: Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex Hair Dryer System
WIREDView source
Get it for $169-$250
Read the full breakdown →
Best Value Premium

BaByliss Air Power Pro

$100-$150
$100-$150 at Amazon→

When a budget-friendly dryer beats Dyson in a blind panel test of 340 people, you pay attention. The BaByliss Air Power Pro is the community's sleeper hit, all the performance, none of the premium price tag.

What holds up

  • Scored 95/100 in Good Housekeeping UK's 340-person panel test, beating Dyson and ghd
  • Super streamlined airflow for precise, speedy styling
  • Lightweight and compact, great for travel too
  • Ionic technology for frizz-free, smooth results
  • Three airflow settings and four temperature options including cool shot

What to know

  • Less widely reviewed in US publications compared to Dyson/Shark
  • High-speed motor, but wattage (1700W) is similar to competitors
  • Fewer smart features than Dyson Supersonic
Expert verdict
Whenever there's a new winner in our tests, we have to shout about it, especially when it dethrones hair tool titans, Dyson and ghd.
Good Housekeeping UK (340-person panel)View source
Expert verdict
Very intuitive to use, all testers agreed that it helped them achieve their desired look, as well as leaving a smooth and frizz-free finish.
Good Housekeeping UK panel testerView source
Get it for $100-$150
Read the full breakdown →
Best Dyson Alternative

Dreame Glory Hair Dryer

$90-$100
$90-$100 at Amazon→

If you want Dyson-level quiet and lightweight performance without the $500 price tag, the Dreame Glory is the one to beat. It's not perfect, but for under $100 it's hard to argue with what you get.

What holds up

  • Noticeably quiet operation, one of the quietest tested
  • Lightweight design reduces arm fatigue during long drying sessions
  • 300 million negative ions for frizz control and shine
  • App connectivity with smart functions
  • Available for under $100 at major retailers

What to know

  • Minor gripes noted by reviewer (not fully detailed in sources)
  • Fewer attachments and smart features than Dyson Supersonic
  • Newer brand with less long-term reliability data than established names
  • Not dual voltage
Expert verdict
The Dreame Glory is a genuinely impressive hair dryer at a price that's hard to argue with. Lightweight, quiet, and noticeably kind to curls, its minor gripes don't come close to undoing what it gets right.
Tom's Guide (Kaycee Hill)View source
Expert verdict
I tested this Dyson dupe on my thick curly hair, and I'm genuinely impressed. I have a lot of hair and this dryer handled it better than expected.
Tom's GuideView source
Get it for $90-$100
Read the full breakdown →