Hair dryers are a bit like phones. The bells and whistles can cost you, but what matters the most is their core function. The main question it needs to answer is: can it dry hair?
Some hair dryers can dry hair in one snap of your fingers, while others take a longer route. There are also other issues to consider like does it address hair damage or unruliness? Here, we look at some of the dryers available in the market and what they have to offer for those who want to increase hair smoothness.
- Panasonic Nanoe EH-NA65-K
- Remington T Studio Thermaluxe
- Bio Ionic Goldpro Dryer
- Drybar Buttercup
- InStyler BLU Turbo
Blow dryers 101
Blow dryers, like many beauty products, like to promise things. Some promise to end frizzy hair. Some promise shine. It can be difficult to wade through the technicalities to see which ones can actually walk the walk. What makes a good blow dryer in the first place?
Blow Dryer Types
What Makes a Good Curling Iron for Thick Hair?
Curling irons for thick hair must have a high-temperature setting (heat up to at least 400F) to hold thick hair into curls all-day if not for a few days!
The best curling irons for thick hair use an advanced ionic or infrared technology to reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized.
What size barrel is best for thick hair?
For thick hair, a curling iron with a barrel sized 1.5 inches is the most suitable option for everyday use.
Depending on your desired hairstyle, you can section your hair into smaller or thicker sections to create both tight and loose curls.
How do you make curls last all day with thick hair?
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too!
Ionic Blow Dryers
Ionic blow dryers are named for the ion generators integrated into its material. These produce negative ions instead of relying solely on heat to dry the hair. The negative ions seal in the moisture as well. With healthy, hydrated hair it is easier to achieve a smoother look.
In comparison, non-ionic blow dryers essentially raise the temperature to remove the water. As a result, the cuticles of the hair strands are pushed back. The result is a loss of moisture and a dry, frizzy look.
Tourmaline Blow Dryers
Spinning off from ionic blow dryers are tourmaline blow dryers. Tourmaline is a substance that can conduct negative ions to a greater degree than the materials used in an ionic hair dryer. As a result, it amps up the usual benefits of an ionic dryer, which are faster drying times and smoother hair.
Tourmaline blow dryers tend to rest on the higher scale of price points. But for those with thick or coarse hair, it could be a worthwhile investment.
Titanium Blow Dryers
As can be gleaned from its name, the distinguishing feature of titanium blow dryers is the use of titanium. It also makes use of negative ions to dry the hair with a smooth finish. Also, titanium tends to heat up quickly. It also retains the heat better. The practical effect of this is that titanium dryers are easier to sterilize, making them a popular choice for professionals.
Ceramic Blow Dryers
Ceramic has the ability to evenly disperse heat than other materials like metal or plastic. As a result, there is no need to turn up the temperature to dry the hair. The gentle heat means that it can be used frequently, without risking frying the hair. The disadvantage of ceramic blow dryers is that the material can be quite heavy.
Blow Dryer Features
Once you have an idea of what the blow-drying options are, there are some tangible ways to determine which one is the right purchase for you.
Higher wattage means a more powerful hairdryer
The technical specification that matters the most in hair dryers is the wattage. Wattage determines how much power the hair dryer can produce. If it can blow at a stronger rate, the dryer will not have to rely on heat to dry the hair.
Heat is not always a positive when it comes to drying hair. It can damage the hair, especially if the hair has a thin texture if it is too high and can result in frayed, damaged strands.
The industry standard for wattage is about 1350 watts.
Look for a cool shot feature.
A cool shot is a feature on some blow dryers that turns off the heating element of the blow dryer. As a result, the air that comes out is colder.
This capability is advantageous because it seals in the cuticles of the hair. Sealed cuticles are smoother and can reflect light better, leading to a shiner finish. Also, the cool shot can set your hair after styling it to make sure curls last longer.
Your hair type determines the best kind of hair dryer to use
There is no such thing as a hair drying product that is universally considered as the best. This is because different hair types have different requirements.
For example, coarse strands of hair can withstand heat better. In fact, more powerful dryers are needed to even dry the hair properly. On the other hand, fine hair can easily get damaged if the blow dryer does not work on the strands gently. The price to pay for excess heat is frizzy hair. Other factors to consider are hair damage or treatments like perming or permanent blow-outs.
The Best Hair Dryers For Frizzy Hair
Although blow dryers work differently from people, there are still blow-drying models that live up to their promises, earning them the title of “best”. Here are some of the top picks for blow dryers among the brands in the market.
Panasonic Nanoe EH-NA65-K
Our Pick
The Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer draws in moisture from the air to create and infuse nano-sized, moisture-rich particles directly into your hair.
Ratings on a scale of 0 to 5
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 5
Price: 4
Settings: 5
Power: 5
Panasonic is a brand that pops up across several products, from washing machines to air conditioners. When it comes to blow dryers, it can represent a practical choice. It is not a flashy or trendy item, but it can deliver its promises.
The Panasonic Nanoe Dryer makes use of nanoe-ionic technology to dry the hair quickly and efficiently. The premise behind its performance is that the dryer takes the moisture from the air and turns it into extremely small particles.
