The best hair dryers for bouncy blowouts in 2026, tried and tested
The best hair dryers we tested
Best hair dryer: L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer
Best mid-range hair dryer: Shark SpeedStyle Pro Professional Performance High-Velocity Hair Dryer System
Best budget hair dryer: Conair InfinitiPro SmoothWrap Hair Dryer
There’s nothing quite like seeing a bouncy, glossy blowout in your mirror. Sure, going to a hair salon is a day well spent, but perfecting your blowout at home can feel even more rewarding. However, achieving salon-worthy results at home takes more than just skill. It takes practice, patience and the right hair dryer.
With so many hair obstacles (long layers, frizz-prone curls, damaged ends or thinning strands), it can often seem like only a professional can finesse a glossy, flyaway-free finish. But with the right blow dryer, it’s possible to get that just-walked-out-of-the-salon look without the appointment or the bill.
To find the best dryer for your hair care routine, CNN Underscored beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw and I took on the task of testing top-rated devices across a range of price points. Each model was evaluated for drying time, temperature settings, airflow power, attachments, special features, cord length and weight. And after hours of testing (and a decent arm workout), we narrowed the list to a few standouts.
The AirLight Pro stood out in our testing for its blend of infrared light and controlled heat (up to 285 Fahrenheit) that dried hair in record time. It worked faster than other tools, all while using less energy than leading premium dryers. And who doesn’t love a light to help guide your blowout?
Shark has created some of our favorite hair tools, and the SpeedStyle is no exception. It’s a powerful dryer for salon-quality results at home, featuring high-velocity airflow, precise temperature control to prevent heat damage, a compact, travel-friendly design and a comfortable grip. The dryer is customizable too, with a range of attachable heads.
The Conair InfinitiPro SmoothWrap Hair Dryer is a solid, budget-friendly hair dryer. Although not the most ergonomic, it uses advanced ion and ceramic technology to reduce frizz, boost body and protect hair from heat damage.
Best hair dryer: L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro Hair Dryer
The AirLight Pro is the hair dryer of the future. It’s L’Oréal Professionnel’s first hair dryer designed with infrared technology, and it comes with a handy app that allows you to customize your glam session to your liking. It packs a lot into one tool, yet it felt surprisingly light in my hand, at just 1.7 pounds.
How did L’Oréal pack so much tech into one hair dryer? The brand partnered with Zuvi, a tech start-up founded in 2019 by PhD Mingyu Wang, to create the AirLight Pro. This speedy hair tool builds on the award-winning infrared technology behind Zuvi’s Halo hair dryer, which also features near-infrared light to carry heat directly to hair. Unlike traditional dryers that rely solely on convection from hot coils, the infrared light in the AirLight Pro travels faster, reduces energy loss and shortens your hair’s exposure to heat.
But first — the specs. The AirLight Pro has all the fancy features you’d want in a high-quality hair dryer: It’s engineered to last with a 17-blade high-speed motor (that reached up to 130 mph wind speed) while remaining quiet in use. Its 1,875 watts are plenty powerful enough for all hair types, especially thicker or longer hair. The long 11.5-foot cord gave me freedom of movement, and the smart filter was easy to access for quick cleaning.
In use, the drying power was instantly noticeable. It usually takes me about 30 to 45 minutes to blow-dry my thick mane, but with the AirLight Pro, my frizz-prone hair dried in just 25 minutes. For Shaw, who has long, straight hair that typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to blow-dry, it took only six minutes. In fact, L’Oréal reported a 14% increase in speed and an 11% reduction in energy use. This is thanks to the impressive airflow — again, 130 mph from a 17-blade motor. Despite the high voltage, the sound level remained moderate at 76 decibels.
