Best Hair Dryers for Black Hair: Let’s Preserve Your Crowning Glory!

Whether you’re an at-home or salon stylist, blow-drying natural black hair is often an overwhelming experience. This unique kinky hair type can take hours to achieve your favorite styles. You either get long-lasting arm/shoulder strains, or a little relaxation is enough to damage your hair. Believe us; your hair isn’t guilty of everything terrible going on.

In fact, in its natural state, black hair is delicate and is prone to damage and breakage. So is your hair dryer? Nope. Well, actually, yes. We believe that blow dryers are of the devil either because we’re not using the right one or we go overboard and use them too often. With that in mind, we’ve cherry-picked some of the best hair dryers for black hair, each of which works efficiently, protects your hair from damage, and is easy to use.

Some contain multiple attachments to accommodate your curl pattern and create desirable styles. Similarly, some feature modern technologies to ensure a faster and damage-free blowout. And trust us, much more. Whatever’s done here is to treat your hair with love and care so that you can prevent more intensive treatments down the road. So, stay tuned and learn:

How to properly blow-dry black hair along with a perfect pre and post-blowout routine, what to look for when buying a blow dryer for black hair, the eight best eight air dryers for black hair, and most important, frequently asked questions answered.

Our Top Picks

Do you feel like reading only some of the pieces but still making the best decision? You can trust us, my friend. So here’s a quick rundown of the three best hair dryers for black hair with their features and the reasons why they’re actually ‘best.’

1. FHI HEAT Nano Power Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer

Key Benefits

1. The dryer offers high-velocity heat and airflow, reducing drying time to 50%.
2. It contains multiple heat/airspeed settings and a cold air option, allowing for a safer drying and styling variety.
3. With ceramic tourmaline-infused ionic technology, you’ll get more shine, smoothness, and less frizz and static.
4. The dryer is lightweight and ergonomically designed, which means no arm/shoulder strains.
5. A long power cord for easy usage; and a back vent for adequately cleaning the dryer.

2. GAMA Italy IQ Perfetto Professional Dryer

Key Benefits

1. The dryer offers an 1875-watt brushless motor for faster drying and 3threeheat/speed options to switch between the temperature and airspeed as needed.
2. The dryer is lightweight and has an ergonomic design with active oxy technology.
3. The dryer contains three attachments—one diffuser for wavy or curly styles and 2twoconcentrator nozzles for precise drying and styling.
4. With an LED memory configuration system, you’re fully aware of the heat and air you need.
5. An innovative micro filter and an easy auto-clean system expand the dryer’s lifespan.

3. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia

Key Benefits

1. This dryer contains a high-power motor that dries hair quickly and effectively, like the dryers above. Plus, the heat shield technology prevents the attachments’ surface from getting hot.
2. The company offers branded, special Dyson smoothing nozzles, a styling concentrator, and a diffuser.
3. The dryer is lightweight and designed ergonomically, allowing for a comfortable blowout. Additionally, you can switch between different temperatures with three settings available.

What Does Black Hair Mean?

Black hair is the hair texture of Afro and Afro-American populations, mainly associated with Black people. Each strand of black hair type grows in a tiny, spiraled, angle-like helix shape, creating an effect contrary to straight, curly, or wavy hair types. Sometimes named ‘natural’ black hair, this hair is characterized by adjectives like kinky, nappy, wooly, spiraled, etc.

To fully understand this unique, gorgeous hair texture, you’ll need a little background about the hair type system. In 1997, hair stylist Andre Walker designed a standardized numerical grading system for human hair types, now known as the ‘Andre Walker Hair Typing System.’ This system classifies afro-textured hair as ‘type 4,’ with other three sequent numbers as 1, 2, and 3, for straight, wavy, and curly hair types, respectively. In addition, each numeric value adds English letters A, B, and C, used as pointers of the degree of coil/kink variation in each type. All the existing Afro-textured hair types start from the ‘4A’ to ‘4C’, with this last subcategory being the most typical of the Afro-textured hair type.

