HomeGearBest Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2023): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2023): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

June 10, 2023

Best Hair Dryers and Diffusers (2023): Blow-Dryers, Brushers, and Diffusers

  • Photograph: Hairitage

    Best for Most People

    Hairitage Comin’ In Hot Dryer

    You don't have to spend a lot to get a great hair dryer. Hairitage's Comin' In Hot Hair Dryer is compact, light, and less than $40. For most people who need a basic dryer, this will be fine, and the gray and rose-gold design is pretty, with an almost velvety-soft coating. The brand now also has its own diffuser, something we noted it was lacking previously. There's also a comb attachment for stretching hair as you dry.

    The Hairitage Comin' In Hot Dryer has two speeds, three heat settings, a cold shot button, and uses ions.

    $40 at Walmart

  • Photograph: RevAir

    The Mother of All Dryers

    RevAir Reverse-Air Dryer (2022)

    The RevAir is the only thing to dramatically cut down on styling time—and damage—when I want to wear my curls straight. I've been obsessed with the RevAir since trying it in 2021, and the 2022 updated version is smaller and lighter than the original, but it's more expensive and still a large device you'll need to store.

    After sectioning your wet or damp hair, you feed each section into the wand, like a vacuum, and the device dries and straightens in one step. Tiny openings at the tip of the wand direct air out to dry your scalp, while the rest of your hair is dried with air going down, so you don't get frizzy. Crazy, I know, but it works. Wet curls went in and dry straight hair came out in around 30 seconds. I still had to use a flat iron to smooth my hair, because its natural state is a puff, but I used the RevAir on a friend whose curls are soft, fine, and down to her hips. She didn't have to use a flat iron at all.

    The RevAir has seven speeds/tensions and two temperature settings, plus a cold setting.

    $399 at RevAir (Device Only)
    $469 at RevAir (Total Package Bundle)

  • Photograph: Neslihan Ostrowski/Volo

    A Surprisingly Nice Cordless Dryer

    Volo Go Cordless Dryer

    I was far more impressed by this dryer than I thought I would be. On the surface, it doesn't seem like it would work for most people: It has just one speed setting, and its heat settings are Cold, Full Heat (172 degrees Fahrenheit), or Smart, which automatically adjusts the heat as your hair dries. It also doesn't have a diffuser and it's very expensive. But alas, it became one of my favorites.

    I've never been able to dry my hair in its natural state without a diffuser, unless I'm planning on going through it with a flat iron later. I thought the Volo would destroy my curls, but it didn't. The speed was just enough to dry the hair, but it doesn't blow it all over the place, so curls are left intact—some diffusers do more harm than this did. Likewise, it's hot enough to dry the hair, but doesn't burn your flesh as it flashes across your face. Being cordless is nice, but it weighs around 2.8 pounds, and that starts to feel heavy quickly. The battery lasts roughly 25 minutes or so, which is usually not enough time for my hair to be completely dry. On a normal day, I only dry it halfway and plop my curls before or after (occasionally using Volo's own air towel), but that could be a dealbreaker for some.

    The Volo Go Cordless Dryer has one speed and two heat settings, plus cold.

    $450 at Volo

  • Photograph: Shark

    Unique Attachments

    Shark HyperAir Blow Dryer

    The vacuum brand Shark swept into hair care with this dryer, and I'm impressed. The powerful HyperAir comes with a brush attachment to turn it into a blow-dry brush. You rotate the attachment with a button on top for better positioning, which is a lot easier than trying to blow your hair out with a separate brush and dryer. The nozzle of the air concentrator can expand or shrink depending on how you're styling—a lot of dryers come with two, so it's nice that this is a two-in-one. You can also shorten or lengthen the diffuser prongs, depending on your hair length and whether you want to dry the roots.

    If you want all the attachments you'll have to spend an additional $20. Otherwise, you'll get the concentrator and brush, or concentrator and diffuser. The Premium bundle also includes an AirWave that I didn't try, which helps you make beach waves. If you buy one and realize later you need an attachment it didn't come with, you can get them separately. 

    The Shark HyperAir Dryer has three speeds, three heat settings plus a cold shot button, and uses ions.

    $230 at Amazon (Sleek Bundle)
    $230 at Walmart (Curly Bundle)

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