These picks make good hair days on vacation a reality.
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Don't let the small size deceive you: The best travel hair dryers on the market today are mightier than ever, with some of the same bells and whistles you'd find on a standard-size hair dryer.
Our Beauty Lab analysts regularly test hair dryers, hair dryer brushes, curling wands and other types of hair tools for performance, styling ability and ease of use. In our most recent test of travel hair dryers, we evaluated 11 models and recorded over 2,000 data points to determine which delivered the most gorgeous, salon-level blowouts.
Our final list of recommendations includes the winning models from our test, as well as editor favorites, plus tips from celebrity hairstylists Clariss Rubenstein and Nick Stenson.
Our analysts were impressed by the travel-sized version of Drybar's best-selling hair dryer — in fact, it came out on top in our travel hair dryer tests.
The dual-voltage model delivers fast-drying power in a conveniently compact package that folds at the handle and offers two heat settings plus a cool shot button to lock in your style. It landed perfect scores in our Lab evaluations for its easy-to-use controls, quick drying time and strong airflow. "Wow, this is powerful," said one tester. "It's the right size and doesn't look like a travel dryer until you fold the handle."
While it is pricey for a travel dryer, Wizemann notes that it's powerful enough to pull double-duty as a home and away option. One other thing to note: Some testers commented that it was a bit heavier than other models they've tried, and the attachments weren't always easy to get on and off.
This Conair dryer scored high in our travel hair dryer test and it's a GH Beauty Award winner. It blew away the competition when it came to drying speed, drying standardized human hair samples fastest of all the travel hairdryers we tested (in just 60 seconds!).
While a little bulky for a travel dryer, we think it's a versatile and budget-friendly option, complete with three heat and two speed settings. “It has strong airflow and high heat,” one tester said, while another said they liked that it “offered the most control options.” It does have a shorter cord length than others, though, so you'll need to plug it in close to a mirror if you need one.
Impressively lightweight, this hair dryer is the quick fix you need for a weekend trip if you rely on using a hair diffuser. The Lab found it one of the most consistent models we tested across the board when it came to comfortable hold, quiet airflow and easy-to-use buttons. Plus, it comes with that diffuser, making it a great choice for those with curly hair.
Testers loved that "there is a convenient stand for hands free styling" and that it was "light yet feels substantial." According to our Lab experts, it can get hot, so it's best for quick dries that don't require a cool shot button.
In our testing, our Beauty Lab pros found the Le Styliste Luxe to be a great option for travel. Though it's not technically a travel dryer and doesn't fold, its compact size and weight are on par with other travel hair dryers we've tested.
For being so slender and petite, this 1875-watt hairdryer produced an impressively powerful airflow, drying hair quickly. It comes with two attachments and a diffuser and weighs 1.2 pounds with a cord. It was also quieter than many of the other hair dryers we evaluated.
While we haven't yet fully evaluated this model in the Lab, we had to include it on our list because it's one of the most sought-after travel hair dryers on Amazon, where reviewers say you'll be particularly impressed by how powerful it is, despite its small handheld size.
We also give it bonus points for its dual voltage feature and its concentrator nozzle. That said, it may not be ideal for those with curly hair, as there is no diffuser attachment. One Amazon reviewer, who claims to be an avid traveler, said they've relied on this dryer for 15 years. "I ALWAYS take this with me, period," the reviewer wrote.
Revlon's Fast Dry Travel Styler checks off all the boxes of a good travel hair dryer: It's dual-voltage and offers two heat and speed settings, a cool shot button and a folding handle. Though sleek in design, our Lab testers did find it to be a bit loud and a little difficult to switch between attachments, though. But we're giving it points for being extremely powerful. In fact, it's the only dryer we tested that earned a perfect airflow score.
T3 travel hair dryers have long been top-performers in our tests, and while we haven't yet gotten our hands on this updated version from the brand, we trust that it will prove to be just as great as the top-scoring Featherweight.
It has a foldable handle for easy storage, plus it offers dual voltage, meaning you can leave your adapter at home when traveling internationally. It has two speeds, three heat settings and a cool shot button. Sephora reviewers say they love the multiple setting options and folding handle — though some note that it is on the noisier side.
Celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein says she also loves T3 hair dryers for their speedy dry time and frizz-free results. She recommends the ion-charged T3, which dries hair super fast and leaves hair shiny. "It also cuts major frizz," she says. "I would use it even when not traveling."
When it comes to testing hair dryers, our Beauty Lab pros measure everything from the surface temperature to the ease of use, including the comfort of hold, its weight and its cord length.
In our most recent travel hair dryer test, we evaluated 11 top-rated travel hair dryers by measuring drying speed on standardized human hair samples, as well as airflow and the temperature they reach. We also rated noise level and ease of use, including the comfort of hold, ease of putting on and removing attachments and location of controls and buttons.
Overall, our beauty analysts recorded over 2,000 data points to determine which delivered the most gorgeous, salon-level blowouts. In this list, we included the final seven that outperformed all the others.
If you are traveling internationally, take note that every travel dryer we tested in our Lab features dual voltage, meaning these mini blow dryers can function in the United States and abroad, so no worries about blowing a fuse here.
We called on hair pros celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein and Matrix Artistic Director Nick Stenson for their best shopping advice on mini hair dryers:
You’ll find varied weight and size options with travel dryers, but Stenson suggests keeping it under 1.5 pounds. Another bonus with purchasing a travel dryer is finding one that collapses or folds to allow for easier packing, he adds.
Voltage and wattage should be more of a concern if you’re traveling internationally. Stenson recommends 1875 watts as the sweet spot for most hair dryers.
For international travel, you’ll want to make sure it has dual voltage so it can function in the United States and abroad. Otherwise, using an adapter with a standard voltage hair dryer can potentially blow a fuse and ruin your hair tool, so proceed with caution.
A great travel dryer should also come with a concentrator and diffuser attachments for versatility, says Stenson.
If you use a blowdryer daily, yes. "For the moderate to the avid traveler, travel dryers are a fabulous investment that saves space and unnecessary weight in your luggage and keeps you looking your best on the go," says Stenson.
While travel hair dryers serve the same fundamental purpose as their full-size counterparts (drying and styling hair), they're "usually more compact and lightweight, and are designed to work with a variety of voltage standards and adaptability to different outlets in ways regular dryers typically are not," says Wizemann.
While they may not have the same high-power performance as their ful-sized counterparts, they're still likely better than what you'll find in your hotel. "Even though a hotel blowdryer will do its job, it almost never has the same features as higher quality brands," Rubenstein adds.
Yes, TSA approves hair dryers for packing in both carry-on and checked baggage. Wizemann recommends protecting it from other liquids by packing it in a separate waterproof bag, and padding the hair dryer between soft clothing for additional protection.
Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price is the most recent updater of this article. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories.
To update our picks, Price worked closely with Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann, who contributed her expertise, providing information from Lab testing and about travel hair dryers generally. With a background in hair dye research and synthesis, Wizemann loves all things hair-related.
Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin wrote the original version of this article, compiling picks and interviewing experts for commentary. .
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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