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Buying guide

Best professional hair dryers for home and salon use

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 r: 1,700 W with pro concentrator

    Dyson describes it as its most powerful hair dryer, with a 1,700 W rating.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Best value

    ghd Helios: 2,200 W professional dryer, 3 m cable

    ghd states the enhanced ionic technology reduces frizz and flyaways.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    Parlux Alyon: 2,250 W with K-Advance Plus motor

    A 2,250 W motor with a stated 84 m3/h airflow.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

A professional hair dryer is built for daily blow-drying: a strong motor, plenty of airflow, a cable long enough to move around a chair and controls you can reach without looking. Salon brands such as Parlux and Elchim publish airflow figures, which makes them easier to compare than many consumer models. This guide puts the Italian salon specialists next to ghd's Helios and Dyson's Supersonic r, which comes with a professional concentrator. For each dryer we compared the stated wattage, the airflow rate where given, the cable length, the number of heat and speed settings and the nozzles in the box. Where a listing leaves out a figure, we say so instead of guessing. The order puts the most complete professional package first.

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 r: 1,700 W with pro concentrator

Dyson calls the Supersonic r its most powerful yet lightest hair dryer. It is rated at 1,700 W and comes with a powerful air attachment and a professional concentrator.

In its favour

  • Dyson describes it as its most powerful hair dryer, with a 1,700 W rating.
  • A powerful air attachment is included specifically for fast drying.
  • Four heat and three speed settings let you rough dry fast and then switch to styling.

Good to know

  • The listing does not give motor speed or airflow figures to compare.
  • At 790 g listed weight it is heavier than the Laifen or Elchim.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Dyson Supersonic r™ Hair Dryer

No. 2 · ghd

ghd Helios: 2,200 W professional dryer, 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. 3 · Parlux

Parlux Alyon: 2,250 W with K-Advance Plus motor

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. 4 · Parlux

Parlux 385 PowerLight: 2,150 W at 445 g

A compact Parlux with a 2,150 W motor, 79 m3/h airflow and a 3 m cable. Parlux describes it as the second lightest in its range at 445 g.

In its favour

  • Parlux states it weighs just 445 g, light for a 2,150 W salon dryer.
  • A professional 3 m cable and two concentrator nozzles are listed.
  • Ceramic and ionic technology plus an acoustic silencing system are named in the listing.

Good to know

  • Three heat settings and 79 m3/h are a step below the Digitalyon and Alyon.
  • No diffuser is included, only the two concentrators.
Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Listing title: Parlux PowerLight 385 Ionic And Ceramic Hair Dryer 2150W, Purple, Powe...

No. 5 · Parlux

Parlux Digitalyon: 2,400 W, 88 m3/h, 3.3 m cable

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. 6 · Elchim

Elchim Anemos: 1,000 L/min from a 290 g body

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.