The Best Travel Hairdryers For A Blowdry Wherever, Whenever

Say goodbye to terrible hotel hairdryers...

best travel hairdryer - grazia

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

Now that we've been granted access back into the world of international travel, investing in an adequate travel hairdryer has become much more of a priority than before. Whether jet-setting off to a European city break or spending an all-inclusive ten days in Bora Bora, we can admit that many hotel hairdryers just don't cut it. If you're looking for a hairdryer that's portable, and lightweight but still packs the punch of a regular-sized hairdryer, we've found the best hair dryers for your next trip away.

Finding a travel hairdryer that effortlessly combines style, convenience and functionality doesn't have to be such a difficult find and in fact, many of these smaller hairdryers are as affordable just as much as they are powerful. What you'll want to look for is a high-wattage, compact design as well as looking out for dual voltage - otherwise, you won't be able to take your new hair tool abroad.

The Best Black Friday Deals on Travel Hair Dryers

Though Black Friday is over, you can still shop the best deals on travel hair dryers over the weekend. Take a look at them below, or keep scrolling to look at our best of list - some of which have also been discounted for Black Friday.

£80 off: Shark Hair Dryer and Styler, WAS £190, NOW £119

£49 off: MD London BLOW hair dryer, WAS £195, NOW 146.50

£31 off: Remington Shea Soft Hair Dryer, WAS £49.99, NOW £18.99

And, to our curly-haired friends, many of these hairdryers even come with a diffuser, so if you're looking for a travel hairdryer for curly hair, you don't have to fret. When a diffuser is an attachment is the difference between silky curls and a frizz that only Monica Geller from friends can compete with, travel hairdryers with diffusers included are a must-have.

Grazia Best Travel Hairdryers At A Glance:

Editor's choice: ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer, £99 on ghd

Best high-power travel hairdryer: BaByliss Travel Hair Dryer Dry 2000, £25 on LookFantastic

Best foldable travel hairdryer: Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer, £85 on Amazon

So, whether you want to splash out on ghd's Flight+ travel set or want to gift a particularly stylish travel hairdryer in Flower Beauty's aesthetically pleasing travel hairdryer, there's something for everyone. Plus, every single one of these choices has dual voltage, so you'll be covered when jet-setting abroad. Here's to not dealing with those terrible hotel hair dryers anymore.

SHOP: The Best Travel Hairdryers

Editor's choice

on sale

ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer
Price: £94 (was £99)

www.ghdhair.com

Description

Of course, maybe the top go-to brand for any hair tool product, ghd comes in clutch with a nifty travel hair dryer set (travel bag included, too). With a foldable body, lightweight hold and dual voltage, this is the perfect partner for any trip - whether you're taking hold or hand luggage. Plus, it looks extremely sleek.

Customer review: "Love how compact yet powerful the GHD flight + travel hairdryer is. I have fine hair that easily frizzes and I found after using the hairdryer, my hair was sleeker without drying out which is usually what happens with other hairdryers. I also love how light the hairdryer is and it takes up little space either in a bag or in the bathroom. It makes styling hair a lot easier because of the lightweight and dries hair really fast."

Pros

  • Portable, lightweight and foldable makes it perfect for travel
  • Dual voltage for international use

Cons

  • At, 1400W this choice isn't as powerful as other brands

Best foldable travel hairdryer

on sale

Description

If you're into your hair tools, you'll be aware of Drybar's infamously bright yellow design and powerful features. Say hello to the brand's compact travel blow-dryer, with a concentrated nozzle and travel bag to make it particularly easy to transport.

Customer review: "As someone who has experimented with various hairdryers in the past, I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional performance and overall experience provided by the DryBar Hairdryer. First and foremost, the DryBar Hairdryer boasts a remarkable drying power that can't be matched. With its advanced motor and cutting-edge technology, it quickly and efficiently dries my hair, reducing drying time significantly."

Pros

  • Travel bag makes for easy transport
  • Advanced motor technology and concentrated nozzle for easy drying

Cons

  • Lower wattage means less power

Best new travel hairdryer

on sale

Amika Mighty Mini Dryer
Price: £37.50 (was £50)

www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Description

Amika is known for its varied hair product collection and funky packaging, and now the brand has branched into travel hair tools too with this Amika Mighty Mini Dryer, which they claim is 'the secret for quick, frizz-free drying, wherever you are'. Coming in at 1200W, it's on the lower end of the power scale but makes up for it with its portable size and uses next-gen tourmaline-infused ceramic components for less heat damage. Plus, curls will be safe with a diffuser included too.