With all that said, black hair is the curliest of all hair types out there. This curl pattern is the pointer that makes black hair unique, making your personality special and unique! Here, the most crucial point you must be keen about is that not all hair types falling into the Afro-textured category are equal, so they shouldn’t be treated equally while managing or blowing them out. For example, perfectly blow-drying 4C hair requires extra care while designing a hair care routine. Similarly, the kinky hair of type 4A might keep you a little bit at ease.

So, is there any rule of thumb for the generally known black hair type? Yes, there is one. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best hair dryers for black hair that you can use without any danger or reservation, no matter which Afro-textured hair type you have.

How Do You Air Dry Black Hair?

By using a hair dryer. Simple answer. Easy. Right? No. Air-drying black hair can be as tricky and tiresome as this hair type seems to be. Whether you’re an already-into-the-game lady or a total newbie, the below pre and post-blowout tips and tricks will minimize any mistakes during the process and give you the gorgeous; you got it!

Pre-Blowout Preps

Wash It Out

Though useful for all hair types, it’s a must-have for black hair. Use a mild, cleansing shampoo to do so. When washing, ensure your fingers touch the scalp while moving them gently and slowly through the hair to prevent knotting and tangling. This will also help untangle your hair, using merely your fingers or a comb.

Rinse your hair thoroughly and condition it with a palmful of your favorite deep-conditioning products to smoothen it. Let the product remain moisturized for 30 minutes. This will help your cuticles stay moisturized longer and prevent frizz. Then rinse your hair again until the water runs clear.

Let Your Hair Dry

Pat the hair dry before using the hair dryer. Wrap it in a microfiber towel or a T-shirt until it’s at least 70% dry or slightly damp. Avoid rubbing (either harshly or gently) as this fluffs up the cuticles. While your hair is still damp, run a wide-tooth comb to detangle it, starting from the ends and slightly moving up to the scalp to prevent your coils from breaking. When done detangling, apply hair oil or leave-in conditioner, raking it through your fingertips, from roots to the ends. All this is done to smoothen your coils out while ensuring they’re moisturized to bear the blowout session lovingly.

Let the product seep into your hair thoroughly, and let the hair be at least 90% dry by sitting under a bonnet hair dryer for 10-40 minutes, depending on the length and thickness of your hair. No bonnet dryer? Let it air dry naturally.

Section Your Hair Apart

Divide your hair into 6-8 equal sections using your fingertips or a wide-tooth comb. If your hair still feels damp to the touch, give it some more time to get it dry completely. Once dried, continue sectioning again. Apply a heat protectant spray to each section to shield your coils from heat damage and decrease water evaporation from the hair shaft.

Twist each section up and secure them with a clip.

It’s Time to Unleash Your Dryer!

Handling The dryer isn’t as easy as it seems to be. Start with the lowest, or if needed, with the medium setting. High heat/airspeed will likely cause hair damage and frizz. You can also start by using additional attachments – place the nozzle on the hair dryer to direct the airflow to a specific section, whereas a diffuser if you want to retain your curly, kinky, or wavy hair texture.

Keep the dryer at least 6 inches away from the hair while pointing the dryer down onto the shaft to force the cuticles downwards. This will give you a smoother finish. Also, start drying from the lower sections sideways or the back of your head if you have long hair, as it takes longer to dry. Next, start from the roots to the ends and gradually move to the following sections, ensuring the roots are thoroughly dried.

If you’re using a brush or comb, don’t wrap too much around it, as the hair underneath will not dry properly.

Once covered in all sections, repeat drying until each section is dried. Then, remove the attachment and give your hair a final blast of cold air to close the cuticles and lock in style all day long.

After-blowout Hacks

Not so many things to focus on here. Use a hair spray to add some extra longevity to the style you’ve finished with.

8 Best Blow Dryers For Black Hair: Pick Up the Perfect Piece!

Let’s now fulfill our promise. You need one. We’ve listed the 10. This is because nothing can be perfect enough to meet your blow-drying desires and needs. Each of them may have one drawback or two, and maybe the next one can compensate for what the previous one lacks. So, allow our keen observation and extensive research to favor you and help you pick the most suitable product immediately!

1. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Portofino Hair Dryer

The dryer’s unique nano titanium technology has won it thousands of happy users. Titanium dryers can heat the hair more gently and evenly, resulting in a faster-than-usual drying time and minor hair damage.

