The 7 Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair, According To Experts (2024)

If you have waves, curls or coils, you know that enhancing your strands’ natural shape requires the right tools. The best hair dryers for curly hair work quickly and efficiently to add definition and shine—while reducing frizz and potential heat damage. Our top pick is the Pattern Blow Dryer, and our editor-favorite luxury option is the Dyson Supersonic.

When selecting the right tool, consider the number of heat and power settings, the included attachments (a good diffuser is a must) and any special technology or features that enhance curls. After consulting with Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung and stylist Sara Tintari, we’ve rounded up the best hair dryers for curly hair that diminish frizz, add volume and enhance your natural texture.

  • Best Hair Dryer Overall For Curly Hair: Pattern Blow Dryer

  • Best Value Hair Dryer For Curly Hair: Bed Head Curls-In-Check Hair Dryer

  • Best Luxury Hair Dryer For Curly Hair: Dyson Supersonic

  • Best Hair Dryer Brush For Curly Hair: Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0

  • Best Travel Hair Dryer For Curly Hair: Eva NYC Healthy Heat Pro-Lite Dryer

  • Best Frizz-Control Hair Dryer For Curly Hair: T3 Featherweight StyleMax Professional Ionic Hair Dryer

  • Best Hair Dryer Attachment For Curly Hair: DevaCurl DevaDryer And DevaFuser

Best Hair Dryer Overall For Curly Hair

A Lightweight Tool That Deftly Dries And Styles

MOST POPULAR

Pattern Blow Dryer

You have curly hair, so you know the struggle associated with painstakingly ridding them of moisture while also trying to achieve a lift at the roots. This sleek blow dryer does just that without making your arms sore in the process. It comes with four attachments, and the tool streamlines the smoothing, stretching, lifting and scrunching process to set your curls into place. The three heat settings and two speed settings allow you to use the ideal temperature and airflow to fluff and shape your strands without frying them.

Best Value Hair Dryer For Curly Hair

An Affordable Pick That Delivers A Smooth Finish

Bed Head Curls-In-Check Hair Dryer

This all-in-one gadget is a blow dryer with a built-in diffuser, which not only cuts down on drying time but the need for extra storage space. What it doesn’t skimp on is a silky-smooth finish—without a stitch of frizz—and an undeniable shine. The 1875 watts of power and tourmaline ionic technology dries curly hair impressively fast, and the wide barrel allows you to dry larger sections of hair at once, which you know is a godsend for thick, curly locks. The diffuser attachment is also removable, which is a nice bonus.

Best Luxury Hair Dryer For Curly Hair

A Sleek Design That Dries Hair Fast

Dyson Supersonic

It’s admittedly expensive, but this cult favorite gadget (our luxury pick in our tested best hair dryers review) is worth the splurge if you’re looking for a blow dryer with excellent control of heat and airflow. The magnetic diffuser attaches in a snap, and the bowl shape cradles curls without disrupting them, leaving you with bouncy coils minus frizzy flyaways. And while this smart tool quickly eliminates moisture, the high-tech design prevents it from overheating, which means no matter which of its four heat settings you use, it remains cool to the touch.

Best Hair Dryer Brush For Curly Hair

An Easy Styling Solution For An At-Home Blowout

Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0

When you feel like trading your curls for pin-straight stands, this two-in-one styling tool is key to a sleek, salon-worthy blowout. A winner in our tested evaluation of the best blow dryer brushes, its design makes it a whole lot easier to maneuver than a separate hair dryer and round brush at the same time. The wide bristles glide through even the curliest of hair and the ceramic heating system claims to dry strands up to three times faster than other styling brushes.

Best Travel Hair Dryer For Curly Hair

A Compact Set That Packs A Punch

Eva NYC Healthy Heat Pro-Lite Dryer

For such a little tool, this blow dryer has some seriously handy features like tourmaline-infused ceramic, two speed settings, three heat settings, a cool shot, a nine-foot swivel cord and a removable air filter. But it’s the itty bitty diffuser, concentrator and holographic case that are nice bonuses. But don’t be fooled by its tiny stature; it can spring and set your curls into place almost as quickly as your full-sized dryer can.

