While we appreciate that hotels make an effort to provide a hair dryer, the reality is they’re often much weaker than the one we have at home. Unfortunately, this means our holiday locks can be left looking a little lifeless, limp, or frizzy. There's no need to settle for bad hair though, as there are some pretty neat travel hair dryers around!
In this article, we’ll cover everything you should look for when shopping for a new travel-sized dryer. Then, we'll show you our favourites from trusted brands such as ghd®, BaByliss, and Remington, all available to buy at Amazon, John Lewis, Argos, and Boots. Whether you're after a small, lightweight option with just the basic functions or a deluxe device with a diffuser and ionic capabilities, read through our reviews to find the best one for your needs!
Quick List - Top Travel Hair Dryers
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Table of Contents
Before we jump into the recommendations, it’s worth considering which features are available from travel hair dryers that differentiate them from stay-at-home ones. We'll cover factors like the power, voltage, extra accessories that may be included, and more!
We’ll start with perhaps the most important element: the power. This is measured in wattage and (as you’d expect) the higher the number of watts, the better. This is because a hair dryer will produce more heat at a quicker speed, which makes the overall process much faster.
Those with average hair thickness should look for a product that has around 1300 - 1800W, as this should effectively dry off your locks. However, if you have particularly thick or curly hair then you may need something with a bit more oomph! Likewise, those with fine or easily damaged hair will benefit from a lower power option or one that offers a few cooler settings.
The next feature all depends on where you plan to travel, as the voltage in the electricity in each country varies. Within Europe, 220V is the standard voltage, while in the United States it's 120V. So, if you’re a frequent flyer to both close and faraway lands, having a hair dryer that can cope with all kinds of voltage levels will be handy.
A dual voltage hair dryer has a switch that alternates between the two settings, so you don’t have to worry about the process being too technical. Even if the hair dryer doesn’t state that it's dual voltage on the packaging, a 120/220-240V button is a solid indicator that it's capable of performing that function.
If you don’t tend to travel across the pond and mostly spend your time in the UK and Europe, then a simple single voltage device will likely meet your needs - it all depends on your holiday habits!
Regardless of how much luggage you have when travelling, the smaller and more compact your packing can be, the better - right? For that reason, a travel hair dryer that comes with a folding handle can be extremely convenient.
This feature will reduce how much room the dryer requires in your luggage, meaning you'll have more space for clothes, shoes, and souvenirs. Moreover, the folding handle is also useful for when you get back home, as packing it and storing it away in a cupboard will be much easier as well!
While there is some crossover between everyday hair dryers and those designed for travel, functions like infrared and noise reduction are not commonplace for the latter. That being said, most will have a decent number of modes for you to choose from.
Usually, travel dryers have a variety of heat and speed settings. Plus, some have a cold shot or cool stream function which gives you a little more control over how you style your hair. The cooling option is particularly useful for combatting frizziness, as well as setting your finished 'do.
While you may not expect a travel-sized dryer to have an ionic mode, a few of the products in our ranking do have this feature. The reaction of the negative ions to the water in your hair not only dries your locks quicker but also helps them to retain moisture, which is healthier for your hair in the long term.
Many brands include a variety of different attachments or accessories with your new purchase, to help you get the best out of it. Nozzles, which focus the airflow more precisely and allow you to dry a specific spot quickly, are a common attachment that practically all hair dryers have.
Diffusers are also a popular accessory, although they’re much less prevalent when shopping for a travel hair dryer than a normal one. If your chosen product does include a diffuser, you'll find that it can help to boost texture, reduce frizz, and improve curl definition - so it's definitely worth snapping up if you have unruly locks!
Lastly, how can we forget the humble brush? Some brands will throw one in for free, which will come in handy if you forget to pack your usual tangle tamer. It's always good to have a spare one lying around, just in case!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Remington Folding Travel Hair Dryer | ![]() | Powerful, Affordable, and Packed With Fab Features | |
2 | Wahl Travel Hair Dryer | ![]() | A Compact Dryer at a Great Price | |
3 | ghd® Flight Travel Hair Dryer | ![]() | Make Every Day a Good Hair Day | |
4 | InStyle Mini Travel Dryer | ![]() | Quiet, Lightweight, and High Quality | |
5 | TRESemmé Travel 2000 Dryer | ![]() | Expert Styling on the Go | |
6 | Red Hot Travel Hair Dryer|37070 | ![]() | The Best Budget Option | |
7 | VO5 On-The-Go Mini Hair Dryer | ![]() | Dual Voltage and Built to Last | |
8 | Parlux 3500 Ionic Edition | ![]() | Compact Yet Powerful |
While you might think it's impossible to find a hair dryer that has it all, this offering from Remington comes pretty darn close! In addition to multiple speed and heat settings, it has a powerful 2000W output and dual voltage capability. Plus, it's foldable and comes with a nozzle and a diffuser.
