If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
Updated May 28, 2024: This article on the best affordable hair dryers was updated with new product selections after an additional round of product testing by our WWD Shop editors. We are currently testing additional hair dryers from brands like Calista and Revlon for consideration in this guide.
Out of all the flashy hair styling tools on the market, the humble hair dryer remains the most essential for any home salon. High-tech hair dryers can run you north of $400 (looking at you, Dyson Supersonic!), but you can still get a quick, smoothed-out style with the best affordable hair dryers. These days they surpass the quality of most hotel hair dryers, with ionic technology, multiple attachments, and hair-healthy heat settings. WWD Shop editors have tested and approved a winning list of innovative and wallet-friendly professional hair dryers from trusted brands like Conair, Shark, Babyliss, Bed Head, and more.
The main difference you’ll notice between a $30 hair dryer and $400 hair dryer is performance and design, according to Cédric, a.k.a Fuat Celik, celebrity hair stylist and founder of Cédric Salon at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. “Most pro hair dryers are powerful and some of the new consumer dryers have smart technology in them that helps you to achieve a beautiful, smooth blowout without overheating your hair, which is always the goal,” Cédric says. The main downside to lower-priced hair dryers is that they tend to sound louder than luxury alternatives, but we’ve discovered exceptionally quiet options from brands like Laifen and Slopehill that make for savvy investments.
Depending on the brand, hair dryers typically need to be replaced every few years anyway, so affordable options are a cost-effective choice, too — especially considering that new upgrades of bestselling models are constantly being released. But don’t let the price tag fool you, because there’s a wide range of the best budget hair dryers that can help you achieve salon-worthy blowouts and sleek styles for a mere fraction of the fee. You can find them at all the top beauty retailers, with Amazon and Ulta offering a slew of bestsellers that happen to be priced comfortably under $100.
In the past, low-cost hair dryers were often built as generic, air-blowing machines, but it’s become common practice among affordable brands to offer options specially-designed for different hair textures and styling preferences. “As with all things hair, shopping for a blow dryer depends on your personal hair type,” Cédric says. “If you have long or thick hair, you may want to look for a hair dryer that’s powerful, yet lightweight so it’s not too tiresome on the arms. But if you have shorter, finer, or thinner hair, a lightweight dryer (sans super turbo settings) works great.”
From expert-approved to editor-tested options, keep reading for the nine best affordable hair dryers you can buy for under $100.
Sign up for WWD Shop’s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.
Top Affordable Hair Dryers of 2023
Editor’s Choice: The Top 3 Affordable Hair Dryers of 2023
In order to curate the best affordable hair dryers, WWD Shop’s editorial team tested dozens of hair dryers with price points under $200. Since our initial testing in 2023, we’ve conducted a second round of testing to determine whether our previous recommendations remain the best on the market, as well as to assess new discoveries that are top-rated, TikTok-viral, or come recommended by beauty professionals. We found that several of our original top picks continue to impress our testers and editors, while removing the affordable hair dryers that have been eclipsed by better-performing options.
Since affordable hair dryers can vary in all shapes and sizes, we’ve rounded up our top three affordable hair dryers that serve various styling needs and are compatible with different hair types, rather than highlighting a single recommendation. We judged these tools based on key criteria, such as fast-drying capabilities, user-friendly design, hair-healthy technology, and their inclusion of versatile attachments. Below, the best affordable hair dryers, according to hands-on testing:
- Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer: For a classic hair dryer model that delivers on speed-drying and styling under $50, the Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer left our testers impressed throughout both testing periods. Its powerful AC motor significantly cuts down on drying time, while ionic technology retains hair’s moisture for soft and shiny results. This top affordable hair dryer comes with concentrator and hair diffuser attachments that allow you to style sleek strands or defined curls, along with a handy round brush attachment for bouncy blowouts.
- Laifen Negative Ionic Blow Dryer: The airflow of Laifen’s ultra-compact hair dryer left our editors astonished. Not only is it one of the most powerful hair dryers we’ve ever tested, its innovative design makes it comparable to high-price hair tools, making it an exceptional Dyson alternative. It hones in on hair health with alternative hot and cold air streams to avoid damaging temperature flare-ups and also features ionic technology to tame frizz. Four heat settings and two speed settings allow ample control as you style.