Customer review: "Purchased this for an 11-day trip around Italy with only hand luggage so size was crucial. I was amazed at how much power this tiny (and it is tiny!) hairdryer has. I only have short hair but it dried it in a couple of minutes. Much better than taking a gamble on hotel hairdryers. So convenient for travel as takes up barely any room at all."

Pros

  • Travel bag makes for easy storage
  • Diffuser also included, if you've got curly or wavy hair

Cons

  • 1200W is quite low for power

Best travel hairdryer with diffuser

on sale

Description

When you've got curly hair to think about, the idea of drying your hair without a diffuser can be pretty daunting. Luckily, Remington's Folding Travel Hairdryer means that you don't have to travel without one, as it comes included in the set. Just pop in your suitcase, and you'll be ready to go.

Customer review: "This foldable little hair dryer is the most amazing tool ever. I have curly hair and most hotels are not equipped with the diffuser. This hair dryer has solved my problem. It is lightweight and powerful. I can take it everywhere and finally, I can have good hair even when on holiday. Highly recommended!"

Pros

  • Foldable design for easy storage
  • Diffuser attachment for curly and wavy hair
  • 2000 wattage is very high for a travel hairdryer

Cons

  • Some reviewers say it doesn't last very long

Best high-power travel hairdryer

Description

Coming in at an impressive 2000W, the BaByliss travel hair dryer is small but mighty, coming in as one of the most powerful travel hairdryers you can get. Add on its foldable design and affordable price, and this is a truly tempting choice for travellers.

Customer review: "The power is really good on this hairdryer, was very impressed. A good size also not too small but perfect for travelling."

Pros

  • Great value
  • High wattage power
  • Foldable design makes it easy for travelling

Cons

  • No travel case for storage

Best basic travel hairdryer

Description

Sometimes, we just need a hair tool that gets the job done for a great price. If you're looking for a last-minute basic option that has all the features you need from a travel hair dryer, the Boots Essentials travel dryer might be the top choice to go for, with 1600 wattage - higher than most travel hairdryers. With a two-year guarantee, dual voltage and a compact small frame, it will sit happily in your luggage.

Customer review: "I invested in more expensive travel hairdryers but Boots Essential is simply the best! Highly recommended. It's been all over the world with me and never lets me down."

Pros

  • Small, lightweight and compact
  • Comes with a two-year guarantee

Cons

  • Not as powerful as other hairdryers on the market

Best travel hair dryer design

Description

Just because you want a travel hairdryer, doesn't mean you have to cut back on design. This Flower Beauty Ionic Travel Hairdryer (brand owned by Drew Barrymore) has all of the important features of a travel hairdryer and also looks very aesthetically pleasing. With a thinner turbine fan and concentrated airflow, this is a powerful and pretty tool.

Customer review: "If you're looking for a high-quality travel hair dryer that is both powerful and compact, the Flower Beauty Ionic Travel Hair Dryer is an excellent choice. This hair dryer is lightweight and portable, making it perfect for on-the-go styling, but it packs a powerful punch when it comes to performance. One of the standout features of this hair dryer is its ionic technology, which helps to reduce frizz and static, leaving your hair smooth and shiny."

Pros

  • Great design
  • Ionic technology makes for a powerful drier

Cons

  • Not foldable, a little bit bulky

What Is A Travel Hairdryer?

A travel hairdryer is a smaller, compact and portable version of those larger and more powerful hairdryers. They're made - often including dual voltage - with travel in mind, so you're likely to find them very lightweight and with foldable or portable designs.

Convenience is key when thinking about purchasing a travel hairdryer and many of these sets also include a nifty travel bag if you want to store them properly in your bag or suitcase. You'll be having fresh locks that compete with Kate Middleton's blow-dry in no time.

Can I Use A Travel Hairdryer Abroad?

If you're looking for a proper travel hairdryer that will keep you blowdrying in every country, you'll want to make sure that the voltage is right so that you don't fall at the first hurdle before you've even started. To use it both at home and away, you'll want to ensure it's compatible with the UK's voltage (230-240V) and then, if you plan to travel abroad, choose a dual-voltage travel hairdryer that can switch between voltages, making it suitable for various countries.

Are Travel Hairdryers Less Powerful Than Regular Ones?

You'll want to keep an eye on the wattage of your chosen hairdryer, to really know whether or not it's less powerful than your typical hairdryer. Usually, you'll find that portable and travel-sized hairdryers come in at around 800 watts to 1600 watts, whereas larger options can go over 2000 watts.

So, travel hairdryers are known for having a lower power but if you keep an eye out, you can find options that are almost as strong as the larger-sized counterparts. In fact, the Dyson Supersonic comes in at 1600W, so some of these travel hairdryers are just as (and even more so) than the Dyson bestseller.

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for Grazia. She covers shopping, women's lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.

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