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Buying guide · Updated November 2026

The Best Hair Dryers & Hot Tools

Hair dryers, multi-stylers and straighteners ranked on performance, build, ease of use, value and owner reports.

  1. Best overallghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener
  2. Runner-upDyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer
  3. #3Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
  4. #4Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer

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1Best overallghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener

ghd

Platinum+ Hair Straightener

8.3Great

ghd's smart 1-inch flat iron holds a fixed 365°F with predictive sensors for sleek one-pass styling; superb results, no temperature control.

  • Shine
  • Frizz control
  • Color protection
  • Heat protection
  • Predictive sensors hold 365°F and adjust to hair thickness and speed
  • Heats up in 20 seconds; universal voltage for travel
  • Wishbone hinge and rounded body for curls and waves as well as sleek styles
  • No adjustable temperature setting
  • $319 list price

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2Runner-upDyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer

Dyson

Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer

8.2Great

Dyson's Bluetooth-connected Airwrap automates the wrap, curl and cool-shot timing; the most effortless air curler, at a steep price.

  • Volume
  • Shine
  • Frizz control
  • Curl definition
  • i.d. curl automates wrap, style and cool-shot timing for repeatable curls
  • Styles with Coanda airflow while keeping temperatures under 302°F
  • Doubles as a capable hair dryer with fast-dryer and smoothing attachments
  • $649.99 list price; reviewers call it a big investment
  • Curls drop faster than those made with a hot curling iron

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3Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

Shark

FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

8.1Great

A twist-to-convert dryer and Coanda multi-styler that does most of what an Airwrap does for about half the price; curls fade sooner.

  • Volume
  • Shine
  • Frizz control
  • Curl definition
  • Converts from a 1,600 W hair dryer into a styling wand with one twist
  • Coanda auto-wrap curlers for left and right curls
  • Paddle brush gives a sleek blowout in reviewer tests
  • Curls drop faster than tong curls, as with other Coanda stylers
  • Must swap barrels to change curl direction

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4Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer

Laifen

Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer

8.0Great

A light, quiet 110,000 rpm high-speed dryer with three magnetic nozzles, widely tested as a far cheaper Dyson Supersonic alternative.

  • Frizz control
  • Shine
  • Curl definition
  • Brushless 110,000 rpm motor with about 22 m/s airflow
  • Light at 14.35 oz without the cord
  • Three magnetic nozzles, including a diffuser exclusive to the Special bundle
  • No separate cool-shot button; cold is part of the heat cycle
  • 120 V only, so it is not suitable for international travel

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5Best valueRevlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush

Revlon

One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush

8.0Great

The updated cult drugstore dryer brush: a smaller 2.4-inch oval head, four heat settings and a detachable handle for big, quick blowouts.

  • Volume
  • Shine
  • Frizz control
  • Dries and volumizes in one step with an oval round-brush head
  • Smaller 2.4-in head reaches closer to the root and creates flips and waves
  • Four heat settings, including a new medium setting and cool
  • Only one brush shape, so it cannot curl or smooth like multi-stylers
  • Revlon's product page lists no wattage or temperature figures

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At a glance

How they compare.

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