The dryer features three heat and airflow settings on the handle, which felt easy and comfortable to use. It also comes with magnetic attachments and a cool-shot button, which let me lock in styles. But the best feature had to be the connected AirLight Pro app, which allowed for even further customization. You can adjust airflow in 5% increments and temperature in 15-20 Fahrenheit steps for sleek or coily finishes, and you can even set up different user profiles to save your preferred settings. Shaw appreciated the level of precision this allows for different styling uses.
The AirLight Pro feels like a futuristic tool, and the price reflects that. With infrared tools on the rise, I think this hair dryer is worth investing in — especially if you want to reduce heat damage. It combines professional power with high-tech precision, and most importantly, innovation. It dries fast, locks in moisture and gives me a salon-quality feel at home without worrying about excessive heat damage, which I take seriously as someone with curly hair. For anyone willing to invest in a premium dryer, the AirLight is a worthy glimpse into the future of hair styling.
Best mid-range hair dryer: Shark SpeedStyle Pro Professional Performance High-Velocity Hair Dryer System
The SpeedStyle Pro is no AirLight, but I was still immediately impressed with its combination of power and portability. It blows standard hotel dryers out of the water with its high-velocity airflow (reaching 0–100 mph in less than a second), which enables wet-to-dry styling that rivals salon performance, all in a compact, travel-friendly design. Despite its smaller size, the dryer produces strong, consistent airflow suitable for straight and wavy hair, which worked wonders on my frizzy poof.
The SpeedStyle is built with five heat settings, three speed settings, an auto shut-off feature for safety and a handy cool shot button, all to help customize your blow-dry to your liking. Again, it’s no AirLight (which does the guesswork for you), but it has comparable capabilities.
One standout feature is the Scalp Shield Mode, which instantly lowers air temperature for scalp comfort and safe root drying, especially to protect new hair growth. If you’ve ever burned your scalp while drying your hair, you’ll appreciate this. According to Shark, this mode was developed with board-certified dermatologists and approved by stylists to ensure hair remains healthy during styling. The dryer measures and regulates temperature 1,000 times per second, never exceeding 230 Fahrenheit, which is far below the heat-damaging threshold of 302 Fahrenheit.
The device is one of the easiest hair dryers to hold, making it ideal for travel or small spaces. It also includes a nifty turbo concentrator with a 360-degree rotatable nozzle for precise styling control. You also can handpick the three best attachments for your hair type when you order it from Shark’s website. Despite its tiny frame, the powerful motor provides rapid drying, while the lightweight design reduces hand fatigue during extended use. I’ve tested many Shark products, and I always appreciate how lightweight the tools are, especially as someone with thicker hair.
The SpeedStyle Pro handled wet-to-dry styling efficiently, leaving my hair smooth and manageable. Its combination of speed, heat control and thoughtful scalp-protecting features makes it a solid choice for those seeking professional-quality results at home or on the go.
Best budget hair dryer: Conair InfinitiPro SmoothWrap Hair Dryer
The SmoothWrap is built like the standard, classic “hotel hair dryer,” with a barrel-shaped base and switches on the handle. In a world where we now have R-shaped hair dryers, infrared tools and multi-styler heavy hitters, the Conair paled in comparison when it came to design. That being said, the Conair SmoothWrap is intended to dry and treat hair. Marketed as a “treatment for all hair types,” the dryer focuses on infusing moisture and rebalancing hair’s natural charge with Advanced Plasma Technology, which emits both positive and negative ions.
The SmoothWrap’s ceramic technology helps evenly distribute heat, minimizing hot spots and reducing the risk of over-drying. It also features an impressive six heat and speed settings for customized styling, which a dryer brush can’t offer. It’s also lightweight without a bulky cord, for fast drying without fatigue or pain. As you’d expect from a basic hair dryer, it comes with a concentrator and diffuser for sleek, frizz-free styles or defined curls and waves. And, much like fancier, pricier dryers like the Dyson, it comes with a cool-shot button that helps lock in the final look.
