Are you looking for the perfect travel hair dryer? With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which compact hair dryer is best suited for your needs.
I’ve taken the guesswork out of choosing the best small hair dryer for travel based on years of frequent and full time travel with mini hair dryers.
These are my favorite travel size hair dryers that are compact but don’t compromise on performance.
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Are Travel Hair Dryers Worth it?
Yes, travel hairdryers are definitely worth it – They are an essential packing list item. No one likes lugging around a full-size hair dryer, but we all know hotel hair dryers can’t always be relied on. You know the one’s I’m talking about – the hair dryers attached to the wall with a short cord and a waft of noisy air.
Travel hairdryers are lightweight and compact, ideal for vacations, destination weddings, or events. Most modern travel dryers come with dual-voltage settings, making them a great choice for international travelers.
Compact hairdryers are more powerful than ever and have innovative technology like ionic and ceramic elements that help speed up the drying process without damaging your hair.
During the five years I spent as a full time traveler, my Babybliss folding travel hair dryer was an essential travel accessory. Still, as a frequent traveler, I maintain that a good, preferably dual voltage travel hair dryer is a great investment.
There’s no reason you can’t feel confident with salon quality results no matter where in the world you are.
Our Top Pick Travel Dryers
- Best Rated for Every Hair Type – Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer
- Best Luxury Travel Dryer For Travel and Home- Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
- Best Budget Compact Hair Dryer – Conair miniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Travel Hair Dryer
- Best Folding Travel Dryer – BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer
- Top Pick – Best All Round Travel Hair Dryer (especially for long or damaged hair)- T3 Afar Lightweight TravelHair Dryer
- Most Powerful Lightweight Dryer – Revlon 1875W Compact Folding Hair Dryer
- Best for Curly Hair- StyleCraft Peewee Dryer Tri-Plex Fusion
Read on for full reviews
What to Look for in A Good Travel Hair Dryer
With portability and performance in mind, this is what to look for in a good small travel hair dryer.
Size, weight, portability, and power are the first things to look for in a good hair dryer for travel. You want a dryer that will not take up much room in your bag and is lightweight but doesn’t compromise on the power to dry your hair quickly.
A good travel hair dryer should have plenty of wattage for quick drying time, dual voltage for international use, plus tourmaline ceramic or Ionic technology to reduce frizz and add shine. It should also have adjustable heat settings to customize your look and avoid damaging your hair with too much heat.
With these features in mind, these are my favorite mini blowdryers.
The 7 Best Travel Hair Dryers
Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer
Weight: 13 ounces | Dimensions: 7.09 x 4.37 x 10 inches | Power: 1200 watts
If you want a fast, easy, and lightweight way to stay gorgeous on any trip, the Drybar Buttercup Travel Blower is a great solution. One of the most popular dual voltage travel hair dryers on the market, this compact yet powerful dryer packs an impressive punch in a petite package, making it perfect for international travel.
Compact, yet nearly as strong as a full-sized blowdryer. The Buttercup has two heat settings powered by a 1200-watt motor for the perfect balance of heat and airflow, while the Ionic technology seals cuticles for minimal frizz.
The uniform wave heat dispersion enables faster and more consistent drying for a superior result. Even with long hair, you can get sleek locks in only 10 minutes.
Its narrow concentrator nozzle allows for precise styling, allowing you to achieve salon-quality results on the go.
One of the standout features of this hairdryer is its foldable handle, which makes it easy to pack in a suitcase or carry-on bag.
It also includes a drawstring travel bag and a removable filter for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- Powerful for a small travel hair dryer
- Dual voltage
- Compact with a foldable handle for easy packing
- Removable filter for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Lower wattage compared to some other options
Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer
Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 9.6 x 3.9 x 3.1 inches | Power: 1600 watts
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is a fantastic travel hair dryer that goes above and beyond other travel models. This is an investment hairdryer that is perfect for both home and travel.
It features an innovative digital motor in the handle, making it lighter than most hair dryers. Its lightweight design and unique shape make it easy to pack for travel without taking up too much space – even in carry-on luggage.
This travel hair dryer is incredibly powerful, using intelligent heat control to produce super shiny, frizz-free locks in no time. The drying speed is fast, and the noise level is impressively low – perfect for hotels or traveling with other people.
