Best hair dryer 2025: quick and frizz-free drying for all hair types

A great hair dryer is more than just a tool – it’s the foundation of every good hair day. Whether you're aiming for a quick dry, a salon-worthy blowout, or the perfect prep for styling, the right dryer makes all the difference. However, with shelves full of options, how do you know which one’s worth the splurge?

From lightweight designs that make styling effortless to high-tech dryers that smooth frizz and dial up the shine, we've put this year’s top models to the test. Whilst the Mdlondon BLOW is currently our standout favourite, there are plenty of other impressive contenders that might be your perfect match.

Thinking of overhauling your entire routine? Don’t miss our expert picks for the best hair curlers and the best hair straighteners too.

The top three

WRITTEN BY

WRITTEN BY

Lizzie Wilmot

Lizzie is T3's Home Living Staff Writer, covering the latest in beauty tech at T3. With hands-on experience testing top hair dryers from Dyson, ghd, Shark and more, she knows what sets a great model apart.

Best hair dryers ranking 2025

The best hair dryer overall

The mdlondon BLOW took home Best Hair Styling Tool at the T3 Awards 2024 – and it’s easy to see why. Combining powerful performance with a lightweight, ultra-quiet design, it's the most impressive hair dryer we’ve tested in a long time.

It delivers salon-worthy, shiny results, and the stylish colour options are a bonus too. Yes, it sits at a higher price point, but if you’re after a thoughtfully designed, high-performing tool that truly elevates your styling routine, this one’s a standout.

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The best affordable hair dryer

​The Remington ONE Dry & Style Hair Dryer delivers impressive performance at an affordable price point. Its salon-grade 2000W motor and eight heat/speed settings ensure quick, efficient drying for various hair types, and the Dual Ionic System helps towards smooth, frizz-free results.

With four versatile attachments – including a Flyaway Tamer and Curl Defining Diffuser – it caters to diverse styling needs. Whilst its 700g weight may be noticeable compared to lighter models, the combination of power, features, and value makes it a standout choice for those seeking quality without the premium price tag.

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The best premium hair dryer

The Dyson Supersonic r builds on everything that made the original Supersonic iconic, elevating the experience with a sleeker design and smart attachments engineered for professional-grade performance. Initially developed for salon use, it’s now available for at-home consumers too, and it's already generating buzz for its intelligent airflow control, advanced heat protection and impressively quiet operation.

T3 has previously reviewed the original Supersonic and we’ll be putting the Supersonic r through its paces in the coming weeks – so stay tuned for our full verdict.

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The best hair dryer for attachments

The Shark SpeedStyle Pro Flex is a thoughtfully upgraded version of its predecessor, the original Shark SpeedStyle 3-in-1. It retains the lightweight design and versatile attachments, whilst introducing notable enhancements like foldable design and the innovative Scalp Shield Technology.

Whilst the absence of a storage bag and slightly fiddly attachments are minor drawbacks, the Pro Flex's performance and user-friendly features make it a standout choice for those seeking salon results at home.

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The best powerful hair dryer

Designed by celebrity hair stylist Nicky Clarke, the AirStyle Pro is an impressive 2-in-1 hair dryer and styler that might be more powerful than the Dyson and Shark combined. Its infrared and ionic technology works to keep your hair in a healthy and frizz-free condition, and it also protects your scalp from heat damage.

The powerful motor cuts your drying and styling time down, even if you have extremely thick hair. It comes with an array of attachments to play with, and despite its size, the Nicky Clarke AirStyle Pro is surprisingly lightweight. It doesn't make too much noise either!

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The best looking hair dryer

The Gtech DryOnic Hair Dryer emerges as a compelling contender in the premium haircare market, offering a blend of performance, design and thoughtful features. Its 110,000 RPM brushless motor delivers rapid drying, whilst the adjustable heat and speed settings cater to various hair types. Our reviewer especially loved the inclusion of magnetic attachments, and found the innovative LED display to give it a high tech feel.

That said, the dryer is slightly louder than anticipated, and the controls could benefit from more intuitive placement. However, the Gtech DryOnic still offers a strong performance at its price point, whilst looking wonderfully stylish at the same time.

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The best fast drying hair dryer

​The Revamp Dynamic Radiance x Shine Intelligent Ionic Hair Dryer stands out for its rapid drying capabilities, making it an excellent choice for those seeking efficiency in their hair care routine. Equipped with a high-speed brushless motor operating at up to 110,000 rpm and delivering airflow at 150 km/h, this dryer significantly reduces drying time.

Its lightweight design and intuitive LCD display for heat and speed settings further enhance user convenience. Whilst it may cause slight tangling during use, the overall performance and quick-drying efficiency make it worth the buy.