That being said, the lightweight, high-torque motor delivers 1,875 watts of power, which rivals our more expensive picks at a fraction of the cost, for fast drying that feels easy to handle.
In testing, I found the SmoothWrap to be powerful yet gentle, and it dried my hair with noticeably less frizz and more body. However, some Amazon users reported durability concerns, including peeling paint and performance issues after several months of use, problems I didn’t encounter during my trials but which are worth noting.
Overall, the SmoothWrap offers a thoughtful balance of technology, power and care, making it a decent budget choice for those looking for a conditioning boost in their daily routine.
How we tested
After extensive hair dryer market research, we narrowed our test group to critically acclaimed models. We spent several weeks testing these dryers and, in addition to overall performance, used the criteria below to make our final evaluations.
Performance
- Time to dry hair: For each dryer, we recorded how long it took for our hair to get completely dry. The shorter the time, the higher the score.
- Settings: Certain devices received higher scores for more settings, such as multiple airflow speeds, heat options and a cold shot button.
- Versatility: We assessed how each hair dryer worked for a full blowout, a quick air dry and a combination quick dry/blowout.
- Difference in heat settings: For dryers with multiple heat settings, we took notes on everything from a noticeable difference in high, medium and low heat and whether settings were too extreme — either too hard or too soft, for example.
- Cool-shot button: Most models included cool-shot buttons, meant to help lock in the finished hairstyle. We assessed whether the cool shot was actually cool, even after extended use at high heat.
- Frizz/flyaway control: During testing, we noted our hair’s appearance after drying, looking for any frizz or flyaways, as well as shine and an overall healthy appearance.
Build
- Cord length: We measured how long each cord was — longer cords allow more flexibility and room to maneuver, so they received higher scores.
- Weight: We weighed each model, giving higher marks to lighter hair dryers, as lighter models are easier to hold for extended periods. This is especially important for those with long or thick hair. It’s also a consideration for those with joint pain or arthritis, who may struggle to hold a hair dryer.
- Maintenance/durability: We tested how easy it was to remove and/or clean the filter in each dryer and looked for signs of scuffs or scratches.
- Attachments/unique features: Many hair dryers come with different nozzles (such as a concentrator or diffuser), while others have a built-in brush, ionic technology or ceramic build. We noted such features and add-ons, which resulted in higher scores.
- Button placement: In addition to the number of button controls, we also rated just where the buttons were located.
- Handle comfort: When you’re holding a hair dryer above your head for an extended period, comfort is key. We looked at the grip, shape and ergonomics of each handle, assessing how it felt in our hands.
- Noise level: If there’s a silent hair dryer on the market, we haven’t found it. But, especially for those drying their hair early in the morning while the rest of the family is still fast asleep, a loud model may be a deal-breaker.
What to look for in a hair dryer
When it comes to choosing the right hair dryer, there’s a lot more to consider than wattage and color. Between the variety of attachments, ergonomic builds and even app-connected smart features, finding your perfect match can feel overwhelming. But according to hair professional Nick Stenson, the right dryer (and the correct setup) can make all the difference.
“Attachments can completely change the way your dryer performs,” Stenson said. “A concentrator nozzle is great for sleek blowouts, a diffuser helps define natural curls or waves and reduces frizz, and a comb or pick attachment is ideal for textured hair to add volume or lift at the roots.”
Cord length and weight also matter more than most people realize. “A longer swivel cord gives you more freedom to move and helps prevent tangling while you style,” he said. “And a lighter dryer is easier on your arm — especially for pros or anyone who blow-dries often. You get better control without feeling weighed down.”
Another underrated feature, according to Stenson, is the cool-shot button — a blast of cold air that sets your style and seals the hair cuticle. “It should always be your final step,” he said. “It helps lock in shape and shine so your blowout lasts longer.”
With so many variables, it helps to focus on the basics. A good hair dryer should strike the right balance between power, heat control and technology to protect your hair while delivering fast, smooth results. Look for a model with multiple heat and speed settings so you can adjust airflow for your hair type: lower heat for fine strands, stronger airflow for thicker or curlier textures.
