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- Best hair dryers: At a glance
- How we test hair dryers
- The best hair dryers to buy in 2026, according to our tests
- 1. BaByliss 3Q: Best hair dryer overall
- 2. Remington Shine Therapy: Best budget hair dryer
- 3. Revlon One Step Power Move: Best value hair dryer
- 4. Mdlondon Blow: Best quiet hair dryer
- 5. Shark Speedstyle Pro Flex: Best for versatile styling
- 6. ghd Helios: Best for superfast styling
- 7. Revamp Progloss 5500 Hair Dryer: Best for long and thick hair
- 8. Dyson Supersonic r: Best premium hair dryer
- 9. Dyson Supersonic Travel: Best travel hair dryer
- 10. Cloud Nine Airshot Pro Adapt: Best for heat precision
- How to choose the best hair dryer for you
- Our top hair dryer is the BaByliss 3Q, which offers fast drying in a lightweight, no-frills package – at a sub-£100 price tag
- Here at Expert Reviews, we’ve test over 30 hair dryers, with varying price tags (from £30 to £300), feature sets and attachment ranges
- We do this by assessing ease of use, comfort, and the quality of results after a rough dry as well as a full blow dry with a round brush. We also measure the wind speed using an anemometer, and noise output using a smartphone decibel metre.
- Read on for our roundup below for our best hair dryer choices, whatever your hair type and budget. Below that, our buying guide tackles the important questions to address before buying a new dryer
Our favourite hair dryer is the BaByliss 3Q: for just under £100, you get a fast blow dry and easy-to-use controls. Of course, that’s not the only hair dryer we’ve reviewed here at Expert Reviews. In fact, over the years, our experts have tested over 30 – from budget-friendly dryers to feature-packed models with more attachments than you can shake a stick at.
So, if you’re hoping to buy one of the best hair dryers or replace a tired, old one, we’ve got you covered. The recommendations on this page are a product of thorough hands-on testing, which allows us to precisely distinguish between different hair dryers. No matter your budget or hair type, there’s a hair dryer on this roundup for you.
For a quick list of recommendations, see our at-a-glance selection below. Otherwise, read on for our full roundup of mini reviews, followed by a buying guide with advice on what to look out for when shopping for a new hair dryer.
Best hair dryers: At a glance
| Best hair dryer overall | Babyliss 3Q | £97 | |
| Best budget hair dryer | Remington Shine Therapy | £38 | |
| Best value hair dryer | Revlon One Step Power Move | £60 | |
| Best quiet hair dryer | Mdlondon Blow | £199 | |
| Best premium hair dryer | Dyson Supersonic r | £400 |
How we test hair dryers
We test hair dryers by using them throughout multiple hair washes to get a feel for how the dryer performs. This allows us to get to grips with a dryer’s controls and ensure we’re able to use the optimum technique for that dryer. We’ll also test out any supplied attachments, like concentrator nozzles and diffusers to test how well they work. The only styling products we use during these tests is heat protection spray, to protect our hair from any excess damage.
Alongside these usability tests, we also personally test the technical specifications of a dryer. These tests include weighing and measuring the dimensions of a dryer, testing wind speeds using an anemometer and measuring the maximum noise levels of a dryer using a decibel metre placed 15cm from the dryer. This ensures that all our recommendations are backed up by data and hands-on tests.
After noting how long it takes to rough dry and fully blow dry a head of hair using a round brush, we’ll pay attention to how the hair looks between washes. This is usually two to three days and allows us to make sure any shine or volume added by a dryer is able to stick around.
READ NEXT: Best hair dryers for fine hair
The best hair dryers to buy in 2026, according to our tests
1. BaByliss 3Q: Best hair dryer overall
Price when reviewed: £97 | Check price at Amazon
- Fast drying
- Simple, fuss-free controls
- No diffuser attachment
Reviewed in December 2024 by Sarah Matthews
If you’re looking for high speeds, a good range of temperature options and simple controls, the BaByliss 3Q is a fantastic choice. During our testing, its 2,200W motor threw out wind speeds of 21.6m/s, which could dry our hair in well under five minutes, even on a gentler heat setting. Its “ionic” technology also appears to help dry hair faster than average.
With two speeds, three heat and a cold shot setting, this hair dryer gave us a great amount of control during use. We were disappointed to find the dryer lacks a diffuser attachment but the concentrator nozzle snapped securely onto the front of the dryer and allowed for greater precision when blow drying hair.
