Having your hair look as stunning during a work trip or vacation as it does back home can be a challenge without a hair dryer. Imagine arriving at your hotel or your Airbnb and finding that the bathroom doesn’t have one! Leaving your hair in a wet mess not only makes it frizzy but also makes it lose its sheen. If you don’t want to be rushing to expensive salons, your best bet is to invest in a travel-sized hair dryer. The best hair dryers for travel are lightweight, compact, and foldable. After all, who wants to lug around a heavy one?. Plus, the best travel hair dryers even go a step ahead with nifty features like a cool shot button to fix all your stylings!
So, rather than having your hair dry wildly about, get a hair dryer that’ll leave your hair voluminous and flowing, and boost your confidence like anything. Plus, good hair will make for excellent travel photographs! Ladies, and gents (!), do right by your hair and check out the 13 best hair dryers for travel.
Table of contents
- Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
- Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer
- BaBylissPRO TT Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer
- Andis 1875 Watt Ceramic Ionic Fold-N-Co Dryer
- Jinri 1875W Dual Voltage Travel Hair Dryer
- Revlon 1875 Watt Compact Travel Hair Dryer
- Drybar Baby Buttercup Hair Dryer
- Conair 1600-Watt Folding Handle Styler
- T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Dryer (404)
- Panasonic EH-NA27-K Compact Hair Dryer
- Chic Republic Ionic Hair Dryer
- Berta 1875 Watts Ceramic Tourmaline Travel Dryer (CU)
- Hot Tools Professional 1875W Lightweight Ionic Travel Dryer
- How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for Travel
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
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One of the most luxurious and stylish hair dryers for travel is the Dyson Supersonic. Although not technically a travel-sized gadget, the hair dryer is easy to stow, durable, and very lightweight.
This unique and revolutionary hair dryer is designed for strong airflow and quick drying of wet hair. Its handle has a brushless, DC motor that is much, much faster than those of other hair dryers. There’s even a smoothing nozzle for drying hair gently. The gadget boasts producing focused and precise airflow, thanks to its new Air Multiplier Technology. What’s more, it has three speed settings, four heat ones, and even a cold shot switch to set your hair post styling. Rounding off the perfect set of features is a bevy of rotating magnetic attachments that can be quickly attached/detached for drying your hair.
While this luxury does come at a price, Dyson Supersonic ticks all boxes for being one of the best travel hair dryers.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 9.6 x 3.9 x 3.1 inches (24.4 x 9.9 x 7.8 cm)
Weight: 1.8 lbs (0.8 kg)
Pros
- Compact and lightweight.
- It doesn’t damage hair.
- Dries hair quickly while adding shine.
- It comes with a whole lot of attachments and a storage bag.
Cons
- Expensive.
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Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer
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Don’t be fooled by the pint-sized MiniPro Tourmaline from Conair – its easily one of the most powerful travel-sized hair dryers in business. The compact and lightweight MiniPRO offers the drying power of a full-size hair dryer. Plus, it weighs just 8.8 ounces and is one of the lightest hair dryers out there. Furthermore, all this is available for a price of less than $20!
The Conair MiniPRO uses tourmaline ceramic technology in order to gently dry your hair quickly while fighting frizz and keeping it soft at the same time. A velvet-touch, no-slip grip handle makes this gadget easy to hold and maneuver. Moreover, two heat and speed settings greatly improve your drying performance. There’s even a concentrator nozzle perfect for pinpoint styling. If you want your hair dryer cord to be long enough for you to move around a bit, you will like the MiniPRO’s 5-feet-long power cord.
What’s more, the MiniPro has dual voltage as well. However, when you’re overseas, you can only use a single heat setting.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 3.8 x 6 x 9 inches (9.8 x 15.2 x 22.8 cm)
Weight: 11.2 lbs (0.3 kg)
Pros
- Extremely lightweight, compact, and packable.
- Dual voltage.
- Frizz-reducing tourmaline technology.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- No cool air shot.
- Heats up quickly.
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BaBylissPRO TT Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer
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Perfectly combining form and function into a powerful package is the BaBylissPRO Tourmaline Titanium Travel Dryer.
