A good cheap hair dryer: please recommend!

January 3, 2019 9:48 PM

Having previously mooched off of my friends and family, I'm now in the market for my very first hair dryer, which I'd like to be cheap-ish. Preferably under $50, ideally as cheap as possible. I mostly only use it for getting protein treatments to dry as quickly as possible (drying Aphogee goo onto the hair); I don't use it for styling or anything. What features should I look for or decide based on? Watts? Ionic? What differentiates hair dryers at different price points? Any recommendations for brands/models that are good and durable? Thanks.
posted by ClaireBear to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Once you've identified whatever features you're interested in, check a few thrift shops. My blowdrier cost $6!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 9:52 PM on January 3, 2019

More wattage = quicker drying. Cold air is good, since it dries hair almost as quickly but doesn't damage it quite so much. If this will be also used during travel, get one that can handle both 120V and 240V.

I like Babyliss hairdryers, they've always lasted me ages (as in actual decades). It's an American company (sister company of Cuisinart among others), but for some reason I'm seeing a dearth of listings for their midrange products in the US. My new travel 5250E cost around $30 this year and packs an amazing punch for something that fits in the smallest of my handbags.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 10:10 PM on January 3, 2019

I would recommend Sally Beauty's GVP hair dryer. This company positions itself as a more affordable professional quality hair supply chain. I am absolutely not a professional, so I can't really comment to that, but I do have this hair dryer (and the GVP curling wand) and they've been good to me.
posted by tamarack at 6:07 AM on January 4, 2019

I've had a Conair 1875w folding hair dryer for a while and I like the travel size because it makes it more lightweight. Since your goal is for a cheap+durable hair dryer I think this could be a really good option.
posted by belau at 7:05 AM on January 4, 2019

Does anyone have any opinions on this hair dryer, for my purposes? This was the one I had tentatively picked out before writing this question. It seemed cheapish, with good reviews (and a diffuser, which I didn't realize I wanted, but maybe I do!) The other InfinitiPro hair dryers sold at Target also look good, although I don't really understand the difference between them...

(I am very grateful for the other suggestions, and will definitely take a look at those too!)
posted by ClaireBear at 8:35 AM on January 5, 2019

I have never bought an expensive hairdryer. Think discount stores. Even cheap ones last years. What have you borrowed that you liked? Probably none of them cost a lot. Most come with diffusers. I would buy the folding one again, if I needed one, it's so handy to pack.
posted by Enid Lareg at 3:19 PM on January 5, 2019

That orange dryer is perfectly nice. This seems to be the US sister brand of Babyliss, so hopefully both are as reliable.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 2:02 AM on January 6, 2019