When it comes to buying the best hair dryers for your hair type, it can be tough to hit the nail on the head for those blessed with curly hair. The wrong attachment can flatten your curls, and if you're not careful enough, it might just end up as a frizzy nest. To avoid it all going wrong, you'll want to invest in a hair dryer that's actually made with curly hair in mind.
UK searches for 'how to look after curly hair' jumped up to +200% on Google Trends, so it's no surprise major brands like Dyson and ghd are putting in the work to expand their hair products into curly-friendly options, with Dyson hairdryer dupes coming out the woodwork too. With a much bigger range of options for every budget available, we've put the best hairdryers for curly hair to the test, with options that actually work and choices that range from luxury budgets to affordable prices.
The Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair At A Glance
Best overall hair dryer for curly hair: Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer, £329.99 on Boots
Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair: ghd Air Kit , £124 on LookFantastic
Editor's choice: Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler HD110UK, £165 on Amazon
Some features you'll want to look out for are low-speed and low-temperature settings - to avoid heat damage and to keep your curls under control. Remember that you want to dry your curls slowly and ease them into drying rather than blasting them with hot air, as this will flatten out your 'do. Ready to add the best hair dryer for curly hair to your collection? Fret no more over those curly locks because we've sifted through all the best choices on the high street for you to get your hands on.
SHOP: The Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair
Best overall hair dryer for curly hair
www.boots.com
We think arguably one of the best hairdryers on the market, no matter your hair type, the Dyson Supersonic also comes out on top for those with curly hair. With its powerful Dyson motor and multiple attachments, you can diffuse your hair out and tame flyaways in record time.
Pros
- A well-trusted and popular choice
- Three attachments to tailor to your hair type
- Reviews love the multiple heat and power settings
Cons
- Not every attachment is necessary
| Motor: | Dyson digital motor V9 |
| What's included: | Diffuser, gentle air attachment, concentrator, flyaway attachment, wide-tooth comb |
| Cable length: | 3.3m |
Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair
www.lookfantastic.com
Take it from us, ghd always gets it right. With the ghd Air kit, your curly hair will be in safe hands so you can keep it as fresh and bouncy as you need. Including a diffuser attachment and a size three ceramic brush (that won't brush out into a frizz), this is a top kit for those with wavy and curly hair.
Pros
- Kit including brush, clips and hairdryer for all your needs
- Powerful 2100W motor for quick drying
- Hairdressers review it as their top pick
Cons
- Buttons on the back make it slightly harder to control
| Motor: | 2100W |
| What's included: | Hairdryer, ceramic brush, clips, air diffuser attachment |
| Cable length: | 3m |
Editor's choice
Made in a similar fashion as the Dyson supersonic, the newest Shark STYLE iQ is one for those who want the same effect in a slightly more affordable option. With a concentrator and diffuser to switch in and out of, you can style your hair how you wish.
Pros
- Multiple heads for styling choices
- High-velocity heated ionised air for healthy drying
- Ionic drying means less heat damage
Cons
- Reviews state it's not as powerful as higher-priced options
| What's included: | Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer, 2-in-1 Concentrator, Diffuser, Style Guide |
| Motor: | 1600W |
| Cable length: | 2.5m |
Best basic hair dryer for curly hair
www.boots.com
It seems, at some point or another, we've all been the owner of a BaByliss hairdryer. The truth is, BaByliss is a classic for hair tools - and they get the job done. This choice of curly hair dryer has a diffuser attachment and easy buttons at an affordable price, making it a tempting option.
Pros
- We love that it's an affordable choice
- There's a diffuser attachment for easy styling
- Ionic system for smoothing and less damage
Cons
- Some reviews mention its a bit bulky to hold
| Motor: | 2200W |
| Cable length: | 2.7m |
| What's included: | BaByliss Salon Pro Hairdryer, Slim Concentrator Nozzle and Diffuser |
Best diffuser hair dryer for curly hair
www.boots.com
If you already know that a diffuser is what you need to look after your curls, the Bellissima Diffon Supreme is kitted out with everything you will need. In a single tool, this hair dryer is designed with curls in mind, boosting the shape and elasticity of your locks with ionised technology.
