20 Best Unisex Hair Dryers for All Hair Types in 2019

Since the 1900’s people have been trying to dry their hair faster and do it with flare. You may have seen old photos of women sitting in a salon with their head under a hair dryer that looked like a large lamp shade.

Those days are pretty much behind us since the advent several decades ago of the portable hair or blow dryer.

Are Hair Dryers Bad for Your Hair?

Some purists will still tell you that air drying is better for your mane than blow drying. There may be some debate about that, but for those of us that want to style our hair, give it some extra body, or want to get out of the house in a hurry (without looking like we just came out of the shower), then a hair dryer or blow dryer is the ticket.

In order to do the job correctly, you need the right tools. We’ll take a look at some of the most popular dryers on the market and provide you with pricing, reviews, and the upside and downside of each. So, put away the lamp shade and find the nearest power outlet.

RELATED: 15 Best Hair Dryers for Men

What to Look for in a Hair Dryer

Before you purchase a blow dryer, you’ll want to check for one that best suits your type of hair (curly, straight, thin, thick, etc.) and combine that with how much you’re willing to spend. You’ll also want to choose one that has enough power to get the job done, but not do any damage. Make sure you investigate the attachments you’ll need to get your hair the way you want it styled. There are dozens upon dozens of hair dryers available and thousands of reviews that can help you with your decision.

What should you look for in a portable or handheld hair dryer?

• You need a dryer that can provide the power you need to dry your hair. This means one that has at least 1,875 watts. The more wattage, the less time you’ll need to dry your hair.
• A dryer that has a minimum of 2 speeds and 3 heat settings. Heat is important to remove the moisture from your hair and a cool setting helps you to style it.
• Nozzle attachments that can concentrate air flow on the areas you want to smooth. And a diffuser to spread out the air flow if you want to wear your hair curly.
• Dryers that have ceramic and tourmaline technology. Ceramic dryers discharge non-damaging infrared heat, drying the hair gently for added protection. Tourmaline hair dryers emit infrared heat and negative ions, causing the heat to be gentler on the hair during styling for a shinier and less frizzy finish.

Most dryers featured below come with 1,500 – 2,000 watts; 2 or 3 blowing speeds; and, 3 or more heat settings. Prices range from as little as $20 all the way to $400.

Which Hair Dryers Are the Best?

The hair dryer that stands apart from all other hair dryers: the Dyson Supersonic. This dryer is notable for its ultra-modern appearance and powerful V9 digital motor. By measuring air temperature twenty times per second, the Dyson Supersonic goes above and beyond to protect your hair from heat damage. It also comes with a magnetic concentrator and diffuser to ensure the right care for every hair type. Check price

MHU Professional Salon Grade 1875 Watt Hair Dryer

The MHU Professional hair dryer comes with an airflow concentrator and a diffuser, which makes it a great choice for people with thick hair or who style their hair daily. Utilizing far infrared heat, this hair dryer heats only the core of the cuticle, not the surface like most other hair dryers. This technology protects your hair from unnecessary damage. Check price

Andis 1875 Watt Tourmaline Ceramic Ionic Styling Dryer

Combining ionic, ceramic, and tourmaline technology, this hair dryer from Andis provides a number of benefits to your hair. The ions break up molecules faster which reduces drying time, and the ceramic penetrates hair to lock in moisture. The tourmaline seal cuticles also works to prevent frizziness. Check price

Remington AC2015 T Ceramic Hair Dryer

Remington’s Pro Hair Dryer features a ceramic barrel infused with real crushed pearls that works to keep hair smooth and conditioned. This hair dryer has a 40% higher airflow than standard hair dryers to give you a speedy dry without using too much heat. Check price

Conair 1875 Watt Tourmaline Ceramic

This budget friendly hair dryer from Conair has a powerful high-torque DC motor. This provides a level of drying that is hard to find in other low-cost models. This Conair hair dryer also has multiple heat settings that can be combined and customized for your specific hair type. The tourmaline ceramic infused into this dryer prevents frizz and boost shine. Overall, this is a well-rounded model that is worth the price. Check price

Drybar Buttercup

Used by the professionals at Drybar—the pioneer of blowout-only salons—this brightly-colored hair dryer leaves hair smooth and shiny. Its thin nozzle can be used to style hair with a precision that other dryers cannot match. Nanoionic technology also works to seal and smooth hair cuticles for more hydrated-looking hair. Check price

BaByliss PRO Ceramix Xtreme Dryer

If you have thick hair that takes a long time to dry, the BaByliss Pro can help cut down on your time spent drying. With its extra-high wattage motor and high-heat capabilities, this hair dryer is powerful enough to easily dry super thick and coarse hair. In fact, it is so strong that you’ll have to learn how to point the nozzle carefully to avoid tangling your hair. It also comes with a cool-shot button to dry hair at a high speed and low temperature. Check price

Berta 1875 Watt Ceramic Hair Dryer

Simple yet powerful, this hair dryer from Berta releases air at a constant temperature to protect hair from breakage. It also uses far infrared light to dry your hair as fast as possible – in fact, thin or short hair can be dried in just five minutes. On top of these features, the bright red body of this hair dryer will make a nice addition to any bathroom. Check price

JOHN Blast 6900 Tourmaline Ceramic Professional Hair Dryer 2200W

This hair dryer from JOHN has one of the most powerful motors available and is great if you want to dry your hair quickly. This dryer’s barrel is infused with tourmaline ceramic protection to ensure that the strong blast of air flow this machine provides doesn’t damage your hair. Check price

Revlon 1875W Quick Dry Lightweight Hair Dryer

One of the most inexpensive hair dryer options out there, Revlon’s Quick Dry hair dryer gives users a ton of control over their styling process with its six different settings. It’ll also easily fit any lifestyle with its hanging ring, anti-slip edges, and removable end cap. For quick and easy hair dying, this one’s all you need. Check price

Wazor Hair 1874W Ceramic Ionic Blow Dryer

Wazor Hair’s dryer is another great budget option. It comes with all of the features typically only seen in higher-end products, for a fraction of their price. It also has negative ion technology and a ceramic tourmaline air outlet grill to make the air blow more focused and gently. Unlike some lower-priced hair dryers, this one is low-weight and comes with a 2-year warranty. Check price

Rusk Super Freak Professional 2000 Watt

Rusk Super Freak hair dryer is great for thick and curly hair because it is made with ceramic and tourmaline. It uses an extra-strong 2000 watt Italian motor for faster and more thorough drying. It also emits negative ions while drying to keep hair feeling soft and healthy. Check price

JINRI 1875W Professional Salon Hair Dryer With Diffuser

Jinri’s Professional blow dryer will give hair of all types a salon-quality finish. Featuring three heat and two speed settings as well as a cooling button to lock in styles, this hair dryer allows you to customize airflow based on your hair texture, length, and style. At 5 inches wide, it’s diffuser is extra-large, making it great for giving curly hair its bounce and shape. Check price

ghd Air Dryer

Famed salon brand ghd isn’t messing around with this hair dryer. It promises a salon-level finish in half the time of a normal at-home blowout. While it’s heavier than other options, it delivers on its promise of quality with a professional-grade motor and advanced ionic technology. Check price