If frizz or flyaways are a concern, choose dryers with ionic or ceramic technology, which help lock in moisture and reduce static. For those who like versatility, multi-stylers with interchangeable attachments like diffusers, concentrators or smoothing brushes can expand your styling options. And don’t overlook the practical features: weight, cord length, noise level and ergonomic design. Even the most powerful dryer won’t impress if it’s uncomfortable to use every day.
Other hair dryers we tested
We can’t deny the ultra-premium look and feel of Dyson hair tools, and the Supersonic r continues the brand’s legacy. If you’re willing to invest in top-tier tools, this fancy hair dryer earns its place.
The Supersonic r is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, weighing just 0.7 pounds. This detail alone is great for someone prioritizing comfort and control, as your arm won’t ache mid-blowout. The body is ergonomically curved into an “r” silhouette, which helps direct airflow exactly where you need it. This could be considered the total opposite of Shark’s rotating head, which could be a pro or con, depending on your styling goals. Shaw also noted that its light and slim profile makes it her top choice for travel (although it doesn’t have dual voltage, so it isn’t recommended for international use).
The dryer is powerful, to say the least. It uses Dyson’s Hyperdymium motor, spinning at 110,000 rpm to create a jet of high-pressure, controlled airflow. That air is propelled through the Streamlined Flow Heater, which uses 10 ultra-responsive heater foils to evenly distribute heat for fast drying and precise styling, all without the risk of heat damage. Dyson claims it’s the brand’s most powerful and fastest-drying dryer to date, even more than the original Supersonic. Even so, Shaw found it surprisingly quiet compared to other hair dryers.
I’ve never tested a dryer with such a unique shape, which earned it points for innovation. In testing, the Supersonic r proved to be versatile and intuitive. One feature I loved? The flyaway attachment quickly smoothed frizz. In fact, Dyson claims it reduces frizz by up to 46% by using negatively charged ions. For a lightweight device, it felt sturdy and, honestly, luxurious to use.
The Supersonic r comes with five magnetic attachments — a pro concentrator, diffuser, powerful air attachment, flyaway attachment and wide-tooth comb. Each one clicks into place and activates an RFID chip, automatically adjusting the dryer’s heat and airflow for optimal performance.
The tool even remembers your last-used settings, creating a tailored experience for every user. Like the AirLight Pro, this dryer works harder and smarter than the standard hair dryer. The attachments cover all hair types, from straight and fine to tightly coiled, making it a proper all-in-one styling system.
This T3 hair dryer customizes heat, airflow and styling settings for every hair type. In testing, it created smooth, shiny and frizz-free results while minimizing heat damage. Plus, it’s oh-so-sleek to use and hold.
I think T3 is an underrated brand in the realm of Sharks and Dysons. During testing, the T3 Featherweight StyleMax delivered consistently high performance, thanks to its IonAir technology, which prevents temperature fluctuations and over-drying. According to the brand, the custom-designed fan propels a wider airstream than leading premium dryers and the built-in ion generator produces 10 million negative ions per second to smooth strands, reduce frizz and enhance shine.
The dryer comes with four attachments to expand styling possibilities: a wide concentrator for smooth, fast drying; a diffuser to enhance volume and define curls; a smoothing nozzle for sleek finishes; and a styling concentrator for precise control.
Better yet, the T3 comes with additional features like a volume boost switch, a handy cool shot, a 9-foot cord with wrap and a two-year warranty. And many users have reported it has long-lasting results.
In practice, the dryer worked quickly and efficiently, without compromising my hair’s health. Switching between attachments and modes felt intuitive, and the lightweight design reduced my hand fatigue during extended use. I thought the T3 Featherweight StyleMax was a solid dryer with professional-grade power and smart, adaptive technology. It’s a sleek, shiny choice for those who want fast, healthy results.
