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When you’re traveling, the last thing you need is another thing to pack, especially one of your many hot tools. There are so many reasons why you might be tempted to knock hair dryers off of your packing list: they’re heavy and bulky, they take up space that could be filled by another cute pair of shoes or more of your favorite makeup products, and you can always use the hotel hair dryer in a pinch…right?
We hate to break it to you, but if you’re someone who needs that perfect blow-dry every time you wash your hair, nothing beats bringing your own—especially considering how many people use the same hotel blow dryer. “Hotel hair dryers are full of bacteria if the hair dryers aren't cleaned regularly,” says Julien Farel, hairstylist and founder of Julien Farel Restore Salon, Spa & Fitness in New York City. The good news is that there are some great travel hair dryers on the market you won’t hesitate to make room for in your suitcase.
When shopping for a travel hair dryer, there are certain qualities that you should keep an eye out for. “You want to look for something that has a small size and is lightweight for easy travel. If you travel abroad, you will want dual-voltage since America and Europe use different voltages. Temperature and speed control are still important in a travel dryer, and a dryer with a long cord is also important since the outlets could be out of reach when traveling,” explains Jenna Spino, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
Top picks for the best hair dryers in 2024
At the end of the day, you still don’t want to sacrifice performance. We polled hair experts and customer reviews to find the 12 best ones. The best travel hair dryers we’ve assembled for you here will do everything you need them to do—whether that’s drying your hair as quickly as possible or helping you eliminate frizz. Ahead, find our favorite picks.
Pros
- Compact
Cons
- Barrel can get hot
T3’s travel hair packs a lot into a small package. “This dryer is super powerful for being so small and lightweight. It features ionic technology to reduce frizz and add shine. It is also super quiet with multiple heat/speed settings,” says Spino. Those who need a diffuser can pick one up separately, and the nine-foot cord means you won’t be struggling to reach every single hair.
Wattage: 1600 watts
Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “Vacation is the time when all my different personalities come out to play. Do I feel like being a beach wave goddess? Or is a silky straight middle part the vibe? Whatever hairstyle I choose, having my handy T3 travel hair dryer is a non-negotiable. As an over-packer, I love how compact this tool is and all the settings it comes with to leave room for my hot comb and flat iron.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Foldable handle
Cons
- No cool shot
“This little dryer is perfect for travel of any kind. It is super lightweight and has a folding handle perfect for packing. The wattage is 1000, which means it can be safe for carrying on planes, and it also has dual voltage. I'm very impressed with its power, and it lasts forever,” says Spino. The small but mighty dryer also features nano-titanium technology to smooth away any flyaways and frizz, and its concentrator gives you plenty of control.
Wattage: 1000 watts
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Wow! This little dryer puts out the heat. Perfect for my uses and I find I use it on low 95% of the time. It is small and well made. I’d buy another one if I ever need it, and I would also not hesitate to buy it as a gift for the travelers in my life or those that also have small bathroom spaces.”
Pros
- Fast-drying
Cons
- Pricey
If you want the best of the best and don’t mind dropping the big bucks to get it, Dyson’s the way to go. “Dyson is my go-to when it comes to traveling. It’s very light, compact, quiet, but powerful enough to blow dry hair in no time,” says Iudina. It comes with five attachments, so you’ll be prepared for anything.
Wattage: 1,600 watts
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Whenever I’ve used a Dyson hair dryer or had one used on me, I’m amazed at how quickly my hair dries. I’m being so serious when I say that it cuts my drying time by half—and I swear it feels softer afterward, too.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Carry-on acceptable
Cons
- Pricey
The last thing you want when you’re traveling is a bad hair day. L’ange's dryer makes getting a static-free, salon-worthy blowout a breeze. It packs a punch with four heat settings and three speed settings, and it weighs less than a pound!
Wattage: 1500 watts
Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “It’s great for travel as it’s small, and if you have plenty of hair, it will take around 10 to 15 minutes to totally blow it out.”
Pros
- Travel case included
Cons
- Some may find it noisy
Ghd pulled out all the stops for this powerhouse dryer, which is equipped with frizz-fighting ionic technology, a safeguard feature that automatically turns off the hair dryer when it’s too close to your hair, and 77 percent of the power of Ghd’s beloved Air hairdryer. It nestles perfectly in the included travel case, so you can tote it around worry-free.
Wattage: 1300 watts
Ghd rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Ghd reviewer says: “I bought this for my friends 40th birthday and she loves it. She travels up and down the country and this has come in handy for her when she’s in hotels with rubbish hairdryers. The Ghd Hairdryer is super quick and often no need to use straighteners.”
