Skip to Content

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

9 Of The Best Hairdryers For All Hair Types On Sale Right Now

From frizz-eliminating technology to innovative light-based devices, 2024 is the year the hairdryer category gets exciting. Here, see our verdict on all the buzziest new models

By ELLE Beauty Team
Jump to Products
best hairdryerpinterest

When was the last time you bought yourself a new hairdryer? Many of us are likely still using the same creaky old model we had in our teenage years – but if it 'aint broke, right? Well, thanks to an influx of innovation in the category, it might be time to consider upgrading that vintage model, even if it's technically still getting the job done.

Now, there's hybrid wet-to-straight devices that'll cut your styling time in half, super-slim models that won't give you arm-ache, and one particularly interesting dryer that uses infrared light to dry delicate strands with none of the heat damage (and yes, it works).

So, if you haven't found 'the one' yet, it's time to invest. No matter the occasion, having the best hairdryer up your sleeve is going to save you time and stress. There’s one for every preference and, more importantly, hair texture on the shelves, so you can mimic salon-worthy results from your own home.

Is an ionic or ceramic hair dryer best?

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.

What’s the best method for blow drying hair?

‘My top tip is to blow dry in small sections, ensuring each section is completely dry before moving onto the next,' says award-winning 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.'

Here, see the ELLE beauty team's expert verdict on the buzziest, most innovative hairdryers on the shelves right now – some of which are currently in Amazon's spring sale.

The Best Hairdryer For Every Hair Type

Best Hairdryer For Speed

Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer & RapidGloss Finisher

On Sale
SpeedStyle Hair Dryer & RapidGloss Finisher
Best Hairdryer For Speed

Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer & RapidGloss Finisher

£229 at Amazon

One of the most effective hairdryers on the market, Shark's SpeedStyle is as powerful as it is lightweight and compact. This handy kit comes with five attachments that you'll actually use, including the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, Turbo Concentrator, Express Touchup Brush and a DefrizzFast Diffuser.

Using clever airflow technology, it auto-adjusts depending on the attachment you're using for a smooth style every time. Plus, it measures and regulates temperatures 1000x every second, and it'll never exceed 110°C, or will it reach heat-damaging temperatures of 150°C.

AttachmentsRapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, Turbo Concentrator, Express Touchup Brush and DefrizzFast Diffuser
Cool shotYes
Cord length2.44
Hanging loopYes
Ionic technologyYes
Number of speed settings3
Number of heat settings4
Wattage (watts)1700
Best hairdryer for smoothing

ghd Air Hairdryer

On Sale
Air Hairdryer
Best hairdryer for smoothing

ghd Air Hairdryer

Now 23% Off

GHD claims its original model is twice as fast as your average hairdryer, and we do admit, it's a powerful proposition. The heat and speed buttons are intuitively placed, so you can style and set with little faff, while the concentrator works well to smooth frizzy strands and style fringes.

Key specifications

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle
Cool shotYes
Cord length (m)3.00
Hanging loopYes
Ionic technologyYes
Number of speed settings2
Number of heat settings2
Wattage (watts)2100
Best Hair Dryer

Dyson Supersonic Dryer

Supersonic Dryer
Best Hair Dryer

Dyson Supersonic Dryer

This high-tech tool is the Bugatti of hairdryers, largely responsible for the technology boom we've seen in recent years.

So innovative, other brands are still racing to catch up, the Supersonic uses a brushless motor, which allows for a slimmer, more easy-to-wield handle and less noise without compromise to power.

On top of the major airflow on the cards here, range of attachments is sure to please. The unusual-looking 'flyaway' attachment works especially well to smooth fluff-prone hair, while the volumising tool delivers the bounce of a professional blow-dry, no matter your skill level.

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle, diffuser, smoothing nozzle, gentle air attachment
Cool shotyes
Cord length2.56
Hanging loopNo
Ionic technologyNo
Number of speed settings3
Number of heat settings3
Wattage (watts)1600
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best wet to dry styler

ghd Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler

On Sale
Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler
Best wet to dry styler

ghd Duet Style 2-in-1 Hot Air Styler

Now 20% Off

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.

The Duet uses a concentrated airflow, framed by four low-temperature ceramic straightening plates to dry hair into a smooth, straight style in one fell swoop. Impressively, the brand's testing revealed absolutely not thermal-related damage to the hair after 100 uses, with each use involving four passes through the device.

The clear benefit here is the frizz control: if you've got fine-to-medium thickness hair, you can expect a perfectly sleek and straight style that lasts all day. Thicker hair types may still want a little finishing with a pair of straighteners – but thoughtfully, a flick of a switch converts the Duet to do just that.

