When I finally decided to go natural, I quickly realized that the blow dryer I used to use on my relaxed hair wouldn’t work as effectively with natural hair. I had to look for a blow dryer that straightens natural hair as desired, without feeling the need to go for a silk press.
The thing is, a blow dryer is essential for hairstyling. It has tremendous benefits, from drying your hair at lightning speed when you’re hurrying to catch a meeting, to keeping your hair locked in those slick-straight tresses or voluminous curls you love.
But not all blow dryers are created equal. Some are of higher quality than others.
For natural hair that you intend on keeping healthy and shiny, it’s important to choose a blow dryer that gets the job done but is also designed specifically to keep your hair in good shape.
I eventually bought a new one that was better suited for my new hair texture.
My hair is type 4C, which has its own demands.
Not sure which blow dryer to invest in for your natural hair? Here are nine that I love. Check them out!
Table of Contents
Best Blow Dryer That Straightens Natural Hair – Comparison Table
| Product | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer |   | . Lightweight & portable . Adjustable temperature settings . Reduced heat damage |
| Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer |   | . Intelligent heat control . Powerful digital motor . Light and portable |
| RUSK Professional Dryer |   | . Far infrared technology . Multiple heat & speed settings . Weighs less than 2lbs |
| T3 Compact Hair Dryer |   | . Adjustable heat & speed settings . Sleek and shiny finish . Lightweight |
| Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer |   | . Suitable for all hair types . Reduces heat damage . Eliminates frizz |
| ghd Air Hair Dryer |   | . Customizable settings . Precise styling control . Suitable for most hair types |
| BabylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Dryer |   | . Removable rear filter . Six speed and heat settings . Uses two technologies |
| Bio Ionic Speed Dryer |   | . High performance . Uses 75% less electricity . Weighs less than 1lb |
| Elchim Classic Hair Dryer |   | . Adjustable heat settings . Shock and flame resistant . Controls frizz |
Challenges Of Straightening Natural Hair
Natural hair is curly and kinky, and when we want a different look, we can use a blow dryer to straighten it out.
Straightening my natural hair takes more time and effort because it is quite thick and has tight curls.
Using heat on hair too often can cause damage, making it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.
I have previously shared about how I suffered from heat damage just ten months after going natural, but this didn’t stop me from using heat to straighten my hair.
I just do it less frequently now and always make sure to use a good heat protectant.
Another challenge of straightening my hair is that the hair might get frizzy, especially when it’s humid outside.
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The other thing is that natural hair can have different textures throughout, like curly roots and straight ends. It can therefore be challenging to get a uniform straightness on all parts of the hair.
This is why a good blow dryer is so important!
Benefits Of Getting A Good Blow Dryer
A good blow dryer will have multiple settings to control the heat. That means you can choose a lower heat level that is safer for your hair, so it doesn’t get damaged easily.
A perfect dryer will also work quickly, so they won’t have to spend too much time trying to straighten their hair.
Some blow dryers have special technology to reduce frizz and keep the hair looking smooth and nice even after straightening.
A good blow dryer will be easy to handle, so they can learn to use it properly without any trouble.
Speaking from experience, my advice to my fellow natural hair sisters is that you should get yourself a decent blow dryer and not straighten your tresses too often.
This will help you to maintain strong and healthy hair.
Best Blow Dryer That Straightens Natural Hair
I’ll now take a deep dive into the world of blow dryers and explore the features that make some models stand out for straightening natural hair effectively and safely.
So, if you are looking for a blow dryer that straightens natural hair and shows the real length of your mane, there are several options you can consider:
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Styler
I’d heard so much praise for this Revlon dryer so I decided to try it out to see whether it lived up to all the hype.
Well, I can tell you for sure that with this dryer, you can style your hair much faster than before.
Its large paddle design helps it glide through your hair easily, and it does three things at once – detangle, dry, and smoothen the hair.
If you ever have days when your hair gets all frizzy, and you can’t seem to control it, then you need to have this dryer in your possession.
It uses ionic technology and releases negative ions to neutralize the static electricity in your hair, making it smooth and less frizzy.
These ions also condition your hair and make it look super shiny.
This dryer is lightweight and is designed to be super easy to handle.
It’s got 1100 watts of power, which means it can dry your hair quickly.
Moreover, it has two heat and speed settings, so you can choose how hot and fast you want it to work. And if you want a cool blast of air, it has that option too.
