We Asked Hair Stylists for the 13 Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers From Amazon
By Alicia Kort and Katie Decker-Jacoby,
2024-09-05
When you’re on a trip, you don’t want to be stuck with the depressing, low-pressure hotel hair dryer or—worse yet—totally sans dryer. You know how many photos you’ll be taking on your vacation, and if your face and hair are going to end up in lots of pictures, you need to have a reliable hair dryer on hand. But you don’t want to bring your full-size hair dryer because it’ll take up a ton of valuable real estate in your suitcase. That’s why we rounded up the best travel-size hair dryers from Amazon. If you’re going to be jetting off on long vacations and weekend getaways, it’s a smart investment for your beauty arsenal.
But, as always, leave it to the experts to know the best products on the market. We consulted four (yes, four!) hair stylists to reach a final verdict on the best travel-size hair dryers on Amazon. Their picks are lightweight and promise not to steal too much space in your carry-on bag . These dryers are powerful, too. You’ll be able to dry your hair as well as you would have with your go-to regular-size dryer. Their favorites offer different heat and speed settings, and some even have a cool shot button. Some of their picks are even blessed with dual voltage, so you can travel the whole world with it.
Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers on Amazon at a Glance
What should you look for in a travel-sized hair dryer?
Sadie Stiles: “I look for something compact, versatile, lightweight, powerful motor, dual voltage and sturdy. I want something as close to my regular hair dryer as possible!”
Cody Renegar: “Size: Consider what you need it for—is it for the gym or your suitcase? Is it compact and lightweight enough? Wattage: Meaning power. Does it match the wattage you use at home? Ideally, it does, but something to keep in mind is that a more powerful tool (higher wattage) is typically heavier. Hair Type: Review if it works for your hair type and length. Voltage: Make sure it will work for wherever you’re traveling – aka, some areas in Europe need a specific voltage.”
Natalie Lamorena: “Easy to pack. Lightweight, powerful and gets hot enough. You also want to look for features, such as cord length, different attachments and a cool shot button. This is particularly important when it comes to where you are traveling and your hair texture. For example, if you’re traveling somewhere tropical and are someone who does get frizzy, your goal is most likely to tame it, so you do want to make sure it’s powerful and hot.”
What weight is typical for a travel-size hair dryer?
Sadie Stiles: “Usually, a travel hair dryer is anywhere from 1-3 pounds, but typically the lighter the dryer is the smaller the motor is.”
Are travel-size hair dryers as just effective as regular-size hair dryers?
Sadie Stiles: “Yes! They absolutely can be just as effective and powerful as a regular hair dryer! If this is important to you pay attention to the wattage.”
Cody Renegar: “Typically not, but the Gama Professional Hair Dryer isn’t considered a travel-size item, and I use it when traveling. It’s compact, lightweight, and powerful.”
Natalie Lamorena: “Travel-sized blow dryers can be effective, but they are pretty different in comparison to regular-sized or professional blow dryers. The main differences are the power, the heat, and other features that help customize a blowout. In comparison, a regular-size blow dryer is more durable than a travel-size one and will just last you longer, but if you are looking to achieve a salon-quality style, I recommend a regular-size blow dryer because it’s generally more effective.”
The Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers to Shop on Amazon
CHI 1400 Series Foldable Compact Hair Dryer $92 Buy Now On Amazon “The CHI 1400 Series dryer is a great option for someone who doesn’t want to compromise on power and feel. It folds out into a full-sized dryer with two heat and speed options, a cool shot button, and features Rapid Clean Technology to ensure clean airflow and reduce build up,” Stiles explains. “It features dual voltage and has a 1400W motor that delivers professional blowouts eliminating frizz for a healthier, shinier style for all hair types.” CHI The Pearly Hair Dryer On Sale 8% off $120 Buy Now On Amazon “ The Pearly Hair Dryer is a fan favorite with it’s compact foldable design and ultra powerful motor. Featuring dual voltage technology this dryer is ready to go with you on your next adventure,” says Stiles. “Ionic technology and adjustable airflow and speed options make this dryer perfect for all types of hair.” GAMA Italy Professional Hair Dryer $300 Buy Now On Amazon “This GAMA hair dryer is under a pound, dries hair incredibly fast because it has high wattage power, has a diffuser for those with curly hair, and is easy to hold,” explains Renegar. “It’s expensive but incredibly versatile and the best on the market in my opinion. It dries hair in half the time and leaves it shiny and sleek.” BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer $35 Buy Now On Amazon $35 Buy Now on Target “ The Nano Titanium Travel Dryer is lightweight, has a foldable handy, which comes in handy when packing, and its Ionic technology helps reduce frizz, leaving hair sleek and shiny. Works on all hair types,” says Renegar. T3 Afar Lightweight Travel-Size Hair Dryer $180 Buy Now On Amazon $180 Buy Now on Sephora Renegar is also a fan of this model , saying “It’s lightweight, easy to hold, works on all hair types, and provides an even airflow. It dries hair fast without damaging it.” Parlux 3500 Super Compact Black Hair Dryer $190 Buy Now On Amazon Like Renegar’s other product recommendations, this hair dryer is compact and lightweight. However, the standout feature is its long cord. “It has a very long cord (9 ft), so you can travel quite far without being bound to the outlet. It also works on all hair types,” Renegar notes. Conair 1875W Compact Hair Dryer On Sale 9% off $20 Buy Now On Amazon This Conair hair dryer gets bonus points for being super affordable ($20?!). But besides its low price tag, “It’s easy to pack for nearly any trip and has dual-voltage capabilities for international travel. It has two heat/speed settings to customize your drying experience and a 5ft cord. It also has a cool shot button to lock in your finished style,” says Renegar. Shark HD440BK FlexStyle On Sale 13% off $280 Buy Now On Amazon $300 Buy Now on Shark Beauty “The Shark FlexStyle is foldable and only 1.5 lbs, is high wattage, and gets very hot. It also comes with multiple attachments and can be used on all hair types,” says Lamorena.
Pro tip: Save 10% on all Shark products with code SC10 through December 31, 2024, on Shark’s site (Exclusions: Ninja: NinjaSlushi, parts and accessories, and warranties). T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer $150 Buy Now On Amazon $150 Buy Now on Sephora $150 Buy Now on Ulta “For a small travel dryer, T3 has been my go-to brand for over 20 years. Their hot tools offer excellent heat protection and are consistently high-quality. I trust them completely, not just for their product performance but also for their outstanding customer service,” says Uribe. 7MAGIC Fast-Drying Hair Dryer On Sale 13% off $40 Buy Now On Amazon Lamorena suggests this $40 option because it’s lightweight, portable, and comes with multiple heat settings, and a cool shot. “It also includes different attachments and a travel bag. This dryer additionally gets hot and it’s pretty powerful in comparison to other portable dryers. Its sleek design also makes it super easy to pack,” she adds. Wavytalk Hair Dryer On Sale 42% off $32 Buy Now On Amazon “This Wavytalk portable dryer is only 1 pound and foldable which makes it easy to pack. It’s also very affordable. Its high wattage provides powerful airspeed, making drying time two times faster. This is a great option for thick wavy/curly hair,” Lamorena notes. LURA Mini Portable Travel Hair Dryer $36 Buy Now On Amazon “ This dryer is very hot and powerful and also super cute. It’s foldable and lightweight which makes it easy to travel with, and it comes with a cute travel bag to match,” says Lamorena. “It’s also budget friendly and can be used on all hair types.” ANNE BETTY Hair Dryer On Sale 34% off $33 Buy Now On Amazon “ This hairdryer is so good for curly hair. It gets so hot and is strong, but it’s still quiet, which is nice. It’s also very lightweight which makes it nice to travel with,” Lamorena says.
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