- Shark Smoothstyle Heated Comb Straightener + Smoother: If you’re looking for an affordable hair drying brush that dries and styles, Shark’s Smoothstyle remains an editor-favorite. Ringing in under $100, this three-in-one tool is equipped with unique, ceramic-coated comb plates that smooth strands like a straightener and flip and curl ends for body and volume, plus a setting that allows it to work like one of the best hair dryer brushes.
Editor’s Choice
Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Wattage: 1,875 watts
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Number of heat settings: 4
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Concentrator, diffuser, and blowout hair brush
Special features: Ionic and ceramic technology, infrared heat, AC motor
Amazon’s Choice
$39.99 $42.99 7% off
$39.99
The Conair Infinitipro Hair Dryer is one of the best budget-friendly hair dryers on the market, at least according to our editors and over 22,000 rave Amazon reviews. It stands out for its high-quality motor and ceramic and ionic technologies that dry hair up to 50 percent faster with less damage and frizz, but way more shine. In addition to offering strong airflow capabilities with its 1,875 watts of power, it also offers two speeds, four temperature settings, and weighs just under two pounds.
Editor testing and review notes: “This Infinitipro Conair hair dryer gives incredible volume and ensures a fast drying time, so there’s less heat exposure for your hair. Plus, it comes with a sleek concentrator that helps focus the airflow for precise drying. This is especially great for someone whose hair doesn’t need a lot of attention, just a quick dry so you don’t have to run out of the house with a wet head.”
Drying time: 5/5 rating | Design: 4.8/5 rating | Attachments: 5/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.99
Editor’s Choice
Laifen Negative Ionic Blow Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Wattage: 1,400 watts
Weight: 0.9 lbs
Number of heat settings: 4
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: 2 concentrator nozzles, diffuser
Special features: Heat-monitoring technology, negative ionic technology, LED ring lights, low noise
Laifen’s powerful hair dryers are must-tries, according to our testers. Though this one normally rings up at $239, its current 33 percent price drop makes it a major steal you won’t want to skip. What makes it unique? For starters, its Thermo-Control microprocessor that monitors temperatures 100 times per second, self-alternating between hot and cold airstreams to protect against heat damage. Its seriously strong airflow effectively dries thick hair types in under 10 minutes, while 200 million negative ions lock in hair moisture to bring natural shine to the forefront. It’s one of the most lightweight hair dryers we tested and is an ultra-compact tool to throw in an overnight bag or gym bag for hair styling on-the-go.
Editor testing and review notes: “When I first turned on this hair dryer, I was taken aback by its power. It created a large gust of wind that rattled the shower curtain in my bathroom — and that was on the low setting. Its strong airflow is great for super speedy hair drying, though it may be overwhelming for those who want tons of control with styling. I tend to dread drying my long hair because hair dryers can feel heavy after a while, but this one is compact, lightweight, and makes the entire experience feel less bulky and burdensome. This also may be the most quiet hair dryer I’ve ever used. I can tell its small size will be perfect for travel too. Overall, this innovative hair dryer is very efficient and adds a lot of volume to my heavy hair.”
Drying time: 5/5 rating | Design: 5/5 rating | Attachments: 4.9/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $159.99
Editor’s Choice
Shark Smoothstyle Heated Comb Straightener + Smoother
Editor testing review rating: 4.9/5 rating
Wattage: 900
Weight: 1.56 lbs
Number of heat settings: 1
Number of speed settings: 3
Attachments: 1 brush head
Special features: Ceramic-coated plates
The Shark SmoothStyle hair tool gives you the best of both worlds: This tool is both a hair dryer brush and a heated styler. With one calibrated heat setting and three airflow settings, this top affordable hair dryer evenly dries and adds volume to the hair without the risk of hot spots and damage. Its heated ceramic plates allow you to use it as a smoothing tool that tames frizz and boosts shine. Use it like a flat iron to create sleek strands, twist the wand for bouncy waves, or flip out the ends for a soft blowout.
Editor testing and review notes: “This two-in-one tool marries the styling ease of a hair dryer brush with the shiny, lustrous results you’ll get from a hair straightener. Our tester found that the drying mode worked quicker than similar hair dryer brushes, and without hair-singeing heat. The straightening comb setting is a brilliant addition to the Shark Beauty hair tool lineup, as it removes frizz and lends a polished look without making your hair fall flat.”
