A Full Guide To The Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair
August 21, 2023
by
Verna Meachum
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Purchasing tools like hair dryers for curly hair always requires a little extra research. Curly hair can be complex, and you must be more selective to maintain its health and shape. That’s why I have created this guide to the best hair dryer for curly hair.
The best hair dryer for curly hair requires analyzing the specs of the dryer to determine what would be best for a person’s specific hair. Characteristics like motor type, heating technology, attachments, noise, and cost can impact the quality. Several hair dryer options are available on the market.
Read through this post to make the best decision when purchasing a hair dryer for your curly hair and ensuring it suits all your needs. We offer you all you need to know about hair dryers with product suggestions for your convenience.
How Hair Dryers Can Affect Curls
People with straight hair can just get up and go, but curly hair is often frizzy and sometimes wild. Since curly hair requires some extra love and attention, the type of hair dryer you use can majorly impact the result of your hair after drying it.
Curls need moisture to look their best, so the best blow dryers for curly hair 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 drying, styling, and finish you desire.
If you use a hair dryer that doesn’t do a quality job, your hair might end up looking like a hot mess. I like to call it the I-touched-an-electric-fence look.
It can also create frizz and flyaways and tangle your hair. Your curls can lose their pattern and bounce, leaving you frustrated and disappointed.
What to Look for When Purchasing a Hair Dryer for Curly Hair
There are several options on the market these days, and finding the perfect one for your needs can be tricky. There is a lot to consider when purchasing a hair dryer, and I will share the best features to look for.
The hair dryer has advanced dramatically over time. While basic versions still exist, the high-end and costly versions come with a plethora of features and can be an investment if you take care of them.
The best hair dryer for curly hair is the one that fits your specific needs. So, make sure to look at all your options before you make a decision.
Here are features to consider before purchasing a hair dryer:
Power or Motor Type
Power is an important consideration when purchasing any hair dryer, but it is especially important when seeking the best one for curly hair. You want a hair dryer with sufficient power to quickly evaporate water but not 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. That also depends on your curls’ length and density.
If you want a decent-quality hair dryer, look for something with a wattage of 1800 or higher. Watts measures the amount of heat generated by a blow dryer.
Most professional blow dryers have wattages over 3500. You can lean into one like that if you have thick, curly hair and are searching for a professional-style hair dryer.
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 essential to remember if you need to use your hair dryer for long hours.
Heating Technology/Material
A hairdryer uses ceramic, tourmaline, ionic technology, porcelain, and titanium to dry hair. Some utilize a mix of two or even all three technologies, and a few dryer brands use infrared heating technology.
The components within your hair dryer will impact its performance and noise. The noise produced by a hair dryer is significantly reduced if ceramic technology is used 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, and 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 than ceramic and distributes heat evenly while keeping the temperature level. It makes for a very hot dryer and speeds up the drying process.
Attachments
The different attachments that can come with hair drying are a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, brush, and comb/pick.
The concentrator nozzle is excellent for directing the airflow to a specific area while drying your hair. This is especially helpful when trying to dry short hair or smooth out hair.
A diffuser helps to distribute the air more evenly while drying curly hair, preventing frizz. Some models come with built-in diffusers, while others include them as attachments. The diffuser attachment is best for curly hair because the “fingers” of air it releases are gentler than a nozzle.
Tip – to minimize flyaways, point the nozzle downward as you blow-dry your hair.
A brush attachment or styler can be used for individuals weary of brushing with one hand while blow-drying the other.
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 more extended pick for longer hair.
A comb attachment is used to smooth and straighten hair. I used it on my hair growing up, just before flatting it with a flat iron.
Heat and power controls
Look for a blow dryer with multiple settings for both heat and power. When drying, I always turn down my blow dryer’s heat and power controls. This keeps the temperature lower, which is best for my hair.
We don’t all need to blow dry our hair on high heat and power. The medium setting can work if you want to remove most of the moisture from your hair.
Once your hair is about 90% dry, use the lower setting to finish it or air dry it the rest of the way. This process reduces heat damage.
