Best Hair Dryer UK (2026)
Six hair dryers from a £30-ish budget pick to the Dyson Supersonic, including a dual-voltage travel dryer and a diffuser choice for curls
Quick answer
- Best overallghd Helios – salon-style dryer well below Dyson prices
- Best mid-priceghd Air – 2100W ghd at a lower price
- Best for travelghd Flight+ – compact and dual voltage
- Best premiumDyson Supersonic – fast motor, smart heat control
- Best budgetBaByliss Hydro-Fusion – 2100W with diffuser for little money
- Best budget for curlsRemington D6077 – two diffusers in the box
Looking for the best hair dryer UK shoppers can buy for everyday drying, a Christmas gift or a trip abroad? Our #1 is the ghd Helios: ghd’s full-size salon-style dryer and the one we would pick for most people who want a noticeable step up from a basic dryer without going to Dyson prices. If you want a lower-cost ghd, choose the ghd Air; for travel, the dual-voltage ghd Flight+; and for curls on a budget, the Remington ONE Dry & Style D6077 with two diffusers.
Prices are bands, not live quotes, and wattages, motor speeds and attachments are manufacturer or listing claims. If you want to dry and style in one step, see our best hair multi-stylers UK guide, and for another bathroom upgrade see best electric toothbrushes UK.
1600W–2100W
Power range across our six picks, from the compact travel dryer to full-size models
Source: Manufacturer and listing claims, researched 30 September 2026
Editor's Choice
ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
The best hair dryer for most people who want a genuine upgrade, with salon-style design and a trusted brand at well under Dyson prices.
Diagnose your problem
How to choose a hair dryer
Start with your hair type and budget, then check the attachments and whether you need it for travel.
Problem
Set your budget
Budget dryers from BaByliss and Remington cover the basics well. ghd sits in the middle, and the Dyson Supersonic is the premium option.
Recommendation
For most people the ghd Helios or ghd Air is the sweet spot. Go Dyson only if its motor and heat control are worth several times the price to you.
Products
Problem
Curly or wavy hair? Get a diffuser
A diffuser spreads the airflow so curls dry with less frizz. Check it is in the box rather than an extra purchase.
Recommendation
The Remington D6077 includes two diffusers and the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion includes one, making them the best-value picks for curls.
Products
Problem
Travelling abroad?
A dual-voltage dryer works on both UK and many overseas mains supplies with a plug adaptor. Single-voltage dryers can be damaged on the wrong supply.
Recommendation
The ghd Flight+ is our dual-voltage travel pick. Always check the voltage switch and use a plug adaptor.
Products
Problem
Wattage is not everything
Higher wattage usually means more heat and airflow, but motor design matters too. The Dyson is listed at 1600W yet uses a very fast motor.
Recommendation
Compare heat settings, speeds and attachments rather than choosing on watts alone.
Products
Problem
Buying as a gift?
Hair dryers are a popular Christmas gift. Brand recognition matters to many people, and presentation varies between models.
Quick Picks
The best hair dryer for each hair type and budget
Our Top 6 Picks
Compare all
ghd
ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
“The best hair dryer for most people who want a genuine upgrade, with salon-style design and a trusted brand at well under Dyson prices.”
Best for
Anyone wanting a premium everyday dryer without paying Dyson prices
Skip it if
you only dry your hair occasionally and want to spend under £60
Pros
- +Full-size salon-style dryer from a trusted brand
- +Well below Dyson Supersonic pricing
- +Strong gift choice
- +Attachments included (listing claim)
Cons
- −Several times the price of budget dryers
- −Check the listing for which attachments come in the box
- −Not designed for travel
All specifications
| Power | Full-size (see listing) |
| Best for | Everyday premium drying |
| Diffuser included | Check listing |
| Travel friendly | No |
| Price level | Premium |
ghd
ghd Air Hair Dryer (2100W)
“The mid-price pick: a proper 2100W ghd dryer for noticeably less than the Helios.”
