12 Best Travel Hair Dryers in 2024 That Are Compact and Powerful, Tested and Reviewed
Promise: These bbs won’t take up any room in your suitcase.
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I've spent years perfecting my packing strategy, and there's one travel essential I can't do without: my mini hair dryer. While I love using my heavy-duty blow dryer at home, I need something lightweight and compact that I can toss in my weekender or carry-on suitcase, especially since hotel hair dryers fall short. They may be smaller in size, but trust me when I say there are some top-notch travel hair dryers that get the job done—and they're equipped with heavy-duty wattages, mini hair diffusers, and even foldable handles for easy storage.
To help you find the best travel hair dryers that actually work, I personally tested and reviewed the lot to ensure your vacation hair looks just as good as your everyday hair. High-powered? Easy to pack? Perfect for your next getaway? Yup. Keep scrolling for all my favorite travel hair dryers from brands like BaByliss, Mane, T3, and Conair. Happy shopping and happy hair days ahead!
Our top picks for the best travel hair dryers in 2023:
Cosmo editors tested and reviewed everything from holy grail favorites to the buzziest products on your social feeds and the newest travel hair dryers to hit the shelves over the past year. We evaluated each travel dryer based on the wattage, features, technology, international compatibility, and size to compile this shoppable list of the 12 very best travel blow dryers that'll fit perfectly in your suitcase or carry-on, below.
Pros
- Testers love how well it distributes heat
Cons
- Does not come with a foldable design
I'm obsessed with this travel hair dryer that's made to take on legit any hair type. The three attachments include a nozzle for targeted airflow, a diffuser for curly hair, and a wide-tooth comb that lengthens curls and coils. It also has a super powerful wattage for a quick dry sans a ton of damage (s/o ion technology), and it's small enough to throw into pretty much any bag.
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Ionic technology, lightweight design, two-speed technology, three temperature settings, concentrator, diffuser, and a wide-tooth comb
Glowing Customer Review: "I made sure to use this blow dryer for two months before writing a review. This ionic dryer is so amazing. Leaves hair silky soft, dries hair pretty fast as well but has adjustable speeds and temperature which makes it so so amazing. Plus it's super compact, light as a feather, and looks so pretty. I am so happy with this purchase. Finally found the one for me!!!!"
Pros
- High wattage and ionic technology lead to a faster dry time
Cons
- Cool setting only available on low intensity, testers report
If you don't wanna break the bank but want a travel hair dryer that does it all, get yourself this Hot Tools bb. Not only does it dry your hair incredibly fast, but it also comes with a diffuser (hi, curly hair peeps) and a nozzle concentrator. It may be small, but it's hella mighty.
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Ionic technology, folding handle, two heat and speed settings, concentrator and diffuser
Glowing Customer Review: "To say I'm a blow dryer snob might be an understatement. I have purchased six in the last two years, only because I couldn't seem to find one that could straighten my hair without frizzing or damaging my naturally curly hair, but this did the job and comes with a diffuser!"
Pros
- 77% of the power of a real hair dryer
Cons
- Testers don't love how loud it is
Traveling internationally? FYI, you're gonna need a mini hair dryer with dual voltage. This option from Ghd is not only dual voltage, but it also gives you two heat and speed settings, a cool shot button, and a foldable handle for easy packing. And c'mon, how great is the travel case?
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,300
- Features: Two temperature settings, lightweight, foldable
Glowing Customer Review: "It has just as much power as a super expensive one, and it’s the perfect size and weight—you will not be disappointed."
Pros
- Super quiet motor, testers note
Cons
- One of the more expensive options on this list
If you're anything like me, chances are you don't want to have a million and one hair tools lying around because (1) you don't have the space, (2) you don't have the money, and (3) it seems unnecessary, no? Enter: This super sleek, mighty hair dryer that cuts down on major drying time and is perfect to use on the go and on an everyday basis.
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Four heat and three-speed settings, quiet motor, LCD display, two concentrators, diffuser
Glowing Customer Review: " This dryer is amazing. It's so lightweight that it makes blowouts a breeze. My hair isn't frizzy or overly dried. I love that I can adjust the temperature as well as the airspeed. The magnetic attachments are fantastic. I feel like a hair model."
Pros
- Most affordable option on this list
Cons
- Users say the switch can be difficult to budge at times
Travel hair dryers usually come with a pretty big compromise: Even though they're nice and lightweight, they typically aren't nearly as powerful as their full-size counterparts. But this one is an exception—it's got a 1,875-watt motor that gives you a quick and smooth blow-dry with two temperature settings. Translation: You'll have even more room in your suitcase for your texturizing sprays and hair oils.
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Ionic technology, two heat and speed settings, folding handle
Glowing Customer Review: "I can dry my hair in minutes, the handle collapses to fit in my vanity drawer, it fits nicely in my suitcase when traveling, and it's so light!"
Pros
- The cord is super long which is rarer with mini hair dryers
Cons
- Not foldable
I get it: There are so many travel hair dryers on Amazon that it's hard to figure out which ones are actually legit. DW, though, because this bb has hundreds of glowing reviews, courtesy of the custom heat and speed settings, compact size, and super-long cord (no more accidentally tugging it out of the outlet, yay!).
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,000
- Features: Two heat and speed settings
Glowing Customer Review: "This one works just as good as a full-sized blow dryer! I brought it with me to Rome, and it was so easy to switch to international voltage!"