Bonus tip: A cool shot button will help you lock in your hairstyle after styling it with hot air.
Noise
The quietest hair dryers include Tourmaline and Ceramic technology, additional fan blades, and anti-vibration product design.
Prolonged use of hair dryers 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. You’ll generally want to consider five noise levels when shopping for hair dryers.
The following are the various levels:
- Low – 0 to 30 decibels. This is the softest noise level and is typically the sound of a whisper.
- Moderate – 31 to 60 decibels. This is typically the sound of a normal conversation.
- Loud – 61 – 90 decibels. This range is the typical sound of a blender or blow dryer.
- Very Loud – 91 – 100 decibels. This sound will get annoying after a while and can cause hearing damage if sustained for a long time. It is typically the sound of a lawnmower or a subway train.
- Extremely Loud – greater than 101 decibels. This is the sound of a jet plane taking off or an explosion, a music concert.
Cost
The best hair dryers for curly hair can be expensive, but some affordable models are available. (We’ll share our top picks further down the article).
A hairdryer 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 might last up to 10 years, while one you paid $20 for may burn out after one or two years.
The Best Hair Dryers for Curly Hair
The hair dryer you use will ultimately determine the result of your hairstyle and long-term hair health. Always do thorough research and read product reviews before making a purchase.
Choosing one can be challenging, but with the list below, you can find the best one for you.
Check out this list of the best hair dryers for curly hair to find the perfect one for your personal needs and budget:
- This Blow-Dryer features an ultra-powerful 1875-watt motor and Ionic Technology to provide a shiny blowout with less frizz in 20% less time than most professional dryers.
- It has a lightweight design, and a professional-length power cord (9 ft.) allows for comfortable styling.
- It is ionic technology: A negative ion generator blows billions of negative ions into hair to seal the cuticle and reduce frizz while drying.
- Three heat and two power settings allow for the perfect customized blowout.
- It includes two concentrator nozzles for customized airflow.
- It can keep the temperature under control since the air temperature is measured 20 times every second.
- It is ultra-fast drying.
- It has magnetic attachments such as Dyson smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator, and diffuser.
- It is lightweight and balanced.
- The hair dryer is cool to the touch.
- There are negative ions that help reduce static.
- It includes four precise heat settings fast drying & styling, regular drying, gentle drying, and constant cold.
- It has a decibel of 79.
- It is on the pricey side.
Mint Professional Stealth Ionic+ Hair Dryer
- This hair dryer dries your hair in less than half the time.
- It is equipped with an extremely quiet AC motor.
- It has 1875 watts of drying power.
- It includes ionic technology.
- There is infrared heat, which dries the hair from the inside out. This differs from the usual heating of most hair dryers, which merely heats the hair’s surface, causing it to become dry and damaged.
- It is built to withstand the demands of professional salons.
- A diffuser and two concentration nozzles are included.
MHU Ionic Low Noise Hair Dryer
- There is an 1875-watt AC Motor.
- It ensures lower noise than others and vibration.
- There are two speeds and three heat settings.
- It has infrared heat and negative ion technology.
- It includes two attachments – an airflow concentrator and a diffuser.
- There is a 6-foot cord made of heat-proof material also included.
Panasonic Low-Noise Ionity Hair Dryer
- This has 49 decibels of noise (the sound of a refrigerator) – it may be the quietest hair dryer you will find!
- It has a 1200-watt motor with Ionic Technology.
- It is lightweight and compact.
- There is a folding handle that makes it easy to carry or travel.
- There are no attachments included.
- This one has 1875 Watts. EH-NA65-K dries hair quickly and gently.
- There are three hair blow dryer attachments – an airflow concentrator, a dual airflow nozzle, and a diffuser.
- It has Ionic Nanoe Technology, which draws moisture from the air and creates ultra-fine ionic particles that permeate each hair strand.
- You can customize your settings: There are two hairdryer speed settings and three heat settings.
- There is a cool shot button.
Shark HD113BRN Hair Blow Dryer HyperAIR Fast-Drying with IQ
- The HyperAIR IQ Technology combines high-velocity heated and ionized air for ultra-fast drying.
