How to choose a hair dryer: watts, motor, weight and attachments

Step 1: start with your hair and routine

Also decide whether you want only a dryer or a styler too. If you want curls, a multi-styler may suit you better; see Dyson Airwrap vs Supersonic.

• Fine hair: lower heat settings and a gentle airflow option help; see dryers for fine hair.
• Thick hair: strong airflow shortens drying time; see dryers for thick hair.
• Curly hair: a good diffuser matters most; see dryers for curly hair.
• Long blow-dries: weight and balance matter; see lightweight dryers.
• Early mornings or shared homes: noise matters; see quiet dryers.

Step 2: check the motor and airflow

Most premium dryers now use brushless digital motors that spin at very high speeds. Dyson, Laifen and Elchim list motor speeds of around 110,000 rpm. These motors are small and light, which lets the maker put them in the handle for better balance. They tend to be quieter in pitch and are designed for a long life.

Traditional AC motors are larger and heavier but powerful and widely used in salons, for example in Parlux dryers. Either type can dry hair quickly. What matters is how much air the dryer moves and how well the nozzle focuses it; makers quote this in different ways, such as airflow in metres per second or litres per minute.

Step 3: understand watts

Watts tell you how much electrical power a dryer draws, most of it by the heater. Higher watts usually mean more heat available, not necessarily faster drying. A 1,600 W digital dryer can dry as fast as a 2,200 W AC model because of its airflow. Our wattage explainer goes into this.

Watts do affect electricity use. A 2,000 W dryer used for 10 minutes uses about 0.33 kWh. Our running-cost calculator works it out with your own unit rate.

Step 4: the spec checklist

Marketing terms you can skip

Ionic: nearly all premium dryers have it. Makers say it reduces static and frizz, but it is not a reason to pick one model over another. See ionic vs ceramic.

Ceramic and tourmaline: heating or coating details, mostly found on traditional dryers.

Professional: has no fixed meaning. Look at the motor, weight and cable instead.

Highest wattage: more watts mostly means more heat available, not better results.

Dyson or Shark? And other brands

Dyson's Supersonic range uses digital motors, magnetic attachments and intelligent heat control, with smart features on the Nural; see Dyson hair dryers compared. Shark's SpeedStyle dryers add tools that set heat automatically and a Scalp Shield mode; see Shark stylers compared. ghd's Helios is a powerful 2,200 W dryer, and Laifen offers high-speed dryers at a lower price; see Laifen vs Dyson Supersonic.

There is no single best brand. The right choice depends on your hair, your routine and how much weight and noise matter to you.

Note:Buy dryers with a UK plug from reputable sellers. Never use a dryer with a damaged cable or plug, keep it away from water and replace a blown plug fuse only with one of the correct rating.

Frequently asked questions

What hair dryer should I buy? Match the dryer to your hair: strong airflow for thick hair, a good diffuser for curls, light weight for long blow-dries.

Is a more expensive dryer better? Premium dryers tend to be lighter and quieter with better heat control, but a well-chosen mid-range dryer can dry just as well.

How many watts should a hair dryer be? Most full-size dryers are between 1,600 W and 2,400 W. Choose on airflow and weight rather than watts.

Which is best, Dyson or Shark? Both make good dryers. Dyson focuses on its motor and airflow design; Shark on automatic settings and value.