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Giving yourself a salon-worthy blowout is quite a challenge, especially for those folkaren’tlf included—who aren’t the best at doing their hair. Although I often use tools like hair dryer brushes and heated round brushes to make it a little easithere’syself, there’s nothing like a top-tier hair dryer and hair dryer brush duo to orchestrate an excellent hair day for yourself—as long as you have the right ones.
Choosing the correct hair dryer can be even more challenging for anyone with thicit’si“, since it’s “oftentimes more difficult to dry because of its high water retention.it’s example, it’s much easier to dry a cotton t-shirt than to dry a bath towel. Thick hair, much like the towel, holds onto moisture and might require more heat to get d”y tho”oughly,” explains Cortney Crace, a stylist at Butterfly Studio Salyou’veyou’vef you’ve been dealing with long dry times and sore arms from tools unsuitable for hair, dondon’tse hope. There are hair dryers for thick hair owe’reere, and we’we’rere to help you find the dream machine for you.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- May have a learning curve
Dyson’s latest hair dryer is a true marvel; a highlight of the new tech is its ability to automatically regulate its temperature to prevent heat damage to the scalp and hair. The tool also gets rid of moisture fast. “Dyson is known to cut dry time in half,” says Crace, who especially loves the brand’s dryers for thick, curly hair.
Attachments: 5
Wattage: 1600 watts
Dyson rating: 4.9/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This is the most intuitive hair dryer I’ve ever used. I love that it has a scalp protect mode with a sensor that automatically reduces heat when it’s close to your scalp—I feel like it’s gentler on both my scalp and my hair.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
Shark Hair Blow Dryer HyperAIR Ionic Hair Dryer
Pros
- Minimal heat damage
Cons
- Does not come with diffuser
This blow dryer “has the power and heat needed to dry thick hair efficiently. Thick hair needs consistent strong airflow and heat to be dried quickly and thoroughly,” says Crace. Use the cool shot button to help prevent frizz and encourage shine by closing the cuticles and smoothing out strands.
Attachments: 2
Wattage: 1680 watts
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’m admittedly not very good at doing my own hair, but when I use the Shark, it looks like I got my hair professionally done. It’s versatile, easy to use, and dries your hair so quickly. I like this so much that I even gifted it to one of my friends—she swears it changed the way she does her hair for the better.” —Katie Berohn, ELLE beauty editor
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Portofino Full-Size Dryer
Pros
- Six heat and speed settings
Cons
- Some may desire a little more heat
With 2,000 watts of power, this powerful hair dryer is basically as quick and efficient as it gets. Its nine-foot cord allows you to reach every inch of your head, even if your outlet isn’t in the most convenient location.
Attachments: 2
Wattage: 2000 watts
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “It dries my hair quickly, my hair looks shiny, and the frizz is minimal with my curly hair.”
Pros
- On the quieter side
Cons
- May feel a bit heavy for some
When it comes to hair, you can rest assured that Ghd knows what it’s doing. The Ghd Air features an easy-to-hold handle for both lefties and righties, as well as a masterfully designed nozzle that concentrates airflow to smooth away frizz and flyaways.
Attachments: 1
Wattage: 1600 watts
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “My stylist has used this on my hair and I loved the way it made my hair look, feel and move. I decided it was time to invest in a salon-quality hair dryer, and this is the one I chose. It is quiet, fast, and makes my hair smooth.”
Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross The Blow Dryer
Pros
- Versatile attachments
Cons
- Some reviewers noted slippery handle
This pick from Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern offers an all-in-one tool for coily and curly hair. In addition to the usual concentrator nozzle, the dryer comes with a diffuser for natural styles, a wide-tooth comb attachment for detangling, and a brush attachment for stretching shorter hair and tight coils.
Attachments: 4
Wattage: 1875 watts
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “One of the reasons I avoid blow drying my hair is how long it takes to get it completely dry. My hair isn’t curly, but it’s very thick and tends to get frizzy, so I was curious about trying this one for its features but also to try the attachments to see if they’d be useful for my hair. The wide-tooth comb attachment is my new favorite thing. It was easy to use and helped detangle my hair gently—it also means I can dry and detangle with one hand. The dryer itself is also great—it dries hair quickly and left it smooth and shiny. Also, the design is gorgeous, looks very modern, and I love the color!”
Pros
- Powerful airflow
Cons
- On the heavier side
This blow dryer is more than just a pretty mint face, it also has a motor that works for up to 2,000 hours of drying and a dual filtration system that cuts down on the amount of energy needed to get your hair looking picture-perfect. The curved handle makes it easier to hold, so you won’t have to worry about achy fingers or dropping it on your foot mid-dry.
Attachments: 2
Wattage: 1875 watts
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I have fine, slightly wavy hair that will curl and frizz in humidity if I don’t dry it immediately and quickly, so I absolutely love the extra power of this Harry Josh blowdryer! It has cut my drying time down significantly and helps with my frizz. Maybe not as important, but I also just generally like the color and shape and think it looks nice on my vanity, which you can’t say about all blowdryers.”
