Best Hair Dryer: Rigorous Testing in Real Apartments (2025)

The L’Oréal Professionnel AirLight Pro is the fastest hair dryer I’ve tested that doesn’t rely on scorching heat to get the best results. Instead, it uses near-infrared light, powerful airflow, and controlled heat to dry the hair while retaining its moisture. L’Oréal claims this keeps hair 33 percent more hydrated and 59 percent smoother than traditional dryers. I have type 2A hair and I get a frizz-free blowout in about 10 minutes.

It’s only $45 more than the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer ($430) and cheaper than the Nural ($500)—but it’s also quieter, faster, and more customizable, with settings that work for all hair types. The 11.5-foot cord outstretches any Dyson, Shark Speedstyle, and GHD Helios Professional.

The AirLight Pro is also built to last. L’Oréal Professionnel rates it for a 10-year lifespan of professional use, assuming two hours of daily use, five days a week. It’s repairable and features a filter-cleaning alert and auto-shutoff function, so you’ll know when it needs to be cleaned. Bonus: It consumes 31 percent less energy than a standard dryer, which is great for the planet and your electricity bill.

The Pattern Blow Dryer comes from a company owned by Tracee Ellis Ross, and the entire focus is all about curls, curls, curls. There are a few curl-specific features that make this dryer so darn great. Even at its highest setting, it doesn’t get quite as hot as other dryers, which helps prevent damage (something all curly-haired people should strive for). The four included attachments—a diffuser, a wide-tooth comb, a brush, and a concentrator nozzle—can be locked in place either vertically or horizontally, which makes it easy to target different areas of your hair for specific styling needs. As one example, I like to use the concentrator nozzle to target my roots without messing with my curls at my mid-lengths and ends.

The buttons are foolproof—choose from three heat levels, two airflow levels, ions on or off, and a cold shot button. And finally, I love the diffuser, as mentioned in our guide to the Best Diffusers for Curly Hair. All in all, this dryer is easy to use and gentle on your mane, and it’s easy enough to hold that your biceps won’t give out if you’re spending a long time getting your hairstyle just right. —Louryn Strampe