The 23 best hair dryers for bouncy blow dries, tested by 315 people (2024)

We asked over 315 testers with different hair types to review 24 market-leading models. They rigorously judged each appliance on its drying speed, ease of use, weight, noise level and end result.

In the GHI lab, we measured the temperature of the airflow, casing and nozzle, as well as assessing instructions, simplicity and design. To see how well each tool combatted frizz, we also used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine, which calculated the amount of flyaways that occurred once hair was exposed to humidity.

Score: 92/100

We know it doesn't look like a hair dryer, but the Dyson Airstrait is one of a new wave of innovative wet-to-dry stylers, (alongside the ghd Duet below), which means it's essentially a hair dryer and straightener in one. It does it with the help of a high-pressure and precise airflow rather than traditional heated plates. Its smart heat control technology also regulates the airflow temperature every 30 seconds to ensure there’s no excessive heat damage and leave your locks looking healthy and shiny instead.

Can’t remember if you turned the Airstrait off? Not to worry – smart technology means it pauses after three seconds of inactivity, saving on energy and anxiety when you're out and about.

All our testers said it styled hair effectively and quickly, with one praising how its multitasking benefits for a busy lifestyle. Another said it was great for maintaining volume. What more could you want from a hair styler? Our beauty editor is also a fan – read her full review.

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Score: 92/100

The ghd Duet is another wet-to-dry styler that outshone the competition in both our hair dryer and hair straightener tests. Although the chunky paddles made it a bit trickier for those with fringes and short hair – something we also found with the Airstrait – most of our testers said this was tech you could really trust.

It left hair looking fully styled without the need to straighten separately (in most cases), so lengths were less exposed to heat damage over time. Our panellists also praised the speed at which it dried their hair and the glossy after-effects. Read our full in-depth review.

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Score: 85/100

Designed to enhance hair’s natural shine and protect our all-important scalp health, this tech-y new tool lives up to the hype, heralding another potentially life-changing launch from Dyson. Those who tried it described it as small but mighty, and more powerful than you might think at first glance.

The scalp sensor means the temperature automatically changes when the tool gets close to your hairline, which gave our panel peace of mind that they wouldn’t hurt themselves or burn their roots.

The magnetic attachments were easy to use and most of our panellists said it was light to hold, although a couple mentioned that the shape of the handle could have been more ergonomic. It left hair shiny and smooth with minimal flyaways, with one tester telling us: “I’ve got a lot of thick hair, and it made short work of getting it all dry,” with another declaring, “This is the best hair dryer I’ve ever used.” Need we say more?

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Score: 84/100

BaByliss claims the 3Q hair dryer is its most effective yet, and it didn’t disappoint in our tests. With a high-speed motor for quick drying, paired with ionic technology to banish static and frizz, it gives hair a super sleek finish in minutes.

The hot mode will help you achieve a smooth, bouncy blow dry, while a final blast with the cold setting helps lock your style in place. Not only did it leave testers' hair looking “smooth, shiny, and frizz-free”, it was quiet and comfortable to hold – so your blow dry won’t feel like a workout.

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Score: 83/100

Achieve dream curls or sleek strands depending on your mood with this hair dryer, which comes with both diffuser and straightener attachments. One tester noted that it didn’t get too hot on the scalp when diffusing compared to other tools they’ve used. This will be thanks to the special drying settings: the scalp care mode has a gentler, cooler airflow, while the skincare mode is meant to boost hydration.

This dryer also has an alternating hot and cold setting, which is great for enhancing shine, plus a hair tip care mode, which creates more manageable ends with the help of a targeted airflow. All testers agreed that it was easy to change between the settings too, all while comfortably holding the hot tool.

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Score: 82/100

Another entry from ghd, this hair dryer excelled when it came to smoothing and banishing frizz, and everyone agreed it left hair looking healthier.

Despite its speedy drying capabilities, it didn't leave anyone's strands feeling dehydrated, and all our panellists were happy with their desired styles. The diffuser attachment stood out for those with curly or wavy hair too.

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Score: 82/100

The hair dryer that broke the internet back in 2016 scored highly with our panel. Every tester said they'd replace their current hair dryer with the Dyson Supersonic after it left their locks softer and free of static. They all said their style lasted until the end of the day and everybody was impressed by how much body and volume it gave them.

Reaching from the roots to the back of the head proved easy and it barely made any noise. It got the job done quickly too, with virtually all of our panel pleased with how quickly it dried their hair. It also scored highly in our lab test, heating up well without scorching strands. The control indicator lights could be clearer, but it delivered an outstanding performance overall.

