These 6 Under-$100 Hair Dryers Rival Salon-Quality Blowouts (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Features: 6 heat and speed settings, cool shot, integrated ion generator | Type of Technology: Ionic

Why we chose it: Delivering beautiful blowouts since 1959, BaByliss is known for its wide array of top-rated hair tools, and the Nano Titanium hair dryer is no exception. This classic, no-frills hair dryer doesn’t compromise quality for technology if you can believe it. The 2,000-watt motor makes it one of the heavier-duty picks on this list, and in conjunction with an even airflow and ionic technology, it’s no wonder we saw salon-worthy results. It blew out thick hair and defined Associate Editorial Director Ally Hirschlag’s curls with the same level of ease. Rojas applauds this dryer for its lightweight design, which makes it easy on the wrist for continuous styling. A perfect choice for beginners or seasoned pros, this dryer won’t disappoint with its even airflow, frizz-fighting capabilities, and incredible results for every hair type.We only wish it had more attachments for various styling options.

Alyssa Kaplan, associate commerce editor: “It might not have many fancy features or a futuristic design, but it's powerful, easy to control, and dries hair quickly, leaving it smooth and shiny."

Features: 3 heat and speed settings, charcoal-infused bristles, 24K gold surface, detachable design | Type of Technology: Ionic

Why we chose it: Gone are the days of wasting time maneuvering a round brush and blow-dryer at the perfect angle. With a hot air brush, you can achieve a bouncy blowout with half the effort. While, technically, it’s not a hair dryer, it can be used to style your hair just the same.When our tester, Kayla, tried it, she noted that she enjoyed the lower heat and power settings, which made it perfect for styling because they circumvent damage. Pro tip: To really mitigate damage, Rojas says to use this only as a styling tool when your hair is 90% dry for the best results. Plus, the results were noteworthy, especially in the frizz department. It is worth mentioning, however, that this brush does not provide much volume at the roots. To achieve some lift, we recommend using a mousse at the roots prior to styling.

Kayla, tester: "My wavy hair tends to be frizzy after washing, but this tool eliminated any sign of frizz and left me with a sleek, smooth finish."

Features:Cool tip, bristle brush, 3 heat and speed settings|Type of Technology:Non-ionic

Why we chose it: Fine-haired folk may have to fight for volume in their roots and hair, but this Revlon hot air brush eliminates the challenge. The rounded design makes it easy to achieve a lifted root and a slight curl on the ends, adding movement and body to your blowout. It features a boar-bristle brush to smooth and detangle the hair while simultaneously adding shine to each section. The result: A blowout that’s voluminous and glossy. We do warn, however, that this dryer runs very hot. Like the Hot Tools hot air brush, this tool should not be used on sopping wet hair, or you can cause some serious breakage.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate commerce editor: “It achieved flippiness on my ends, which I love, and volume at the roots. It was also easy to control."

Features: 7 heat and speed settings, cool shot | Type of Technology: Ceramic and tourmaline

Why we chose it: While it usually takes longer to dry thick hair, the Rusk Speed Freak is a miracle worker that can significantly shorten dry time. A 2000-watt hair dryer, it’s equipped to handle thick hair because of its high-powered motor. Rojas names this dryer as one of her favorites. "It's especially great for smoothing out thick or curly hair because it uses infrared heat waves to penetrate the hair more deeply," she says. Designed with ceramic and tourmaline technology, this hair dryer mitigates frizz while ensuring shine in each strand. We love that it's lightweight, easy to hold, and significantly sped up dry time. It is worth noting, however, that this dryer can get very hot, so it is crucial to test the heat settings to curb any damage.

Lauren Pardee, senior commerce editor: "I have long, thick hair, so finding a hair dryer that dries my hair quickly with minimal damage while also not tiring my arm out isn’t always easy—but the Rusk Speed Freak really delivered."

Features: 2 heat settings, cold shot, flexible bristles | Type of technology: Ionic

Why we chose it: This hair dryer is as easy to use as brushing your hair. No, seriously—you can actually brush and dry your hair simultaneously with this heated paddle brush. In an innovative system, the air is released from holes next to the bristles, so it dries the hair as you brush it. Because this brush creates some tension, it can effortlessly straighten curly or coily hair. We also really enjoyed how lightweight it was and felt comfortable using it for the whole time we dried our hair. Our only caution is that the handle got very hot where it met the brush, so you must be careful and hold it closer to the bottom. Oh, and it clocks in at only $45, so it’s certainly a steal.

Shannon Stubbs, commerce writer: "Since it can stretch and detangle my hair as it’s drying, I find it much more convenient to use than a blow-dryer with a comb attachment—which usually falls off or becomes disconnected as I do my hair.”

Features: 2 heat settings, air flow dial, turbo ionic switch, cool shot | Technology: Tourmaline ionic technology

Why we chose it: If a speedy blowout is on your must-have list when looking for a new hair dryer, consider this ionic one from Flower Beauty. Ionic hair dryers work to speed up drying time by repelling water and preventing it from soaking into the hair shaft, which also smooths the hair and reduces frizz. This hair dryer is teeming with technology that rivals high-end hair dryers; it has an airflow dial to control how much air is released and a switch to activate the ionic feature. Also nice: It’s lightweight, making it perfect for round brush styling. The only con to this dryer is it only has two heat settings, so it’s limited in this area compared to other hair dryers.

Kayla, tester: "I loved the ratio of tech to the affordable price. You can use the regular setting to get the moisture out of your hair and create lift and the ionic setting to style and smooth each section in order to maximize the amount of volume in your blowout."

FAQ

• How many watts is a good hair dryer?

  Many hairstylists recommend opting for one with a wattage of 1500 to 1800, as it may keep your styling time to a minimum without adding unnecessary heat damage or breakage. More is okay, too—Rojas approves of a 2000-watt hair dryer for thick hair because it can speed up the drying time, but they may be too powerful for those with fine hair.

• What tools and products should I use with my hair dryer?

  An affordable hair dryer works the same as any traditional dryer and can be used in tandem with styling tools, brushes, or products that you typically use. However, we recommend using a good heat protectant before blow-drying or styling.