Remington PROluxe AC9140
A 2400W AC-motor dryer with a heat-sensing mode that owners keep rating highly for the price.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Hair Dryers of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best hair dryer in 2026 is the Remington PROluxe AC9140. It tops our ranking with 9.1 out of 10.
Our hair dryer picks
Fewer picks than usual: no dearer model makes the top half.
Remington Power Dry D3010
The budget staple: a 2000W dryer at about 560g that does the job for very little money.
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Wahl Power Shine ZY151
A cheap 2000W dryer that includes both a diffuser and a concentrator.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 hair dryers, compared
We compared 17 hair dryers sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. These ten cover light budget dryers, AC-motor salon-style models with diffusers, a folding travel dryer, a premium salon-style dryer and Dyson's high-speed digital motor. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Remington PROluxe AC9140Best Choice
9.1 out of 10
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2
BaByliss Power Smooth 2400W Hair Dryer 5736CU
9.0 out of 10
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3
Remington Shine Therapy D5216
9.0 out of 10
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4
BaByliss Super Power 2400W Hair Dryer 5240U
8.9 out of 10
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5
Remington Power Dry D3010Value for Money
8.9 out of 10
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6
BaByliss Midnight Luxe 2300W Hair Dryer 5781U
8.7 out of 10
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7
ghd Helios
8.5 out of 10
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8
Wahl Power Shine ZY151Best Budget
8.4 out of 10
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9
Dyson Supersonic Origin
8.3 out of 10
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10
ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer
8.3 out of 10
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Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The Remington PROluxe AC9140 (9.1) beats the BaByliss Power Smooth 2400W Hair Dryer 5736CU (9.0) because it leaves owners a little happier.
The full hair dryer reviews
1.Remington PROluxe AC9140
A 2400W AC-motor dryer with a heat-sensing mode that owners keep rating highly for the price. It is the one to buy for speed on a mid-range budget.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it5th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 2400W salon-style AC motor dries long and thick hair quickly
- OPTIheat sensing and a Style Shot setting for longer-lasting styles
- Ionic conditioning, with more ions than a standard Remington
- Diffuser and concentrator both included
- Cheaper than most AC dryers from the salon brands
Keep in mind
- A little front-weighted for long sessions
- Loud at full speed
2.BaByliss Power Smooth 2400W Hair Dryer 5736CU
A 2400W ionic dryer from the Power Smooth line. A mid-range option for quick drying without paying salon-brand prices.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 2400W for fast drying
- Ionic frizz control
- Three heats, two speeds and a cool shot
- Slim concentrator nozzle included
Keep in mind
- Not a diffuser kit, so curls need an attachment
- Loud at the top speed
- Only a 2.2m cord
3.Remington Shine Therapy D5216
A light ionic dryer with a diffuser and concentrator in the box. A sensible, inexpensive choice for wavy and curly hair.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Diffuser and concentrator both included
- 2300W with three heats, two speeds and a cool shot
- Under 750g, lighter than most AC models
- Long 3-year guarantee on many UK listings
Keep in mind
- Diffuser is small for thick, long curls
- Cord is a shorter 1.8m
- Fan noise is noticeable on the top setting
4.BaByliss Super Power 2400W Hair Dryer 5240U
A 2400W salon-style AC dryer with a 2.5m cable and a five-year guarantee. Fast, but heavier than most.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 2400W AC motor dries quickly
- 2.5m swivel cord
- Five-year guarantee
- Ionic ceramic grille and cold shot
Keep in mind
- Around 940g, tiring on long sessions
- Loud on the top speed
- No diffuser in the box, only a slim concentrator
5.Remington Power Dry D3010
The budget staple: a 2000W dryer at about 560g that does the job for very little money. Owners buy it as a spare or a first dryer.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Light at around 560g, easy on the wrist
- Ceramic ionic grille, three heats, two speeds and a cool shot
- Eco setting for lower running cost
- Removable rear grille is simple to clean
Keep in mind
- No diffuser, so curls frizz when dried with the nozzle
- Standard DC motor, slower than 2200W AC models on thick hair
- Plastic build feels basic and the motor can be noisy
6.BaByliss Midnight Luxe 2300W Hair Dryer 5781U
A 2300W ionic dryer with a concentrator nozzle and a three-year guarantee. A mid-range option for quick, frizz-controlled drying.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 2300W motor for fast drying