Pros
- All-in-one hairdryer for easy use
- Ionised technology means less damage
- We love the digital heat control for easy regulation
Cons
- Doesn't have alternative styling choices
| What's included: | Diffuser with three temperature levels and two speeds |
| Motor: | 770 watts |
| Cable length: | 3m |
Best foldable hair dryer for curly hair
www.boots.com
Made to reduce split ends and minimise damage, this Panasonic Nanoe mineral hair dryer has double mineral ions to penetrate the hair and increase cuticle strength. Plus, it's foldable to make it even easier to store.
Pros
- Foldable for easy storage which we love
- Nanoe technology to eliminate static and reduce frizz
- Reviews say after a month, hair is noticeably shinier
Cons
- Not as powerful as other hair dryers
| What's included: | EH-NA9J hairdryer, diffuser attachment, quick-dry nozzle and styling nozzle. |
| Motor: | 1800 wattage |
| Cord length: | 2.7m |
Best compact hair dryer for curly hair
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Whilst finding a good hairdryer for curly hair is hard enough, finding a compact hair dryer for travel is even harder. Luckily, amika does both jobs in one with this mini hair dryer, made with international travel in mind and including a diffuser for easy use.
Pros
- Customers say it's small but powerful, perfect for travel
- Dual voltage for international power
- A stylish design is defo a plus
Cons
- Not as powerful as larger-sized hair dryers
| Motor: | 1000 wattage |
| What's Included: | Hairdryer, airflow concentrator, diffuser and travel pouch |
| Cable length: | Not listed |
What Curl Pattern Do I Have?
When it comes to type three hair, it's hard to know exactly what curl pattern you follow, especially if you haven't already investigated it. knowing which exact curl type you are, though, will help you to make healthy and effective decisions on your hair products and hair tools - whether that's your shampoo or your hairdryer. Wondering where you stand with your curls? Here's a quick and handy guide on hair types to follow:
Type 1: Straight
Type 1 hair generally has no curl and is quite heavy and weighty, making the strand look straight in appearance. These can come in fine or thick hair; if this is you, you may want to check out hairdryers for every hair type because diffusers and curly attachments won't come in handy.
Type 2: Wavy
Waves can be one of the tougher hairstyles to handle. Prone to frizz and bushes, the wavy hair can be tamed as much as you think it can't. With a defined S wave, these curls can be enhanced with texturising sprays and oils.
Type 3: Spiraled Corkscrews
Now is where we get into the important category: curls. Often described as corkscrews or springs, the curls can be a tough battle in hair. Within this type, there are three sub-categories: A, B and C. You'll find that A is more big and bouncy, with large curls at risk of frizz, whereas C is tight and coiled. No matter your curl, you'll want to take care with your hair products to smooth out curls and definitely invest in a diffuser.
Type 4: Coiled Curls
These curls really know what they're about, and there's definitely no getting away from this type of hair if you have it. To wear your hair with confidence, embrace the curl with tightly defined coils.
What Hairdryer Is Best For Curly Hair?
Many hairdryers come in the same packs with the same attachments, but if there's something to remember when you have curly hair, it's that you'll most likely need a diffuser to keep those curls tight and bouncy - if not, you may end up with a bunch of frizz instead.
Big hairdryer brushes like the Revlon OneStep aren't likely to help with curls, you want a blow dryer that's going to spread heat and air without straightening out your curls whilst they do it.
Look towards the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer or ghd's Air Kit that allows diffuser attachments so you can switch in and out of different styling options easily. Don't want to invest in those bigger ticket hairdryers? You can also snap up universal diffuser heads that attach to any hairdryer.
Caitlin Casey was a Senior Commerce Writer for Grazia UK for three years, specialising in sex and wellness content. She has written across various publications since 2017 and covers shopping, fashion, beauty, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.