According to the manufacturer, the Panasonic Nanoe hairdryer has 1,000x more moisture than other ionic hair dryers. The moisture is then transferred into the strands of the hair to smooth and fight frizz as well as to shield the hair from heat damage.
The Panasonic Nanoe Dryer has two speeds: high and low. It also has three temperature settings to make it suitable for a variety of hair types.
Other features include a cool shot button and different nozzles, like the Quick-Dry Nozzle and the Concentrator Nozzle. The ability to control the air flow has a practical use for those who want to tame the strands of their hair. They can target problem areas and diffuse the heat the way they want to. As a result, it is easier to address problems of unruliness.
The issue with the Panasonic Nanoe Dryer is that it is heavier than other dryers available in the market. It weighs over 2 lbs. For the casual user, it can be a bit cumbersome. However, professionals can encounter significant difficulty if they have to use the product for prolonged periods.
Where To Buy: Amazon
Remington T Studio Thermaluxe
Budget Pick
Ratings on a scale of 0 to 5
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 3
Heat Output: 4
Price: 5
Settings: 4
Power: 4
The Remington T Studio Thermaluxe Dryer is a no-nonsense approach to hair drying. The main feature of this particular dryer is a powerful AC motor. According to its manufacturer, it can dry hair in half the time of most dryers. It also has a ceramic-coated grill so that there are 90% more ions released. This leads to an improved drying performance, no matter what the hair type is.
But, the ceramic coating and ionic capability is just the tip of the iceberg. The Remington also Tourmaline technology to smooth out the hair.
This dryer is a “big things come in small packages” hair tool. It is compact and is quite lightweight so it can be used easily. It also comes with a concentrator and diffuser attachment and a cool-shot button. There are three heat settings to this dryer plus two-speed settings. The motor is powered by an 1875-watt motor.
However, the Remington T Studio Thermaluxe Dryer does have issues when it comes to durability. It is a workhorse product, but it does have a shorter lifespan compared to other brands.
Where To Buy: Amazon
The Rest Of The Competition
What Makes a Good Curling Iron for Thick Hair?
Curling irons for thick hair must have a high-temperature setting (heat up to at least 400F) to hold thick hair into curls all-day if not for a few days!
The best curling irons for thick hair use an advanced ionic or infrared technology to reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized.
What size barrel is best for thick hair?
For thick hair, a curling iron with a barrel sized 1.5 inches is the most suitable option for everyday use.
Depending on your desired hairstyle, you can section your hair into smaller or thicker sections to create both tight and loose curls.
How do you make curls last all day with thick hair?
Use a mousse and heat protectant before you blow-dry in order to give the hair more hold. Prepping with a setting spray is also great for locking in your curls. Many of them offer heat protection, too!
Bio Ionic Goldpro
This lightweight professional dryer harnesses the power of Bio Ionic Moisturizing Heat to create beautiful, frizz-free styles while protecting the health of your hair.
Ratings on a scale of 0 to 5
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 4
Price: 4
Settings: 5
Power: 4
This blow drying gadget makes use of a 24K gold ceramic mineral complex to deliver drying power. The use of gold makes sure that the heat is efficiently delivered and is evenly distributed. Better delivery of heat means less use of it. In the long-run, it is less likely to damage the hair.
This dryer also makes use of a ceramic mineral complex to infuse the hair strands with even more moisture as it smooths down the cuticles for a silkier finish.
Where To Buy: Amazon
Drybar Buttercup
Ratings on a scale of 0 to 5
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 4
Heat Output: 4
Price: 3
Settings: 4
Power: 5
The Drybar Buttercup is the official blow drying product of Drybar, which is a chain of blow-drying services in the United States. Its design is for commercial use. Meaning, it is lightweight and easy to handle. It has a long cord to allow maneuverability. Its 1875W motor is also built for prolonged use.
This particular blowdryer makes use of Nano-ionic technology to eliminate frizz and lock in moisture. The nanobeads encourage the formation of negative ions to smooth the cuticles of hair strands.
Where To Buy: Amazon
InStyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer
Ratings on a scale of 0 to 5
Ease of Use: 5
Durability: 3
Heat Output: 4
Price: 4
Settings: 3
Power: 4
The InStyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer is a small but powerful drying device. According to its manufacturer, it can dry hair 100% faster than its competitors. Its main distinguishing feature is the turbo ionic switch, that allows the user to decide between turbo ion and low ion settings. The versatility provided by the settings means that the dryer can be used for different hair types.
The InSyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer also has an airflow dial that can customize the strength of the airflow, depending on what is needed for the moment.
When it comes to the heat settings of the InStyler BLU Turbo Ionic Dryer, it is a bit basic. It has two heat settings and one cool shot button. It does not have a wide range of settings, but it is sufficient for home use.
Where To Buy: Amazon
Final Thoughts
There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of dryer. The Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer gets top marks because it is able to deliver on its promises of fast drying with a smooth texture. Also, it is a versatile tool with enough settings that it can be used for different hair types.
A more affordable option for frizzy hair is the Remington T Studio. It is not loaded with features in the way the Panasonic is, but it does the job. In both instances, you can have an efficient hair-drying experience with a smoother head of hair to show off afterward.