13 best travel hair dryers to take on your mini-break that are just as good as your full-sized one
Travel hair dryers are an absolute necessity if you're heading on holiday. You want to look and feel your best on your much-deserved vacay, but let's face it: a hotel hair dryer just doesn't cut the mustard.
More often than not, they’re heavy and clunky, and leave your hair feeling dry and frazzled. With frizz aplenty and zero styling ability, hotel dryers can leave you muttering obscenities and frantically scrabbling for your trusty hair straightener. But fear not, there are a multitude of impressive compact hair dryers on the market that will leave you looking like you’ve just stepped out of the salon with an expensive blow dry.
Best travel hair dryers at a glance:
- Best hair dryer for all hair types: ghd Flight Travel Hair Dryer, £65, LookFantastic
- Best hair dryer for fine hair: BaByliss Travel Dryer 2000, £25, Beauty Bay
- Best hair dryer for curly hair: TRESemmé Salon Professional 2000 Travel Dryer, £25, Amazon
- Best hair dryer for afro hair: Wahl Hair Dryer Powerpik 2, £22.99, Amazon
If you’re still convinced that a mini hair dryer just won’t be the same as your standard hair dryer, think again. Many quality hair tool brands, like BaByliss, Remington, Revlon and Conair ensure that their travel hair dryers have the same watts of power, ionic technologies and heat and speed settings, just in a compact design. And they won’t break the bank either, so you can save your pennies for expenses like hotels, flights and transport (and many, many cocktails).
Tp have the ultimate good hair day, every day, it’s best to find a compact travel hair dryer that truly suits your hair type, as well as your general wants and needs. Beautiful hair can take many forms, and whether you have an afro, curly hair, dry hair, or fine, damaged, thick hair or anything in between, there is an option for you. Ready to find it? Keep reading for the holiday hair of your dreams.
Skip to: What to look for | Can you take a hair dryer through airport security | Voltage in different countries | Best travel hair dryer | How we chose and tested | Our full reviews
What to look for in a travel hair dryer
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a new travel hair dryer:
The best travel hair dryers will have a folding handle, so they don't take up too much space in your suitcase, and means more room for extra outfits. That extra pair of shoes you thought you couldn’t fit? Chuck them in.
Particularly useful in tropical climes and for curly, afro or coily hair types, cool settings will help set your hairstyle after drying and leave hair smoother, providing you with an enviable swish worthy of a L’Oréal advert.
To power your hair dryer at home, you need around 220-240V, but this can vary in different countries. If you're a frequent traveller and plan on using your hair dryer in various different destinations, dual voltage will come in handy. Make a beeline for travel hair dryers with “120/220-240V” printed on the label. This means it's a dual voltage travel hair dryer.
In our guide to the best hair dryers, we recommend (with the exception of the Dyson Supersonic - which has a wattage of 1600) opting for a wattage of above 2100. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair dryer will style your hair. That said, a higher wattage generally results in a heavier hair dryer, which isn't always ideal for travel. Consider how often you'll be carrying your travel-size hair dryer in your weekend bag or gym bag, and opt for something with a strong wattage but that's still lightweight. This super affordable BaByliss travel hair dryer (£25, Beauty Bay) is really lightweight, but it has a pretty decent wattage of 2000W.
Can you take a hair dryer through airport security?
Yep! You're permitted to take hair dryers in both cabin luggage and carry-on bags.
What voltages are used in different countries?
As we said earlier, you need around 220-240V for your hair dryer to work at home, but this can vary in different countries. So, if you’re planning some international travel to one of the destinations below (lucky you), then make sure to take a travel hair dryer that matches the country’s voltage. And don't forget to pack your travel adapter too.
- Europe: 230V
- USA: 120-240V
- Canada: 120V-240V
- Australia: 230V-240V
- Thailand: 220V
- Japan: 100V-200V
What is the best travel hair dryer?
This depends on your budget and hair type. The ghd Flight travel hair dryer is a popular choice - lightweight and compact while still retaining 70% of the power of other heavier ghd models, it comes with a precision nozzle, dust bag and variable heat and styling settings.
But there’s approximately *thousands* of travel hair dryers out there, and so to help you make your decision on which is best for you, we’ve assembled a comprehensive guide of the best travel hair dryers on the market, including budget buys, more premium options and cult-favourites that will never let you down (our your hair). You can thank us later.
How we chose and tested the best travel hair dryers
As a team of fashion, interiors and beauty experts, we happen to know a thing or two about which brands are the best in the business, and we love to share that with you, our loyal readers.
We’ve trawled through countless customer reviews, websites and brands to find nothing but the best travel hair dryers for your beautiful locks. We combined these findings with specific data on the kind of travel hair dryers you've been looking for, as well as checking that the products we feature are of high-quality, high-durability and inclusive of all hair types, to result in our selection of the best travel hair dryers on the market in 2023. Happy shopping!
Revamp your haircare routine with the help of our guides on the best heat styling tools, best curling wands and the best shampoos and conditioners for all hair types.
