If you’re reading this article, there’s a very high chance you are someone who likes to avoid confrontation and be as non-problematic as possible. And I get it — like you, I also prioritise others’ comfort before my own. Whether you live with uptight roommates, or if you’ve just got unconventional “get-ready” timings of the day, you know that the noise of a functioning hair dryer can really spike up your paranoia. Just plugging it in has already got you anxious over whether you’ve woken up the entire household. I’m pretty sure hair dryers are a huge component in many of the songs they play in Hell. My point is — I hate the noise hair dryers make and I’m sure you do too.
In this article, we’ve shortlisted a couple of our favourite quiet hairdryers so that you can go about your day with peace of mind. Let’s get started!
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
Our Pick
Benefits
- Ergonomic design
- Nano-Titanium tech
- Three heat settings
- Three speed settings
- Comes with a nozzle for styling options
- Filter removable and is easy to clean
Drawbacks
- Buttons may get in the way during styling
Best Quiet Hair Dryers in 2024
Buying Guide
If our article didn’t turn up any promising leads for you, that’s completely fine. Let’s help you find a quiet hair dryer that is suitable for you with these helpful factors to include in your decision making.
Wattage
Like most of the blow dryers we’ve listed in this article, most of these have a wattage of 1800-watts on average. The higher the wattage, the hotter the air it produces. While this could mean a quicker drying process, it could also damage thinner hair types due to the heat levels. As a guide, if you have thin to average straight hair, 1300 – 1800 watts is a good range for an ideal hair dryer. For example, with a 1200 wattage, the Panasonic Low-Noise IONITY Hair Dryer would be a great choice for you.
Beyond 1800-watts would be optimal for thicker and curlier hair types! In this case, hair dryers like the TREZORO Professional Ionic Salon Hair Dryer would be your best bet. It comes with a 2200-wattage that emits a generous airflow, ideal for thicker and curlier hair.
If you have damaged hair, we highly urge staying away from heat-styling products to prevent further stress and damage to your locks.
However, when it comes to finding a hair dryer that is also quiet, the wattage can also help you gauge whether it has enough power to provide you a quiet yet powerful experience. For example, if a hair dryer is marketed to only have 1200 watts but is said to be extremely quiet, you might be getting a product with weak airflow.
Tech Specs
If you’ve read through our list, you would’ve seen terms like “Ionic Technology” and “Ceramic Tourmaline” a lot. These two terms are great to look out for in a product if you want a blow dryer that doesn’t frizz up your hair and shortens the drying time. Tourmaline is a great material that generates ions and infrared to help dry hair faster without sucking out all of the moisture, leaving your hair with a healthy sheen. With a ceramic material, it also ensures even distribution of heat to prevent overheating.
“Infrared” mostly caters to ensuring an even distribution of heat to prevent heat or drying out of the scalp. For example, the MHU Professional Hair Dryer in our list uses far-infrared tech to prevent heat damage.
More high-tech hair dryers like the Dyson Supersonic come with technical specs like a “touch-cool” which ensures that the surface of the hair dryer is always safe to touch even in use. Another cool feature the Dyson hair dryer has is “Temperature Control” — which configures the hair dryer in real-time to produce optimal heat settings based on the environment’s temperature.
Most importantly, noise reduction is also a key spec to look out for. While it is normal for most affordable hair dryers out in the market to produce some noise while in use, you might want to look out for those that produce less noise than the average product. I mean, it’s great that the Dyson Supersonic is designed to emit an inaudible frequency when in use, but not everyone has the money to spare for it.
Conclusion
Did any of our picks blow you away (quietly, of course.)? If you couldn’t anoint your best quiet hair dryer from our list, we highly advise using our buying guide to aid you in your pursuit. Electronic products can be a hassle to figure out just through their marketed descriptions, so keep a lookout for real customer reviews! No pressure on finding the right product for you in one day — we couldn’t decide on one either, and hopefully, our list has spoilt you for choice or at least inspired your search. I’m sure your housemates will thank you for being a considerate resident.
FAQ
No hair dryer is one-size fits all. For some, a pricier hair dryer implies a safer, more advanced and durable product. Others may argue that cheaper alternatives do the job well enough. While it may be intimidating to decide, the best way to go about it is to check out reviews and recommendations — just like this article where we’ve listed out a range of products of different prices and technicalities. If you see anything you might be interested in, zone in on that and do a deep dive on other customer reviews and the brand.
If it ain’t broke — why fix it? While it’s rare for hair dryers to cause huge hazards unless carelessly handled, there are some telltale signs to look out for so you can replace your hair dryer before it goes kaput on you. Newer models of hair dryers tend to have a built-in safety switch that automatically turns the entire product off when it detects an overheating. Check your air filter at the back of the hair dryer too — it could have collected a substantial amount of dust. Most hair dryers have made this product part easy to remove for convenient cleaning, but in case you haven’t been doing so, this is your sign to do it now! A clogged up filter only increases the chance of the dryer overheating faster and also emits the smell of burnt hair.
Another sign is if the blow dryer is emitting air that feels hotter than usual. This could either indicate that it is nearing its expiration or if it is defected. If you plan on disposing your hair dryer, check online if there is a proper way to dispose of electronic waste. Most councils and some salons offer a free disposal service of electronic waste. This way, we keep toxic metals far from rubbish landfills and contribute to recycling more items the responsible way.
Always test your hair product before using it. Check if it switches on and that all of its settings work without faltering. If the cord is starting to fray and show exposed wires, do not continue to use. At all costs, avoid using the hair dryer in places that are wet, like the bathroom. If it does come in contact with water, turn off the dryer immediately and unplug it to avoid accidents. When you are done using your hair dryer, switch it off, then pull out the plug. Lastly, when in use, keep the cord far from children or areas of high traffic.