- The intelligent heat control measures outlet goes up to 1,000 times per second, ensuring consistent temperature and air distribution for quick, even drying.
- Negative ion generator, which means it increases smoothness and shine while decreasing frizz and flyaways vs. air drying.
- Cool shot button.
- It has Adjustable heat and airflow settings.
- It Comes with Airflow Concentrator and Diffuser (deep bowl).
Skanwen Professional Hair Dryer
- Constant temperature control function that prevents overheating damage.
- 360° rotatable magnetic molding nozzles; overheat protection and power-off memory function.
- The power cord is 75 inches.
- It has a 1400W AC Motor.
- Very lightweight at 3/4 pounds.
- There are three hair dryer accessories for different hairstyles (as shown in the photo).
- Negative ion function that can eject 20 million negative ions to protect hair from heat damage, prevent excessive dryness caused by high temperatures and maintain the natural moisture in the hair.
- It has five drying modes.
Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair: Under $50
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
- It mounts to the wall and includes a night light.
- 1600 watts.
- Compact and lightweight, It’s perfect for any size bathroom.
- The dryer shuts off automatically when placed in the wall mount.
- It features two heat/speed settings.
- 6-foot coil cord and removable filter for easy maintenance.
- 1875 Watts with Infrared technology.
- Ionic Hair Dryer: Features ceramic technology plus frizz-fighting conditioning ions for less damage and more shine.
- It’s ergonomic.
- There is a cold shot button.
- It Includes 3 heat/2 speed custom dryer settings.
Jinri 1875 Watt Professional Tourmaline Hair Dryer
- 1875 watts
- Less noise
- Lightweight
- Negative Ion Tourmaline function.
- 3 Heat/ 2 Speeds settings.
- Cool shot button.
- Ergonomic design to make it more comfortable to hold and agile to operate.
- Two attachments included – Diffuser and Concentrator.
- If you’re looking for a Dyson dupe, this may be it.
- 1800 watts
- Quiet and powerful.
- Compact and lightweight.
- It will not take up much room at home or when traveling.
- It comes with three heat settings controlled by a slide switch on the back of the handle and a 2-speed button on the front of the handle.
- It does not have a cool shot button.
- It comes complete with three attachments; a diffuser and two styles of concentrator, one with a comb to help with creative styling.
- The filter prevents hair from being drawn into the machine.
- No ergonometric design, which means it may make it difficult to handle for some.
- Negative ion technology.
- It has Constant temperature technology for even heat distribution.
Remington T Studio Pearl Ceramic Professional AC Hair Dryer
- Pearl Ceramic Technology
- Professional Motor
- 3 Heat, 2 Speed Settings, Cool Shot.
- 1875 Watts
- It comes with a diffuser attachment.
REVLON Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
- 1875 Watts
- Infrared heat technology for maximum shine, softness, and control.
- Tourmaline ionic technology.
- 2 Heat / 2-speed settings and cool shot button for maximum control.
- Concentrator and diffuser attachments included, and Bonus 3 Hair sectioning clips included.
VAVOOV Professional Ionic Hair Dryer
- 2 Speeds and 3 Heat Settings, and a cool shot button.
- 8.2 ft cord length.
- AlCI safety plug.
- Removable air filter, and it is ETL certified.
- It comes with attachments – Concentrator & Diffuser.
- Advanced Ionic technology.
- The blow dryer diffuser has a handle fit to rest comfortably in your hands. It has an ergonomic handle for comfort.
- The rear filter is removable and cleanable, and it is also effortless to install after removal.
Best Hooded Hair Dryers for Curly Hair
Conair Pro Style Bonnet Ionic Hair Dryer
- It is 1875 Watts.
- There are two heat/speed settings.
- This bonnet dryer dries hair quickly, gently, and evenly with uniform heat.
- There is an Extra large hood with a fully adjustable height. It’s perfect for roller sets and deep conditioning sessions.
