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Buying guide

Best quiet 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

    Dyson Supersonic r Curly+Coily: low noise listed

    The only dryer here whose listing names curly and coily as the target hair type.

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  • Best value

    Laifen Swift Special: stated 59 dB

    Stated motor speed of 110,000 RPM matches Dyson's V9 figure.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

  • Most features

    ghd Helios: low sound level, 2,200 W

    2,200 W is well above the Supersonic's 1,600 W rating.

    Check price on AmazonAffiliate link

Noise is the spec most dryer makers skip. That is awkward if you dry your hair at six in the morning in a flat with thin walls. High-speed brushless motors tend to make a higher-pitched sound than older dryers, and some brands now add silencers or quote a decibel figure. This guide puts published numbers first. Laifen and Elchim give decibel figures; ghd, Parlux and Dyson make quieter-running claims without a number. We list each claim exactly as stated, then compare motor, wattage and weight so you can weigh quiet against drying power. Bear in mind decibel figures are measured by the maker under their own conditions, so treat them as a guide rather than a guarantee.

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 Curly+Coily: low noise listed

The curly and coily edition of Dyson's Supersonic r, bundled with a diffuser, wide tooth comb, powerful air attachment, flyaway tool and concentrator.

In its favour

  • The only dryer here whose listing names curly and coily as the target hair type.
  • A wide tooth comb attachment comes in the box alongside the diffuser.
  • Intelligent attachments have temperature and airflow preset and remember preferences.

Good to know

  • 780 g is on the heavy side for long diffusing sessions.
  • Diffuser dimensions and design are not described in the listing.
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Listing title: Dyson Supersonic r™ Hair Dryer

No. 2 · Laifen

Laifen Swift Special: 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.
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Listing title: Laifen Swift Special Hair Dryer High Speed 200M Ionic for Fast Drying

No. 3 · ghd

ghd Helios: low sound level, 2,200 W

ghd's professional dryer in plum, a different approach from Dyson with a higher wattage, Aeroprecis airflow design and a 3 m cable.

In its favour

  • 2,200 W is well above the Supersonic's 1,600 W rating.
  • A 3 m cable is stated, which Dyson listings do not give.
  • 2 year ghd consumer guarantee and cool shot button.

Good to know

  • At 820 g it is heavier than any Supersonic model listed on this site.
  • Only one nozzle is included, and there is no diffuser.
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Listing title: ghd Helios Hair Dryer, More Shine, Lightweight, Ultimate Styling Contr...

No. 4 · Laifen

Laifen Swift Premium: low noise, 22 m/s

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

No. 5 · Elchim

Elchim Anemos: under 69 dBA, 290 g

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

No. 6 · Parlux

Parlux Digitalyon: Melody Silencer, 2,150 W

A professional salon dryer fitted with Parlux's Melody Silencer, which the maker says cuts the loud noise of typical dryers. 88 m³/h airflow and slim nozzle.

In its favour

  • Parlux states the Melody Silencer is designed to reduce typical dryer noise.
  • The listing describes it as quiet with 2 speeds, 4 temperatures and a cold button.
  • 88 m³/h airflow is a published figure for comparison.

Good to know

  • No decibel figure is published for the silencer.
  • The listed 1.29 kg appears to be a packed weight, so the dryer weight is unclear.
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Listing title: Parlux Digitalyon Digital Hair Dryer Slim Hair Straightening Nozzle

No. 7 · Parlux

Parlux Alyon: 2,250 W with low noise aim

A long-standing Parlux salon dryer with a K-Advance Plus motor and 84 m³/h airflow. Parlux lists low noise pollution as part of its design approach.

In its favour

  • Parlux mentions low noise pollution in its design philosophy.
  • 2,250 W and 84 m³/h airflow make it one of the more powerful dryers here.
  • Two concentrator nozzles and a hair catcher system are included.

Good to know

  • The noise claim is general and comes without a figure.
  • The listed 1.33 kg looks like a package weight, and power source is shown oddly as AC adapter.
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Listing title: Parlux Alyon Professional Hair Dryer Lightweight Long Lasting with Air...

Read before you buy

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.