Drying time: 4.7/5 rating | Design: 5/5 rating | Attachments: 4.9/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $98.99
Hot Tools Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.8/5 rating
Wattage: 1875 watts
Weight: 0.07 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 3
Attachments: Concentrator, diffuser, removable lint filter
Special features: Ionic and ceramic technology, infrared heat
Amazon’s Choice
Hot Tools offers some of the best, solon-quality hair styling tools at an affordable price point, and the gilded Pro Signature Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer is no exception. Engineered with infrared heat, along with ionic and ceramic technology, this dryer seals the cuticles for a frizz-free finish and a healthy shine. It’s also super lightweight, so it won’t bog down a travel bag or leave your arms tired after a fresh blowout.
What testers say: “I really like this hair dryer! I have used wall-mounted dryers for years and years and they kept breaking and never worked that well, so I got this one and mounted a shelf in my bathroom to put it on. I have a beard trimmer from this same brand that I really like and I was hoping their hair dryer would not disappoint and it did not. The volume of air that comes out of this dryer is much more than many others I have tried, the level of heat on high is also very hot but not too hot. Just right. Lots of adjustments for air volume and heat, plus a cool shot button. This hair dryer is also quieter than many that I have tried over the years.”
Drying time: 4.7/5 rating | Design: 4.8/5 rating | Attachments: 4.8/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $40.36
Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Wattage: 1,875 watts
Weight: 1.98 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Concentrator and diffuser
Special features: Ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline technology, Micro-Conditioner technology
$19.16 $20.99 9% off
$19.99
$19.16
This under-$20 option from Remington is amongst the most top-rated affordable hair dryers on our list. It boasts over 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon for its frizz-fighting, fast-dry capabilities that’s beloved by the range of hair types. But the real kicker is its Damage Protection technology, which employs a Micro-Conditioner infused grill that deposits healthy hydration, coupled with
ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline coating that protects cuticles from over-heating, with three times more strand protection that a typical blow dryer. Plus, it has a removable air filter for easy cleaning, and two concentrator and diffuser attachments for styling versatility.
What testers say: “I’ve been trying to revive my natural waves and this hair dryer is perfect for my needs. I use it on the coolest setting with the diffuser attachment and it dries my hair without making it frizz. The highest heat setting isn’t very hot either, so it likely wouldn’t damage your hair if you used it. As large as the device is, it’s still very lightweight, which is great because I have to blow dry my hair upside-down for volume. Great value for the price.”
Drying time: 4.6/5 rating | Design: 4.6/5 rating | Attachments: 4.8/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $19.16
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer Brush
Editor testing review rating: 4.85/5 rating
Wattage: 1,100 watts
Weight: 1.63 lbs
Number of heat settings: 4
Attachments: Detachable 2.4″ round brush head
Special features: Ionic and ceramic technology; lightweight ergonomic design
#1 Amazon Bestseller in Hot-Air Hair Brushes
$40.49 $69.99 42% off
$69.99
Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 is one of our editors’ all-time favorite hair dryer brushes — and you can score it for just $40 right now. It’s a beloved TikTok beauty product and Amazon beauty product, and boasts well over 267,00 five-star customer ratings.
While it’s not a traditional hair dryer, it’ll give you a quick result that delivers on a thorough dry, added volume, and super simple styling. Its barrel size is small, so it’s easy to get close to the root for a smooth lift. Although this tool is cost-effective, Revlon doesn’t short you on special features: Dual bristles detangle while styling, three heat settings allow you to calibrate the temperature to your hair thickness, and it has ionic technology for extra shine.
Editor testing and review notes: “Revlon’s One-Step Volumizer hair dryer brush outperformed every other under $100 hair dryer brush on our list. You’ll get similar heat settings (four) that pricier hair dryer brushes deliver, and a similar result: It left my hair surprisingly shiny and with no frizz in sight. The only downside to the brush is its potential to damage fine hair types due to its high heat, but I found that a solid spritz of heat protectant kept my hair healthy throughout my two month testing period. Having tested the first version of this hair dryer brush, I found this newer iteration is easier to use, quieter, and brings a level of versatility that is hard to find elsewhere.”
