You wouldn’t throw yourself into the arms of a potential suitor without properly assessing all their credentials and spending a few moments with them to ensure you’re making the right decision. The same mindset should apply to heat styling tools, especially hair dryers.
Hair drying is the step that stretches our strands to their maximum length and smoothness to create the perfect base for subsequent styling, whether with a curling or flat iron or even rollers. However, choosing the right tool requires a bit of trial and error, as well as a basic understanding of what might work best for your hair. “When choosing a hair dryer, aim for at least 1800 watts for efficient drying. Look for models with multiple heat and speed settings for customization, and consider those featuring ionic technology or tourmaline/ceramic materials for even heat distribution and reduced damage,” explains Jewell Faranso Hingorani, professional hairstylist and founder of Jewell Clip. Of course, no one wants frail, weak arms at the end of blow-drying, so choosing a lightweight dryer “enhances comfort during use,” she adds.
Our picks for the best blow dryers of 2025
And because excessive tension from blow drying can weaken strands—or worse, cause breakage and damage—the type of dryer matters. Can your hair withstand a one-step brush dryer? Do your strands tend to be curly or coily and require a bit more versatility in attachments? Or are you a bombshell blow-out connoisseur and looking to upgrade to a crowd favorite? As a bit of a blow-drying obsessive myself, I compiled a list of the top expert- and ELLE editor-approved hair dryers, and combed through customer reviews to determine which ones are worth every coin.
Pros
Smart technology creates customized experience
Cons
- May not be best for coily, coarser hair
A favorite of Hingorani for “its fast drying time, lightweight design, and intelligent heat control,” the Supersonic Nural works to maintain your hair’s moisture level and sheen without harming your scalp. The more you use it, the easier it adapts to your routine, ultimately streamlining your styling sessions.
Wattage: 1,600
Attachments: Curl diffuser, gentle air attachment, styling concentrator, wide-tooth comb, flyaway attachment
Nordstrom rating: 4.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I have really thick hair that takes forever to dry—drying my hair has always been my least favorite part of my beauty routine. This hair dryer is one of the fastest I’ve used. It completely dries my whole head of hair in under 20 minutes. I also like that it has a ‘scalp protect’ mode to make sure you don’t burn yourself when you go too close to your scalp. I like to use the comb attachment to blow dry my hair completely before styling.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
The Intelligent One
T3 Aire IQ Intelligent Hair Dryer
Pros
- Fully customizes hair drying routine
Cons
- Learning curve
Are you smarter than your hair dryer? T3 begs to differ. The Aire IQ adjusts its heat and speed settings according to your hair’s texture for a fully customizable experience that dries without stripping your hair of its moisture.
Wattage: 1850
Attachments: Diffuser, style concentrator, quick dry concentrator, stand
Nordstrom rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Blow drying my hair is the bane of my existence, so I'll admit that I am an air-dry girl. However, that method isn’t best for my tightly coiled, 4C hair, and typically leaves my strands drier and more prone to breakage. On a quest to treat my hair with more TLC, I turned to the T3 Aire Dryer. Relief was one main benefit it offered, as the combination of my personalized speed and heat settings cut my drying time in half and didn’t leave my hair feeling brittle afterward.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
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Pros
- Perfect for textured hair
Cons
- Snap-in button is a bit fragile
If there’s anyone to trust for a versatile, durable, and aesthetically pleasing blow dryer, it’s Tracee Ellis Ross. The actress effortlessly switches between hairstyles, so it’s no surprise that Pattern’s first tool is as versatile as its founder’s beauty looks. It comes with all the attachments needed to achieve straighter styles or boost volume for curlier ones.
Wattage: 1875
Attachments: Diffuser, silicone brush, concentrator, wide-tooth comb
Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “When I opened the box, I immediately reached for the silicone brush attachment, which made stretching my curls for sleeker, longer looks easier than ever. The best part about this tool is the heat settings—it gets hot enough to dry your hair fast, but the cold shot is super cold and helps reduce frizz.”—Penrose
Pros
- Straightens each section in seconds
Cons
- Can feel a bit heavy
No round brush and excessive heat needed to get your hair straight in a flash. Just watch any video of someone using the RevAir and you’ll become a believer. After placing a section of your hair in the chamber and holding it for a few seconds, removing the device reveals straighter, smoother hair.
Wattage: 800
Attachments: None
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Very helpful because I like to stretch my hair a lot. Now I can do it easily without getting any heat damage.”
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The One-Step Rounded Brush
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Original
Now 26% Off
Pros
- Adds volume
Cons
- Bulky
Another viral favorite, Revlon’s popular brush elongates hair in just one step. Engineered with tiny bristles attached to each nylon pin, it creates tension without causing breakage. Additionally, the rounded design boosts volume from root to tip.
Wattage: 1100
Attachments: None
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Very pleased with this hair dryer!
I spray my hair with conditioner, section my hair and dry (for the most part) on the cool setting. It smooths hair nicely. The round brush design eliminates having to use a flat iron or curling iron to shape. 100% better than before.”
What hair dryers work for specific hair types?
Just as our different hair types require specific products to achieve our desired results, not all hair dryers are one-size-fits-all. According to Hingorani, familiarizing yourself with a tool’s specifications and capabilities will help you determine which one is best for you.
Straight hair: “A regular blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle works well. Ionic dryers can help reduce frizz.”
Curly hair: “A diffuser attachment is essential to maintain curl definition and minimize frizz.”
Fine hair: “A lightweight, lower wattage dryer with a cool setting can prevent damage and over-drying.”
Thick hair: “A powerful dryer with higher wattage, like 2000w, and multiple heat settings is necessary for effective drying.”
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What are some best practices when blow drying hair?
Like using sunscreen for your face, protecting your hair is equally important. “Always apply a heat protectant spray before drying to prevent damage. Use lower heat settings for fine or damaged hair and higher settings for thick or coarse hair,” she explains. It’s also important to keep the tool at a distance from your hair, “at least six inches, moving the dryer around to prevent overheating. Finally, use the cool shot button to set styles and enhance shine,” she adds.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled a hair expert, ELLE editors, and read through customer reviews to land on the best hair dryers for different hair types.
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