The Best Affordable Hair Dryers For The Perfect Blowout On A Budget

Best for: Frizzy hair

Voted best hair dryer for frizzy hair, 80-95km/h airspeed for drying, 2 styling nozzles and 2300W of power. The VS Sassoon comes with a diffuser attachment, perfect for curls and a targeted fine and wide concentrator nozzle for precision styling.

Sizes: One size | Colours: Mahogany

Key features:

• Three attachments: diffuser, 8mmx71mm fine concentrator & 10x60mm wide concentrator
• 80-95km/hairspeed
• 2300w power
• 3 Year warranty

Also available at:

• $89.99 from Priceline
• $86.00 from Big W
• $86.00 from Woolworths

Best for: Lightweight

Blowdries are time-consuming, and achy arms are sometimes the price we pay for an enviable blowout. Our suffering may be over however with the Silver Bullet, Ethereal.

At just 490g we think we may have actually found the lightest weight affordable hair dryer on the market. This hair dryer also features 2000 watts of controlled power and a professional long-life AC motor. You can switch between three heat and two speed settings (including a cold air blast to set your style) and two concentrator nozzles for silky smooth locks.

Sizes: One size | Colours: Black

Key features:

• Super light at 490g
• Two concentrator nozzles
• Three heat settings (including cold blast)
• Two speed settings
• 2 year manufacturer warranty

Available at:

• $67.00 (usually $79.95) from Amazon
• $79.95 from Adore Beauty

Best for: moisture and shine

While at the pointer end of the price point spectrum, the Muk Blow 3900-IR still comes in lower than most high-end hair dryers with comparable technology. This affordable hair dryer uses infrared lights for gentle heating deep in the shaft for a frizz and static-free blowdry. Meanwhile, ionic technology delivers shine and heat protection. And, we love the rose gold accents.

Sizes: One size | Colours: Rose Gold & Black

Key features:

• Dries hair with infrared lights and ionic technology for healthy, frizz-free hair
• Adjustable temperature and fan speed allows you to customise for your hair type
• 3-metre long cord
• 2 year warranty
• Key features 5

Available at:

• $146.48 (usually $199.95) at Oz Hair & Beauty

Best for: heat protection

It’s certainly the sweetest affordable hair dryer we’ve researched, but the Mermade Hair Ionic Hair Dryer is also high-tech. This bubblegum pink hair tool uses ionic technology to help hair hold its moisture as you dry it, increasing shine and decreasing damage over time.

Sizes: one size | Colours: Pink

Key Features:

• Two speed settings: amplified or concentrated airflow
• Cool shot function
• Ionic air flow technology for heat protection

Available at:

• $109.00 from The Iconic
• $109 from Sephora

Curly hair has its own unique needs, and when looking for an affordable hair dryer for curly hair, you should see that the manufacturer hasn’t skipped a few key things. The first step for caring for curly hair is heat protection. Firstly, a diffuser attachment will make a world of difference. While the targeted blast of a nozzle is great for straight hair, it can fry curls quickly.

A diffuser is preferable as it distributes airflow evenly across the crown rather than delivering a targeted plast. A diffuser attachment helps distribute airflow evenly across the crown rather than delivering a targeted blast. Hair dryers that use ionic technology are also beneficial as they break down water into molecules, speeding up hair drying time, meaning less heat exposure. Finally, ensure the hair dryer has multiple heat and speed settings so you can tailor your heat styling to your hair needs.

What Is The Best Hair Dryer Under $100?

We found plenty of affordable hair dryers in our search, but finding an option under $100 was no mean feat! Overall, we’re calling the VS Sassoon Frizz Defense Salon Hair Dryer in Mahogany the winner. At $89.95 it provides great value, with multiple attachments, including a diffuser. It also features multiple heat settings and ionic and ceramic technology for heat protection. What more could you want?