The BaBylissPRO features a solid and utterly durable titanium construction. This is a blessing if you have a hectic schedule and are constantly packing and unpacking. It boasts a compact and foldable handle, and dual voltage technology, so you can use it just about anywhere in the world. Its tourmaline technology helps prevent frizz while drying your hair. What’s more, the heat produced by the dryer gently dries the hair, keeping it moisturized and perfectly styled at the same time. To top it, it comes in a gorgeously attractive range of colors, including gray, brown, black, beige, and cherry-red. If you want a good-looking travel-sized hair dryer, then the BaBylissPRO is a good choice.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.5 x 8.9 inches (14 x 6.3 x 22.6 cm)
Weight: 1 lb (0.5 kg)
Pros
- Long cord.
- Dual voltage.
- Value for money.
Cons
- The two heat settings are not independent of each other. Higher setting means hot, fast air while lower setting means slower, warmer air.
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Andis 1875 Watt Ceramic Ionic Fold-N-Co Dryer
10
If fighting frizz is your main concern, then the Andis Ionic Fold-N-Co Dryer is perfect for you. The beautifully-engineered ceramic hair dryer brings tremendous drying efficiency and power to the table.
You can indulge in a whole range of styling options with this ionic hair dryer, which features three heat and speed settings. A ‘cool shot’ button is the perfect way to set and keep your styled hair in place. However, the highlight of this hair dryer is its negative ion propulsion technology that is adept at drying hair quickly by breaking down water molecules. Plus, the concentrator directs heat exactly where you want it. It seals the hair’s natural moisture and distributes the heat evenly so as to not strip it of its natural oils. What’s more, it even adds shine and luster to your hair, leaving it looking fabulous to boot.
What’s even better is that the Andis Fold-N-Co ticks off all other boxes for a great travel-sized hair dryer too. It has a foldable handle, a retractable cord, and a chic and sleek finish that leave it looking good too.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 4.1 x 8.1 x 6.1 inches (10.4 x 20.5 x 15.5 cm)
Weight: 1.65 lbs (0.7 kg)
Pros
- Compact and lightweight.
- Features negative ion propulsion technology and concentrator.
- Inexpensive.
Cons
- Durability is an issue.
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Jinri 1875W Dual Voltage Travel Hair Dryer
9
The 1875-W Travel Hair Dryer from Jinri is easily one of the most compact hair dryers for travel in the market. Don’t let its small size fool you, for it works as powerfully as any other larger hair dryer in the market. A quiet but powerful 1,875W motor produces airflow that dries your locks in no time at all.
A ceramic Tourmaline build not only makes the Jinri hair dryer durable but also keeps the hair from turning frizzy and leaves it healthy. Dual voltages of 125V and 250V make it perfect to be carried to any destination. Two heat settings, one of which works only at 250V, and a cool shot button make your styling process easy and hassle-free.
Plus, the hair dryer is available in a gamut of vibrant colors. To top it all, a foldable handle, a removable concentrator, and a loopable power cord mean that the gadget makes for very compact packing.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 4.7 x 5.5 x 9.4 inches (11.9 x 14 x 23.8 cm)
Weight: 1.57 lbs (0.7 kg)
Pros
- Two-year warranty.
- One-year replacement, no questions asked.
- Velcro strap for the cord.
- Powerful airflow.
Cons
- The cool shot is a bit weak.
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Revlon 1875 Watt Compact Travel Hair Dryer
8
The sleek and compact Revlon 1875 W Travel Hair Dryer makes up for its copper-looking aesthetic with its value and performance many times over.
This great little travel gadget is designed with ionic technology and triple ceramic build that dry your locks quickly. Dual voltage means that it can literally be taken all over the world. The hair dryer features two heat and speed settings that suit all types of hair. A coot shot button is excellent for styling and keeping your hairstyle in place. Plus, the concentrator attachment helps you direct the heat towards specific areas of your hair. What’s more, it doesn’t damage the hair, conditions, and moisturizes your tresses, and eliminates frizz at the same time.
A foldable handle ensures that the hair dryer can be stowed away in any bag very easily. A 7-feet-long cord allows you to use it all over the place, no matter where the electric socket is located. Furthermore, the ergonomic and compact design of the gadget allows people even with problems like arthritis to use it very easily sans any hassles.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 4 x 6 x 9 inches (10.1 x 15.2 x 22.8 cm)
Weight: 1.28 lbs (0.6 kg)
Pros
- Excellent for brittle and dry hair.
- Leaves hair feeling soft and shiny.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Dual voltage for traveling anywhere.
