We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
2024 is the year of less frizz, more shine. Wood Kiln Dryer
This article was updated in December 2023 to reflect the latest deals and discounts, to get you the best price for your gadget and ensure your investment is one that lasts.
Among all the TikTok air drying tricks and embracing your natural hair texture, hairdryers have been a bit on the sidelines recently, but a study actually found that they can be better for your hair than leaving it to dry naturally (if used properly). Who knew?
So, if you haven't found 'the one' yet, it's time to start investing. No matter the occasion, having the best hairdryer up your sleeve is going to save you time and stress. There’s one for every aesthetic and, more importantly, hair texture on the shelves, so you can mimic salon-worthy results from your own home.
If you're in a rush, these are our top picks, but keep scrolling to find out how they fared in our rigorous lab testing, and discover our editors' favourites.
Both ionic and ceramic hairdryers are known for being kinder to tresses, helping to reduce dreaded heat damage. But which one is best?
To answer this, here's a quick science lesson: ionic hairdryers work by producing negatively charged ions, which break down positively charged water molecules. It sounds complicated, but essentially it means you can use the hairdryer at a lower temperature, causing less frizz and damage.
Ceramic hairdryers, on the other hand, focus on flawless engineering, as they work to automatically even out airflow and adjust temperatures depending on your hair's needs.
Both options have become a go-to for helping to keep damage at bay. In general, though, ionic devices tend to be better suited to curly, thick or frizzy hair, as water is prevented from soaking into the hair shaft, which helps preserve the definition of your curls.
Ceramic models are great for those with finer hair. The even airflow means you can dry strands quicker, so there's less chance of frying those vulnerable ends.
‘My top tip is to blow dry in small sections ensuring each section is completely dry before moving onto the next,' says multi-award-winnning afro hairstylist Charlotte Mensah.
'To avoid frizz, keep a water spray bottle handy to re-wet damp sections before thoroughly blow-drying. Finish with a blast of cold air to close the cuticle for a smooth finish.'
We asked over 300 testers with a variety of hair types to review 20 hairdryers. They rigorously judged the speed, ease of use, weight, noise level and the finished results of each appliance.
In the ELLE Beauty Lab, we measured the temperature of the airflow, casing and nozzle, as well as assessing instructions, simplicity and design. We then tested each hairdryer’s frizz-fighting powers with the help of our Bossa Nova Shuffle machine, which assessed how many flyaways occurred once hair was introduced to humidity.
The ELLE editors also selected their top buys, based on their extensive beauty knowledge and real-world testing.
Now go show Kate Middleton who's the blowdry boss...
This high-tech tool is the Bugatti of hairdryers, and it impressed our testers so much that everyone said they'd swap it in for their current model.
It banished static and left hair feeling softer and looking bouncier, with styles lasting all day. It was super quiet, heated up accurately in the lab, and virtually all our testers were happy with how long it took to get red carpet ready.
Its newest feature, the flyaway attachment, delivered a suitably slick do for everyone, with one tester reporting such flawlessly tamed hair that they didn’t need to follow up with straighteners. The only quibble involved the control indicator light, which some testers found unclear.
Claiming to be twice as fast as your average hairdryer, our panel unanimously loved how intuitive this compact ghd model was to use, allowing them to adjust its heat settings easily and dry hair in a flash.
It wasn’t too noisy and it left tresses looking silky-smooth, thanks to a concentrator nozzle that precisely directs the airflow. Some testers found the highest heat setting so effective that their scalps got too hot, but our lab test proved the outer casing remained at a safe temperature to handle.
Hailed as 'the Tesla of hairdryers' prior to launch, we were excited to see if this futuristic bit of tech was worth the hype. The combo of infrared light and cool air aims to leave hair healthier than your average hairdryer – and our testers confirmed that it delivered.
Hair was left smoother and shinier, and the device was oh-so-quiet. Unlike a Tesla, however, you don’t have to hang around in a car park waiting for it to charge, as it uses 60% less power than your average hairdryer. Good for the planet and your hair – we're on board.
Drew Barrymore knows a thing or two about good hair, fact. So it’s no surprise that this colourful hairdryer from the Hollywood star's own brand, Flower, delighted our panel.
They liked that it wasn’t the typical black design and it proved a hit with our testers with natural texture. Those with afro hair were particularly thrilled by how speedily it dried and smoothed their curls. When it came to frizz, most saw a difference, with the majority reporting pillow-soft, healthier-looking hair.