- Compact Storage: The bonnet hair dryer’s compact design allows for simple storage and convenient transportation. It has a handy carrying handle for easy mobility.
- I own this one and have had it for years, and it is still going strong. I also like to use this for deep conditioning treatments.
CO-Z Professional Hair dryer Adjustable Hooded Stand Up Hair Bonnet Dryer
- It has a stainless steel heating element for long-lasting durability and optimal performance.
- Perfect for home use or professional salons.
- Highly versatile bonnet with adjustable height (48″ to 63″) and swivel base to provide users with the most comfortable hair-drying position.
- It has Timed drying from 0 to 60 minutes.
- Temperature is adjustable from room temperature to 158ºF.
- Low noise.
- It is available as a stand-alone caster wheel to glide throughout the room.
ELEGANTY Soft Bonnet Hood Hairdryer Attachment
- It is equipped with an adjustable drawstring and a chin strap to fit different heads of hair.
- Perfect to use with rollers, clips, flexi-rods, or curl-formers.
- It has a flexible long and broad hose with an adjustable velcro strap.
- It comes with a convenient accessory, and you will get a complimentary towel-texture heat protection headband that covers the neck, ears, and forehead to prevent any heat issues.
- Perfect for traveling.
- Waterproof material.
- Easy to hand wash.
Gold N Hot Professional Ionic Soft Bonnet Dryer
- Ion technology helps fight frizz and helps maintain healthy-looking hair full of shine.
- temperature settings (Cool, low, medium, and high)
- 800 Watts.
- The soft bonnet cap fits rollers of all sizes and features jumbo-sized drawstrings for easy maneuvering and adjusting.
- This is the perfect travel companion because it has a built-in compartment that houses the bonnet, cord, and retractable hose.
Hooded Conditioning Hair Dryer By Skin Act
- Very quiet at 1000 watts.
- The hood has a 12″ diameter and can be raised an additional 8″ for tall people.
- 12″W x 6.5″D x 25″H + 4″ wheels kit addition
- The included free wheel and handle kit can be used with your current chair.
- 60-minute auto-shutoff timer with adjustable temperature from 32° to 162° F.
TASALON Ionic Hooded Dryer – 1875W Bonnet Hair Dryer
- 1875W tourmaline ionic dryer with an On/Off ionic generator switch.
- There are Three temperature settings; cool, low heat, and high heat.
- Airflow vent adjustment control.
- It has a removable airflow vent and a filterable air intake grill.
- This hair dryer turns off when lifting the shield, saving energy and preventing accidents when the hair dryer bonnet is not in use.
- A large adjustable hair dryer hood can easily fit even large hair rollers.
- It has a Height-adjustable tube with clips for a 9 ft cord.
- This versatile 55-inch hood dryer allows you to sit comfortably during hair drying and is easy to move on a roll-about base with wheel locks.
FAQs
Does the quality of a dryer make a difference?
A good hair dryer will last you a long time if you care for it and offer better results in your drying process.
Are quiet hair dryers as good as loud ones?
Yes, because they are produced in the same way, but because of the power they generate, they may take longer to dry your hair.
Do I need a hair dryer with ionic technology?
You don’t need one, but it can be beneficial. Ionic technology helps to reduce frizz and static.
Do I need a hair dryer with a diffuser?
It is not a requirement, but it can be beneficial, especially with curly hair. A diffuser helps to distribute the air evenly so your hair is not blown around too much.
What is the best type of hair dryer for my hair type?
There is no one-size-fits-all. It depends on what your hair needs. Online product reviews can help determine a suitable option based on others’ experiences.
Do I need a retractable cord on my hair dryer?
A retractable cord helps to keep your cords tidy and organized. It also prevents them from becoming tangled. But it is not essential.
Is it better to buy a hair dryer with a warranty?
A warranty on your hair dryer is a good idea because it gives you peace of mind knowing that you are covered if anything happens.
Summary
Your curly hair doesn’t have to turn into a tangled, frizzy mess. With the above guide and suggestions on the best hair dryers, you can effortlessly dry your hair while keeping your curl shape and enjoying quality results.
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