When it comes to buying the best hair dryer for your hair type, it can be tricky to make a solid choice if you’re blessed with curly hair. Using the wrong attachments can leave your curls flat, and if you’re not careful, you could end up with a nest of frizz. To avoid it all going wrong, you need to invest in a hair dryer that’s actually made with curly hair in mind.
In the UK, Google Trends searches for “how to care for curly hair” have soared by 200%. So it’s no wonder that big brands like Dyson and ghd are working to expand their curly-friendly haircare products, with Dyson hairdryer copycats popping up all the time. With so many options for all budgets, we’ve tested the best hairdryers for curly hair, with options that actually work and a range from luxury to budget.
Ruby Barry, fashion & beauty product writer at Grazia, loves perfecting her natural curls with the right hair dryer and technique. Ruby generously uses hair masks and oils on her hair to accentuate her natural curls. When drying her hair using a diffuser, she always opts for the scrunch method. Ruby tried the BaByliss Pro 2200 with diffuser attachment on her curls and was pleased with the end result.
A glance at Grazia’s best hair dryers for curly hair in 2024:
Best overall hairdryer for curly hair: Dyson Supersonic™ Hairdryer (Oinks and Gold), £329.99 from Dyson.
Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair: Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler HD110UK, £155 from Shark.
Best affordable hairdryer for curly hair: BaByliss Salon Pro 2200 Hairdryer, £40 from Boots.
Best luxury hairdryer for curly hair: Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer, £279.99 at Dyson.
Best high-speed hairdryer for curly hair: Panasonic EH-NA65 Nanoe Hairdryer with Diffuser, £52.49 on Amazon.
Best hairdryer kit for curly hair: ghd air hair dry kit, £135 at Very.
Best all-purpose hairdryer for curly hair: Bellissima Diffon Supreme, £129.99, available from Amazon.
Best travel hairdryer for curly hair: amika Mighty Mini Dryer, £50 from Cult Beauty.
What to look for when buying a hair dryer for curly hair
Look out for slow and low temperature settings to prevent heat damage and control your curls. Blast-drying curly hair with hot air can flatten it, so try to dry it slowly and tame it instead of blasting it with hot air.
Many hair dryers are sold in the same pack with the same attachments, but remember that if you have curly hair, you will most likely need a diffuser to keep your curls tight and bouncy; otherwise, you may end up with frizzy hair. A big hair dryer brush like the Revlon One Step won’t work for curly hair. You need a blow dryer that diffuses heat and air without straightening your curls. Consider the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer or the Air Kit from ghd. A diffuser attachment makes it easy to switch between different styling options. Don’t want to invest in an expensive hair dryer? You can also buy a universal diffuser head that can be attached to any hair dryer.
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Shop: Best Hair Dryer for Curly Hair 2024
Best all-around hair dryer for curly hair
Dyson
We think the Dyson Supersonic is definitely one of the best hair dryers on the market. It’s perfect for anyone with curly hair, regardless of their hair type. The powerful Dyson motor and multiple attachments allow you to diffuse your hair in record time and tame flyaways. Not only is this hair dryer designed for all hair types, but it also combines fast drying technology with heat control to minimize heat damage. Reviewers are pleased with the efficiency of this hair dryer, with one reviewer stating that she bought one for her daughter and loved it so much that she bought one for herself as well. She also said that it’s the best hair dryer ever and she loves the way it styles her hair.
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
A trusted and popular choice. Three attachments to adjust to suit your hair type. Popular features include multiple heat and power settings.
Cons
Not all attachments are required. Heat Settings 4 precise heat settings and cold shots. Speed Settings 3 precise speed settings. Ionic Technology? Yes. What’s in the box: Diffuser, Gentle Air attachment, Concentrator, Flyaway attachment, Wide tooth comb. Cable length: 2.62. Motor: Dyson Digital Motor V9
Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair
Built in a similar way to the Dyson Supersonic, the latest Shark STYLE iQ is perfect for those looking for the same results at a slightly more affordable price. Switch between the concentrator and diffuser to style your hair the way you want. Whatever your hairstyle, Shark’s Style iQ can give you anything from smooth and straight to defined curls, just by changing the attachments. One reviewer also noted that it’s perfect for curly hair, calling it “the only hair dryer for curly women.”
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
Multiple heads for more styling options Fast heating Ionized air for healthy drying Ionic drying reduces heat damage
Cons
Reviews say it’s not as powerful as more expensive options.Heat Settings3 Temperature SettingsSpeed Settings3 Airflow SettingsIonic Technology?YesWhat’s in the Box:Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer, 2-in-1 Concentrator, Diffuser, Style GuideMotor:1600WCable Length:2.5m
Best affordable hair dryers for curly hair
Apparently, we’ve all owned a BaByliss hair dryer at one time or another. In fact, BaByliss is a staple in hair tools, and it lives up to that role. This curly hair dryer features a diffuser attachment and easy buttons, making it an affordable and attractive choice. One reviewer received this hair dryer as a gift and loves it. They mention how lightweight this hair dryer is and how quickly it dries their hair.