Key specifications

AttachmentsHeat glove
Cool shotNo
Cord length (m)2.7
Hanging loopNo
Ionic technologyNo
Number of speed settings1
Number of heat settings1
Wattage (watts)460
Best hairdryer for fragile hair

Zuvi Halo

On Sale
Halo
Best hairdryer for fragile hair

Zuvi Halo

Now 20% Off

Dubbed 'the Tesla of hairdryers', we were excited to see if this futuristic bit of tech was worth the hype. Remarkably, the Zuvi Halo uses infrared light to wick water away from the surface of your hair without using heat or harsh airflow. By stopping the inner cortex of each strand from becoming hot, the hair's integrity is left intact, and you'll soon see swishier, healthier, shinier tresses.

It's a big promise – so, does it work? While we were admittedly sceptical here, one particularly thick-haired ELLE team member is happy to report that it truly delivers. Now, don't expect a super-speed blow-dry, or a tonne of styling potential, but if you have delicate or bleached hair and you simply want to dry it without damage, this is a game-changer.

Key specifications

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle, diffuser, gentle air attachment
Cool shotYes
Cord length (m)1.8
Hanging loopNo
Ionic technologyNo
Number of speed settings4
Number of heat settings1
Wattage (watts)680
Best compact hairdryer

Hersheson's The Great Hairdryer

On Sale
The Great Hairdryer
Best compact hairdryer

Hersheson's The Great Hairdryer

Now 24% Off

If you happen to be a Hersheson's client, you'll already be well aware of just how brilliant this hairdryer is.

And if you're not? Well, it really needs to be experienced to be believed. Featuring a brushless motor, it weighs about the same as your iPhone and is around a third of the size of a traditional hairdryer. It's quiet too: so much so, you can feasibly use it on early Monday mornings without waking up your partner.

So far, so appealing – but surely this means less power? Actually, no: thanks to the next-gen motor, this is a shockingly powerful option, making light work of even the longest-thickest hair. With a wide nozzle, smaller nozzle and a large diffuser included, everyone is catered for, too.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best value hairdryer

BaByliss 2100W Hydro-Fusion Dryer

On Sale
2100W Hydro-Fusion Dryer
Best value hairdryer

BaByliss 2100W Hydro-Fusion Dryer

Now 40% Off
Credit: BaByliss

A go-to for those days when you snooze your morning alarm, this small-but-mighty hairdryer makes light work of speedy styling.

Granted, it's not the most luxe bit of kit in our list, but if you're simply after a one-and-done device to take you from wet to dry, this one is a surprisingly effective, extremely affordable option.

Key specifications

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle and diffuser
Cool shotYes
Cord length (m)2.42
Hanging loopNo
Ionic technologyYes
Number of speed settings2
Number of heat settings3
Wattage (watts)2100
Best travel hairdryer

T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer

On Sale
Fit Compact Hair Dryer
Best travel hairdryer

T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer

Now 25% Off

As compact as your make-up bag, this mini powerhouse from the ever-reliable T3 is perfect for long weekends and trips abroad. It might be tiny, but it'll work so much better than that vintage model you'll inevitably find in your hotel.

Key specifications

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle
Cool shotYes
Cord length (m)2.7
Hanging loopNo
Ionic technologyNo
Number of speed settings2
Number of heat settings3
Wattage (watts)Not disclosed
Best hairdryer for frizz and flyaways

ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer

On Sale
Helios Professional Hair Dryer
Best hairdryer for frizz and flyaways

ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer

Now 19% Off

This is the second ghd dryer to make our list, proving that the brand really knows its styling tools. This recent 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.

Key specifications

AttachmentsConcentrator nozzle
Cool shotYes
Cord length (m)2.86
Hanging loopYes
Ionic technologyYes
Number of speed settings2
Number of heat settings2
Wattage (watts)2000
Watch Next
 
preview for ELLE UK - Beauty
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Shop Beauty

three models in matte lipstick

ELLE Edit: 15 Matte Lipsticks That Won’t Flake

best contour palette

ELLE Edit: 11 Of The Best Contour Products

milan, italy january 15 models pose backstage at the dhruv kapoor fashion show during the milan menswear fallwinter 2024 2025 on january 15, 2024 in milan, italy photo by rosdiana ciaravologetty images

ELLE Edit: The Best SPFs For Acne-Prone Skin

london, england february 18 models are seen backstage ahead of the paul costelloe show during london fashion week february 2022 on february 18, 2022 in london, united kingdom photo by nicky simsbfcgetty images

ELLE Edit: The Best Make-Up Mirrors With Lights

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below