If you're on the quest for sleek, straight tresses without the extra heat damage that comes from flat irons, you've come to the right place. In this feature, we're focusing on one of the most versatile tools in your beauty arsenal: hair dryers.
But not just any hair dryers – we're talking about the ones specifically designed for straightening hair. We'll guide you through the top picks that promise to deliver smooth, straight locks while minimizing damage and maximizing shine.
Whether you're a styling novice or a pro looking for an upgrade, our insights will help you find the perfect hair dryer to achieve that salon-quality straight hair at home. Let's turn up the heat and dive into the world of hair dryers for straightening hair!
Key Takeaways:
- The best hair dryers for straightening hair include the Revlon Infrared Heat Hair Dryer, BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer, and the GHD Air Hair Dryer For Straightening Hair.
- Choose hair dryers with higher wattage, ceramic and tourmaline components, and nozzles and diffusers that can concentrate the airflow, as these make straightening hair easier.
- Hair dryers with ionic technology emit negative ions that break down water molecules, reducing frizz and promoting smoother, straighter hair.
What is the best hair dryer for straightening hair?
The best hair dryer for straightening hair is the BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer. It combines high wattage for powerful airflow, ceramic or tourmaline technology for even heat distribution, and ionic technology to reduce frizz and enhance shine. It should offer multiple heat and speed settings to cater to different hair types and include a cool shot button to set the style.
| Best Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair | Best For | Tech Specifications |
| Revlon Infrared Heat Hair Dryer For Straightening Hair | Thick Hair | 1875 Watts Tourmaline Ionic Technology Two Heat and Speed Settings Concentrator Nozzle Diffuser Attachment |
| GHD Air Hair Dryer For Straightening Hair | Damaged Hair | 1600W Ionic Technology Ergonomically balanced 3 Temperature Settings 2 Heat Settings |
| Revlon one-Step Hairdryer and Volumizer | Curly Hair | 1100 Watts 3 Heat/Speed Settings Cool Shot Button Nylon Pin Tufted Bristles |
| BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer | African American Hair | 2000 watts Ionic and Porcelain Ceramic Technology Cool Shot Button Concentrator Nozzle |
| ParLux Alyon Air Ioniser | Frizzy Hair | 2,250 Watts Ionic Technology 2 Speed Settings 4 Temperature Settings |
Top Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair 2024
Revlon Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
Best Powerful Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
The Revlon Infrared heat hair dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle that can tackle your stubborn hair and straighten it.
It also comes with a diffuser attachment and three sectioning hair clips that can make styling easier.
I was a bit disappointed that the attachments were a little difficult to put in but it wasn't overly hot to touch after usage.
If you are worried that your hair might look thin and flat after straightening, this dryer can help in making your hair look voluminous.
Hairdryers tend to be noisy and heavy but this one did not have any such issues so I could style my hair easily.
If you are looking for a hair straightening dryer on a budget, this will be a great option.
Pros:
- Fast drying thanks to its powerful infrared technology
- Doesn't make noise while styling hair
- Affordable pricing
- Ergonomic design that is easy to use
Cons:
- Fragile build
- No dual voltage so not suited for travel
Does It Have:
- Negative Ion Technology - No
- Cool Shot Button - No
- Ceramic Technology - Yes
My Ratings:
- Hair Drying - 4.5/5
- Straightening Ability - 3.5/5
- Damage Protection - 4/5
- Features and Attachments - 3.5/5
- Price - 4.5/5
GHD Air Hair Dryer
Best Volumizing Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This is definitely my top pick for blow dryers because the results were the closest to a professional salon blowout. The ghd Air Hairdryer works well with frizzy hair to smoothen out your strands.
The best part is that it has one of the lowest noise among the hairdryers on the list. So it does the job without annoying you.
It was also pretty easy to handle since it is lightweight but the large size might make it uncomfortable to hold and focus.
Although this might not give you the fastest results, the concentrated nozzles will vastly improve the quality of your hairstyle and make your hair look sleek and straight.
Pros:
- Well-balanced easy-grip
- Strong airflow that dries hair very quickly
- Stays quite while using
- Effective heat distribution thanks to the ceramic technology
Cons:
- The cold shot does not completely eliminate the heat
- Expensive
- Not ideal for drying
Does It Have:
- Negative Ion Technology - Yes
- Cool Shot Button - Yes
- Ceramic Technology - Yes
My Ratings:
- Hair Drying - 4.5/5
- Straightening Ability - 5/5
- Damage Protection - 4.5/5
- Features and Attachments - 4.5/5
- Price - 3/5
T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer
Best Ionic Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
I was looking forward to using this hair dryer because this is simply one of the best-looking hair dryers on the list.
It has a black glossy body and rose gold accents that can grab anyone's attention.
This is a premium device among the hairdryers on the list and yes, it is a little bit on the pricier side. But it offers great airflow and is comfortable to use.
