While getting a salon blowout sounds like a luxurious idea, it's not light on your wallet or feasible on a daily basis. There is light at the end of the tunnel, however! Many powerful hair dryers have popped up on the market to bless us with shiny, bouncy hair the DIY way. Once you factor in the average lifespan of a decent hair dryer and the number of hairstyles you can get out of it, it's quite affordable to style a lovely blowout at home. Without further ado, we would like to present to you the best hair dryers for thick hair so that you can rock the perfect blowout anytime you like.
Highly Rated Hair Dryers for Thick Luscious Locks
Drying thick hair can be time-consuming and will require quite an effort on your end. This, however, will not be the case if you are using any of the products that are mentioned below.
ghd Air® Hair Dryer
Get ready for your best blow dry with this award-winning professional hair dryer that was the Winner of Best Blow-dryer for the 2017 InStyle Best Beauty Buys. You know your thick, coarse strands are in good hands once you find out that this hair dryer was developed in collaboration with professional hairstylists. Using advanced ionic technology and a more-than-durable 1600W AC motor, this hair dryer will give you the salon-worthy blowout in the comfort of your own home. Avid users were singing praises of this product for gifting them with more volume and bounce in their hair at half the drying time. The best thing is you can definitely look forward to silky-smooth hair, minus the split ends.
John Blast 6900 Tourmaline Ceramic Ionic Professional Hair Dryer
There is no need to wait for a long time before your hair becomes dry with the use of this 2,200-watt blow dryer. In fact, this is one of the most powerful from all the products that are included in this list. Because it is a tourmaline ceramic ionic hair dryer, you can expect that the natural moisture of the hair will be retained to make it shiny and soft without causing negative impacts in its health. Lastly, the product comes with a 12-month warranty from the manufacturer.
Elchim Classic 2001 Dryer
Even if it has only 1,875 watts, this is one more option that is sure to not disappoint when it comes to a dryer that is designed for thick hair. It is not cheap, but the price will be worth it given the superior performance that it promises to deliver. With this dryer, you will be able to choose from five heat and two-speed settings. You can also expect this product to be long-lasting. Based on the technical specs from the manufacturer, its anticipated lifespan is at least 2,000 hours.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
If budget is not an issue, this is definitely one product to consider. The price is justifiable because of its tech-advanced features. Frizz-free hair will be possible because of its powerful settings, despite the fact that it does not produce too much heat that can be damaging to the hair. You can choose from four heat settings and three speed settings. It is also acoustically tuned, which means that it will not produce an annoying noise when it is used. The dryer also stays cool the touch, even if you are using it for an extended period.
Conair 1875-watt Ionic Ceramic Hair Dryer
Even with just 1,875 watts, this is another hair dryer that will work if you have thick hair. It also comes with a high-torque DC motor that adds to the power it delivers. There are three heat and two-speed settings, providing you with the opportunity to choose which one is more suitable for your styling needs. There is a hinged filter for effortless care and maintenance, making it easier to prolong the lifespan of the hair dryer. Lastly, the unit comes with a diffuser and a concentrator for versatility.
BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Dryer
For those with really frizzy and dry hair, ceramic is your best bet and this hair dryer that uses Ceramic technology will have you and your tresses covered. It produces an even and extra-gentle far-infrared heat to protect your locks from heat damage and eliminate the danger of a singed scalp. It gives a powerful airflow that will shave precious minutes off your blow drying routine. With its 2000W professional AC motor, the slightly costly price tag is well worth the splurge, especially since it lasts for about three to five years according to several users who used the dryer almost every day.
PIBBS TTEC8012 Twin Turbo 3800 Hair Dryer
The 2,100-watt motor of this hair dryer is one of the reasons why this product deserves a spot on our list. For the settings, you can choose from two speeds and four temperatures. It provides maximum heat transfer and optimal shine without compromising the health of your hair. It also has a low-noise motor, so it will never be annoying to use. To add, despite being powerful, the unit stays cool to the touch even if you use it for an extended period.
