The Game-Changing Styling Tool That Will Perfect Your Curls (2024)

Loved by professional hairstylists, editors and consumers alike, Dyson's famed hair dryer proved to be worth the hype thanks to a stellar performance in GH Beauty Lab testing. Though pricey, this model comes with an impressive five attachments, including a diffuser, which all connect magnetically for easy use.

It also dried hair faster than any model in the history of GH Beauty Lab hair dryer testing, drying an eight-inch sample of hair in just 54 seconds. Our consumer testers included a range of different hair types and lengths. "On the most humid of days, it got hair smoother, and in less time, than any hair dryer I've used," raved one tester with curly hair.

This well-priced universal diffuser disperses air flow, allowing the dryer's air to spread over a large area of hair. Though sold on its own and created to fit on any dryer, it can also fit on GH Beauty Lab test-winning BabylissPro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer, which proved to dry hair fast, provided strong airflow and was comfortable to hold.

The diffuser "doesn't snap or lock into place, as I'd imagined based on a previous diffuser I owned," shares an Amazon reviewer. "It slides on and stays on because of pressure from the hidden collar inside." That design could be improved, as some online reviewers share that it falls off of their dryers often.

Featuring a digital LED display for heat and power settings and an indicator light when it's time to change the filter, this tech-savvy Paul Mitchell dryer performed well in GH Beauty Lab testing. Plus, it comes with a diffuser included (not pictured), key for drying curly and natural hair textures.

In Lab testing, it received a top drying rate score due to its airflow and high heat settings, and testers gave it high marks for minimizing frizz (helpful for curls), with one remarking it "added fullness" and another that "it seemed to dry my hair quickly." Though testers and experts found it easy to operate and liked the controls, it was one of the heaviest hair dryers evaluated.

Another top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, this budget-friendly Hot Tools dryer loved by testers comes with a diffuser included. The compact model makes it easy to store, testers noted, with multiple adding that it also left their hair less frizzy. In testing, it also earned near-perfect scores for drying speed and ranked high for strong airflow.

"The hair dryer dried my hair with less frizz and more shine to it," a tester reported. "It was super easy to use and small, so it could be stored pretty much anywhere." Online reviewers and testers alike love its long cord length. Take caution when removing the diffuser, as online reviewers note that the heat gets very high and you may burn yourself if you touch it before letting it cool.

Widely considered one of the best Dyson Airwrap dupes, Shark Beauty's styler is great for creating curls and waves. This GH Beauty Award winner is a hair dryer, hair dryer brush and curler in one, with five attachments including brushes, curlers, a concentrator and a diffuser that you can choose according to your needs. It's expensive, but "it's proven versatile enough to see me through two different haircuts and I like the easy on-and-off of all of the attachments," a tester revealed.

Plus, it achieved a near-record fast time drying hair samples, reached a high air temperature and had strong airflow in Beauty Lab testing. Alongside four heat and three airflow settings, the handle also twists 90º for different styling methods, like blow-drying and diffusing.

Those with thick or long curly hair will appreciate the extra-large size of this diffuser, making it possible to dry your curls more conveniently and quickly. Rather than a traditional hair dryer with attachment, this pricey two-in-one handheld dryer and built-in diffuser is designed to be easier to hold thanks to its unique shape.

According to the brand, it also features a micro-perforated grid and 112 air holes to help produce even air distribution and gentle heat on curls. "It does not overheat or burn the hair. Gives amazing volume," one reviewer writes. "Button placement is good, no accidental changing settings," another adds.

Cleverly designed in the shape of a hand so you can imitate scrunching as you would with your own hands, DevaCurl's innovative diffuser is loved by celebrity hairstylist Annagjid Kee Taylor. It also delivers 360º airflow which the brand says helps promote faster drying.

Taylor especially loves this option for type 3 curls. "It works really well with coilier hair types because it doesn’t disrupt the natural curl pattern," she says. "This product also features a custom Curl Flexible Alternating Ionic Technology that helps you add volume to your 'do." Just note that even though it's created as a universal diffuser, many online reviewers share that it doesn't fit well on their dryer.

Although it is designed for Drybar's Buttercup and Baby Buttercup hair dryers (the latter is a GH Beauty Lab test winner), it still fits other hair dryers as well (though some online reviewers claim it doesn't fit on theirs).

An online reviewer with fine hair shares that it "dried my hair quickly and the results were great — bouncy curls and no frizz." When paired with GH Beauty Lab test-winning Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Hair Dryer (sold separately), you can bring the two along with you on your travels; the dryer scored perfectly in Lab evaluations for having easy-to-use controls.

