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Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Verna Meachum
Do you know what the best hair dryer for curly hair is? Or, do you think that all hair dryers are the same? The answer is a resounding no! Not all hair dryers are created equal, but what makes one hair dryer better than another?
A hair dryer can be purchased for less than $20 at your local retail store or you can spend over $399 on a popular brand name. So, what gives?
With so many hair dryers out there, how do you determine which one is best for you.
We’re here to assist you with making this less complicated.
So, to help you determine the best hair dryer for curly hair, we’ve put together a list of the best ones on the market and what they offer.
But before we get into that, let’s first discuss what you should look for when buying a hair dryer.
I have not straightened my hair in a long long time. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like, but I’ve heard that it’s like a miracle or something. People with straight hair can just get up and go, but my hair is curly, frizzy, and sometimes wild.
So, I’ve become quite good at finding the best hair dryers. There are a lot of options on the market these days and it can be tricky to find the perfect one for your needs.
There is a lot to consider when purchasing a hair dryer and I know what features you should look for when purchasing one. And trust me, it’s not as easy as you might think!
The hair dryer has advanced dramatically, and while basic versions still exist, the costly (or should we say, “investment”) versions come with a plethora of features.
The best hair dryer for curly hair is the one that fits your specific needs. So, make sure to take a look at all of your options before you make your purchase.
Curls need moisture to look their best, so the best blow dryers for curly hair are those that give you control over both heat and airflow settings.
A hair dryer’s control settings make it more user-friendly, allowing you to choose the kind of drying, styling, and finish you desire.
Power is an important consideration when purchasing any hair dryer, but it is especially important when seeking the best hair dryer for curly hair.
You want a hair dryer with enough power to quickly evaporate the water from your locks, but you don’t want one that is so powerful that it dries out your curls and leaves them looking frizzy.
For less powerful versions intended for home usage, 1000 watts may be enough, depending on your curls’ length and density.
If you want a decent hair dryer, look for something with a higher wattage of 1800 or higher. Watts are used to measure the amount of heat generated by a blow dryer.
Most professional blow dryers have wattages over 3500. If you have thick, curly hair and are searching for a professional-style hair dryer, this is the one to get.
Your hairdryer will be quieter, more powerful, and last longer if it has an AC motor.
AC motors are heavier than DC motors, which may be important to keep in mind if you need to use your hair dryer for long hours.
A hair dryer uses ceramic, tourmaline, ionic technology, porcelain, and titanium to dry hair. Some utilize a mix of two or even all three technologies and there are a few dryer brands that use infrared heating technology.
The components within your hair dryer will have an impact on its performance and noise.
The noise produced by a hair dryer is significantly reduced if ceramic technology is used along with one of the others. Ceramic hair dryers are a great low-cost option that works well and protects your hair from damage.
Tourmaline is a beneficial mineral that helps to smooth hair by sealing the cuticle and retaining moisture. To put it another way, it helps prevent frizz and lowers the likelihood of hair damage.
Water’s ions are positively charged, so an Ionic dryer releases negatively charged ions. That is the basis for why an Ionic dryer is much more successful at breaking up and dispersing water droplets on the hair shaft, preventing them from soaking in and causing frizz, as well as speeding up drying time.
Ionic Technology also makes for a quieter machine.
Porcelain is designed to distribute heat evenly. It may be applied to a dryer’s metal or plastic heating elements and other internal components to make the heat less harsh and more consistent in temperature.
Titanium is lighter-weight than ceramic and is also used to distribute heat evenly while keeping the temperature level. It tends to make for a very hot dryer and speeds up the drying process.
The different attachments that can come with hair dry are a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, brush, and comb/pick.
The concentrator nozzle is great for directing the airflow to a specific area while drying your hair. This is especially helpful when trying to dry short hair or smoothing out hair.
A diffuser helps to distribute the air more evenly while drying curly hair, which prevents frizz. Some models come with built-in diffusers, while others include them as attachments.
Tip – to minimize flyaways, point the nozzle downward as you blow-dry your hair.
A diffuser attachment is best for curly hair because the “fingers” of air it releases are gentler than a nozzle.
For individuals that are weary of brushing with one hand while blow-drying the other, a brush attachment or styler can be used.
The pick attachment looks just like the name suggests. It helps to add more volume and lift. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The short pick can be used for short hair and the longer pick for longer hair.
The comb attachment is used to smooth and straighten hair. I used to use it on my hair growing up, just before flatting my hair with a flat iron.
