Whether you’re trying to banish frizz, speed up your blowout or simply avoid heat damage, a quality hair dryer is a beauty essential. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend the big bucks to get a salon-worthy model. Several brands—including Conair, Revlon, Babyliss and more—make affordable hair dryers that are popular on marketplaces like Amazon. Those that fall in the budget category often have high ratings and feature multiple attachments to suit different styling needs.
The best affordable hair dryers also come in a range of finishes and styles. For example, some are lightweight (so you don’t feel like you’re doing a workout), have adjustable heat and speed settings, or include ionic technology. The latter helps to reduce static electricity, which can cause flyaways and tangles.
A few budget-friendly models even have a handy stand for hands-free drying. And if you’re looking for an easy-to-handle hair dryer for travel, consider a foldable style that’s dual voltage and compact enough to fit in your carry-on luggage.
Lastly, look for a hair dryer that’s easy to grip, has a convenient on/off switch and has an indicator light to let you know it’s on and ready to go. Many models are also designed to be quiet and comfortable to hold. And, if you’re trying to tame curly or kinky locks, check out a model with a diffuser attachment that helps keep your strands in place without over-drying them. shop hair dryers under $20