Cons
- Produces loud sound when it’s being used.
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Drybar Baby Buttercup Hair Dryer
7
If you’re a fan of Drybar and its offerings, you will love the Baby Buttercup Hair Dryer from Drybar. This dual voltage mini gadget is far better than some professional, full-sized salon hair dryers and is the perfect travel gadget for your lovely locks.
The pint-sized powerhouse of a hair dryer folds at the handle, making packing and stowing it away in the luggage easy. It features a cool shot button, apart from two heat settings. Thanks to its ionic technology, the hair dryer not only dries the hair quickly but also redces frizz and increases the shine of your tresses. Plus, the dual voltage ensures that you can use the gadget both at home as well as other countries.
The best aspect of all is that the Baby Buttercup is perfect for all types of hair, right from intensely curly locks to straight hair. For an entirely satisfying hairstyling experience whilst traveling, the Baby Buttercup is the best.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 3 inches (22.8 x 20.3 x 7.6 cm)
Weight: 0.81 lbs (0.3 kg)
Pros
- Comes with a two-year limited warranty.
- Powerful and versatile.
- Ensures frizz control.
Cons
- Expensive as compared to its peers.
- It doesn’t have a cool shot button.
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Conair 1600-Watt Folding Handle Styler
6
When it comes to the Conair 1600 W Folding Handle Styler, the name says it all. Boasting a highly compact and lightweight construction, the powerful gadget of the most compact hair dryers on this list.
The Conair Styler might weigh less, but it belts out a powerful 1600 W of fan power. It also leaves the hair looking silky, shiny, and not frizzy at all. A dual-voltage capacity means that the gadget can be used in any corner of the world. Additionally, it even has two heat settings that help you find the right amount of heat to dry your hair. What’s more, it doesn’t strip the hair of its moisture either and works on literally all types of hair.
If you’re looking for something small and mighty, then this foldable, on-the-go Conair 1600 W is definitely the hair dryer for you.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 x 9.1 inches (8.9 x 12.7 x 23.1 cm)
Weight: 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
Pros
- Inexpensive.
- Dual voltage.
- The power cord is 5-feet long.
- Very lightweight and compact.
Cons
- No cold shot button.
- No concentrator nozzle.
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T3 Featherweight Compact Folding Dryer (404)
5
The compact T3 Featherweight Folding Dryer is another excellent choice for hair dryers for travel. Armed with fan power of 1200 W, the T3 certainly dishes out excellent results.
The hair dryer features the T3 Tourmaline SoftAire technology that emits ions into the hair that lock moisture in by sealing the cuticle. This leaves the hair visibly shinier, less dry, and sans any frizz. On top of that, this model is equipped with two heat and speed settings, as well as a cool shot button for setting your hairstyle in place. Going a step further, it features a concentrator for precisely directing the heat towards specific sections of your hair.
If that wasn’t enough, the hair dryer is a dual voltage one and can be used anywhere in the world. A folding handle keeps its packable size to the utter minimum. Also, wouldn’t it be amazing if your hair dryer also came with a travel tote? Well, this one does! Now, what more could you want?
Size and weight
Dimensions: 7.1 x 3.1 x 9.1 inches (18 x 7.8 x 23.1 cm)
Weight: 0.87 lbs (0.4 kg)
Pros
- Lightweight and compact.
- Long 9-feet cord.
- Cool shot button.
Cons
- Expensive.
Panasonic EH-NA27-K Compact Hair Dryer
4
If you’re brand-centric when it comes to a travel-sized hair dryer, then the Panasonic EH-NA27-K Compact Hair Dryer is perfect.
Armed with a compact, folding handle, this lightweight hair dryer is built to go and be packed away anywhere. The gadget is equipped with ‘nanoe technology’ that infuses the hair with moisture and seals it within to protect your tresses. Additionally, the brand’s exclusive ‘Quick-Dry Nozzle’ attachment allows you to focus the heat on specific hair sections, thus drying it more effectively. The icing on the cake is the presence of two heat settings plus a cool shot that takes care of all your styling needs.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 6.1 x 3.2 x 8.7 inches (15.5 x 8.1 x 22 cm)
Weight: 0.82 lbs (0.4 kg)
Pros
- Quick-dry nozzle.
- Nanoe technology for better hair care.
Cons
- Cool shot is a bit low.
