Are you tired of unreliable hotel hair dryers that take forever to dry your hair, leaving you with frizz and frustration? You’re not alone. Many travelers have experienced the disappointment of weak, inefficient hotel hair dryers, especially those with long or thick hair, or anyone wanting a stylish blowout on vacation.
Packing a Travel Size Hair Dryer can be a game-changer, ensuring you have a reliable styling tool that meets your hair needs wherever you go. To help you find the perfect companion for your travels, we’ve rigorously tested 35 hair dryers, evaluating their ease of use, features, drying performance, design, and overall value. From luxury models to budget-friendly options with a range of attachments, we’ve curated a list of the best travel hair dryers for every type of traveler.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
T3 Afar Travel Size Hair Dryer at Amazon $180
Best Budget:
Revlon Airflow Control Dryer at Amazon $38
Best for Frizz:
BondiBoost Sonic Dryer at Amazon $140
Best Airflow:
SALE
TYMO HighSpeed Hair Dryer at Amazon $200 $170
Best Foldable:
SRI DryQ Hair Dryer at Amazon $299
Best Accessories:
Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer at Amazon $300
Best Blow Dry Brush:
Drybar 3-In-1 Interchangeable Blow Dryer at Amazon $349
Best Heat Settings:
Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX Hair Dryer System at Amazon $230
Best Overall
T3 Afar Travel Size Hair Dryer
PHOTO: Bloomingdale’s
$180 at Amazon $112 at Nordstrom $112 at Nordstrom
Why We Love It: It’s incredibly lightweight, comfortable to handle, and comes in an attractive pink shade.
What to Consider: It does not include a diffuser attachment.
If you’re looking for just one travel hair dryer that can do it all, the T3 Afar Travel Size Hair Dryer is an excellent choice. Hailing from T3, a brand renowned for its premium hair styling tools, this compact yet powerful dryer is designed to impress. Weighing less than a pound and featuring a foldable handle, it saves valuable luggage space. It even includes a stylish vegan leather travel pouch, perfect for keeping it separate and safe, even when still warm after use.
This travel hair dryer is effective on all hair types, from fine and straight to thick and coily. It utilizes a wide, ion-infused airstream that gently yet quickly dries hair. During our tests, we were impressed by its strong and consistent airflow. The negative ions work to smooth the hair cuticle, effectively reducing frizz and enhancing shine, leaving hair looking healthy and polished. It offers three heat and two-speed settings, along with a cool shot button to set your style. For international trips, the dual-voltage feature is a significant advantage, automatically adapting to different voltages, eliminating the need for a converter (though a plug adapter might be necessary depending on your destination).
The Details: 3 heat settings | 2-speed settings | 12.2 ounces | 1500 watts | 9-foot cord | Folding handle | Travel pouch included
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao
Best Budget
Revlon Airflow Control Dryer
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PHOTO: Ulta
$38 at Amazon $48 at Walmart $38 at Walmart
Why We Love It: This is the most affordable travel hair dryer on our list, perfect for budget-conscious travelers.
What to Consider: It performs optimally on thin and fine hair types.
For travelers who don’t frequently use a travel dryer and prefer a cost-effective option, the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer is an excellent choice. This budget travel hair dryer doesn’t compromise on performance, featuring a narrowly concentrated airflow. This design increases airflow speed and targets wider sections of hair compared to standard concentrators, making it ideal for quick blowouts and precise styling. The rotatable nozzle can be locked vertically or horizontally, allowing for focused airflow from any angle. It also includes a diffuser attachment, catering to those with curly hair.
In our testing, the ceramic tourmaline technology effectively reduced frizz and enhanced shine, delivering noticeable results for its price point. The Revlon travel hair dryer features three heat and two-speed settings, providing versatility for different hair types and styling needs. We were thoroughly impressed with its performance and value, making it a top pick for budget-savvy travelers.
The Details: 3 heat settings | 2-speed settings | 2.07 pounds | 3.6 x 11.1 x 9 inches | 1875 watts | 6-foot cord
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
Best for Frizz
BondiBoost Sonic Dryer
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PHOTO: Bondi Boost
$140 at Amazon View on Bondiboost.com $199 at Sephora
Why We Love It: This lightweight travel dryer boasts impressive airflow and effectively tames frizz.
What to Consider: Attachments can be somewhat difficult to remove.
The BondiBoost Sonic Dryer proves that you don’t need to sacrifice power for portability. Despite its small and lightweight design, this travel hair dryer delivers significant power. We were particularly impressed with the strength of its airflow during testing. Remarkably, the motor operates quietly compared to standard hair dryers, making it ideal for use in shared hotel rooms during early mornings or late nights.