The Revlon One-Step is known and loved by many, and we can’t deny its affordability and powerful dryer-brush combination. Designed for anyone who’s struggled to juggle a blow-dryer and round brush at once, this all-in-one tool combines both for smooth, shiny, frizz-free results with minimal effort.
The Revlon One-Step has become a viral favorite, promising a salon-quality blowout with a single tool. Many a CNN Underscored editor has found that the One-Step dries hair quickly at its highest setting and produces smooth, polished results. Unlike traditional dryers, the One-Step combines a round brush and dryer in one unit. The non-detachable brush head, fitted with nylon pin bristles, allows users to dry and style simultaneously. We consider this solution for those who struggle to coordinate a brush and dryer in separate hands, because let’s be honest, mastering a blowout technique takes true skill. That said, the tool gets extremely hot, and Shaw said her hair often felt over-dried after using it.
At 1.8 pounds, it’s heavier than some models we tested, but its design remains comfortable to hold. The 4.25-inch oval barrel helps lift hair at the roots for added volume and can smooth or bend the ends for a finished look. Despite its bristled design, we didn’t experience tangling during use.
The dryer includes ionic and ceramic technology, three heat and speed settings, a cool option and a four-year warranty. The controls are located at the base of the handle, which can interrupt styling when adjusting settings. A few other drawbacks: the highest setting gets hot. Extended use may leave you perspiring before your hair is fully dry. And it is loud, which is not the main focus of a hair dryer, but it is something to consider.
The One-Step isn’t perfect. It’s not ideal for those looking to enhance natural curls or opt for a quick rough dry. But for users seeking a quick, effective blowout without the cost or complexity, it performs well above its price point.
For those with fragile, curly hair concerned with heat damage, this is the hair dryer for you. Developed with curl-flexible alternating ionic technology, this hair dryer can create anything from defined curls to a shiny, sleek blowout. Combined with the hand-shaped DevaFuser, this dryer is the ultimate tool to get tight, defined waves and salon-worthy curls.
This unique hair dryer features curl-flexible alternating ionic technology with two speed settings to improve volume and smooth frizz. Some might find the lack of speed settings a downside, but if you’re only looking to diffuse hair, this is an excellent option. Just remember to purchase the DevaFuser too.
The DevaDryer is powerful enough for blowouts and diffusing, and it also features a cool shot button to reduce frizz, similar to other dryers we tested. In our testing, we found the hand-shaped diffuser made this dryer stand out from the rest. Curly-haired testers found this helped curls dry faster without making coils frizz or feel damaged. The diffuser mimics the sensation of scrunching curls by hand, with targeted heat flow to volumize curls without ruining your hair’s shape.
The dryer has 360-degree airflow, unlike most diffusers on the market, which means it gets more done in less time. The DevaFuser is designed to fit the dryer — but if you want to use your own hair dryer, the universal DevaFuser attachment fits most commercial hair dryers. Both retail for $180 on the DevaCurl website, but you can purchase the universal diffuser for $55 on Amazon or DevaCurl, which we felt was worth the investment.
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System combines a high-speed hair dryer with a versatile multi-styler, offering curling, volumizing, smoothing and drying while minimizing heat damage.
The Shark FlexStyle is a versatile dryer that transforms with a single twist. It converts from a fast, lightweight dryer into a multi-styler with attachable tools for every type of styling. It comes with two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers that use Coanda technology for consistent curls in either direction, an oval brush, a paddle brush and a styling concentrator for sleek, polished results.
The system monitors and regulates temperature 1,000 times per second to prevent heat damage, making it safe for all hair types. We found it powerful yet easy to handle, especially since it weighs just over 1.5 pounds. Overall, the FlexStyle offers a flexible, efficient solution for at-home hair care, delivering salon-quality results without excessive heat exposure.
