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Choosing a hair dryer

A premium hair dryer is defined less by its wattage than by its motor, its weight and what comes in the box. These are the figures worth comparing before you buy.

Typical rating
1,600 to 2,400 W
Typical weight
300 to 650 g
Hairdresser styling senior woman's hair with blow dryer in chic salon setting
Photo: Artem Podrez on Pexels

Most mains hair dryers sold in the UK are rated between 1,600 and 2,400 watts. The rating tells you the maximum power drawn on the hottest setting, not how fast the dryer works: compact digital motors spinning at over 100,000 rpm can move as much air as an older, heavier dryer with a bigger number on the box.

Weight matters more than most listings admit. A dryer of around 300 to 400 g is noticeably easier to hold through a long blow-dry than one of 600 g or more. Check whether the stated weight includes the cable and the attachment.

Then compare cable length (2.5 to 3 m reaches comfortably from a bedroom socket), the number of heat and speed settings, a cold shot button, a removable or washable filter, and which attachments are included: a smoothing concentrator, a diffuser and a gentle air or flyaway nozzle are the common ones.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing on watts alone instead of airflow, weight and attachments.
  • Ignoring the weight of the dryer with its nozzle fitted.
  • Forgetting to check that a diffuser is in the box if you have curls.

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