Offering four heat and three-speed settings, along with a cool shot function, this travel hair dryer accommodates a wide range of hair types. We found the BondiBoost dryer efficiently dried hair, even on lower settings, leaving hair smoother and significantly less frizzy. It includes both a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser attachment. A unique self-cleaning function helps extend the dryer’s lifespan, and a smart memory feature conveniently remembers your preferred heat and speed settings. For frizz-free styling on the go, this is a top travel hair dryer.
The Details: 3 heat settings | 3-speed settings | 12.32 ounces | 9-foot cord
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
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Best Airflow
TYMO HighSpeed Hair Dryer
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PHOTO: TYMO
$200 $170 at Amazon View on Tymobeauty.com
Why We Love It: Despite its compact size, this travel hair dryer delivers strong airflow for quick drying.
What to Consider: The power button can be a bit sensitive and requires a longer press.
Don’t let the small size of the TYMO HighSpeed Hair Dryer fool you—it’s a powerhouse. We were thoroughly impressed by the intensity of its airflow, especially considering its mid-range price. This travel hair dryer offers four heat settings, reaching up to 302 degrees Fahrenheit, and three-speed settings, plus a cool shot. In our tests, it dried hair quickly compared to other travel dryers.
The LCD display is a premium feature, showing the precise temperature being used. It also boasts an auto-cleaning function for maintenance. As a bonus, it comes with a variety of attachments: an adjustable diffuser, a comb nozzle, a smoothing nozzle, and a travel pouch. The only minor drawback is the power button, which requires holding it down for a few seconds to power the device on or off, which may take a little getting used to. If strong airflow is your priority in a travel hair dryer, the TYMO HighSpeed is an excellent choice.
The Details: 4 heat settings | 3-speed settings | 10.5 ounces | 1200 watts | Travel pouch included
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
Best Foldable
SRI DryQ Hair Dryer
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PHOTO: Skin Research Institute
$299 at Amazon View on Skinresearchinstitute.com
Why We Love It: This foldable travel hair dryer is incredibly convenient for packing and saving space.
What to Consider: The setting buttons are positioned on the dryer’s body rather than the handle, which can be less intuitive for some users.
A foldable hair dryer offers unparalleled convenience for travelers, making it easier to fit into compact luggage. The SRI DryQ Hair Dryer excels in this area, folding down to a smaller size that saves space on your vanity or in your travel bag, even when used at home. This lightweight, foldable model incorporates ionic technology to combat frizz and accelerate drying time. It also features red light therapy, claimed to strengthen weak, brittle hair and stimulate growth.
It offers four heat modes, ranging from 160 to 296 degrees Fahrenheit, and three-speed settings, along with a memory function to remember your preferences. While we appreciated its quick-drying capabilities and smooth, damage-free results, the button placement on the body rather than the handle was slightly less convenient during use. For ultimate packability, this foldable travel hair dryer is a top choice.
The Details: 4 heat settings | 3-speed settings | 11.8 ounces | 8.2 x 8.7 inches | 1300 watts | 6.5-foot cord | Folding handle
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang -
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
Best Accessories
Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer
PHOTO: Olivia Garden
$300 at Amazon View on Oliviagarden.com
Why We Love It: This travel hair dryer includes a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, two round brushes, and a paddle brush, providing a complete styling kit.
What to Consider: Attachments can be slightly difficult to remove and change.
If you’ve ever been annoyed by accidentally changing heat or speed settings on your hair dryer, the Olivia Garden High Performance Professional Hair Dryer has a solution. This lightweight model features a button lock, preventing unintentional setting changes of its three airflow speeds and three heat settings (ranging from 145 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit). We found the powerful airflow and damage-free drying performance justified its higher price.
The standout feature is the extensive set of included attachments and accessories. With a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, two round brushes, and a paddle brush, you can achieve virtually any hairstyle without packing extra tools. It also includes a self-cleaning function to remove buildup. For travelers who want a complete styling kit in one travel hair dryer, this is an excellent investment.
The Details: 3 heat settings | 3-speed settings | 13 ounces | 11.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 inches | 1875 watts | 9-foot cord
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Alexander Huang
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Best Blow Dry Brush
Drybar 3-In-1 Interchangeable Blow Dryer
PHOTO: Drybar
$349 at Amazon $349 at Nordstrom View on Drybar.com
Why We Love It: With this handy blow dry brush, you won’t need to pack separate styling tools, streamlining your travel beauty kit.
What to Consider: It’s not ideally suited for curling hair styles.
