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Buying guide

Best hair dryers under £200

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Dyson Supersonic Origin: V9 motor, 4 heat settings

    The styling concentrator focuses airflow exactly where you need it, per the listing.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, diffuser and 500 g

    Two built-in sensors adjust settings, similar to Dyson's intelligent heat control idea.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX: folding, 4 attachments

    The DefrizzFast Diffuser is listed for defined curls.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Staying below this budget still gets you into premium territory: the original Dyson Supersonic, ghd's Helios, Shark's SpeedStyle range, Laifen's high-speed dryers, Panasonic's nanoe models and Parlux salon dryers all sit at or below that line. The differences are in what comes with the motor. Some give you a single nozzle, others a full set with a diffuser and finishing tools, and a few add a folding handle or a long salon cable. This guide compares eight dryers on the facts their listings give: wattage, the number of heat settings, the attachments in the box and the cable length where stated. We do not quote prices, which change often, but every dryer here was at or under the limit when we built the list. Where a listing leaves out a figure, we mark it as not stated.

All products compared

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 Origin: V9 motor, 4 heat settings

The original Dyson Supersonic, with the V9 motor, intelligent heat control and a styling concentrator for directed airflow. Four heat and three speed settings.

In its favour

  • The styling concentrator focuses airflow exactly where you need it, per the listing.
  • Four heat settings give a low option for quick drying of short hair.
  • Exit temperature is measured 40 times per second to prevent extreme heat.

Good to know

  • It does not fold, so it takes more space in a bag than the Panasonic.
  • Cable length is not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer – Fast Drying Blow Dryer - Nickel/C...

No. 2 · Panasonic

Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe, diffuser and 500 g

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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Panasonic EH-NA9N-H895 Hair Dryer with Diffuser nanoe & Mineral Ions, ...

No. 3 · Shark

Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX: folding, 4 attachments

A folding Shark dryer for all hair types with a DefrizzFast Diffuser, Scalp Shield mode and settings that auto-adjust for each attachment.

In its favour

  • The DefrizzFast Diffuser is listed for defined curls.
  • Scalp Shield mode lowers air temperature for root drying.
  • A 1,700 W rating matches the Dyson Supersonic r.

Good to know

  • There is no comb attachment for stretching roots.
  • The listing says all hair types rather than naming coily hair.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX Hair Dryer, Folding Handle, Mocha Silver HD5...

No. 4 · ghd

ghd Helios: 2,200 W with a 3 m cable

A 2,200 W ghd dryer whose enhanced ionic technology is designed to reduce frizz and flyaways, with a contoured nozzle for concentrated, smoothing airflow.

In its favour

  • ghd states the enhanced ionic technology reduces frizz and flyaways.
  • The contoured nozzle gives a concentrated airflow for smoothing section by section.
  • A 3 m cable makes it easier to work around the head with a brush.

Good to know

  • Three combined power and temperature modes give less separate heat control.
  • There is no dedicated finishing tool for flyaways in the box.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: ghd Helios Hair Dryer, More Shine, Lightweight, Ultimate Styling Contr...

No. 5 · Parlux

Parlux Alyon: 2,250 W salon dryer, 84 m3/h

A professional Parlux dryer with a 2,250 W K-Advance Plus motor and 84 m3/h airflow. Four temperatures, two speeds and a cold shot button.

In its favour

  • A 2,250 W motor with a stated 84 m3/h airflow.
  • Four temperatures and two speeds sit on separate switches.
  • Two concentrator nozzles come in the box.

Good to know

  • No diffuser is included in this version.
  • Cable length and warranty are not stated in the listing.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Parlux Alyon Professional Hair Dryer Lightweight Long Lasting with Air...

No. 6 · Shark

Shark SpeedStyle Pro: 3 attachments for straight hair

Shark's dryer for straight and wavy hair with Scalp Shield mode and three IQ attachments. A simple way to get auto-set heat for each attachment.

In its favour

  • Scalp Shield mode lowers air temperature for root drying, the listing says.
  • FrizzFighter finishing tool targets flyaways, a common problem with fine hair.
  • Heat and airflow auto-adjust for each attachment, so less guesswork.

Good to know

  • Temperatures for each setting are not published.
  • No diffuser in this version, and it weighs 662 g.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Shark SpeedStyle Hair Dryer, High-Velocity Lightweight Dryer for All H...

No. 7 · Laifen

Laifen Swift Premium: 110,000 rpm high-speed motor

Laifen's Premium gift box with a 110,000 RPM motor, 22 m/s airflow and LED heat display. A lower-cost route to a Supersonic-style dryer.

In its favour

  • Stated 22 m/s airspeed and 110,000 RPM motor.
  • Heat is monitored 100 times per second, per Laifen.
  • Magnetic wall mount included for tidy storage.

Good to know

  • Only one nozzle, the smooth nozzle, comes in this box.
  • Warranty is listed simply as 2, with no detail.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Laifen Swift Premium High-Speed Hair Dryer Royal Blue Gift Box

No. 8 · Panasonic

Panasonic EH-NA7M: 490 g foldable nanoe dryer

A light folding nanoe dryer with a built-in quick dry nozzle and concentrator. A simpler, lighter choice for fine hair that dries quickly.

In its favour

  • Nanoe ultra-fine water particles are aimed at shine and frizz control, per Panasonic.
  • 490 g with a folding handle, so it is easy to control on short sessions.
  • One-button thumb control keeps adjustments simple.

Good to know

  • No dedicated scalp or gentle mode is listed.
  • Warranty is listed as 1 year and heat steps are not described.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Panasonic EH-NA7M-P895 nanoe Hair Dryer for Shiny Hair, Foldable Handl...

More buying guides: Choosing a hair dryer

Blow and Barrel chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.