Pros
- Foldable handle
Cons
- May not meet airline carry-on guidelines
Just like many of the other best travel hair dryers, this budget-friendly option has a fold-up handle, so it’ll take up the least amount of space possible. Other top-tier features include shine-encouraging ionic technology, an impressive motor that cuts down on drying time, and a cold shot button to cool hair quickly and lock in your style.
Wattage: 1875 watts
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This dryer is lightweight an idea for travel. It has a lot of power when blow drying you hair. It was a nice Christmas present to my teen. She has curly hair so the accessories meant something to us. It works well to diffuse her hair.”
Pros
- Dual-voltage
Cons
- Some may desire a higher heat setting
Ever get frustrated because your hair refuses to dry evenly? This travel hair dryer is designed to solve that issue; the device’s wave heater allows for even heat distribution and airflow. Even better, international travelers will want to snatch this one up—it’s dual-voltage, so it’ll work just fine overseas, too.
Wattage: 1200 watts
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Works just as I hoped. Used this once at a hotel that had this brand. Worked so well I had to buy one myself. Comes with a little travel pouch—great for storage. I don’t like drying my hair with a hair dryer but this does the trick without making my hair feel crunchy afterwards.”
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Only two speed settings
When it comes down to the basics—that is, drying your hair as evenly and as quickly as possible—the Revlon travel hair dryer is a pro. It gets the job done without any bells or whistles.
Wattage: 1875 watts
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “The Revlon 1875W Compact Folding Handle Hair Dryer has become my ultimate travel companion, providing convenience and efficiency in a compact design! This hair dryer is perfect for on-the-go use and has quickly become an essential part of my travel essentials.”
Pros
- Overheating protection
Cons
- Only one attachment
This is the exact model used by the celebrity hairstylists at the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa in New York City. The hair dryer has everything you need to create shiny, voluminous locks at home or in a hotel bathroom: overheating protection, three heat settings (including a cool shot setting), and two speeds.
Wattage: 1875 watts
Our expert says: “It's full-size but not overweight and comes with a nozzle and travel bag. The white gloss finish looks great on any countertop.” —Jackson Simmonds, advanced stylist and brand ambassador at Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa
Pros
- Auto clean system
Cons
- May not meet airline carry-on guidelines
When you have thick or hard-to-dry hair, drying your tresses can be a real chore. Not only does this dryer’s ergonomic handle make it comfortable to hold, but it also delivers a powerful flow of air that encourages volume and eliminates dampness in record time.
Wattage: 1700 watts
FHI Heat rating: 5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m ashamed to say that I’m most likely to skip arm day, which means I always appreciate a lightweight device. This one, with its sleek design, definitely fits the bill, and it’s pretty quiet to boot.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Meet the Experts
Julien Farel is a hairstylist and the founder of Julien Farel Restore Salon and Spa.
Jenna Spino is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
Olya Iudina a stylist at IGK NYC.
Jackson Simmonds, advanced stylist and brand ambassador at Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa.
What should you avoid in a travel hair dryer?
According to Spino, you should watch out for airline restrictions—typically, companies only allow hair dryers up to 1600 watts in your carry-on bag. “Also, avoid dryers that only have an on/off button because then you can’t control the speed or temperature of the dryer,” she adds. Meanwhile, Iudina warns against “heavy, big-sized dryers. An extra long cord is probably also not necessary,” she says.
Another vital piece of advice for international jet setters: “Always check voltage compatibility and ensure your hair dryer is dual-voltage or has the correct voltage settings for your destination to avoid damage or safety issues,” emphasizes Farel. Different countries use different voltages, so plugging in a hair dryer that doesn’t align with that country’s voltage could damage the dryer and could even be dangerous. Thankfully, using a dual-voltage dryer or utilizing a voltage converter or transformer with a single-voltage dryer should do the trick.
What is the best way to store your hair dryer when traveling?
“It's advised to pack your hair dryer in your carry-on luggage to prevent damage in checked baggage and for quick access during your journey.” After all, you never know when you might have a hair emergency and need a quick fix in the airport bathroom.
You also want to make sure your hair dryer stays safe and secure throughout your travels. “If you’ve got a travel hair dryer that comes with a case, that’s wonderful. If it did not, you can simply wrap the dryer in a towel before packing. Make sure to wrap the cord neatly so it does not get tangled or frayed, and keep the dryer clean and dry,” explains Spino.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Carol Lee spoke with experts about the best dryers on the market and how to shop for them. Lee also tested a few top-rated products and perused reviews for dozens of others, assessing each on their features and customer evaluations.
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