If you're old enough, you may remember a fad phase in the '90s when the whole 'wet to dry' thing turned luscious locks into frazzled lengths — nobody had managed to perfect the tech. Now, nearly 30 years later and after nine years of rigorous research, ghd has developed a dual-use product that looks like it's here to stay.
Our panel praised the time-saving element, claiming it was 'super quick' to heat up and way faster than using both a dryer and straightener back to back. Many boasted of the bounciness it gave their blow-out and said their hair felt silky and smooth after use.
The lab results backed this up, as it scored 5/5 in humidity tests (meaning tresses weren't left frizzy). Although it achieved full marks for quietness compared to other dryers, it was a lot louder than your typical straightener. Some complained it was a tad heavy, but compared to carrying twice the tech around with you, the Duet is far more compact for travel.
A go-to for those days when you snooze your morning alarm, this efficient tool was as fast as Dina-Asher-Smith at drying our panel's hair, while it left most with shinier, softer ends.
Our testers would have liked it to look more luxe, but said it was easy to manoeuvre from their roots to the back of their heads. Our lab test found it slightly slow to reach its maximum temperature, but this didn't affect its drying speed.
If you enjoy experimenting with colour, you'll know that it can come at a cost to your hair’s overall health. This clever machine aims to combat the problem by emitting a blend of oils (keratin, coconut and argan) to reduce dryness.
The result? Hair looked more vibrant and hydrated, as well as smoother and shinier. Many agreed the hairdryer was as 'featherlite' as it claimed, too.
We all want our hair to look noticeably better after styling, but some heat tools can leave strands looking parched and bone dry.
Happily, this dryer did the opposite, reviving strands to leave most of our panel with healthier, smoother and softer tresses. Did we mention it also minimised frizz for almost all of testers? It’s just that good.
Though not the quietest or most compact model out there (that long nose can be tricky to manoeuvre), most found it quick to use and those with afro hair appreciated how straight it left their locks. The cool shot function was ideal for drying naturally curly hair, too.
This machine was as compact as a Muji storage solution, without compromising on quality, making it the perfect travel buddy.
Hair was left softer and more volumised across the board, while the diffuser attachment came out on top for defining curls.
This compact tool is ideal for tossing into your gym bag or luggage for a much-deserved holiday, because gym or hotel dryers are never all that.
Our panel found it both lightweight and comfortable to hold and it impressed our testers with how well it managed to dry the back of the head and up close to the roots. The results weren’t that long-lasting and it wasn’t the quickest (due to its petite size) but it did leave most with softer ends, without causing any annoying static.
This is the third ghd dryer on our list, proving that the brand really knows its styling tools. This latest launch is designed for those who struggle with split ends, with a high-powered concentrated nozzle that claims to smooth the hair cuticle to give you your sleekest blow dry in half the time.
How did it do? Our testers reported shiny, soft hair after using it and loved the powerful airflow that left nothing but smoothness in in its wake. From an aesthetic point of view, they liked its luxe matte body, which is available in six different colours, including timeless black and a classy plum. Decisions, decisions...
Smooth is the word that comes to mind when describing this hairdryer. The ceramic heating elements are infused with vitamins to make hair silky soft and help tame any flyaways.
Incredibly simple to use, it has three heat settings so you can play around with what best suits your individual hair texture.
Specially designed to mimic the professional salon blowdry at home, the airflow technology is ultra speedy, giving you a lot of power (think jet-engine style), but all within a sleek contraption. Hair is left looking sleek and perfectly volumised.
Denny is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.
The Eyelash Growth Serums That Really Work
ELLE Edit: 21 Cosy Perfumes To Try This Winter
A Love Letter To Red Lipstick
ELLE Edit: The Best Heat Protection Spray
ELLE Lab: The Best Epilators For Smooth Skin
ELLE Lab: 9 Tried & Tested IPL Devices
ELLE Lab: 14 Of The Best Hair Straighteners
ELLE Lab: 9 Of The Best Hot Brushes
ELLE Edit: 15 Of The Best Highlighters
ELLE Edit: The 15 Best Moisturisers For Dry Skin
ELLE Edit: 14 Of The Best Cleansing Oils
ELLE Edit: 14 Anti-Pollution Skincare Products
ELLE, PART OF THE HEARST UK FASHION & BEAUTY NETWORK
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Vacuum Dryer ©2024 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved.