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Hair Dryers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 27 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Jan. 2009
Best Hair Dryers
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Editors of ConsumerReports.org test 10 hair dryers for ease of use, noise, features and overall drying time. All models dried hair in about the same time regardless of price and wattage. The editors say claimed differences made by ceramic and tourmaline technologies are hard to assess. Still, most of the recommended models have one or more of those features.
2. Choice magazine
June 1, 2009
Hair Dryers Review and Compare
by Editors of Choice magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Australia's Choice magazine tests 14 hair dryers (two of which are now discontinued), both with and without ionic technology, and find that there isn't much difference between the two types. Editors say… there isn't anything conclusive to say that ionic and ceramic hair dryers dry hair faster, as claimed, and testers actually report good results more often with non-ionic dryers. Only one of the hair dryers tested is available in the United States, but it isn't highly rated in this review.

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3. Which? magazine
Not Dated
Hairdryer Reviews
by Editors of Which? magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Editors for the British magazine Which? test 13 hair dryers for overall performance, drying speed, noise, convenience and durability. Although none of the models tested are available in the United States, this article is useful for its testing of manufacturer claims regarding ionic technology. It also includes a helpful buying guide for different hair types.
4. Women's Health magazine
Oct. 2007
Top Guns: We Tell You which Hair Dryers Pack Real Fire Power
by Editors of Women's Health magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Editors of Women's Health magazine say they used a "panel of stylists" to judge hair dryers. Five picks are presented, but we're not sure how extensively each was tested. The Elchim II Futuro takes the top… spot for its drying speed and frizz-fighting abilities. The Conair Infiniti Nano Silver Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Styler is chosen as best budget dryer, and the T3 Micro Bespoke Labs Overnight dryer is chosen as the best travel hair dryer. The CHI Nano Dual Air Flow Ceramic is selected as the dryer best for fine hair, as its ceramic heating coils generate moist heat. It isn't clear how many dryers were tested and the testing methods are not explained, but the top picks are aptly described in terms of performance, features and anecdotal comments from testers.

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5. Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
Ionic Hair Dryers
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Testers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute say that ionic hair dryers add more shine to hair and reduce more static compared to standard dryers, but they only shave a minute or so off of drying time. The Conair Ion Shine created the most shine of those tested, while the Panasonic Pantene Pro V (now discontinued) did the best job of eliminating flyaways.
6. Good Housekeeping
July 2008
Travel Dryers
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

In this video report, editors say they tested an unspecified number of travel dryers to see if they worked as well as full-size dryers. Each hair dryer was evaluated for dry time, durability, weight, size… and electrical safety. Both the Andis Ionic Ceramic Folding Hair Dryer and the Remington All That! Compact Dryer outperforms other dryers in the test. Editors don't disclose which dryers didn't make the cut.

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7. Good Housekeeping
Oct. 7, 2007
Tourmaline Hair Dryers
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Good Housekeeping compares four tourmaline hair dryers. The testing focuses on seeing how a tourmaline hair dryer in the under-$35 category stacks up against tourmaline models costing $200 to Tourmaline Ionic 1875 Watt Hair Dryer, which earns the highest scores in lab tests.
8. Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Feb. 21, 2007
To Dry For
by Erin White
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This informative article spells out the differences between -- and the science behind -- ceramic and tourmaline hair dryers. In addition, it offers explanations of far-infrared heat, as well as the use of… diamonds and other gemstones in some expensive hair dryers. The article also lists the pros and cons of six dryers. The Jewel Tools Tourmaline Ionic Dryer (now discontinued) is found to dry quickly, but has a tendency to "eat" long hair, reporter Erin White says. The CHI Nano Ceramic Hair Dryer Blue Edition is touted as "the Cadillac of hair dryers," while the Andis Ceramic Silver Chrome Ionic Professional 1875 is sleek and works well, but emits an annoying high-pitched whine. The Nano Silver Ceramic Ionic Dryer and the Conair Infiniti Hair Designer have good straightening power. We would have ranked this article higher if it had explained how the hair dryers were tested.

