I've Put in the Testing Time—These Are the Best Hair Dryers for Afro Hair

Over the past few years, the Revlon Pro Salon One Step Paddle Hair Dryer and Styler has undoubtedly become the belle of the natural-hair-community ball. With countless YouTube and TikTok videos dedicated to the dryer—of which you’ll find are about 90% rave reviews—there's no denying that it’s a brilliant all-rounder for anyone in need of a reliable washday addition. The flexible yet durable bristles help prevent tangling on coily hair textures, ensuring a perfect frizz-free blowout or for reblending tape-in extensions post-wash.

Customer review: "Easier to dry my curly, frizzy 4a/b/c hair with this than to battle with a normal hair dryer, combs brushes or even the pick attachment... With hair that reverts when wet, I decided this was the way forward when, at the last attempt, my hair was reverting as I tried to dry it because it touched the skin on my shoulders, which was wet from perspiration! All that effort hard work for nothing! Who's got time for that??? This product is a massive help the job is done in less than half the time. And I don't end up a hot mess at the end of the process."

The OG styler and a staple in high-street Afro salons, the Wahl PowerPik 2 Hair Dryer is beloved for its powerful pik. The brand’s heat-resistant secure-fit OnePik attachment was and still is one of the best blow dryers for dense and ultra-coily hair, thanks to its durability and tangle-free dry as well as easy styling experience. If you’ve recently gone for the big chop or frequently opt for free-flowing 'fro hairstyles, this is the blow dryer for you.

Customer review: "Dries your hair. Ladies with Type 4 Afro hair, as some commenters have stated, the comb is a tad flimsy; however, you can work around it perfectly fine by drying your hair in smaller sections. Gentle heat is also really good for Afro hair."

Multi-stylers have no doubt taken over the hair space in the past few years, and if you’re an Afro-haired person looking to downsize your hair kit, then the Shark FlexStyle Air Styler Hair Dryer is an investment worth making. The ultra-sleek base wand converts into anything but a standard blow dryer thanks to the use of air and heat in tandem, meaning less damage and less of that crispy feel on your kinks. Plus, it comes with a range of tools, including a diffuser tool to auto-wrap curlers, which makes it a perfect option for natural afro days as well as curling wigs and weaves if that’s more your style. Oh and it comes with a handy storage case, so say goodbye to that crowded hair-tool bin.

Customer review: "The 5-in-1 styler is very light and compact. It dried faster than a typical hairdryer, and my hair feels much nicer from using this. When in vertical mode, there is a loose feelin,g meaning there is a need to handle the top half only. The attachments are great, although the straightener doesn't have the effect of a set of straighteners. I have managed to swap out everything else I would typically use, though, for the flexstyle."

Post-salon blues are one thing, but post-salon silk-press blues at times have the power to make or break plans. Enter coil-conscious brand Amika’s round blow dryer brush 2.0. Its customisable heat settings make it the perfect at-home option for touching up blowouts and for smoother styling. For the best results from the oval-barrelled dryer and to achieve significant root lift via its detangling bristles, try partially drying your hair with a microfibre towel. When you pair it with the brand’s glossy heat-protectant serum, you can kiss day-three humidity hair goodbye.

Customer review: "Much larger than I anticipated. Works GREAT as a hair dryer. Perfect for those wanting to reduce blow-dry time and tame their hair. I was looking for more of a round brush dryer, and this is too big for that, but I will be keeping it to aid in my hair drying. Love the heat settings and controls."

Strong, sturdy yet chic is the description that comes to mind when thinking about the BaByliss HydroFusion 2100. Don't let the name fool you; this is not the easily overloaded drugstore hair dryer of our teens. Thanks to this blow dryer's nifty moisture-balancing ionic system (negative ions that break up water positivity molecules, preventing them from soaking in and causing frizz), it manages to leave coils completely dry whilst locking in moisturiser.

Customer review: "I have low porosity hair, and my hair can get really frizzy if I don’t straighten or blow-dry it properly. This hair dryer does a good job at smoothing my hair without much effort. I can just use the nozzle to smooth my hair down quickly, and it gets rid of any frizz. The cold setting isn’t as cold as the lowest setting, but I don’t mind, as it’s still very cool. It is quite powerful and dries my hair quicker than other hair dryers I’ve used. Overall, I’d say it’s a great hairdryer for the price (I bought this on offer) and would recommend."

The internet’s blow dryer darling. Hype aside, the real star of the Dyson show in my eyes in the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer kit is the super-thick, wide-tooth comb attachment. One of the first of its kind on the luxury end of blow dryer market, the comb mirrors all the best parts of a traditional pik (it works with five attachments in total) with the added style and customisable experience that Dyson hair tools have become synonyms with: light, über-quiet (a big win for those of us with thick kinks) and an overall soft and definitely shinier finish. No wonder so many have converted!

Customer review: "Smooth engineering. Quick drying. Easy handling. The Afro Pick needs looking at in that it doesn't straighten the ends of my natural 4C hair, I have to go in with the direct nozzle and brush to get the perfect blow out. I wouldn't go back. Dyson for life!"

Although a salon-like blow-dry on Afro hair is a hard one to master at home, as going from coil roots to bone-straight strands with minimal damage can be time-consuming, having the GHD Helio professional Hair Dryer at hand really is a hair saviour. The only downside is you do have to buy the brand's Pik offering separately, but for salon-like power in your hands, it's a small sacrifice in my books.

Customer review: "Once you've tried the Helios, any other hair-drying appliance you own will fall into second place! This has cut my diffusing time in half (aka adding a 30-minute extension to my lie-in). I'm in awe of how soft and well-formed my waves and curls look on wash day when I opt to diffuse as opposed to air dry. I also love the cold shot option to set my hair in place post styling."

Beauty Work's Aeris's ultra-sleek design and petite motor make it one of the quietest new-generation blow-dryer options. The wunderkind dryer's digital design screen allows for quick temperature changes and control. Need to quickly switch to cool in order to securely lay a new wig, then add some blow-dry curls to the ends? The Aeris has you covered. The lightweight design also means a dead dryer arm is a thing of the past. 

Customer review: "This is the best hairdryer I have ever used. It does exactly what it says. It dries hair much quicker. It’s very lightweight, which makes it easier to style hair while drying. But also good for traveling. I would honestly recommend it for anyone."

The gentle giant of dryers comes courtesy of the Drybar Buttercup Dryer. This blow dryer comes with two concentrator nozzles to allow for more concentrated airflow—one larger for all-over drying and one smaller, perfect for getting into harder-to-reach crevices like the partings on a twist-out. The blow dryer's accompanying diffuser is one of the larger offerings on the market, making it a handy option to have for those days when only a lazy dry will do, but you still need to get to the root. 

Customer review: "I've been looking at getting a new hair dryer for a while, but so confused about what to buy! I so wish I had bought this one sooner. The multiple settings for heat and speed mean I can really work around my hair and style with ease. My hair has never looked so healthy or frizz-free after I've dried it before. I love it!!"