When you’ve got super fine hair, styling can be tricky.
It is more vulnerable to damage, so drying, straightening, and curling is an exercise in caution. In fact, drying is particularly treacherous, as it involves a lot of heat and close, prolonged contact. This is why there are styling products designed especially for ladies with thinner, lighter tresses.
If this sounds like you, you need to find the best hair dryer for fine hair. Many of these devices combine traditional heat sources with innovative technologies like nanolonic hybrid minerals and far infrared energy. They are very lightweight, compact, and use negative ions to minimize frizz and flyaways. So, if you want to protect fine hair, invest in a specialized dryer.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best products on the market and compiled a list of our favorites. Take a look and see if you can find the right hair dryer for you.
At A Glance: Our Favorite Hair Dryers For Fine Hair
The Bio Ionic Whisper Dryer is one of the lightest and quietest on the market. It is great for traveling and perfect for use on fine hair because the ionic technology protects the cuticle.
For an easy, even drying experience, check out the BabylissPro Ceramix Xtreme Dryer. It combines forceful flowing power with a surprisingly gentle drying style.
The Elchim 3900 Ionic Dryer is a sexy, sensual styling device which will look great on your dresser. The detachable nozzles make switching between precision drying and styling as easy as it would be in a salon.
Find out what all the fuss is about and try the Panasonic Nano Care Hair Dryer. It comes with a raft of unique features, and you’ll be on the side of the trendsetters with this one. It was huge in Japan where fine haired ladies couldn’t get enough.
The Berta Professional Hair Dryer is a great choice for girls with thin, light hair. Unlike a lot of other brands, the emphasis here is on longevity. Pick this product up if you want a dryer that is guaranteed to last.
Best Hair Dryer For Thin Hair Review
Ranking | Company | Power | Colors | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | 1,400w | Black + Teal | ||
#2 | 2,000w | x2 Colors Available | ||
#3 | 2,000w | x6 Colors Available | ||
#4 | 1,200w | White | ||
#5 | 1,875w | x6 Colors Available |
We tested this claim and, while it is markedly quieter than other brands, you need to use it on the lower settings for this. On the highest speed, it gets as loud as you’d expect from a good hair dryer. It is a handy feature though because it means that you can carry on with a conversation even while you’re styling your hair.
What We Liked
- Quiet ‘whisper’ technology
- Negative ions control frizz and static
- Very lightweight and compact
- Dries fine hair extremely quickly
Not Crazy About
- Still noisy on highest speed
- Can get very hot (must be careful with settings)
- One of the more expensive products on our list
It is ideal for very fine hair because the effect is noticeably gentle. Plus, it leaves lengths feeling soft and hydrated, no matter how long you spend styling. It doesn’t get as hot as some other brands, but this won’t be as much of a problem for thin haired ladies. There isn’t much speed or heat variation though, so it is just a choice between high and low.
What We Liked
- Very long cord for ease of use
- Ceramic technology hydrates hair
- Powerful blows hard and dries fast
- Good, even heat distribution
Not Crazy About
- Only two heat settings (high and low)
- Not as hot as other rival dryers
- Can be hard to use the on/off switch
The innovative ionic ceramic technology actively nourishes hair while drying, so that frizz and static never become a problem.
According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for use on all hair types, but we think it is particularly handy for thin, light tresses. It has an easy to use Cold Button, which blows a jet of cold air and sets styles in seconds. Plus, this dryer also comes with two detachable nozzles for variable styling. There is one precision tool and a brushing nozzle as well.
What We Liked
- Beautiful, sleek design
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Ionic ceramic technology controls frizz
- Lightweight to minimize pressure on wrist
Not Crazy About
- Smells funny when turned on for the first time
- Gets very hot (Perhaps too hot for very fine hair)
The nano technology smooths and hydrates fine hair by emitting negative ions. These ions neutralize the positive ions which cause frizz and static.There are a number of heat settings and speeds, but it might take you a little bit of time to work these out.