Its cord is long and swivels, so you can move around freely while styling your hair.
The large paddle design and flexible pad make styling a breeze.
It dries and smooths your hair quickly and comfortably.
Pros
- It’s lightweight and portable
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Dries, detangles, and smooths the hair
- Has a cool shot button
- Reduced heat damage
Cons
- For some users, handling a large paddle brush-like tool through the hair might be a bit challenging at first
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Dyson’s iconic fuschia color makes yet another appearance in their new Supersonic Hair Dryer.
This one is designed to be 75% smoother and more than 100% shinier.
It’s known to effortlessly tame frizz and flyaways, making it ideal for naturally curly/wavy hair.
This 1,600-watt dryer is designed with intelligent heat control to make sure it’s never too hot to incur intense damage to your locks.
It has a powerful digital motor that allows you to style your hair quickly and precisely without the noise.
The set comes with five magnetic attachments, including a diffuser, comb, styling concentrator, flyaway attachment, and gentle air attachment.
These attachments are very effective when straightening natural hair.
The concentrator nozzle straightens hair, especially when dried section by section, without necessarily drying out the adjacent section.
The diffuser on the other hand has longer prongs that are able to penetrate deeper into the hair for better air circulation closer to the roots.
Pros
- Reduces frizz and boosts shine
- Has intelligent heat control to keep damage at bay
- Quiet yet powerful digital motor
- Comes with five different attachments
- Cool air holds hairstyles in place for longer
- Light and portable
Cons
- The handle is quite short
RUSK Engineering W8less Professional 2000 Watt Dryer
This ceramic and tourmaline dryer by RUSK has been recognized by media outlets and Good Morning America and the New York Times for its quality and effectiveness.
What’s awesome about it is that it has far infrared rays that penetrate your strands instead of blowing hair from the outside.
That way, it can dry your hair more gently from the inside out.
This dryer is quite light, weighing less than two pounds.
Despite it’s lightweight, it’s still incredibly powerful at a whopping 2,000 watts.
It delivers hot air to your hair at a very fast speed.
The dryer uses 2,000W and dries wet hair at a higher speed than others available in the market.
It has a total of seven heat and speed settings to choose from.
You can select the right heat setting for you to protect your hair against heat damage.
It tends to heat up when you use the highest heat setting so be careful when using it.
The dryer comes with a detachable concentrator nozzle that enables the straightening of natural hair from the roots using the right kind of brush.
This dryer is suitable for use on all hair types and works really well on thick, coarse hair.
The outer cover is shiny and appealing.
Pros
- Far infrared technology dries hair from the inside out
- Can dry hair very fast at 2,000 watts
- Has seven heat and speed settings
- Weighs less than two pounds
- Easy to use
- Durable outer casing
Cons
- The highest heat setting blows too much air
T3 Fit Ionic Compact Hair Dryer
This 1600W hair dryer is designed with your convenience in mind.
It’s super lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle and carry around.
It’s 30% smaller and 20% lighter than regular full-size hair dryers, so you won’t feel tired while using it.
The dryer is powered by IonAir technology that aids in smoothing the hair cuticle, giving you a sleek and shiny finish.
It comes with three heat settings and two speed settings, allowing you to choose the perfect combination for your specific hair type.
It also has a cool shot button that you can use to seal your style with a lasting finish.
The dryer’s optimized pitch ensures a pleasant drying experience, and it directs enriched airflow for more precise drying.
Pros
- It’s lightweight
- Drys hair quickly
- Has customizable heat and speed settings
- Gives a sleek and shiny finish
- Has a cool shot for style setting
Cons
- May have a slightly lower wattage compared to full-size hair dryers
Revlon Infrared Hair Dryer
No matter your hair type – thick, thin, curly, or straight – this Revlon dryer is perfect for you.
It is packed with advanced technology that’s truly impressive.
It gently heats your hair’s core, while maintaining your hair’s natural moisture balance.
Thanks to its special ceramic coating, this dryer protects your hair from excessive heat damage, especially if you use it frequently.
The coating ensures that the heat is distributed evenly, giving you smooth and shiny results without harming your hair.
The dryer boasts tourmaline technology which keeps your hair’s surface balanced and happy, reducing frizz and static electricity.
It’s powerful with 1875 watts of drying power and offers two heat settings and two speed settings for you to choose from.
Moreover, it has a cool shot button that locks your style in place with a burst of cold air.
So, in a nutshell, Revlon’s infrared heat technology ensures your hair stays healthy, while the ceramic coating reduces heat damage, and the tourmaline ionic technology tames frizz for a smooth and soft finish.
It’s the complete package.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Reduces heat damage
- Has adjustable heat and speed settings
- Comes with incredible attachments
- Eliminates frizz
- Has a cold shot button
Cons
- Offers a basic range of heat and speed settings
ghd Air 1600W Hair Dryer
The hair dryer stands out from regular ones due to its professional-grade salon-strength motor.
The powerful motor generates high-pressure airflow, resulting in significantly faster drying times compared to standard dryers.
The dryer employs advanced ionic technology that helps you achieve a smooth, sleek, and glossy salon-style finish.
It works by locking in your hair’s natural moisture while expertly controlling frizz, giving you a soft and shiny look that lasts much longer than with regular hair dryers.
This ghd dryer features variable temperature and power controls, allowing you to adjust the settings according to your specific hair type and desired style.
Whether you have thick, thin, curly, or straight hair, this hair dryer adapts to your needs for a perfectly customized blowout.
Moreover, the concentrator nozzle attachment provides enhanced control over the airflow, giving you the ability to achieve a smooth and precisely styled finish effortlessly.
What I really liked about this dryer is that it’s thoughtfully designed for both right and left-handed users, ensuring everyone can have a seamless styling experience.
The lightweight construction reduces arm fatigue during use, making it a breeze to create your desired hairstyles.
The generous 9 ft. professional-length power cable cord offers ample mobility, allowing you to style your hair freely and conveniently.
Pros
- Customizable settings
- Precise styling control
- Easy to use
- Reduces frizz and fly-aways
- Speedy drying
- Suitable for most hair types
Cons
- A 1600W wattage is slightly lower compared to some other professional blow dryers
BabylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic 2800 Dryer
This hair dryer has two amazing technologies built into it – porcelain ceramic technology and ionic technology – that help to straighten your hair faster.
You know how sometimes it takes a long time to dry your hair after a bath?
Well, this hair dryer makes it super quick thanks to its far-infrared heat.
Regular hair dryers can sometimes be a bit rough on your hair and make it look frizzy and damaged.
But with this hair dryer, it’s different! The gentle far-infrared heat it gives out actually protects your hair while it dries.
Also, when you turn it on, it releases ions that surround your hair like a cloud. These ions make the static disappear, so your hair becomes smooth and shiny. No more frizzy hair days!
This BabyblissPRO dryer has a 2000-watt motor, meaning it’s super strong and can dry your hair quickly.
Moreover, it has six heat and speed settings, so you can choose how hot and fast you want the air to blow.
There’s also a cool shot button that gives a burst of cool air to set your style.
And guess what? If the hair dryer gets dusty, it has a removable filter at the back that you can clean easily.
Pros
- Removable rear filter
- Has a 2000-watt motor, meaning faster drying
- Has six speed and heat settings
- Has a cold shot button
- Includes one concentrator nozzle
- Uses two technologies, therefore protects your hair while you dry it
Bio Ionic 10x Ultralight Speed Dryer
Blow dryers often get a bad rap for leaving your hair feeling dehydrated.
If you want to ensure your hair stays moisturized and shiny after drying, you’ll enjoy this one by Bio Ionic.
It’s made with volcanic rock and a mineral complex that dries your hair with what Bio Ionic called their “Moisturizing Heat” technology.
While you dry your damp strands, the blow dryer infuses your hair with moisture.
It then seals your cuticles shut to help you retain that moisture, adding shine and softness to the hair.
Remember natural hair needs as much moisture as it can get.
I also like that because this blow dryer has a brushless motor, it’s very lightweight.
It weighs less than a pound, so it’s easy to hold up to your head as you style.
The 1,800-watt dryer was created by a professional stylist who understands how a good dryer should work.
It comes with a concentrator nozzle that enables you to straighten your hair as you desire.
There’s also a cool shot button for cool air.
As the name suggests, this “10x” dryer will dry your hair in less than 10 minutes depending on the length of the hair.
This dryer has a patented EcoDrive motor that uses less than 75% electricity than other dryers available in the market.
