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The best travel hair dryers to pack in your suitcase
Protect your hair while traveling with a portable hair dryer. Here are our top picks to help you find a compact, yet powerful travel hair dryer.
Most hotels and Airbnb units offer a hair dryer as a basic amenity, but it’s not always safe to assume you’ll find one in your room. The last thing you want is a bad hair day to ruin your vacation experiences or a dinner date.
For that reason, it’s wise to always have a travel hair dryer in your bag or suitcase. These dryers boast a compact and lightweight design compared to full-size options, yet they deliver a powerful punch to dry your hair in minutes after a shower.
If you want to add one to your travel accessories, we’ve identified the top picks to help you get the best travel hair dryer for everyday hair shine.
Read more: Healthy and clean hair starts here
The best hair dryers for travelers
Best portable hair dryer with a foldable handle
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Size Hair Dryer
Best travel hair dryer with diffuser for curly hair
Hot Tools Pro Signature 1875W Travel Size Ionic Hair Dryer
Our favorite travel hair dryer for all hair types
Specifications
Weight: 0.9 pounds
Watts: 77% of the power of a full-sized hair dryer
Heat settings: Three
Pros & Cons
Lightweight for simple travel
Includes a chic carrying case
Prevents overheating to protect your hair
Higher price point
Exact wattage not specified by manufacturer
The ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer makes a favorite pick for a variety of reasons. It features a foldable handle, making it a trusty space saver in your bag. This travel-size hair dryer is compact, yet it delivers an airflow temperature of 149 degrees Fahrenheit to dry your hair fast.
It has a removable nozzle for precision drying, while its safeguard technology automatically switches the dryer off when it’s too close to your hair to prevent overheating. Impressively, it works at 240V and 120V, so you can use it anywhere you travel for a good hair day.
Best portable hair dryer with a foldable handle
Specifications
Weight: 1.05 pounds
Watts: 1000W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Suitable for thin and thick hair
Handle folds for easy storage
Titanium construction for durability
Some customers claim the nozzle doesn’t fit well
Comes with only one attachment
No matter where you go, you can maintain gorgeous hair every time with the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Size Hair Dryer. This portable dryer features a folding handle to take up minimal space in your travel bag.
With dual-heat settings, you can easily pick the ideal airflow temperature for drying your hair. It uses Nano Titanium and Ionic technology to reduce fray and give your hair a polished look. The dryer is also ideal for thin and thick hair for everyday hair care and styling.
Best travel hair dryer with diffuser for curly hair
Specifications
Weight: 1.60 pounds
Watts: 1875W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Comes with two attachments for hair styling
1875W motor for powerful airflow
6-foot swivel cord for easy movement
Slightly heavier than other travel dryers
Might be a bit loud
If you need a more powerful hair dryer for your curly hair, then you can’t go wrong with the Hot Tools Pro Signature 1875W Travel Size Ionic Hair Dryer. It has a 1875W motor for powerful airflow to get you styled for dinner dates in no time, and its two heat and speed settings allow for versatile styling with just a simple flip of a switch.
The Hot Tools dryer features Direct Iconic technology to reduce frizz and give your hair shine for a salon-worthy style. It comes with a diffuser and concentrator for enhanced results and focused styling. Wherever you’re traveling, this dryer is an ideal companion for great hair.
Top-rated travel hair dryer
Specifications
Weight: 1 pound
Watts: 1400W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Sleek and lightweight design
Self-cleans to remove bacteria
Collapsible handle for easy storage and travel
No cool air setting
Offers only one attachment
Sleek and lightweight, this hairdryer features a ceramic heater for frizz-free, shiny hair, and adjustable heat/speed settings that allow you to control the airflow for seamless drying.
The CHI Tech dryer boasts a powerful 1400W motor for fast hair drying, while its Rapid Clean Technology eliminates bacteria to ensure cleaner hair styling every time. It supports dual voltage, so you can use it anywhere you go, and its collapsible handle makes packing and storage effortless.