The performance and the drying time are great and it comes with a velcro tie that makes it easy to use.
But there have been a lot of drawbacks in terms of the durability of this device.
Pros:
- Lightweight dryer that is suited for travelling
- Volume booster settings that helps dry thick hair easily
- Pure stream cap to help straighten hair
- Auto pause sensor
- T3 Digital Ion Air technology that controls frizz
Cons:
- Low durability as the concentrator might melt after a few uses
Does It Have:
- Negative Ion Technology - No
- Cool Shot Button - No
- Ceramic Technology - Yes
My Ratings:
- Hair Drying - 4.5/5
- Straightening Ability - 3.5/5
- Damage Protection - 4/5
- Features and Attachments - 3.5/5
- Price - 4.5/5
Nition Ceramic Hair Dryer
Best Ceramic Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This dryer was pretty good for straightening my hair but the diffuser attachment was not sturdy at all and it would fall off if it barely even touches my head.
If you have thick hair like me, it might take some time to style your hair using the Notion Ceramic hairdryer. But for the price you pay, it does a good job straightening.
Even though the buttons are located at the handle, there were no accidental switches during styling.
One major drawback is that the temperature settings are not exactly helpful.
The hottest setting is way too hot and could possibly fry your hair. The cool shot is also not efficient and gives out only warm air. It could have been a little cooler.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Versatile
- Value-for -money
Cons:
- Time-consuming for thick hair
- The cold shot does not completely eliminate heat
Remington Hydraluxe Pro EC 9001
Best Damage-Control Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This is another hair dryer with a beautiful design that definitely caught my attention. The Remington Hydraluxe Pro is perfect for versatile uses.
Although it helps in straightening your hair, it also comes with a diffuser that helps in drying and defining curls or waves.
You do not have to worry about heat damage with this one because it comes with a heat regulator that can control excessive heat build-up on the device.
This device worked really fast on my coarse wavy hair to straighten it. But it definitely comes with its set of drawbacks. It makes a lot of noise while functioning which is really annoying.
It is also a little bulky and heavy which makes it a little difficult to handle. If your priority is reducing heat damage, I would suggest this one.
Pros:
- Fast drying
- Heat regulator
- Comes with three attachments
- Powerful motor
Cons:
- Bulky
- Noisy
Revlon one-Step Hairdryer and Volumizer
Best Brush Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This is the perfect hair tool for all the lazy bums out there. The Revlon one-step hair dryer can be defined as an updated version of the hot brush.
This 2-in-1 device can easily dry your hair and make it straight and sleek with added volume. This is a very flexible device and is a great choice for beginners.
If you have thick and coarse hair like me, this tool will be your holy grail since it tames your hair in such a short time as compared to conventional hair dryers.
However, the device is heavy and makes a lot of noise, which is a total turn-off. And the barrel is pretty huge so it might not work well on people with short hair.
Pros:
- Quick and styling
- Adds volume
- Flexible
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- Loud
- Heavy
- Lacks versatility
- Not suitable for rough drying
T3 Fit Dryer
Best Compact Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This is one of the most compact dryers in the list. This is super easy to use and style your hair. If you are looking for a hair dryer that you can carry around during your travels, this will be perfect.
Although this device has a very gentle air flow, it is very effective and styles your hair neatly.
One drawback is that the handle does not fold, but it is very sturdy despite being a small and light dryer. You should not expect salon quality style with this one and it takes some time to dry and style your hair if it is long.
Pros:
- Compact
- Gentle air flow
- Suitable for travelling
- Powerful
- Lock- in cool shot
- Suitable for daily use
Cons:
- Thick and heavy chord
ParLux Alyon Air Ioniser
Best Affordable Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
This hair dryer comes with a nozzle that concentrates airflow effect on your hair to make it smooth and straight.
I think this is one of the best devices on the list because it gave me salon-quality results
With this dryer, you get your value for money since it has high-quality performance and design. The ParLux Alyon Air Ioniser is available in so many colors including pink, gold, green, coral, turquoise, etc.
This is one of the easiest dryers to work with because it has literally no noise, it is lightweight and the settings can easily be changed while using it.
If you have thick, curly hair that is usually hard to straighten using a regular dryer, you should definitely try out this one.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- No noise
- High-quality results
- Suitable for thick hair
Cons:
- None
BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer
Best Professional Hair Dryers For Straightening Hair
If you have stubborn hair that refuses to straighten up with a dryer, the BabylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer is the one for you.
Although this is a very powerful dryer, it does not heat up to the point where it could damage your hair.
I also noticed that my hair was shiny and frizz-free after using this dryer to straighten it.
The micro-concentrator nozzle is perfect for taming stubborn hair and getting professional quality results. It also acts fast on the hair so the results are quicker.
I found this dryer a little on the heavier side, but it showcases the high performance and gives great quality results.
