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✓ 51 sourced quotes

Ranked by evidence

5 Best Hair Dryers of 2026, Ranked by Owner Reviews

Published

“I've had mine for over a year and at the risk of sounding dramatic it changed my life.” — YouTube comment · @supersirenia · 2021-02-18 · on the #1 pick, Revlon One-Step

  1. 1 Revlon One-StepMost popular 18 sources
  2. 2 Dyson SupersonicBest overall 10 sources
  3. 3 Shark HyperAIRBest Dyson alternative 9 sources
  4. 4 Laifen SwiftQuietest 8 sources
  5. 5 BaBylissPRO Nano TitaniumLongest lasting 6 sources
1
Most popular

Revlon One-Step

The newer model has a smaller barrel and more heat settings

Illustration of Revlon One-Step Illustration of the product
Revlon One-Step — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Hot air brush

Why it ranks here. The most discussed hair tool on the internet, with hundreds of thousands of ratings and a viral following. It gives people a blowout they could never do with a brush and a dryer, in half the time, with great volume and shine on fine, flat hair. A disabled veteran who cannot hold two tools calls it the best she has found, and others say it changed their lives.

It gets very hot. One fine-haired owner found chunks of broken hair on her crown within weeks, and another says nobody talks about the breakage. A stylist says hair needs to be 80 to 90 percent dry before using it. The filter cannot be opened, and after a year one clogged with hair and started sparking. Use it on nearly dry hair, on the lower setting, and replace it when it clogs.

What owners like

  • One-handed blowout
  • Volume and shine in half the time
  • Very cheap

What owners complain about

  • Runs very hot, causes breakage
  • Filter cannot be cleaned
  • Not for wet hair

“I've had mine for over a year and at the risk of sounding dramatic it changed my life.” — YouTube comment · @supersirenia · 2021-02-18

9 positive · 3 mixed · 1 neutral · 5 negative · 18 voices · ✓ all 18 linked to source

Read all 18 quotes (18 voices)
  • You MUST get the revlon one-step hair dryer! I have it and I don't wear my hair curly anymore because it's sooooo convenient to blow dry my hair with this thing. Watch youtube videos and you will become converted. It costs like $60 and will change your hair game.

    Reddit comment · u/podriccpayne · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • Hairstylist here! I have the updated model w a smaller barrel and additional heat settings! I hate that they call it a dryer brush; your hair really needs to be 80-90% dry before you can use it. I usually use it on dry hair though, on the medium setting

    Reddit comment · u/GabiD96 · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • It causes a lot of breakage which I haven’t really heard anyone talk about

    Reddit comment · u/rosessandrue · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • So I looked up the Revlon because wow so cheap, firstly I notice people clarify it’s like 80% - 95% dry styler not wet or damp to dry. I’ve seen lots mention build quality is equal to its sale price point. Also users claim it gets so hot, scary hot, hair drying hot on the hottest setting. Some users say even the lower settings cause more heat damage than their hairdryers, use of their own regular tools like straighteners etc.

    Reddit comment · u/DementorsAreCool · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • Gets verrrry hot and I had severe breakage within a couple weeks of using. I literally had chunks of 2-3” hair on my crown. I have fine naturally blond hair and I could not handle the heat it output I guess. I would never purchase again.

    Reddit comment · u/gymmama · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-14 · read the original ↗

  • One thing to consider is that there is no easy way to take the machine apart to clean the filter like a traditional hair dryer. After 1 year of frequent use, mine got clogged with hair and it started sparking. I wont be getting another one because I’m worried about the fire hazard and it’s not much more convenient than a normal hair dryer.

    Reddit comment · u/fittafika · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • I LOVE mine and haven't noticed any breakage. I do wash my hair at night, sleep with it in a hair wrap, and then in the morning use my Revlon. Takes me about 10 minutes total.

    Reddit comment · u/kaileya · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • Ultimately its a big improvement on time. In the back where my hair is less colored I use the high setting... It used to take me 30 minutes to dry/straighten my hair. Now its half that time. I think I do more damage with the coloring than with the Revlon.