The dryer is from Japan and is currently making waves over there. So much so that Panasonic limited them to one per customer. We reckon that it is worth a try, but you might need to pick up a transformer because voltage components are designed for the Japanese market.
What We Liked
- Funky, stylish pink & white design
- Variable heat/speed settings
- ‘Skin mode’ for protecting the face
- Negative ions for frizz/static control
Not Crazy About
- Needs a power adaptor/transformer
- Settings can be tricky to figure out at first
With 1875 watts of drying force, you should be able to wrap things up in five minutes.The sturdy AC motor has been designed to last. According to the manufacturer, it is capable of performing for four times longer than other brands.
It also features an easy to use lint filter, which can be quickly removed and emptied. Plus, the clever double safety net means that hair cannot get sucked into the fan and cause an accident.
What We Liked
- Double safety net for secure styling
- Super tough, long lasting motor
- Lint filter is easy to remove
- Long, flexible cord for maneuverability
Not Crazy About
- Quite heavy, can be a strain on wrists
- Case is slippery, can be tricky to grip
- Very powerful (may whip hair around)
Side by Side Comparison
Category | Our Top Pick | Best Value | Best Wall Mounted | Best Portable | Best Magnifying |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Top Rated |   |   |   |   |   |
Brand | |||||
Weight | 2.1 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 1.3 lbs | 1.7 lbs |
Wattage | 1,400w | 2,000w | 2,000w | 1,200w | 1,875w |
Colors | Black + Teal | x2 Colors Available | x6 Colors Available | x2 Colors Available | x6 Colors Available |
Learn More |
Buying Guide: Hair Dryer Accessories
Diffuser Nozzles/Attachments
If your hair is fine but slightly curly, a diffuser attachment is highly recommended. It lifts and separates the hair while drying and this minimizes frizz. It also leads to a much fuller, more voluminous look. Some hair dryers come with diffusers as standard, but others require you to buy your own.
Precision Nozzle
Styling nozzles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are quite basic and perform a straightforward function. Essentially, they just fit over the end of the dryer and direct the blowing force in a specific manner. So, some nozzles push air out vertically, while others concentrate it in smaller, tighter spot for very controlled styling.
Auto Shut Off
If you’re concerned about leaving your dryer on and the fan overheating, pick a product with an auto shut off function. This means that it will automatically switch off if it gets too hot or is left on for a certain amount of time. Many of the more sophisticated hair dryers can recognize when they’ve been put down on a desk or floor. They shut off temporarily and come back to life when they are picked up again.
Cold Button
Most hair dryers come with a cold shot button these days. We recommend that you choose one with this feature. When you hit the cold button, a jet of cool air is directed out of the hair dryer. This is used to set hairstyles in place and give them more longevity.
Buying Guide: Hair Dryer Technologies
Ceramic Shell
Ceramic is one of the best materials for hair dryers, as it helps the heat to spread evenly. It never becomes too hot in any one place, so the risk of damage is negligible. While ceramic tends to heat slower than other materials, this is a positive thing for fine-haired ladies. It enables greater control over temperature and heat exposure.
Iconic Technology
Ionic drying systems break down water molecules so that they dry much faster. However, they create minimal frizz and do not take moisture out of the surrounding air. This lowers the risk of static and flyaways.
Infrared Heat Energy
With infrared heat energy, it is possible to dry the hair from a greater distance. In other words, you don’t have to hold it so close to the scalp. This has obvious benefits. For one thing, you’re less likely to burn yourself. It makes drying much more comfortable and pleasant.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. The best hair dryers for fine hair on the market. We’ve tested them all, and we think you’ll be spoiled for choice. We should point out that, even though these dryers are especially handy for fine hair, they can be used on all types. Girls with very thick, curly tresses may want to pick a more powerful product, however, because they tend to heat up to temperatures which aren’t suitable for lightweight hair.