What makes a great hair dryer?

Best Hair Dryers for Quick, Easy Blowouts at Home

The key to gorgeous, salon-level hair every day is a great hair dryer for easy blowouts at home.

The Beauty Lab evaluates hair dryers across price points in the Lab by measuring drying speed on standardized human hair samples, airflow force, weight, air and surface temperature, and cord length. We also rate each hair dryer’s noise emission level and ease of use, including comfort of hold, ease of putting on and removing attachments, location and ease of controls and buttons, and irritation or damage to scalp, skin, or hair. In the Lab’s most recent hair dryer test, scientists recorded 2,196 data points to tally the winning models.

What makes a great hair dryer?

Adjustable heat and speed settings, including a cool shot button which can help to close the hair’s cuticle and lock in the style, preventing frizz once you’re finished drying.
Attachments really make a difference on varying textures since they affect the airflow of a hair dryer.

● Diffusers are great for people with curly hair because they circulate air to the ends of hair while diffusing the airstream from the hair dryer to prevent frizz, which can help to define curls and even add volume.
● Concentrators narrow the hair dryer’s airflow to blow air directly on the hair for smooth, sleek styles. They come in different sizes for varying purposes: Broad, extended concentrator nozzles are meant for larger surfaces and are useful for thick and long hair as they help it dry faster. Short, narrow concentrator nozzles provide curly and frizzy hair the opportunity for a sleek blowout, since their powerful flows are great for eliminating frizz.