7 Travel Hair Dryers That Won't Take Up Your Whole Suitcase
A trusty travel hair dryer is one beauty essential that's worth a spot on every packing list. As crucial as this tool is for drying and styling hair, it's not exactly the easiest thing to pack—hair dryers are often bulky, heavy, and take up way too much room in your suitcase. Because of this, I used to rely on the hotel hair dryer, which would leave me with damaged, frizzy hair after spending what felt like hours of begrudgingly drying. Now, I pack a portable hair dryer with me no matter where I'm headed.
The best travel hair dryers are lightweight, packable, and get the job done quickly. To help you look and feel your best on every trip without sacrificing any space in your carry-on, we rounded up the best travel hair dryers from Drybar, Revlon, T3, and more. We also made sure to include some dual-voltage hair dryers that are ideal for international travel, so you don't have to worry about blowing a fuse when you're on vacation. We asked our editors for their favorites and scoured the internet for the best-selling hair dryers that weigh next to nothing and perform as well as the ones in the salon. Read on to find your new go-to hair tool, with options for every hair type.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Dry Bar Baby Buttercup travel blow dryer
Best for international travel
While I don’t travel with a hair dryer very often, when I do, this lightweight fold-up dryer from Drybar is my go-to companion. It weighs less than a pound and isn’t much bulkier than a pair of tennis shoes. Crucially, its size doesn’t impact the airflow—it’s strong and efficient, so much so that it’s my regular for blow-drying at home, too. I’ve had it for years and it hasn’t let me down yet. Plus, it offers dual voltage, making it safe to use abroad, too. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor
Weight: 13 ounces
Conair travel hair dryer
Best compact hair dryer
This Amazon bestseller from Conair has racked up over 28,000 ratings with an average of 4.6 stars. It's made specifically with travelers in mind—offering dual voltage and a folding handle that makes it supremely packable. Compact enough to fit in a weekender bag or a backpack, it's a smart choice for any type of trip. It works on all hair types with two speed settings and is powered by 1600 watts, providing the styling power of a full-size blow dryer in this small-but-mighty gem.
Weight: 1 pound
Mane This Totally Blows! Ionic compact hair dryer
Best frizz-free hair dryer
Prepare to be blown away by Mane’s travel-friendly hair dryer—compact enough to pack in your carry-on. The ion-powered blow dryer may be small (only weighing 13 ounces), but it’s mighty and forceful with its 1875 watts of power. It’ll quickly give you a frizz-free blowout and have your hair looking Gone with the Wind fabulous, especially with its three-temperature and two-speed adjustable settings. The blow dryer also comes with three separate attachments to help all hair types achieve a versatile range of styles, including a nozzle, diffuser, and wide-tooth comb attachment. Not to mention, its removable back cover makes filter cleaning a breeze. The blow dryer’s coolest feature is a built-in “cool shot” button to help set and keep your new ‘dos intact. —Johnaé De Felicis, contributor
Weight: 13 ounces
Gama Professional IQ3 hair dryer
Best professional hair dryer
My mom has been using a Gama for years and I finally just got my own. This lightweight hair dryer isn't specifically designed for travel—it's just a really good (like, professional) blow dryer that is nice and seriously packable. The newest model, the IQ3, weighs no more than an iPhone, and has a sleek profile that takes up very little space. I love how it leaves my hair (it's also fairly quiet, and quick to complete the job). What more could you ask for? —Megan Spurrell, senior editor
Weight: 10 ounces
T3 Afar lightweight hair dryer
Best lightweight hair dryer
This compact hair dryer from T3 boasts impressive capabilities for being such a small tool. It offers three heat settings, two speeds, and a cool shot to lock in shape and volume. It's easy to hold, quiet, and plenty powerful—drying hair quickly while leaving you with shiny, frizz-free locks. It features auto dual voltage and a stowaway folding handle that helps it fit nicely in any suitcase.
Weight: 12.2 ounces
Shark FlexStyle Air Drying and Styling System
Best fast-drying tool
Last year I tested the Shark FlexStyle to see how it compared to the viral $600 Dyson Airwrap Complete. There was no question that when it came to dry time, the Shark FlexStyle reigns supreme. The half-the-price alternative was the best hair dryer I've ever tried—drying my very long hair in under 10 minutes with a shiny finish every time. And now, I find myself packing the Shark FlexStyle whenever I'm traveling within the US (it's not compatible with international voltage). I leave its many attachments at home and only bring the slim Styling Concentrator, which helps control where exactly I want to dry. The best part is that the multi-styler can be twisted into an L shape that resembles a classic hair dryer, making it easier to hold and use. When it's time to pack it away, I simply twist the hair tool back into its original shape so it takes up much less suitcase room.
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Revlon compact hair dryer
Best affordable hair dryer
I'm a longtime fan of Revlon hair products—especially the One-Step Volumizer that delivers a bouncy blowout at a fraction of the price of other similar tools. This small hair dryer is another one of the brand's bestsellers, and it's just $11. The lightweight, affordable hair tool has garnered over 72,000 ratings on Amazon with an average of 4.6 stars. If you're looking for a great no-frills, travel-friendly hair dryer, this one's for you. It's simple and classic in design, offering two heat settings and an on/off switch. Price and simplicity aside, we love this one for its reliability: It dries hair quickly and completely and takes up a lot less room than the average full-size hair dryer.
Weight: 1.18 pounds