    Reddit comment · u/Vanska1 · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • I can't tell you about breakage...because I just don't reach for her enough. It does get very hot and takes more time than using a normal hairdryer, so I reach for my 20-bucks Conair more. I've given her several tries, but it's very blah for me.

    Reddit comment · u/sandwichandtortas · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-13 · read the original ↗

  • That thing broke and fried my hair.

    Reddit comment · u/TourmalineTart · r/HaircareScience · 2022-09-14 · read the original ↗

  • I absolutely love mine. It's a real game changer. Salon blowout at home! Who has the coordination and patience to actually blow dry your hair with a round brush and blow dryer? This thing does it for you and it's AMAZING! I always get compliments when I do it.

    YouTube comment · @lucyatdarkmatter · 2021-02-18 · watch the original ↗

  • I've had mine for over a year and at the risk of sounding dramatic it changed my life.

    YouTube comment · @supersirenia · 2021-02-18 · watch the original ↗

  • I have fine, thin hair and have been using this dryer since it first came out. It gives my hair great volume and shine. It does exactly what I want it to do.

    YouTube comment · @standwgod · 2021-02-18 · watch the original ↗

  • I use this brush. I’m a disabled Veteran and holding a brush AND a hairdryer is impossible. Add I’m attempting to stand up and a service dog is watching me. It’s the best I’ve found yet.

    YouTube comment · @jobellecollie7139 · 2021-02-18 · watch the original ↗

  • Him: Wow it's $42.99- Me: so expensive! Him: super inexpensive! me: …I'm broke I guess

    YouTube comment · @liliancoy5341 · 2021-02-18 · watch the original ↗

  • Used mine for the first time today, I am pleasantly surprised, left my hair shiny and silky. When I opened the box and saw it, I thought it was way too big for my thin and fine hair. Dried my hair so fast. Love it. It didn’t get too hot, like some reviews had said.

    YouTube comment · @AndreaM1127 · 2019-06-17 · watch the original ↗

  • I've had mine for a few months and I am obsessed. My hair is much longer- wavy and thick but I can get my hair done in about 10-15 mins. Second day hair is great too- I just wet it down a little and go back in.

    YouTube comment · @penelopethebluebeagle · 2019-06-17 · watch the original ↗

  • I love this hair dryer!! I have thin, fine hair with absolutely no body to it. With this dryer my hair is full and thick looking. Lots of body. I highly recommend it!!

    YouTube comment · @susanpierce3755 · 2019-06-17 · watch the original ↗

2
Best overall

Dyson Supersonic

Several generations and attachment sets

Illustration of Dyson Supersonic Illustration of the product
Dyson Supersonic — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Dryer with magnetic attachments

Why it ranks here. The dryer everything else is measured against: light, balanced so the wrist never tires, quiet and fast. Owners who took twenty to thirty minutes and ended up frizzy now dry in five to ten with no frizz, and long, thick hair comes out smooth instead of dried out.

It is the one people receive as a gift and admit they would never have bought with their own money, and most salons do not stock one. The diffuser feels like an afterthought, the brick on the cord annoys, and two units died right after the warranty for one owner who switched to Shark. A brain surgery survivor warns that the magnet on the nozzle can reset a VP shunt.

What owners like

  • Halves drying time, no frizz
  • Perfectly balanced
  • Quiet

What owners complain about

  • Very expensive
  • Weak diffuser
  • Magnet can reset a VP shunt

“I have it, got it as a gift. Is it really fucking cool? Yes. Would I have bought it with my own money? Fuck no.” — Reddit comment · u/Beatlemaniac9 · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08

3 positive · 2 mixed · 5 negative · 10 voices · ✓ all 10 linked to source

Read all 10 quotes (10 voices)
  • I LOVE it. I love the ergonomics of it so my wrist doesn’t actually get tired/leave the dryer feeling heavy... It cut my drying time in half and using the most narrowed nozzle that comes with it, I get a silky smooth blow out.

    Reddit comment · u/HopterChopter · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • It's worth every penny. I love it... It always took me 20 to 30 minutes to blow dry my hair and it would be a frizzy, poofy mess, even with the smoothing nozzle. With the Dyson, I can blow dry my hair in 5 to 10 minutes and I don't get frizz anymore at all.