Scroll to view our edit of the best travel hair dryers for all hair types and circumstances…
ghd Flight Travel Hair Dryer, £65, LookFantastic
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: You can’t get much better than ghd, and the brand wanted to cater for every hair type when creating their much longed-for folding hair dryer.
It’s super lightweight to use at 50% lighter than other full-size ghd hair dryers (so you won’t get that dead arm feeling, particularly if you have longer or thicker hair) but it still retains 70% of the power - pretty impressive, eh?
We like the premium, expensive feel to it, with its removable golden nozzle, ghd branding and powerful air flow, and it also offers heat protection with its safeguard technology, where the hair dryer automatically switches off if you hold it too close to the hair.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1200W
- Weight: 422 g.
- Attachments: precision drying nozzle
- Cord length: 1.8 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
BaByliss Travel Dryer 2000, £25, Beauty Bay
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: This travel hair dryer has a seriously impressive number of raving reviews on Amazon, many of which rate it with five stars. Despite being so small and affordable, it's insanely powerful, and many shoppers actually claimed it dried their hair more quickly than their at-home hair dryer. One said: "Wow. Blown away by this dryer (HA - geddit!)" while another posted "this hairdryer is absolutely brilliant! Given its compact size I was expecting something resembling more of a light breeze but it's surprisingly powerful on its highest level." Impressive, right?
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 2000W
- Weight: 750 g
- Attachments: concentrator nozzle
- Cord length: 1.8 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: no
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Beauty Bay discount codes.
TRESemmé Salon Professional 2000 Travel Dryer, £26.99, Superdrug
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: Coming with a nifty mini paddle brush for on the go de-tangling, this small travel hair dryer packs a punch for weighing just 700g. It has a powerful 2000W but uses tourmaline-ceramic technology to provide even heat distribution and ensure your curls are thoroughly dried, but without drying them out. Plus, the dual voltage and folding handle make it a super simple travel companion.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 2000W
- Weight: 700 g
- Attachments: one concentrator nozzle and mini paddle brush
- Cord length: 1.8 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: no
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Superdrug discount codes.
Wahl Hair Dryer Powerpik 2, WAS £22.99 NOW £21.58, Amazon
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: Yep, you’re right in thinking that this isn’t a travel hair dryer, but it’s such a fantastic option for afro, coily and textured hair types that we had to include it.
It has a salon length three metre long cord, (and you will frequently see the Wahl PowerPik 2 Hair Dryer being used in specialised Afro hair salons). It’s brilliant at taming glorious afros due to its heat-resistant pik attachment, which helps to direct airflow and evenly dry the hair, whilst the cool shot button allows your ‘fro to set.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1500W
- Weight: 796 g
- Attachments: one concentrator attachment and a OnePik hair dryer brush
- Cord length: 3 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 3
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Amazon discount codes.
T3 Compact Hair Dryer, £125, Space NK
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: If you’re concerned about heat damage, this is the travel blow dryer for you.
It has a fast heat-up time and houses an internal microchip that intelligently monitors heat levels and distributes hot air evenly across the head. You can choose your desired heat with three different heat levels and two speed settings, further minimising damage and ensuring your hair is cared for whilst being dried.
Plus, the T3 Fit is the brand's lightest blow dryer ever – and both 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than T3's full-size professional hair dryers.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1600W
- Weight: 400 g
- Attachments: one concentrator nozzle
- Cord length: 2.7 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 3
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Space NK discount codes.
Nicky Clarke Travel Hair Dryer, WAS £19.99 NOW £18.99, Amazon
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: This is the travel hair dryer for thick hair, which quickly became apparent when we were reading through customer reviews.
“I was sceptical that this wouldn’t do the job on my long thick hair, and I was wrong. I thought due to the size that it wouldn’t be powerful enough, but it’s just as good as a regular dryer on my hair,” exclaimed one reviewer.
Another happy customer wrote, “Oh well what a little gem this is! I travel quite a lot with work so this has been my best friend. I have quite thick hair and it’s really good and powerful for a travel hair dryer. It’s so lightweight as well, so it’s so perfect for taking away on holiday! I have recommended it to so many people.”
“Perfect for holidays with my daughters who have thick hair,” concluded another.
Thick hair can take so long to dry, so we reckon this little number is a worthy addition to your holiday/work trip/mini break packing list.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1200W
- Weight: 1000 g
- Attachments: one concentrator nozzle
- Cord length: 1.8 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: no
Revlon Perfect Heat Frizz Fighter Hair Dryer, WAS £25.99 NOW £23.24, Amazon
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: For the price, this is a pretty impressive hair dryer - it’s one of the most powerful in our edit, boasting 2200W (in comparison the Dyson Supersonic is 1600W) but it has three layers of ceramic coating, which helps to protect the hair from overheating and causing damage.
It helps to tame frizzy hair too, as it has ionic technology to help keep your hair smooth and a precision concentrator nozzle for easy styling. Bonus? It has the longest warranty we’ve seen on a travel hairdryer with three years (most are usually just two).
