We Tested 12 Travel Hair Dryers — Here Are the Only Ones Worth Buying

The Conair Keeper hair dryer is a great travel option not only because it’s lightweight and compact, but it also has a retractable cord, making it super easy to pack. The handy hair tool also features a foldable handle and ionic conditioning and tourmaline ceramic technology to help you achieve smooth locks with less damage.

It has dual-voltage so you can travel with it internationally, and it features two heats and speeds as well as a cool shot button. The hair dryer was easy to use, powerful, and dried my hair pretty quickly, but my favorite feature had to be the retractable cord, which will save a lot of space in your suitcase. Plus, at less than $13 you can’t beat the price.

To buy: amazon.com, $13

This compact but powerful hair dryer by Harry Josh Pro Tools was one of my favorite hair dryers to test. It was pretty quiet compared to others, and the lightweight tool is just a little bit bigger than my Kindle. It also featured a ergonomically-designed curved handle for extra comfort and control. With its eight different heat, speed, and ion settings, you can switch things up depending on what’s best for your hair type.

Its ion functionality left my hair looking and feeling extra smooth and shiny. I loved how comfortable the dryer’s handle was, my hand didn’t cramp up or get tired when using this model, unlike others. It’s one of the more expensive options on the list, but it is built to last thanks to its 2000-hour motor life rendering. It also comes with a two-year warranty for extra security.

To buy: dermstore.com, $199

This travel hair dryer by Eva NYC was one of the smallest dryers that I tested, and it’s a great option for travelers trying to save space in their luggage. The dryer itself features two heat settings and has dual-voltage so you can pack it for international trips. It didn’t get as hot as some of the other dryers, but it was just as powerful.

The best part of this travel-ready dryer is the fact that it comes with a mini-diffuser attachment and a mini air concentrator attachment, as well as an adorable holographic traveling case to store everything in. The brand also makes a miniature hair straightener (anthropologie.com, $30) and miniature curling iron (anthropologie.com, $40) so you can do your full hair styling routine wherever you are.

To buy: anthropologie.com, $48

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is specially designed with a digital motor in the handle. The high-speed dryer works to dry hair faster than most other models and uses intelligent heat control to make hair super shiny.  It’s also incredibly lightweight with a unique design makes it easy to pack.

The dryer not only left my hair frizz-free and smooth, but it was also one of the quietest hair dryers I’ve ever used. It is a great option if you often travel with companions, as you can style your hair without disrupting them. Plus, it dries your hair so quickly you’ll be out the door in a snap.

To buy: sephora.com, $399

This hair dryer by BaByliss features a powerful 1000 watts of energy to dry your hair quickly. It also features nano titanium technology to help give your hair a long-lasting, sleek finish. It has two heat settings, plus a dual-voltage so it can be used anywhere in the world.

The best part is the folding handle though, which makes it super compact, allowing it to easily fit in a carry-on bag. While other options on this list also fold up, this one was the smallest foldable option and was also incredibly lightweight.

To buy: walmart.com, $30

This travel hair dryer by Sephora was the lightest of the bunch and will barely add any weight to your checked luggage. The handy hair tool is incredibly compact and can be taken anywhere in the world thanks to its dual-voltage technology.  

It comes with both a diffuser and air concentrator attachment and has two high-low heat settings. I loved the lightweight dryer because it was the same size as a hotel dryer but twice as powerful. Sephora shoppers are also fans, with one calling the dryer, “small, but mighty,” and 81 percent of customers saying they would recommend it to their friends and family.

To buy: sephora.com, $32

If you deal with frizzy hair like I do, this T3 Featherweight hair dryer is your best bet. The high-tech dryer features patented Softaire technology that helps deliver smooth, frizz-free results. It features two heat/speed settings as well as a cool shot button and dual-voltage so you can travel with it abroad.

The handle also folds up, making it super compact and easy to pack in any type of bag. The dryer releases negative ions to help seal the cuticle to lock in moisture, banish frizz, and leave hair looking super shiny. My hair stayed frizz-free and smooth for the entirety of the blow out.

To buy: amazon.com, $119

Don’t want to waste time doing your hair while traveling? Invest in this travel hair dryer by Drybar. The lightweight and compact dryer dried my hair in record time and left it looking sleek and shiny. The hair tool may be tiny, but it was just as powerful as most full-sized dryers.

It features ionic technology to seal the cuticle and help reduce frizz and has a 1200-watt motor with two heat settings and a cool shot button. It also has a collapsible handle and comes with a cute “I’m full of hot air” travel bag.

To buy: ulta.com, $135

This ceramic + ionic hair dryer by Olivia Garden might not be as small and compact as some of the other options on the list, but it was definitely one of the lightest dryers I tested. The salon-quality dryer only weighs 14 ounces, so you don’t have to worry about it adding weight to your already stuffed luggage.

It dries hair exceptionally quickly, and its ceramic technology helps prevent heat damage while adding shine. Out of all the dryers that I tested, this one gave me the most salon-worthy locks after using it. The hair tool features two speeds and three heat settings, as well as a cool shot button. It comes with two air concentrator nozzles and a sleek travel bag to pack everything in.

To buy: jet.com, $160