The Best Hair Dryers for 2021

Megan is a Senior Editor, SEO for SmarterTravel Media.

Megan started with SmarterTravel Media’s Airfarewatchdog way back in 2008, moved over to FamilyVacationCritic, and finally SmarterTravel in 2021. Originally from Massachusetts, she has lived in Nova Scotia, London, and New York City. She has spent nearly every summer (or at least part of it) on Prince Edward Island. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, two young children, and their dog, Indiana Bones (Indy).

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Finding a hair dryer that suits your needs can be difficult. Often, we just give up and buy either the most expensive one we can find, assuming it will work great, or the cheapest one, not caring. Whether you’ve got straight hair, curly hair, short hair, or want a hair dryer for your super versatile hair, we’ve got you covered. Here are our picks for the best hair dryers in 2021.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Best Hair Dryer for Straight Hair: Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Hot Air Brush

A dryer that does it all: dries, and styles your hair at the same time, without the awkwardness of fumbling around with a brush and a blow dryer at the same time. Designed with nylon pin and tufted bristles for detangling, helping with volume and control, it has two heat and speed options, and is boosted with ionic technology for faster drying. Perfect for travel within the US, as it is not recommended for use with a voltage converter.

Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair: Hot Tools Professional Ceramic Rainbow

The plague for every curly or wavy haired person, frizz, finally has a solution. This professional hair dryer is everything you are looking for to help tame those curly locks. With six speeds and heat options, you can control how you dry your hair, and the straightening pik, concentrator and diffuser that are included allow you to get the exact style you want.

Best Overall Hair Dryer: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

When it comes to all things air, whether it be suction, heating/cooling/purifying, Dyson usually tops the list. It’s no surprise that they also have one of the best hair dryers out there, too. This dryer has it all and more, no matter what your hair type: six attachments including flyaway attachment, styling concentrator, diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb, its heat regulation prevents heat damage, and its digital motor V9 combined with Air Multiplier technology ensures fast drying and precision styling.

Best Hair Dryer for Thick Hair – ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer

The ergonomic design of this lightweight hair dryer makes it comfortable to hold, and features variable heat and speed settings to give you ultimate control as you blow dry your hair. Don’t let the lightweight-ness of this dryer fool you—it’s seventy-five mph airflow allows for a quick, precise dry, no matter how thick your hair is.

Best Travel Hair Dryer – BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer

This compact, foldable hair dryer will become a staple in your suitcase. Using nano titanium & ionic technology with dual voltage, it delivers the power you need to dry your hair, despite its size.

Best Ionic Hair Dryer – MHU Professional

This low-noise hair dryer uses far-infrared heat, a powerful AC motor and negative ion technology that dries hair fast. The dryer comes with a diffuser for curlier hair, as well as a concentrator nozzle for direct heat when you’re straightening your hair.

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