We Asked Hair Stylists for the 13 Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers From Amazon
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When you’re on a trip, you don’t want to be stuck with the depressing, low-pressure hotel hair dryer or—worse yet—totally sans dryer. You know how many photos you’ll be taking on your vacation, and if your face and hair are going to end up in lots of pictures, you need to have a reliable hair dryer on hand. But you don’t want to bring your full-size hair dryer because it’ll take up a ton of valuable real estate in your suitcase. That’s why we rounded up the best travel-size hair dryers from Amazon. If you’re going to be jetting off on long vacations and weekend getaways, it’s a smart investment for your beauty arsenal.
But, as always, leave it to the experts to know the best products on the market. We consulted four (yes, four!) hair stylists to reach a final verdict on the best travel-size hair dryers on Amazon. Their picks are lightweight and promise not to steal too much space in your carry-on bag. These dryers are powerful, too. You’ll be able to dry your hair as well as you would have with your go-to regular-size dryer. Their favorites offer different heat and speed settings, and some even have a cool shot button. Some of their picks are even blessed with dual voltage, so you can travel the whole world with it.
Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers on Amazon at a Glance
- CHI 1400 Series Foldable Compact Hair Dryer, $92
- GAMA Italy Professional Hair Dryer, $300
- BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer, $35
- Conair 1875W Compact Hair Dryer, $20 (originally $22)
- T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer, $150
- Shark HD440BK FlexStyle, $280 (originally $320)
Keep scrolling to learn about what to look for in a travel-size hair dryer so that you know exactly what to drop into your Amazon cart.
Our Experts
- CHI Haircare stylist Sadie Stiles
- Celebrity hair stylist Cody Renegar
- Celebrity hair stylist and owner of Polished Pub Hair & Nail Bar Natalie Lamorena
- Celebrity hair stylist Emilio Uribe
What should you look for in a travel-sized hair dryer?
Sadie Stiles: “I look for something compact, versatile, lightweight, powerful motor, dual voltage and sturdy. I want something as close to my regular hair dryer as possible!”
Cody Renegar: “Size: Consider what you need it for—is it for the gym or your suitcase? Is it compact and lightweight enough? Wattage: Meaning power. Does it match the wattage you use at home? Ideally, it does, but something to keep in mind is that a more powerful tool (higher wattage) is typically heavier. Hair Type: Review if it works for your hair type and length. Voltage: Make sure it will work for wherever you’re traveling – aka, some areas in Europe need a specific voltage.”
Natalie Lamorena: “Easy to pack. Lightweight, powerful and gets hot enough. You also want to look for features, such as cord length, different attachments and a cool shot button. This is particularly important when it comes to where you are traveling and your hair texture. For example, if you’re traveling somewhere tropical and are someone who does get frizzy, your goal is most likely to tame it, so you do want to make sure it’s powerful and hot.”
What weight is typical for a travel-size hair dryer?
Sadie Stiles: “Usually, a travel hair dryer is anywhere from 1-3 pounds, but typically the lighter the dryer is the smaller the motor is.”
Cody Renegar: “Ideally, one pound.”
Natalie Lamorena: “1-2lbs MAX!”
Are travel-size hair dryers as just effective as regular-size hair dryers?
Sadie Stiles: “Yes! They absolutely can be just as effective and powerful as a regular hair dryer! If this is important to you pay attention to the wattage.”
Cody Renegar: “Typically not, but the Gama Professional Hair Dryer isn’t considered a travel-size item, and I use it when traveling. It’s compact, lightweight, and powerful.”
Natalie Lamorena: “Travel-sized blow dryers can be effective, but they are pretty different in comparison to regular-sized or professional blow dryers. The main differences are the power, the heat, and other features that help customize a blowout. In comparison, a regular-size blow dryer is more durable than a travel-size one and will just last you longer, but if you are looking to achieve a salon-quality style, I recommend a regular-size blow dryer because it’s generally more effective.”
The Best Travel-Size Hair Dryers to Shop on Amazon
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