The Dyson Supersonic has powerful 1600-watt rated power, 4 precise heat settings, and 3 precise speed settings to get the job done faster than most dryers. An impressive feature is the air temperature is measured 20 times every second, keeping the temperature under control and preventing extreme heat damage to protect the natural shine of your hair.
The attachments included with this travel hairdryer are also great for precise styling: a diffuser and styling concentrator, gentle air, and wide-tooth comb attachments help you achieve whatever look you want. With heat shield technology, these attachments stay cool, so you don’t have to worry about burns while styling your hair.
Overall, the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is a fantastic option if you’re looking for an efficient, professional-level travel hairdryer that’s lightweight and quiet yet still powerful enough to style your hair perfectly on the go.
The only downside to this hairdryer is it is the most expensive on our list, but it is suitable for both home and travel.
Pros:
- Powerful and lightweight
- Digital motor dries hair quickly
- Very quiet
- Cool shot button for setting the style
- Range of attachments for versatile styling options
- 1600 wattage
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Not dual voltage
Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer
Weight: 15.52 ounces | Dimensions: 3.75 x 6 x 9.88 inches | Power: 1200 watts
The Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer is a great option for travelers and our best budget travel hair dryer. The dryer’s lightweight design and foldable handle make packing and traveling easy, while its dual voltage feature allows you to use it abroad without needing an adapter.
It has a powerful 1200-watt motor with two heat and two speed settings that can dry your hair quickly. It also has Tourmaline Ceramic Technology to help fight frizz and bring out natural shine.
The lightweight and compact blow dryer includes a concentrator attachment for pinpoint styling and a velvet touch grip handle for ergonomic comfort.
Overall, the Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer is an excellent option for travelers needing a reliable yet budget-friendly hairdryer for travel.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Folding handle for easy packing
- Dual voltage feature for international travel
Cons:
- Not as powerful as some other options
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer
Weight: 9.6 Ounces | Dimensions: 5.5 x 2.5 x 7.9 inches | Power: 1000 watts
One of the smallest hair dryers on our list, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer is ideal for those who like to travel light. This is the perfect compact hair dryer for carry-on luggage. It literally fits in the palm of your hand when folded.
This may not be the most powerful dryer on our list, but it is certainly one of the most robust in the portable hair dryer range. I have used this dryer for over six years while traveling and at home, and it is still going strong. It’s still my go-to travel hair dryer when I need to travel extra light.
While it is incredibly lightweight and compact, it’s still powerful enough to get the job done – Although it may be better suited to short or mid-length hair.
With 1000 watts of power and nano titanium & ionic technology, it dries hair fast with less frizz than many super compact travel dryers on the market. It has two heat and speed settings for better control and less damage. Most importantly, for travel, it is a dual-voltage hair dryer. It also comes with an ultra-thin concentrator nozzle for better styling.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Folding handle for easy packing
- Super small and lightweight
- Dual voltage feature for international travel
Cons:
- Not as powerful as some other options
- It may not be suited to very thick or long hair.
T3 Afar Lightweight Travel-Size Hair Dryer
Weight: 1.27 pounds | Dimensions: 5.25 x 3 x 8.25 inches | Power: 1500 watts
Thanks to the wide, ion-infused airstream technology with the T3 Afar Lightweight Travel-Size Hair Dryer, it’s all about accelerated dry time and sleek, shiny locks.
This is another of my favorite compact hair dryers for travel, as it has all the features of a full size hair dryer but in a compact package. I tried this hair dryer recently in an apartment in Naples and was so impressed.
It features 1500 watts of power and a full suite of travel features, including auto-dual voltage, lock-in cool shot, 3 heat, and 2 speed settings on independent switches so you can easily style all hair types and textures from short, long to super curly.
Plus, it dries your hair fast while delivering smooth, shiny results with the power of negative ions.
It’s not as light as some other dryers, but it is still super compact for travel, and the results are as good as a full-size dryer. It also comes in a luxury travel pouch and concentrator attachment.
Tip: If you need a travel diffuser hairdryer, you can buy the matching T3 Afar Diffuser.
Pros
- Customizable heat and airflow on independent switches
- IonAir technology to prevent damage and control frizz
- Super powerful
- Auto dual voltage
- Folds for compact storage
Cons
- Not as light as some other dryers.
