Buying guide
Best hair dryers in the UK: premium models compared
Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick
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Top picks at a glance
Compare them allBest overall
Dyson Supersonic Nural: sensors and 5 attachments
Four heat settings are stated as 100°C, 80°C, 60°C and 28°C, so you know exactly what each step delivers.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkBest value
Laifen Swift Special: 407 g and stated 59 dB
Stated motor speed of 110,000 RPM matches Dyson's V9 figure.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate linkMost features
Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, 500 g, diffuser included
Two built-in sensors adjust settings, similar to Dyson's intelligent heat control idea.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
A premium hair dryer should earn its place through faster drying, better heat control and attachments you will actually use. The trouble is that every listing promises shine and no heat damage, so the useful comparison sits in the harder numbers. This guide looks only at the top end: Dyson, ghd, Panasonic, Shark, Laifen and Elchim. For each dryer we pulled the wattage, the stated weight, the cable length where the maker gives it, the number of heat settings and what comes in the box. Where a listing leaves a figure out, we say so rather than guess. The order runs from the most complete all-round package down to models that suit a narrower need, such as travel or a very light hand-held weight.
All products compared
- Dyson Supersonic Nural: sensors and 5 attachments
- Wattage
- 1,600 W
- Weight
- 684 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- 4
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Laifen Swift Special: 407 g and stated 59 dB
- Wattage
- 1,600 W
- Weight
- 407 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- 3
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, 500 g, diffuser included
- Wattage
- 1,600 W
- Weight
- 500 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX: folding, 4 attachments
- Wattage
- 1,700 W
- Weight
- 680 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - ghd Helios: 2,200 W with a 3 m cable
- Wattage
- 2,200 W
- Weight
- 820 g
- Cable
- 3 m
- Heat settings
- 3
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Dyson Supersonic r: 1,700 W and six attachments
- Wattage
- 1,700 W
- Weight
- 790 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- 4
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link - Elchim Anemos: 290 g Italian brushless dryer
- Wattage
- 1,800 W
- Weight
- 290 g
- Cable
- Not stated
- Heat settings
- Not stated
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link
| Product | Wattage | Weight | Cable | Heat settings | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Supersonic Nural: sensors and 5 attachments | 1,600 W | 684 g | Not stated | 4 | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Laifen Swift Special: 407 g and stated 59 dB | 1,600 W | 407 g | Not stated | 3 | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, 500 g, diffuser included | 1,600 W | 500 g | Not stated | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX: folding, 4 attachments | 1,700 W | 680 g | Not stated | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| ghd Helios: 2,200 W with a 3 m cable | 2,200 W | 820 g | 3 m | 3 | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Dyson Supersonic r: 1,700 W and six attachments | 1,700 W | 790 g | Not stated | 4 | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
| Elchim Anemos: 290 g Italian brushless dryer | 1,800 W | 290 g | Not stated | Not stated | Check price on AmazonAffiliate link |
Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.
The products in detail
No. 1 · Dyson
Dyson Supersonic Nural: sensors and 5 attachments
Dyson's sensor-led dryer for straight and wavy hair. Scalp protect mode targets 55°C at the scalp, and five attachments cover smoothing, diffusing and flyaways.
In its favour
- Four heat settings are stated as 100°C, 80°C, 60°C and 28°C, so you know exactly what each step delivers.
- Pause detect switches off the heater and drops airflow when the dryer is put down, according to the listing.
- Attachment learning recognises each of the five attachments and recalls your preferred settings.
Good to know
- The listing says it is designed for straight and wavy hair, so curly hair buyers may want a different edition.
- Cable length is not stated, which matters if your socket is away from the mirror.
Listing title: Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer
No. 2 · Laifen
Laifen Swift Special: 407 g and stated 59 dB
A high-speed brushless dryer that matches the Supersonic's stated 110,000 RPM motor speed, with magnetic nozzles and a lower weight on paper.
In its favour
- Stated motor speed of 110,000 RPM matches Dyson's V9 figure.
- Diffuser, smooth nozzle and concentrator come in the box.
- 59 dB stated noise level is a published figure Dyson does not give.
Good to know
- The spec table says 2.24 kg against 407 g in the bullets.
- Hottest setting is 176°F (80°C), cooler than Dyson's 100°C top step.