Its price is by no means cheap, but invest in this hair dryer and you’ll immediately notice a difference in power compared to a cheaper model. Thanks to its sturdy build quality and uncomplicated controls, it’s also likely to last you for years to come.
Read our full BaByliss 3Q review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 2; Top speed: 21.6m/s; Power: 2,200W; Noise levels: 93dB; Weight: 567g; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle
2. Remington Shine Therapy: Best budget hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £38 | Check price at Currys
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Lacks premium features
- Short cable
Reviewed in November 2023 by Sarah Matthews
While high-end dryers typically dry your hair faster than their budget-friendly counterparts, the Remington Shine Therapy hair dryer is a fantastic, lightweight 2,300W hair dryer that packs a punch. It emitted speeds of 18.6m/s in our wind speed tests and weighs just 449g, which is incredibly light compared to more expensive options.
Remington also claims it emits 90% more ions than its standard dryers. We noticed in our everyday testing that it added shine to the hair and allowed us to create a bouncy, smooth blow dry with ease. Its concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachments snapped on securely and, thanks to its varied heat and speed settings, we had plenty of control for round brush styling and gentle diffusing alike. That also makes this dryer a good option for all hair types.
For all that power and versatility, its affordable price tag is outstanding. You’ll need to accept a shorter 1.8m cable and its basic build quality but if you want value for money, this dryer is a no-brainer.
Read our full Remington Shine Therapy review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 2; Top speed: 18.6m/s; Power: 2,300W; Noise levels: 94dB; Weight: 449g; Cable length: 1.8m; Cold shot: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser
3. Revlon One Step Power Move: Best value hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £60 | Check price at Argos
- Affordable
- Fast performance
- Good selection of attachments
- Highest setting is ferociously hot
Reviewed in October 2026 by Sarah Matthews
Revlon’s One Step Power Move is one of the lightest hair dryers we’ve reviewed, at just 294g. And thankfully, the old adage that a heftier build means better quality does not necessarily ring true here. This dryer offers a great amount of control, impressive performance, and won’t leave you with aching arms.
Its gentler settings are great for taming shorter sections of hair, while its top speed of 20.3m/s dried our tester’s thick hair in seven minutes. Its switches are easily accessible on the handle, so adjusting settings mid-styling is simple.
You can often find the One Step Power Move for around £60 and, considering how affordable it is, Revlon hasn’t skimped out on attachments (though, sadly, these aren’t magnetic). You get a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, root lift comb and a Smooth & Shine Finisher. Our tester was particularly impressed with the latter: “finishing with the Smooth & Shine Finisher helped smoothed down flyaways and tamed the top section of my hair, leaving a smooth, polished result”. Throw in a digital brushless motor – something normally seen on more premium models – and you’ve got a fantastic value hair dryer.
Read our full Revlon One Step Power Move review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 4 | Speed settings: 3 | Top speed: 20.3m/s | Power: 1,600W | Noise levels: 89dB | Weight: 294g | Cable length: 2.5m | Cold shot: Yes | Accessories: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser, root lift comb, Smooth & Shine Finisher
4. Mdlondon Blow: Best quiet hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £199 | Check price at mdlondon
- Quiet and fast performance
- Magnetic attachments
- Expensive
Reviewed in October 2023 by Sarah Matthews
We first reviewed the mdlondon Blow in 2023, praising the hair dryer for how lightweight, powerful and quiet it was in operation, reaching a peak of just 88dBA in our tests. Having re-reviewed the updated 2025 model, we’re pleased to report that it’s still the triple threat that it was in 2023. It’s whisper-quiet, always staying below 90dBA, and has the same 1,600W brushless digital motor capable of drying thick hair in minutes.
It has three heat settings and three speed settings, as well as a cold shot and a newly added lock switch to prevent you from accidentally changing the settings mid-styling. Its matte finish is attractive and it comes in a choice of blue or “Berry” colours.
It’s a high-end choice at £200, but the good news is that the diffuser attachment is now included in this price (previously an additional £25). If your budget allows it, the mdlondon Blow is well worth it.