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The best hair dryer for long hair

​The Wahl Vanquish Hair Dryer is a compact yet powerful tool, and is particularly well-suited for individuals with long hair. It weighs just 340g, meaning it stays comfortable to hold during extended drying sessions, and its high-speed 1,600w motor significantly cuts down drying time –a valuable asset for managing long hair.

The best lightweight hair dryer

Yes, we've listed another model from Revamp, but this time it's the Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer. Despite its ridiculously long name, this hair dryer is a masterclass in efficiency. It's compact and lightweight, but packs a serious punch when it comes to getting your hair dry quickly. There are various slick sounding features, including four heat and three power settings, plus an ultra cold freeze shot for setting your style.

The Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryers uses Ionic technology to reduce frizz, and the front ceramic grille is infused with keratin, argan and coconut oils. Our tester is not wholly convinced by features like these, but the Revamp Progloss Hydro Shield X Shine Hair Dryer did leave her hair nice and smooth, so you can make your mind up for yourself on that one.

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The best hair dryer for men

After noticing a gap in the market, Heist invented the 3.0 Men’s Hair Dryer, the first men's focused hair dryer. Designed for men's hair concerns, like balding and thinning, the Heist 3.0 Men’s Hair Dryer is equipped with clever sensors that adjust accordingly when it gets too close to the scalp.

Our reviewer tried it on thick and thin hair, and it worked exceptionally on both. The design is lightweight, sleek and has magnetic attachments that click on satisfyingly. The buttons are in an odd place and can be tricky to access, as the heat is extremely hot but it's a very powerful hair dryer that protects hair and encourages growth.

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How to choose the best hair dryer

A good hair dryer is more than just a tool – it’s an investment in both your personal style and the health of your hair. To find the right one, it’s important to consider your hair type and what you want to achieve. Is your goal simply to dry your hair quickly, or are you also looking to style it with volume, smoothness or defined curls?

If you have fine or thin hair, ceramic dryers with adjustable heat settings are best, as they offer gentle, even heat that helps prevent damage. Those with thick or coarse hair should look for powerful ionic dryers with high wattage – around 1800 to 2000 watts or more – and strong airflow to reduce drying time and boost efficiency. For curly or frizzy hair, dryers with built-in ionic technology and a diffuser attachment help define curls. Finally, if you have long hair, a lightweight dryer with fast drying speeds and a variety of attachments is ideal.

Hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, which is why it’s so important to choose a dryer that suits your hair’s specific needs. Pairing the right tool with proper technique will help maintain strength, shine and overall hair health.

How we test the best hair dryers

When we test hair dryers, we try them out on different hair types to see how they perform in real life. We pay close attention to things like how fast they dry your hair, how evenly they distribute heat, how loud they are, how heavy they feel, and how easy they are to use day-to-day.

We run through all the heat and speed settings, try out the attachments, and get a feel for how user-friendly the design is – like where the buttons are and how comfortable it is to hold. We also think long-term, looking at how durable the dryer is, how well it's built, and whether it keeps performing after regular use.

Basically, we want to know if it's just good out of the box, or if it’s a tool you can rely on for the long haul.

Best hair dryer FAQs

Can using a hair dryer damage my hair?

Yes – if used incorrectly. High heat or constant drying without protection can lead to dryness, split ends and breakage. To minimise damage, you should use a heat protectant spray before drying and keep the dryer 6–8 inches from your hair. Remember to avoid using the highest heat setting unless you truly need it.

How often should I clean my hair dryer?

You should clean the air filter every 1–2 weeks, especially if you use it frequently. Dust and hair buildup can block airflow, causing the motor to overheat or reduce efficiency. This can be done by using a soft brush or a toothbrush to gently clean out debris, followed by wiping down the outer body with a dry cloth.

Reviewer Panel

Lizzie Wilmot

Lizzie is T3’s Home Living Writer, and beauty tech is one of her favourite areas to cover – especially when it comes to hair tools. She’s tested a wide range of hair dryers, from lightweight travel models to pro-level stylers, and knows exactly what makes a dryer worth the investment.

Joanna Ebsworth

As T3’s go-to beauty tech expert, Joanna has reviewed dozens of hair dryers over the years and knows how to spot the perfect balance of power, precision and hair-friendly features.

Bethan Girdler-Maslen

Bethan is T3’s Home Living Editor, and she certainly knows her stuff when it comes to the best hair dryers. She’s always on top of the newest trends and trusted recommendations, and her reviews are a testament to that.

Alistair Charlton

Alistair is a regular style reviewer for T3, often lending his expertise to men’s grooming and tech. He’s helped test and compare top hair dryers for men, making sure they tick all the boxes.