Hair dryer buying guide, 2024
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Hair dryer buying guide, 2024

Basically, conventional hair dryers are made of a simple technology with the combination of a heating element (resistor), fan and motor. On applying power to the dryer, the electrical energy enters into the hair dryer and the motor of the fan spins. The electrical energy passes through the grid of wires of the heating element and generates heat. The fan forces the hot air towards nozzle of the dryer. But today’s latest hair dryers not only blows hot air, they blow cool air, releases electric charged ions, infrared rays and nano electrically charged particles.

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Hair dryer efficiency depends on its wattage and technology used in it. Conventional hair dryers are inexpensive because of its metallic heating coil, these hair dryers are most the commonly used. Conventional hair dryer wattage ranges between 1000-2000 watts, these hair dryers produce uneven hot air. Basically, these dryers are not suitable for long, curly or too frizzy hair types. These hair dryers are not safe and its metallic coil doesn't work for a long time.


Hair Dryer Types

hair dryer coil

Hair dryer types, while choosing hair dryer you may come across technical words like ionic, nanoe, ceramic, tourmaline and titanium. Ionic and nanoe are the latest technologies whereas ceramic, tourmaline and titanium words relate to the hair dryer’s heating coil material. Different type of hair dryers is suitable for different hair types. They have different features, advantages and prices.

Ionic hair dryers releases negatively charged ions which breaks positively charged water molecules. Basically, ionic hair dryers are meant for fine hair types but not suitable for too frizzy and thick hair. The extent of the hot air released by ionic hair dryers depends on the heating coil material used in it. These dryers are not good for styling, as an electromagnetic field is built in this dryers. Using ionic dryer for a long duration may harm you.

Ceramic hair dryers are inexpensive than ionic one. This type of hair dryer has a ceramic coating on the heating coil or its internal structure is encrusted with ceramic clay. This type of dryer is best suitable for long hairs as this dryer provides even hot hairs. Ceramic hair dryers produce infrared rays which are not harmful. There is a lot of confusion on what to choose, ionic or ceramic hair dryer. For more knowledge read our post difference between ionic and ceramic hair dryer.

Tourmaline and titanium are other different materials used for coating within the hair dryers to improve the efficiency. These hair dryers are comparatively expensive because the tourmaline gemstone and titanium element have a huge demand. These dryers are very gentle and quick than ionic or ceramic hair dryers. Tourmaline and titanium hair dryers are 50 times faster than other dryers. Ceramic hair dryers are considered as safe hair dryers and are also best suitable for frequent users, for long, thick and curly hair types.


Hair dryer coil types

Hair dryer coil type Features
Metal coil hair dryer
  • Best for thin hair or fine hair. But not suitable for thick, frizzy hair
  • The heat produced is uneven and dry
  • Regular usage results in brittle and dry hair which is prone to breaking easily
  • Economical, price starts from Rs. 600
Ceramic hair dryer
  • Best for thin hair or fine hair. But not suitable for thick, frizzy hair
  • The heat produced is even, consistent and less harsh
  • No damage to hair. It preserve moisture to ensure hair remains healthy and shiny
  • Medium pricing, price starts from Rs. 1,200
Tourmaline hair dryer
  • Best for thick, frizzy hair. But not suitable for thin hair or fine hair
  • The heat produced is even, consistent and less harsh
  • No damage to hair. It preserve moisture to ensure hair remains healthy and shiny.
  • Very expensive, price starts from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 25,000
Metal coil hair dryer Ceramic hair dryer Tourmaline hair dryer
Suitable for Thin hair or fine hair Thin hair or fine hair Thick, frizzy hair
Not suitable for Thick, frizzy hair Thick, frizzy hair Thin hair or fine hair
Heat produced Uneven and dry Even, consistent and less harsh Even, consistent and less harsh
Chances to damage the hair Vey high Less Very less
Price Economical Medium pricing Very expensive

Things To Be Considered Before Buying a Hair Dryer

Hair dryers are of different types based on their coil material, heat element or the heating technology used in it. Basically, some hair dryers are best for normal hair type, while some are suitable for fine hairs and some for more thick and frizzy hair. Hair dryers are of three types based on their structure

  1. Handheld hair dryer
  2. Salon hood hair dryer
  3. Wall mounted hair dryer

Handheld hair dryers are the most common hair dryers, these dryers are compact size dryers and are also called as travel hair dryers. Whereas wall mounted hair dryers are also called as hotel hair dryers because these are generally designed for hotels, resorts and cruise. Salon hood hair dryers are different from the handheld and wall mounted hair dryers, these hair dryers are used in parlours or salons, generally used by professionals. Now coming back to the point, features to be considered before buying a hairdryer.