Pros:
- Quick and efficient
- Suitable for thick hair
- Makes hair shiny
- Protects from heat damage
- Ergonomic grip
Cons:
- Buttons are difficult to control
- Heavy
Comparison Table
| Product | Image | Attachments | Cool Shot | Cord Length (m) | Hanging Loop | Ionic Technology | Number of speed settings | Number of heat settings | Wattage (watts) | Weight(g) |
| Revlon Infrared Heat Hairdryer |  |
Concentrator nozzle, diffuser | Yes | 3 | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 1875 | 938 |
| GHD Air Hair Dryer |  |
Concentrator Nozzle | Yes | 3.00 | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2100 | 1540 |
| T3 Cura Luxe Hair Dryer |  |
Concentrator Nozzle | Yes | 2.6 | No | Yes | 2 | 5 | 1900 | 462 |
| Nition Ceramic Hair Dryer |  |
Concentrator nozzle, diffuser, and comb | Yes | 7.5 | Yes | Yes | 2 | 3 | 2875 | 453 |
| Remington Hydraluxe Pro EC 9001 |  |
Concentrator Nozzle, Diffuser | Yes | 3 | No | Yes | 2 | 3 | 2200 | 800 |
| Revlon one-step dryer and volumizer |  |
None | No | 6 | No | Yes | 3 | 3 | 1100 | 850 |
| T3 Fit Dryer |  |
Concentrator Nozzle | Yes | 2.7 | No | Yes | 2 | 3 | Not disclosed | 400 |
| ParLux Alyon Air Ioniser |  |
2 concentrator nozzles | Yes | 2.82 | Yes | Yes | 2 | 2 | 2250 | 488 |
| Babyliss Pro Ceramix Xtreme dryer |  |
Concentrator nozzle | Yes | 8 | Yes | Yes | 6 | 6 | 2000 | 1020 |
How To Choose a Hair Dryer That Is Good For Straightening Hair?
Here's a guide on how to select the best hair dryer for straightening hair:
- Ionic Technology: Look for a hair dryer with ionic technology. Ionic dryers emit negative ions that break down water molecules faster, reducing drying time and minimizing frizz. This technology is excellent for achieving a smooth, straight finish.
- Wattage: Opt for a hair dryer with at least 1800-1875 watts of power. Higher wattage hair dryers provide more airflow and heat, which is essential for straightening thick or coarse hair effectively.
- Multiple Heat and Speed Settings: Choose a hair dryer with adjustable heat and speed settings. This versatility allows you to customize the temperature and airflow to suit your hair type and styling needs.
- Ceramic or Tourmaline Components: Hair dryers with ceramic or tourmaline components help distribute heat evenly and emit negative ions, reducing static and frizz. They are gentle on your hair and contribute to a sleek finish.
- Cool Shot Button: A cool shot button is essential for locking in your style after straightening. It helps to set your hair and reduce frizz, ensuring a long-lasting, smooth look.
- Weight and Ergonomics: Consider the weight and ergonomics of the dryer. A lightweight, well-balanced dryer is more comfortable to hold for extended periods, making your straightening routine more manageable.
- Attachments: Look for dryers that come with diffusers or concentrator nozzles. A concentrator nozzle focuses the airflow for precise drying and straightening, while a diffuser can help disperse heat more evenly.
- Price and Warranty: Hair dryers come in a wide price range. Invest in a dryer that suits your budget while ensuring it meets your needs. Also, check the warranty offered by the manufacturer for added peace of mind.
- Heat Protection: Prioritize a hair dryer that offers features like a heat shield or technology designed to protect your hair from excessive heat damage, as straightening can be harsh on hair.
- Consider Your Hair Type: Different hair types require different heat and speed settings. If you have fine or thin hair, you may not need the highest heat settings. For thick or coarse hair, a more powerful dryer with higher heat settings might be necessary.
How to protect hair from hair dryer?
There are a few things that you can do to protect your hair from the damage that hair dryers can cause. Here are a few tips:
- Use a heat protector - Apply a heat protector before you start drying your hair. This will help to protect it from heat damage and also prevent it from becoming frizzy.
- Use a wide-toothed comb - Use a wide-toothed comb to avoid pulling your hair when you're drying it. This will help to prevent split ends and breakage.
- Blow-dry your hair slowly - Blow-drying your hair slowly will help prevent damage from occurring. Avoid using hot air temperatures and try to use a cool air flow instead.
- Use the cold setting - Technically it's the hat from the hot air that causes hair damage and the dryer itself is not the issue. So why not use the cold air setting to dry hair? Be warned this will not help straighten hair but it will keep it damage free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to straightener hair using dryer or flat iron?
Using a blow dryer on your hair and then using a flat iron means you’re subjecting your tresses to double the heat.
So instead, why not just use the best hair dryers for straightening hair? They will give you silky, smooth hair without causing heat damage.