Bringing along your own hair dryer while traveling might seem like an unnecessary use of valuable luggage space—but you’ll likely wish you had one once you pull out the subpar model hiding under the bathroom sink in your hotel room, or worse, when you notice the lack of any hair dryer whatsoever when you get to your Airbnb.
The good news is, the best travel hair dryers won’t take up much room in your suitcase anyway. Travel hair dryers tend to be much smaller and lighter than their regular counterparts, and many are designed to fold into a compact size that won’t sacrifice the overall power of the styling product. Many of our favorites are also dual voltage, which means you won’t have to worry about using an adaptor, or blowing a fuse in your hotel bathroom, while abroad.
To help you look and feel your best on every trip, we rounded up the best travel hair dryers to pack in your carry-on. These lightweight, portable options from Drybar, Babyliss, Revlon, and more work quickly and quietly on the go. Read on to find your new go-to hair tool for travel, with options for every hair type.
FAQ:
What should I look for in a travel hair dryer?
When shopping for a travel hair dryer, you’ll want to prioritize size and voltage first and foremost—but many of the best models are also foldable and include their own carrying bag. It should also be powerful enough to actually dry your hair properly without causing frizziness or taking hours to get the job done.
What is a dual-voltage hair dryer?
Dual-voltage hair dryers have two heating coils and are designed to function with both 110V and 240V outlets. Most dual-voltage hair dryers will also come equipped with a built-in adapter that you can toggle between the two different voltage levels while traveling.
Do I need a dual-voltage hair dryer when traveling?
Technically, you do not need a dual voltage hair dryer when traveling—but it is worth the investment if you want to make sure your hair dryer lasts a long time. The US uses a lower voltage (110-120V) than many other countries, most of which use 220-240V. If you’re using a hair dryer abroad that is not dual voltage, you’ll need to use a voltage converter in order for it to work properly. While this will do the trick, using a voltage converter on an appliance like a hair dryer can risk blowing a fuse in your hotel room and can even cause issues with your hair dryer when you return home.