The best hair dryer for men can make the difference between a mediocre hair day and a great one. With the help of barber Eric Becker (of Blind Barber), here are our top picks for men considering speed, styling, travel, and long-term performance.
I think everyone should have a blow dryer for the “if and when” days. People with long hair or high-volume styles—or even defined curls—might know the value of a daily blow dry, but regardless of length and texture, the best hair dryer for men has many benefits.
For starters, it can help lock in a hairstyle and improve the performance of certain hair products, or they can add volume and/or smoothness. (I think guys with fine or thinning hair can benefit from their volumizing abilities best of all.) Plus, if you keep your hair short, there’s no worry for the longevity of each strand, so you have a little less to worry about in terms of long-term damage or breakage.
Also, if you ever have a longhaired house guest (interpret that however you like), it’ll go a long way to have a quality hair dryer in the house—kind of like how you should always have coffee for anyone staying over; very common courtesy.
Below, I’ll get into my top picks for hair dryers, as well as the best mens blow dryer picks of my trusted barber pal, Eric Becker of Blind Barber. Becker filmed a quick video with us for Blue Print on the topic: You can watch his picks below this list, as well as my tips for choosing a hair dryer.
WATCH THE VIDEO: THE BEST HAIR DRYERS FOR MEN, ACCORDING TO A BARBER
(scroll down for the article version, with an additional pick from me)
QUICK PICKS
If you’re stuck deciding, ask yourself:
- Want the best dryer, period? → GA.MA iQ3 (JUMP TO)
- Want the best for long hair (and for any female users)? → Sedu Revolution Pro 4000i (JUMP TO)
- Want a barber-grade workhorse? → Gamma+ Xcell (JUMP TO)
- Want the best value for the features? → Wahl Vanquish (JUMP TO)
- Need the best budget pick, or something travel-friendly? → Stylecraft Ace Foldable (JUMP TO)
Hair Drying Advice from Adam Hurly
As for using the hair dryers properly, here are the most important things:
Get familiar with the nozzles (the attachments).
Here are the 2 key attachments:
- A diffuser has a bunch of teeth-like ridges that help distribute heat and dry hair at the roots (which is often when your hair product is applied, too). They are essential forcurly hair.
- A concentrator has a narrow, long end that allows you to concentrate the air on a specific area without blasting your hair in 100 directions. Use it.
Don’t get too close.
Try to keep the dryer 6-8 inches away from the hair. And start on low heat/intensity and work your way up if needed. Don’t be afraid to use the cold function if you just need air instead of heat; it’ll still help to dry things quickly.
Use the “cool air” button.
At the very least, that cooling function is a great way to end each blow drying session, as it helps set the hair product. (Make sure you get a blow dryer that has this exact feature, then. Most do.)
Don’t fixate.
Regardless of length, keep the dryer moving constantly instead of frying one patch of hair. And with longer hair, go from roots to ends for the cleanest results.
Different Types of Hair Dryers
I would encourage you to get a blow dryer that has one or multiple of the following descriptors/features: ionic, ceramic, or tourmaline dryers. They will dry more efficiently and help keep moisture inside each strand. In the long term, they’ll prevent cuticle damage and breakage too.
- Ionic hair dryers: Ionic hair dryers use negatively charged ions to break down water molecules on the hair’s surface (yes, it’s chemistry at play), reducing drying time and minimizing frizz, resulting in smoother and shinier hair. (Most of the picks on this list are ionic.)
- Ceramic hair dryers: Ceramic hair dryers have a ceramic belly which allows them to emit even heat distribution. This prevents heat-related hair damage and helps retain hair moisture.
- Tourmaline hair dryers: Tourmaline hair dryers use crushed tourmaline gemstone inside the device, generating negative ions and infrared heat that promote faster drying by sealing the cuticle. This leaves the hair looking sleek and healthy.
So basically, that $10 hair dryer you’ve been using since college probably isn’t cutting it. But good news, because the above three categories don’t have to be salon-caliber expensive.
A Note on Heat Protectants
Now, regardless of the type of hair dryer you choose, it’s also important to protect your strands from heat damage with a product you apply beforehand. Not shockingly, this category of products is called heat protectants. In short, they’re sprays, oils, or creams that coat the cuticles and protect them from the blow dryer, and many also help deflect UV rays, too. Heat and UV damage can cause breakage, frizzing, and dehydration, and UV in particular can stiffen strands, as well as compromise color and shine. The best for guys, in my opinion: Either Sachajuan’s Heat Protectant Cream or Morraccanoil’s Heat Protectant Spray.
The Picks: Best Hair Dryers for Men
The Best Hair Dryer for Men, Period: GA.MA iQ3
BUY GA.MA iQ3 HAIR DRYER: AMAZON // GA.MA
Why It Won:
This is the flagship pick. Eric considers it the most premium dryer on the market, with the best overall combination of design, build quality, attachments, ergonomics, and performance.
Eric Becker Says:
“In my opinion, the GA.MA iQ3 blows the Dyson (the usual “go to” for these types of roundups) out of the water. It’s the most premium design, the best build quality, and it comes with the best attachments and the most heads. It feels amazing in your hands and it’s built to last. It’s so good that your partner is probably going to steal it from you.”