Suitable for all hair types, this dryer includes a removable cleaning filter, allowing easy, fast, and efficient dryer cleaning.

Sadly, on the ‘thin’ black hair, the medium heat setting may feel harsh on hair. However, taking a few breaks during the blowout can make things comfortable.

2. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia

This Dyson Supersonic dryer has been the favorite among thousands of ladies with black hair. This dryer is the only one on the list with the company’s original, unique magnetic attachments, which you can adjust quickly and easily.

1. The smoothing nozzle uses wide air to dry hair smoothly.
2. Styling concentrator that offers section styling without disturbing the rest.
3. The diffuser heats each section evenly.

The dryer’s high-power motor offers a controlled, high heat and high-velocity airflow. Air temperature is measured 20 times every second, keeping it under control. Despite its high heating ability, the attachments’ surface stays excellent thanks to its heat shield technology.

The dryer is a bit expensive but still worth buying as it contains almost all the features that make for the best hair dryer for black hair. So pick it, use it. You’ll love it!

3. GAMA Italy IQ Perfetto Professional Dryer

This blow dryer for black hair offers a fully customizable and automatic blow-drying experience. The powerful 1700-watt brushless motor gains Seven Times Faster speed Than Traditional Hair Dryers, reducing drying time to 40%.

Additionally, the dryer’s memory Function technology allows memorizing different available heat/speed configurations, all easily managed thanks to the digital interface. Plus, you can lock the selected configurations using the appropriate lock button to avoid accidental changes.

Weighing only 1lb, the dryer contains one diffuser, two nozzles, an innovative micro filter, and an active clean system.

Oddly, the power cord is a bit heavier but longer enough to use the dryer freely.

4. ONE Style Ceramic Ionic Honeycomb Blow Dryer

ONE Style, a professional Beauty and Personal Care seller in the U.S. dedicates this dryer to people with black hair. The dryer has an 1875w AC motor and different heat/speed options to set the airflow and temperature at any stage during the blowout.

Equipped with two removable concentrators, the dryer is lightweight, coated with ceramic material, and infused with negative ionic technology. Plus, The company offers a 1-year warranty for this hair dryer.

The only issue with this dryer is that the diffuser sometimes falls off during drying. However, you can demand from the company using guidelines to ensure you fit it properly. Such a well-reputed U.S.-based company will never refuse to give that favor to you!

5. Turbo Power Twin Turbo Stainless Steel Hair Dryer

Turbo Power is a reputable, high-end hair tools brand. This highly-rated hair dryer from the brand has a unique 2000 HRK lamination motor which is more durable and robust than other listed best hair dryers for black hair.

Weighing around 1lb, this dryer features four heat, two airspeed settings, and a cold air option to keep the style in place for longer. Moreover, a detachable stainless steel filter allows easy dryer cleaning, and a 118-inch long cord ensures easy mobility.

You may buy a nozzle attachment separately, as the added one sometimes falls off. However, it’s better to replace something if it’s causing damage to itself or you!

6. T3 Micro Cura Digital Ionic Professional Hair Dryer

Many black hair ladies who frequently have to have quicker blowouts keep this hair dryer always handy. Winner of the 2018 BRIDES Beauty Award, this dryer approves even the most difficult styles for kinky hair types.

This hair dryer throws a wide, ionic-infused airflow, giving you shinier and healthier-looking hair.

The most reoccurring issue with this dryer is that the heating coil breaks within one year of purchase. However, the company is always willing to give it a replacement whenever its customers face such serious issues.

7. Elchim Classic Professional Salon Ceramic Hair Dryer

Other benefits aside, what we loved the most about this blow dryer for black hair is its uniquely designed motor lasting 2,000 working hours. This calculatingly means the dryer will last over 20 years if you use it daily for 30 minutes!

This dryer features ionic technology for frizz-free results. Plus, an 1875-watt powerful motor offers strong airflow and high speed, which you can control with two air and five heat options.

Sadly, the dark side of the dryer lies just within one of its helpful features, i.e., the long power cord. Unfortunately, long cords are challenging to store correctly and become prone to crack and damage. So you either have to buy a new one, or it may cause an electric shock.