Best budget travel hair dryer
Specifications
Weight: 1.235 pounds
Watts: 1875W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Powerful motor for optimal drying power
Two-speed settings for styling
Hanging ring for safe storage
Has a short cord
Doesn’t support dual voltage
Are you looking for a cost-friendly and the best travel blow dryer for salon-style curls and blowouts? The Revlon Compact Hair Dryer is just what you need to complete your travel beauty accessory kit. This 1875W dryer has two heat/speed settings for drying and styling your hair.
It boasts a lightweight and compact design to fit in your bag, and it has a hanging ring for simple storage in your hotel room. Its end cap allows for effortless maintenance and cleaning after use. However, it only supports 120V outlets — you’ll need a voltage converter when traveling with it.
Most powerful lightweight travel hair dryer
Specifications
Weight: 0.813 pounds
Watts: 1200W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Blows negative ions for frizz-free hair
Supports 120/220-240 volts for overseas travel
Super-lightweight design for on-the-go use
Pricey than most options
Only comes with one attachment
Weighing just 0.813 pounds, the Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer offers a super-lightweight design for portability, while its collapsible handle makes it easy to pack in your bag. It operates at 120/220-240 volts, making it ideal for overseas travel.
This Drybar dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle for targeted airflow, and its two-heat settings let you create the perfect balance of airflow and heat for flexible styling. It also includes the Ionic Technology for frizz-free hair and ample shine, giving you the look you want for lovely travel moments.
Best travel hair dryer for fine hair
Specifications
Weight: 1.25 pounds
Watts: 2000W
Heat settings: Two
Pros & Cons
Foldable handle for simple storage
Dual voltage for flexible use
Compact design for traveling
Nozzle tends to fall off often
Some customers feel it’s not powerful enough
Fine hair needs to be roughed up for effective drying, and the BaByliss Travel Dry 2000W Hair Dryer is the ideal tool for the job. This 2000W small hair dryer is compact yet powerful for quick dry time, and you can adjust its voltage to use at 125V or 240V, depending on where you travel.
It supports two heat/speed settings, allowing you to switch effortlessly from high to low output for flexible styling. With the included concentrator nozzle, you can direct the airflow where you want for perfect touch-ups and finishes. It also has a foldable handle to fit neatly in your suitcase.
Can you use an American hair dryer in Europe?
This depends on your hair dryer’s functionality and if you have a voltage converter. In the US, electrical tools operate at 110 volts, while most of Europe runs at 220 volts. In this case, you’ll need to get a dual-voltage hair dryer, which operates at 110-240V.
The BaByliss Travel Dry 2000W Hair Dryer is a good example of a dual-voltage dryer. If you have a single-voltage dryer, remember to carry a voltage converter whenever you’re traveling to get the right volts for your dryer.
What is the lightest and best travel hair dryer?
The lightest hair dryers usually weigh below 1 pound and a good example is the Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer. Pick one that features a collapsible handle to fit effortlessly in your travel bag.
It should also offer all the features you need, such as dual voltage, heat/speed settings, and attachments for flexible styling.
Our verdict
You don’t need to have a bad hair day just because you’re on vacation. Keeping your hair dry is important, especially if you travel to areas that have hard water. This water can lead to hair dryness and breakage.
The good thing is you can easily get a portable and lightweight travel hair dryer for everyday use. The Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow-Dryer makes the best travel hair dryer for a super lightweight option, while the Hot Tools Pro Signature 1875W Travel Size Ionic Hair Dryer is suitable for those that want a diffuser.
Whether you have thick or thin hair, we believe one of these top travel hair dryers makes a great pick for you when traveling.
Prices updated on 10/18/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Odinga Fanuel
With over nine years working within media, Odinga Fanuel is passionate about sharing reliable information with everyday readers. For Smart Shopper, Odinga specializes in writing about tech products, household appliances, travel, automotive and more.
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