enter value/s in increments of 1 between 19 and 649
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Performance score
Made up of drying rate (50%), temperature range (25%), airflow speed range (20%), noise score (average of measured volume and noise annoyance) (5%). A pass/fail drop test is also performed.
enter value/s in increments of i between 61 and 84
Ease of use score
This covers setup and general operation of each hair dryer. We assess the thoroughness of each manual followed by ease of holding, ease of reading and understanding the labels, ease of operating controls and attaching/removing concentrator nozzles included with each dryer.
enter value/s in increments of i between 40 and 87
Drying rate score
We measure how quickly each hair dryer will dry your hair. To do this we position and direct each dryer 15cm away from a moist cloth, run them for 60 seconds then weigh the cloth to determine how much moisture has been dried out of it. We repeat this test on the lowest and highest settings, three times each for a total of six drying rate tests per dryer.
enter value/s in increments of i between 57 and 97
Diffuser attachment
Ideal for drying curly hair.
Cool shot
Provides a burst of cool air and is supposed to be good for setting a style in place.
Airflow speed score
We measure the airflow speeds at the lowest and highest settings, 15cm from the front of the air outlet.
enter value/s in increments of i between 51 and 100
Temperature range score
We measure the temperature at the lowest fan speed, lowest heat setting, and then at the highest fan speed, highest heat setting, 15cm from the front of the air outlet.
enter value/s in increments of i between 47 and 80
Salon expert assessment
A professional hairdresser assesses each hair dryer in a salon environment below shoulder length, soft wave, medium texture human hair. A full breakdown of the test criteria is in our how we test article. This is not a blind trial. The salon expert is aware of the brands and models.
enter value/s in increments of i between 0 and 100
Sound level (dB)
Sound level is measured at the highest heat and speed settings, at 15cm.
enter value/s in increments of i between 79.2 and 95.8
Number of heat settings
Separate settings for heat and air speed will give you more control. The highest settings are ideal to remove the moisture from your hair while the lower settings are best for styling.
Number of speed settings
Separate settings for heat and air speed will give you more control. The highest settings are ideal to remove the moisture from your hair while the lower settings are best for styling.
Number of concentrator attachments
This narrows and concentrates the airflow to where you want it. It's designed for spot-drying and controlled styling.
Weight (g)
enter value/s in increments of i between 504 and 835
Cord length (m)
Length of the cord in metres.
enter value/s in increments of i between 1.7 and 3
Availability
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find them on second-hand websites, or in second-hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- Recommended
- CHOICE Expert Rating
- Performance score
- Ease of use score
- Drying rate score
- Airflow speed score
- Temperature range score
- Salon expert assessment
- Sound level (dB)
- Speed switch type
- Good points
- Bad points
- Expert salon assessment comments
- Availability
- Price
- Number of speed settings
- Number of heat settings
- Number of concentrator attachments
- Diffuser attachment
- Cool shot
- Turbo
- Ionic
- Ceramic
- Removable intake filter
- Other technology claims
- Heat switch type
- Cool shot switch type
- Other switches
- Cord length (m)
- Dimensions (mm, L x W x D)
- Weight (g)
- Rated power (W)
- Country of origin