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The built-in negative ion technology on this professional-grade dryer delivers safe and smooth results for healthy hair.
The 1,875-watt motor dries most hair in less than 5 minutes. You can control the airflow to your natural contour and desired results. Blue Ray technology also treats your scalp while you dry. Buyers praise its performance for the price.
Not ideal for long hair, as many reported it sucking it in.
This option does a good job for most consumers without costing a lot of money.
Very affordable. Made by a recognizable brand in hair care and styling tools. Dries hair quickly without getting extremely hot. Feels nice in the hand; isn't too heavy.
Diffuser attachment tends to fall off. Some wish the cord was longer.
This affordable model is enjoyed for its light weight and speedy drying.
Lightweight and easy to use. Ergonomic handle is comfortable and allows more freedom, as does its 9-foot power cord. The 2,000 watts of power combined with ionic technology dries hair while reducing frizz. Made from durable nano titanium and ceramic.
Users complain that the quality doesn't live up to the hype and price.
A smaller-sized pick that still packs an impressive amount of efficient ionic drying power.
Powered by a 1,875-watt DC motor. Compact and space-saving design make it an excellent choice for on-the-go. Features multiple heat and airspeed settings. Removable filter cap and air nozzle attachment for concentrated drying.
Many users say it doesn't get hot enough, but still seems to dry effectively.
A powerful ionic dryer that boasts 2,000 watts and multiple settings for styling versatility.
A 9-foot power cord and ergonomic handle allow for comfortability during styling. Boasts 2,000 watts of power and multiple heat/speed settings. Additional functions include a booster button, ionizer switch, and cool-shot button to set the style. Users enjoy the included attachments.
A heavier choice compared to some others. Few complaints of the handle getting very hot.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
A hair dryer purchase can feel enormously complicated. There’s a confusing array of types available with a variety of features, all promising the perfect blowout. There’s also a wide price range, from the cheap pharmacy generic to expensive high-end salon models.
A recent entry into the fray, ionic hair dryers use modern science to dry your hair faster than traditional models, and they use less heat, too. Usually at a higher price point than regular dryers, however, they represent a big investment.
Are they worth it? How are they different? Do they live up to the hype?
First of all, we need to go back to science class. Briefly, ions are atoms or molecules made up of protons and electrons. If you have more protons than electrons, you have a positive ion. Positive ions can be harmful with excessive exposure. They can make you feel lethargic, fatigued, and anxious. In nature, you find them in high winds, pollution, humidity, and preceding some lightning storms — which is why you can sometimes feel a storm coming on and why you might feel “under the weather.” Computers, TVs, central air (and, yes, regular hair dryers) all emit positive ions, too.
Negative ions have the opposite effect. Molecules with negative ions are drawn to harmful particles in the air like mold and dust. These molecules can actually strip viruses and bacteria from a room! Negative ions are found by waterfalls and running water, in the forest, and just after a thunderstorm, which is why these make us feel so good, and why there are many negative ionizers on the market to purify our indoor air.
This isn’t just an allergy or feel-good issue, either – negative ions neutralize free radicals, revitalize cell metabolism, and enhance immune function, all of which is powerful stuff. As an application for hair dryers, though, these negative ions can be put to work. The water in your hair after you’ve washed it contains positive ions, so the negative ones produced by the dryer cause the water molecules to split up and evaporate faster, drying the hair from the inside out. This seals the hair cuticle, leaving it silkier and shinier. The result is a style that’s more like a professional salon blowout. Curls will be more defined, and frizzy hair will be sleek.
Less drying time is not only convenient, it also causes less stress on the hair, especially since ionic hair dryers don’t need to use as much heat for the same result. This means less damage and overall healthier tresses over time.
Another plus: These hair dryers tend to be much quieter than the old-school models, and they often come in some snazzy designs and colors.
The more control you have, the better your hair will look.
This helps to “lock in” your style and should be used when the hair is almost dry. (A nice feature is when these lock into place, rather than you having to hold the switch down.)
This can direct the drying to specific areas, giving you more control and precise results.
This allows you to dry your hair without frizzing it up.
The best ionic hair dryers feel light and balanced in the hand.
You’ll often see tourmaline and ceramic as part of the hair dryer’s description. Tourmaline is a semi-precious stone, which is partly why the dryers cost more. Tourmaline maximizes the negative ion output. It may be used in the internal parts of the dryer or crushed into powder and used as coating for the major components.
Ceramic is used as a way of producing infrared heat. Not all ceramic dryers are ionic, but infrared heat is also less damaging than regular heat. Some ionic dryers incorporate both technologies, and contain both ceramic and tourmaline.
The other main issue is the cost. Ionic hair dryers are significantly more expensive than regular hot air ones.
At the low end of the market, you can find a very basic brand name model in the $30 range, but these will have limited features, such as only having two speed settings.
There are some quality dryers in the $80 to $100 range which combine some of the better features, like the cool shot and ergonomic design, that would work well for most people.
For a high-end product in the professional range, expect to pay a minimum of $200 right on up to $500.
A. African-American hair is often challenging because it is usually thick and coarse yet can also be brittle — especially if it has been relaxed or has gone through other processes. The ionic technology is a great way to help protect it from more heat damage. You may find it useful to look for an ionic hair dryer that also has a comb attachment.
A. The ions will work the same, so there’s no reason to change your routine. It’s always a good idea to add protectant serums, lotions, and sprays to the lineup, though you may want to try the dryer without them first and adjust accordingly based on your results.
A. Yes — being UL listed means it has been tested for safety by the Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit organization that has been around for more than 100 years.
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