Unlock the Secret to Salon-Worthy Hair at Home

Is an Ionic or Ceramic Hair Dryer Better?

Celebrity hairstylist Renato Campora explains that an ionic hair dryer has a negative ionic charge, which helps close the damaged cuticles of the hair, reducing frizz, static electricity, and flyaways. Ceramic hair dryers, on the other hand, heat quickly and evenly with infrared heat, speeding up the drying process. The choice between the two depends on your hair's needs.

For example, if you have fine hair that tends to get frizzy, an ionic hair dryer might be the better option. On the other hand, if you have thick hair that needs to dry quickly, a ceramic hair dryer could be more suitable. It's all about finding the right balance for your hair.

Our Top Picks

BondiBoost Everlast

This hair dryer is more than just a dryer. It also doubles as a straightener and curling iron, offering great value for its under-$200 price tag. Testers loved its lightweight and ergonomic design, as well as the carefully placed buttons that avoided accidental setting changes. Each attachment helped testers with different hair types achieve smooth, frizz-free styles in record time.

However, testers with long hair wished the attachment barrels were longer. Despite this, each section dried quickly and evenly, making the styling process more efficient.

Another Favorite from Conair

The Drying Wand from Conair is a budget-friendly alternative to pricey models like the Dyson Airwrap. Its slim body is easy to pack and its styling attachments are useful. Testers with straight and wavy hair saw more success with this tool, but those with curls also noticed a significant reduction in drying and styling time.

While it's not ionic and doesn't leave all hair as smooth as some other dryers, it's still a great option for those on a budget.

Dyson Supersonic Nural

Dyson's Supersonic hair dryer has always been a top performer, and the Nural is even better. With its smart heat technology, it senses the correct settings and dries hair quickly and gently. The negative ion technology and multiple styling attachments leave hair smoother, softer, and silkier.

Of course, its price is a deterrent for some, but as one tester said, "you get what you pay for."

What to Consider When Buying a Hair Dryer

When shopping for a hair dryer, the most important factor to consider is your hair type. Straight or wavy hair may require different functions than curly or coily hair. It's also crucial to choose a dryer that protects your hair from heat damage. Even a few spritzes of a good hair detangler before blow-drying can make a difference.

Speed and heat settings are another important consideration. If customizable settings are important to you, look for a dryer with several heat and speed settings or special modes. Cool shot buttons and other features are also a plus.

Attachments can greatly enhance the functionality of a hair dryer. From concentrators to diffusors, there are many options to choose from. Finding the right attachments for your hair will make a big difference in your styling results.

Finally, wattage is an important factor to consider. A higher wattage dryer will dry your hair faster, but it can also be more damaging. Look for a dryer with a wattage between 1500 and 2000 watts for the best results.

Behind the Scenes

We take our hair dryers very seriously at PEOPLE. We test new hair dryers in our labs and at home, with professional hairstylists using them on us before we take them home for long-term testing. We also have testers with different hair types using the dryers for four weeks to get a comprehensive understanding of their performance.

After analyzing all the data, we determine which hair dryers are worth the investment and make our recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The wattage level on a hair dryer indicates how hot it can get and how quickly it can dry your hair. A wattage between 1800 and 1850 watts is generally the sweet spot for the fastest and safest results. However, some products use 1875 watts without causing heat damage.

Hair dryers can come with various attachments, such as concentrators and diffusors. Concentrators focus the air on a targeted area, while diffusors are used to dry and define curls. Choosing the right attachments for your hair can greatly enhance your styling results.

Finally, applying a little hair oil to damp hair before styling with your dryer can nourish, smooth, and add shine to your hair.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Alyssa Brascia, a shopping writer at PEOPLE with expertise in beauty, has covered our hair dryer tests for the past two years. She analyzes insights from a team of testers who have tried 46 hair dryers in total, ensuring that our recommendations are based on the latest findings.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the best products for your life. Our unique methodology involves testing products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and more. We regularly re-review the categories we've awarded the seal of approval to ensure that the best products are always recommended.

Companies can never buy our recommendation; their products must earn it through rigorous testing.