We updated this article in November 2021 to ensure all picks previously tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab were in stock and reflected correct pricing. Our scientists are currently testing the newest hair dryer launches as well as hair dryer brushes for 2022.
The key to gorgeous, salon-style hair every day is a great hair dryer for easy blowouts at home. Lucky for you, we've got the full blow-by-blow on the best hair dryers.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has been testing hair tools like hair dryers (including hair dryer brushes and travel hair dryers) for over 10 years: In the Lab, scientists evaluate hair dryers across price points by measuring drying speed on standardized human hair samples, airflow force, weight, air and surface temperature and cord length. In addition, they rate ease of use, including comfort of hold, ease of putting on and removing attachments, location and ease of controls and buttons, and any potential irritation or damage to scalp, skin or hair. Finally, each hair dryer's noise emission level is determined via the third-party certifier Quiet Mark. In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent test, scientists evaluated 41 hair dryers over eight weeks or 320
What is the difference between Blow Dryer and Hair Dryer?
Blow dryer is the term that is used for hair dryer in America while hair dryer is the term used commonly in UK and other commonwealth countries. Both blow dryers and hair dryers have the facility to throw out hot and cool air to dry out the wet hair.
The best hair dryer of 2021 we've tested
There's no hiding the fact this is an expensive hair dryer – and let’s be honest, is beyond many people’s budgets for a haircare appliance. But Dyson has crammed a shed-load of tech into its Supersonic dryer making it the best hair dryer you can buy right now. Instead of having the motor behind the nozzle, Dyson has moved it to the handle and this motor sucks in air via a filter in the base rather than through a vent in the barrel. This design shrinks the size of the Supersonic considerably, so it's one of the most compact and lightest hair dryers we've tested. During testing, it was extremely quick to use and provided enough shine to negate the need to run the straighteners over it afterward. However, we often blocked the filter with our hand and the buttons are a little fiddly to access mid-dry. In what should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever used GHD’s range of luxury straighteners, the GHD Air hair dryer is solid and stylish, but where it really excels is noise - it's the quietest dryer we’ve tested. In stark contrast to the Dyson Supersonic’s lightweight, streamlined design, the GHD Air is a large machine with a thick handle, solid switches, and a long barrel but rather than feeling bulky, this sturdiness adds a sense of luxury and craftsmanship to the whole thing. However, its larger size meant we often found it unwieldy in our attempt to get the perfect angle.
On test, it wasn't the fastest dryer we’ve used, nor was it the slowest, but if you want a touch of luxury and style, this hair dryer certainly gets the job done.
Is blower bad for hair?
Is blow drying your hair bad? Correct blow drying will not harm your hair. However, applying heat to your hair when it is already dry can cause brittleness, breakage, dullness and dryness. The secret to safe blow drying is good timing and the proper use of tools and products.
Is it okay to use blower everyday?
Fact: Blow drying your hair can damage and dry it out. ... It doesn't matter if you hit your hair with the heat everyday or once a week, the fact of the matter is, every time you do it is going to cause damage, so ideally, you want to avoid blow drying altogether, or go as long as you can between blow dryer.