Best for
Thick or long hair that needs strong heat and airflow at a mid price
Skip it if
you want the lightest possible dryer
Pros
- +2100W power (manufacturer claim)
- +Cheaper route into ghd
- +Popular, well-established model
- +Strong everyday performer for thick hair
Cons
- −Bulkier and heavier than newer designs
- −Bundles vary, so check what is included
- −Not for travel
All specifications
| Power | 2100W (manufacturer claim) |
| Best for | Thick or long hair |
| Diffuser included | Check listing |
| Travel friendly | No |
| Price level | Mid |
ghd
ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer
“The best travel hair dryer here: small, dual voltage and from a brand people trust.”
Best for
Frequent travellers and small bathrooms
Skip it if
this will be your only dryer and you have very thick hair
Pros
- +Dual voltage for use abroad (manufacturer claim)
- +Compact 1600W design
- +Travel case shown in listing
- +Great gift for frequent travellers
Cons
- −Less powerful than full-size dryers
- −Slower on very thick or long hair
- −Premium price for a travel dryer
All specifications
| Power | 1600W (manufacturer claim) |
| Best for | Travel |
| Diffuser included | No |
| Travel friendly | Yes, dual voltage |
| Price level | Mid |
Dyson
Dyson Supersonic (113279-01)
“The premium choice for people who dry their hair every day and want Dyson’s fast motor and heat control, but it costs several times more than our #1.”
Best for
Daily users who want top-end technology and do not mind paying for it
Skip it if
you want the best value for money
Pros
- +Very fast V9 motor (manufacturer claim)
- +Measures air temperature 40 times a second (manufacturer claim)
- +Magnetic attachments
- +Compact motor in the handle
Cons
- −Most expensive dryer here by a wide margin
- −Attachments are easy to misplace
- −The ghd Helios covers most needs for far less
All specifications
| Power | 1600W (manufacturer claim) |
| Best for | Premium daily use |
| Diffuser included | Yes (listing claim) |
| Travel friendly | No |
| Price level | Premium+ |
BaByliss
BaByliss Hydro-Fusion Anti-Frizz 2100 (5573U)
“The best budget hair dryer: 2100W, a diffuser and a concentrator in the box for a fraction of the price of the big names.”
Best for
Anyone wanting a capable everyday dryer for little money
Skip it if
you want a light, quiet premium feel
Pros
- +2100W with 3 heats and 2 speeds (manufacturer claim)
- +Diffuser and concentrator included
- +Cool shot and ionic setting
- +Three-year guarantee (manufacturer claim)
Cons
- −Louder and bulkier than premium dryers
- −Ionic marketing language is hard to verify
- −Plastic build
All specifications
| Power | 2100W (manufacturer claim) |
| Best for | Budget everyday use |
| Diffuser included | Yes |
| Travel friendly | No |
| Price level | Budget |
Remington
Remington ONE Dry & Style (D6077)
“The best budget pick for curly and wavy hair, because two different diffusers come in the box.”
Best for
Curly and wavy hair on a budget
Skip it if
you have straight hair and never use a diffuser
Pros
- +Two diffusers included (manufacturer claim)
- +Flyaway tamer and slim concentrator
- +2000W power
- +Budget price band
Cons
- −Lots of attachments to store
- −Less powerful than 2100W dryers
- −Plastic build
All specifications
| Power | 2000W (manufacturer claim) |
| Best for | Curly and wavy hair |
| Diffuser included | Yes, two |
| Travel friendly | No |
| Price level | Budget |
Compare All Products
Side-by-side specs for quick decision-making
Swipe to compare →
| Product | Power | Best for | Diffuser included | Travel friendly | Price level | Price | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ghd Helios Professional Hair DryerBest Overall | Full-size (see listing) | Everyday premium drying | Check listing | No | Premium | £140–£190 | Anyone wanting a premium everyday dryer without paying Dyson prices | View |
 ghd Air Hair Dryer (2100W)Best Mid-Price | 2100W (manufacturer claim) | Thick or long hair | Check listing | No | Mid | £90–£130 | Thick or long hair that needs strong heat and airflow at a mid price | View |
 ghd Flight+ Travel Hair DryerBest for Travel | 1600W (manufacturer claim) | Travel | No | Yes, dual voltage | Mid | £80–£120 | Frequent travellers and small bathrooms | View |
 Dyson Supersonic (113279-01)Best Premium | 1600W (manufacturer claim) | Premium daily use | Yes (listing claim) | No | Premium+ | £300–£430 | Daily users who want top-end technology and do not mind paying for it | View |
 | 2100W (manufacturer claim) | Budget everyday use | Yes | No | Budget | £30–£60 | Anyone wanting a capable everyday dryer for little money | View |
 Remington ONE Dry & Style (D6077)Best Budget for Curls | 2000W (manufacturer claim) | Curly and wavy hair | Yes, two | No | Budget | £35–£60 | Curly and wavy hair on a budget | View |
Hair dryer safety
Never use a hair dryer near a filled bath or sink, and unplug it after use. Keep air intakes and filters clear of hair and dust so the dryer does not overheat. Only use a dual-voltage dryer abroad, set to the correct voltage, and let attachments cool before touching them.