Read our full mdlondon Blow review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 3 | Speed settings: 3 | Top speed: 26.5m/s | Power: 1,600W | Noise levels: 88dB | Weight: 360g | Cable length: 3m | Cold shot: Yes | Accessories: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser
5. Shark Speedstyle Pro Flex: Best for versatile styling
Price when reviewed: £200 | Check price at SharkNinja
- Excellent range of attachments
- Speedy drying
- Folds up for travel
- Loud
- Control placement could be more intuitive
Reviewed in October 2026 by Sarah Matthews
We loved the original Shark Speedstyle when we reviewed it a while ago. And at just £20 more than the original dryer’s launch price, the Speedstyle Pro Flex works just as fast and comes with an equally versatile array of attachments. It’s about as close as a hair dryer gets to being a multi-styler.
In addition to a set that includes a diffuser, concentrator, finishing tool and brush tool, Shark sells a couple of “build your own” bundles, allowing you to choose either one or three attachments. As confusing as this pricing model might be at first, it conveniently allows you to opt for the tools that you need while avoiding those you don’t.
In terms of performance, the Speedstyle Pro Flex’s 1,700W digital motor delivers a fast jet of air that reached 34.8m/s in our tests. During a rough dry test, this dried our tester’s hair in under five minutes. Despite being rather awkwardly placed at the bottom of the handle, the Speedstyle Pro Flex’s settings offer plenty of control for precise styling. And for the brush and comb attachments, the dryer’s IQ settings take some of the effort out of styling by automatically adjusting heat and speed levels.
Finally, the new feature worth mentioning is the handle, which gives the Pro Flex its name: with a “sturdy and smooth” twisting mechanism, you can close the handle in on the dryer for ease of travel.
Read our full Shark Speedstyle Pro Flex review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 5 | Speed settings: 3 | Top speed: 34.8m/s | Power: 1,700W | Noise levels: 90dB | Weight: 680g | Cable length: 2.4m | Cold shot: No (continuous cool temperature setting instead) | Accessories: Diffuser, concentrator, finishing tool, brush tool (four-piece set)
6. ghd Helios: Best for superfast styling
Price when reviewed: £132 | Check price at Amazon
- Super fast styling
- Stylish and lightweight
- No diffuser attachment
Reviewed by Victoria Woollaston
The ghd Helios was released in 2020 and is the quietest and lightest hair dryer ghd has to offer. While it takes the shape of a traditional hair dryer, its design is sturdy and well-balanced – perfect for regular use.
This is especially true if you have long or thick hair, as the 2,200W motor chucks out air at a blisteringly quick 30m/s. Ghd claims this is partly due to its AutoPrecis technology, which delivers a more focused stream of air when used with the concentrator nozzle. In testing, our reviewer found the ghd Helios to be a close rival to the £300 Dyson Supersonic in drying time and its ability to deliver a smooth finish with no frizz. Impressive, considering it costs nearly half the price.
However, what the Helios has in speed and smoothness, it lacks in versatility. There are only two speed and heat settings available with this dryer, as well as only one concentrator nozzle. If you have curly hair, look elsewhere for a dryer that comes with a diffuser attachment.
Read our full GHD Helios review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 2; Speed settings: 2; Top Speed: 26.5m/s; Power: 2,200W; Weight: 510g; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator
7. Revamp Progloss 5500 Hair Dryer: Best for long and thick hair
Price when reviewed: £50 | Check price at Revamp
- Fast drying
- Smooth, voluminous results
- Heavy
- Noisy
Reviewed by Sarah Matthews in May 2023
Having long and thick hair can make hair wash days a drag. Thankfully, the ReVamp Progloss 5500 has a massive 2,400W motor that chucks out air at a whopping 28.3m/s. Those speeds will get even the thickest head of hair dry in no time and thanks to the keratin protein, argan and coconut oil-infused grille, it gives shinier results in the process.
But ReVamp hasn’t stopped there – among the myriad heat and speed options, the dryer has a dual-ionic switch that uses positive or negative ions to produce different effects on the hair. This use of ions is impossible to measure in our tests but anecdotally, we found that the volume setting generated a good amount of lift at the root of the hair, while the other setting gave the hair a nice, smooth finish.
Add on two concentrator nozzles and a large bowl-like diffuser and you have a pretty faultless hair dryer. Until you weigh it. At 734g, this hair dryer is a behemoth and we wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who struggles with aching arms. It’s also really loud but since it’s so powerful you shouldn’t need to use it for long to get your hair styled.