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Score: 81/100

Despite being compact, this space-saving device achieved impressive results in our tests. Our panel reported softer, healthy-looking hair, with added body; and our experts also gave it their seal of approval in the lab for minimising frizz.

The concentrator nozzle was particularly handy for targeting specific areas, and everyone was able to reach the back of their head without any awkward stretching.

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Score: 81/100

Bellissima’s array of attachments was a hit among our testers, allowing everyone to easily achieve the look they were after.

Those with curly hair were particularly impressed with how much volume was created, with no static or frizz in sight. Everyone saw a boost in smoothness and shine, and most agreed their stands looked stronger and healthier.

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Score: 81/100

Weighing in at just 294g, Hershesons takes top spot for the most suitcase-friendly hair dryer. Despite its size, it boasts impressive functionality, with two styling nozzles and a diffuser for sleeker curls. In fact, all participants said it left their hair feeling smoother, without drying or dulling their colour.

According to our testers, the design “feels premium” and “durable”, and they appreciated the option to automatically save your preferred heat and speed setting for future use. That said, some felt the hair dryer was a little too powerful, and warned that the nozzle can get hot during use.

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Score: 80/100

This hair dryer has eight speed settings, which means you can opt for a leisurely blow out, or get the job done quickly if you’re in a rush. The highest setting reaches 120 km/h for some seriously speedy styling. There are also eight different heat settings, which is great for personalising to your hair type – on top of this, there’s a smart Thermacare sensor that continuously regulates the temperature to protect against extreme heat.

Testers loved how quickly this hair dryer styled their hair, as well as how “light and easy” it was to use. Some did think it was slightly bulky, which may not make it a good travel hairdryer, but still one for the dressing table.

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Score: 80/100

Innovative modes and a sleek design make this hair dryer one of our top contenders. Our panel was impressed by how well it handled frizz, with some testers noting that their style lasted all day. Hair was also left feeling softer and shinier.

Testers with afro hair loved the hot and cold mode (which auto-adjusts between hot and cold air) and the scalp mode — a lower temperature airflow designed for gently drying the scalp area.

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Score: 80/100

Here’s a hair dryer that adds plenty of volume. And not only did it bring a little extra oomph to most of our testers' roots, but the magnetic styling nozzle attachments also make it super easy to switch up your look.

It didn’t strip moisture from hair and left it looking healthier for most testers. The majority of our panellists with coloured tresses also said it didn’t dull their shade, and it helped eliminate frizz.

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Score: 79/100

If you’re looking for a simple hair dryer that works quickly, DryBar’s Buttercup Blow-Dryer is hard to beat. Our panel appreciated the lightweight body and ability to change between drying modes, finding it quick and easy to create silky-smooth results using the attachable nozzles. Not only that, but the majority of testers said that they were satisfied with its performance and would continue to use it post-trial.

It’s worth noting that there’s no diffuser attachment to tackle natural curls, but this can be purchased separately should you wish.

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Score: 79/100

If you’re always in a rush, this premium hair dryer has been developed to provide faster airflow and styling time. Described by our testers as “luxurious”, it boasts metallic accents and a handy silicone hanging loop.

It scored well performance-wise too, delivering on softness and shine. The panel agreed that the airflow was powerful for its compact size and all said their hair looked smooth after use. It’s also available in six different colours.

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Score: 75/100

Dubbed “the Tesla of hair dryers”, this tool uses infrared light and cool air tech to dry hair quickly without damage. Safe to say, we were intrigued.

The majority of our panel agreed it lived up to the hype, leaving hair shinier, smoother and healthier. The lightweight, quiet tool aced our lab test for keeping frizz at bay, and most said they were keen to continue using it.

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Score: 75/100

Short on time? Reach for this remarkably efficient tool. Not only was it speedy — all our testers said it dried and styled their hair in a flash — but the results also lasted from morning until night. It was also comfortable to hold, making it easy to reach the back of the head and tackle specific sections.

Our lab test found it slightly slow to reach its maximum temperature and our panel wished it felt more luxe, but most were delighted by how soft and shiny it left their locks.

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Score: 75/100

Overwhelmed by multiple settings? This tool simplifies things by offering just three, making it easy to achieve fuss-free results.

Fast-drying, yet gentle on fragile strands, both our panel and lab were impressed with the shiny, frizz-free results. It was easy to switch between heat and speed settings and many said the cool shot mode kept styles in place for longer.

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Score: 75/100

Save your arm workout for the gym and invest in this lightweight tool instead. The sleek, slim design went down a treat with our panel, and the nozzle is the perfect size to dry close to the roots.

It works in a flash, with one tester commenting that it “took less than 10 minutes to dry my super-thick hair”. Impressive!

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