The dryer comes with a cord that’s 9ft long and has a 10-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
- High performance
- Conditions and moisturizes the hair
- Uses 75% less electricity
- The brushless motor makes it more powerful
- It’s durable
- Really lightweight (weighs less than 1 lb)
- Dries hair within a few minutes
- Eliminates frizz
Cons
- Doesn’t have a warm setting, just hot and cold
Elchim Classic 2001 High Pressure Hair Dryer
If your top priority when looking for a blow dryer is control over how to use it, this one by Elchim might be in your alley.
It has plenty of adjustable settings, with two speeds and five temperatures.
For the wattage, you can switch from a slow 1,500 watts to a fast and powerful 1,875 watts with a flick of the switch.
Its Italian-made motor is durable and designed to run for over 2,000 hours.
Additionally, it’s very lightweight and easy to control.
This dryer comes with a precision nozzle attachment for brushing and styling.
You can straighten your natural hair by concentrating the heat on different sections of the hair, and styling as desired.
The housing of the dryer is made using polycarbonate plastic that is resistant to shock and flames that may result from aging.
This makes it long-lasting and safe for home use.
The blow dryer leaves the hair shiny and soft after use due to its excellent ability to control heat.
Pros
- Can switch between 1,500 to 1,875 wattage
- Five adjustable heat settings
- Italian motor built to work for 2,000 hours
- Lightweight for more control
- Includes a concentrator nozzle attachment
- Shock and flame resistant
- Controls frizz
Cons
- Doesn’t have a cold shot button
Categories Of Hair Dryers
There are three different types of hair dryers.
Each is ideal for a certain type of hair.
Ceramic Hair Dryers
Ceramic dryers are known for even heat distribution.
This helps in protecting your hair against heat damage.
They make use of infrared technology that does not dehydrate the hair.
It instead penetrates deep into it, locking in the moisture.
This type of dryer heats up faster, and therefore. reduces the amount of time needed to dry the hair.
It emits negative ions that benefit the hair by reducing static.
This dryer is ideal for any type of hair but works best if your hair type tends to dehydrate easily.
Ionic Hair Dryers
The water molecules in your hair are positively charged.
The ionic hair dryer produces a multitude of negative ions whose sole purpose is to dismantle the positive charges.
These negative ions don’t cause any harm to the hair shaft and leave the hair all soft and shiny.
The reason this type of dryer is very popular is that you can use little heat to completely dry your hair.
It also helps to reduce frizz because the negative ions neutralize the static charges on your hair.
Ionic hair dryers are best used on thick and coarse hair though they can be used at varying temperatures for other hair types.
Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryers
This type of blow dryer is best used by people who tend to dry their hair regularly.
It is known for better heat control by evenly dispersing it and making the temperature more stable in the process.
The tourmaline material coating the inside of the dryer is responsible for sealing off hair cuticles.
This results in hair that’s smooth and shiny.
The heat emitted by these dryers causes no damage because it dries the hair gently.
This means you can increase the amount of heat you use to dry your hair without worrying about damage.
It’s capable of regulating the heat by reading the room temperature automatically and making the necessary adjustment.
The air that flows from it as you start to dry your hair is hot. It then gradually cools off.
Type Of Blow Dryer Suitable For Natural Hair
If you are like me and wear your hair all-natural, then this section is written especially for you.
You realize you cannot use most of the products and equipment you used to back when your hair was relaxed.
Natural hair requires a new set of tools to maintain it, including another blow dryer.
I tried to use my old dryer on my naturally curly 4C hair and it didn’t straighten the hair as I wanted.
This led me to do fresh research on the most ideal dryer for my type of hair.
I had to learn what works for my hair.
I prefer a hair dryer with a cold shot button because lots of heat can easily cause damage to my hair.
The ideal dryer is the one that utilizes ionic technology to combat the positive molecules of water on my hair leading to reduced frizz.
Factors To Consider When Buying A Blow Dryer For Natural Hair
The one thing learned when looking for a blow dryer for my naturally curly and coarse hair is that you can’t just buy any.
There are certain aspects of this hot tool that I had to take to consideration.
The Material
Blow dryers are made using different materials.
Each is better suited for a certain type of hair due to the heat intensity needed to dry it.
The materials most commonly used are tourmaline, ceramic, and titanium.
Tourmaline is the best for my thick and coarse type of hair.
This is because of the ionic technology that gives off negative ions to dry my hair faster.