No worries, we have the solution. Opt for a cord-keeping reel, a drum-shaped tool used to spiral up wires and cables whenever not in use.

8. FHI HEAT Nano Power Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer

Loved by consumers and hair experts alike, this FHI HEAT Platform hair dryer dries black hair quickly, reducing the drying time to 50%. In addition, its ceramic tourmaline-infused ionic technology dries hair evenly, preventing frizz and damage.

Ideal for all hair types, including kinky black hair, this dryer is lightweight and designed ergonomically.

The dryer contains a substantial back vent that ensures the air thrown from the front is stable and robust. Sadly, the only issue is the only issue. Hair dryers with a back vent need extra care and proper cleaning. A little carelessness can cause the vent to get clogged.

What To Look for Before Buying A Hair Dryer For Black Hair

Now is the perfect time to know what features make for the best hair dryers for black hair and how they’re different from regular ones. But, first, you need to remember some of the basic things – we’re not going to stuff you up with the science, just the functionality of different features, their benefits for your black hair, and a little bit of info on different variations available in the dryers.

Wattage and Power

The wattage of a dryer determines how powerful airflow it throws and how much hotter it gets. For a hair dryer having a single, high wattage for a hair dryer doesn’t mean it would suit your black hair. Instead, you need an average wattage range for the safest blowouts. The higher the wattage, the quicker the drying time. This reduced drying time will prevent hair damage caused by prolonged heat exposure and increase the dryer’s lifespan.

Usually, hair dryers range between 1100-3600 watts. However, a 1700-2000 watts dryer is ideal for black hair.

Multiple Heating and Airspeed Settings

Unlike regular dryers with a single heat and airspeed intensity, a hair dryer with multiple heating and airspeed settings works best for all hair types. For example, ideal blow dryers for black hair are the ones that allow you to control the airflow and the heat levels separately.

Also, it doesn’t matter whether the dryer has a button with a screen or a dial or switch. The only essential point is that The more settings, the better for your black hair.

Added Attachments

Best hair dryers for black hair should have useful attachments to facilitate you in both drying and styling your black hair. The diffuser, concentrator nozzle, and comb attachments are the best.

Another advantage of all three attachments is that they protect your hair from the dryer’s hot coils, preventing any possible hair damage.

The concentrator nozzle is used for precise drying/styling, focusing the heat and air on a narrow, targeted area. In addition, the nozzle gives you more control over which hair section to expose heat to.

This equipment is helpful when you want to achieve section styling or get the smoothest, shiniest look possible.

Pro Tip: Use the nozzle with extra care whenever you need it. The nozzle’s targeted airflow increases the chances of black hair’s unique curl pattern getting frizzy and frayed.

A diffuser reduces the dryer’s standard air volume, allowing only diffused air to pass through a wider area. Hence, the hair sticks in place and dries without getting frizzy. As a result, it becomes straightforward and fun to create curls with volume and softness. 

Pro tip: Avoid too much brushing or operating of the hair when using the diffuser. Doing so will oppose the diffuser’s supposed functioning, causing frizz and partial hair drying.

The third one, the comb, helps handle your hair desirably while you use the dryer. Also, the comb attachment allows you not to engage both hands, creating ease of use. Blow dryers with comb attachments also eliminate the need to buy additional combs or brushes during the blowout.

FYI: These attachments are sold separately; getting them as part of a dryer means saving money.

Technologies (Ionic, Ceramic, Tourmaline, and Titanium)

It all starts – and should be – with ionic technology, which further sets the basis for other valuable technologies.

Drying hair with a regular dryer and one that’s ionic makes a massive difference in the overall quality of a blowout session.

Regular hair dryers have a motorized fan in the back that sucks air into the dryer through the metal heating coils and throws it out from the front as hot air. This is that simple.

Ionic dryers have a similar fan-functioning system; the only difference is the heating element/coil inside. Unlike regular dryers with ordinary metal-based coils, ionic dryers have additional gem/stone materials like ceramic, porcelain, titanium, tourmaline, or even pearls. These materials get activated when heated and shoot negative ions into your hair.