T3 Cura Hair Dryer
Winner of the 2018 BRIDES Beauty Award, this hair dryer uses the brand’s Digital IonAir which releases a precise stream of digitally-controlled heat and gentle airstream that shortens your drying time like no other. With three digitally-controlled heat settings, you can switch it up to suit your mood. The highest heat setting does dry your hair rapid-fast - one reviewer gauged a maximum of 8 minutes to get her shoulder-length hair to 90% dry, which if you think about it, is pretty impressive. The built-in ion generator also provides negative ions to give you a silky-soft and frizz-free ‘do. For a sleek finish, the cool shot button emits a blast of cool air to lock in whatever hairstyle of the day you are going for. It also comes with a removable pure stream cap, as well as drying and styling concentrators. And if you are still not sold on it, the gorgeously-chic white and rose gold design just might do the trick.Wasting more time than you should on getting your thick mane dry is no longer a problem with one of these powerful hair dryers. With different features and technologies that cover affordable to high-end prices, you won’t be hard-pressed to find one that will suit your needs.
Kipozi 1875W Hair Dryer
Leveraging on Advanced Nano Ionic technology, this hair dryer is an absolute treat for drying your thick, wavy hair. By locking in moisture in the hair shaft, this hair dryer is great for frizz reduction and keeping your mane tangle-free. Moreover, the diffusion of negative ions will allow you to dry your hair at lower temperatures without prolonging your blow out. That way, you get to minimize your hair’s exposure to less heat and damage. One reviewer who has super thick hair even mentioned that it took only 10 minutes for her to achieve a salon-looking blowout with this dryer. Users also commented on how quiet this hair dryer is which adds bonus points for trying to sneak in a morning blowout without waking up your other half.
INFINITIPRO by Conair Hair Dryer and Styling Tool
This 2000-watt dryer is the second entry from Conair that is recommended in this post, which shows how the brand can be trusted. The best thing about this model is that it is not only a hair dryer, but it also doubles as a styling tool. Plus, it should also be noted that it generates 70% more air pressure compared to most of its competitors, which is exactly why even if you have thick hair, drying does not need to take forever. It also has a rated life of 5,000 hours, which will allow it to provide the best bang for the buck.
Conair Pro Styler with Ionic Conditioning
This affordable yet powerful hair dryer gives you more control over those thick, coarse strands while minimizing the frizz. With ionic conditioning, this dryer makes use of infrared heat which can dry the hair shaft from the inside-out so that you enjoy greater protection from hot spots and heat damage. The technology also provides natural ion output which not only fights frizz but adds a lustrous-looking gloss to your locks. The silver chrome barrel and diamond finish lend a sleek and futuristic look to the dryer which makes it even easier on the eyes.
Revlon 1875W Infrared Hair Dryer
Despite being made by one of the most trusted brands on the global market, you will love how it comes with an affordable price. With 1,875 watts of power, the company promises to deliver faster drying and maximum shine. It has tourmaline ionic technology, which promises to eliminate frizz. More so, it also has ceramic technology that will help to lessen hair damage. For optimal control when using this product, there are two settings each for speed and heat, as well as a cool shot button to dry the hair without suffering from the heat generated by the dryer.
Parlux 3800 Ionic and Ceramic Hair Dryer
This hairdryer has 2,100 watts, which means that it is powerful enough to dry even thick hair. It won’t take long before the desired look of your crowning glory is achieved. Despite being powerful, it is worth noting that the product is equipped with a built-in silencer, which is effective in reducing the noise that is generated during its operation. The hair dryer is also made using recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly choice. Also, comfort is not a thing that you have to worry about as it weighs less than 500 grams.
Solano Supersolano 3500 Lite Professional Hair Dryer
If arm fatigue is your main concern when it comes to blow drying your hair, then you have to try this ultra-light hair dryer by Solano. Boasting a mere pound in weight, the hair dryer uses a combination of ionic, ceramic, and tourmaline that shortens the drying time while protecting your hair. This means frizz-free and stronger hair strands after drying. The included non-damaging infrared heat also dries your hair from the inside-out for added heat protection. Thick-haired individuals who used to moan about how blow drying seem to take forever were more than pleased with having their drying time cut by half after using this dryer. Their hair also felt and looked smooth and shiny after the blowout. Its sleek and slim design also makes it easier to store or bring it along on away trips.
