I have to admit, I had never really paid much attention to hair dryers. Case in point: I bought my last dryer from Target four-ish years ago, and chose it because it looked cute and was around $20. It wasn't until I switched to my current fave: a powerful dryer with a wide nozzle, that I realized choosing the right quality hair dryer can make a huge difference on everything from how long it takes to style my hair in the morning, to how shiny and frizz-free it feels post-blowout.
I guarantee that once you discover a hair dryer that works for your hair type and preference, you'll never look back (no disrespect to my Target dryer!). I asked Andrew Fitzsimons, the Kardashian fam's go-to celeb hairstylist and NatureLab. TOKYO's brand ambassador, how to find that perfect dryer. And don't worry, quality doesn't always mean more way more $$ — like all beauty things, you have to find the one that works for you and whatever preferences you have.
If you have hair that falls under the thick or frizzy category, Fitzsimons recommends an ionic or tourmaline hair dryer. Ionic means that it shoots negative ion technology to dry hair faster and leave it sleeker, which is a huge plus for thick, frizzy hair. But if you lean towards thin, fine hair, he suggests going with a ceramic hair dryer, which will distribute heat evenly throughout your hair to prevent further dehydration, and still keep it frizz-free.
When it comes to attachments (aka the nozzles you can swap out on hair dryers), Fitzsimons says a good hair dryer always has them, as they're a "lifesaver for blowouts." Different attachments distribute air in different ways — while a concentrator (a narrow nozzle) gives you more control over airflow and leaves your strands sleek and smooth, a diffuser (bowl-shaped attachment) will reduce airflow and is meant for hair with texture, as the prongs will lift hair, define curls, and tame frizz.
Now that you have all this info, it's time to pick that special hair dryer. Let us help you make this BIG decision (some hair dryers are like $300+, OK?) Here are the best hair dryers at every style and price point...
Get ready to simplify your wash day routine. Dyson's Airstrait Straightener uses air to take hair from wet to dry without hot plates or risking heat damage.
Conair InfinitiPro by Conair 1875 Watt Salon Performance Hair Dryer
Conair InfinitiPro by Conair 1875 Watt Salon Performance Hair Dryer
Another budget-friendly option, this highly-rated hair dryer is popular for how fast it dries your hair, thanks to its AC motor. Its combo of ionic and ceramic tech will give your locks the shine they deserve.
For under $20, this hair dryer legit delivers on every front. It combines ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline technologies, and comes with both concentrator and diffuser attachments, so it's pretty much a winner in everyone's book.
Curly girls are obsessed with this ceramic hair dryer, as the powerful tool enhances thick curls and gives them gorgeous volume, while reducing frizz and adding shine.
If you have fine, thin hair, this ceramic hair dryer will easily become your go-to hot tool. It's sleek and lightweight, making it super easy to handle and style your hair in record time.
MHU Professional Salon Grade Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
MHU Professional Salon Grade Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
Say goodbye to static-y, tangled hair. This powerful dryer is a huge hit on Amazon for its ability to combat frizzy locks, with its ionic and ceramic functions. It also comes with a concentrator and diffuser, so you can switch accordingly.
This chic white hair dryer is as powerful as it is lightweight — you'll not only be surprised at how quickly your hair dries, but also how silky smooth it'll feel afterwards.
So this is the hair dryer that transformed my hair: you can switch between ionic and noionic heat, depending on if you're going for more volume or want sleeker strands. It's also so powerful that it cut my dry time in half, but without overheating my hair.
Bargain Buy
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Hot Air Brush
Bargain Buy
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer Hot Air Brush
While it's not exactly a traditional hair dryer, this all-in-one hot air brush has a cult following, and it's totally justified. Long-haired gals will love using this brush to dry their strands, while also giving them flippy volume. Its ionic technology and ceramic coating alike protect your hair from overheating and getting way too frizzy.
Not only is this hair dryer actually beautiful, but it's also really good at its job. Though it is on the pricey side, fans think it's totally worth it — the dryer gives you the healthiest glossy tresses.
If you've ever had to stop mid-blow dry to take a break because you're starting to get sweaty and your arm is cramping, look no further. This under-$100 dryer that weighs less than a pound is super comfortable to hold and won't leave a single wet strand behind.
For thick-haired girls, this ionic dryer will deliver the sleek and shine you need, minus the frizz. It also has six different heat and speed settings, so you can toggle with whatever works for your locks!
You can trust that the place you go to for a gorge blowout also makes the finest hot tools. This hair dryer uses ionic technology to seal your hair cuticles, aka make your hair look shiny af, and comes with two concentrator nozzles.
If you're in a dorm room or sharing a bathroom, the Sephora Collection Mini Blast Blow Dryer is perfect. Tiny but powerful, this dryer has a DC motor that emits negative ions to eliminate frizz and leave hair shiny.
OK, spending this much money on a hair tool might seem excessive, but Dyson converts swear by this intelligent dryer that comes with both a smoothing nozzle and diffuser. Your hair will never get too hot due to its smart heat control, and it'll look smoother than ever.
With over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, this Hot Tools blow dryer has 4.5 stars. Famous for its frizz-free blowout, this tool is loved by curly haired users for how efficent it is. One reviewer wrote, "I have thick curly hair and hated drying my hair because of how long it takes but this dryer got it done in less than 10 minutes! So far, this is the best blow dryer I have ever used!"
FLOWER Flower Hair Tools Ionic Pro Hair Dryer with Concentrator
FLOWER Flower Hair Tools Ionic Pro Hair Dryer with Concentrator
Boring blow dryer? Don't know her. This fun styling tool is loved by users for its airflow dial and turbo ionic switch for sleek styling. Even better is that it's under one pound, so doing your hair has never been less of a workout.
Conair InfinitiPRO by Conair® DigitalAIRE Hair Dryer
Conair InfinitiPRO by Conair® DigitalAIRE Hair Dryer
Conair's latest hair dryer gives you a salon-style blowout from the comfort of your own home. Plus, it's got a quiet accelerated motor that'll cut down your blow-dry session time in half.
Though this fancy hair dryer isn't the lightest, it will dry your wet strands so fast that the weight won't even matter. An added bonus is that this dryer uses less wattage than most, so you can feel good about the energy you're saving.
No big deal, but this blow dryer has a Ferrari-designed engine. That's right, built with stainless steel and 2000 watts of power, the BaBylissPRO SteelFX Dryer is like the fancy car of blowdryers. Regardless of how powerful it is, it's super lightweight and comes with three heat settings that makes styling your hair easy.
Yerin Kim is the Assistant Editor for Snapchat Discover at Seventeen, covering beauty, sex & health, lifestyle, and entertainment. Originally from New Jersey but raised in Seoul, she is a proud Syracuse grad who loves fluffy puppies and a good Instagram opp. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram!