The Best Hair Dryers for Managing Curly Hair

Dealing with curly hair can be a real challenge. Personally, I used to let mine air dry, but I couldn’t stand the feeling of sitting around with wet hair all day, only to end up with a head full of frizzy curls. That’s when I knew I needed to invest in the best hair dryer for my unruly locks.

Even if you don’t use a hair dryer every day, having one on hand can be a lifesaver for those rushed mornings when you need to head to work straight out of the shower or for taming those finicky curls that require some diffusing. Plus, who doesn’t love smooth, glossy locks from time to time?

With a seemingly endless selection of hair dryers available in various price ranges and from countless brands, finding the right one can be overwhelming. If you have relatively easy-to-manage hair that just needs quick drying, a basic dryer from a local drugstore might do the trick. But for those of us with more demanding hair types, specific care is essential.

We’ve tested out a variety of blow dryers, blow-dry brushes, diffusers, and multi-use tools on both coarse and fine hair to bring you our top picks for managing curly hair.

Don’t forget to check out our other hair and beauty guides, such as the Best Hair Straighteners and Best Curling Irons.

Updated August 2024: We’ve added the Dreame Pocket travel dryer.

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