The 13 Best Inexpensive Blow Dryers — & They’re All Under $50

The REVLON 1875 is one of the most popular options with over 20,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating — and it’s under $30. Infrared technology offers shine and softness, while tourmaline ionic technology reduces frizz. Pair those features with the 1875-wattage and dual heat and speed settings, and it’s no wonder this dryer is a favorite for minimizing drying time and maximizing shine. Last but not least, it comes in a sleek rose gold finish and includes a diffuser and a concentrator.

Helpful review: “I am a licensed cosmetologist and I immediately noticed how light this dryer is compared to the ones I use for work. I use this one for home use and it does a great job. It's not that loud either as some dryers can be. I mainly use it to diffuse my curls. I have yet to try blow drying someone's hair straight with it. I am totally impressed with its weight.”

This Conair blow dryer has thousands of ratings, and reviewers keep raving about how powerful, fast, and versatile it is. It has ion technology to cut back on frizz, as well as a ceramic coating so that the heat is distributed more evenly, which is safer for your hair. Multiple speed and heat settings help you dry hair quickly and at your preferred temperature, while a cold shot button allows you to lock in curls. An included diffuser attachment is great for curly or wavy styles, while the included concentrator helps smooth the hair.

Helpful review: "I am so passionate about this amazing hair dryer that I've bought it for my mom and sister. Everyone needs this hairdryer. For the price, you will not get a better hairdryer. To be honest, you could spend 10X the price and this would still be the better buy.”

Infrared heat penetrates the strand to dry hair from the inside-out, and as a result, it evenly distributes warmth while minimizing damage and frizz. Unfortunately, these types of blow dryers are usually on the expensive side — but this infrared hair dryer is shockingly affordable. It's great for locking in styles thanks to its tourmaline ionic technology and various settings. This one even comes with a removable filter and a concentration nozzle.

Helpful review: "This hairdryer uses Infrared technology to dry hair from the ‘inside-out’ (of hair cuticles) which significantly reduces drying time, frizz, and heat damage! This hairdryer is SO well priced, light, and a great color. I introduced my hair stylist to it and she loved it!”

Because of its powerful AC motor and nozzle-less design, the Karrong ionic blow dryer has been compared to the Dyson, which costs upwards of $500. It has three heat settings and two speed settings, as well as three twist-on attachments for diffusing, straightening, and smoothing. It’s also compact, lightweight, and quiet, all while drying hair efficiently, with less frizz, and with less damage. As a few reviewers wrote, it’s “tiny but mighty” and an “awesome Dyson knockoff.”

Helpful review: “So I’ve wanted the Dyson hair dryer for some time now, but short of winning the lottery, I was never going to spend what it costs. So I found this little guy thinking, ‘what the heck, it’s worth trying,’ right? Well, I am AMAZED. I have thick hair that is always frustratingly frizzy. I live in Georgia, so the humidity is unreal and I never thought a hair dryer would actually be able to make it less frizzy.”

For some, a $50 cap is a little too steep. If you’re looking for something that costs a fraction of that, the Conair full-size pro hairdryer is the cheapest option on this list — but according to thousands of five-star reviews, it still performs surprisingly well. It uses ionic output, tourmaline ceramic, and even heating to dry hair fast and with less damage. It also has two settings and a cool shot button, all for $20 in either chrome or teal.

Helpful review: “This is the best blow dryer made! Plenty of power and the controls are positioned better than any other dryer on the market that I could find. The controls are in the middle of the handle part so it's easy for those of us who switch back [and] forth between right [and] left hands. And the controls are high enough (but not too high) on the handle so that there is enough of the handle to have a good grip on without accidentally hitting a switch which is such a help for those of us with weak thumbs & fingers due to arthritis, etc.”

If you love a good blowout, this might be the best under-$50 purchase you ever make. The cult-favorite Revlon One-Step is both a blow dryer and hair styler in one. With barely any effort involved, you'll get a quick, voluminous blowout that looks like it was done by a professional. Not only does it add body at the root and dry hair evenly, but it also detangles knots and enhances shine. In short, it might actually be the only hair tool you ever need, since it can create sleek, straight looks and big, voluminous curls alike.

Helpful review: "I love this hair dryer!! I bought it because I broke my shoulder and only have the use of one arm. Before my shoulder was broken, I used a very expensive hairdryer and the best brushes. This hair dryer works better than all of my high-end products. I'll never go back. The brush is big and I was concerned that it would be too much for my short hair. It will work great on any length hair. The bristles grab even the shortest hair and dry it smooth and soft. My hair is naturally curly and before trying this dryer, I'd dry my hair, straighten it and then use hot rollers. I am now achieving the same results with the Revlon dryer.”

With its large included diffuser, the JINRI professional salon hair dryer has reviewers saying it's "the best hair dryer for curls." This one not only has multiple heat and speed settings and a powerful 1875-watt motor, but it also has multiple features in place to minimize damage — which is a must if you're looking for bouncy, frizz-free curls. The negative ions function reduces static frizz and helps to hold moisture deep in the hair shaft, so curly strands stay healthy and hydrated. Infrared technology heats hair evenly from the inside out, reducing damage to your curls. And while the dryer and diffuser attachment both work great for curly hair, it also comes with a concentrator and styling pik attachments, making it suitable for all hair types.

