A minor issue I experienced with the control panel is its position on one side of the handle; if I switched hands to style the other side of my head, the controls became more difficult to use one-handed. The magnetic concentrator and diffuser attachments fit on, and can be removed, without too much force; the magnets also mean the attachments stay put while drying instead of turning and moving. Other features of the Supersonic include flexible speed and heat settings, and thermal sensors to prevent the unit or attachments getting too hot. The hair dryer has Oxy Active Technology, which is designed to ‘emit active oxygen with anti-bacterial effect for improved colour fixation and shine’. While it was hard to notice whether it did improve colour, we did notice how smooth the results were in our tests.

Many high-end hair dryers come with a gamut of fancy features that claim to boost results. The BaByliss 3Q, however, takes the basic features of hair dryers and absolutely nails them, giving you an effortless and fuss-free barnet without overcomplicating things. It has three control switches for speed, temperature, and a cool shot, plus two concentrator nozzles to deliver a good amount of control when blow-drying your hair. Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 2,200W; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 3 metres; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator nozzle; Weight: 768It did well at smoothing out wavy hair at home. It does, however, only have one head, which may make it a little too large for some hair types as one size doesn’t always fit all. On the plus side, it’s light and compact enough to fit into hand luggage. One of the easiest things to overlook when buying a hair dryer is how long the cable is. Some cheaper models come with relatively short cables, while pricier models often boast “salon-length” mains cables, which are as long as 4m. Cup diffuser: A classic design, and the one you’ll find is the most common. It’s ideal for those with medium-to-long hair. With their ‘Great Hairdryer’, Hershesons claim to have found ‘the lightest, most powerful and efficient dryer on the market’. It comes in a blue tin box with a diffuser, two concentrator nozzles and a stand included and at 295g, it weighs less than a can of Coke – compare this to the 659g Dyson Supersonic or the 730g Shark STYLE iQ Ionic. It’s also very slim. This makes it a great travel companion, as well as limiting arm-ache when you’re using it.

In general, a higher wattage indicates a more powerful and effective dryer. Hair salons will typically use dryers with 2,000W motors and above, allowing experienced stylists to blow-dry efficiently. However, like many salon products, these powerful tools are best left in the hands of professionals who know how to wield them safely. At-home hair dryers usually fall in the 1,000W-1,600W range. An upgrade on the popular Revlon One-Step Volumiser, the Plus model claims to give you 50 percent less heat exposure and has the technology built in to create shinier results. It’s aimed at those who want to easily create a bouncy blow dry at home and we found it fuss-free and easy to use. It measured around the 90-decibel mark on its highest setting, so can get quite noisy, though. It comes with a brilliant range of features, which include two speeds, three heat settings and a cool shot button. These give it enough control for controlled round-brush styling, as well as gentle diffusing. Pair this with the diffuser and concentrator nozzle that securely clip onto the front of the dryer, and you’ve got a relatively faultless dryer that is a great option for a wide range of hair types and textures.

The best hair dryers you can buy in 2023

Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 3; Power: 1,520W; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.5m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser; Weight: 500g

The 2,000W motor is powerful enough to dry hair fast and with a minimum of fuss, and the dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle to direct airflow. The long barrel also helps make it easy to direct airflow where you want it, and there are two speed and three heat settings for drying flexibility, plus a cool shot to set your finished style. If you’re on a budget, this is an excellent alternative to some of the pricier products reviewed above. Choosing the best hair dryer for curly hair is no easy feat, you want to look at all the key points as you would in the best hair dryer, but in a tool that works for curls.Despite the smaller number of settings, it’s the drying power that sets the Helios apart from the rest: the 2,200W motor rivals the Dyson Supersonic in its drying time and ability to deliver a frizz-free finish, which is no easy feat for a hair dryer that costs half the price. That’s thanks to GHD’s AutoPrecis technology creating a blast of focused air that travels at 75mph, as well as the concentrator nozzle that precisely directs airflow for a smooth blow dry. In every respect, the BaByliss 3Q hair dryer is a minimalist’s dream. Rather than throwing in flashy features for the sake of it, BaByliss perfects those necessary to deliver excellent and fast styling results. For those in the market for a great quality, lightweight and powerful hair dryer, the 3Q is an easy recommendation. Digital (EC) motors: Hair health has been on the drying industry’s mind for some time, and the latest “digital motors” (also known as EC or electronically commutated motors) allow for increased air velocity with reduced heat, so you don’t need a high wattage to experience powerful drying results on a lower heat setting. Lower heat settings are ideal for all hair types, but especially for curly hair, which can easily become dehydrated as a result of heat styling. This is an expensive hair-styling tool, but the benefits to hair health make it worth the investment if you frequently style your curly hair this way.

When testing, we time the speed of drying from freshly washed hair to fully dry (noting the hair length and texture we test on); and evaluate the overall ease of use, noise, and the finish and feel of the hair after drying. Using equipment such as anemometers, infrared heat sensors and sound level meters allows us to directly compare the speed, heat and noise levels of different dryers. We also note how well curls, waves and straight styles last in a typical day of wear. Finally, we confirm the weight and dimensions of the tool.

Having curly hair can present many challenges – as can styling it. Here are our tips to achieve the best finish.