Drying time: 4.7/5 rating | Design: 5/5 rating | Attachments: 4.7/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $40.49
Wavytalk Professional Hair Dryer
Wattage: 1,875 watts
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser, comb nozzle
Special features: ADC motor and internal aerodynamics
Wavytalk hair tools are certified viral sensations for their low prices and professional results, of which the brand’s hair dryer has earned over 57 million views and searches on TikTok. Available in a slew of stylish colorways, including metallic pink, blue, purple, and a fun multi-color design, this compact and lightweight tool packs a powerful punch with aerodynamic airflow for strong and consistent heat. Its ergonomic grip makes blow drying a breeze, while three essential and versatile attachments make it a standout hair dryer to pack for travel.
What testers say: “This thing is life changing!! For the price it is unbeatable. This dries my hair so quickly and so well. It leaves my hair so soft and shiny. I couldn’t be happier!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.79
Babylisspro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
Wattage: 2,000 watts
Weight: 1.92 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachements: Concentrator nozzle
Special features: Nano ion technology, long-life DC motor
Amazon’s Choice
$89.99 $94.99 5% off
$89.99
This Babylisspro blow dryer is one of the most lightweight options on our list, which makes it an amazing choice for a travel hair dryer. It may be small, but it’s definitely mighty, because its 2000-watt motor features nano ion technology. This means it not only dries hair quickly but also imparts a sleek, shiny look. It boasts two airflow speeds, three heat settings, and a cool shot function to set volume in place. Plus, it comes with a concentrator nozzle that’s handy for creating smooth blowouts on the go.
What testers say: “This is a wonderful hairdryer. It is surprisingly lightweight but packs some great punch. My daughter has thick hair and a lot of it and it cut our drying time down significantly, without needing to bump the heat up and burn her head. I like the various heat and speed options but was leery about the switches being on the handle, but have not had that issue with this one at all.I also like the extra length of the 9 foot cord so that I have room to move around without tangling myself up. Or I can dry my hair outside the hot, foggy bathroom! One concentrator attachment comes with the dryer and I have not had any issues with it falling off while in use and I use it daily. All around, it’s great little dryer at a decent price.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $89.99
Slopehill Professional Ionic Hair Dryer
Wattage: 1,800 watts
Weight: 1.85 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Diffuser, concentrator, and smoothing nozzle
Special features: Ion, infrared heat, bio-ceramic technology
Amazon’s Choice
$39.99 $49.99 20% off
$49.99
Glance at this dryer quickly, and you’ll see some design similarities to the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, but this Slopehill dryer is about $350 cheaper. While it doesn’t have Dyson’s propietary technology, this affordable blow dryer does have 18 centrifugal fan blades, an ionic cylinder motor that’s ultra-quiet, and a temperature protection function to prevent overheating hair. This dryer also comes with three magnetic attachments, three heat and two speed settings, and, unlike the Dyson version, a foldable handle that makes it easy to take on-the-go.
What testers say: “Save your money and buy this. It works almost identical to a Dyson. I love its stylish design, compact shape, and how lightweight it is. It’s easy to store, lighting fast, and very hot. My hair was dry in a flash and for only a fraction of the cost.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.99
Bed Head Curls-in-Check Hair Diffuser Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Wattage: 1,875 watts
Weight: 1.55 lbs
Number of heat settings: 3
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Removable diffuser
Special features: Ionic technology
Amazon’s Choice
$27.97 $34.99 20% off
$40.85
Curly girls and guys will love this Bed Head diffuser dryer that’s priced under $30 right now. Its nozzle is larger than most, which helps define natural curls and covers more surface area to reduce drying time. This curly hair dryer has ionic technology that combats frizz and adds shine, while its three heat and two speed settings allow you to customize your experience. As an added bonus, the colorful style looks cute resting on your vanity.
Editor testing and review notes: “This tool is, of course, best for those who only use a diffuser in their drying process. The pronged diffuser style makes it best for those with shorter or thinner hair types, however it worked well on my long, thick curls (if you have similar length and thickness, expect it to take a few more minutes than a deep bowl diffuser). I love that I don’t need to worry about storing or traveling with extra attachments.”
