# What hair dryers do salons and hairdressers use?

Source: https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/what-hair-dryers-do-salons-use
Published: 2026-10-12
Publisher: Blow and Barrel

**In short:** Salons use dryers built for many hours of use a day: strong motors, high airflow, long cables, narrow nozzles for brush work and designs that are comfortable to hold for long periods. Brands such as Parlux, Elchim, ghd and Dyson are common in UK salons. At home you do not need salon durability, but the same features help if you blow-dry often or have long, thick hair.

Hairdressers blow-dry all day, so their dryers need to be fast, comfortable and tough. That is why many people want to know what salons use before buying a premium dryer for home. There is no single salon dryer, but the tools professionals choose share some features. This guide explains what makes a dryer salon-grade, which brands you commonly see in UK salons, and which of those features are worth paying for at home.

## What professionals need from a dryer

- **Durability:** motors and switches rated for long daily use.
- **Airflow:** high air volume to dry thick and long hair quickly.
- **Control:** several heat and speed settings and a reliable cool shot.
- **Narrow nozzles:** precise concentrators for round-brush work.
- **Comfort:** balanced weight and grip for hours of use.
- **Long cable:** to move around the chair, often around 3 m.
- **Serviceability:** filters and parts that can be cleaned or replaced.

## Brands you often see in UK salons

**Parlux** is an Italian brand long associated with salons. Its Alyon and Digitalyon dryers in our guides have ratings of 2,150 W to 2,400 W and listed cable lengths over 3 m. **Elchim** is another Italian professional brand; its Anemos in our guides is listed at 290 g with high airflow. **ghd** is a UK brand found in many salons, and its Helios is rated at 2,200 W with a 3 m cable.

**Dyson** has a professional version of the Supersonic r, a ring-shaped design aimed at stylists, and Supersonic dryers are common in salons too. Many salons also use other professional-only brands that are not widely sold on Amazon. Our [best hair dryers in the UK](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-uk) guide covers several of these.

| Dryer | Listed detail |
| --- | --- |
| Parlux Digitalyon | 2,400 W, 3.3 m cable |
| Parlux Alyon | 2,250 W |
| Elchim Anemos | 290 g, high airflow |
| ghd Helios | 2,200 W, 3 m cable |
| Dyson Supersonic r | 1,700 W, compact ring design |

Professional-style dryers in our guides, from the Amazon UK listings

## AC motors, digital motors and wattage

Traditional salon dryers often use AC motors, which are robust and powerful, combined with high wattage heaters. Newer professional dryers use brushless digital motors that spin very fast, move a lot of air from a small, light unit and can last a long time. Both approaches can work well.

Wattage tells you how much heat is available, not how fast a dryer dries on its own. Airflow is just as important. A 1,600 W high-speed dryer can dry as quickly as a 2,200 W traditional one. Our [wattage explainer](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/hair-dryer-wattage-explained) covers this.

## Do you need a salon dryer at home?

Most people do not need the durability of a dryer used for ten hours a day. But several salon features are worth having at home: strong airflow for long or thick hair, a narrow concentrator for smooth blow-dries, a reliable cool shot and a long cable if your socket is awkwardly placed.

Salon dryers can be heavier and louder than some home dryers. If you have shoulder or wrist strain, look at weight. Our [lightweight dryer guide](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-lightweight-hair-dryer) and [quiet dryer guide](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-quiet-hair-dryer) include professional brands that score well on both.

## How hairdressers use their dryers

That routine works with any good dryer. See our guide to [straightening hair with a hair dryer](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/how-to-straighten-hair-with-a-hair-dryer) and [getting volume](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/blog/how-to-get-volume-with-a-hair-dryer) for more detail. For thick hair, our [thick hair guide](https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-for-thick-hair) includes several professional models.

1. Rough-dry with no nozzle on high airflow until hair is about 80% dry.
2. Section the hair and fit a narrow concentrator.
3. Work section by section with a round or paddle brush, airflow pointing down the hair.
4. Finish each section with the cool shot.
5. Use lower heat on fine or coloured hair.

Note: Professional-strength dryers move a lot of hot air. Keep the nozzle moving and away from the scalp.

## Frequently asked questions

**What hair dryer do most hairdressers use?** There is no single model. Parlux, Elchim, ghd and Dyson are all common in UK salons, alongside professional-only brands.

**Are salon hair dryers better?** They are built for durability and long use. At home, the useful features are strong airflow, a good nozzle and a long cable, which several premium home dryers also offer.

**Why do salon dryers have long cables?** Stylists move around the chair. A cable of about 3 m gives reach without straining the cable or the socket.

**Is a higher wattage dryer more professional?** Not necessarily. Airflow and motor quality matter as much as watts. Many professional dryers are below 2,000 W.

## Buying guides on this topic

- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-uk
- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-hair-dryer-for-thick-hair
- https://blowandbarrel.co.uk/best/best-quiet-hair-dryer