    Reddit comment · u/beefybroth · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • I was about to buy one of these, as my stylist swears by it. However....at the recommendation of someone on this sub, I bought a Sam Villa Light Ionic instead of the Dyson... Anyway: I would get a salon-grade dryer over the Dyson. Its no doubt a good dryer, but the price bothers you, definitely skip it.

    Reddit comment · u/net-a-partner · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • Go to a salon, see how many hairstylists have them (it’s usually zero)

    Reddit comment · u/Sugarmugr · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • I have it, got it as a gift. Is it really fucking cool? Yes. Would I have bought it with my own money? Fuck no.

    Reddit comment · u/Beatlemaniac9 · r/HaircareScience · 2020-04-08 · read the original ↗

  • I have this hair dryer. I got it as a gift as I have very long heavy thick hair and it's hard to dry. This is light weight, balanced and does an AMAZING job drying my hair and it's smooth and soft instead of dried out like it gets with regular dryers.

    YouTube comment · @MakeTimeNow · 2016-09-15 · watch the original ↗

  • WARNING: to anyone who has a brain shunt aka VP shunt for hydrocephalus or pseudo tumor celebri aka Intracranial hypertension like me this dryer has a magnet at end to hold on attachments. This can reset your shunt settings.

    YouTube comment · @2timebrainsurgsurvivorrare11 · 2016-09-15 · watch the original ↗

  • I kind of feel like Dyson diffuser attachment was an afterthought for them😬 Not representative of the Dyson ingenuity that they are known for.

    YouTube comment · @catsav1 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • I had 2 dyson’s that died right after the warranty expired. I will never buy anything dyson again. I am sold on shark

    YouTube comment · @laurapatterson2371 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • Thr brick on the cord is a deal-breaker. I have the Dyson and the cord is so annoying. Thanks for the review.

    YouTube comment · @ginat5963 · 2023-03-25 · watch the original ↗

3
Best Dyson alternative

Shark HyperAIR

Bundles differ; the diffuser is often separate

Illustration of Shark HyperAIR Illustration of the product
Shark HyperAIR — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Dryer with ionic concentrator and diffuser

Why it ranks here. The direct Dyson challenger for less than half the price, with drying speed to match and a diffuser curly-haired owners love that sets speed and heat by itself when plugged in. Buyers who fell in love with a Dyson and got sticker shock find it just amazing, and one dries her hair in four minutes on low heat.

The finish is a step behind Dyson's smoothing nozzle. The diffuser is sold out everywhere for long stretches, so buyers hunt third-party ones. Some units cut out from overheating behind a filter the included brush cannot reach.

What owners like

  • Dyson speed for far less
  • Wonderful diffuser for curls
  • Fast on low heat

What owners complain about

  • Less smooth than Dyson
  • Diffuser always sold out
  • Some units overheat

“Fell in love with the Dyson when I used it at my sister's house but got sticker shock at the price. So I bought the Shark and it is just amazing. I have curly hair and the diffuser is so wonderful.” — YouTube comment · @lindasmith287 · 2021-11-12

4 positive · 2 mixed · 1 neutral · 2 negative · 9 voices · ✓ all 9 linked to source

Read all 9 quotes (9 voices)
  • I took a chance and I bought the shark a few weeks ago on Amazon and there were ZERO reviews yet. I'm so glad I did. I LOVE it. And I love the diffuser. I couldn't bring myself to pay double for the dyson.

    YouTube comment · @Leelioux · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • I bought the shark 2 weeks ago and now it only takes me 4 minutes to get my hair dry with low heat. I also love how I plug in the shark diffuser and the dryer is automatically is programmed to set my speed and heat.

    YouTube comment · @cindyms.1237 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • Fell in love with the Dyson when I used it at my sister's house but got sticker shock at the price. So I bought the Shark and it is just amazing. I have curly hair and the diffuser is so wonderful.

    YouTube comment · @lindasmith287 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • I just got the Shark Hyperair dryer for Christmas yesterday and have never been so excited to wash my hair. LOL... I have fairly thin/fine hair but I was amazed at how fast it dried.