Drying time: 4.7/5 rating | Design: 4.6/5 rating | Attachments: 4.7/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $27.97
Flower Beauty Ionic Pro Hair Dryer
Editor testing review rating: 4.7/5 rating
Wattage: 2,000 watts
Weight: 2.4 lbs
Number of heat settings: 2 and a cool shot
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
Special features: Ionic technology, customizable airflow
$79.99
$79.99 $126 37% off
The Flower Beauty Ionic Pro Hair Dryer by Drew Barrymore is no doubt the cutest affordable hair dryer of the bunch. Its diamond patterned head allows the tool to sit on a vanity without rolling around, while the Barbiecore colorway adds a fun pop of playfulness. Aside from its aesthetic features, this affordable hair dryer employs airflow that’s infused with an ionic boost to tame frizz. It has two options for heat, plus a cool shot, and an airflow control dial that allows you to precisely regulate its force. It also comes with a pink concentrator nozzle for direct drying and smooth styling.
Editor testing and review notes: “I was blown away — pun intended — at how shiny this dryer left my hair. I love to use the nozzle to dry my hair straight, which usually takes a substantial amount of time since my hair is long. But with this, I can get the job done in well under 10 minutes. If you’re in the market for a new blow dryer but your budget caps at 100 dollars, this is a great option for smooth blowouts and simple drying. And can we talk about the design? It’s easily the cutest hair tool in my rotation.”
Drying time: 4.6/5 rating | Design: 4.9/5 rating | Attachments: 4.6/5 rating
Price upon publish date of this article: $79.99
Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer
Wattage: 1,875
Weight: 2.07 lbs
Number of heat settings: 2
Number of speed settings: 2
Attachments: Concentrator and diffuser
Special features: Infrared technology, ceramic tourmaline design
Amazon’s Choice
$21.15 $24.99 15% off
$26.44 $29.99 12% off
Over 35,000 Amazon customers have rated this this Revlon dryer with five stars. For under $30, the 1875-watt model features infrared heat technology designed to reduce drying time and ionic technology to leave hair shinier and healthier. It also has two heat and speed settings, as well as a cool shot button, and comes with concentrator and diffuser attachments that make it versatile for styling and suitable for straight to curly hair types with thick hair texture.
What testers say: “I have extremely thick hair that’s hard to smooth out in Florida weather. This blow dryer has done a fantastic job! I put it through an extreme workout a couple of times a week. It hangs in there! I go through a lot of hair dryers. I can always rely on this one. It has been a really great value for the money.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $26.44
Key Features to Look for in Top Affordable Hair Dryers
- Settings: The more heat and speed settings, the better. This provides optimal control over your results, because it makes styling more precise and reduces the risk of heat damage. Most affordable hair dryers offer at least two heat and two speed settings, and it’s always a bonus if there’s a cool shot function to lock and set styles in place.
- Attachments: You want to look out for included attachments that coincide with your hair type and styling goals. If you’re looking to smooth frizz and straight-dry your hair, select an affordable hair dryer that comes with a concentrator nozzle. This helps to apply airflow exactly where you want it, from root to tip. Curly or kinky textures should always look for a hair dryer that comes with a diffuser attachment, because this will help comb and tame coils without over drying your strands. Added combs or brush attachments can also help to create a sleek, knot-free end result.
- Special features: Many hair dryers under $200 come with a wide selection of special features and are often equipped with either ionic, ceramic, or infrared technology. Ion-emitting hair dryers are among the most common and bode well for thick or coarse hair. They work to deposit negative ions into the hair to split positively-charged water molecules, which results in a super speedy dry time and less frizz. Ceramic hair dryers are best for fine or damage-prone hair because they apply heat the most gently and evenly. Hair dryers that use infrared heat are best at retaining moisture and boosting shine, which is great choice for those with color-treated, dry, or previously damaged hair.
How We Tested & Reviewed the Best Affordable Hair Dryers
In order to curate our list of the best affordable hair dryers, five beauty testers tried 24 blow dryers under a $200 price point. Each blow dryer was evaluated on different hair lengths and hair types, including type 2a to 4c curls and fine to thick textures. During testing, we assessed different heat and airflow settings to determine consistent quality and user-friendly design. Additionally, we hauled the hair dryers from the WWD headquarters on our commutes home and packed them in overnight bags to determine whether they were compact and lightweight enough for travel.
Our editors conducted a second round product testing from October 2023 to May 2024 to test six additional affordable hair dryers for consideration in this expert-approved guide. Many of the affordable hair dryers from our initial round of testing continued to make the cut, while there were several new discoveries that blew previous recommendations out of the water. We are continuing to research and test additional affordable hair dryers in our third round of testing.
