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If your hair texture falls on the spectrum between tight ringlets and loose spirals, you've likely heard that heat tools can ruin healthy curls. And we're not here to debunk this familiar tune — we know that if used too frequently, they can damage the cuticle and the outer layer of your hair, resulting in frizz, dryness, and even manipulated curl patterns. That said, heat tools still have their place when achieving specific styles.
As a curly girl myself, I've experimented with ways to use heat while still preserving healthy curls. I've learned that it's all about practicing moderation and finding the best hair dryer that does the job without causing further damage. My favorite is, hands down, the Laifen Swift High Speed Hair Dryer, which offers super fast dry time and the most sleek-looking blowout when I want one.
Here, we've compiled the very best hair dryers for curly hair. A handful came recommended to us by hair professionals, who shared their expert tips to guide you through curly hair exploration. Whatever your preference, we've carefully organized them all according to the top needs.
Best overall
The Swift High Speed Hair Dryer from Laifen ranks number one overall on our list of best hair dryers for curly hair, and rightfully so. This hair dryer's thermal control technology allows airflow to rotate between hot and cold temperatures, which protects fragile curly strands from heat damage.
Another key feature we're keen on is the dryer's high speed brushless motor, which produces a strong air flow and dries hair in little to no time. As someone with tight curls, I depend on Laifen to give me a sleek, smooth blowout and I'm never disappointed by the results. I can also confidently report that after two years of using this product, I haven't seen a single sign of heat damage.
Needless to say, Laifen's durable hair dryer has become a tried and true hair tool of mine, and I can't imagine styling my hair without it.
Best for eliminating frizz
"My favorite blow dryer to use is the Dyson SuperSonic," says curl specialist and Olaplex ambassador Christin Brown. "It's relatively quiet, dries the hair fast and without the normal frizz you may experience with other dryers."
So, what is Dyson's secret to eliminating frizz? This innovative beauty tool generates negative ions which work to break up water molecules and seal the hair's cuticle in order to provide a smooth finish. "Even on the lowest heat and airflow setting, the hair dries quickly and for curls to dry frizz-free truly is a testament to the Dyson brand," Brown adds. These features are precisely why we consider the Supersonic the best hair dryer for the full scope of hair textures.
Curly textures are prone to frizz and flyaways so using an ionic blow dryer like Dyson's SuperSonic Hair Dryer is crucial for creating a sleek blowout. If you're interested in learning more about the benefits of ionic hair dryers, check out our FAQ section for further details.
Read up on more Dyson hair styling tools in our full Dyson Airwrap review.
Best for thick hair
Having curly hair is one thing, but having thick curly hair is another thing altogether. As someone who has dealt with a head full of dense curls my entire life, my favorite discovery was the ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer. At first glance, you might want to keep scrolling because of the price, but I've deemed this one worth the investment.
For starters, this award-winning hair dryer is equipped with a salon strength motor that produces a 75 mph airflow, helping to straighten thick hair quickly. Additionally, Helios' ionic technology instantly reduces static and ensures smooth hair strands. After using this hair dryer, you'll have prepped your smooth locks into looking like a salon-quality blowout.
Best smoothing
Finding a hair dryer that can produce sleek results without compromising healthy curls is key. "The blow dryer we use at times in the salon is Gamma + Aria, which is lightweight and powerful and works wonders on coarse, curly hair," says Jean-Marc Brun, senior stylist at Christophe Robin Salon in Paris. The Aria Professional Tourmaline Lightweight Hair Dryer features three heat settings and two speed settings, along with a cold air shot button which works to seal the hair's cuticle.
Brun also notes that when drying curly hair, it's essential to take your time rather than rushing through the process: "The higher the heat, the more you will dehydrate your hair, so you shouldn't try to dry your hair too quickly." So if you're prone to heat damage, as many people with curly hair are, try customizing the temperature and air flow of your dryer to a lower level for gentle drying, and work in small sections for smooth results.
If you're looking to add a diffuser attachment, check out our best diffusers for curly hair.
Best for travel
Drybar's Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer is made for frequent fliers with curls that need maintaining. Not only does the small shape of this hair dryer make it easy to store in any suitcase, but the handle is also collapsible, which makes this beauty tool even more convenient. If you're concerned that the size of this dryer will impact its efficiency, there's no need to fret.
The Baby Buttercup is guaranteed to deliver the same performance as its full-size equivalent. We also recommend this beauty tool for your next travel adventure because of its adaptable voltage feature— it's designed to operate at 120/ 220-240 volts for international travel. And as an added plus, the Drybar's mini hair dryer comes with a cute travel bag, so you won't have to worry about it getting tangled up in your suitcase.
Read more about our experience with the brand in our full Drybar Double Shot Blow Dryer Brush review.