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Dryer
Trusted even by salon professionals, this is our personal favorite from all of the products that are mentioned in this post. It has a power of 2,000 watts, which is exactly the reason why drying thick hair will never be a problem with its use. It also has an ergonomic design and a lightweight body to ensure your highest level of comfort. Users were also extremely happy with the six-speed and heat settings. There is a cool shot button if you are afraid that the heat will cause damage to your hair. Lastly, it has the innovative Nano Titanium technology to make the hair more beautiful.
RUSK Engineering W8less Professional Hair Dryer
With a weight of less than one pound, drying your hair does not need to take a lot of effort. It also comes with an ergonomic handle, which makes it comfortable to use. Despite the minimal weight, it has 2,000 watts of power to quickly dry your hair. Another thing notable about this product is the infusion of ceramic and tourmaline. With the latter, it uses far-infrared rays for deeper penetration in each cuticle, allowing it to be dried from the inside out. Regardless of the texture and length of your thick hair, this is one product that is guaranteed to work.
AsaVea Pro AC Motor Blow Dryer
Besides its reliable 1875 wattage and the all-powerful AC motor encased in this black and rose gold hair dryer, it has an ionic generator and ceramic-tourmaline air outlet to eliminate static, cut down frizz, and restore shine to your thick tresses. Users have fallen in love with the dryer’s impressive airflow as they experienced shorter drying time whereby one even commented that she managed to dry her super-long hair in just under 8 minutes! They also liked how the product never overheated or put out excessive heat to make you all hot and sweaty during a blowout session, causing your makeup to melt off. Definitely not a single regret after purchasing it.
What To Look For In a Hair Dryer
Given that some of the higher-end models can cost more than a hundred bucks, shopping for a hair dryer is definitely not to be taken lightly. Particularly since your purchase will determine how gorgeous and healthy your hair will look and feel for at least the next year or so. Your pursuit of the perfect blow drying companion also seems to be a lot more complicated now that brands are throwing around terms like “negative ions”, “AC motor”, “infrared heat” and more. It kinda makes one feel like they are cramming for a last-minute physics test when that’s so not the case. Behold the comprehensive guide to what you need to look for in a hair dryer below.
Ionic Technology
Ionic dryers have been in the spotlight for a quite a while now, and it’s unlikely that they will be going away anytime soon give the multitude of hair benefits they bestow on us. By emitting negative ions that break up the water molecules which cause the moisture to evaporate faster, an ionic dryer can dry your hair within a shorter amount of time. This also means that you can use a lower temperature to dry your hair without compromising on results. As such, your hair is exposed to lesser heat and damage, and you get to save on your electricity bills too.
Another thing to add is that these negative ions don’t cause any harm to your hair since the hair shaft is not disrupted. In fact, using negative ionic technology can actually help to eliminate frizz and keep your hair sleek and smooth. Because the ions help to lock in moisture, you can also look forward to lesser tangles and gloriously-soft hair.
Ceramic Or Tourmaline
Ceramic hair dryers are great for those who tend to blow dry on a frequent basis. A ceramic dryer relies on infrared heat and heats up quickly for even heat dispersion in order to dry your hair from the inside-out. This minimizes the damage done to the hair shaft while drying your hair in record time. This also means that those with fragile or damaged hair could benefit greatly from a ceramic dryer.
On the other hand, tourmaline emits both far-infrared heat and negative ions which provide a two-pronged effect for the hair. Firstly, the far-infrared heat locks in your hair’s moisture so that dry, brittle strands are a thing of the past. Secondly, the negative ions seal in the cuticle layer to avoid unwanted frizz to achieve smooth and glossy-looking hair. Tourmaline also dries your hair 40% more quickly when compared to other materials. But it does come at a cost. Because tourmaline is a precious gemstone, hair dryers that contain it as one of their base materials can be quite expensive.
Heat & Speed Settings
Of course, the amount of heat dispelled and whether or not it can be adjusted are essential in your blowout. The speed at which the air streams out is also something that you should not overlook. Try searching for a hair dryer that has at least two different heat settings and two other speed settings. Some higher-end models may boast a wider range to give you more control over how much heat and air you want. A cool shot button is also super useful when it comes to setting your blowout so that it can last for a couple more hours. On a related note, if you are using any heat on your hair you should use a heat protectant to keep it healthy.
