Hairdryer Buying Guide

A good hairdryer makes it easy to achieve professional-looking styles at home, and by shopping online you can choose from a great range of models at bargain prices.

Here are some useful hints and tips to help you choose a hairdryer to suit your needs from the wide range available from online retailers.

Choosing the Best Type of Hairdryer

Here are details of the main types of hairdryers that you can buy:

Hairdryer: A normal hairdryer that will dry the hair and may include accessories.
Professional salon hairdryers: These have much more durable motors and are great for heavy use.
Travel hairdryers: These are smaller and may have collapsible handles for easy packing.
Hood dryers: This type of hairdryer uses a hood to cover your head. This can either be a soft hood that inflates when the motor is turned on, or a hard hood that you sit underneath.

Within these categories you will find hairdryers to suit all budgets and preferences.

Features to Look Out for When You Buy a Hairdryer

When choosing a hairdryer it's important to consider which specifications and features you'll need.

Key features to look out for when buying a hairdryer include:

Cool shot: This feature cools down the hair after styling so curls, waves and flicks stay in place for longer.
Cord length: If you need to stretch the electrical lead so that you can reach a mirror, look for a longer cable when choosing a hairdryer.
Ionic and ceramic: These systems reduce frizz for shinier, smoother hair. A hairdryer that allows you to change the ionic setting enables you to create effective curly or straight hairstyles. Ceramic hairdryers also keep hair free of frizz and safeguard it against excess heat.
Settings: Look for a versatile hairdryer which offers various heat and speed settings.
Wattage: The higher the wattage, the more power the hairdryer has and the faster it dries your hair.

Understanding Hairdryer Accessories

Hairdryers often come with accessories designed to help you to style your hair or to make storage easier.

Accessories to look out for when choosing a hairdryer include:

Diffusers and nozzles: Often hairdryers include attachments, such as diffusers, which make your hair appear thicker, and which can also give soft waves for a more tousled look. Another good extra is a nozzle; this focuses the airflow onto a small area and also helps you to smooth out the hair for a sleeker style.
Storage bags: Some models come complete with a bag in which to keep your hairdryer and accessories.
Brushes and combs: Perfect to use when drying your hair.
Hairgrips: These keep your hair sectioned whilst you style it.
Styling booklets: Sometimes you may find that your hairdryer comes with a leaflet that shows you how to style your hair to create different looks.

Set a Budget Before Buying a Hairdryer

Hairdryers are often cheaper online than they are in high street stores, and you may be able to take advantage of special offers and discounts. When buying a new hairdryer online, remember to compare prices between different retailers and look out for special offers or discounts as you could save money or get a better model for your money.

Warranties tend to differ, so check the cover provided and the warranty length before buying.