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There’s nothing like a post-run shower to cool off, but if you don’t fancy dashing out of the door with damp, dishevelled hair, it’s time to invest in a decent hair dryer.
It might not seem as essential as a good moisturiser or shampoo, but you’ll never go back to air drying after trying one of these innovative hair tools:
- Best hair dryer: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
- Best hair dryer for afro hair: Panasonic EH-NA98 Hair Dryer
- Best professional hair dryer: ghd Air Hair Dryer
- Best lightweight hair dryer: InStyler TURBO Ionic Hair Dryer
- Best hair dryer for speedy drying time: BaByliss Hydro-Fusion Air Dryer
- Best budget hair dryer: Boots Power Dryer 2200W
How do I choose a good hair dryer?
The right hair dryer will help you escape the gym changing room faster, with a head of freshly styled hair that all your colleagues will admire. There's a lot of choice on the market, but some seriously smart tech helps certain models stand out from the crowd (such as our winner, the Dyson Supersonic). These are the key features to consider before buying:
Cool shot button: Though not essential for some, it's a must if you have naturally curly hair or struggle to control frizz. The cold air helps seal the hair cuticle, leaving a silky-smooth finish.
Multiple speed and heat settings: Yes, your hair will dry the fastest at top speed, but max power usually equals a frizz bomb if your mane is naturally curly. Speed options allow for a customised experience, and it's the same deal with heat settings – avoid the hottest temperature if you have curly hair or a sensitive scalp.
Ionic technology: Not a necessity but greatly welcomed, this tech involves negative ions breaking up water molecules in the hair, which helps to prevent flyaways while drying. Look for positive ions if you're after a volume boost from the roots.
Wattage: In general, the higher the wattage, the stronger the airflow. If you’re often tight on time, dryers with a higher wattage will get the job done quickest, but they can also feel heavier to use.
Do expensive hair dryers really make a difference?
The devices on our roundup start from £12.99 and range all the way up to an eye-watering £299.99. So, are hair dryers worth a splurge?
Lower quality hair dryers tend to come with fewer attachments, speeds and heats than their luxury counterparts. Unsurprisingly, cheaper hair dryers are usually made from cheaper materials (hello, brittle plastic) that aren’t as durable. This can make switching nozzles a struggle, unlike Dyson’s clever magnetism (just saying).
Pricier models are often lighter to carry, longer lasting and faster at drying hair. But ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference based on your needs, tastes and budget.
How we test hair dryers
Our panel of over 350 testers – all with a variety of hair types – reviewed 65 hair dryers.
They judged each device on how quickly it dried their hair, how easy it was to use, how heavy and comfortable it felt to hold and manoeuvre, how noisy it was in use and how happy they were with their finished style.
Back in the Runner’s World lab, our expert testers measured the temperature of each model's airflow (to check the accuracy of its claims), casing and nozzle, as well as assessing its instructions, simplicity and design.
Fed up with looking like you've been dragged through a hedge backwards? Let's find you your dream dryer.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Not only the sleekest but also the most innovative hair dryer out there, Dyson’s bestseller lived up to its hype with our testers. It excelled at ramping up volume and body and dried their sopping strands in a flash, leaving 82% with shinier, healthier-looking hair.
No one was left with any static and it hardly made any noise, should you worry about disturbing others in the morning. Some testers found the control indicator lights tricky to see, but make no mistake – this device is extremely impressive.
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser, smoothing nozzle, gentle air attachment
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 2.7
Hanging loop: No
Ionic technology: Yes
Number of speed settings: 3
Number of heat settings: 3
Wattage (watts): 1600
Panasonic EH-NA98 Hair Dryer
Our testers with afro hair crowned this dryer their queen after raving about its long-lasting frizz control. Those with finer, more fragile tresses will appreciate its hot and cold mode, which auto-adjusts between hot and cold air to stop your hair from sizzling. There's a lower temperature scalp mode, too, because nobody wants a head that feels sunburned.
If these fancy features aren't enough to win you over, our panel said it left their manes looking and feeling softer and shinier. Oh and its foldable handle got a thumbs up for tossing into your kit bag.
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 2.65
Hanging loop: Yes
Ionic technology: Yes
Number of speed settings: 3
Number of heat settings: 4
Wattage (watts): 1800
ghd Air Hair Dryer
Living up to its lofty claim of delivering salon-quality styling from your own home (or gym), this professional ghd dryer thrilled our testers with its efficiency. It dried their hair at pace, leaving it notably smoother, thanks to an ace concentrator nozzle that precisely directed the airflow.
Everybody praised its compact design, but some panellists found it slightly heavy. In the lab, the casing stayed a safe temperature to handle, so you won't be dropping it like a hot potato before your locks are dry.
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 3
Hanging loop: Yes
Ionic technology: Yes
Number of speed settings: 2
Number of heat settings: 2
Wattage (watts): 2100
InStyler TURBO Ionic Hair Dryer
This jazzy blue and white dryer is blissfully lightweight, meaning it won't tire your arms out further after a long run. It proved relatively quiet and delivered a 'gentle' air stream that our testers found less damaging than more powerful models.
It dried their roots easily, boosting volume and body, and everyone appreciated the cool shot button flicking on and off, unlike others that need holding down. Overall, it looks more premium than its mid-range price tag suggests – result!
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 2.94
Hanging loop: Yes
Ionic technology: Yes
Number of speed settings: Continuous
Number of heat settings: 2
Wattage (watts): 1700
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion Air dryer
Lost track of time on a run and need dry hair asap? Make this affordable BaByliss dryer your go-to device. Our entire panel found it comfortable to use and everybody was happy with how long drying took. It left 83% of testers with softer, shinier hair and they all enjoyed styles that lasted till bed-time.
Our lab test found it a touch slow to reach its maximum temperature, but this didn't affect its drying speed.
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 2.42
Hanging loop: No
Ionic technology: Yes
Number of speed settings: 2
Number of heat settings: 3
Wattage (watts): 2100
Boots Power Dryer 2200W
If you’re simply after something cheap and cheerful that does what it says on the tin, look to our top bargain buy. This dryer offers some of the same features as pricier options. such as a cool shot button and a choice of heat and speed settings, for less than £15.
Our testers enjoyed how lightweight and straightforward it was to use, even if it does look a little basic. It dried their hair quickly, producing smooth, voluminous results with minimal static.
Key specifications
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Cool shot: Yes
Cord length (m): 1.78
Hanging loop: Yes
Ionic technology: No
Number of speed settings: 2
Number of heat settings: 3
Wattage (watts): 2200
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