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9. The Early Show
Jan. 30, 2006
Buying the Right Hair Dryer
by Editors of The Early Show
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This report from the CBS morning program "The Early Show" offers eight reviews of hair dryers based on advice offered by celebrity hair stylist David Evangelista. No testing criteria are given, but the… favorites include two ionic hair dryers: the Vidal Sassoon Ionic Sensor Touch 1875 Watt Hair Dryer (now discontinued) and the Solano Top Power Ion 1875 Watt Hair Dryer. Three ceramic dryers -- the CHI Turbo Professional Dryer, the Twin Turbo Ceramic Ionic 3200 and the Conair Ceramic Smooth Ionic (now discontinued) -- offer even heat distribution at lower temperatures and are a good bet for straightening. Three tourmaline dryers -- the Conair Infiniti Tourmaline Ionic Styler, the BaByliss Pro Tourmaline 5000 and the T3 Tourmaline Featherweight Hair Dryer -- are the top choices for those who "put their dryers through the ringer."

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10. InStyle
Sept. 2009
Battle of the Blow-Dryers
by Editors of InStyle magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Editors of InStyle magazine test hair dryers for drying time, performance and noise levels. The four best models are listed with a brief description of each along with comments from beauty professionals. It isn't clear how many models were tested, nor are non-winning dryers mentioned. Hair dryers from FHI, T3 Tourmaline, Turbo Power and Sedu all make the list of winners.
11. Good Housekeeping
April 2006
Fastest Blow Dry
by Kimberly A. Daly
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This very brief article describes the results of testing the T3 Tourmaline Evolution and its still-available predecessor, the T3 Tourmaline Featherweight. When compared to standard hair dryers, both models slashed drying time by half. Most testers, however, preferred the Featherweight for being quiet and easy to hold.
12. Redbook
Dec. 2007
The Best Beauty Booty of 2007 -- MVP Beauty Awards
by Krista Bennett, Cheryl Kramer Kaye, Crystal Martin
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Redbook lists the 45 best beauty products of the year, but the criteria for inclusion is not disclosed. The Conair Cord-Keeper Infiniti Blow Dryer is recommended for its retractable cord along with its ceramic technology. Products listed are not rated or compared to any others, nor is it clear what testing methods, if any, were used.
13. Folica.com
As of Oct. 2009
Hair Dryers
by Contributors to Folica.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Consumers and stylists offer opinions of their purchases on this beauty-supply site. Some of the dryers listed are only reviewed a few times, while others have more than 100 reviews. The BaByliss Pro TT… Tourmaline 3000 is reviewed most often -- more than 200 times. Other top-rated dryers include the T3 Tourmaline Featherweight, Solia 1875W Thermal Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer, Sedu Ultrapower Professional Hair Dryer, and the Sedu Ultrasilent Dryer. The Solia Revolution Pro TGR 4000i and BaByliss Pro Ceramix Xtreme are also rising through the ranks.

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14. StyleList.com
Not Dated
The Best Hair Dryers
by Melissa Goldberg
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This slideshow covers 10 hair dryers in every price range. Each dryer is described in terms of who it is ideal for, as well as the features that set it apart. It is not clear if any of the dryers were actually tested. Dryers from several brands, including T3, Conair, CHI and BaByliss, among others, make the list.
15. Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2009
Hair Dryers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Hundreds of consumer reviews are posted to Amazon.com. Most hair dryers only receive a few reviews, but some receive dozens. Of those dryers with many reviews, the Conair Infiniti Professional Tourmaline… Ceramic Ionic Styler, Revlon RV544 1875-Watt Tourmaline Ionic Lightweight Dryer, Andis 80020 and CHI Pro receive the highest ratings. The quality of the user-written reviews, however, varies greatly. In general, ion and tourmaline hair dryers get good comments.

