The Best Hair Dryers

Glossy straight hair and frizz-free curls both require the right dryer to get the look. From $20 drugstore buys to $200 salon-level machines, match your hair type, beauty needs, and your budget with StyleList's Dryer Guide.


by Melissa Goldberg

Feature: Ionic Heat
Ideal For: Fly-aways
Try: Hot Tools Anti-Static Ion Professional, $29.99, www.folica.com
Why it works: Dry, hot heat leaves wispy and damaged hair more frazzled. This dryer uses negative ions beat static and to condition hair with a moist heat to seal in hydration.

Feature: Infrared heat
Ideal For: Blow-out addicts
Try: CHI Rocket Professional, $139.95,
www.folica.com
Why: If you straighten your hair more than once a week, the infrared option (which dries hair from the inside out) evaporates water with less dry heat to limit damage to hair.

Feature: Crystals
Ideal For: Humid climates
Try: Metropolis Z-Ion Zirconia, $169,
www.blissworld.com
Why: With 3 x's the amount of negative ions of most dryers, this machine uses zirconia crystals to negate the charge that creates frizz for glossier results. For fighting wet weather, it may be worth the investment.

Feature: Built-In Diffuser
Ideal For: Enhancing curls
Try: Conair Curl Fusion Ionic Styler, $24.99,
bedbathandbeyond.com
Why it works: The unique design yields soft curls without blowing out hair's natural texture. Ionic technology (another name for tourmaline) curbs frizz and increases shine.

Feature: High Wattage
Ideal For: Anyone short on time
Try: BaByliss Pro Porcelain, $39.95, www.folica.com
Why it works: A blast of 2000 watts (salon dryers usually max out at 1800 watts) dries hair in half the time, while a quiet AC motor keeps noise at a minimum. Two filters also extend the life of the dryer.

Feature: Lightest Dryer
Ideal For: Carpal tunnel, or restricted movement
Try: FHI Nano Weight Pro 1900 Turbo, $195,
www.fhiheat.com
Why it works: Weighing in at 11 oz., this tourmaline-infused dryer won't cause arm fatigue. A tourmaline dryer also dries hair faster, which means less time in your hands.

Feature: Personalized Ionic Heat Dial
Ideal For: Fine hair
Try: Vidal Sassoon Ion Select for Fine Hair, $19.99,
www.ulta.com
Why: Moisture plumps up thin hair. So if you need a boost, ion technology is ideal for locking in hydration and thereby increasing volume.

Feature: Salon-quality
Try: T3 PRO, $119,
www.t3micro.com
Ideal For: Professionals
Why: Top stylists invest in this dryer with multiple features, like Cool Shot button, 10-ft cord and high-quality design that won't overheat.

Feature: Retractable Cord
Ideal For: Frequent fliers and travelers
Try: Andis Ionic Ceramic 80020, $19.99,
www.amazon.com
Why: This mini dryer offers the same advanced heat technologies of full-sized competitors, but folds up and retracts to save space on your counter top and in your suitcase.