Best Hair Dryers in 2026 as reviewed by Australian consumers

Types of hair dryers
What to consider when choosing a hair dryer
How long do hair dryers last?
Alternatives to hair dryers

A woman in a salon having her hair dried and styled with a hair dryer and round brush.

Types of hair dryers

Retail hair dryers

Retail hair dryers are designed for everyday use at home. However, that doesn’t mean that these necessarily skimp out on quality; there are plenty of premium models on the market that come with salon-worthy features.

Pros

More affordable than salon-quality hair dryers.

Lightweight and easy to handle.

Range of models available for all kinds of budgets.

Cons

They typically don’t last as long as professional hair dryers, although can still have hundreds of hours of life in them.

Professional hair dryers

Professional hair dryers are salon-quality, and usually have an alternating current motor, which lets them produce more heat. They tend to be of higher quality than regular hair dryers.

Pros

Typically dries hair quicker.

Usually has a stronger airflow.

Often has premium features that can be used for different hair types and styles.

Generally last longer than retail hair dryers.

Cons

More expensive than retail hair dryers.

More heavy and therefore more difficult to manouvre, however their sturdy design means they’re usually more durable.

Other types of hair dryers

Travel hair dryers are lightweight and usually have a foldable handle, letting you easily tuck them into your suitcase or travel bag. They usually don’t have much in the way of fancy features or attachments, but do the job just fine.

You can also find dryer hoods, which are placed over the head to dry hair and set your style in place.

What to consider when choosing a hair dryer

Ionic vs ceramic vs tourmaline

Hair dryers sometimes have technologies that are said to provide certain benefits. Here are three that are commonly found in hair dryers.

Ionic

Ionic technology breaks down water molecules so that they can dry your hair faster, but they also help retain moisture in the hair so it stays healthy and nourished.
An ionic hair dryer works by neutralising positively charged ions in the hair.
Quick-drying with less heat helps minimise frizz.

Ceramic

Suitable for most hair types.
Heats up quickly and provides even heating.
Ceramic emits infrared heat which penetrates each strand of hair from inside out.
They’re thought to be more gentle on the hair than regular hair dryers.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a mineral that is sometimes used as a coating for the interior of hair dryers.
Like ionic technology, tourmaline generates negative ions, and helps speed up drying while smoothing the hair.

Your hair type

We all have different hair types which respond differently to heat. Some hair dryers will state what type of hair they’re suitable for, or which of their features are suitable for your hair, but here’s an overview of what to look for depending on your locks.

Thin or fine hair: Use a hair dryer on a low heat setting, as thin hair is susceptible to heat damage. A ceramic hair dryer is ideal.
Thick hair: A high heat setting will help dry hair faster, particularly a hair dryer with a concentrator attachment.
Wavy or curly hair: A hair dryer with a diffuser attachment will help maintain your natural curls. A dryer with ionic technology will also help reduce frizz while keeping your locks hydrated. Cool shots can help you style your hair to keep your cursl in place.
Frizzy hair: Ionic or tourmaline hair dryers help reduce static and keep hair smooth.
Dry or damaged hair: towel drying is preferable to using a hair dryer or heat to dry your hair, but if you do use a dryer, use it on a low heat setting and apply a heat protectant first. Ceramic hair dryers are preferred as they provide even temperature.

Temperature and airflow settings

If you want more control over the heat and air speed of your dryer, consider choosing a model with multiple temperature and airflow settings. This lets you adjust the settings to suit the type and condition of your hair.

Higher settings are more effective at drying, while lower settings are handy for hair styling and are better for drying damaged hair or hair prone to breakage.

Size and weight

Drying your hair can be a workout. If you’re buying in store, check how easy a blow dryer is to hold, keeping in mind that if you have thicker hair, you may have to be holding it in the air for a while.

Attachments and accessories

Attachments and accessories that may come with your hair dryer or that you may be able to purchase include some of the following:

Concentrator: Concentrates the airflow to where you want it, which is useful for drying certain areas, controlling where you want to style, and adding volume to thicker hair.
Diffuser: A hair diffuser disperses the air instead of blowing it into one concentrated area, and is thought to cause less damage and be better suited to thicker hair (although it takes longer to dry hair), as well as maintaining natural waves and curls.
Brush: Some hair dryers have a built-in dryer brush that can make it easier to style your hair while it dries.
Smoothing nozzle: An attachment that dries hair with controlled airflow, helping you create a natural style with your hair.
Gentle air attachment: This creates a gentler airflow, and is useful for drying thin, fine, dry or damaged hair.
Silencer: This attachment reduces the noise level of the hair dryer.

Power

The higher the wattage, the more heat a hair dryer produces, meaning the quicker it’ll dry your hair. Usually between 1300 and 1800 watts is sufficient to dry most hair types fairly quickly. If you have thick, curly hair, you might want to consider a higher wattage.

Extra features:

Cool shot: This gives a burst of cool air which is useful for setting your hairstyle in place.
Boost: A feature that increases airflow to make drying faster.
Universal voltage: This lets you use your hair dryer anywhere in the world without needing a voltage converter (although you may still need a travel adapter).
Auto shut-off: This turns the hair dryer off when it’s put down and turns it on again when it’s picked up.
Storage case: Keeps your dryer safe and secure while you’re travelling or keeping it in storage.
Swivel cord: A feature that prevents the cord from getting tangled.
Hook: A hook or hair dryer holder lets you hang your dryer on the wall, so you can neatly store it and keep it away from wet surfaces in your bathroom.
Infusions: Some hair dryers are infused with a conditioning element, such as keratin or argan oil, which is released into your hair when you use the dryer to help nourish and moisturise it.
Touch cool: This means that the surface of the hair dryer and its attachments stay cool so you don’t burn your head or hands.
Cordless design: Cordless hair dryers are those that can be powered by battery for drying on the go. These dryers are usually also mains-powered.

Price

Hair dryers vary greatly in price. Cheap hair dryers like Kmart hair dryers, for example, can be as little as $15 to $20, while more premium models like Dyson hair dryers can cost over $500. However, you don’t need to spend that little to get a good deal or that much to get a decent hair dryer; there are lots of mid-range models that are highly rated by reviewers on ProductReview.com.au.

How long do hair dryers last?

Generally speaking, hair dryers last somewhere between 600 and 1000 hours of use. Depending on how often you use it and how long it takes for you to dry your hair, this means your dryer should last anywhere from 3 to 7 years. However, more premium, durable models will likely last longer, even with regular use.

Rather than counting the hours of use, pay attention to how your hair dryer is functioning so you know whether it’s in need of repair or replacement. If the hair dryer is overheating or if you notice a burning smell, it may be time for a replacement.

Ensure you dispose of your old hair dryer correctly by checking how to recycle e-waste with your local council.

Alternatives to hair dryers

If you’re after an appliance that can dry and style your hair simultaneously, then consider a hair styler with a drying function, such as one of the following:

Hot air curling brush: Hot air curling brushes are round barrels that simultaneously dry your hair while brushing and detangling. You can use this hair dryer brush to create hairstyles such as bouncy waves and ultimately cut down your preparation time in half.
Hot air straightening brush: A straightening hot air brush appears at first glance to be a standard hairbrush, but is heated – comb through your hair to dry and make it straight and sleek.

Best Hair Dryers

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