9 Best Travel Hair Dryers to Pack in Your Carry-On
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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.
Weight: 1 lb.
Dual voltage: YesThis Amazon bestseller from Conair has racked up over 21,000 ratings with an average of 4.5 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 thanks to two speed settings, and is powered by 1600 watts, providing the styling power of a full-size blow dryer in one small-but-mighty gem.
Weight: 13 oz.
Dual voltage: NoPrepare 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 (weighing only 13 oz.), but it’s mighty and forceful with its 1,875 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,” says Traveler contributor Johnaé De Felicis. The highly-rated 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, however, is a built-in “cool shot” button to help set your hair and keep your new ‘dos intact.
Weight: 9.6 oz.
Dual voltage: YesThe Babyliss Nano Titanium hair dryer is lightweight, foldable, and great for travel. Don’t let its compact size fool you—the 1,000-watt hair dryer is powerful enough to efficiently dry all hair types. It’s dual voltage and easy to use safely anywhere in the world, while the concentrator nozzle and six-foot power cord allow for easy and precise styling on the go. We also really like that this dryer boasts a true ion generator, which helps ensure smooth and shiny hair with just a bit of added volume. The small hair dryer includes a removable filter as well, allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance (which, in turn, helps you get the longest life possible out of the dryer).
Weight: 1.15 lb.
Dual voltage: YesYou don’t have to spend a fortune to get a hard-working travel hair dryer—and this under-$20 option from Revlon is proof of that. The folding hair dryer boasts a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with more than 15,000 reviews, many of which highlight how quickly this dryer is able to completely dry hair. The built-in ionic technology helps to reduce frizz, while the dual-voltage capabilities mean you’ll be able to use this dryer safely and easily while abroad.
Weight: 1.5 lb.
Dual voltage: NoA few years ago, I tested the Shark FlexStyle to see how it compared to the viral $600 Dyson Airwrap Complete. There was no question that when it comes 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 exactly where 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: 14.3 oz.
Dual voltage: NoCommerce writer Paris Wilson swears by the SE high-speed hair dryer for travel. “Its lightweight frame and whisper‑quiet motor won’t wake the whole floor, even in hotels with paper‑thin walls,” says Wilson. “It's like a mini salon at your fingertips: smart temperature‑cycling features work to protect strands from heat damage and tame frizz, while magnetic nozzles snap on in a flash to smooth roots or diffuse curls with ease.” Best of all? It fits into any weekender in seconds—no bulky blow dryer sticking out like a sore thumb.
Weight: 1.18 lb.
Dual voltage: NoThis small hair dryer from Revlon is 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: 12.2 oz.
Dual voltage: YesThis compact hair dryer from T3 is quite an impressive tool considering how small it is. 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 folding handle that helps it fit nicely in any suitcase.
Weight: 13 oz.
Dual voltage: YesDrybar's foldable hair dryer is a go-to for associate commerce director Madison Flager. “It weighs less than a pound and isn’t much bulkier than a pair of tennis shoes,” says Flager. “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.” Flager has been using this butter yellow hair dryer for years and it has yet to let her down. Plus, it offers dual voltage, making it safe to use abroad, too.
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