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16. TotalBeauty.com
As of Nov. 2009
Blow Dryers
by Contributors to TotalBeauty.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Like Amazon.com, TotalBeauty.com also allows consumers to post reviews for beauty products. There aren't as many reviews posted here as at Amazon.com, but a few of the hair dryers are rated by TotalBeauty.com editors as well. High ratings are given to T3 and Conair hair dryers.
17. MakeupAlley.com
As of Nov. 2009
Hair Styling Tools
by Contributors to MakeupAlley.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment There aren't nearly as many hair dryer reviews at MakeupAlley.com as there are at Amazon.com, and the pages are harder to navigate, but the reviews are useful and are complimentary to other user review sources. Top-rated dryers include the T3 Tourmaline Featherweight, Revlon RV544, T3 Tourmaline Evolution and Super Solano.
18. Drugstore.com
As of Oct. 2009
Hair Dryers
by Contributors to Drugstore.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment There are several hair dryers listed for sale at Drugstore.com, but most only receive a handful of reviews. Among those with the most reviews, the CHI Rocket, Conair Infiniti 208 Hair Designer, Revlon RV544, and the Conair Ion Shine SD61S get the highest ratings.
19. About.com
As of Oct. 2009
Top 6 Blow Dryers
by Julyne Derrick
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Julyne Derrick, About.com's beauty guide, lists blow dryers in six categories. It's not clear whether any of the models were tested for this article, but Derrick does note that she personally uses a Conair Infiniti hair dryer. She also says you can't go wrong with a Conair or T3 Tourmaline dryer. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
20. About.com
Not Dated
The Best Blow Dryers for the Buck
by Kendra Aarhus
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Kendra Aarhus, About.com's guide to women's hairstyles, lists five of the best hairdryers on the market, each with a brief description of its features. It isn't clear if or how she tested the dryers, but Aarhus says that CHI hairdryers are her personal choice in the salon. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
21. Cosmopolitan
June 10, 2009
How One Editor Got Her Stick-Straight Hair too Look Naturally Wavy
by Bethany Heitman
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In this beauty blog post, an editor for Cosmopolitan magazine tests the new Remington Emi Airwave Anti-Static Style System on her "stick-straight" hair. She says that Remington takes longer to dry hair than her regular dryer, but the results look natural.
22. BellaSugar.com
Jan. 29, 2009
Remington's Airwave Dryer Creates Beachy Waves
by "Bellasugar"
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This blog post discusses the Remington Airwave hairdryer, which comes with an attachment that creates "beachy" waves while drying hair. Blogger "Bellasugar" gives it a thumbs-up, saying it is easy to use and reduces static.
23. Shape magazine
April 2008
Hot New Hair Tools
by Editors of Shape magazine
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This brief article does not rate or compare products, but does recommend various hair-styling tools for different hair types. The Remington Shine Therapy Hair Dryer is suggested for boosting sheen, and the Bed Head Diffuser with Pulsating 1875 Watt Ionic Dryer is said to enhance curls.
24. BeautySnob.com
Sept. 25, 2007
T3 Bespoke Labs Evolution Dryer
by "Beauty Snob Kelly"
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The anonymous author of this blog gives a glowing review of the T3 Tourmaline Evolution Hair Dryer. She says she was skeptical in the beginning, but now believes that the T3 is worth every cent of its hefty $300 price tag. According to the author and her family members, who also tested the dryer, the T3 cuts drying time in half and leaves hair shiny and smooth.
25. MadSci Network
Jan. 17, 2006
What is the Purpose and How Does Ionic Technology Work in Hair Styling Tools?
by David Akerman
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Scientists answer all types of questions posted by contributors to the MadSci Network. In this particular post, David Akerman, a research and development scientist, answers a question about the purpose of… ionic technology in hair styling tools. Akerman says that there is no research to back up claims that ionic hair dryers are superior to standard hair dryers. He says styling products are the likely cause of good results, rather than a particular hair dryer.

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26. Real Simple
May 2008
The Hair Tool How-to Manual
by Megan O'Neill
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This informative article explains common features of blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons, and shares tips for how to best use them. A specific styling tool is recommended in each of the three categories but no information is given as to why the tool was chosen, nor are the products compared to any others.
27. GreenLivingTips.com
July 17, 2008
Energy Efficient Hair Dryer
by Michael Bloch
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Much of this article consists of a letter by an online retailer detailing the benefits of the BarBar ECO-8000 hair dryer. The retailer claims hair dryers with metal coils emit 200 to 400 mG of EMF… radiation, which is more than a microwave oven emits. Ceramic hair dryers only emit about 1.9 mG, making them safer. The BarBar ECO-8000 is also said to use less energy and dry hair in half the time of standard dryers. Given that this retailer is hawking a product that his website sells, we discount the validity of this source.

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