Essential dryers spit out hot air, heating your hair layer by layer until it’s dry. This mere drying causes much damage to your outer cuticles. The harmful ionic-charged heat that ionic dryers produce cuts down on drying time.

Ionic dryers emit deep penetrating infrared heat that first targets the inner layers of your hair, basically drying it from the inside out and breaking the water molecules faster. That said, hair dries quickly, and there’s an even drying, ensuring more safety and minor damage.

This way, ionic dryers make for smooth, polished hair as well as they often preserve curls, too. Negative ions prevent your hair from becoming frizzy, wiry, and hard to manage, offering you more relaxed and flexible cuticle layers.

Ceramic, Tourmaline, Titanium

One reason for using such expensive materials in the dryer is that they make for an ionic hair dryer. A hairdryer can either have ionic material on or as a heating coil; a slight difference between both options.

When shopping for an ideal hair dryer for black hair, prefer a ceramic-coated heating coil, especially infused with tourmaline, or a dryer only containing titanium-coated coils.

Overall, both options are good, but they have their differences.

The ceramic coat distributes heat more evenly while releasing negative ions. The only difference is that ceramic coats can lower and maintain the dryer’s temperature according to the surrounding temperature, preventing hair from getting overheated and damaged.

Like ceramic, titanium material too heats evenly and releases negative ions. The difference is that dryers with titanium heating coils get very hot fast. This is great as it reduces drying time, but it is still dangerous as it’s easy to overdo and makes your hair prone to damage. But as a plus, titanium dryers make your hair smoother, shinier, and less staticky.

Design Of The Dryer

Only the design of a hair dryer determines its durability and comfort level. The best hair dryers for black hair should be lightweight and feature an ergonomic design. Being lightweight makes it easy for you to use the dryer longer without getting hand/arm strains. An ergonomic design focuses on how you interact with the dryer, making it easy to foregrip the handle and carry it up during the blowout.

Another important design-related thing is the length of the power cord. The longer, the better. Unlike a shorter cord, a long enough cord lets you reach the power outlet easily and move the dryer to your dressing table.

Pro Tip: Longer cords can sometimes be challenging to store, and a messy arrangement can cause them to break and damage. Dangerous thing, right? No worries. We’ve listed a range of the best retractable cord hair dryers, some of which feature almost all the qualities that make for the listed best hair dryers for black hair. This is so simple to use—push the button—The cord comes out of the dryer. You use it, and then the cord retracts back into the dryer by pressing a small button.

Related Questions For Best Hair Dryers for Black Hair

1. Which Hair Dryer Is Least Damaging?

A dryer with ionic technology and materials like ceramic, tourmaline, or porcelain is less damaging to hair. Ionic technology makes your hair smoother, shinier, and static-free. At the same time, ceramic and tourmaline materials offer an even heat distribution, ensuring quick drying and minor hair damage. Plus, a lightweight dryer and ergonomic design ensure you’re less tired on your hands/arms.

2. Can I Straighten Natural Black Hair With A Blow Dryer?

Yes. But you’ll need a flat iron along with the hair dryer, and to Follow all those mentioned earlier, natural black hair pre and post-blowout preps. Even before flat ironing your hair, blow it out using the dryer to prevent any frizz or tangling afterward. Blow-drying black hair pre-flat ironing also makes your hair smoother enough to let the ironwork softly and efficiently.

3. Is Blow-drying Bad For Natural Black Hair?

As long as you follow the guide mentioned above on how to blow dry black hair, choose the best hair dryers for black hair, and buy the best piece for this unique hair type, you’re not making the dryer damaging for you and your hair. Some other factors increase the chances of damage. Improper use of the attachments, not applying the suitable post-blowout hair spray, not letting the hair dry enough pre-blowout, etc.

Final Thoughts

We’ve covered almost everything regarding the best hair dryers for black hair. But, as a final piece of advice, we recommend doing some more research before you make any decision. We know you still love your unique hair, even though this hair type is a strange thing in others’ eyes. But no one cares about your hair the way you can. Black hair isn’t hard to manage; it just needs a good hair care routine, good quality products, and a little determination! So, give your hair some more love and care, and it’ll soon give you head-turning looks!