Wattage
The amount of wattage a motor has in a hair dryer is of utmost importance. After all, you want to make sure that your hair dryer is all-powerful enough to deal with your hair type and needs. A high-wattage motor means that more heat and wind power is produced which translates into a quicker blowout. But it’s also crucial to make sure that your hair dryer has a decent heat-to-wind ratio to prevent excessive heat from scalding your scalp or burning your hair.
As a rule of thumb, those with thick, wavy, or curly hair should opt for 1800W and above. Comparatively, normal, medium, and fine hair types should stick between 1300W to 1800W in order to prevent over-frying the strands.
Weight
Unless you have exceptionally toned and strong arms, a full-size dryer will probably cause you arm fatigue after a while. As such, the wisdom in choosing a lightweight hair dryer cannot be emphasized enough. This is especially applicable to thicker hair types who normally have to sit through a longer drying sesh to get the coarse strands completely dried.
Cost
Without beating around the bush, professional-grade dryers are usually more expensive than retail-grade ones that are aimed at domestic buyers like you and me. But we need to keep in mind that what you pay is what you get. Given that the AC motors commonly found in professional-quality dryers can last longer (approximately 2,000 hours) and dry your hair faster, this may be well worth the money spent when looking at it in a long-term frame of mind.
Accessories
Besides the main body of the hair dryer, accessories are what make up the fun yet essential part of perfecting your blowout. If you want to rock Rihanna-esque curls, then a diffuser attachment is definitely what you need as it can boost the hair’s natural volume and enhance your curls’ definition. For a more precise airflow, using a concentrator will help greatly in guiding the airstream to a particular hair section. If you specifically want volume, you can try a pick attachment to put more fluff and bounce into your hair. Styling dryers are also particularly useful for thick hair types as they can help to smooth and detangle the mane.
While this list is not exhaustive, it should give you a good idea of what features, technologies, and attachments you should look for so that your hair dryer can meet all your expectations.
Extra Features to Look For
For the best value for the money, look for extra features that will contribute to the exceptional performance and superior quality of the product. For instance, one of the best to have is a cool shot button. This will allow a cool air to dry the hair, which is also effective in the reduction of frizz. Having multiple heat and speed settings will also be great, especially for versatility. You will also benefit from one that comes with multiple attachments for your styling needs.
Tips for Drying your Thick Hair
While it will help to have the best hair dryer on hand, the following are some of the tips that you should keep in mind.
- Hair experts suggest that you choose a goodconditioner. The latter does not only help to make the hair smoother, but it is also effective in making the drying process quicker. It has silicones that coat and seal the hair strands, allowing it to repel water.
- Before you even plug the hair dryer, use a towel first. This will allow the hair to dry at least 30% before using a hair dryer. If you have thick hair, a bamboo towel will be a good option. The main material used is bamboo viscose, which is more absorbent when compared to cotton. It is also softer and eco-friendly. A microfiber towel will also work. Also, before you use a towel, you should squeeze the water out with the use of your hands first.
- Avoid using a hairbrush, especially if your thick hair is curly. Using a brush on thick hair will make it end up looking frizzy. If you feel that it is necessary to use a hairbrush, choose one that is made of boar bristles. It will be gentle on the hair while also being absorbent.
- If you have tocomb your hair, a wide-tooth comb is what you should use. This is good because it makes your thick hair less prone to breakage. The spaces in between prevent dragging the hair.
- Use the right leave-in styling products. However, rather than lathering your hair with a serum, a better alternative would be a quick-dry spray. It should not be saturated with an oily serum as this will only extend the time needed for drying. Coconut oil will also be great for thick hair to make it less voluminous while also adding a natural shine.
- When it comes to drying your hair, you should never do it in a random pattern. Instead, you should do it in sections, dealing with one portion at a time. Separate the hair in at least three sections.
- Patience is a virtue, even when it comes to your crowning glory. With this, if you are not in a hurry, it pays to wait. Keep yourself busy doing other things while allowing the hair to air dry naturally. This way, you won’t feel the need to grab and use the hair dryer.
Wrap Up
Styling your thick hair will no longer be a dreaded chore if you use any of the hair dryers that have been recommended above. It will help you to make your hair a critical element of your fashion statement. These hair dryers will surely satisfy the needs of stylish women as there is no more need to go to the salon to look beautiful every day!