During our testing period, we judged each hair dryer based on the below key criteria:
- Ease of use: While salon-quality hair dryers make a great investment no matter the cost, it’s important that they’re simple to use on a daily basis. We evaluated user-friendly designs based on easy-to-understand airflow and heat settings, ergonomic handles, lightweight or compact design, and whether they created satisfactory results in reasonable time frame. Any tools that overheated during use or caused arm strain in just a few minutes were removed from our top list.
- Durability: Despite a wallet-friendly price point, affordable hair dryers should still be a worthy investment to last for years to come. That’s why we carefully assessed each product’s durability by dropping them from countertop height onto tile floors to see how they hold up with regular wear-and-tear without cracking or malfunctioning.
- Attachments: The beauty of a great hair dryer is that it can create several hair styles with a single tool, which is why user-friendly attachments are essential to evaluate before placing a purchase. For that reason, we included a wide variety of affordable hair dryers with versatile attachments that suit the range of hair types such as concentrator and comb nozzles and diffusers, and combs, as well as special hair dryer brush designs that offer multiple functions. Tools that lacked in attachment variety or were either too complicated or low-quality were opted out of our top list.
- Technology: Affordable hair dryer brands have began to innovate over recent years with hair-healthy technology, so finding a gem that leaves your hair looking and feeling better without a hefty price tag makes it worth the buy. We only included hair dryers that boast either ceramic, tourmaline, or infrared technology — or all of the above — to ensure we curated the best options that don’t cause unnecessary heat damage or leave strands feeling dry and brittle. We also gave special kudos to options that feature self-regulating temperature controls and gentle (yet still fast-drying) airflow as trusted tools you can count on for daily use.
How We Chose the Best Affordable Hair Dryers
In order to curate our list of the best affordable hair dryers, our team of five WWD Shop editors and testers evaluated 24 affordable blow dryers. We began by tapping industry experts for professional-quality recommendations and insight for different hair types. We referenced bestselling hair dryers offered at top beauty retailers to select our contenders and made sure to evaluate hair dryers that serve a variety of hair types, textures, styling needs, and functional preferences, such as whether they are travel-friendly, emit low sound levels, or come with unique attachments. Below, view some tested runner-ups that did not make the cut:
- Revlon Compact Hair Dryer: While we love the under-$15 price point on this top-rated hair dryer, we chose to remove it from our list after our second round of testing. We found that it no longer lived up to new discoveries in terms of included styling attachments, heat and airflow settings, and hair-healthy technology.
- Drybar Buttercup Blow-Dryer: In short, this hair dryer, which costs less than typical professional options, proved to not be worth the splurge. While we appreciate this tool’s no-fuss design, our testers were able to pin down hair dryers that deliver similar results with a much lower price tag, like Conair’s Infinitipro Hair Dryer. We also noted that this dryer heats up quickly to a high temperature, which caused some heat flares during styling.
- Revlon Airflow Control Dryer: This budget-friendly hair dryer has a uniquely chubby nozzle that caters well to curly hair types. However our testers found that with attachments clicked into place, the tool felt cumbersome to work around hair, particularly for those with short, fine hair.
Why Trust WWD
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Testers
A panel of five testers dozens of affordable hair dryers for this shopping guide. Our testers include Olivia Cigliano, the Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD and the author of this story, Claire Sullivan, the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News, and three additional testers, all of whom represent different hair types and textures, from straight to curly, as well as different styling goes. Some of our testers also present specific sensitivities or needs, like color- or heat-damaged hair and layered cuts or bangs. Each hair dryer was tested against freshly washed hair to assess high-powered drying capabilities, and used to create the range of hair styles, from silky-straight strands, to voluminous blowouts, and defined curls in order to determine versatility and universally successful results.
Meet the Expert
Cédric, a.k.a. Fuat Celik, is a celebrity hair stylist and the founder of Cédric Salon at Lotte New York Palace Hotel. He began his 25 year career in Brussels styling hair at the Jacques Dessange Salon. He now works in Los Angeles and New York City as a hair stylist to celebrities and high-profile clientele.
Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. She updated this story in May 2024 with new releases, additional editor testing reviews, and tips for shopping the best affordable hair dryers.
