Hair dryers have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, ever since Dyson unleashed its high-tech (and high-priced) Supersonic about a decade ago. It costs nearly $600 and has inspired a range of slightly lower-priced but still expensive competitors like the Shark.
But are those really that much better than the $30 dryers you can pick up at any old drugstore? Is it time to upgrade to something that promises to dry your hair faster, make it look better and keep it healthier, too?
We talked to hair stylists about which dryers they’re using in their salons and the brands they recommend to clients — but there’s an interesting caveat you should keep in mind.
There’s a difference between the salon and home.
Most of the experts we talked to said the claims of these expensive brands are true, at least in their experience. “Pricey dryers do work faster and better, without compromising the integrity of your hair,” said Stanley Nolan, an Ogle School cosmetologist and beauty education specialist. “If you dry your client’s hair with a cheaper, low-quality dryer, you run the risk of damaging, overheating and developing tons of frizziness in the process.”
But while many stylists love using the more expensive brands at work, it’s important to remember that they’re doing multiple blowouts during each shift. For a consumer, even if you wash and dry your hair every day, you only use your hair dryer for a few minutes a day at most.
Tim Foster, a stylist and colorist at District on 50th in Minneapolis, did an informal stylist survey at his salon. The Dyson brand was a favorite, with mentions of its different temperature controls, quiet operating volume, energy-efficiency and lighter weight. While he’s still using a German-made Solingen (“it’s worked very well for me”), Foster said that when his current dryer breaks down, “I’ll most likely get a Dyson, too.”
But, as he pointed out, while professionals value many things about the Dyson, those features probably won’t make a big difference for at-home use. “I understand why stylists prefer these dryers, but I don’t think I’d recommend that my clients buy one of these, as they basically do the same thing all blow dryers do,” he said.
Weight, for example, is a far more important factor for stylists than at-home users, who may not notice that additional heft. “I love my Dyson, which I originally bought because of its lightweight design,” said stylist Dawna Jarvis. “Spending more than 25 years doing blowouts has taken a toll on my shoulders, so lighter is better.”
Whatever factors you’re considering, remember that having the latest, greatest and most expensive styling tools is not an absolute necessity, said stylist Wy Mac. “There are solid options at every budget,” she said. “You just need to know what to look for.”
Here’s how to shop for a good hair dryer.
It is, after all, just a hair dryer, so you may not want to spend upward of $500 on something that just prevents you from showing up to work with wet hair. But that doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest model you can find, either.
The experts had ideas for finding something effective and reliable. “Always do your research on hair dryers,” said stylist Irving Ramirez. “Just because it’s a professional dryer, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get salon-quality results.” And Ramirez notes that if you’re shopping for a dryer, you might want to drop some additional products in your cart. “You still need heat protectant products and a boar bristle or ceramic brush, depending on your hair texture.”
The dryer you use will make a difference, stylists said. “Don’t risk burning your hair with an old dryer,” said stylist Julia DiLauro of New York’s Joon Drop Salon. “Plus, if you enjoy using your blow dryer, it will honestly make doing your hair a fun self-care ritual rather than something you dread doing.”
She offered these thoughts for what to look for: “I would steer clear of dryers without multiple heat settings, those without a concentrator nozzle or honestly anything from the drugstore, because with those brands, the heat settings tend to get random spurts of heat that can burn your hair.”
Stylists consider a number of factors when choosing the hair dryer they’ll be using on shift, and so should you, said stylist Giovanny Jorge, founder of New York’s Hair Repair Bar by Gioje. “You should think about weight, adjustable temperature controls and the flexibility of the grip,” she said. Power is always a concern, and Jorge said that “the more air, the better” should be your guide.
“If a hair dryer has no power, it’s going to take a long time to dry, and you’re going to have to hold it closer to your head, which can cause accidental damage if the heat setting is too high,” she said. “A hair dryer should be felt comfortably at least 6 inches away from your head.”
Shaun Surething, co-owner of New York’s Seagull Haircutters, had this advice: “Avoid any dryer that scorches your hair into straw. I recommend keeping the heat below max with a directional nozzle close to the hair for precision and efficiency. If you’re working with true curls, a diffuser is the way to go.”
Finally, check out models with ionic technology, Mac said. “It’s going to speed up your drying time while reducing frizz, which is a game changer. Also, make sure it comes with a concentrator nozzle, which helps direct airflow properly to smooth the cuticle and get that glossy finish.”
We asked stylists for their recommendations of top-tier hair dryer brands. These are their favorites.
“I really love this ionic technology, which helps break down water molecules faster, meaning hair dries quicker and stays smoother,” Mac said. “Because of that, there’s less heat damage, less frizz and more time back in your day.”
“The price point of this one is similar to the Dyson, but it’s lighter in weight and, for some, more straightforward to manage,” said trichologist Kerry Yates.
“It delivers drying results similar to those of the Dyson, too. It’s a bit loud, and some have said it sounds like the drill at the dentist. But for a great blowout, it might be OK to cope with the sound.”
