There are three major types of hair dryers: ionic, ceramic and tourmaline. Ionic dryers use negative ions to shrink water droplets in the hair. Makers claim this dries wet hair faster with less heat damage. Ceramic dryers contain ceramic coils. Unlike metal, this material is said to self-regulating to prevent overheating. Lastly, tourmaline, a gemstone typically added to the heater of hair dryers, is thought to generate a higher number of negative ions than regular ionic dryers. There's pretty iffy science behind all of these technologies, but in tests, the top-rated dryers are one of these three types.

Travel hair dryers can also be smart buys for travelers, because hotels do not always have dryers. Important product features for hair dryers include airflow, heat, noise level. Overall, experts say the best blow dryers have:

  • Power of 1,200 to 1,500 watts for fine/damaged hair, and 1,875 watts for thick, wavy hair
  • Two or three heat settings
  • Automatic shutoff if the dryer overheats, which prolongs the life of the hair dryer
  • A cool setting or a cool-shot button to set your hairstyle
  • A removable air intake grille/lint filter to prolong the life of the motor and protect it from overheating
  • A nozzle to concentrate airflow and direct it for hairstyling purposes
Sponsored Links

Back to top