In some ways (namely, build and multi-styling power), this dryer does the same things as the Dyson Airwrap for much less. Granted, it doesn’t have the ultra-premium feel, but it is a better bet if you’re looking for one device to do it all. But, of course, there is a learning curve with these kinds of stylers if you’re used to a standard dryer or even a blow-dry brush.
The Shark SmoothStyle Heated Comb and Blow Dryer Brush styles, smooths and volumizes hair with dual modes and ceramic-coated technology, delivering professional-looking results without heat damage.
The Shark SmoothStyle combines a blow dryer brush and heated comb in one tool, offering wet-to-dry volumizing, smoothing and finishing in a single device. In Blow Dryer Brush Mode, nylon and boar bristles lift, smooth and shine wet hair while keeping temperatures below heat-damage thresholds. Heated Comb Mode aligns and smooths strands, tackling bedhead, ponytail creases or touch-ups on non-wash days, producing soft, voluminous hair with naturally curved ends.
The hefty dryer brush features ceramic-coated plates to maximize volume and alignment. At the same time, the built-in heated comb operates at lower temperatures than traditional flat irons, helping preserve hair’s shape and health. Lightweight and compact at 13.9 by 3.3 by 3.8 inches, with a 6-foot cord and 900-watt motor, the HT202 offers a two-year warranty and compatibility with Shark’s HT222CCO attachments.
It does more than just dry hair and create volumized hairstyles that last, so if you’re looking for salon-level bounce and curved ends, this could be the dryer for you — but again, it’s not as affordable as the Revlon.
Thermal brush dryers have also surged in popularity, going hand in hand with round brush dryers. If you’re looking for a sleeker, straighter style with minimal volume, a thermal brush can help you achieve it. This hair dryer from Amika styles hair three times faster than most thermal brushes.
Designed for straight, wavy and curly hair across fine, medium and thick textures, this tool offers three distinct modes: a blow-dryer for drying or retouching, a thermal brush for dry styling, and a combo mode that dries and straightens simultaneously.
The brush’s ceramic base and heated bristles emit far-infrared heat, which locks in moisture while smoothing hair. A negative ion generator further reduces frizz and enhances shine, producing results that feel healthier than a standard blowout. Flexible outer teeth grip hair for controlled styling, making it easy to achieve salon-like volume and sleekness without tugging or uneven heat distribution.
In practical use, the combo mode was particularly impressive, transforming damp hair into a straight, polished finish in one pass. The blow-dryer setting was ideal for retouching or drying hair quickly, while the thermal brush worked well on dry strands for touch-ups. Across several testers, the tool performed consistently, leaving hair soft, aligned and visibly glossy.
FAQs
What kind of attachments can I use on my hair dryer?
Does a hair dryer’s cord length matter?
Does the weight of a hair dryer make a difference?
What is a cool shot?
What is ionic technology?
Meet our panel
Two CNN Underscored editors with extensive experience reviewing hair tools took on testing the hair dryers featured in this guide.
- Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal has thick, curly hair that can take up to 45 minutes to blow-dry. She looks for efficient hair dryers that keep her hair healthy.
- Beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw has medium-thick, long hair. She doesn’t need many attachments for her hair dryer, but she prioritizes powerful, fast options.
Meet our expert
For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain their professional insights.
- Nick Stenson, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Nick Stenson Beauty
Why trust CNN Underscored
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item.
For this story, CNN Underscored associate testing writer Carolina Gazal tested each hair dryer on her thick, curly hair, while beauty and fashion editor Sophie Shaw tested several models on her long, straight hair. Both have tested all kinds of hair products, from flat irons to curling irons to nifty Shark tools.
Carolina Gazal is an associate testing writer for CNN Underscored, where she writes best-of reviews in the lifestyle realm. When she’s not testing products in the kitchen and home space, you will most likely find her on a coffee run or baking sweet treats.
Discover more from ReviewFitHealth.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.