The best hair dryers for fine hair: our top picks for gentle drying and volume

When it comes to scouting out the best hair dryers for fine hair, it's important to remember that not all dryers are made equal. Thinner hair types need something that won't frazzle delicate ends or leave locks flat or wispy.

The best hair dryers for fine hair should pay attention to hair health above all else. This is particularly true as the mercury rises, explains celebrity stylist Michael Douglas (opens in new tab), who advises fragile hair types should, "blow dry hair on a cooler setting. You’ll be surprised how much faster your hair can dry in the summer heat and a high-speed low heat will do a great job. There are also styling tools with smart technology that can reduce heat damage, which is exactly what is needed not just for the summer but all year round." 

With some of the industry's best hair straighteners under its belt, it follows that longstanding hair styling titan ghd topped our list with the excellent GHD Helios. This dryer is packed with power and comes in a gorgeous selection of colors. We also love the shiny finish we get from Cloud Nine’s futuristic-looking Airshot Pro, while the pioneering Dyson Airwrap Styler makes achieving a whole gamut of at-home, blow-dry looks a cinch.

How we tested the best hair dryers for fine hair

When it comes to investing in a hair dryer for fine hair, you want to know that it will will work for your hair type and last well. That's why we tried and tested each dryer to see how they compared on weight, power, technology, and price to ensure that you will get the best results. This guide will help you select the best dryer for your hair's needs to take care of fragile, fine hair and boost volume for a salon finish, every time. 

The best hair dryers for fine hair, as chosen by our experts

Eight years after the straightening-iron powerhouse entered the hair dryer arena with their Air blow dryer, GHD dropped the irresistible Helios. And it seems that with its most recent offerings, the cult brand has stepped up its design game, as, just like the ghd Platinum+ hair straightener, the Helios hair dryer will take any vanity from bleak to chic.

It tops our best hair dryers for fine hair list, as not only does it look fabulous in every one of the six stylish color options, but it also packs a serious punch when it comes to power. A mega-high wattage means that you’re getting a forceful 120km/h shot of air through the concentrated nozzle, which goes a long way in adding volume to fine hair and will leave you with a shiny, bouncy look in seconds.

It is at the high end of the price spectrum and we found that it is heavier than most of the others we tested, but it is so streamlined that you can’t feel the difference in weight when using—its ergonomic design, which makes giving yourself a bouncy blow dry very easy, making the minimal extra weight on this tool definitely worth carrying.

See our full GHD Helios hair dryer review (opens in new tab)

Unboxing this glossy-black masterpiece, you would probably mistake it for a high-end splurge. The modest dryer boasts curvy contours in its sleek barrel, with an attractive clinched vent at the back that can be easily popped out for regular cleaning to avoid any overheating. And for such a humble offering, its energy is staggering, which is why it made it onto our list of the best hair dryers for fine hair. 

The forceful jet of air allows for quick drying and accurate styling; however, on the highest speed we found that it can almost be a bit too powerful to control fine hair, so if your locks tend to be on the wispy side, we'd suggest opting for the lower setting. Plus, the robust airflow does make the dryer one of the louder ones we tried. 

We did also find that, despite the use of hair-strengthening tourmaline-ceramic technology, the results on the hair weren’t as sleek as some of the other dryers on our list. So if you wanted a super smooth look, you might need to finish up with one of the best hair straightener brushes. But for such a reasonably priced option it definitely holds its own against the industry’s best.

This Revlon dryer brush initially became popular as an alternative to the Dyson Airwrap, and it is certainly a much more affordable option. But despite being a fraction of the cost, we found this dryer to be just as effective at styling. 

The large barrel is easy to work with and only takes a few swipes to give a volumized blow-dried look. Although this dryer is not as powerful as some of the others we tested, we didn't notice a longer drying time. As a dryer and styler in one, it saves time by giving instant refined results that won't need touching up. Plus, ionic technology helps to reduce frizz and static whilst the ceramic coating promotes even heat distribution and less damage.