Research Methodology
How We Chose These Products
This is editorial research, not a drying-time or heat test. We use qualitative badges and do not assign invented scores.
We compared value, features and attachments, suitability for different hair types, brand support and Amazon UK listing health. Wattages, motor speeds, attachments and guarantees are manufacturer or listing claims. Product order is editorial judgement.
Selection Criteria
Value for money
25% weightWhat you get for the price band
Features and attachments
25% weightHeat and speed settings, cool shot, diffusers and concentrators
Hair-type fit
20% weightHow well it suits straight, wavy and curly hair
Brand and guarantee
15% weightManufacturer support and stated guarantee length
Amazon UK listing health
15% weightRatings volume, stock and seller context on 30 September 2026
Important Limitations
- •TopMagpie did not run drying-time, heat or noise tests. Specs are manufacturer or listing claims.
- •We make no claims about hair health or damage.
- •No live prices: bands only. Listing health was checked on 30 September 2026.
Research last conducted: · Price bands checked:
Frequently Asked Questions
People also ask about hair dryers
The ghd Helios is our pick for most people who want a real upgrade, because it is ghd’s full-size salon-style dryer at well under Dyson prices. The BaByliss Hydro-Fusion is our best budget pick.
It is worth it for people who dry their hair daily and value its fast motor and heat control. For most people, the ghd Helios or ghd Air covers the same everyday needs for much less money.
Around 2000–2100W suits most people at home. Travel dryers are often around 1600W. Motor design matters too, so do not choose on wattage alone.
Look for a diffuser in the box. The Remington D6077 includes two diffusers and the BaByliss Hydro-Fusion includes one, so both are strong budget picks for curls.
Only use a dual-voltage dryer, such as the ghd Flight+, set to the correct voltage, with a plug adaptor. A single-voltage UK dryer can be damaged on a different mains supply.
Many brands say so, and some people notice smoother results. We have not tested this, so treat ionic claims as marketing and choose on settings, attachments and price.
It blasts cool air to help set a style once it has been shaped with warm air. Most of our picks list a cool shot setting.
Unplug it, let it cool, then remove the rear filter if it is removable and brush or rinse away dust and hair, following the manual. A clogged filter can cause overheating.
Yes. The ghd Helios is a safe premium gift, the ghd Flight+ suits someone who travels, and the Remington D6077 is a thoughtful budget gift for someone with curly hair.
Ready to upgrade your hair dryer?
Our #1, the ghd Helios, is the salon-style upgrade we would pick for most people, at well under Dyson prices.
View #1 Pick on Amazon UKDisclosure & Editorial Policy
Amazon Affiliate: TopMagpie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme. We earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our editorial choices or the prices you pay.
No Lab Testing: We have not laboratory-tested these products. Recommendations are based on spec analysis, reviews, and editorial judgement.
Prices: Approximate bands, checked . Amazon prices change frequently – always verify the current price before purchasing. We do not invent live prices.