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Chic Republic Ionic Hair Dryer
3
The Chic Republic Professional Ionic Hair Dryer is easily one of the best travel hair dryers in the market today.
This hair dryer manages to keep your hair sleek and smooth, even while drying it quickly and effectively. The reason for that is the ionic technology that releases ions into the hair, thus retaining its moisture and leaving it healthy. Moreover, the ceramic coating helps spread the heat evenly, thus preventing both the hair dryer and the hair from damage. Additionally, the turbo-dry cool shot setting makes styling your hair a non-sweaty process. Furthermore, you have the choice of four temperature and two speed settings, which is more than most hair dryers out there.
Size and weight
Dimensions: N/A
Weight: 1 lb (0.5 kg)
Pros
- One year warranty.
- Four heat and two speed settings.
- Ionic technology for drying hair.
Cons
- No dual voltage.
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Berta 1875 Watts Ceramic Tourmaline Travel Dryer (CU)
2
No matter how long and wet your hair is, the Berta Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Dryer dries it in a matter of minutes.
A 220-250 V dual voltage converter makes it the perfect travel hair dryer in every corner of the world. Thanks to the ceramic and negative ions technology, your hair will dry up in minutes, while still feeling soft and silky. It also leaves the hair less frizzy and improves shine as well as moisture levels within. What’s more, the tourmaline air outlet with a diffuser nozzle is great for directing hair towards specific sections of the hair. Plus, it has two heat and speed settings that make using it a hassle-free dream.
While its size is a bit bigger than other travel-sized hair dryers, the performance of the Berta Ceramic Hair Dryer is top-notch.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 7.5 x 8.3 x 3.5 inches (19 x 21 x 8.9 cm)
Weight: 1.53 lbs (0.7 kg)
Pros
- Cool shot button.
- Dual voltage.
- A foldable handle makes it easier to pack away.
Cons
- Size is a bit bigger than other travel-sized hair dryers.
Hot Tools Professional 1875W Lightweight Ionic Travel Dryer
1
Hot Tools earns pride of place on the list of best hair dryers for travel with its Professional Lightweight Ionic Travel Dryer. One of the ‘hottest’ hair dryers on the market right now, this gadget boasts a whole lot of bonus features.
A durable collapsible and folding handle makes this hair dryer extremely compact to pack away. It is about 25% lighter than other hair dryers of its category. A powerful turbo motor combined with a concentrator and diffuser attachments makes it an extremely valuable styling tool. What’s more, the hair dryer helps minimize frizz in the hair too, thanks to its ionic drying properties. Dual voltage, two speed, and heat settings, and a cool shot button round off what is an impressive list of features indeed.
While the hair dryer does work fantastically on all kinds of hair, the Hot Tools Professional is one most recommended gadgets for those with curly hair.
Size and weight
Dimensions: 3.5 x 10.1 x 7 inches (8.9 x 25.7 x 17.8 cm)
Weight: 0.5 lbs (0.2 kg)
Pros
- Dual voltage.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Ionic hair drying properties.
- Cool shot button.
Cons
- None!
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How to Choose the Best Hair Dryer for Travel
Voltage
Since various countries have varying kinds of electricity, it’s important to have a hair dryer that caters to the voltage of where you’re traveling to. Using ones with wrong voltages can lead dryers damaged beyond repair, blown fuses, and in some cases, irreversible damage to your hair. This is where dual voltage hair dryers come in, which offer two settings of 220-240 volts and 110-220 volts. They function both in the United States (lower voltage) as well as European countries and elsewhere (higher voltage).
If you end up liking and buying a single voltage hair dryer, then you can still use it abroad using excellent international travel adapters.
Weight and size
In the end, your travel hair dryer shouldn’t hog too much of your suitcase’s space. To that end, compact, scaled-down hair dryers with space-saving features like retractable cables and foldable handles make more sense. Also, hair dryers need to be lightweight not only to not increase your luggage weight but should end up aching your arms holding them either.
Adjustable heat settings
The hair dryer you choose should suit your hair type. For instance, thicker, coarse hair requires higher heat, while drier, fine hair is best treated to lower heat. Then again, the weather conditions could also determine how much heat your hair needs for styling. So, the best thing to do is to get a hair dryer with adjustable heat settings. They allow for changing temperatures to dispel the right amount of heat to protect your lovely tresses.