While there’s no real substitute for a professional job, having the right tools at home can certainly help when it comes to volume, shine, bounce, and definition. Your hair dryer is front and center, but there are definitely some key features to look for, especially when it comes to professional standards. If you’re wanting a little more, some will come with a range of attachments – from diffusers to nozzles – which help to dry your hair at a faster speed, define curls or smooth down frizzy flyaways. We tested this hairdryer out for ourselves and totally agree with Wiley. We loved its powerful airflow (there are three to choose from, but we found we only needed to use setting two), and extra attachments comprising a styling concentrator, gentle air attachment, diffuser, wide-tooth comb, and flyaway attachment. After watching a few online videos of how each attachment worked, we achieved a bouncy, voluminous blow-dry in just over 20 minutes. The final result felt far more professional than we’ve ever been able to create with an average hairdryer. Yes, it’s very expensive but if you love your beauty gadgets and currently spend a lot on professional blow-dries, this is well worth the investment. Wiley calls the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer gold class: “It’s lightweight, quiet, and measures the air temperature over 40 times a second to protect the hair from damage. I also find it creates intense shine, and the six attachments are really handy.” (The attachments included are a styling concentrator, gentle air attachment, diffuser, wide-tooth comb, and flyaway attachment). Most stylists would recommend a wattage of at least 2000W to thoroughly dry your lengths, although the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is the exception with just 1,600W – but the clever digital motor technology still ensures a powerful dry.

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Drybar’s Double Shot Blow-Dryer Brush took the top spot in my story dedicated to the best hair-dryer brushes, which is not surprising for a brand known for its speedy blowout salons. “It takes the crown,” says Elizabeth, meaning it both figuratively and literally. Not only is it best in class but it also creates lift and volume starting at the crown, she explains. The brush features a combination of tufted and nylon bristles, which allows for both tension and control so you can achieve a super-sleek blowout.

So, whether you’re an avid heat styler or simply want to buy a quality, salon-worthy tool to have at home, we got to work testing out a wide range of popular models in our Manhattan-based lab. With the help of Byrdie staffers and pro stylists, we undertook some rigorous testing of their drying time, added attachments, airflow, and ease of use. This allowed us to see how each one performed in real life, and how they made our hair and scalp look and feel. When looking for a professional blow dryer you want to look for a few things: the weight, ergonomics, and heat settings are all important,'' says Global Artistic Director of Pureology, Jamie Wiley. Wiley also explains that functions and controls—like cool shots and speed settings—are also important as they enable you to dry and smooth the hair with ease without any damage.

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This varies between brands, but most professional hair dryers will run between 60 and 110 degrees C. The more important feature is even heat distribution, so certain sections of hair aren’t damaged (also, you’ll get a much sleeker result). It's also worth looking for something with a cool-shot setting: this will help set your style after you've dried it, and smooth those cuticles down, too. Also, most dryers today will come with a range of temperature, speed and power settings so you can adjust your blow-drying experience to suit your hair type.Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle and beauty journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best makeup palettes. Byrdie contributor Emily Algar has short, fine hair, so she always relies on a hair dryer to build long-lasting volume. She has also chatted to experts David Lopez and Jamie Wiley to get some A+ recommendations and help map out what makes a hair dryer stand out.

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Of course, it’s hard to talk about the best hair dryers without mentioning the Dyson Supersonic. It’s become the most-talked-about new hair invention of recent years. Celebrity stylists, like Adel Chabbi, use one in their salon; beauty veteran Linda Wells is a fan; and with plenty of accolades to its name, it’s definitely a top-of-the-line choice if you’re a professional or are just super-serious about at-home blowouts. Chabbi told me it’s great for all hair types, including women who wear extensions, and will leave every head of hair smooth and shiny.