The soft, mesh fabric of this YS Park diffuser contains silver and titanium particles, which heat up and retain heat, according to the brand (though this has not been confirmed by the GH Beauty Lab). By retaining the heat, it creates a softer, more manageable blow dry.

Weighing virtually nothing, this is the perfect diffuser to pack and travel with, especially for stylists who are on-the-go or tight on space. Designed for professionals, this brand also carries hair brushes that are widely loved by stylists. "This diffuser is flexible and can be squished flat for packing, plus it works with any hair dryer," a reviewer said. Another online reviewer notes that it doesn't work as well on shorter, smaller hair dryers.

Not a fan of typical bowl diffusers? Try this sock diffuser instead. Because it's made of fabric, it can stretch to fit on any sized hair dryer, according to the brand (though this hasn't been confirmed by the GH Beauty Lab). Like a regular diffuser, it slows down the airflow to avoid damaging curls.

Online reviewers love how small it is, making it easy to travel with, but they do recommend hovering over your curls rather than touching them with the sock, with one explaining that "if you touch your hair with it, it will make it frizzy (the surface is rather fuzzy), so don't use your normal diffusing technique. Just hover diffuse."

Bringing a diffuser on a trip but don't want to take up too much space in your luggage? Look no further than this collapsible model. It's universal too, so you can attach it to hotel dryers and travel dryers to make packing even lighter. This silicone diffuser is not only easy to travel with, but also easy to store, with one online reviewer saying that they "love the result in my hair, and the attachment is easy on/off, cool to the touch, then collapses and is put away until next use."

Some users do note, though, that it can be initially difficult to put the diffuser on their dryers. (If you feel more comfortable bringing your own dryer, try this GH Beauty Lab test-winning travel dryer from the brand, complete with a foldable handle, diffuser included and more.)

Here is everything you should look for when buying a hair diffuser. Most importantly, take your needs and hair type into consideration when picking the best diffuser for you.

✔️ If you want to dry hair faster, or if your hair has lots of volume, "you will want a cup diffuser with prongs," advises Angela Soto, hair stylist and owner of Baja Studio in New York City. "The airflow is a little stronger than most diffusers."

✔️ If you have frizzy hair, you may want to use a sock diffuser. The gentle airflow "will not disturb the curls at all," says Soto, but hair may take longer to dry.

✔️ If you have tight curls, "use a diffuser shaped like a hand," suggests Soto. "The airflow is gentle but the fingers can be inserted straight to the root without disturbing the length of the curls." As for how to use a diffuser for curly hair, start by applying any styling and leave-in haircare products to your damp strands. Attach the diffuser to your hair dryer, turn the dryer on, then plop large sections of hair into the diffuser, cupping it around your curls. Repeat until all hair is dry.

Diffusers are attachments that snap or clip onto the end of your hair dryer. Many are crown-shaped, though some are made of fabric as well. True to their name, diffusers help to "diffuse" or soften air flow, evenly dispersing it over a larger area of hair. This ensures that the air is not disrupting your wave pattern while minimizing heat damage.

Those with curly hair should try using a diffuser with their hair dryer for best results, hair pros recommend. You can purchase a hair dryer with a diffuser included, a separate diffuser from the same brand as your hair dryer to attach to it or a universal diffuser that can be attached to most hair dryers.

There are two ways you can go about drying your luxurious curls: air drying... or, you guessed it, diffusing.

• First, wash and detangle your hair in the shower. If you tend to have dry hair, consider applying a leave-in conditioner for added moisture and heat protection. Part, style and define your curls before you begin diffusing.
• Then, you can begin to diffuse by directionally blow drying from the root to the tip. "The hair dryer should be set to low or medium heat and high airflow when diffusing hair. Tilt your head and cup the hair in the diffuser rather than flipping it and applying heat from below," says Wizemann. "Make gentler movements up and down, directing the spikes towards roots without touching them to lift them and add volume. The tips will also help create a texture, while low heat will define and soften the hair's natural shape."
• It's also important to know that diffusing can often take a longer amount of time than regular blow drying, so be sure to plan accordingly!

This article was originally written by Marielle Marlys, a freelance writer and former beauty intern at Good Housekeeping. She has covered a range of topics, including the best hair products, and interviews top experts in the industry. Additionally, she vets products to ensure accurate, trustworthy recommendations.

To put together this story, she worked with Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Lab Chemist Sabina Wizemann. She also interviewed NYC-based stylist and owner of Baja Studio Angela Soto, as well as celebrity hairstylist, brand founder and social media influencer Annagjid Kee Taylor, who provided expert advice and product recommendations.

This story was most recently updated by GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn. She works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair products, treatments and tools. She also worked with Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D., who vetted and reviewed our top picks and provided insight into diffusing hair.