For achieving a salon-quality blowout at home or on the go, the Drybar Reserve 3-in-1 Interchangeable Blow Dryer is a top pick. This innovative travel styling tool includes an oval brush attachment, a paddle brush attachment, and a concentrator nozzle. While not designed for curling (consider packing heatless curlers for that), it excels at creating sleek, straight hair with volume and bounce at the ends.
Throughout our testing, we observed no signs of heat damage, and the cool setting effectively enhanced shine and a healthy look. It tamed flyaways and smoothed sections prone to frizz and static after drying. We also found it lighter and more travel-friendly compared to other blow dry brushes. When salon visits aren’t feasible on vacation, this device is an excellent all-in-one styling solution.
The Details: 4 heat settings | 3-speed settings | 1 pound | 4.57 x 12.7 x 7.4 inches | 9-foot cord
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Best Heat Settings
Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX Hair Dryer System
PHOTO: Shark
$230 $199 at Amazon $230 $200 at Nordstrom $230 $200 at Sharkclean.com
Why We Love It: Features a Scalp Shield setting that instantly adjusts temperature to protect your scalp from extreme heat and damage.
What to Consider: Does not include a protective carrying case for travel.
The Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX Hair Dryer System is a compact yet powerful travel companion, offering almost every hair styling tool you might need while traveling. It includes four attachments: a slim nozzle for precise drying, a diffuser for textured hair, a blowout brush for smooth volume, and a finishing tool for flyaways on straight hair. Weighing under 2 pounds and foldable in half, it’s designed to fit easily into carry-on luggage.
Its standout feature is the Scalp Shield setting, which intelligently adjusts temperature to prevent scalp and hair damage from excessive heat. The dryer is engineered to never exceed 230 degrees Fahrenheit, prioritizing hair health. While it lacks a dedicated carrying case, its performance and heat protection make it a top travel hair dryer, especially for those concerned about heat damage.
The Details: 3 heat settings | 1.57 pounds | 6.58 x 1.89 x 9.76 inches | 8-foot cord
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Other Travel Hair Dryers We Liked
These additional travel hair dryers also performed well in our tests but had minor drawbacks.
Mane Addicts This Totally Blows! Compact Hair Dryer: We appreciated the lightweight design and multiple attachments (concentrator, diffuser, and comb). However, it’s relatively expensive for the limited heat settings offered.
T3 Fit Hair Dryer: The long cord of this sturdy and compact hair dryer is a plus. However, the placement of speed and heat settings on the handle’s exterior makes adjustments slightly difficult during use.
Our Testing Process
We rigorously tested 35 top hair dryers in our lab and in real-world scenarios to identify the best travel-friendly options. Our focus was on compactness, portability, and lightweight designs. In addition to editor testing, professional hair stylists evaluated the products in our lab to provide expert insights. Following initial testing, we used the dryers at home at least twice weekly for four weeks to ensure they were user-friendly for everyday travelers without professional assistance.
To compare performance, we meticulously noted ease of use, features, drying effectiveness, hair results, and overall value. We will continue to update this article as we test more travel hair dryers that meet our standards.
Tips for Buying a Travel Hair Dryer
Pay attention to size and weight
For travelers with limited luggage space, smaller and more compact hair dryers are ideal. Foldable hair dryers are especially convenient, collapsing into a more space-efficient shape. If weight is a concern, prioritize lightweight models—excellent options are available under one pound.
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Make sure it works for your hair type
Select a travel hair dryer that matches your hair type to avoid ineffective drying or damage. A dryer that is too weak or too hot can lead to damp, frizzy hair, defeating the purpose. Choose a travel dryer with wattage and power settings similar to your home dryer. Test it before traveling to ensure it meets your needs. Most standard dryers are around 1800 watts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Talia Ergas, a seasoned beauty writer and editor, analyzed extensive notes from our lab and real-world tests for this article, highlighting each product’s strengths and weaknesses. We also consulted professional hair stylists during lab testing for detailed insights.
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Updated by Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox is the Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure, testing and writing about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has over ten years of writing and editing experience.
Edited by Jackie Cucco [:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JackieCuccoHeadshot-20cc479faeb842d0bf8e77406c9c1382.jpg)](https://www.travelandleisure.com/thmb/pA7On1AD7ZEsQOwTQyOWBt4Royg=/75×75/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/JackieCuccoHeadshot-20cc479faeb842d0bf8e77406c9c1382.jpg)
Jackie Cucco
Jackie Cucco is a testing editor at Travel + Leisure, planning product tests and writing/editing travel product reviews based on in-depth testing. She previously worked as a travel agent, holds a journalism degree, and has over eight years of experience covering products and gift guides. She has appeared on TV over 100 times discussing consumer products and shopping trends.