One downside to the Revlon brush is that it only comes in one size, meaning that if you have short hair it probably won't work for you. However, if you have very long hair that usually takes hours to style, this dryer will make your life much easier. For best results, dry in sections and twist the brush whilst you pull it through the hair to create beautifully bouncy ends. 

See our full Revlon Hair Dryer Brush review

Following in Dyson’s footsteps, technology giant Shark recently released a hair dryer that’s high-tech, innovative, and delivers impressive results on all hair types, including fine. Granted, it’s more expensive than most we tried—but if you’re after a hair dryer that cuts down on damage as well as drying time, this could be the hot tool for you.     

Powered by something called iQ Technology, the dryer uses speed over force to generate a constant flow of ionized air that dries fine hair quickly with little-to-no damage. The results? Smoother, shinier strands. You can also take control of the dryer with three temperature and airflow settings (low, medium, high). If boosting your hair health is the utmost priority for you, no dryer can do that alone, but our beauty editor's K18 review may just have a treatment solution to offer.

As for attachments, there may only be two, which feels a little minimal for the price point, but they’re both very intelligent. Magnetically connected, Shark recognizes which attachment is on and alters the heat and speed settings accordingly to give you the best results. Choose between the concentrator for sleek results or the diffuser to lift and define curls. We love how compact this dryer is and it’s quieter than most hair dryers we’ve tried.  

See our full Shark hair dryer review. 

While professionals make achieving a bouncy blow-dry look effortless, anyone who’s ever gone the DIY route will understand the perils of wrangling different-sized barrels and brushes and how one wrong move can leave you looking the worse for wear. Enter the Dyson Airwrap: It caused ripples among blow-dry fans with its intriguing attachments that claim to do all the hard work for you. While the multi-functional tool does take some getting used to if you’re one who relies on a plethora of different hair tools or changes up your look day to day, then this one is definitely up your alley.

While the Airwrap does give your mortgage payment a run for its money, its all-purpose attachments do mean that you’re really getting the most bang for your buck. Not only is there a dryer attachment that essentially transforms it into the  Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, (opens in new tab) if you invest in the complete set, it also comes with two different-sized barrel attachments to easily create waves and curls, two brush attachments for straightening and smooth drying, and a round brush to create a dreamy blow-dry. When we tested it, we found that it’s not quite powerful enough to leave a smooth, frizz-free finish on thick and curly hair—for that you might need to pair it with one of the best straighteners for curly hair—but for fine hair, it does the job in seconds, so it's definitely worthy to be classed as one of the best hair dryers for fine hair.

What sets this hair dryer apart from all the others we tried is its color protecting technology, which is a must to ensure no heat damage or breakage occurs when drying. The Micro-conditioning ring inside the hair dryer is infused with Shea oil and UV filters which work to condition the hair and keep it looking shiny.

It also contains a sensor that works to regulate temperature and prevent overheating, so you don't need to worry about how your scalp will be feeling, either. Whether you have straight, frizzy or curly hair, the variety of attachments available work to style any hair type effortlessly. When we tested it, we found that hair is left feeling smooth even with a rough blow dry, providing the ideal base for further styling if necessary.

If you have concerns over your hair's health and want to ensure that you don't cause further damage by heat styling, this dryer is definitely the one for you. The variety of heat settings and strong power means that hair is dried quickly without compromising on that salon finish. Plus, the stunning champagne color gives a luxurious feel despite the affordable price tag. 

Even when we take as much care as possible and get strict about heat protection for hair, using a hairdryer can still cause some damage. Damage is more noticeable on fine hair, so it's something you need to be extra careful about when picking a hairdryer for fine hair. 

This high tech buy uses infrared lights to penetrate the hair shaft, helping to repair damage and even preventing hair loss in early stages - a real problem in fine hair. The infrared technology also helps speed up drying time by 50%, which will minimise the exposure to heat and help lessen any future damage. So it's a double-pronged attack to prevent hair getting frazzled.

