Image: Shutterstock
By Vivian Kelly
Great hair comes with great tools. So whether you’re a professional hair stylist or a discerning hair enthusiast we know how it feels when it comes to using a hair dryer that’s slow, noisy and often harmful to our hair – even more so when we’re on-the-go.
In-room hair dryers offered at hotels just don’t cut it when it comes to quality and beauty. And while bringing your own seems like a good idea, packing a luggage with large, bulky appliances is the last thing we want to worry about when it comes to precious suitcase space.
But fear not; reliability, power and stunning styles are not far from reach when embarking on your business trip or family vacation. Our solution? A travel hair dryer.
Elite Traveler has searched high and low to find you the best travel hair dryers on the market. From ionic technology, balanced airflow and acoustic minimizers, these super-light and powerful travel hair dryers all have something to offer your luscious locks.
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Here are our top picks…
T3, Featherweight Compact Hairdryer, $151/£125
Image: T3
Don’t compromise on the power of your full-sized hair dryer. T3 has the same ‘featherweight compact hair dryer’ features as its full-sized sister with both Tourmaline and SoftAire technology in a convenient travel-sized form.
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Its foldable design means the travel dryer couldn’t be easier to pack. Many of today’s hair dryers use harsh wind flows, causing damage to hair, but with T3’s specially engineered fan it generates ion-enriched air reducing static, sealing cuticles and leaving hair beautiful and shiny.
What’s more, it’s Cool Shot technology locks in moisture keeping hair in optimum condition and with endlessly glossy locks.
Features:
- T3 Featherweight Compact Hair Dryer
- Tourmaline technology directs ion-enriched air for precise drying
- Negative ions prevent static and frizz
- SoftAire airflow design to reduce frizz and enhance shine
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Foldable handle and compact size is ideal for travelling
- Two heat and speed settings
- Cool shot button for a sleek finish
- Suitable for all hair types and textures
- Quiet and powerful
- 7 metre cord
GHD, Ultimate Travel Gift Set, $220/£180
Image: GHD
GHD’s Flight Travel Hair dryer is by far one of the best on the market. What we love about it most is that it ticks all the boxes. It’s light, compact and powerful. Everything you need in a great travel companion.
The travel gift set also comes with a GHD Platinum, the brand’s most coveted styler. Tri-zone Technology means it maintains a ‘safe’ hair heat at all times and is distributed evening across the plate. This guarantees your hair gets the best style out of your hair tool without compromising the health of your hair.
Features:
- GHD Ultimate Travel Gift Set
- Heat-resistant plate guard
- ghd flight travel hair dryer
- Co-ordinating dust-bag
Parlux 3200 Compact Hair Dryer – Pink, $85/£70
Image: Parlux
The Parlux 3200 Compact Hair Dryer is one of the best professional hair dryers on-the-go. Its K-Lamination motor means it’s lighter, more durable and more powerful than ever before.
Its AC motor omits an airflow of 69 cubic meters per hour, which Parlux claims to be the most powerful professional hair dryer in the world. Weighing in at 490 grams and spanning only a tiny 20cm, this product is the perfect tool to throw into your carry-on bag without the worry of dwindling space.
So well designed, you’ll forget you’re using a compact hair dryer.
Features:
- 1900 Watts professional K Lamination motor, airflow 69 cubic metres per hour
- Designed for professional stylists to meet the demand of today’s hairstyles
- 4 Temperatures, 2 speeds and 2 switches located at the most rational position
- 1 Instant cold shot button for the perfect setting of the hair
- Equipped with 2 professional concentrator nozzles
Parlux 3500 Super Compact Hair Dryer – Black, $90/£73
Image: Parlux
Another gold product, the all new Parlux 3500. With even smaller dimensions than its sister dryer at only 17cm, this compact dryer is guaranteed to be the tiniest around. Its ergonomic shape is an ideal tool for those on-the-go with a carefully designed handle that provides stylists and home users with greater balance and control.
Whether it’s a weekend away, a holiday abroad or a quick blow-out at the office, the Parlux 3500 promises you both high power and convenience, every time.
Features:
- 2000 watt drying capacity
- Airflow: 73m3/hr
- 4 temperatures and 2 speed controls
- coldshot button
- impact resistant casing and heavy duty switches
- 3 metre cable
- supplied with 2 nozzles
- parlux warranty
- supplied with UK plug only (220~240V)
Ego Trip Set, $53/£44
Image: EGO
The Little Ego Hair Dryer boasts everything its full-size companion does, but with much smaller dimensions. Two heat settings allow users to get the most from their blow dry while its slim nozzle provides precise styling and the ultimate sleek effect.
What we love about this tiny dryer is its bespoke HW2 technology, which is a ‘naturally occurring mineral-laden earth’ sourced from the exotic pine forests of Korea, helping to reduce frizz and increase hydration. The product is also infused with precious stone tourmaline, promising your locks a sleek, sparkling finish.
This no-nonsense hair dryer also boasts infrared technology to ensure tresses remain healthy and beautiful. Good-bye unruly locks.
Features:
- 2 heat settings
- Compact ergonomic design
- Lightweight
- Dual voltage
- HW2 Technology
- Far infra-red heat
- Supplied with a UK plug
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $365/£300
Everyone was surprised by the thought of Dyson entering the world of beauty, but if their vacuums say anything about their products they only do world-class, which is exactly what you get from Dyson’s Supersonic Hair Dryer.
Although it’s not as compact as a standard travel hair dryer it’s still small enough to fit into your carry-on. More importantly, its unique technology allows for a faster blow dry while acoustic minimizers reduce noise. It also works like a hair straightener in the sense that it measures air temperature 20 times per second, controlling heat distribution and reducing damage to your hair.
This beauty essential is also plentiful with accessories including a smoothing nozzle, styling concentrator, diffuser, non-slip heat proof mat and storage hanger.
Features:
- 3 precise speed settings – Fast drying, Regular drying and Styling
- 4 precise heat settings – 100°C Fast drying and styling, 80°C Regular drying, 60°C Gentle drying, 28°C Constant cold
- Power – 1600 Watts
- Airflow – 41 litres per second
- Weight – 618g
- Dimensions – H24.5cm x W7.8cm x D9.7cm
- Negative ions – Help reduce static
Which travel hair dryer do you take away on vacation with you? Tweet us at @Elitetraveler