  • Watts of the hair dryer
  • Weight and size
  • Material used in it (coil material)
  • Technology used
  • Attachments compatibility
  • Settings for heat control
  • Cool shot
  • Long size power cord

Watts of the hair dryer

Hair dryer efficiency is calculated by its power i.e., the wattage of the hair dryer. Higher the wattage, the higher the efficiency of the hair dryer. Generally, hair dryer wattage ranges from 1000 watts to 3600 watts. Basic hair dryers are of 1000 to 1800 watts. These hair dryers are inexpensive than the professional hair dryers, the coil in the most basic hair dryers is made of metal heating coil called nichrome. High wattage hair dryers are best suitable for thick, long and frizzy hair types.

High wattage provides you higher temperature and this heat is not suitable for thin and flat hair type. For people with short, flat and thin hair less wattage hair dryers are suitable and similarly thick, long and frizzy hair needs a high power hair dryer.

Metal used , coil material

Basically, hair dryers consists of heating material called coil, this heating material is made of nichrome metal, a combination of nickel and chrome metals. The nichrome metal does not get oxidised on heating, such that this is a common heating metal used for toasters and hair dryers.

Metal heating coils generate uneven heat and this uneven hot air can burn your hair at high temperatures. Whereas the ceramic, tourmaline and titanium hair dryers provide you even heat and make your hair shiny and damage free. High wattage hair dryers are expensive and also reduce your dry time, because they are quick.Ceramic heaters are faster than the basic nichrome heaters, 1200 watts ceramic heater is equal to 2200 watts nichrome heating coil.

Ceramic hair dryers, here the heating coil is wrapped by the ceramic or porcelain clay or sometimes the internal body of the hairdryer is been made of ceramic clay. Overall, the aim of using ceramic clay inside the hair dryers is to get an even heat such that the hair remains shiny and undamaged on air blowing it. Similarly the tourmaline hair dryers, here the crushed tourmaline gemstone is infused into the hair dryers. Tourmaline hair dryers emit negatively charged ions and even heat, which makes your hair shiny, moisturized and healthy. These type of hair dryers are preferable for regular hair drying. You can explore the concept of types in hair dryers. Hair dryer manufacturing brands like Philips and Panasonic do not provide the information about the heating coil material.

Weight and size

Weight and size of the hair dryer are the must feature to be looked before buying a hair dryer. Hair dryers are handheld devices, these devices should be balanced within your hands. The heavyweight hair dryers are not suitable for long, thick and curly hair types, as these hair types need more time to dry and heavy weight dryers may give a pain in your hand. Styling your hair needs a bit longer time and these hair dryers not comfortable for styling.

The hair dryers should be compact and foldable such that you can carry it in your bag. Most hair dryers are small sized, but still, it is better to choose a foldable and small-sized dryer for frequent travellers.

Technology used

Different types of hair dryers uses different technologies like ionic hair dryers use ionic technology where ions are emitted, the discharged negative ions breaks the positively charged water molecules. This technology helps you in maintaining your hair shiny, moisturized and remains your hairstyle up to better time. Ionic hair dryers are suitable for all hair types.

Nanoe technology, the newly introduced technology by Panasonic. This technology is also called as static atomization phenomenon. This technology is somewhat similar to ionic technology, but unlike ionic hair dryer, nanoe hair dryers emit nano-sized charged microparticles, these charged microparticles locks the cuticles and makes your hair healthy and shiny.

Attachments compatibility

Hair dryers come with few attachments like diffuser, concentrator nozzle, comb pick nozzle. All these attachments help you to focus the air on the required area of your hair. These attachments are best used for thick and frizzy hair types, as these hair types are dense and thick and they cannot be air dried easily.

hair dryer accessories

Diffuser and nozzle are helpful in air drying your hair from the downwards, the scalp. Diffusers and concentrator nozzle are mostly provided along the hair dryers itself, but the comb pick nozzle is not provided along with all hair dryers. Diffusers are not provided by basic inexpensive hair dryers, you can buy this attachment if you need.

Heat control settings

Heat control settings are the hair dryer is the main thing to be checked before you go for it. As discussed above in the wattage point, hair dryers with high wattage provide you more heat temperature and also can burn your hair.