    YouTube comment · @jewels3596 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • Just ordered the Shark hair dryer, but the diffuser is sold out everywhere! But I am glad I saw this video to see you talk about the snozzlepro so I ordered that through your amazon and the black orchid diffuser.

    YouTube comment · @tinathetangerine3413 · 2021-11-12 · watch the original ↗

  • The Shark doesn't give rthe smoothness of the Dyson especially with Dyson's smoothing attachment. There dryer in the 80-150 range that, in my personal opinion that do as good or better of a job than the Shark.

    YouTube comment · @anastasiabeaverhaus9 · 2022-08-30 · watch the original ↗

  • Like many other comments, my dryer is also cutting out, presumably from over-heating. I have used the enclosed brush to clean the filter, but little to nothing is caught. I can see the dust on the other side of the filter but there is no way to get to it. I am extremely disappointed in this dryer.

    YouTube comment · @otiskb1 · 2022-08-30 · watch the original ↗

  • Got mine for $160 CDN at Costco on sale

    YouTube comment · @ap0lmc · 2022-08-30 · watch the original ↗

  • I bought a shark hyperair in 2022. I recently moved to China and I thought it would be nice to bring my hairdryer with me. I didn't think about voltage or anything. I tried using a simple plug converter and that didn't work, it literally wouldn't turn on.

    Reddit post · u/SnooPickles8784 · r/HaircareScience · 2023-09-18 · read the original ↗

4
Quietest

Laifen Swift

Swift, Swift SE and Swift Special differ by region

Illustration of Laifen Swift Illustration of the product
Laifen Swift — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Dryer, brushless motor

Why it ranks here. The newest challenger, a 110,000 rpm brushless motor that has Dyson owners selling their Dysons. It is way quieter, enough that one dog is thankful, light, and uses less heat, so less damage on dry, colour-treated hair.

The cord has an in-line brick and is short, which no professional will want. A nozzle attachment flies off mid-dry for one owner. Would-be buyers see comments that it stops working after a while, and the Swift, SE and Special naming changes by region.

What owners like

  • Quietest
  • Light, less heat
  • Cheaper than Dyson

What owners complain about

  • Short cord with a brick
  • Reliability worries
  • Confusing regional names

“I have 2 Dysons, the main one I use and the 2nd is a spare for guests... I loved it so much that I bought a second one in white. Personally I think the Laifen is better than the Dyson... (By the way, I'm selling my Dysons! 😊)” — YouTube comment · @jann3443 · 2023-07-25

4 positive · 1 mixed · 1 neutral · 2 negative · 8 voices · ✓ all 8 linked to source

Read all 8 quotes (8 voices)
  • I have 2 Dysons, the main one I use and the 2nd is a spare for guests... I loved it so much that I bought a second one in white. Personally I think the Laifen is better than the Dyson... (By the way, I'm selling my Dysons! 😊)

    YouTube comment · @jann3443 · 2023-07-25 · watch the original ↗

  • You know I love my Laifen! I love that the Laifen used less heat. Less damage on my dry, color treated hair. I didn't know about cleaning the filter so thanks for that tip!

    YouTube comment · @Andra-cr9cd · 2023-07-25 · watch the original ↗

  • I have to say, I really love my Laifen - it's way quieter than my previous hairdryer and my dog is thankful for it because he's scared of hairdryers...

    YouTube comment · @Binteh · 2023-07-25 · watch the original ↗

  • Never thought I would spend that much money on a hairdryer. Bought the Laifen for a bit more than $115.00. Love it!!! So quiet and light!

    YouTube comment · @maryk1668 · 2023-07-25 · watch the original ↗

  • Oh and how about the plastic attachment that flies off the nozzle in the middle of drying! 😮

    YouTube comment · @mary5827 · 2023-07-25 · watch the original ↗

  • I want to buy a Laifen but saw a lot of comments saying that it stops working after a while. Did that happen to you too?