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 2200W
- Weight: 499 g
- Attachments: one styling concentrator
- Cord length: 1.6 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 3
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Amazon discount codes.
Remington Folding Travel Hairdryer, £15.99, Boots
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: A great budget travel hair dryer is this Remington option, which folds up for stress-free packing. You can remove the concentrator nozzle (which helps you to achieve sleek locks when attached) to save space, but it also comes with a diffuser attachment to disperse the hot air evenly throughout the hair and provide va-va-voom volume.
It's fairly light and fast-drying, but its USP is that you can take it anywhere in the world due to its worldwide voltage; perfect for you globetrotters out there.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 2000W
- Weight: 662 g
- Attachments: concentrator and diffuser
- Cord length: 1.8 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: no
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Boots discount codes.
Flower Beauty By Drew Barrymore Ionic Travel Hair Dryer, £29.99, Sephora
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: While the wattage on this travel hair dryer isn't as high as those on the rest of our list, it's really small and lightweight, weighing just 226 g! How cute!?
It’s super affordable too, with a lengthy cable of 3 metres, so you’re not stuck with your nearest socket. Plus, its technology was designed by aerospace engineers (only the best for Drew) so you can guarantee your hair is being cared for, with its thinner and lighter blades to help provide a more powerful airflow for quick drying.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1000W
- Weight: 226 g
- Attachments: concentrator nozzle
- Cord length: 3 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: no
- Cold shot: no
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Sephora discount codes.
Parlux 3500 Super Compact Ionic Hair Dryer, £149.99, LookFantastic
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why we love it: One of the smallest and most lightweight travel hair dryers in this edit is the Parlux Super Compact Ionic hair dryer. It's more expensive than others, but it measures just 17cm, so it’s a no-brainer purchase if you’re tight on space.
But wait, there’s more to this small and mighty model. There are three temperature settings to customise your styling experience, with two concentrator nozzles and a cold shot button to help set your hairstyle in place. Plus, it boasts ionic technology which cleverly produces negative ions to help your hair look its shiniest and smoothest self. Yes please.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 2000W
- Weight: 505 g
- Attachments: two concentrator nozzles
- Cord length: 3 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 3
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Shark STYLE iQ Ionic Hair Dryer & Styler, WAS £179.99 NOW £149.99, Shark
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
Why we love it: Ticking all the right boxes, this is the ideal choice for hair styling on the go. Powerful, compact and not too heavy – it dries hair fast (super fast, in fact) so when you’re running late, this is ideal.
What makes it so fast drying, you ask? It’s down to the iQ technology, which creates high-velocity hot air and ionised air, which speeds up the drying time, but without the heat damage.
The accompanying two in one concentrator and diffuser work magic too, as the hairdryer recognises when you attach one and adjusts its temperature and speed accordingly to give your hair the best results - think silky, shiny hair with fewer flyaways and frizz.
*Adds to wishlist*
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1600W
- Weight: 500 g
- Attachments: one concentrator nozzle and a diffuser
- Cord length: 2.5 metres
- Speed settings: 3
- Heat settings: 3
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Boots discount codes.
Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer, £85, LookFantastic
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: Drybar understood the assignment and created a travel blow dryer especially to produce a bouncy blow dry, wherever you are in the world.
It uses a wave heater to evenly distribute the heat all over the hair, ionic technology to lessen frizz and boost shine, and it comes with a cute travel bag for you to easily transport your travel companion wherever you go.
We adore the bright buttercup colour (which also means you’re not likely to lose it or leave it behind in your hotel room) and it delivers 100% of the performance of most full sized hair dryers, so you’re definitely getting bang for your buck. As one Amazon reviewer says, “Hard to believe this is a travel hairdryer as it is just as good as a home hair dryer, if not better.” We’re sold.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1200W
- Weight: 510 g
- Attachments: one concentrator nozzle
- Cord length: 2.12 metres
- Speed settings: 2
- Heat settings: 2
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Amazon discount codes.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, £329.99, Sephora
Our rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Why we love it: Get ready for an elevated experience, as the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer has landed.
Okay, it’s not technically a travel hair dryer, but it would be a sin to leave it out - after all, it is considered to be one of the best models on the market, albeit coming with a hefty price tag.
But. There’s so many things to love about it! From its five different attachments, to its lightweight motor which is small enough to be housed inside the handle, but is six times more powerful than a standard motor, to its four different heat settings (28°C for cold air, 60°C for diffusing, 80°C for regular drying, and 100°C for fast drying and styling), this is your one-and-done hairdryer that will last you a lifetime.
Product specifications:
- Wattage: 1600W
- Weight: 659 g
- Attachments: one styling concentrator, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, a wide tooth comb, and a flyaway attachment
- Cord length: 2.8 metres
- Speed settings: 3
- Heat settings: 4
- Ionic technology: yes
- Cold shot: yes
Save when you shop for the best travel hair dryers with these Sephora discount codes.
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