A travel hair dryer is an absolute essential on any #vacay packing list, not least because the hair dryers provided in hotel rooms/Airbnbs often leave your hair feeling dry, brittle and lacklustre. And take a million years to dry your locks.
Luckily, there are plenty of high-tech travel hair dryers on the market right now that’ll dry your hair with speed and precision so you can get back to enjoying your weekend break/girls holiday.
Most boast the same ionic technologies, high wattage and cool settings that we’d look for in the full-time hair dryer – just on a smaller scale. And the majority won’t break the bank. Here’s everything you need to know.
What to look for in a travel hair dryer
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a new travel hair dryer.
1. Foldable handle
The best travel hair dryers will have a foldable handle, so they don’t take up too much space in your suitcase.
2. Cool settings
Particularly useful in tropical climes (one day), cool settings will help set your hairstyle after drying and leave hair smoother.
3. Dual voltage
To power your hair dryer at home, you need around 220-240V… but this can vary in different countries. If you’re a frequent traveller and plan on using your hair dryer in various different destinations, dual voltage will come in handy. Make a beeline for travel hair dryers with “120/220-240V” printed on the label. This means it’s a dual voltage travel hair dryer.
4. Wattage
In our guide to the best hair dryers, we recommend (with the exception of the Dyson Supersonic – which has a wattage of 1,600) opting for a wattage of above 2,100. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster the hair dryer will style your hair. That said, a higher wattage generally results in a heavier hair dryer, which isn’t always ideal for travel. Consider how often you’ll be carrying your travel hair dryer in your weekend bag or gym bag, and opt for something with a strong wattage but that’s still lightweight. This super affordable Babyliss travel hair dryer (£15.95, Beauty Bay) is really lightweight, but it has a pretty decent wattage of 2,000W.
Can you take a hair dryer through airport security?
Yep! You’re permitted to take hair dryers in both cabin luggage and carry-on bags.
What is the best travel hair dryer?
This depends on your budget and hair type. The £40 BaByliss Travel Pro AC Hair Dryer is a great choice – it has a powerful 1600W salon AC motor, a detachable nozzle, a cold shot button and ionic technology to help smooth the hair cuticle. The ghd Flight travel hair dryer is another popular choice – lightweight and compact while still retaining 70% of the power of other heavier ghd models, it comes with a precision nozzle, dust bag and variable heat and styling settings.
After more hair tool content? Head this way for the best hair straighteners, over here for the best curling wands and in this direction for the best hair dryers of all time. We’ve also compared the best ghd hair straighteners on the market, found the best hair straighteners for curling and tested steam hair straighteners in abundance.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