Pros
- Ergonomic handle for better hand grip while drying
Cons
- Users say the switch is a bit stiff at times
If you already dropped some serious $$$ on a plane ticket, you shouldn't have to go broke over your travel hair dryer. This affordable option from Conair gets the job done—it's nice and compact, features dual voltage, and a handle that folds up. Just don't forget your heat protectant, k?
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,200
- Features: Two heat and speed settings, airflow concentrator, ergonomic folding handle
Glowing Customer Review: "I LOVE this hair dryer! It works great, not too hot or heavy to hold—read: doesn't burn hair and arm doesn't fall off whilst holding—and it folds up for traveling!"
Pros
- Ionic technology makes your hair shiny and super smooth
Cons
- Gets pretty hot, testers report, so beware
Don't be fooled by the cute name—this travel hair dryer is incredibly powerful. Not only does it have two heat settings and a foldable handle, but it's also designed with ionic technology that works to smooth flyaways and boost shine every time you use it.
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Ionic technology, three heat, and two speed settings, foldable, two styling attachments
Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve had this dryer for over seven years and it has been amazing for my hair."
Pros
- Gives you a blowout without spending the $$$
Cons
- Thick curls may not get desired results
If traveling with your favorite hair dryer and round brush feels like one too many steps, you'll love the sheer convenience of this mini hair-dryer brush. This one-and-a-half-inch tool helps you dry and style your hair simultaneously, and it's small enough to fit into your gym bag, suitcase, or even weekender.
- Dual voltage? No
- Wattage: 600
- Features: Lightweight, combination bristles, 360-degree airflow vents, numerous temperature settings
Glowing Customer Review: "This blow-drying round brush is perfection! You can definitely use it to straighten, but what’s absolutely fabulous is that as you dry you can curl your locks too."
Pros
- Comes with a really chic travel bag and lots of attachments
Cons
- Some testers note that it's a bit too noisy for their liking
Yes, this travel hair dryer is on the expensive side, but if you travel regularly, it's a smart investment. The handle folds all the way up, it's incredibly lightweight, and powerful enough to get a sleek and smooth blowout (shout out to the concentrator attachment, which helps you get hella-precise airflow).
- Dual voltage? Yes
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Ionic technology, included concentrator, three heat settings, two speed settings, folding handle, travel bag
Glowing Customer Review: "Not only is it the perfect size for travel, but it is the perfect hair dryer period—I love that it is compact and the satin blush color is so dreamy!"
Pros
- Good for the environment
Cons
- A bit on the heavier side compared to other travel hair dryers
Maybe you're someone who sticks to sustainable beauty products (go you!), which prob makes searching for a travel hair dryer that's also eco-friendly pretty damn tricky. Enter: The Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000. This bb is the first energy-efficient, salon-quality hair dryer. *Drops mic, adds to cart.*
- Dual voltage? No
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Energy efficient, filtration system, wide and narrow concentrators, eight heat, speed, and ion settings
Glowing Customer Review: "I have long and very thick wavy hair that I dread straightening, but there’s something about this dryer that doesn’t make you sweat while you’re blow-drying and cuts the time down," writes one tester.
Pros
- Far-infrared heat is beneficial to prevent moisture loss
Cons
- Larger than the others on this list
This one isn't necessarily marketed as a travel hair dryer, but it's so amazing that you'll want to bring it everywhere you go. It has far-infrared heat that keeps your hair from losing moisture and maintaining its softness, but the cherry on top? The giant (included) diffuser head for all those curly-haired peeps.
- Dual voltage? Does not specify
- Wattage: 1,875
- Features: Two concentrators, one diffuser, three heat settings, ionic airflow
Glowing Customer Review: "I’ve used it with the diffuser on my curly hair, and to blow out my boyfriend’s hair before braiding—in both instances, it was fast, quiet, and made the hair so soft!" writes one customer.
How to choose the best travel hair dryer:
Consider where you're traveling
If you're planning to buy a travel hair dryer for a trip abroad, a very important note: You need a hair dryer with dual voltage—meaning it needs to operate at two voltages instead of the standard one so you can safely plug it into an adapter. If your hair dryer doesn't have the correct voltage, you'll need a voltage converter. You can invest in one, however, they don't work that well on products that heat up, and many are only meant to last a few minutes (take it from experience). So it's easier to just buy a hair dryer that has the correct voltage in the first place, kk?
Another big note: Europe alone also has six different types of outlets, so in addition to ensuring you've got the correct voltage, you should also grab yourself an outlet adapter. You'll be able to plug your hair dryer (if it has dual voltage) into the outlet adapter to make it compatible with the outlets in the country you're traveling to.
Choose the correct size and weight
Travel hair dryers are meant to be small and compact. Consider opting for one that has a sleek design and/or folds so that you can easily pack it in your suitcase or carry-on. Not to mention, suitcases typically have to be less than 50 pounds (s/o to all my fellow over-packers here), so the lighter the hair dryer, the better.
Why trust Cosmo?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing hair and travel stories, like the best boar bristle brushes and the best makeup bags for traveling, and feels especially knowledgeable in travel hair dryers thanks to trying out a million hair dryers on her hair. She regularly tests and analyzes travel hair dryers on her own hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top hairstylists to assess new products and brands.
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including the best round brushes on the market, and how to get beachy waves. Her travel hair dryer picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and hairstylist recommendations.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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