Did you know that just because a manufacturer says that they make a “professional hair dryer” doesn’t mean that it’s the same thing as a salon quality blow dryer used by hair stylists? Or did you know that blow dryers made with ceramic tourmaline can actually help to lock in moisture while you are drying your hair? These are important aspects to keep in mind when shopping for hair styling tools such as hair dryers, flat irons or curling irons.
You might be pleased to find out that for this review we avoided super-expensive, salon-like hair products because they might not be within everyone's budget reach, but at the same time we tried to stay away from very cheap hair dryers too. Instead, we focused on bringing reasonably-priced, high-quality blow dryers into the spotlight!
When it comes to which hair products brand to go with, it can be a tough call. There’s so many awesome brands out there that how do you know which one to pick? Well, we’re featuring five of these awesome brands on this review and we’re going to tell you about some more quality brands that simply didn’t make our top 5 because of space, so you’ve got lots of information and options.
One renowned brand that needs a mention is Remington. They’ve been around for decades and they know what they’re talking about when it comes to high-quality hair dryers (many of which are within the budget-friendly price range). The same could be said about Rusk, who produces dozens of hair care products that compliment each other. Like the
RUSK Engineering W8less Professional 2000 Watt Dryer which works beautifully with their Thermal Serum with Argan Oil.
Another well-known brand that shouldn’t be overlooked is Conair. They’ve got an extensive hair care range, including some compact travel dryers like the
Conair Compact Folding Handle Hair Dryer.
Depending upon your needs, you might not be looking for a compact hair dryer though, and perhaps you want a more substantial dryer with professional level features. If that’s the case, then you should definitely take a look at the
Jinri Salon Grade Professional Hair Dryer. It has multiple speed settings, attachments and a long-lasting, durable AC motor.
Whether you are looking for an affordable blow dryer to meet a tight budget, or are looking for the absolute best one available, there are factors that you need to consider to help you choose the best blow dryer for your needs.
Price
When it comes to a product that has such a wide price range, blow dryers definitely fit the bill. You can get a decent quality, budget hair dryer for around $20 or you could go for a salon quality professional hair dryer and easily spend over $100. In looking at the price you pay, it is important to understand what you are getting for the money you are putting out. We have chosen five popular hair dryers, in a mixture of prices, to help you get a better understanding of what is available – and what you get.
Features
We will discuss a lot of the standard features in sections below that help to make a blow dryer efficient and comfortable – and of course make your hair look great – but it is also important to take a look at safety features. For example, if there is no filter or screen at the back of the blow dryer (you know, where the air gets pulled in) – it can also suck your hair right in with it. Ouch!
Construction and Design
With regards to choosing the hair dryer that will work best for you, there are three general things that you will want to look at in terms of design (besides the obvious of whether it has high quality construction) - type and power, settings and technology.
- Type and Power - Hair dryers come in different types (each with different power levels). You can choose a professional quality hair dryer like the ones that are used in salons, a standard conventional hair dryer made for the average home user or a compact model that’s great for people who travel. Typically, a compact, small sized blow dryer will have a power level of under 1200 watts. Standard home hair dryers usually run between 1200 and 1800 watts, whereas a salon quality blow dryer will be much more powerful, usually between 1900 and 2400 watts. The power usage of a blow dryer is split between the heater and the fan. The difference that wattage makes is in how long it takes to style your hair. It also has an impact on how much heat it puts out. It is important to keep in mind that just because a blow dryer CAN put out a lot of heat, doesn’t mean you should always use it (even if it is faster) because it risks damaging your hair. Which brings us to the next factor to consider – settings.
- Heat and Air Settings - Just about every blow dryer available has more than one option for both fan speed and air temperature. Typical settings are low, medium and high, and cool, warm or hot, respectively. But depending upon the quality of the hair dryer – and the power – these ranges can mean different things. For example, a professional blow dryer will have the highest air flow (as well as heat potential) which is why they work so well. What is great about a salon hair dryer is that you can use high air speeds with moderate temperature and still get the job done quickly. If you have damaged hair, or perm it, you will definitely want a dryer with a nice cool setting.
- Technology - Heat and hair settings are not the only features that a blow dryer can have to keep your hair healthy and protect it from over drying. There are “construction technologies” that will impact this as well. Gone are the days when people are settling for “plain ol’ hair dryers” made of just plastic. Now you can choose from ones that have porcelain ceramic or tourmaline ceramic that emit negative ions that will lock in moisture and protect your hair.
Performance and Ease of Use
One of the important things to consider is whether or not a hair dryer is comfortable and easy to use. It might not seem like a blow dryer weighs that much when you take it out of the box – that is until you are standing there with your arms raised in the air. Another thing that improves how easy a blow dryer is to use is the cord length and whether or not it has a swivel on it (to avoid those pesky tangles that we all know and hate).
It goes without saying that the design of the blow dryer itself should lead to great results, but you may also want to consider what kind of attachments come with it. Attachments like nozzles and diffusers help with creating different styles and working with different hair lengths and types.
When it comes to buying a new blow dryer, how much you spend will depend upon the features that are important to you. We took a look at a mixture of five of the top rated blow dryers (that don't go into the super expensive salon price category) and we think that there's something for just about everyone.