Listing title: Laifen Swift Special Hair Dryer High Speed 200M Ionic for Fast Drying
No. 3 · Panasonic
Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, 500 g, diffuser included
Panasonic's answer to the sensor-led Dyson, with two sensors that adjust heat, nanoe and mineral ions and a folding body.
In its favour
- Two built-in sensors adjust settings, similar to Dyson's intelligent heat control idea.
- Lighter than the Supersonic at a stated 500 g, and it folds.
- Diffuser and concentrator both included.
Good to know
- Warranty is 1 year, against 2 years on several Dyson listings.
- No motor speed or airflow figures are given.
Listing title: Panasonic EH-NA9N-H895 Hair Dryer with Diffuser nanoe & Mineral Ions, ...
No. 4 · Shark
Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX: folding, 4 attachments
Shark's folding high-velocity dryer for all hair types, with Scalp Shield mode and four IQ attachments that set heat and airflow automatically.
In its favour
- The handle folds to half its size for bags and carry-ons, per the listing.
- Four attachments include the DefrizzFast diffuser, QuickSmooth brush and FrizzFighter finishing tool.
- Shark states a 2 year guarantee on registration in the UK and ROI.
Good to know
- Heat steps are not listed as figures, so you rely on the auto-adjust feature.
- Cable length is not stated anywhere in the listing.
Listing title: Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX Hair Dryer, Folding Handle, Mocha Silver HD5...
No. 5 · ghd
ghd Helios: 2,200 W with a 3 m cable
A traditional high-wattage dryer from ghd with Aeroprecis airflow design, ionic technology and a contoured nozzle. Suits people who want raw power and a long lead.
In its favour
- 2,200 W rating is the highest among the premium names in this guide.
- A 3 m cable is stated, which gives more reach than most listings confirm.
- Comes with a 2 year ghd consumer guarantee and a cool shot button, per the listing.
Good to know
- Only one nozzle is included, so diffusing curls means buying extra.
- At 820 g it is one of the heavier dryers here, which may tire arms on long hair.
Listing title: ghd Helios Hair Dryer, More Shine, Lightweight, Ultimate Styling Contr...
No. 6 · Dyson
Dyson Supersonic r: 1,700 W and six attachments
Dyson's ergonomic dryer for all hair types with a Powerful air attachment, professional concentrator and smoothing nozzle. Built for precision drying.
In its favour
- Includes a Powerful air attachment aimed at fast bulk drying.
- Professional concentrator and smoothing nozzle cover the finishing stage.
- Dyson claims its fastest drying and up to 46% less frizz.
Good to know
- Airflow and temperature figures are missing from the listing.
- At 790 g it is not light for long sessions.
Listing title: Dyson Supersonic r™ Hair Dryer
No. 7 · Elchim
Elchim Anemos: 290 g Italian brushless dryer
An Italian professional brushless dryer that matches Dyson's quoted motor speed while weighing far less, with a published noise figure.
In its favour
- 290 g is less than half the weight of the Supersonic Origin.
- Published 1,000 L/min airflow and under 69 dBA noise.
- 1,800 W rating, above the Supersonic's 1,600 W.
Good to know
- The listing does not say which attachments are included.
- Heat settings and temperature control are not described.
Listing title: Elchim Anemos Digital Sonic Micro-brushless Black Hair Dryer - Profess...
Read before you buy
- Why a hair dryer has no earth wireWhy hair dryers do not need an earth wire: double insulation, the square-in-a-square symbol, and the 13 A fuse in a UK 3-pin plug and when it matters.
- What is an ionic hair dryer and how does it work?Ionic hair dryers explained without the hype: what negative ions do, what makers claim, whether they are worth it and which premium dryers include an ion generator.
- Using a UK hair dryer abroad: voltage, plugs and adaptersUsing a UK hair dryer abroad: 230 V in Europe, around 120 V in the US, plug adapters versus voltage converters, and how to check if a dryer is dual voltage.
- Can you take a hair dryer on a plane?Can you take a hair dryer or styler on a plane from the UK? Hand luggage and hold rules for corded dryers, cordless stylers and gas tongs, and what to check first.
- Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?Is the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer worth the money? The motor, weight balance, heat control and attachments weighed against cheaper brushless dryers.
More buying guides: Choosing a hair dryer
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