Read our full ReVamp Progloss 5500 review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 3; Speed settings: 2; Top speed: 28.3m/s; Power: 2,400W; Noise levels: 96dB; Weight: 734g; Cable length: 3m; Cold shot: Yes; Accessories: 2 concentrator nozzles, diffuser
8. Dyson Supersonic r: Best premium hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £400 | Check price at John Lewis
- Superb performance
- Lightweight
- Expensive
- Hefty plug
Reviewed by Britta O’Boyle in June 2025
The Supersonic r is undoubtedly one of the best hair dryers you can buy, provided you can afford it: it’s about £100 more expensive than the standard Dyson Supersonic that previously occupied this slot on our roundup.
But what it lacks in affordability it more than makes up for in performance. With the Powerful Air attachment, it rough dried our tester’s thick hair in just four minutes, taking 30 seconds longer with the smoothing nozzle. On the subject of attachments, you get five of these in total: the smoothing nozzle and its two air attachments (Gentle and Powerful), as well as a Pro concentrator and a flyaway attachment. The latter of these utilises the coanda effect with great results, taming flyaways and smoothing hair.
The unconventional design of the Supersonic r makes it lightweight and very easy to use, with sensibly placed controls for convenient adjustment during styling. The dryer’s plug is bulkier than what you might be used to – making it potentially awkward depending on your outlet placement – and a storage bag would be a useful for all those attachments (you’ll need to fork out an extra £50 for Dyson’s “gift edition” to get a case). But minor grumbles aside, this really is a superb hair dryer.
Read our full Dyson Supersonic r review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 3 | Speed settings: 3 | Top speed: 36.2m/s | Power: 1,700W | Noise levels: 82.9dB | Weight: 325g | Cable length: 2.6m | Cold shot: Yes | Accessories: Powerful Air attachment, Gentle Air attachment, concentrator, smoothing nozzle, flyaway attachment
9. Dyson Supersonic Travel: Best travel hair dryer
Price when reviewed: £250 | Check price at Dyson
- Powerful and fast
- Universal voltage
- Pricey for a travel hair dryer
- Traditional folding travel dryers are still a more compact option
Reviewed in April 2026 by Lise Smith
As its name implies, the Supersonic Travel is essentially a travel-sized version of Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer. It’s 22.2cm tall and weighs 330g, making it compact and lightweight enough for your luggage, while universal voltage ensures that it’ll work in plug sockets worldwide.
In terms of performance, you’re looking at the same digital motor as the full size model, with slightly fewer settings: two speeds and two heat settings (plus a cool shot) instead of three and four respectively. Nevertheless, it performed remarkably well according to our tester: “the airflow feels just as strong as my usual full-sized tool”, while never exceeding 83dBA in terms of noise output.
The Supersonic Travel comes with just one attachment: a smoothing concentrator nozzle. However, it’s compatible with all existing Supersonic attachments. So, if you’ve already got the full-sized model but you wish you had something a bit more luggage-friendly, it’s a great buy.
Read our full Dyson Supersonic Travel review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 2 | Speed settings: 2 | Top speed: Not measured (Dyson quotes airflow of 11.6l) | Power: 1,220W | Noise levels: 83dB | Weight: 331g | Cable length: 2m | Cold shot: Yes | Accessories: Concentrator nozzle
10. Cloud Nine Airshot Pro Adapt: Best for heat precision
Price when reviewed: £399 | Check price at Cloud Nine
- Great selection of temperature settings
- Quiet and fast drying
- Expensive
- Only two speed settings
Reviewed in October 2026 by Sarah Matthews
The standout perk of the Airshot Pro Adapt is its range of temperature settings: 17 in total, ranging between 45°C and 125°C, adjustable in 5°C increments via a scroll wheel on the handle. That’s a significant step up from the three heat settings that most hair dryers offer.
The price tag, perhaps unsurprisingly, is also a significant step up. At full price, the Airshot Pro Adapt will cost you just under £400, making it one of the most expensive hair dryers on this roundup – alongside the Dyson Supersonic r.
You get a lot for your money though, including a 1,800W motor that spins at 110,000rpm, reaching an impressive 35m/s in our air speed tests. It’s easy to use and our reviewer was able to rough dry her hair in five minutes, and to create a round brush blow dry in 15 minutes.