The nozzle uses a clever honeycomb shaped front, which we found helped to evenly distribute heat for a more balanced blow-dry. It's also really lightweight - just over 500 grams, which is incredibly rare for such a powerful pick. That paired with the speedy drying means that annoying achey arm will be a thing of the past.

So what's our verdict?

The lightness is a huge bonus, and we did notice our hair looking extra shiny and glossy after the first use. Ok, so maybe it won't actually reverse years of blow dries, but it certainly puts hair health at the forefront of its priorities, which you really do notice when you're using it.

If you have curly hair, you know the military precision and planning that goes into washing your curls and coils. It's not as simple as a wash and go — the curly girl method is high maintenance, to say the least. 

There's a lot of debate about whether you should use heat on your curls at all. Air drying is said to be better for your hair health, but let's be honest —we don't always want to wait around for hours after washing our locks.

Chances are if you dry your hair, it's through a diffuser attachment onto your existing hair dryer. But this clever little gadget cuts out the middleman entirely, working as a standalone, specialized diffuser. Diffusers work especially well for fine curls. It'll help boost volume and help your hair look fuller. 

The focus here isn't on the biggest wattage or quickest setting - so there's less focus on that motor to make the buy heavy and clunky. This is pleasingly simple — just place your curls into the diffuser, switch it onto one of the four heat and speed combinations and they'll gently dry. Curly girls know that patience is key, and this is especially important when it comes to drying your curls. After trying it, we can say that speedy styling this is not — but if you're looking for an easy diffuser to make your wash days easier and quicker, this is ideal. 

Walk into any hair salon and chances are you’ll glimpse a Parlux on every counter - so of course it has to be one of our best hair dryers for fine hair. It’s the signature dryer you’ll see your stylist using to give you the gorgeous bouncy look that you somehow always fail to replicate yourself. That said, investing in this humble purchase could give you a better chance at mastering how to blow dry hair. Despite being one of the brand’s most basic dryers, it still boasts a punchy motor and sleek durable casing.

It is less powerful than some of the other offerings that we tried, but when it comes to working with fine hair, that can actually be a pro, as a slower airflow gave us more control over wispy locks and stop them from escaping your styling brush. A concentrator nozzle also makes for fast drying, despite the lower wattage. It’s not the prettiest hair dryer around, but for the super-pleasing price and the even more exciting salon-like results, it definitely deserves a place on our list.

Even the name gives us an inkling that this hair dryer is one to look out for. Cloud Nine’s Airshot Pro, which hails from one of the original founders of ghd, really does give you a professional-like shot of air for more control over your style—making it one of our best hair dryers for fine hair. And not only does it shoot out a mega-dose of power, but, in keeping with the brand’s kindness ethos, it’s also good for the environment: Its eco-precision motor monitors velocity to hyper-optimize airflow at fast speeds and cut drying time in half (literally, by 50 percent), while its lower wattage uses less energy than competitors on the market.

It has a ceramic mineral-infused heating element that distributes healing minerals tourmaline and sericite onto your locks to nourish and strengthen, and we found it left a healthy and shiny finish. And for any fine-haired types out there who also suffer from frizz, the Airshot Pro also features clever technology that works to get rid of frizzy hair and flyaways for a salon-worthy finish.

There's nothing more annoying than spending ages doing your hair only for it to go frizzy and static. Sometimes, no matter how much you've perfected how to blow dry your hair, it will still get frazzled and flyways appear.

If your hair's on the drier side, it's important to pick products specially designed for your locks to ensure it gets an extra boost of hydration. This affordable option by Babyliss is perfect for fine, frizz-prone hair.

Although maybe not as lightweight as some of the others that we tried, the benefits balance that out. 2100 watts makes for a powerful blast of air, and the three heat settings means you can stick to the lower options, to help prevent hair getting fried. It comes with two attachments - a smoothing nozzle and a handy diffuser for curls, so really it works on almost all hair types. When we tested it on curly hair, it left our coils looking shiny and soft without a hint of frizz. 