Helpful review: "I love this hair dryer so much that this is the 2nd hair dryer I've bought from this brand. My son decided that he needed a hair dryer and I wasn't about to give up mine, so I bought him this one, because I know it's a quality product. I've had my first one for around 5 months and it works wonderfully. He loves this hair dryer. He likes how soft his hair feels. The attachments also help, especially the concentrator. The 3 different temperature settings are nice, so you can adjust as needed for whatever style you are trying to achieve. This is well made [and] definitely a long-term hair dryer.”

Even though it's small, lightweight, and foldable, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer packs a surprising punch. It has a 1,000-watt motor, plus nano titanium and ionic technology so that it dries your hair quickly with smooth, shiny results. It also comes with a dual voltage option, so that you can truly bring it anywhere in the world, and weighs less than a pound — both of which are two great features when you're packing light and traveling internationally.

Helpful review: "I prefer a smaller dryer with less wattage because the “power” models fry and straighten my hair in an undesirable way. I’ve used the Babyliss portable for several years as my primary hair tool. It doesn’t take up space, fits my small hands, and offers precision styling. This dryer is one of the most reliable electronic tools I’ve owned. I replaced my old model because I liked the new color, not because it stopped working.”

For tons of people, the curling motion of the brush is the hardest part when it comes to styling their hair. That's where this ceramic ionic styler comes in. It comes with three interchangeable attachments that hold and brush the hair while you dry, so it requires a single hand and minimal technique. It's also got awesome features like ionic technology, ceramic even heat, and high-velocity air-flow.

Helpful review: "I’ve spent lots of money on countless blow dryers through the years. Took a vacation recently and the house was equipped with one of these blow dryers [and] I was sold immediately. I have very long hair which takes around 20 plus minutes to dry. Pretty annoying on the daily basis. After buying this little gem.....my drying time is cut down to around 5-7 minutes. I also love the attachment features it comes with. Makes styling while drying much easier. Huge fan of this dryer!”

For those who are looking for a compact blow dryer (without having to settle for a travel option), this blow dryer is it. It's a great choice for limited drawer space or small bathrooms because it's easy to hold, weighs roughly 2 pounds, and stores its cord inside the handle. That said, don't let its size fool you; it still features ionic technology, three heat settings, and two speeds — and people can't stop talking about how quiet it is. You can get this one in five colors: black, magenta, pink (pictured), teal, and purple.

Helpful review: "This dryer takes up less room, and it's a bonus that it has a retractable charging cord, which helps keep my drawer tidy. I also like that it has three settings (cool, warm, and hot) and that you can set it on low or high speed. I particularly like that it comes with a concentrator for those times when I want to dry my hair straight, and with a diffuser attachment, for when I decide to go wavy/curly. All in all, a great buy. It's a powerful dryer and very pretty in pink. I couldn't be more pleased.”

If you’re looking to upgrade your hair dryer, this HOT TOOLS Pro Signature Ionic 2200 Turbo ceramic hair dryer looks like something you’d see professionals use. And, that thought isn’t necessarily wrong, as many professionals have praised this particular dryer. This 1875 watt dryer has six heat and speed options and comes with a concentrator and diffuser attachment.

Helpful review: "I love this blow dryer! I have thick but fine hair and it definitely ‘holds’ water! This blow dryer made the job not only faster, but easier! It was recommended to me by my stylist who uses them exclusively in her salon.”

If your biggest priority is shortening your morning routine, you'll need something that dries hair fast and without frizz. Reviewers say that the NITION ceramic dryer is "amazing" because it "cuts drying time in half." It's got 1875 watts of power and is infused with ionic technology, argan oil, and nano silver, all of which neutralize positive charges and cut down on damage and static. Best of all, it's made from quality materials, comes with three easy-to-use diffusers, and has a removable filter, so it'll last you quite a while.

Helpful review: "My hair is curly and frizzy so I need a dryer that blows strong and gets really hot. This little blow dryer is the best I’ve had in over 10 years! My hair is super frizzy right now because I need a [haircut] in the worst way but this blow dryer...wow... couldn’t believe how soft and shiny my hair is after using it! So so so happy with it. I have spent up to $250 on a blow dryer that blew up on me in 2 months so if this $40 dryer gets through six months and dies on me, I will definitely buy it again.”

Usually, inexpensive dryers mean cheap plastic materials that burn your hair. The Remington damage control hair dryer is the exception. Even though it's extremely affordable, it has a grill infused with micro-conditioners, which help to provide three times the average protection. It's also constructed with ceramic materials, negative ion capabilities, and tourmaline technology to protect the cuticle from overheating. Finally, it has multiple heat settings and a quick-cool button so you can choose the ideal temperature for your specific hair type. Reviewers say, "Works beautifully in drying my hair without causing damage."

Helpful review: "It's a great product. My old hair dryer would take about 10 minutes to dry my hair after a shower. I later found out the model had already been discontinued, so I thought it was time for a new one. This one is great. It dryes my hair in about 3 minutes and i have hair that reaches past my shoulder blades. It blows good hot air, but the outside purple plastic parts are completely safe to touch. They hardly get warm even after I use it on the highest setting, so your fingers won't get burned.”