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Buying guide

Best ionic hair dryers

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 all

  • Best overall

    Shark SpeedStyle Pro: ionic dryer with 5 attachments

    Five attachments, including a diffuser, which the base Supersonic does not include.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe and mineral ions, 500 g

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

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Dyson Supersonic Nural: ions plus sensor-led heat

    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 link

Almost every premium hair dryer now claims some kind of ionic system, and makers say negative ions cut static and frizz. The claim alone does not separate one dryer from another, so the useful questions are what else comes with it. How much airflow and power is there, how heavy is it in the hand, how many heat settings can you choose from, and which attachments help you smooth the finish? This guide compares eight dryers whose listings name an ionic, negative ion or mineral ion system. For each we pulled the ion system as described, the wattage, the stated weight, the heat settings and what comes in the box. We do not rank by ion counts, because makers measure them in different ways. Where a figure is missing from a listing, 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 · Shark

Shark SpeedStyle Pro: ionic dryer with 5 attachments

The closest match to the Supersonic's attachment approach, with five IQ tools that auto-set heat and airflow and a Scalp Shield mode for root drying.

In its favour

  • Five attachments, including a diffuser, which the base Supersonic does not include.
  • Scalp Shield mode lowers air temperature for the roots, similar in idea to Dyson's scalp mode.
  • 1,750 W rating is above the Supersonic's 1,600 W, per the specs.

Good to know

  • Motor speed and airflow are not published, so power is hard to compare.
  • At 662 g it is heavier than the Laifen and Elchim alternatives.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

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

No. 2 · Dyson

Dyson Supersonic Nural: ions plus sensor-led heat

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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer

No. 3 · ghd

ghd Speed Ionic: cool halo airflow, 4 heat settings

ghd's ultra fast drying dryer, powered by what ghd calls its fastest next-generation motor, with a halo of cooler air around the heated core.

In its favour

  • ghd says this is its fastest next-generation motor, producing a high-pressure airflow.
  • Halo dual-airflow surrounds the hot core with cool air, so you can dry close to the roots.
  • Four speed options and four heat settings.

Good to know

  • No motor speed, airflow or wattage figure is given to back up the speed claim.
  • Only the halo concentrator is included; other attachments are sold separately.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: ghd Speed Ionic Hair Dryer, Ultra Fast Drying, Power with Control

No. 4 · Panasonic

Panasonic EH-NA9N: nanoe and mineral ions, 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. 5 · ghd

ghd Helios: 2,200 W with enhanced ionic system

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. 6 · Parlux

Parlux Digitalyon: 2,400 W salon dryer with ioniser

A salon dryer from Parlux with a digital E-LYON motor, a 2,400 W rating and an 88 m3/h airflow rate, plus a 3.3 m cable.

In its favour

  • The highest wattage here at 2,400 W, with a stated 88 m3/h airflow.
  • A 3.3 m cable suits long sessions on long or thick hair.
  • Air Ionizer Tech is listed to speed up drying times.

Good to know

  • Only two speed settings are listed, fewer than the Dyson or ghd dryers.
  • The hand-held weight is not clearly stated.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Parlux Digitalyon Hair Dryer. Lightweight 2400 W Blow Dryer (Grey)

No. 7 · Laifen

Laifen Swift Premium: 200M negative ions, 600 g

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 · Elchim

Elchim Anemos: 290 g ionic dryer made in Italy

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.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Elchim Anemos Digital Sonic Micro-brushless Black Hair Dryer - Profess...

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.