The Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair, Tried And Tested – And They’re In The Black Friday Sales

We tested and reviewed the best hair dryers that will define your curls, no matter your hair pattern.

Best hair dryer for curly hair - Grazia

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

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.

With UK searches for 'how to look after curly hair' increasing according to Google Trends, it's no surprise major brands like Dyson and ghd are putting in the work to expand their product offering with curl-friendly options. There are a much bigger range of hairdryers for every budget available (including one of the best Dyson hairdryer dupes we've seen). And if you're still struggling to figure out how to bring life to your curls, we've put the best hairdryers for curly hair to the test, with choices that are worth a splurge on payday, or if you're looking for affordable hairdryers we've got you covered.

Grazia's Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair 2024, At A Glance:

Best overall hair dryer for curly hair: Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer in Oynx and gold, £329.99 on Dyson.

Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair: Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler HD110UK. £155 on Shark.

Best affordable hair dryer for curly hair: BaByliss Salon Pro 2200 Hairdryer, £40 on Boots.

Best luxury hair dryer for curly hair: Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £279.99 on Dyson.

Best fast hair dryer for curly hair: Panasonic EH-NA65 Nanoe Hair Dryer with Diffuser £52.49 on Boots

Best hair dryer kit for curly hair: ghd Air Hair Drying Kit, £135 on Very.

Best versatile hair dryer for curly hair: Bellissima Diffon Supreme, £129.99, on Boots.

Best travel hair dryer for curly hair: amika Mighty Mini Dryer, £50 on Cult Beauty.

What to look for when buying a hairdryer for curly hair

Ruby Barry, fashion & beauty products writer at Grazia, tested the BaByliss Pro 2200 with the diffuser attachment on her curls and loved the final result. When considering what features she wanted in a hairdryer for curly hair she looks out for are low-speed and low-temperature settings - to avoid heat damage and to keep her curls under control. It's worth remembering 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. Scrunching as she diffuses is Ruby's preferred method, after a hair mask to nourish and hydrate her locks.

©GRAZIA

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 One Step 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.

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 2024

Best overall hair dryer for curly hair

Price: $349.99 (was £399.99)

www.dyson.co.uk

We think arguably one of the best hair dryers 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. Not only is this hairdryer designed for all hair types, the fast drying technology combined with heat control ensures little heat damage. Reviewers love how efficient this hair dryer is with one reviewer saying she bought one for her daughter and loved it so much, she bought one for herself. She went on to say that it's the best hairdryer ever and she loves how it styles the hair. For Black Friday it's now 349.99 (was £399.99.)

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
Heat settings4 precise heat settings plus a cold shot
Speed settings3 precise speed settings
Ionic technology? Yes
What's included:Diffuser, gentle air attachment, concentrator, flyaway attachment, wide-tooth comb
Cable length:2.62
Motor:Dyson digital motor V9

Best ionic hair dryer for curly hair

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. No matter what hairstyle you fancy, Shark's Style iQ can take you from sleek and straight to defined curls with a change of attachment. A reviewer called it the 'only hair dryer for a curl girl' and went on to say how it was perfectly made for curls.

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
Heat settings3 temperature settings
Speed settings3 airflow settings
Ionic technology?Yes
What's included:Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer, 2-in-1 Concentrator, Diffuser, Style Guide
Motor:1600W
Cable length:2.5m

Best affordable hair dryer for curly hair

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. One reviewer received this hairdryer as a present and they love it. They go on to say how light it is and quickly it dries the hair.

Ruby Barry, Grazia's fashion and beauty writer, tried and tested this hairdryer and said, 'For myself, the idea of getting a complicated hairdryer with tons of bells and whistles is a little too taxing for my sensibility. So I love my BaByliss Salon Pro 2200 hairdryer because it’s simple, affordable, and gets the job done. It has all the settings a girl needs, from warm to hot, to cold shot - as well as varying intensities of speed. The two attachments work fantastically, especially the large diffuser that can scoop large sections of my curls up at once. For someone with curly hair, this is the perfect budget hairdryer that’ll dry your ringlets just how you like them.'

Pros

  • We love that it's an affordable choice
  • Large diffuser is big enough to diffuse large curls quickly
  • Ionic system for smoothing and less damage

Cons

  • Some reviews mention its a bit bulky to hold
Heat settings3 heat settings
Speed settings2 speed settings
Ionic technology?Yes - frizz control
Motor:2200W
Cable length:2.7m
What's included:BaByliss Salon Pro Hairdryer, Slim Concentrator Nozzle and Diffuser

Best fast hair dryer for curly hair

 Panasonic EH-NA9J Advanced Folding Hair Dryer with Diffuser,
Price: $45 (was £109.99)

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. This hairdryer works to reduce any frizz and dryness maintaining the cuticle to reduce split ends over time. One reviewer took to the Boots website to say how fantastic this hairdryer is and that they've seen a reduction frizz on their curls. Black Friday deal: £45 (was £109.99)

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
Heat settingsHot and cold alternating mode
Speed settings 3 speed settings
Ionic technology?No but uses 'Nanoe' technology to generate moisture
Motor:1800 wattage
Cord length:2.7m
What's included:EH-NA9J hairdryer, diffuser attachment, quick-dry nozzle and styling nozzle.

Best hair dryer kit for curly hair

ghd Air Kit (ghd Diffuser and Size 3 Ceramic Brush)
Price: $135 (was £155)

www.very.co.uk

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 one of the best styling kits for those with wavy and curly hair. Many reviewers rave about this kit with one saying how over the moon they are with this hairdryer to create smooth waves. Black Friday deal £135 (was £155)

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
Heat settings:2 heat settings
Speed settings:2 speed settings
Ionic technology?Yes, advanced ionic technology
Motor:2100W
Cable length:3m
What's included:Hairdryer, ceramic brush, clips, air diffuser attachment

Best versatile hair dryer for curly hair

Bellissima Diffon Supreme
Price: £89.99 (was £149)

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 to also maintain hydration. One reviewer said they are new to wavy hair and this diffuser is perfect and easy to use to create defined waves. Black Friday deal £89.99 (was £149)

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
Heat settings3 heat settings
Speed settings2 speed settings
Ionic technology?Yes
What's included:Diffuser with three temperature levels and two speeds
Motor:770 watts
Cable length:3m

Best travel hair dryer for curly hair

amika Mighty Mini Blow Dryer
Price: $37.50 (was £50)

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. Described as a 'staple travel buddy' by one reviewer, they say this hair dryer goes everywhere with them. Their long, thick hair is tamed easily on the go. Black Friday deal £37.50 (was £50)

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
Heat settings:2 heat settings
Speed settings1 speed settings
Ionic technology?No
Motor:1000 wattage
What's Included:Hairdryer, airflow concentrator, diffuser and travel pouch
Cable length:Not listed

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.

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