Best Hair Dryers 2025
Fun (and brutally honest) fact: not all beauty editors are great at blowdrying their own hair. I can write about it but am not always great at practicing what I preach. One thing I’ve learned: the actual hair dryer you use makes a huge difference. Lucky for me and now all of you, we get to reap the benefits of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab and all of our scientists’ in-depth testing and knowledge of the category for years. They, along with our hairstylist pros, agree: choosing the right tool is essential for any heat styling needs.
“The best hair dryers offer faster drying times, reduce frizz and [promote] better hair health,” says Cynthia Alvarez, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles and New York. For optimal results, “you need maximum power with the best airflow, all in a lightweight design,” adds Michelle Cleveland, owner of Hair Addict Salon in Toms River, New Jersey.
Over their long history testing hair dryers, GH Beauty Lab scientists have found that all models are definitely not created equal. There have been some epic fails, including one tool that caught on fire and others whose parts have fallen off! To find the best hair dryers on the market, Beauty Lab experts rigorously test them in the Lab for performance on human hair samples and technical attributes, plus distribute them to consumer testers, who evaluate them at home for ease of use and effects on hair.
1. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
With a powerful motor in its handle, Dyson’s innovative dryer has proven to be a game-changer that’s worth the splurge. It dried hair faster than any model in the history of GH Beauty Lab hair dryer testing. The dryer comes with five magnetic attachments to suit different hair types, including two concentrators, a diffuser, a flyaway smoother and a gentle air attachment.
The tool is also a favorite among professional hairstylists. “It’s pricey but worth it,” Alvarez said. “The technology is so advanced, the cord is so long and its three heat and airflow settings make it so efficient. It dries hair quickly, and the smoothing attachment gets rid of frizz without needing a styling product, making blowouts last longer.”
2. InStyler Turbo Max Ionic Hair Dryer
InStyler’s ionic hair dryer, featuring a customizable heat dial, stands out for its lightweight design, comfortable grip and easy-to-use buttons at an under $100 pricepoint.
LAB TEST RESULTS: The tool was a top performer for its strong airflow and fast drying speed. Testers found the attachments were simple to attach and remove, though it was noisy in sound evaluations.
WHAT TESTERS SAY: Two Beauty Lab experts commented that they “loved” this model. It is “lightweight but powerful, easy to hold and use,” one reported. “Gives a great, strong airflow but not overpowering,” another said.
3. Shark Beauty SpeedStyle High-Velocity Dryer
Style everything from bouncy curls to sleek blowouts with this versatile Shark Beauty hair dryer. This compact tool comes with three attachments, including a diffuser, a smoothing brush and a shine finishing brush.
LAB TEST RESULTS: It earned top marks for fast drying and high air temperature. All testers agreed it left their hair smooth and shiny, with no frizz, and created their desired look. However, some noted it was loud and a bit heavy.
WHAT TESTERS SAY: “I was shocked at just how quickly I was able to dry and style my thick hair, which usually takes so long,” one marveled. A tester with coily hair agreed: “My hair takes forever to dry and this cut the time by 15 or 20 minutes.” Users also praised how hair felt “soft and bouncy” after drying.
4. Conair InfinitiPro DigitalAire Hair Dryer
Conair’s “compact yet powerful” design was a top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing at drying (and smoothing!) even dense strands in no time.
LAB TEST RESULTS: In Lab evaluations, it received the highest scores for maximum measured airflow and speed, and its rate of drying hair was near the top. Plus, 100% of testers agreed it made hair look smooth, felt safe and didn’t burn skin, and the materials were high quality. A few caveats: Users found it to be loud and thought the controls weren’t convenient to operate.
WHAT TESTERS SAY: “This dryer left my hair feeling so soft and shiny with minimal frizz,” a tester with long, thick curly hair raved. “I’m obsessed with it!”
5. SRI DryQ “Smart” Hair Dryer
Get a smooth blowout fast with this state-of-the-art SRI dryer. It provides substantial drying power in a lightweight, compact design with a foldable handle.
LAB TEST SCORES: This received top scores for quick drying and leaving hair smooth and frizz-free. Testers loved its easy-to-use magnetic attachments, high-quality construction and wide temperature range. However, some noted that the controls were tricky to operate, and the attachments could get too hot.
WHAT TESTERS SAY: “It dried my hair in record time — within five minutes!” one user with long, textured hair marveled. “My thick hair dried incredibly fast and looks healthy and shiny,” another shared. “This will be my go-to blow dryer forever.”