One essential we always need on holiday is the best travel hair dryer. All we need after that is the sun, a swimming pool, and a cocktail in hand (preferably a margarita), and we are happy. On holiday, you want to look like your best self (because there might be some European hotties walking about to impress), and that means having fab-dabulous hair. One of the best hair dryers you can take with you is a travel hair dryer to do the trick.
Though she be but little, she is fierce - and these types of hairdryers can pack a punch even with their small size. They're super easy to pack because of how compact they are, and they usually have a foldable handle for convenience. So yes, it is possible for you to achieve a bouncy blowdry on your hols without your hairdryer taking up all the space in your suitcase. Who'd have thought?
Closer's best travel hair dryers at a glance:
But there are hundreds of hair dryer options out there. From the best hair dryers for curly hair to the best budget hair dryers - where do you even start? Never fear - the Closer team has researched the best of the bunch, comparing wattage, weight, and overall performance. We now bring you our top compact hair dryers, so you can find your perfect match. They will blow you away. 😉
SHOP: 9 best travel hair dryer 2024
best travel hair dryer overall
ghdwww.lookfantastic.com
You can't go wrong with ghd products - they produce high-quality hair dryers that will become your styling BFF, and the ghd Flight® Travel Hair Dryer is no exception. With a consistent airflow of 65 degrees, this dryer is 50 per cent lighter than the ghd air® hair dryer but still harnesses 70 per cent of the power within its tiny frame. How??? Hair science is crazy, but we're not complaining, just gimme, gimme, gimme. Customers agree, saying it's a powerful compact dryer, perfect for travel.
Pros
- Dual voltage so can be used in any country around the world
- Reviews praise that it is the most lightweight travel hair dryer
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Some reviews state it can be louder than other travel hair dryers
| 1400 watts | |
| 442 grams | |
| 1.8-metre cord |
Best highly rated travel hair dryer
amazonAs one of the highest-rated travel hairdryers on Amazon, we think the Red Hot 37070 is one you just can't miss out on. There are loads of raving reviews, with customers saying how they couldn't have done without it on their hols. It comes with a folding handle (always a bonus), a smoothing nozzle and a pretty attractive price tag. Don't mind if we do.
Pros
- Reviews call it "the best travel hair dryer I've ever bought"
- Dual voltage so can be used in any country around the world
- Lightweight travel hair dryer
Cons
- Some reviews think it's not as powerful as competitors
| 1200 watts | |
| 299 grams | |
| 1.5 to 2-metre cord |
Best budget travel hair dryer
argoswww.argos.co.uk
The lightest travel hair dryer in our roundup, the Phil Smith Lightweight Travel Hair Dryer is a formidable opponent. It's super affordable and has worldwide voltage, so can be used around the globe. Reviews state that it dries very well, and as a bonus is quiet, so no waking up your fellow travellers if you like to get ready at the crack of dawn (can't relate).
Pros
- Designed to be extra safe with a thermal fuse and thermostat built-in
- Reviews are surprised about how quickly it dried hair
- We love that it's very low-noise
Cons
- Nozzle may be difficult to remove
| 1200 watts | |
| 310 grams | |
| 1.8-metre cord |
Best compact travel hair dryer
amazonSay goodbye to those hotel hair dryers with the Beurer Style Pro HC25 Travel Hair Dryer. At such a fab price, you get a foldable hair dryer with ionic drying technology all in one. Select between the Beurer Style Pro or the Beurer Compact Hair Dryer, both ideal for taking with you on your jollies. Reviewers state that it's a good size and weight, with two settings which is always a bonus on a travel hair dryer.
Pros
- Dual voltage so can be used in any country around the world
- Ionic conditioning means looking after your hair whilst drying
- Reviews love extra cold blast setting
Cons
- Some reviews think it's not as powerful as competitors
| 1200 - 1600 watts | |
| 430 grams | |
| 1.8-metre cord |
Best travel hair dryer for fast drying
amazonIf you're looking for a travel hair dryer that really packs a punch, the BaByliss Travel 2000 Hair Dryer will be your perfect pick. As the name suggests, this little beauty has 2000 watts of power to dry your locks with, which means a faster drying time. Fans of the hairdryer say it's lightweight, compact and powerful - everything you could ever want while you're travelling.