Features
BaBylissPRO is a renowned brand in the hair styling industry. They’ve been around for decades, providing high-quality, professional grade hair dryers, straighteners, curlers, clippers and hot brushes. They’re constantly striving for innovation and functionality, evident in their multiple collections of products; Nano Titanium, Rapido, Avanti, Tourmaline Series, Porcelain Ceramic and Cermaic Tools, to name a few.
Today, we’ve decided to feature the BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Dryer, part of the Porcelain Ceramic series of products, with Ionic technology thrown in for good measure. With ceramic technology, you get even far-infrared heat that’s gentle and protects your hair. But don’t be fooled; just because it’s gentle, doesn’t mean it’s not powerful too. This hair dryer has an AC motor with 2000-watts power, making this a professional-grade styling tool.
If you like to style your hair in a few different ways, or your just like to adjust the temperature to suit you, you’re in luck. This hair dryer features 4 heat settings, with a cold shot button, that’s more than the average dryer on the market. There’s also 2 speed settings so you really can customize this dryer to your preferences. The 8mm concentrator nozzle will direct the air flow and give you that salon shine you’ve been looking for. Finally, as if this wasn’t convenient enough, there’s also a removable filter so you can keep your dryer in optimum condition.
Features
Berta is a company focused on manufacturing high-quality, multifunctional beauty products for women and men. Their product range includes a variety of hair dryers, some with additional add-ons and others that are designed for easy portability. They also produce hair straighteners, curlers and combinations of the two.
The Berta Negative Ions Hair Dryer uses 100 times more negative ions than its competitors, resulting in smoother, healthier and softer hair. This technology protects against hair damage and reduces frizz by producing less static energy. Getting hair that’s shiny and silky doesn’t need to take all day; with 1875-watts and a professional long-life AC motor, you can dry your hair within 5 minutes. That’s 50% faster than a standard DC motor and it’ll also last up to three times longer! If you want to get your perfect style right every time, you’ll need a dryer that’s got different settings. The Berta Hair Dryer has 3 heat settings to choose from, hot, warm and cool, and also 2 speeds, high and low.
Fitted with an ALCI safety plug which makes the product unusable when submerged in water or other abnormal conditions. On the subject of safety, there’s also a test button which you can use before each use to ensure the product is working properly and it’s even ETL certified. The 2.2m salon cable is convenient for use away from a plug socket and there’s a handy loop that you can use to hang up your dryer for safe keeping. To ensure your hair dryer lasts as long as possible, there’s a double stall type air inlet with a square fence later that prevents any hair or debris getting sucked into the filter. The filter can also be removed to clean, increasing the lifespan of your dryer by years.
Features
CHI is a brand under the Farouk Systems, Inc. umbrella, along with other industry-leading brands like SunGlitz and BioSilk. Farouk Systems was founded in 1986 by Farouk Shami, a leading hairdresser with the intention of providing innovative professional beauty products with the latest technologies.
If you want silky smooth hair, without the need to go to a salon, you need the CHI Deep Brilliance Dryer. It boasts a powerful, 1875-watt AC motor that’ll cut drying time in half. The motor is quiet and boast dual temperature and speed settings, so you can pick the perfect setting for your hair style. Weighing approximately 1-pound, and with an ergonomic handle, you won’t feel fatigued or get a sore arm while drying your hair.
With an optional comb attachment and air concentrating nozzle, you can tame highly-textured hair and achieve faster styling. For extra shine, you should try the cool-shot button which reduces frizz and locks in style. For ease of use, the filter is removable, so you can clean it regularly and keep your dryer in tip-top condition. The extra-long, 11-foot cord lets you use your hair dryer at your vanity no matter how far away the plug sockets are.
Features
Vivid and Vogue, otherwise known as VAV, is a brand built by hairdressing professionals with the aim to provide the highest quality hair care products at an affordable price. They manufacture hair styling products including straighteners, portable mini straighteners, curlers, multifunctional curlers and hair dryers with a range of features.
Today we’ve decided to feature the VAV Negative Ions Hair Dryer thanks to its extensive features at a reasonable price. This professional grade hair dryer boasts negative ions technology, which is the latest technology used in hair styling to provide optimum shine and smoothness. Negative ions eliminate frizz and tame hair without damaging it. Another way to prevent damage to your hair while styling is to use the appropriate heat setting. Lucky for you, this hair dryer has three of them! Choose from high, medium or low and you can also choose whether you want it on high speed or low speed.
Having a hair dryer that’s easy-to-use and maintain is essential. The long-lasting 1875-watt DC motor on this hairdryer is durable, provides powerful air flow and will dry your hair in less time than alternatives. There’s also a removable filter that makes it easier to clean, lowering the chances of an issue arising. If an issue does arise though, you can rely on the one-year replacement policy and two-year warranty. This stylish hair dryer comes in white, black and blue, depending on your preference.
As with all purchases that you are going to make, the final decision of what type of hair dryer is best for you will be based upon your budget and personal preferences. We hope that this review of five highly rated blow dryers helps you find the one that’s perfect for you.
