In order for a hair dryer to be well-suited for travel, it first and foremost needs to be compact—after all, you don’t want it taking up too much precious space in your luggage. In the same vein, it’s helpful if your hair dryer is lightweight (again, you don’t want to deal with a hair tool that’s excessively heavy or bulky.) Other features, like a foldable handle or carrying case, can also make it especially poised for travel.
Other than those features, a travel hair dryer should have comparable benefits to a full-sized counterpart, and meet similar standards. For instance, “A good hair dryer will have at least three heat settings (hot, warm, and cool) and a high/low setting to control the airflow,” hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons previously told Vogue. What’s more, adjustable heat settings can help minimize damage to your hair.
It’s important to think about your hair’s texture. “Thick or curly hair may require higher heat levels and stronger airflow for effective styling, whereas fine or damaged hair may need lower heat and gentler airflow to prevent further damage,” hairstylist Angelo David told Vogue, adding that it’s important to consider if certain attachments would best suit your hair and help achieve your desired result.
Fitzsimons also suggests choosing a dryer with at least 1500 watts for everyday use, and 1800 to 2000 watts for thicker hair (that said, it’s worth noting this isn’t always feasible for a smaller, travel-friendly dryer). And, for travel dryers specifically, it can be helpful to make sure they’re compatible with international plugs.
