A trusty travel hair dryer is one beauty essential that’s worth a spot on every packing list. As crucial as this tool is for drying and styling hair, it’s not exactly the easiest thing to pack – hair dryers are often bulky, heavy, and take up way too much room in your suitcase. Because of this, I used to rely on the hotel hair dryer, which would leave me with damaged, frizzy hair after spending what felt like hours of begrudgingly drying. Now, I pack a portable hair dryer with me no matter where I’m headed.
The best travel hair dryers are lightweight, packable, and get the job done quickly. To help you look and feel your best on every trip without sacrificing any space in your carry-on, we rounded up the best travel hair dryers from Drybar, Revlon, T3, and more. We also made sure to include some dual-voltage hair dryers that are ideal for international travel, so you don’t have to worry about blowing a fuse when you’re on holiday. We asked our editors for their favourites and scoured the internet for the best-selling hair dryers that weigh next to nothing and perform as well as the ones in the salon.
Read on to find your new go-to hair tool, with options for every hair type.
Dry Bar Baby Buttercup travel blow dryer
Best for international travel
While I don’t travel with a hair dryer very often, when I do, this lightweight fold-up dryer from Drybar is my go-to companion. It weighs less than a pound and isn’t much bulkier than a pair of tennis shoes. Crucially, its size doesn’t impact the airflow – it’s strong and efficient, so much so that it’s my regular for blow-drying at home, too. I’ve had it for years and it hasn’t let me down yet. Plus, it offers dual voltage, making it safe to use abroad, too. Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
Weight: 360 grams
I tend not to take my hairdryer or tongs on short trips. They’re heavy and I always think I won’t need them – then different climates/water types/shampoo/conditioner enter into the mix and I end up looking like Monica from Friends’ “The One in Barbados” episode. This dryer is the perfect solution. It’s light but powerful, drying my thick unruly hair very quickly and adding a really sleek wave and shine. It comes with a concentrator nozzle and folds at the base to pack easily in a suitcase. There’s also a smart hard shell travel case included. This makes it bulkier to pack, but it features a detachable strap so you can use it as a handbag; a feature I never knew I needed from a hair dryer bag. The cable is slightly shorter than other GHD dryers such as the Helios, but perfectly fine for using at a vanity desk on holiday. Megan Wilkes, art production manager
Weight: 453 grams
Ga.Ma Professional IQ3 hair dryer
Best professional hair dryer
My mom has been using a Gama for years and I finally just got my own. This lightweight hair dryer isn’t specifically designed for travel – it’s just a really good (like, professional) blow dryer that is nice and seriously packable. The newest model, the IQ3, weighs no more than an iPhone, and has a sleek profile that takes up very little space. I love how it leaves my hair (it’s also fairly quiet, and quick to complete the job). What more could you ask for? Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Weight: 284 grams
T3 Afar lightweight hair dryer
Best lightweight hair dryer
This compact hair dryer from T3 boasts impressive capabilities for being such a small tool. It offers three heat settings, two speeds, and a cool shot to lock in shape and volume. It’s easy to hold, quiet, and plenty powerful – drying hair quickly while leaving you with shiny, frizz-free locks. It features auto dual voltage and a stowaway folding handle that helps it fit nicely in any suitcase. Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor
Shark FlexStyle Air Drying and Styling System
Best fast-drying tool
The half-the-price alternative to Dyson’s swish AirWrap has turned out to be the best hair dryer I’ve ever tried – drying my very long hair in under 10 minutes with a shiny finish every time. And now, I find myself packing the Shark FlexStyle whenever I’m travelling. I leave its many attachments at home and only bring the slim Styling Concentrator, which helps control where exactly I want to dry. The best part is that the multi-styler can be twisted into an L shape that resembles a classic hair dryer, making it easier to hold and use. When it’s time to pack it away, I simply twist the hair tool back into its original shape so it takes up much less suitcase room. Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor