Best Overall

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

$520

$380 at Amazon

$520

$380 at UltaView on Dyson.com

Features: 3 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cold shot | Attachments: 6 | Wattage: 1600

This likely comes as no surprise, given how beloved innovation giant Dyson has become in the hair category. In addition to the sleek design, it comes with six different attachments (so all hair types can use it), and offers three speed settings, three heat settings, and a cold shot. It fits perfectly in my hands without feeling clunky or heavy, and is powerful without being super noisy. The various attachments are easy to pop on and off, and changing the settings on the dryer is simple and intuitive. The combination of power, design, and useful attachments helped me achieve a smooth finish that doesn’t totally lack body, something I always struggle with when doing an at-home blowout. 

It’s worth noting that Dyson recently launched its next-generation blow-dryer, the Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer. That version is also great; it features technology that helps adjust the temperature as it gets closer to your scalp to ensure it doesn’t burn. I think that addition is great, especially if you’re using the dryer on children, but I still recommend the original (it’s $70 less), and so do Kim and pro hairstylist Gregg Lennon Jr., who notes that his first-generation Dyson dryer is still going just as strong as the day he got it. “The control and precision I am able to achieve with the airflow is perfect,” he adds.

Best Affordable

BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer

$115 at Amazon$115 at Ulta$115 at Target

Features: 3 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cold shot | Attachments: 1 | Wattage: 2000

Not all salon-quality hair dryers need to come with a hefty price tag. I owned this one from Babyliss in college, and it’s still one of my favorites. It doesn’t boast futuristic technology or a super fancy design like the new Dyson, but it offers multiple heat and speed settings and is quite powerful. Lennon Jr. says that a powerful motor is a must for tools professionals use. “Without the strength of the motor, it’s just like somebody blowing warm air at you.” 

I love that this dryer is simple and easy to use, but strong and hot enough to dry and smooth my fine hair in just a few minutes. It might not be ideal for all hair types since it only comes with a concentrator, but if you don’t need things like a diffuser and are just looking for a quality yet wallet-friendly tool to blow out your hair, I recommend this one.

Best Customizable

T3 Aire IQ Intelligent Hair Dryer

$300

$255 at Amazon

$400

$300 at Sephora

$400

$300 at Ulta

Features: 2 speed settings, 5 heat settings | Attachments: 3 | Wattage: 1850

If you’re using a hair dryer in a salon or perhaps at home on people with different hair textures, a customizable tool is what you need. This chic pink dryer from T3 features a high-res screen where you can select your hair type and adjust to the perfect settings for your hair. If you prefer to make your own selections, you can manually choose from five heat settings and two airflow speeds. Once you lock in your settings, the dryer will default to them each time you turn it on.

As with other T3 tools, this dryer has an ergonomic design that’s lightweight and easy to maneuver. I love that it pauses when you put it down and restarts when you pick it back up; this little detail makes your entire styling experience more seamless. While I wish the stronger airflow setting were even more powerful (I love a powerful airflow), it dries my fine hair entirely in about 10 to 15 minutes. The entire user experience is positive; I love its customizability and user-friendliness. It works well for my fine hair, and Ally Hirschlag, former Byrdie associate editorial director, says it’s her favorite hair dryer for curly hair, noting the diffuser is the best she’s ever tried. If you’re looking for a hair dryer for various hair textures, this one is a great choice.

Best for Flyaways

GHD Helios Professional Hair Dryer

$329

$263 at Amazon$329 at Sephora$329 at Ulta

Features: 2 speed settings, 2 heat settings, cold shot | Attachments: 1 | Wattage: 1875

Taming flyaways is something I struggle to achieve whenever I blow out my hair at home. Between holding the dryer in one hand and the round brush in the other hand and attempting to direct the airflow precisely, I’m often left with a frizzy finish and a head full of them. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth my hair looked while testing this dryer from GHD, and I attribute it to the powerful airflow and the small concentrator nozzle. The narrow nozzle lets me get close to my roots and control the airflow well, leading to a sleeker finish than I’m accustomed to with other hair dryers. The only downside is that it didn’t get super hot. While that might be good in the long run since it’s not as damaging, it took longer to dry my hair.

Best Lightweight

T3 AireLuxe Hair Dryer

$210 at AmazonView on Walmart$210 at Nordstrom

Features: 3 speed settings, 5 heat settings, cold shot | Attachments: 2 | Wattage: 1875

One of the worst parts of attempting a blowout at home is how tired your arm gets. But instead of upping my gym membership, I opt for lightweight styling tools. Lennon Jr. and I agree that a lightweight dryer is a must. “Professional hair dryers must be lightweight with a grip that’s sensitive to people with wrist issues,” he says. This one from T3 is the most lightweight option I’ve come across. Not only is it easy to hold and maneuver without weighing my arm down, but I also love that it’s one of the quieter options I’ve tried. It also comes with three speed settings, five heat settings, and a cold shot that you can lock, making it a suitable option for a range of hair types. Plus, you can turn the ionic generator off if you want more volume. 

I wish the dryer were more powerful. The airflow wasn’t super strong, so it took longer to dry my hair than with other options. However, the variety of heat and speed settings, powerful ionic generator, and chic and practical design kept it high on my list.

Most User-Friendly

Turbo Power Twin Turbo 3200 Hair Dryer

$170

$140 at WalmartView on Turbopowerhairdryer.com

Features: 2 speed settings, 4 heat settings | Attachments: 1 | Wattage: 1700

Both Kim and Lennon Jr. agree that professional blow-dryers should have a variety of heat and speed settings so you can customize them to your hair type. However, sometimes dryers with all those features can be complicated to use. During testing, I absolutely loved how intuitive this one was; I didn’t need to comb through the manual or do much experimenting to get the swing of it. It offers two speed settings and four heat settings, and it was as hot and powerful as I needed it to be. I achieved the smooth finish I was after in less than 15 minutes. 

Although it’s not as aesthetically pleasing as more modern dryers, its power, heat settings, and ease of use make it a great option.