T3 Featherweight StyleMax Hair Dryer
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Some reviewers noted that attachments can be fragile
This sleek blow dryer is foolproof, thanks to its ability to curate custom settings based on your hair type and desired result. Whether you want to diffuse your curls, add volume, smooth frizzy strands, or want to just straight up dry your hair, there’s an attachment in the dryer’s arsenal to help.
Attachments: 4
Wattage: 1875 watts
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “So glad I got this hairdryer. It cuts my time down to nothing, and I feel like my hair is way smoother and healthier drying with these setting options.”
Conair Infiniti Pro by Conair Hair Dryer with Diffuser
Pros
- Includes a cold shot button
Cons
- On the heavier side
Although this is one of the more affordable hair dryers in this roundup, it doesn’t compromise on function. The high-powered motor, two sophisticated attachments, and ionic technology, which helps fend off frizz, come at a price that’s probably lower than that of a blowout at your local salon.
Attachments: 2
Wattage: 1875 watts
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have had very cheap blow dryers and very expensive blow dryers. This one is wonderful. Powerful. Dries my hair fast while keeping it shiny and smooth. Not the lightest blow dryer I’ve ever used, but also not the heaviest.”
Pros
- Four versatile attachments include diffuser
Cons
- Attachments can be difficult to secure
If you have a sensitive scalp, try this blow dryer. Its specialized nozzle provides gentle airflow while staying powerful enough to dry hair quickly. A double mesh filter on the model also keeps dirt away from the motor and from blowing into your hair to ensure your hair stays clean while you style.
Attachments: 4
Wattage: 1700 watts
Amazon rating: 3.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have purchased several as gifts. I finally purchased one for myself. I understand the rave reviews. The dryer is SO lightweight. It makes a HUGE difference when styling your hair; you are able to hold it/handle it. I was never able to blow dry my hair using a hairbrush and dryer until now. The air stream also is gentler on my hair. If you use a hairdryer daily, this is the one to get.”
Pros
- Small enough for short trips
Cons
- Some reviewers noted unpleasant scent
Recreate the blowouts you know and love from Drybar salons at home with this nifty device. Lightweight and ergonomic, this blow dryer claims to takes 20 percent less time to dry hair than other professional-grade dryers you can buy.
Attachments: 1
Wattage: 1875 watts
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this blow dryer! I used one at a hotel I went to, and it worked so well that I looked into buying one. It dries quickly, and I love the yellow color.”
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush
Pros
- Wallet-friendly
Cons
- Wrong technique can lead to heat damage
If there were an award for the most viral hair device, this one from Revlon would be on the shortlist. The blow dryer brush takes your hair from damp to dry and styles it in a matter of minutes with just one tool. Sleek, straight hair, bouncy curls, and 80s volume are all possible with this dryer in hand.
Attachments: 0
Wattage: 1100 watts
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It was an absolute dream. My hair hasn’t been so shiny, soft, and manageable in a long time. It was so easy to use, and cut my drying/ironing/styling time down to 20 minutes! I got so many compliments the next day on how shiny and straight it was. I am so glad I took a chance on this.”
Meet the Experts
Cortney Crace is a stylist at Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC.
Dana Tizzio-Marcovici is a stylist at Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC.
What are some tips for drying thick hair?
Those with straight hair and roots should try to pre-dry up to 90 percent of the moisture in their tresses, according to Tizzio-Marcovici. “Pre-drying is when you take your blow dryer and try to remove the majority of the excess water before going in and styling. You can flip your hair and focus on your roots, which will always take the longest to dry, especially with thick hair. Get the moisture out of the roots to mid-shaft first before sectioning,” she says.
Meanwhile, if you have curly hair and are trying to dry it straight, Crace emphasizes that you should step right out of the shower and start drying. “Do not pre-dry! This will leave you with frizzy, curly roots. Instead, add your heat protectant while your hair is moist, section the hair right away into small sections, and start blow drying with a nozzle right away,” she says. Tizzio-Marcovici adds that you should “keep steady tension with your brush.”
However, if you want to maintain your natural curls, Crace recommends using your diffuser attachment and flipping your hair around as you dry. “Flipping the hair while diffusing will not only cut your dry time down, it will always leave you with more voluminous/bouncy curls,” she says.
How do you protect thick hair against damage from blow drying?
According to our experts, using a heat protectant is the first step, especially one that’s hydrating as well. Another tip? Incorporating a hair mask into “your regular hair care routine will make a world of difference,” says Crace. You can also nourish hair and prevent excess fallout and breakage by soaking it in a nourishing oil and sleeping with it in a braid the night before blowing out your hair,” says Crace.
In terms of technique, Tizzio-Marcovici says that you should never place your blow dryer nozzle right against your hair or brush. “Stay half an inch to an inch away from the blow dryer's heat to avoid heat damage. Also, make sure you use a nozzle on your blow dryer to direct the airflow,” she says.
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 consulted hair experts to learn about the best hair dryers for thick hair. She also read through countless customer reviews and evaluated each product on their features.
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