Please note that diffusers can reach a high heat and therefore always use on a low heat setting and make sure the attachment has cooled before removing. The Nanoe also has an innovative alternating hot and cold mode, which blasts hot air along the hair shaft to flatten and style, followed automatically by cool air to seal the cuticle and set the style. A scalp mode gently dries the roots and scalp at 50˚C, and is particularly good for dry and sensitive scalps. The dryer is lightweight and has a foldable handle, making it neat to store at home and perfect for travel.

It’s one of the lightest and most compact hair dryers I’ve ever used, which made the whole drying experience a lot more comfortable, and less of a chore. It’s so nice to use a hair dryer where the controls are placed exactly where you want them so you can easily switch between heat and speed settings mid-blow-dry - quite a rarity on newer models.The Alyon’s ionising technology is good for dry hair that needs a little extra conditioning care, and especially good for curly hair that tends to frizz with heat styling. The dryer made light work of our shoulder-length curly hair; the Alyon dries hair beautifully fast and hair feels soft and silky after drying, especially if you use the lower heat setting.

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. 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.The ergonomic design of the DIGITALYON and the unbelievably light weight offers perfect balance and hours of use without fatigue or pain. The dryer also features Parlux’s patented Hair Free system to trap stray hairs before they enter the motor. In conjunction with the stylish new filter, this ensures that less dirt can enter the dryer whilst performance remains unbeatable. Parlux MagicSense ®is the special diffuser that revolutionises the hair dryingto obtain perfect curlswithout messing upthe hair. The Keratin Protect is a slim, sleek-looking dryer that doesn’t weigh an awful lot, and its cable is long enough for even the largest of bedrooms. Take note of the warranty instructions as failure to follow these may result in warranty being void.

The Supersonic creates smooth, shiny styles and dried our hair superfast. This is the ultimate combination of quietness, speed and hair-drying finesse. The lengthy cable, non-slip mat and beautifully crafted leather case help seal the deal. Overall, with the GHD Helios, you can expect your hair to be dried in record time with natural volume, stunning shine and a smoothness like no other. Its price point places it firmly in the premium hair dryer category, but it’s an investment your hair will thank you for. This is all dependent on which features are important to you and your budget. The Parlux 3200 Plus is a good middle point, and then if more features such as more power, more lightweight etc. are desired then move to the latest models accordingly. 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.

Now time to compare..

In the box, there are two concentrator styling nozzles - one narrow with a 6cm opening and a wider option, with a 7.5cm opening. The nozzles’ contoured design delivers a concentrated blade of air for a smoother, sleeker finish. These styling attachments definitely gave me superior control. My hair doesn’t always play nicely with a dryer - it can end up frizzier than if I had gone to bed with damp hair. But the slim nozzles gave me extra precision, especially when navigating a newly-snipped fringe. The draw of the particular model I tested was the patent-pending Magic Sense Special Diffuser, said to “revolutionize how you dry curls and style hair, for a breath-taking finish.” Apparently, it’s all down to the size and spacing of openings, which deliver the perfect balance of temperature and airflow. The diffuser is a generous size with 15 massaging prongs that lift and separate the hair, meaning I could work through my wet mop in larger sections and cut my drying time.

For some, the Parlux Alyon’s straightforwardness is its biggest selling point. But it’s hard not to pit it against newer, snazzier models like the Dyson Supersonic and Shark Style IQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler with their kinder-to-hair airflow technology. I have to flag for the sake of fairness that there is a noise factor. It isn’t especially loud, but if you’re used to Dyson’s almost disconcertingly quiet motor it may appear noisy. Air Ionizer Technology is an exclusive system that has been measured to optimise the emission of negative ion to eliminate static electricity, making the hair softer and shinier. This is a new and improved technology created by Parlux to give even healthier and smoother results than the ceramic ionic technology which has been confirmed by hairdressers worldwide. Wattage isn’t the only measure of power, however. The latest “digital motors” (EC or Electronically Commutated motors, if you want to be fancy) allow increased air velocity with reduced heat, for amazingly efficient results without the damage associated with higher heat.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. 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. Frizzy hair is a thing of the past, thanks to the Air Ionizer Tech which optimises the emission of negative ions and combines with the integrated ceramic grill to ensure sleek, beautiful hair. A new-wave heating element with variable geometry has increased the power of the Parlux DIGITALYON hair dryer to 2400 watts, whilst maintaining a uniform heat distribution. Add in the newly designed straightening nozzle and the outcome is stunningly smooth blow drys time after time.