There are several important features to look out for when trying to choose the best blow dryer for curly hair.
I will be outlining those features in this article in addition to recommending the 15 best blow dryer options to choose from.
The previous articles went into great detail about RevAir Hair Dryer and Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
However, not everyone can afford either of these blow dryers right now so I’ve compiled this article as an alternative. I’ll be covering:-
- How to choose the best blow dryer for curly hair
- How to avoid heat damage when blow-drying curly hair
- The best affordable blow dryers for curly hair
- What are the differences between common blow dryers on the market
- Other questions I’ve received about using blow dryers on curly hair
Be sure to check out our resource library as well. The library contains freebies for healthy natural hair care. Check out all the freebies HERE.
As always, I should mention natural hair doesn’t really care for heat.
However, blow-drying a few times a year using the best practices for blow-drying shouldn’t cause any damage.
Blow dryers can cost anything from $20 to as high as $500 as seen with blow dryers like RevAir Hair Dryer and Dyson Supersonic.
However, it’s not the cost of the blow dryer that matters but the features.
Without the right features, even the most expensive blow dryer can lead to heat damage the first time you use it.
So which features should you be looking out for in a blow dryer?
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How to Choose a Blow Dryer for Curly Hair
1. Understand the Technological Jargon
There are so many technological advancements these days, which is great for hair care but also confusing.
If you don’t take the time to understand all the jargon, you could end up investing a lot of money in something that your hair absolutely hates.
The most common terms you will come across these days when it comes to blow dryers are ceramic blow dryer, ionic blow dryer, and tourmaline blow dryer.
They are all awesome features but what do they mean and what are the differences?
Ceramic Blow Dryer
A ceramic blow dryer evenly distributes heat flow throughout the hair thus preventing over-drying individual sections of hair.
Ionic Blow Dryer
An ionic blow dryer reduces drying time while retaining moisture. Faster drying time means the possibility of damage is reduced/eliminated.
Tourmaline Blow Dryer
A tourmaline blow dryer helps water evaporate from hair at a faster rate.
This means faster drying time while also encouraging the hair to retain maximum moisture.
Most blow dryers are equipped with both ceramic and ionic technology. Some blow dryers have all 3 properties.
Whichever blow dryer you end up choosing should have at least two of these technological properties but fantastic if you find one with all three.
2. Optimal Heat Settings
You don’t want a blow dryer with only one heat seating because you won’t be able to control the heat levels on your hair.
The best blow dryers should have at least two heat settings but preferably three. Why three?
Three means high, medium to warm, and low with medium to warm range being best for curly hair.
In addition to optimal heat seatings, the best blow dryers should also have a cool shot button.
A cool shot button will set the style, help close your cuticles and reduce frizz.
3. AC Motor is Best
For the best blow-drying experience, go for a blow dryer with an AC (alternating current) motor.
A blow dryer with an AC motor has a powerful airflow that dries hair faster.
They are also more durable and quieter than blow dryers with a DC (direct current) motor.
If you’re going to be blow-drying your hair only a few times a year then a blow dryer with a DC motor is fine.
4. Check the Functional Attachments
There are several functional attachments every blow dryer should include.
These attachments improve the experience and reduce the chances of hair damage.
Hair Diffuser
A diffuser attachment gently diffuses the airflow while drying the curls so they aren’t blown straight.
For instance, at the end of the max hydration method, if I’m in too much of a hurry to air dry, I use a blow dryer diffuser to quickly dry the roots without straightening out my hair.
Concentrator Nozzle
A concentrator nozzle allows you to focus the heat on a section of hair if you’re trying to achieve a particular style.
Do not use the concentrator nozzle when your hair is still wet. This is used only after the blow dryer.
A concentrator nozzle prevents heat from being directed at sections of hair that don’t require it and also assist in preventing heat damage.
Most modern blow dryers come with these attachments. However, if they don’t they can be purchased separately.
This means more money though so try to go for a blow dryer that has all the functional attachments you want.
Bearing these tips in mind, you know what to look for on the description of any blow dryer sales page.
I have also suggested some of the best blow dryers for curly hair below ranging from below $50 to high-end ones.
What Type of Blow Dryer is Best for Curly Hair?
High-End Blow Dryers Over $300
1. RevAir Hair Dryer
The RevAir Hair Dryer works by using reverse-air (suction) technology to achieve straight hair with less heat and 3 times faster than conventional hair dryers.
This technology eliminates the need for any of the functional attachments I mentioned above. This is the only hair dryer with this benefit on this list.
I’ve written an in-depth review of the RevAir Hair Dryer including pros and cons HERE.
2. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is compact with a fast drying time. Its quiet motor spins up to 110,000 rpm.
It has 4 heat settings and 3-speed settings in addition to 3 magnetic functional attachments.
You can read more about the awesome Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer including pros and cons HERE.
Blow Dryers Under $250
3. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Portofino Blow Dryer
Features
- AC motor
- Ionic and nano titanium technology
- 3 heat settings
- 3-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 2 concentrator nozzles
Read reviews and get the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Portofino Dryer HERE.
4. DevaCurl DevaDryer
Features
- AC motor
- Ionic technology
- 3 heat settings
- 2-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 concentrator nozzle
- 1 diffuser
Read reviews and get the DevaCurl Devadryer HERE.
5. Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 4000i Blow Dryer
Features
- AC motor
- Ionic and ceramic technology
- 3 heat settings
- 2-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 2 concentrator nozzles
Read reviews and get the Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 4000i Hair Dryer HERE.
6. Parlux 3800 Ceramic Ionic Blow Dryer
Features
- Eco-friendly
- AC motor
- Ionic and ceramic technology
- 4 heat settings
- 2-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 2 concentrator nozzles
Read reviews and get the Parlux 3800 Ceramic Ionic Hair Dryer HERE.
7. TURBO POWER Twinturbo 2800 Coldmatic Hair Dryer 314
Features
- AC motor
- Ionic technology
- 4 heat settings
- 2-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 concentrator nozzle
Read reviews and get the TURBO POWER Twinturbo 2800 Coldmatic Hair Dryer 314 HERE.
8. Paul Mitchell Neuro Light Tourmaline Hair Dryer
Features
- 1875-watt AC motor
- Ionic technology
- 4 heat settings
- 4 speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 concentrator nozzle
- 1 diffuser attachment
- World’s first “Clean Filter” indicator light
Read reviews and get the Paul Mitchell Neuro Light Tourmaline Hair Dryer HERE.
Blow Dryers Under $100
9. Andis Professional 1875 Watt Ceramic Ionic Blow Dryer
Features
- DC motor
- Ionic and ceramic technology
- 3 heat settings
- 2-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 Aluminum and 1 resin concentrator nozzle
- 1 comb
Read reviews and get the Andis Professional 1875 Watt Ceramic Ionic Hair Dryer HERE.
10. trezoro Ionic Salon Hair Dryer
Features
- DC motor
- Ceramic tourmaline technology
- 3 heat settings
- 2 speed settings
- 2 concentrator nozzles
- Cool shot button
- Removable filter
Read reviews and get the award winning trezoro Ionic Salon Hair Dryer HERE.
11. Inglam Hair Dryer Brush Set
Features
- 4 in 1 blowout brush – dryer, volumizer, curler, and straightener
- 3 heat settings
- Advanced ion generator
- Carry case
- Protective gloves
Read reviews and get Inglam Hair Dryer Brush Set HERE.
12. BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer
Features
- AC motor
- Ceramic technology
- 6 heat/speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 concentrator nozzle
- Removable filter
Read reviews and get BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Hair Dryer HERE.
Blow Dryers Under $50
13. BERTA Professional Hair Dryer 1875W Hair Blow Dryer
Features
- AC motor
- Tourmaline, ionic and ceramic technology
- 3 heat settings
- 3-speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 1 diffuser
- 2 concentrator nozzles
- 1 comb
Read reviews and get the BERTA Professional Hair Dryer 1875W Hair Blow Dryer HERE.
14. Wadodo Ionic Hair Dryer
Features
- AC motor
- Ceramic tourmaline technology
- Ionic technology
- 2 heat settings
- 2 speed settings
- Cool shot button
- 2 concentrator nozzles
- 1 diffuser
- Removable filter
- Ergonomic handle
Read reviews and get the Wadodo Ionic Hair Dryer HERE.
15. Conair Double Ceramic Hair Dryer
Features
- Double ceramic technology
- 3 heat settings
- 2 speed settings
- 1 concentrator nozzle
- Cool shot button
- Removable filter
Read reviews and get the Conair Double Ceramic Hair Dryer HERE.
Below are answers to some FAQs I receive about using blow dryers on curly hair. Please check them out before you send me your question (s):-
FAQs About Blow Drying Curly Hair
What is the Best Blow Dryer for Damaged Hair?
You should not be blow-drying damaged hair in any shape or form. You are only making the damage worse when you use blow dryers.
If you absolutely must straighten your hair, I highly recommend non-heat straightening methods.
The most common non-heat straightening methods include Curlformers, roller sets, and the banding method.
Do this until your hair is in a healthier condition for direct blow-drying.
Can I Use a Blow Dryer Every day?
Yes, you can but expect to go bald at some point because your hair will dry out completely and the breakage will become crazy.
It will get to a point where no matter what you do, the only option left will be to cut your hair and start afresh. To summarize, don’t do it.
Do Blow Dryers Damage Hair?
Despite all the technological advancements and inbuilt features to protect the hair, excessive use of blow dryers will lead to damaged hair in the end.
Once or twice a month to a few times a year should be fine while engaging best practices for blow-drying hair.
Any more than that and you are playing with fire, no pun intended.
Can Blow-Drying Cause Hair Loss?
Blow drying with improper techniques and excessive blow-drying (several times a week) will cause hair loss.
It might not be immediate but over time, your hair will start to break off and then start falling out in huge chunks.
You can blow dry your hair but in moderation without neglecting best practices.
How Can I Make My Hair Dry Faster?
You can make your hair dry faster using the blow dryers recommended above.
You can also use a blow dryer attachment like this one, which reduces the direct heat.
You can also wring out as much water as possible with a microfiber towel before proceeding to use a blow dryer.
I hope you’re now better equipped to choose the best blow dryer for your hair type and needs.
If you have any more questions about the best blow dryer for curly hair, ask away in the comments section.
Happy Hair Growing!
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
This post may contain affiliate links which means we will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
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