Read our full Cloud Nine Airshot Pro Adapt review
Key specs – Temperature settings: 17 | Speed settings: 2 | Top speed: 35m/s | Power: 1,800W | Noise levels: 89dB | Weight: 400g | Cable length: 3m | Cold shot: Yes | Accessories: Diffuser, concentrator nozzle, smoothing nozzle
Other hair dryers we’ve tested:
- Panasonic EH-NA0J | £200 at Amazon
- GHD Speed Ionic | 3/5 | £299 at GHD
- Laifen Neo hair dryer | 4/5 | £120 at Amazon
- BaByliss Hydro-Fusion | 4/5 Recommended | £60 at Amazon
- Remington Proluxe You | 4/5 | £80 at Remington
- Bellissima Italia B-Travel | 4/5 Recommended | £30 at Amazon
- Dyson Supersonic | 4/5 Recommended | £300 at Argos
- Boots 1500W Travel Dryer | 4/5 Recommended | No longer available
How to choose the best hair dryer for you
What are the key features of a good hair dryer?
The function of a hair dryer isn’t exactly complicated – they blow hot air into your hair to dry it. While many claim to be the best, these are the key features that are available on the very best hair dryers we’ve tested.
A range of settings
A comprehensive selection of temperature settings help dry a range of hair types effectively, while a range of speed settings give the user greater control. In addition to this, a cool shot button helps to set hair styles in place.
Attachments
Some of the best hair dryers come with a versatile range of attachments, such as concentrator nozzles, diffusers, round brushes and finishing tools.
Maintenance and accessibility
Look out for hair dryers with a removable rear grill, which allows for easy cleaning, and think about the length of cable you require for your home: the best dryers should have a cable of at least two metres.
If your hair dryer has these key features, you should be able to create a range of styles on most hair types.
How much should I spend on a hair dryer?
If you want to buy one of the lightest, fastest and quietest hair dryers you can buy, such as the mdlondon Blow or the Dyson Supersonic r, you could be paying anywhere from £150 to £400. These luxury hair dryers have incredible build quality, energy efficient motors, staggeringly fast airflow and intelligent heat monitoring to get your hair dried quickly and smoothly without heat damage.
You’ll notice a clear difference in performance and power between luxury and mid-range hair dryers. However, you can still achieve good results with a hair dryer that costs far less. For instance, our favourite budget option – the Remington Shine Therapy – is cheaper than £40 at full price. It doesn’t have many premium features, but it’s lightweight, performs well and comes with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser. So, unless you’re serious about splashing out on an all-singing, all-dancing hair dryer, there is no need to spend much more than £100.
READ NEXT: Best hair dryers for curly hair
Does hair type matter?
Absolutely. Your hair type will determine how much heat your hair can handle, as well as if you need to take any extra care of your hair while drying it to keep it healthy and looking its best. Dyed or damaged hair should always be dried at lower temperatures, for example, and curly hair types will want to use a diffuser to evenly dry their hair.
If you’re not sure which hair type you have, read our in-depth ‘What is my hair type’ article to pinpoint your hair type and how best to care for it. As a general rule, all hair types should protect their hair using a heat protection spray to prevent damage and breakage while using a hair dryer.
Which attachments do I need?
- Concentrator nozzles come with most dryers. Some even come with two – a narrower nozzle can be more useful for precise styling. Wider nozzles for creating sleek straighter styles on larger sections of hair.
- Diffusers for defining and shaping wavey and curly hair.
- Smoothing attachments for taming flyaways.
Does power rating make a difference?
About a decade ago, a higher power rating meant that you’d be getting a more powerful and effective dryer. Nowadays, power rating doesn’t really tell you anything. That’s because modern digital motors can produce far faster streams of airflow using much less power.
As you can see in the graph below, the top wind speed of a hair dryer has fairly little to do with its power, especially when it comes to faster dryers. That’s why we’ve listed top tested speeds and power in our mini reviews.
What other technology is available?
Mid-range to luxury hair dryers come with heaps of technology, most of which is difficult to measure the impact of. These extra features can be beneficial for certain hair types:
- Ionic technology: Adds shine to hair. Dual ionic switches can also add volume.
- Infused grilles: Keratin protein, argan or coconut oil infusions can nourish hair and provide a smooth, shiny finish
- Anti hot-spot technology: Helps provide an even distribution of heat to the hair, helping to provide a uniform, smooth finish
- Root drying modes: Can be useful for thick, curly and coily hair types to dry the scalp gently