The best advice is to try different methods until you find the one that works best for your curly hair.
Look for a blow dryer with multiple settings for both heat and power. I always turn down my blow dryer’s heat and power controls when drying. This keeps the temperature at a lower setting, which is best for my hair.
We don’t all need to blow dry our hair on high heat and high power so, if you’re looking to remove most of the moisture from your hair, try using the medium setting. Once your hair is about 90% dry, use the lower setting to finish it or air dry it the rest of the way.
Bonus: A cool shot button will help you lock in your hairstyle after styling it with hot air.
The quietest hair dryers include Tourmaline and Ceramic technology, as well as additional fan blades and anti-vibration product design.
If you’re always using a hair dryer, prolonged usage may damage your hearing. Hearing loss can be caused by continuous or routine exposure to noise over 85 decibels. Using a quieter hair dryer will help you preserve your hearing.
When shopping for hair dryers, you’ll generally want to consider five noise levels.
The best hair dryers for curly hair can be expensive, but there are some affordable models available. We’ll share our top picks further down the article.
A hair dryer is one of the most essential beauty products, and while there are always exceptions, you can feel good about spending more on one.
If you ask a professional stylist, they will tell you that a good hair dryer is worth the investment.
To put it another way, you can anticipate a hair dryer that you paid $100+ for and it might last up to 10 years, while one you paid $20 for may burn out after one or two years.
Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty.
Here’s a quick reference guide to the best hair dryers, including their features, to help you choose the best one for you.
It is best to do your research and read the reviews before making a purchase. Find the perfect hair dryer for your personal needs and budget.
Mint Professional Stealth Ionic+ Hair Dryer
MHU Ionic Low Noise Hair Dryer
Panasonic Low-Noise Ionity Hair Dryer
Shark HD113BRN Hair Blow Dryer HyperAIR Fast-Drying with IQ
Skanwen Professional Hair Dryer
Conair Pro Style Bonnet Ionic Hair Dryer
CO-Z Professional Hair dryer Adjustable Hooded Stand Up Hair Bonnet Dryer
ELEGANTY Soft Bonnet Hood Hairdryer Attachment
Gold N Hot Professional Ionic Soft Bonnet Dryer
Hooded Conditioning Hair Dryer By Skin Act
TASALON Ionic Hooded Dryer – 1875W Bonnet Hair Dryer
A good blow dryer doesn’t have to be expensive. If you shop around at your local retail store, you may find a decent hair dryer that has most of these features.
Professional hair dryers are designed to dry the hair of a large number of people each day. You’ll be able to get a lot of usage out of it before you have to replace it, so it will last you a long time.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a hair dryer that isn’t in your budget, just make sure to get one that has a few of the features mentioned above.
Here are a few good hair dryers that are available for under $50:
Conair 1600 Watt Wall Mounted Hair Dryer with LED Light
Jinri 1875 Watt Professional Tourmaline Hair Dryer
Remington T Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional AC Hair Dryer
REVLON Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
VAVOOV Professional Ionic Hair Dryer
Here are some of the questions that come up when people are considering buying a new hair dryer.
A good hair dryer can make a significant difference. It may be expensive, but it will last you a long time if you care for it.
Yes, because they are produced in the same way. However, because of the power they generate, they may take longer to dry.
Although an 800 watt hair dryer is quieter than a 2000 watt hair dryer, it will lack the power to dry hair as quickly.
No, but it can be beneficial. Ionic technology helps to reduce frizz and static.
No, but it can be beneficial. A diffuser helps to distribute the air evenly so your hair is not blown around too much.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You can read the online reviews to see what other people are saying about them.
No, but it can be helpful. A retractable cord helps to keep your cords tidy and organized. It also prevents them from becoming tangled.
Yes, because a warranty also gives you peace of mind, knowing that you are covered if anything happens.
Hair dryers with higher-quality attachments and more heat and speed settings are typically more expensive, but can help you achieve different hairstyles.
These attachments may be included with a cheaper hair dryer, although they are more likely to be of lesser quality than the expensive ones.
For example, the cheaper hair dryers may come with plastic diffusers that can pop off or break easily, while the Dyson hair dryer comes with magnetic attachments. which will likely not break easily or pop off.
Higher prices usually come with a longer life cycle, not just because they are constructed of quality materials but also because they generally come with warranties in case something happens. Also, most of the expensive hair dryers are equipped with better technology.
There is no difference as they are produced in the same way. A salon-quality hair dryer may have a longer warranty period and more features.
Some hair dryers that professional hairstylists use are:
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