That's not all - it's also an absolute steal, being the second cheapest product in our whole lineup. It's a little heavy, but the range of great features makes up for this small flaw. It's no wonder, then, that this marvellous hair dryer has managed to claim our number 1 spot!
If you're looking for a travel hair dryer that comes with a diffuser and a nozzle, this Wahl option is a brilliant buy! The device itself is compact and foldable, plus it only weighs 0.2 kg so it shouldn't take up too much of your weight limit.
While this dryer does have a lower power outage, it's perfect for those with fine or easily damaged hair. We also like the loop on the handle, which you can use to hang it on the back of your hotel room door when unpacking your suitcase.
ghd® is synonymous with perfect hair, so it's only right that we include one of their products in our list of recommendations! This elite hair dryer has an optimum airflow temperature of 65 degrees, although there are various heat settings to choose from. Furthermore, it has a 1.8m long cable so you'll always be able to reach the mirror, regardless of where it's plugged in.
Best of all, this product comes with a nozzle for precision work and a two-year guarantee, just in case you have any problems. The dryer is also dual voltage, meaning you'll be able to use it anywhere in the world to achieve dreamy locks.
This offering from InStyle is another tremendously popular option on the market at the moment. It has a brilliant amount of wattage yet is wonderfully quiet - which your partner is sure to appreciate if they're trying to have a siesta while you style your barnet. Not only that, but it's one of the lightest dryers around too!
The main turbine technology included in this travel hair dryer is the same as that of the brand's usual full-sized option, so you can expect similar quality in terms of the results. Add to that the multiple heat settings and a nifty nozzle for precise work, and you're onto a winner!
If you're looking to create high-quality hairstyles on the go while using a product that's compact enough to fit in your luggage, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything as good as the TRESemmé Travel 2000. The high power output means that it dries hair amazingly quickly, so you'll be able to spend time actually enjoying your holiday rather than in front of the mirror!
There are also multiple heat and speed settings, as well as a cool shot function, to help you whip your locks into shape. The only downside to this design is that it's a little clunky, making it not so great for those who like to pack light.
This portable little number from Red Hot is foldable, so it won't take up precious room in your weekend bag. It has dual voltage settings for multiple different countries and continents, plus it comes with two different heat and speeds for flexibility. Our favourite part, though? It costs just over a tenner!
If you're working on a pretty tight budget - let's face it, holidays tend to be expensive anyway - then this product will be right up your street. Although the cable isn't very long, this is a decent dryer for the super low price.
VO5's "on-the-go" dryer really does what it says on the tin! It has dual voltage capability and weighs only 0.3 kg, so you don't have to worry about reaching your packing weight limit. Although it's lightweight, it's incredibly robust too. This means it won't be damaged easily, even if it gets bumped around while travelling.
The concentrator nozzle perfectly directs the airflow, helping you to style with precision. Sadly though, there's no folding handle and this device's power is a little lower than average. Of course, depending on your hair type, this could be an advantage for some shoppers.
While this travel dryer from Parlux may not be foldable, it does measure in at just 17cm, meaning that it won't take up too much real estate in your suitcase. However, you shouldn't underestimate it because of its size - it manages to pack an almighty punch with an impressive 2000W of power!
Furthermore, this particular model has four fantastic heat settings - the most of any product in our ranking. The only downside is that it's not dual voltage, which is a shame considering how much it costs.
No. 1: Remington|Folding Travel Hair Dryer
No. 2: Wahl|Travel Hair Dryer
No. 3: ghd®|Flight Travel Hair Dryer
No. 4: InStyle|Mini Travel Dryer
No. 5: TRESemmé|Travel 2000 Dryer
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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