How to Choose a Blow Dryer

Co-authored by Gina Almona

Last Updated: December 10, 2023 Approved

When it comes to purchasing a hair dryer, investing in a high quality model that's suited for your hair type can significantly improve the health of your tresses. The right blow dryer will decrease your chances of winding up with brittle, fried hair. The key items to focus on when you're shopping for a blow dryer are the material that it's made of, its wattage, its weight, and specialty features that might make blow drying your hair easier.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Blow Dryer Material

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1
Look for an ionic or tourmaline dryer for thick, frizzy hair. Ionic or tourmaline hair dryers give off negative ions that help break up the water droplets on your hair for faster drying. As a result, your hair is less likely to be frizzy after you dry it. If you have thick, frizz-prone hair, shop for a dryer that has an ionic or tourmaline interior for the best results.^{[1]
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- Tourmaline is a semi-precious metal that provides the most intense ionic action. A tourmaline dryer is likely to be more expensive than a regular ionic dryer. However, if you have extremely thick or frizzy hair, it may be a good investment.
- An ionic or tourmaline dryer is also good for any type of hair that’s difficult to dry.
- If you have fine or thin hair, avoid ionic dryers. They aren’t as effective in building volume as other types of blow dryers.
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Consider a ceramic or porcelain dryer if you have fine or dry hair. Blow dryers that feature plastic or metal housing that’s coated in ceramic or porcelain provide heat that’s less harsh and more consistent, so they’re a good choice for fine or dry hair that dehydrates easily. If you’re not sure what type of dryer to purchase, a ceramic or porcelain model is actually good for all hair types.^{[2]
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- Ceramic or porcelain dryers also use negative ions to prevent frizz and allow you to dry your hair more quickly.
- Some ceramic or porcelain dryers feature infrared technology. That means they use longer energy waves that penetrate the hair so it’s dried from the inside out.
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Opt for a titanium dryer if you have a lot of hair. A titanium blow dryer provides heat at a steady, even temperature. It tends to get very hot, though, so it’s not a good choice for fine or damaged hair. However, if you have extremely thick hair or lots of hair, a titanium blow dryer can drastically help reduce your drying time.^{[3]
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- Titanium weighs less than ceramic or porcelain, so the dryer is usually lightweight. That makes it more comfortable to hold when you have a lot of hair to dry.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Sizing Up the Power and Weight

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Choose a blow dryer with 1500 watts or more. A blow dryer’s wattage measures how hard and fast its motor works. The higher its wattage, the faster you’ll be able to dry your hair. Dryers with a low wattage are usually cheaper, but you’ll need to replace them more often than those with a higher wattage. For at-home use, look for a dryer whose wattage is at least 1500.^{[4]
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- If you have extremely thick, difficult to dry hair, opt for a dryer with a wattage between 1800 to 2000. These are similar to what a stylist uses in a salon, so you’ll be able to achieve salon-quality results at home!
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Choose a lightweight dryer so your arms don’t get tired. It may seem like a minor detail, but it’s important to consider the weight of a blow dryer. You want a lightweight model that will be more comfortable to hold while you’re drying your hair. That makes your blowout easier.^{[5]
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- For the most comfortable drying experience, look for a blow dryer that’s approximately 1 pound (0.45 kg) in weight.
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Find a dryer with multiple heat settings. While it helps to have a dryer that’s made with the right material and proper wattage, you also want a model that allows you to adjust the heat level. Search for a dryer that provides low, medium, and high heat settings so you can use the precise amount of heat that your hair requires.^{[6]
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- For fine, thin, or dry hair, the low heat setting will work well.
- For normal hair, the medium setting is ideal.
- For coarse, thick hair, use the high heat setting.

Part 3

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Finding the Right Extras

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Opt for a dryer with a cool setting to reduce frizz. If you want shiny, sleek hair, choose a blow dryer that features a cool shot setting. That allows you to blast your hair with cool air when you’re nearly finished drying your hair to seal the cuticle for smooth, shiny hair.^{[7]
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- Switch from the heat setting to the cool setting when your hair is approximately 80% dry. It will finish drying your hair with overheating it.
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Purchase a dryer with a diffuser if you have curly hair. A diffuser is an attachment that distributes the hot air in a larger area without blowing your hair all over the place. It’s particularly helpful if you have curly or wavy hair because it helps keep the texture intact while still adding volume.^{[8]
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- A diffuser typically snaps onto the end of the blow dryer. It is removable so you can only use it when you want to.
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Choose a dryer with a concentrator nozzle to straighten your hair. Like a diffuser, a concentrator nozzle snaps onto the end of a blow dryer. However, it emits the air in a concentrated stream so it’s a handy tool if you regularly straighten your hair your hair with your dryer. It can also help cut down on frizz.^{[9]
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- When you use the concentrator nozzle, always keep it pointed downward and never allow it to come into contact with your hair.
- Run a brush through your hair as you’re drying it, and follow the path of the brush with the concentrator nozzle for super straight, sleek hair.
A comb or pik attachment snaps on to the end of the blow dryer, much like a diffuser or concentrator nozzle. If you have thick hair or curly, African American hair, a comb or pik attachment can help stretch out the natural curl pattern when drying your tresses.

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How many watts is a good blow dryer?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Wattage determines how hot a dryer can get and the pressure of the airflow. Choosing a dryer that is at least 1800 watts will maximize speed and efficiency.

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What is the best hair dryer for thick hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Ionic dryers are great for thick hair because they promote sleekness and dry the hair very quickly. The GHD Air dryer is one of my favorites.

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Question

What is the average temperature of a hair dryer?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Most hair dryers max out at about 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It's best for your hair to use a lower heat setting unless you have coarse strands.

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Tips

If you plan to travel with your dryer, look for one with dual voltage so you don’t have to worry about converters.

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Some dryers also have multiple speed setting in addition to heat settings. You can adjust the speed from low, medium, and high to control how fast the air comes out.

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Always use a heat protectant when you’re blow drying your hair. That will keep your locks from getting dried out.

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Warnings

Regardless of the quality of your blow dryer, do not blow dry your hair for prolonged periods of time. Even the strongest and healthiest strands of hair cannot withstand high heat situations for too long or too often. Prolonged exposure to blow dryer heat can result in brittle hair that breaks easily.

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