Most versatile
"If you're looking for a blow dryer with product versatility and various attachments for different styling results, I would recommend considering a professional-grade blow dryer with interchangeable nozzles and diffusers," says Kasper Heemskerk, International Education Director of Balmain Hair Couture. Tracee Ellis Ross recently launched this award-winning blow dryer, equipped with four separate styling attachments. "A nozzle helps concentrate airflow for precise styling, while a diffuser helps enhance natural curls or add volume to the hair," says Heemskerk.
The fact that this product is a fan favorite comes as no surprise because Ross— a fellow curly girl herself— is a pro at curating the best beauty tools and products for curls, coils, and tight textures. Each attachment has its own specialty: its diffuser adds height and definition, the wide tooth comb detangles wet hair, and combining the brush and concentrator nozzle creates a sleek blowout.
Best lightweight
Hair dryers are often cumbersome, which can be an inconvenience. If you're someone who dreads using a hair dryer because they're simply annoying to hold, then we've got just the solution for you. The T3 Afar Lightweight Travel Size Hair Dryer offers a lightweight design for comfortable and effortless styling.
And although this specific hair dryer is 25% lighter and 30% smaller than T3's full-size hair dryer, it's just as powerful thanks to T3's IonAir Technology which includes an ion-infused airstream that dries hair swiftly. Another quality that makes this hair dryer pleasant to use is that it emits a soft noise while generating airflow, compared to other dryers which are typically noisy and disruptive.
Best for thin hair
"When drying thin hair, you always want to ensure that heat is being well regulated to avoid burning or damaging already thin hair, " says Jean-Marc Brun. Zuvi's Halo Hair Dryer utilizes LightCare technology to dry hair safely and effectively. LightCare takes a combination of infrared light, high speed air, and cooler temperatures to dry water droplets on the hair's surface, instead of utilizing extremely high temperatures.
This innovative process promotes healthy and strong strands by protecting them from becoming brittle from heat damage while also smoothing strands, leaving hair feeling moisturized and well-nourished.
Best for quick dry
If you're searching for the best hair dryer for curly hair that will provide the quickest dry, Kasper Heemskerk suggests opting for a dryer that will offer high air flow that distributes heat evenly and adjustable heat settings. This hairdryer takes care of all of these needs. "The Professional Blow Dryer from Balmain Hair ensures a powerful airflow for a fast drying process and is designed with ion technology that breaks down water molecules on the hair, which can speed up the drying process and minimize frizz," says Heemskerk.
Balmain Paris' Professional Blow Dryer features three speed settings and four heat settings, taking it to an impressive level of versatility. And despite the hefty strength and power of this dryer, it is still comfortable and easy to use, thanks to its ergonomically designed handle.
FAQ
How should I use a blowdryer on curly hair?
Blow drying curly hair takes patience and practice, but there are ways to make getting started a bit easier. Here's a succinct step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect blowout on curls using a hair dryer:
1. Start by washing your hair with your choice of a sulfate-free shampoo followed by a moisturizing conditioner. We suggest using a detangling brush while your hair is coated with the conditioner.
2. After rinsing, gently squeeze any excess water from your curls with a microfiber towel or a T-shirt.
3. Part your hair into four sections and apply a heat protectant and styling product evenly throughout each section. Your hair should be relatively tangle-free at this point, but make sure to run a detangling brush through each section once more before blow drying.
4. Use a hair dryer and a brush with bristles to blow dry your hair from tip to root. Make sure to work in small sections, especially if you have thick or tight curls.
5. Once you've completed each section, apply a dime-sized amount of hair oil to add a bit of shine.
What kinds of products should I use when blow drying curly hair?
While blow drying your curls, you'll need three main products: a styling product, a heat protectant, and a hair oil. Oftentimes, styling products are also designed as heat protectants, so if this is the case, you might just need two! Styling products—whether they're creams or mists— are meant to increase style longevity, reduce frizz, and create a silky smooth feel. As for heat protectants, these products are used to limit the potential for heat damage by protecting your hair strands from high temperatures. And finally, hair oils seal in moisture and smooth flyaways.
Curl specialist Christin Brown says that her go-to product is the Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist. "If you're someone that can benefit from a long-lasting style with added volume, this is definitely the product to have in your toolbox," says Brown. "There's also a heat-protectant built into the formula that protects hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and it includes patented Olaplex bond building technology that relinks damaged bonds for stronger, healthier looking hair," she adds.
A few more products that we recommend are It's A 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray, JVN Complete Blowout Styling Milk, and Gisou Mini Honey Infused Hair Oil.
Why is an ionic hair dryer better for curly hair?
Ionic hair dryers use ion technology to fight frizz by reducing static electricity. In simple terms, ion technology produces negative ions which work to seal the hair's cuticle and break down positively charged ions found in water molecules. This process ultimately helps your hair to dry faster, allowing you to use lower temperatures and spend less time applying direct heat to your curls. This is extremely beneficial for curly hair, because curls are often fragile and prone to frizz and heat damage. Using an ionic hair dryer will help you to maintain the health of your curls while transforming your hair from wispy and frizzy to sleek and smooth.
