Best Hair Dryers UK (2026)
The best hair dryer for you depends heavily on your hair type as much as raw power. This guide compares dryers tested by Marie Claire UK's beauty team, covering different hair types, budgets and needs like travel and attachments.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
mdlondon Blow Hair Dryer
Best for all hair types
Marie Claire's overall winner and a Marie Claire UK Hair Awards winner. One of the lightest dryers tested at 360g, with a silent motor, self-cleaning function and both a diffuser and two nozzle options included.
- Great colours
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
- Quieter than most
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| mdlondon Blow Hair Dryer | Best for all hair types | 1600W, 360g, 3 speed settings, ionic | Check price |
| Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme | Best for curly hair | 650W, built-in diffuser, ionic | Check price |
| ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer | Best for travel | 1600W, folds in half, dual voltage | Check price |
| ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer | Best for fine hair | 2200W, ionic, cool shot | Check price |
| Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer | Best for thick hair | High airflow, magnetic attachments | Check price |
| Cloud Nine The Airshot Hair Dryer | Best for damaged hair | Adjustable heat and speed settings | Check price |
| Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer | Best multi-styler | 5-in-1 styling attachments | Check price |
| BaByliss 2300 Hair Styler Dryer | Best under £100 | 2300W | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best for all hair types
mdlondon Blow Hair Dryer
Marie Claire's overall winner and a Marie Claire UK Hair Awards winner. One of the lightest dryers tested at 360g, with a silent motor, self-cleaning function and both a diffuser and two nozzle options included.
- Power
- 1600W
- Weight
- 360g
- Speed settings
- 3
- Ionic technology
- Yes
- Cool shot
- Yes
- Price guide
- £199
Pros
- Great colours
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
- Quieter than most
Cons
- Not quite the fastest or most powerful tested
- Quite expensive
Best for curly hair
Bellissima Italia Diffon Supreme
A hairdryer and diffuser combined in one tool, easy to hold and shape curls with, and gentle enough to rest against the scalp without burning, though it's not useful for straightening and is fairly noisy.
- Power
- 650W
- Speed settings
- 2
- Ionic technology
- Yes
- Cool shot
- Yes
- Price guide
- £150
Pros
- Specifically designed for curly hair
- Wide nozzle covers more hair at once
- Easy to hold
- Doesn't feel too hot on the scalp
Cons
- Not useful for straight styling
- Quite noisy
Best for travel
ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer
A compact travel dryer that folds down small without compromising on power, and switches between 120V and 240V, with a chic travel case included.
- Power
- 1600W
- Speed settings
- 2
- Ionic technology
- Yes
- Cool shot
- Yes
- Cord length
- 1.8m
- Price guide
- £79
Pros
- Compact and folds in half
- Comes with a travel case
- Switches between 120V and 240V
Cons
- Some rivals are lighter
- Expensive if not used often
Best for fine hair
ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
A salon-grade dryer well suited to fine hair, with a long 3m cord for ease of use around a mirror.
- Power
- 2200W
- Speed settings
- 2
- Ionic technology
- Yes
- Cool shot
- Yes
- Cord length
- 3m
- Price guide
- £189
Pros
- Salon-grade power
- Long cord for easier styling
Cons
- Expensive
Best for thick hair
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Marie Claire's pick for thick hair, built to dry faster without excessive heat damage, at a premium price point.
- Price guide
- £299.99
Pros
- Fast drying for thick hair
- Magnetic attachments
Cons
- Expensive
Best for damaged hair
Cloud Nine The Airshot Hair Dryer
Marie Claire's pick for damaged hair, designed to style with reduced heat damage compared with standard dryers.
- Price guide
- £159
Pros
- Designed to reduce heat damage
Best multi-styler
Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer
Marie Claire's pick for a multi-purpose styler, combining a hair dryer with five styling attachments to replace several separate tools.
- Price guide
- £219.99
Pros
- 5-in-1 styling attachments
- Replaces multiple separate tools
Cons
- Higher price for the added versatility
Best under £100
BaByliss 2300 Hair Styler Dryer
Marie Claire's top pick for buyers wanting to stay under £100, offering decent power at an accessible price.
- Power
- 2300W
- Price guide
- £67.50
Pros
- Affordable
- Decent power for the price
Buying guide
How much power do I need?
Marie Claire's experts recommend looking for at least a 1600W motor for faster drying with more control. Finer hair can get away with less power; thick or long hair benefits from higher wattage to reduce overall drying time.
What does ionic technology do?
Ionic dryers generate negative ions that counteract the positive charge of wet hair, which helps reduce frizz and smooth the hair cuticle as it dries.
Why use the cool shot button?
A blast of cool air after styling helps seal the hair cuticle and set your style faster, leaving hair looking shinier and helping it hold for longer. It's a commonly overlooked feature that stylists consistently recommend using.
Does weight matter?
A heavier dryer can cause arm fatigue during longer drying sessions, particularly with thick or long hair that takes longer to dry. If you have a lot of hair, a lighter dryer with strong power is generally more comfortable to use than a heavy, equally powerful one.