- Ionic frizz control with titanium-ceramic grille
- Three heats, two speeds and a cool shot
- Three-year guarantee
Keep in mind
- DC motor, slower than AC models on thick hair
- No diffuser in the box, so curls need a separate attachment
- Loud at full speed
7.ghd Helios
A salon-styled 2200W dryer with a long cable and a wide, shaped nozzle. Owners rate it for quick drying and a smooth, shiny finish.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Brushless motor and 2200W for fast drying
- Long 3m cable reaches without an extension
- Wide nozzle gives a focused, smooth airflow for straightening
- Two-year guarantee
Keep in mind
- Heavier than the travel and DC-motor models, around 780g
- Some owners find it lacks root volume
- Premium money for a dryer with no diffuser in the box
8.Wahl Power Shine ZY151
A cheap 2000W dryer that includes both a diffuser and a concentrator. It is among the least expensive ways to get a diffuser in the box.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is3rd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Detachable diffuser and concentrator nozzle included
- Three heats, two speeds and a cool shot
- Cheapest of the diffuser dryers here
- 1.8m cable
Keep in mind
- Only a one-year guarantee
- Plastic body feels less sturdy than the pricier models
- Slower on thick hair than a 2200W or higher AC model
9.Dyson Supersonic Origin
The cut-price route into Dyson's high-speed digital motor. It dries with controlled heat and is far lighter in the hand than most salon-style dryers.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it10th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Small, light motor in the handle keeps the head easy to hold
- Heat is measured many times a second to avoid scorching
- Owners with fine or coloured hair report less damage than with older dryers
- Magnetic styling concentrator is included
Keep in mind
- Costs several times more than a good mid-range dryer
- Only one or two attachments, so curly hair may need more
- Lower wattage than AC dryers, and the pitch of the motor is high
10.ghd Flight+ Travel Hair Dryer
A folding dryer that packs into a case and still manages around three quarters of the power of a full-size ghd. The one for suitcases and gym bags.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Folding handle and compact body, with a travel case included
- Dual voltage for use abroad
- Roughly 78% of the power of a full-size ghd, according to the brand
- Centring nozzle included
Keep in mind
- Slower on thick or long hair than a full 2200W dryer
- Costs more than other compact travel dryers
- No diffuser, so curls need a separate attachment
Before you buy a hair dryer
What wattage hair dryer do I need?
For most hair, 1800W to 2200W is plenty. Thick or long hair dries faster at 2200W to 2400W, which usually means an AC motor. Higher wattage costs little to run: a 2000W dryer used for ten minutes uses around a third of a unit of electricity, roughly 9p at current UK rates.
Is an ionic hair dryer worth it?
Ionic grilles release negative ions that help water drop off the hair, which owners report cuts frizz and static. The gain is modest and strongest on thick or frizzy hair. Ceramic and tourmaline coatings spread the heat more evenly. On a budget, good airflow and heat control matter more than the label.
Which hair dryer is best for curly hair, and do I need a diffuser?
A diffuser spreads the air gently so curls keep their shape, rather than blowing them out. The Remington Shine Therapy, Remington PROluxe and Wahl Power Shine all come with one. Use low speed and medium heat, and cup the curls into the bowl.
Which hair dryer is best for fine or thin hair?
Fine hair is easy to overheat, so look for reliable heat control, such as the Dyson Supersonic Origin, and a cool shot. A lighter ionic dryer like the Remington Shine Therapy also suits. Dry on medium heat, and keep the nozzle moving. Heavy AC dryers can feel overpowered on short or fine hair.
Is a Dyson hair dryer worth the money compared with a cheaper one?
The extra cost buys a small, light, controlled-heat motor and a build that lasts. It does not dry dramatically faster than a 2200W AC dryer, and extra attachments cost more. If weight and heat damage are the problem, it is worth it. If you only want quick, reliable drying, a mid-range AC model does the job for much less.
What is the best hair dryer to take travelling, and does it need dual voltage?
The ghd Flight+ folds, comes with a case and is dual voltage, which suits trips abroad. Without dual voltage you need to check the label, because a UK dryer on 110V mains will run weakly, and one on a higher voltage can be damaged. You also need a plug adaptor in either case. For UK trips, a light dryer such as the Remington D3010 is cheap and compact enough.
How we ranked these ten hair dryers
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover hair dryers for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 17 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 hair dryer
Remington PROluxe AC9140
A 2400W AC-motor dryer with a heat-sensing mode that owners keep rating highly for the price. 9.1 out of 10.