Pros
- The fastest-drying option on our list
- Dual voltage so can be used in any country around the world
- Reviews rate it as an affordable option
Cons
- There's no cold blast option for smoothing flyaways
| 2000 watts | |
| 567 grams | |
| 1.8-metre cord |
Best ionic travel hair dryer
amazonIf you're looking for an ionised hair dryer that's also on the cheaper side, why not grab this hair dryer from Amazon that includes a concentrator and diffuser attachment? You'll be able to create any kind of hairstyle, and what's more, your hair will be nourished in the process. How? Jooayou Professional Hair Dryer also uses ionic conditioning technology to lock in moisture and bring out your hair’s natural shine. Customers say it's really good value for money while leaving hair smooth and soft.
Pros
- Three styling attachments can create a variety of looks
- Ionic conditioning means looking after your hair whilst drying
- Reviews praise its low-noise
Cons
- Too heavy for those who travel light
| 1800 watts | |
| 350 grams | |
| 2-metre cord |
Best travel hair dryer for healthy hair
bootsWhile there's no excuse to cut out the heat protection spray (seriously, layer up on that bad boy) Panasonic EH-NA9J Advanced Folding Hair Dryer with Diffuser, Nanoe & Double Mineral Technology comes with Nanoe and Double Mineral technology. If that sounds fancy, it's because it is.
Nanoe technology generates nano-sized water particles to help balance moisture and combat hair damage, while the Double Mineral feature increases cuticle cohesion to avoid splitting. All in all, it's a win for your hair, that's for sure. Reviewers agree, saying they're delighted with how it leaves your hair feeling silky without frizz.
Pros
- We love the two styling attachments
- Nanoe and Double Mineral technology means looking after your hair whilst drying
- May help in reducing frizz
Cons
- Some reviews state it can be louder than other travel hair dryers
| 1800 watts | |
| 502 grams | |
| 2.7-metre cord |
Best multi-styling travel hair dryer
Amazonwww.argos.co.uk
A game-changer in your hair routine, honestly. It's all you need on your travels because it styles while it dries, making it ultra-convenient. No need to pack the straighteners and the dryer, then? Amassing an impressive 38,000 reviews, this bestselling hair dryer is also incredibly affordable.
We can vouch for this styler, with Content Writer, Sam revealing, "This is the only hairdryer you ever need. You can create so many hairstyles with this, add volume and blow out your hair all while you're on holiday. It's an absolute must-have." Customers agree, raving 'Hair styled in 5 minutes as if I had just come from the hairdresser, super easy'.
Pros
- A bestseller on Amazon with thousands of reviews
- We love that it styles while it dries for a blown out 'do
- Boosted by ionic technology so hair dries faster with less damage
Cons
- May be noisier than other options on the list
| 1100 watts | |
| 700 grams | |
| 2.5-metre cord |
Best up-and-coming travel hairdryer
bootswww.boots.com
The Bellissima Italia 11863 Air Wonder 8 in 1 Hot Air Styler is new to the arena of hot air stylers, and the ultimate convenient hairdryer you can take with you on your travels. We love that it comes with a handy storage bag. You have so many attachments in one, you won't need to take up room in your case by bringing hairdryers AND curlers, this baby does everything for you. Even reviewers recommend it for its styling ability and loads of different attachments.
Pros
- It uses clever Ionic conditioning technology
- Has eight attachments for a variety of looks
- We love that a handy beauty bag is included
Cons
- May be bulky to pack with all the attachments - only take what you need
| 1000 watts | |
| Weight unknown | |
| 3-metre cord |
What to look for in a travel hair dryer?
When it comes to buying a travel hair dryer, there are a few things to look for. While it may seem obvious, you should check the dimensions and weight to make sure it's small enough - and light enough to take with you. Some travel hair dryers will be foldable which means they're even more compact, so that's always a plus. Others can come with attachments which, let's be honest, can add to the bulkiness. So, be sure to only take what you really need (which in our book, is every attachment ever).
What types of hair dryers are good for travel?
Alongside the traditional travel hair dryer, there are a few other options that are great to throw in your case. It goes without saying but compact or mini hair dryers are worth looking out for because of their size. Similarly, ionic hair dryers tend to be on the small side so you can get away with fitting them in your case. Another choice we really rate is a hot brush, because it's generally the size of a regular hair brush and it styles and dries your hair all in one. What more could you need?
Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Closer magazine, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative of.