    YouTube comment · @EshikaKhandelwal · 2023-03-25 · watch the original ↗

  • I refuse to spend $400 on a Dyson but I kind of want to try this particular dryer but that cord situation is bad. Any professional will want eight or 9 feet

    YouTube comment · @BRUNO-cj9wd · 2023-03-25 · watch the original ↗

  • There's a sale right now. I paid £120 but the SE is way cheaper if you live in America and you can get pink or purple. I really wanted purple 😭

    YouTube comment · @janinedear-barlow · 2023-03-25 · watch the original ↗

5
Longest lasting

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium

Classic, Portofino, Ceramix Xtreme and Nano Titanium overlap

Illustration of BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Illustration of the product
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Dryer, ceramic, titanium and ionic lines

Why it ranks here. The plain professional dryer stylists own, no viral videos, no magnets: a hairdresser's hand-me-down is still working at fifteen years, and a stylist's lasts forever.

Knowing which one you are buying is the problem: Classic, Portofino, Ceramix Xtreme and Nano Titanium overlap, and the last name also covers straighteners. One owner who loved a ceramic model for a decade finds the Portofino takes three times as long to dry, like a mild breeze. Buy the model a stylist names.

What owners like

  • Fifteen years and counting
  • The dryer stylists buy
  • Cheap to mid-priced

What owners complain about

  • Confusing lineup
  • Newer Portofino is weaker

“I have a Babyliss pro ceramic Extreme blow dryer my sister is a hairdresser for 22 years and she gave it to me probably about 17/15 years old and it’s still working. I love Babyliss and hot tool hair tools. Both are great brands to me.” — YouTube comment · @sarahdandliker5899 · 2022-12-23

4 positive · 1 mixed · 1 negative · 6 voices · ✓ all 6 linked to source

Read all 6 quotes (6 voices)
  • So I've had the BabylissPro 2800 porcelain ceramic hair dryer for almost a decade, and loved it. It would completely dry my hair on medium heat in under 2-3 mins... The Portofino takes 3 times as long to dry my hair, even on the highest heat setting. I don't get the hype over this hair dryer. It feels like a mild breeze blowing at my head, and by the time I'm finally done drying my hair I'm a sweaty mess.

    Reddit post · u/TheGenuineAnomaly · r/HaircareScience · 2023-08-09 · read the original ↗

  • I've heard the Nano Titanium is considered an excellent dryer. My budget is under $100 and I still have time to exchange the one I bought. Would it be best to keep using this one or try the titanium?

    Reddit post · u/WearyMango42 · r/HaircareScience · 2024-01-22 · read the original ↗

  • I accidentally bought a super old (2015) Babyliss model it’s the Babyliss Pro ultrasonic mist. It works fine but I just realised how there’s so many newer ones on the market.

    Reddit post · u/West-Climate805 · r/HaircareScience · 2024-12-11 · read the original ↗

  • I use the blue babyliss pro blow dryer for my blowouts and it lasts forever.

    Reddit comment · u/jarellano89 · r/HaircareScience · 2022-06-25 · read the original ↗

  • I have a Babyliss pro ceramic Extreme blow dryer my sister is a hairdresser for 22 years and she gave it to me probably about 17/15 years old and it’s still working. I love Babyliss and hot tool hair tools. Both are great brands to me.

    YouTube comment · @sarahdandliker5899 · 2022-12-23 · watch the original ↗

  • Pro tip, I’m a cosmetologist I work behind the chair 4 days a week and round brushing is supposed to be done in hair that’s already 70-80% dry. Not super wet hair. So apply all your products, blow dry with the regular blow dryer 75% of the way then go through with this round brush blow dryer and it should cut the time In half.

    YouTube comment · @alexandriac.5896 · 2022-12-23 · watch the original ↗

Frequently asked questions

Is a premium dryer worth it over a drugstore one?

Owners say it halves drying time and leaves hair smoother, but just as many say technique and a good round brush matter more.

Does a hot air brush damage hair more than a dryer?

Yes if used wrong, so dry to about 80 percent with a normal dryer and finish with the brush, with heat protectant on.

Are the Dyson dupes as good?

They give most of the speed and quiet for a third to half the price, with the final smoothing a step behind.

How long should a dryer last?

Five to fifteen years for the best, but every brand has units that died right after the warranty, so it varies more by unit than by brand.

How this ranking was made

Every quote on this page links to the post or video it came from, so you can read it in context. ✓ 51 quotes from 51 distinct voices.

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