Key specs – Heating element: Ionic; Temperature settings: 4; Power: 1,600W; Speed settings: 3; Cable length: 2.7m; Cold shot button: Yes; Accessories: Concentrator, diffuser and smoothing nozzles; Weight: 690g One of the easiest things to overlook when buying a hair dryer is how long the cable is. Some cheaper models come with relatively short cables, while pricier models often boast “salon-length” mains cables, which are as long as 4m. The Shark FlexStyle launched earlier this year and is the closest to Dyson’s multi-styling tool you’ll find on the market. The styling wand uses the same air-powered Coanda effect to wrap hair around a barrel to create ringlets; and this styling set includes a paddle brush for smooth styling, an oval brush for volume, and concentrator and diffuser attachments so you can use the FlexStyle like a normal hairdryer. There are three temperature and three speed settings, which can be independently selected using the two buttons on the handle, along with a cool shot for setting your curls.

Like other products in Revamp’s Progloss range, this hot brush uses a combination of ionic technology and a ceramic barrel infused with keratin protein, argan and coconut oils to condition hair and create a bouncy, glossy finish. You can choose between two heat settings, and airflow can be independently set – so you can choose fast or slow air with either low or high heat for wet hair; and high heat with no air to straighten and style dry hair. Trust the BaByliss Flawless Volume Hot Air Styler to revive flat hair. Its large 38mm titanium ceramic barrel creates a full-bodied style without damaging the hair shaft and, with ionic technology to smooth the cuticle, there’s no need to worry about a static finish. The styler uses a mix of soft and firm bristles to add lift at the root while smoothing the hair cuticle, achieving in minutes a style that looks like you’ve been sitting in the salon all afternoon. The magnetic concentrator and diffuser attachments fit on, and can be removed, without too much force; the magnets also mean the attachments stay put while drying instead of turning and moving. Other features of the Supersonic include flexible speed and heat settings, and thermal sensors to prevent the unit or attachments getting too hot. This hot air brush is our go-to for creating voluminous hairstyles. Sporting a unique oval shape and large bristles, the One Step adds volume at the root of the hair, smooths the lengths and creates a bouncy curl at the ends – a winning formula for a bouncy blow-dry. Hot airflow is boosted by clever ionic technology to protect hair and speed up styling, while the ceramic barrel ensures even heat distribution and a glossy finish.Overall, with the GHD Helios, you can expect your hair to be dried in record time with natural volume, stunning shine and a smoothness like no other. Its price point places it firmly in the premium hair dryer category, but it’s an investment your hair will thank you for. Launched last year, T3’s stylish white and rose-gold Airebrush Duo includes both a flat paddle brush and a small round brush (both with ceramic coatings), which means you can switch the attachment depending on whether you’re in the mood for sleek or curly styling. Its five temperature settings are cooler than average, with the maximum set at 85ºC, and all are gentle enough to use safely on dry, damaged and brittle hair. The three airflow settings can be independently selected for extra styling versatility, plus there’s a cool shot feature to seal the cuticle and set your finished style. Some models come with a concentrator nozzle, designed to make it easier to direct the airflow accurately onto a section of hair. These nozzles are great if you blow-dry around a round brush for a salon-style blowout. Rather than a high-powered, high-wattage hair dryer, look for one that favours fast airflow over heat to dry the hair without damaging it. The latest “digital motors” (also known as electronically commutated, or EC, motors) allow for increased air velocity with reduced heat, so you don’t need a high wattage to experience powerful results on a lower temperature setting. A sleek,shiny and voluminous salon blowout can be a great way to elevate your look; but, until recently, it hasn’t been easy to recreate that freshly styled look at home. Help is at hand, however, with one of the latest hot-brush styling tools.

The 2,000W motor is powerful enough to dry hair fast and with a minimum of fuss, and the dryer comes with a concentrator nozzle to direct airflow. The long barrel also helps make it easy to direct airflow where you want it, and there are two speed and three heat settings for drying flexibility, plus a cool shot to set your finished style. If you’re on a budget, this is an excellent alternative to some of the pricier products reviewed above. Most of our Airwrap alternatives use air as their main drying method, which means they can be used on wet or damp hair. This means you can skip blow-drying and get straight to styling. Some of our alternatives use heated plates. These can only be used on dry hair, but our chosen tools include features such as ceramic coating and ionic technology, which protect hair in other ways. When testing, we first note the styling method (ceramic hot plate or hot air styler), and for ceramic hot plate brushes we measure the time the tool takes to heat up after being switched on. We consider the time taken to style a full head of hair (noting the hair length and texture on which we’re testing), and evaluate the overall ease of use of the hot brush. We take note of the softness, shine and feel of the hair after styling, and how well styles last over the course of a typical day. Finally, we confirm the weight and dimensions of the hot brush and note any extras included in the box. Key specs – Heating element: Ceramic/ionic with Nanoe technology; Temperature settings: 4; Speed settings: 3; Cold shot button: Yes; Power: 1800W; Cable length: 2.7m; Weight: 578g; Accessories: Styling nozzle It’s important to note that when shopping for gadgets and technology products, it can be tempting to go for the lowest price possible. However, be wary of retailers that offer prices that seem too good to be true. Some less reputable retailers may sell counterfeit or low-quality products, which can be dangerous and not perform as well as the genuine product.

The best hair dryers for fine hair you can buy in 2023

The Keratin Protect is a slim, sleek-looking dryer that doesn’t weigh an awful lot, and its cable is long enough for even the largest of bedrooms.

GHD’s Oracle is a ceramic-plated curler – and like the Airwrap, it’s a curler developed with hair health very much in mind. The Oracle heats up to GHD’s optimal styling temperature of 185ºC, using U-shaped ceramic plates surrounded by a “cool zone” to create curls as the hair is pulled through; the motion is similar to gliding a pair of scissors along a ribbon to curl it. By varying the angle and speed at which you use the tool, you can create a wide range of curl effects, from Hollywood ringlets to loose curls and mermaid waves. It's not even makeup! This is the kind of effect I'd expect from a sheer foundation so it's really tripping me out!" The Style iQ’s powerful airflow means the dryer’s cooler settings are still effective, so you can dry your hair efficiently without toasting it. In addition, the dryer uses ionic technology to moisturise the hair as it dries; our hair was smooth, glossy and hydrated after drying. The cool shot setting is handy to seal the cuticle and set your style once you’ve finished drying. A smart and stylish dryer that leaves hair feeling healthy, with clever attachments to help you find the ideal settings for your preferred style. Key specs – Styling method: Hot air with ceramic-coated brush; Barrel size: N/A; Heat settings: 2; Cool blast: Yes; Cord length: 2.5mThe Keratin Protect also comes with a good range of accessories – a slim nozzle for styling, a wide nozzle for fast drying, and a diffuser to add volume. The 2.5m long cable is a decent length for most bedrooms; and the dryer weighs less than 700g which makes it feel lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around the head. Key specs – Styling method: Hot air with Coanda effect hair wrapping; Barrel size: 31.75mm; Heat settings: 3; Cool blast: Yes; Cord length: 2.44m