Editor’s review: Ruby Barry, fashion and beauty writer for Grazia, says, “Buying a complicated hair dryer with lots of features is a bit too much for my taste, so I love the BaByliss Salon Pro 2200 hair dryer because it’s simple, affordable, and gets the job done. It has all the settings a woman needs, from hot to hot to cold, and you can even vary the intensity of the speed. The two attachments work great, especially the large diffuser, which can scoop up big sections of curled hair at once. For people with curly hair, this is the perfect budget hair dryer that lets you dry your curls just the way you like them.”
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
It’s affordable, the large diffuser is big enough to diffuse large curls quickly, and the ionic system smooths and reduces damage.
Cons
Some reviewers say it’s hard to hold. 3 heat settings, 2 speed settings, Ionic technology? Yes – Anti-frizzMotor: 2200WCable length: 2.7mWhat’s in the box: BaByliss Salon Pro Hair Dryer, Slim Concentrator Nozzle, Diffuser
Best high speed hair dryer for curly hair
Price: £69.99 (previously £109.99)
Created to reduce split ends and minimise damage, this Panasonic Nanoe Mineral Hair Dryer penetrates your hair with double mineral ions to strengthen the cuticle. Plus, it’s foldable for even easier storage. This hair dryer reduces frizz and dryness whilst maintaining the cuticle, reducing split ends over time. One reviewer wrote on the Boots website how fantastic this hair dryer is, saying it reduced frizz on their curly hair.
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
I love that it folds up for easy storage, its nanoe technology eliminates static and reduces frizz, and reviews say that after a month, hair looks noticeably shinier.
Cons
Not as powerful as other hairdryers. Heat Settings: Alternating hot and cold modes. Speed Settings: 3 speed settings. Ionic Technology? No, but it uses “nanoe” technology to generate moisture. Motor: 1800 watts. Cord Length: 2.7m. What’s in the Box: EH-NA9J Hair Dryer, Diffuser Attachment, Quick Dry Nozzle, Styling Nozzle.
Price: £69.99 (previously £109.99)
Best hair dryer kit for curly hair
ghd always does things right. With the ghd Air kit, your curly hair will be safe and stay as fresh and bouncy as it needs to be. With a diffuser attachment and a size 3 ceramic brush (so the brush won’t frizz your hair), this is one of the best styling kits for those with wavy or curly hair. Many reviewers have raved about this kit, with one reviewer saying they love how this hair dryer creates smooth waves for them.
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
A kit for all your needs: brushes, clips, hair dryers, etc. Powerful 2100W motor for quick drying. Reviewed by hairdressers as a top pick
Cons
The buttons on the back make it a little difficult to control.Heat Settings: 2 heat settingsSpeed Settings: 2 speed settingsIonic Technology? Yes, advanced ionic technologyMotor: 2100WCable Length: 3mWhat’s in the Box: Hair dryer, ceramic brush, clip, air diffuser attachment
Best all-purpose hair dryer for curly hair
If you already know you need a diffuser to care for your curly hair, the Bellissima Diffon Supreme has it all. This hair dryer is designed with curly hair in mind, using ionization technology to enhance shape, bounce and maintain hydration. One reviewer said she’s new to wavy hair and found the diffuser to be perfect for creating defined waves and is easy to use.
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
Easy to use, all-in-one hair dryer Ionization technology reduces damage Digital heat control for easy adjustments
Cons
No alternative styling choices available.Heat Settings3 Heat SettingsSpeed Settings2 Speed SettingsIonic Technology?YesIncludes:Diffuser with 3 heat levels and 2 speedsMotor:770 wattsCable Length:3m
Best Travel Hair Dryer for Curly Hair
Finding the right hair dryer for curly hair can be tough, but finding a compact hair dryer for travel is even tougher. Luckily, this mini hair dryer from amika was made with international travel in mind and does both jobs by including a diffuser for easy use. One reviewer describes it as a “travel essential” and says she takes it everywhere. It’s easy to tame long, thick hair on the go.
Pros and Cons Specifications
Strong Points
Customers say it’s small but powerful, making it perfect for traveling. Dual voltage for international power sources. The stylish design is a definite plus.
Cons
Not as powerful as larger hair dryers. Heat Settings: 2 heat settings, 1 speed setting, 1 speed setting. Ionic Technology? No. Motor: 1000 watts. What’s in the box: Hair dryer, airflow concentrator, diffuser, travel pouch. Cable Length: Not stated.
Caitlin Casey spent three years as a Senior Commerce Writer at Grazia UK, specialising in sex and wellness content. She has been writing for a range of publications since 2017, covering everything from shopping, fashion, beauty, women’s lifestyle, pop culture and trends.