Heat control settings are to set your dryer temperature such that you can use it with your required temperature. Some dryers come with 3 levels of settings- high, medium and low. Some basic hair dryers have only 2 levels of setting- high and low. Choose a better one according to your requirement.

Cool shot button

This button provides you cool air after hair dying, these will cool down the temperature of your hair. Sometimes while styling or hair drying on high temperatures you can use these cool shot feature and cool your temperature and also set your hairstyle.

Long size power cord

Long size power cord of the hair dryers will give a flexibility of moving it as your requirement.


Hair Dryers for Men

hair dryer for men

Hair dryers are available in different ranges of watts with different efficiency and prices. The conventional or standard hair dryers are generally of 1000 watts made up of nichrome coil heater.

Men use hair dryer for blow drying, straightening their hair strands and mainly to improve the hair volume. Hair dryer will help you in fast-drying your hair, short hairs don’t need an effective hair dryer. A standard hair dryer will also be enough to blow dry but small, fragile and thin hair type needs a hair dryer with gentle heat.

Before you choose hair dryer know your hair type, for thin and short hair, hair dryers with even and gentle hot air will work best. Such that ionic, ceramic, tourmaline or titanium will be suitable. Ionic hair dryers are best suitable for short hair types, as they are quick and also makes the hair damage free. Whereas for regular users ceramic will be a good choice and also inexpensive. Tourmaline or titanium hair dryers are expensive but are faster than ionic and ceramic hair dryers. The ceramic, tourmaline and titanium hair dryers are expensive but its speed and features are more advantageous than ionic or conventional hair dryers. If you need hair dryer for your clients then you can go for tourmaline, titanium or the combination of ceramic, tourmaline and titanium. Combinational hair dryers are best suitable for all hair types.


Hair dryers for thick,curly and frizz hair

hair dryer for curly hair

There are many latest models, brands, and technologies available in hair dryers. Technologies with different efficiency are designed for different hair types. Hair dryers are made with different heating elements which behaves distinctly. Hair dryers come with different features like some hair dryers are good for blow drying, some are suitable for styling and some dryers makes your hair silky, shiny, frizz free and moisturized. Before you choose a hair dryer, you must be clear with your hair type. Such that you can groom your hair in a perfect way you need.

For fine hair type, you can choose dryer according to your requirements like your budget, safe blow drying, better efficiency, suitable for styling and other latest features etc.

Basically, for long hair, you need a quick and time saver hair dryer. Ionic hair dryers are efficient but for long hairs these may be not safe because of its electromagnetic field. Whereas ceramic hair dryer will be a good choice as they are less expensive than other latest advanced hair dryers. Tourmaline and titanium will work more better on long hair type as they are 50 percent faster and quicker than ceramic or ionic hair dryers. Combinational dryers are also best suitable for thick, long and curly hair types.


Hair dryer brands in India

There are many hair dryers available in India, most famous brands are Philips, Panasonic, Barun, Wahl, Nova, Syska, Remington,etc. Many different varieties of conventional models with different watts with different prices are available. Combinational hair dryers like ionic ceramic hair dryer, tourmaline titanium ionic hair dryer are mostly available in international brands like Conair, Remington, Babyliss, Revlon etc


Best hair dryers in India

There are many distinct brands of hair dryers available in India and also you can find large varieties of hair dryers online, below is a short list of some best hair dryers in India.

Best coil hair dryer in India

  • PHILIPS 1000 watts Hair Dryer (HP8100/46, Purple)
  • VEGA Pro-Xpert 2200 Watts Professional Hair Dryer
  • AGARO HD-1120 2000 Watts Professional Hair Dryer
  • Remington D3015 Ceramic Hair Dryer

Best ceramic hair dryer in India

  • Remington Ac9096 Silk Ceramic Ionic Ac Professional Hair Dryer
  • Wahl 5439-024 Super Dry Professional 2000 Watts Styling Hair Dryer
  • Torlen Professional 179 Hot And Cold Blow Ceramic Hair Dryer
  • Babyliss Le Pro Intense 2400 W AC Motor 6615E Hair Dryer

Best tourmaline hair dryer India

  • Wahl 5439-024 Super Dry Professional 2000 Watts Styling Hair Dryer Tourmaline Technology
  • VEGA Professional Mighty Mini Hair Dryer with Tourmaline Technology
  • Vega Pro Touch VHDP-02 Hair Dryer
  • Wahl 05439-024 Super Dry Turbo Hair Dryer Tourmaline Technology

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