Ceramic hair dryers are the most preferred by people with fine hair.
The outer casing is normally plastic which is coated with ceramic.
They make use of infrared technology which dries hair from the inside out and thus helps to prevent dehydration.
Titanium hair dryers are known for their equal delivery of heat at a steady temperature.
They’re ideal if you want to dry your hair very fast.
It gets too hot and, therefore, may not be the best choice for fine or damaged hair.
Cold Shot Button
If you are like me – who tends to over-use the cool shot button on my dryer – then this is the one feature that you look for in your dryer of choice.
The cold shot button delivers cool air at a fast rate, therefore, drying my hair without using any heat.
I prefer it because it minimizes any chance of heat damage to my hair.
This feature also helps my hair retain a nice shine.
Accompanying Accessories
Blow dryers come with several detachable accessories varying from one type to the other.
My ideal dryer has both the concentrator and the diffuser.
For my frizz-prone hair, the diffuser works best to deliver airflow deep into it for maximum drying.
A good concentrator is an ideal accessory to have if you are straightening your hair; and when finishing off the drying process.
One thing to remember about these accessories is that they are ideal for different types of hair.
The concentrator works best with hair that’s being straightened and the diffuser is ideal for curly hair.
Related Post: How To Use A Diffuser On Short Natural Hair
Wattage
Blow dryers with higher wattage are known to have powerful motors that cut down the drying time.
They also enable faster straightening using the concentrator nozzle.
This means you can dry or straighten your hair at a faster pace using higher-wattage dryers, most of which are above 1,800 watts.
These are the most preferred because you don’t have to use a lot of heat to dry the hair.
This reduces the chance of getting heat damage.
The high-wattage dryers are also known for their durability, making them the ideal purchase if you want one that lasts.
Speed And Heat Settings
Some dryers only have two speed settings (high and low), while others like the one I use have three.
The more the number of speed settings, the better the control of airflow speed you have.
Dryers also have heat settings which you must consider.
There are those with three heat settings and those with four.
Size And Weight
My dryer is a powerful 2000W machine but the other aspect of it I enjoy is its small frame and light weight.
When you have lots of thick hair to dry and straighten, a big and heavy dryer will easily wear you out even before you’re halfway done.
Consider the size of your hand and the type of hair you have before purchasing just any dryer.
A small and light dryer with higher wattage works best so that you’re not tired even before you leave for work.
Ergonomic Handle
You should be able to use your blow dryer comfortably without it slipping off easily or causing you any discomfort.
The best dryer is ergonomic, meaning the handle is slip-free.
This means when you’re making an online purchase, check for this feature.
The placement of the buttons is another factor to keep in mind for the dryer to be ergonomic.
The buttons are better placed where they’re reachable but not too close to keep setting them off unintentionally.
Warranty
These dryers have varying warranty periods depending on the manufacturer.
They can range from one to five years.
Cleaning And Maintenance
The build-up of lint and hair on the machine can be hazardous.
Select a dryer with a detachable filter that you can remove and clean regularly.
You don’t have to open up the whole dryer just to clean it.
Find one that has replacement parts in case something breaks down and you have to replace it.
It might be easier just to have it repaired than throw it away to buy a new one.
How To Use A Blow Dryer By Yourself
I wrote a detailed post on how to use a hair dryer by yourself that looks at things that you should do first before embarking on the hair straightening process.
To make the experience a little easy, you should blow dry your hair in sections so that you give sufficient attention to each part.
Using the right hair dryer is important to ensure that you don’t leave your hair all frizzy.
Another way to avoid frizz is to detangle your hair using a wide-tooth comb before you begin the blow-drying process.
You can also opt to purchase a comb attachment for the dryer (that is compatible with all blow dryers) that can help in detangling the hair before you begin straightening it.
During the blow-drying process, use a paddle brush to ensure your hair stays smooth, without tangles and frizz.
Conclusion
Once in a while, I try to get rid of hair shrinkage by straightening my hair using a blow dryer.
It’s best to choose a blow dryer that works with your type of hair.
Avoid purchasing any random dryer because this can lead to heat damage and frizz.
As discussed above, you’ll need a dryer with an attachable concentrator nozzle if you are straightening natural hair.
This concentrates airflow down the length of your hair and into smaller regions of the hair, resulting in straighter hair with less frizz.
You have various options to choose from above if you are looking for a blow dryer that straightens natural hair.