Best Frizz-Control Hair Dryer For Curly Hair

A Temperature-Regulating Tool

T3 Featherweight StyleMax Professional Ionic Hair Dryer

This lightweight blow dryer has temperature-regulating technology that helps it cut through moisture without over-drying hair or exacerbating frizz. It comes with four attachments—two of which are concentrators that come in handy if you’re going for a smooth, straight finish. It also has a smoothing comb attachment that stretches and detangles curls without compromising their natural shape.

Best Hair Dryer Attachment For Curly Hair

A Unique Diffuser-Dryer Duo

DevaCurl DevaDryer And DevaFuser

If you are blessed with a thick mane of curls, you know that a regular diffuser simply won’t suffice. Enter this uniquely designed hand-shaped tool that delicately distributes a 360-degree airflow to enhance volume and emphasize natural texture without disrupting it. This innovative design also expedites the drying process—an essential feature for those who feel they have endless curls.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve published many expertly researched haircare articles. This includes curly hair topics like the best conditioners for curly hair, best diffusers for curly hair and more.

  • This article was written by contributors Stephanie Montes and Neha Tandon, who both have several years of experience covering beauty for a variety of publications.
  • This story was assigned and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty and grooming section.
  • We tapped stylist Sara Tintari to gain helpful knowledge on what to look for in a hair dryer for curly hair, as well as the best way to use one.

How We Chose The Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair

To select the best hair dryers for curly hair, we used our market knowledge to narrow down picks, carefully evaluated the features of each and also took into account a wide variety of hair concerns.

  • We researched top brands and bestselling products, some of which we’ve used firsthand.
  • The expert we interviewed provided her tips on how to select the best hair dryer and other tips for styling curly hair.
  • We extensively evaluated each hair dryer for its heat settings, speed settings, attachments and other bonus features.
  • Since not all curly hair is the same, we included a variety of options for different hair types and concerns.

What To Look For In A Hair Dryer For Curly Hair

Choosing a hair dryer that works for you often comes down to your personal preferences and budget, but some features that can help you determine the right model for you include temperature and power settings, attachments, size and weight.

Temperature

The best hair dryers for curly hair come with multiple heat and power settings. Having full control of both factors can make the difference between impeccably styled hair and hair that’s just dry. Stylist Sara Tintari says, “Your blow dryer should have a cold shot button. When used, it’s a great finisher to add shine and help set your hairstyle into place.” To get the most out of your cold blast, use it on hot hair before it has cooled naturally.

Power

The heat and power settings on a blow dryer go hand in hand, and choosing the correct levels for both make for the best and fastest styling experience. While the heat setting controls how hot or cold the air comes out, the power setting determines the speed at which it exits your tool. To minimize frizz, you can choose to start with a high speed or power level to kick start your dry and switch to a lower setting to set and finish your style.

Diffuser

A diffuser is a godsend for reducing frizz and promoting the best curl shape. Cupping your curls in a diffuser while scrunching them in an upward motion creates fuller, bouncier and more defined curls. The more traditional diffuser is shaped like a bowl with nubs sticking out, but there are also more innovative designs like the diffuser that comes with the DevaCurl DevaDryer, which mimic the look of a hand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Use A Hair Dryer For Curly Hair?

Tintari recommends starting with a brush to gently detangle hair. She likes to use a Balmain Hair paddle brush but says finger combing works well too. She then preps damp, curly hair with a leave-in conditioning spray to moisturize the strands before firing up the dryer. Next, using a diffuser, apply your desired heat to the hair, scrunching upward to bring back your natural curl. “Using a diffuser does not make your hair frizzy, but if you over use it, it can create frizz,” she says. Her secret is drying the hair about 80% to 90% and letting the rest air dry. The result is bouncy, shiny curls, minus the frizz.

Do Hair Dryers Damage Curly Hair?

When it comes to styling your hair, any heat applied can be damaging. “Heat keep curls intact, but it’s important not to over dry the hair, as that creates frizz,” says Tintari. Using a lower heat setting on your dryer can ensure that you’re not applying too much heat to the hair. You can also protect your strands with a heat protectant before using the blow dryer or trying to extend the period between your blow dry sessions.

What Attachments Do You Need If You Have Curly Hair?

According to Tintari, the diffuser is the one hair dryer attachment made specifically for curly hair. “Using a diffuser can enhance volume and define your curl pattern,” she says.

The 7 Best Hair Dryers For Curly Hair, According To Experts (2024)
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