Honorable Mentions
{Photograph}: Amazon
Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus for $70: The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus has a 2-inch, oval-shaped scorching brush barrel that dries and types hair on the similar time—to not be confused with the unique One-Step dryer, which was recalled within the UK in 2020 over security reviews of overheating. The Plus is a detailed runner-up to Drybar’s scorching brush, with its 4 warmth settings (low, medium, excessive, cool) and removable design that makes storage a lot simpler. I’ve high quality hair and this is likely one of the few hair instruments that provides me the frizz-free bounce I like, because of its ceramic titanium tourmaline know-how that delivers 50 % much less warmth publicity.
Hairitage Comin’ Scorching Dryer for $40: Hairitage’s Comin’ in Scorching Hair Dryer is compact at 1.6 kilos and prices simply $40. The fundamentals are coated: two speeds, three warmth settings, and a cool shot button. It solely comes with an air concentrator nozzle, however you should buy a separate diffuser for curls and a comb attachment. The add-ons are often out of inventory, although, generally for months at a time.
Scorching Instruments Professional Artist Quietair for $120: The Scorching Instruments Professional Artist Quietair is licensed by Quiet Mark, an unbiased group that assesses how a lot noise air pollution family merchandise produce. Whereas the value is technically $120, it is nearly at all times discounted to round $60 on Amazon, so you do not have to splurge. The discount of sound is not a discount of functionality. The high-speed setting will blow the dryer proper off your counter for those who set it down. It has three warmth settings and two velocity settings, plus a cool shot button.
Panasonic Nanoe Hair Dryer for $160: This dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle and diffuser attachment along with its detachable oscillating head that mimics the back-and-forth movement you make together with your hand. There are three warmth settings and two velocity settings, which is the minimal normal. Panasonic additionally claims the dryer makes use of electrostatic shock to disperse water molecules into tinier nano-sized particles, which could scale back hair injury. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano examined the compact model for $100, which she says makes for an awesome journey hair dryer.
Gama iQ2 Perfetto for $330: The iQ2 consists of an auto-clean operate to robotically flip off ought to it overheat (it didn’t do that in testing, fortunately). There is a setting lock so you may dry your hair with out unintentionally altering the velocity or warmth. Plus, it comes with a silicone thermal mat that places the dryer into standby mode while you place it down, turning it again on while you choose it up. That is useful for those who’re sectioning off strands, and often need to put the dryer down. Nevertheless it’s costly, and the microperforated magnetic mesh filter cowl tends to fall off.
Equipment to Attempt
{Photograph}: Kat Merck
Use a warmth protectant spray earlier than blow-drying. The Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Warmth/UV Protecting Primer is our favourite, however we additionally love the R+Co Scorching Spell Thermotech Blow Out Balm for curly or thick hair. For extra suggestions, take a look at our information to the Greatest Warmth Protectant Sprays.
Get a top quality hair towel to keep away from frizz and breakage. An everyday physique towel is just too tough on hair, particularly fragile curls. A plain previous cotton T-shirt works nice for drying, and also you doubtless have one in your closet that you simply now not put on. You may discover particular hair towels anyplace you store for hair merchandise, however former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano recommends TO112’s Bamboo Wrap ($39).