How to pack a hair dryer for travel

Before you pack

Taking only one or two attachments saves space and reduces the chance of losing parts. For most trips, a concentrator or smoothing nozzle covers everyday drying, plus a diffuser if you have curls.

1. 1

   Let the dryer cool completely after its last use.

2. 2

   Clean the filter so you do not carry lint and hair around with you.

3. 3

   Check the cable for damage while it is unwound.

4. 4

   Decide which attachments you really need for the trip.

5. 5

   Check the voltage label on the dryer if you are travelling abroad.

Protecting the cable

The weakest point on any hair dryer is where the cable enters the handle. Wrapping the cable tightly around the handle bends it sharply at that point every time, and over months that can break the wires inside. Instead, coil the cable loosely in a loop of about the size of your hand, and secure it with a soft tie or a hook-and-loop strap.

Keep the plug away from the dryer's outlet and intake so its pins do not scratch the body. If your dryer has a swivel cable, let it sit naturally rather than twisting it to fit a tight corner of the bag.

Note:Never use a dryer with a damaged, split or kinked cable. Replace the appliance or have it checked by the manufacturer.

Padding and cases

Many premium dryers and stylers come with a storage case or bag; use it. If yours did not, a padded wash bag or a soft pouch works, and you can buy fitted cases for popular models. Put the dryer in the centre of the suitcase, surrounded by clothes, rather than against the hard sides or wheels where knocks are worst.

Pack attachments in their own pouch or a sock so they do not rattle against the dryer and scratch it. Brush heads and barrels on multi-stylers are bulky; consider leaving the ones you rarely use at home.

Cabin bag or hold luggage?

Corded hair dryers and stylers are normally allowed in both cabin bags and hold luggage on flights from the UK, but rules are set by airports and airlines and can change. Cordless tools with lithium batteries, such as some cordless straighteners, have special rules and often must go in the cabin. Our guide to taking a hair dryer on a plane explains this in more detail.

Taking an expensive dryer in your cabin bag keeps it away from baggage handling. If space is tight, a compact folding dryer helps; several models in our lightweight hair dryer guide are compact enough to slip into a wash bag.

Voltage and plugs abroad

UK mains is 230 V, and most of Europe uses the same voltage, so a UK dryer usually works with just a plug adapter. Countries such as the United States and Canada use around 120 V. A dryer built only for 220 to 240 V will not work properly there and may be damaged; you need a dual-voltage model or a dryer bought locally.

Check the rating label on the dryer or its manual. Our guide to using a UK hair dryer abroad covers adapters, converters and dual-voltage dryers, and the amps at the socket calculator shows how much current your dryer draws on each supply.

Using your dryer away from home

Hotel bathrooms often have shaver sockets only, which are not designed for hair dryers. Use a normal socket in the bedroom instead. Keep the dryer away from water and do not use it with a damaged travel adapter.

Let the dryer cool before you pack it again for the journey home. A warm dryer sealed in a case can stay hot for a while, and packing it hot with clothes is not good for either. If you are thinking of a dedicated travel model, our guides to premium hair dryers and quiet hair dryers list compact options.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wrap the cable around my hair dryer? No. Coil it loosely instead. Tight wrapping bends the cable where it enters the handle and can break the wires over time.

Can I take a Dyson hair dryer in hand luggage? Corded Dyson dryers are normally allowed in hand luggage, but check your airline's current rules before flying.

Do I need a converter in Europe? Usually not. Most of Europe uses about 230 V like the UK, so a plug adapter is enough. Check the dryer's label.

Can I use a hotel shaver socket for my hair dryer? No. Shaver sockets are low-power outlets. Use a standard socket for any hair dryer.