The price point is brilliantly affordable too - we were really impressed with how smooth hair was, especially when compared to other options four times its price. If you're looking for the best hairdryer for frizzy, fine hair - this is your best bet.

Ideal for those who love sleek, smooth styles, this savvy hair dryer comes complete with a concentrator nozzle that directs airflow for precise drying. While we’d expect more than one attachment for the price point, you can also remove the concentrator nozzle for general rough drying. In terms of power, this one packs a punch with 2100W, cutting down our drying time by half. Considering the high power, its weight of 525g is extremely impressive and we found it easy to handle. 

There are four heat settings as well as two speed settings to suit your hair wants and needs. What’s more, you can choose between three ‘advanced care’ programs: gentle, strong, and care+. For those with fine hair, we’d highly recommend switching to the latter setting—it helps maintain healthy hair by reducing heat damage and reflecting light for shine. Double win! 

As for results, expect a smooth, shiny, volumized blow-dry—thanks to both the concentrator nozzle and the fact the hair dryer is infused with smoothing oils and uses ionic technology to reduce frizz. We found that it’s a brilliant hot tool for sleek results but if you have a curly hairstyle and want a diffuser, we’d suggest looking at alternative dryers. 

Going away on vacation is all fun and games—until you have to brave the hotel hair dryer tucked in your room’s bathroom drawer, or worse, the stock version hooked up to the bathroom wall. T3’s Featherweight Compact is here to save you from the horrors of sub-par vacation hair dryers with its light, portable design, effective performance, and enviable results. Oh, and it looks like something straight out of a five-star salon, so there's that too. 

With a folding hinge that makes it a breeze to fit into your carry-on, the dryer has an unusually small barrel that can look slightly strange, but we found that it makes for painless styling. Despite being a bit slower than our other favorite hair dryers that we tested (as you would probably expect from a smaller, travel-friendly product), we found that it packs a stronger punch than most tools you’ll find in a hotel room and comes with a cool-shot option and a concentrator nozzle for sleek styling. It's also great if you prefer hairstyles with bangs and need a tool to keep your fringe in check on the go. It may not give the other best hair dryers for fine hair a run in the power stakes, but for a post-swim session, we’ll take it.

How to choose the best hair dryers for fine hair

When picking the best hair dryer for fine hair, consider these essential features:

• Multiple speed settings: Low speeds can give you more styling flexibility—especially if you have a short hairstyle or bob hairstyle. “With finer hair, you need to control the direction of the blow-dry so that you can stop it blowing out of the brush—a low-speed button can help, so make sure your hair dryer has this,” says Craig Taylor, creative director at Hari’s.
• Multiple heat settings: Lower heat settings will help prevent damage, which is a good thing for finer, more delicate strands. Dr Munir explains, "look for hairdryers that have adjustable heat settings and cool air buttons. That way you can lower the heat to cause less damage, and use the cool air to seal the cuticle once finished. A lot of the best hair dryers for fine hair offer a good selection of one or two lower temperature settings. 
• Cold button: “I like a cold button for when I'm trying to set movement into the hair or root; blowing cold air helps set the bend and body that you're trying to mimic in the hair,” says Craig. Cold air will also seal the hair cuticle, so hair looks smoother and shinier, too.
• Material: Dr Munir notes that the materials used in your hair dryer makes just as much of a difference as the high-tech elements. He explains, "If you have fine or dry hair, ceramic or metal nozzles give the heat a consistent temperature and make the heat less harsh."

How to dry fine hair gently

Thin hair needs to take extra care when it comes to heat styling, according to Hair Restoration surgeon Dr Munir Somji (opens in new tab) - which is why picking the best hair dryer for fine hair is important. He advises, "Use a microfiber towel to retrieve as much moisture from the hair as possible, then use a hair dryer. Doing this means that you will be using it for a much shorter amount of time, therefore reducing the risk of extensive heat damage."