GA.MA iQ3 Quick Stats
- Weight: 10.4 oz.
- Voltage: 110–240V (dual voltage)
- Power: 1500W
- Motor Speed: 120,000 RPM brushless motor
- Heat Settings: 3
- Speed Settings: 3
- Cool Shot: Yes
- Drying Technology: Ionic
- Attachments: Star Nozzle (3-in-1 volumizer/diffuser/scalp tool), 2 Cool Grip concentrator nozzles, Deep Diffuser
- Filters: 10 washable mesh filters included
- Special Features: Smart Pad auto-standby, Turbo mode, E-System C blockage detection, Memory Mode
BUY GA.MA iQ3 HAIR DRYER: AMAZON // GA.MA
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The Best Professional-Grade Blow Dryer for Men: Gamma+ Xcell
Not to be confused with GA.MA above. Yes, they’re two different brands—confusing, right?
Why It Won:
Here is the barber’s choice. This is the dryer Eric uses professionally, with extensive customization and attachments designed for precision styling.
Eric Becker Says:
“The Gamma+ Xcell is a barber-grade, professional-quality tool. I use it all the time in the shop. The controls are really intuitive, and my favorite attachment is the delicate concentrator nozzle, which lets you get extremely close to the scalp without burning yourself.”
Gamma+ Xcell Quick Stats
- Weight: 10.4 oz.
- Voltage: 120V
- Power: 1600W
- Motor Speed: 110,000 RPM digital brushless motor
- Heat Settings: 4
- Speed Settings: 3
- Cool Shot: Yes
- Drying Technology: Ionic
- Attachments: 4 concentrator nozzles, 1 diffuser
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Special Features: Ionic technology, self-cleaning filter, low-noise operation
The Best Value Mens Hair Dryer: Wahl Vanquish
Why It Won:
Wahl’s blow dryer delivers many of the premium features found on other more expensive dryers, while remaining considerably more affordable. (Still, it is not sub $100—scroll down for our best budget buy.)
Eric Becker Says:
“The Wahl Vanquish is a little bit of a step down in overall build quality compared to the first two, but it has everything a guy could need when blow-drying his hair. You get two concentrator nozzles, a diffuser, multiple heat settings, and a cold-shot button.”
Wahl Vanquish Quick Stats
- Weight: 11.3 oz.
- Voltage: 125V
- Power: 1600W
- Motor Speed: 101,000 RPM BLDC motor
- Heat Settings: 4
- Speed Settings: 3
- Cool Shot: Yes
- Drying Technology: Ionic
- Attachments: Standard 72 mm nozzle, Wide 100 mm nozzle, Diffuser
- Cord Length: 10 ft (3 m)
- Special Features: LED display, Memory Function, Ionic Function, Auto-Clean Function, SmoothTone low-noise technology
The Best Low-Cost Hair Dryer for Men: Stylecraft Ace Foldable Hair Dryer
BUY STYLECRAFT ACE FOLDABLE HAIR DRYER
Why It Won:
The most approachable and travel-friendly option, thanks to its foldable design, lower price point, and surprisingly complete feature set.
Eric Becker Says:
“For anyone who wants to start blow-drying their hair or needs an easy travel option, the Stylecraft Ace is a great choice. It’s foldable, easy to pack, and still includes a concentrator nozzle, a diffuser, and a cold-shot feature. Plus, it’s priced so that just about anyone can get into it.”
Stylecraft Ace Foldable Hair Dryer Quick Stats
- Weight: 15.9 oz
- Voltage: 120V
- Power: 1600W
- Heat Settings: 3
- Speed Settings: 2
- Cool Shot: Yes
- Attachments: Concentrator nozzle, Diffuser nozzle
- Cord Length: 9 ft
- Special Features: Foldable handle, removable filter cover, low-noise motor, compact travel design
BUY STYLECRAFT ACE FOLDABLE HAIR DRYER
The Best Blow Dryer for Long Hair: Sedu Revolution Pro 4000i
BUY SEDU REVOLUTION PRO 4000i HAIR DRYER
Why It Won:
Alright, so I don’t live in the States anymore, which means I had to give away my beloved Sedu blow dryer when I moved (since the voltage/outlets wouldn’t match in a new country). And I miss it every damn day: This dryer is ionic, ceramic, and tourmaline, so it has that trio of ways in which it dries hair quickly, safely, and effectively. I also love that it has more than 1800 watts, which is the muscle worth that price upgrade, too.
If you share a hair dryer with a female partner, or if you want luscious long hair for the long haul… invest in this one, and I promise you won’t regret it.
Sedu Revolution Pro 4000i Quick Stats
- Weight: 1.5 lbs (680 g)
- Voltage: 120V
- Power: 1875W
- Motor: Professional AC motor
- Heat Settings: 3
- Speed Settings: 2
- Heat/Speed Combinations: 6 total
- Cool Shot: Yes
- Attachments: 2 concentrator nozzles (small and large)
- Cord Length: 10 ft
- Drying Technology: Ionic, Ceramic, AND Tourmaline
- Special Features: Adjustable ionic output, ergonomic handle, handmade in France, 2-year warranty
BUY SEDU REVOLUTION PRO 4000i HAIR DRYER