Revlon 1875W Compact Folding Handle Hair Dryer
Weight: 17 Ounces | Dimensions: 4 x 6 x 9 inches | Power: 1875 watts
Another super compact travel hair dryer but this time with more power – the Revlon 1875W Compact Folding Handle Hair Dryer really packs a punch in the size, weight, and power stakes.
This compact, foldable hair dryer from Revlon is your best bet for the perfect hairstyle wherever you go, with a sleek, foldable design that fits perfectly in any gym bag or carry-on.
The 1875-watt motor with two speed settings and a cool shot button will dry hair quickly. Triple ceramic and Ionic technology will minimize hair damage and eliminate frizziness revealing brilliant shine all day long.
It also has a worldwide dual voltage for effortless international travel.
Equipped with a hinged end cap, this dryer is made for convenience and optimal maintenance. Simply pop the cap up to quickly clean your dryer while you’re away so it stays in tip-top shape.
Pros:
- Powerful 1875-watt motor for quick drying
- Compact and lightweight design
- Comes with a cool shot button and a concentrator nozzle
Cons:
- Is a little noisier than some dryers
- The speed and heat control buttons aren’t separate.
StyleCraft Peewee Dryer
Weight: 9.35 ounces | Dimensions: 5.65 x 2.56 x 6.5 inches | Power: 1000 watts
The best travel diffuser hairdryer has to go to the StyleCraft Peewee Dryer.
The StyleCraft Peewee Dryer is the ideal travel hair dryer for people with curly hair who need a lightweight yet powerful travel dryer. This hairdryer has 1000 watts of power with two speeds and comes with an airflow concentrator and diffuser to create bouncy curls or sleek straight styles.
It uses Tri-Plex Fusion technology, which includes keratin, ceramic, and tourmaline, to reduce frizz and bring out the shine in your hair without over-drying or burning it.
PeeWee Travel Hair Dryers are dual voltage for global use and have a folding handle, making them super compact for traveling. This hairdryer is also super quiet for low disturbance wherever you go.
This is a great value for money travel hair dryer with a diffuser for curly hair.
Pros:
- Has travel size diffuser for curly hair.
- Lightweight folding design for easy packing.
- Quieter than many compact travel hairdryers
- Plenty of drying power despite the lower voltage
Cons:
- Doesn’t have multiple heat settings
- The speed and heat control buttons aren’t separate.
Best Compact Hair Dryers Quick Guide
| Product | Model | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Rated- Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Blow Dryer | Check Price |
 | Best Luxury Travel Dryer - Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer | Check Price |
 | Best Budget Compact Hair Dryer - Conair miniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Travel Hair Dryer | Check Price |
 | Best Folding Travel Dryer - BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer | Check Price |
 | Best All Round Travel Hair Dryer- T3 Afar Lightweight TravelHair Dryer | Check Price |
 | Most Powerful Lightweight Dryer - Revlon 1875W Compact Folding Hair Dryer | Check Price |
 | Best for Curly Hair- StyleCraft Peewee Dryer Tri-Plex Fusion | Check Price |
FAQs About Travel Hair Dryers
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer has a rated power of 1600 watts, making it one of the most powerful travel hairdryers available on the market. It features an innovative digital motor in the handle, making it lighter than most travel hair dryers, and offers four precise heat settings and three precise speed settings to get the job done faster than ever before.
Most travel hair dryers will come with some type of attachment for added versatility when styling your hair, such as a concentrator for pinpoint styling. The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer comes with a diffuser and styling concentrator, and wide-tooth comb attachments to help you achieve whatever look you’re going for. The Stylecraft Pewee Dryer comes with a travel size diffuser for curly hair.
Yes! Most brands of travel hair dryers have tourmaline ceramic technology as a minimum to protect hair from heat while adding shine and reducing frizz.
The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer has air temperature measured 20 times every second, keeping the temperature under control and preventing extreme heat damage to protect the natural shine of your hair. The T3 Afar uses ion-infused airstream technology to protect against damage for a shiny, bouncy look.
Most modern travel hairdryers have automatic dual voltage, which means they can be used in international outlets without an adapter. If you travel overseas, check if your hairdryer is dual voltage or requires an adapter before leaving home.