Professional Hair Dryer
A practical hair dryer (2400W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
The Best Hair Dryers in the UK (2026)
A good hair dryer dries faster, frizzes less and is kinder to your hair than an old basic model. The choice comes down to power and motor, the heat and speed settings, hair-care tech (ionic, ceramic), the attachments, and weight. This guide explains what matters, then lists our top picks.
Quick answer
For most people, a 1,800-2,200W dryer with ionic technology, a couple of heat/speed settings, a cool shot and a concentrator covers everything. Remington and BaByliss dominate the value end; Dyson, ghd and Shark lead the premium end with faster, lighter, quieter drying.
What to look for
- Power (wattage) - around 1,800-2,200W dries most hair quickly.
- Motor - AC motors are more powerful and durable than DC.
- Ionic / ceramic tech - faster drying, less frizz and gentler heat.
- Heat and speed settings - more control suits different hair types.
- Cool shot - sets your style and adds shine.
- Attachments - a concentrator for smoothing, a diffuser for curls.
- Weight - lighter is more comfortable for long dries.
How we pick
We rank on real-world usefulness: power, motor, hair-care tech, settings, attachments and weight. We don't show scraped prices or star ratings; our editorial score reflects how well each dries and styles. Premium models cost far more but dry faster and lighter - we say where that's worth it. Check the live Amazon price, as hair dryers go on deal often.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
TRESemme Fast Dry
A practical hair dryer (2000W) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#3 
BaByliss Rose Gold
A practical hair dryer (2100W, ionic/ceramic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#4 
Remington Ionic D3199
A practical hair dryer (2200W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#5 
TRESemme Smooth & Shine
A practical hair dryer (2200W) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#6 
Remington D3010 Power Dry
A practical hair dryer (2000W) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#7 
Remington PROluxe AC9140
A practical hair dryer (2400W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#8 
BaByliss Travel Folding
A practical hair dryer (2000W) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#9 
Remington Shine Therapy D5216
A practical hair dryer (2300W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
#10 
BaByliss Power Smooth
A practical hair dryer (2400W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home.
Frequently asked questions
What wattage hair dryer is best?
Around 1,800-2,200W suits most home use, drying hair quickly without being unwieldy; thick or long hair benefits from 2,000W+. More watts isn't automatically better - motor quality and airflow matter too.
Is a Dyson or ghd worth it over a cheap dryer?
Premium dryers dry faster, run quieter, weigh less and manage heat better to reduce damage - worth it if you dry daily. For occasional use, a good mid-range Remington or BaByliss does the basics very well.
What does ionic mean on a hair dryer?
Ionic dryers emit negative ions that help break up water droplets, so hair dries faster with less frizz and static. Many also pair it with ceramic or tourmaline for gentler, more even heat.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Professional Hair Dryer (our score 9.6/10) - A practical hair dryer (2400W, ionic) for quicker, kinder drying at home..