Best Quiet Hair Dryers 2023 for a Peaceful Blow Dry
Hairdryers are lifesavers. Without them, we’d all be rushing off to work with water dripping down our business suits.
But why must they be so noisy?
Just imagine, you’re living with your roommate and you two work on different schedules. What do you do when you’re ready to dry your hair, but your roommate’s resting?
At this point, you’d have to make a choice. Disrupt your roomie’s precious sleep… or go without drying your hair.
This is where quiet hair dryers come in handy. If you are thinking of getting one, then this is the guide for you.
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What Makes a Blow Dryer Quiet & What are the Benefits?
You must’ve heard about Dyson.
They’re one of the leading manufacturers of the quiet hairdryers. But why we’re telling you this is because they’re one of the brands that decided to learn what makes a blow dryer quiet so they can produce some of the best hair dryers on the market.
The main noise comes from the motor that generates air flow. Standard blow dryers come with a motor that features 11 rotating blades.
After plenty of experiments – Dyson ended up increasing the number of rotating blades to 13. Most of you who think that this might end up creating more noise than before are quite right.
However, the genius Dyson’s plan was to make more noise (higher frequencies) than human ear can hear. Therefore, such frequencies can’t damage your hearing yet the noise won’t be bothering you any time again.
Blow dryers are pretty compact electric devices and not a single manufacturer was able to feature some kind of noise isolation for the same reason.
However, what Dyson did is brilliant – and luckily, other brands such as Wazor, Parlox, MHU, and a couple of others followed.
This resulted in the following benefits:
- Reduced possibility of hearing damage
- Quicker hair drying
- Ability to have a conversation over the sound of an air blow dryer
- Ideal for use early in the morning and late at night
Therefore, it’s time for you to experience the benefits of the quiet yet quality hair dryer. Here are a few of the best quality quiet hair dryers on the market today.
You can do additional research with the help of this guide or you can purchase a hairdryer from the list straight away, but one thing is for sure, you will never go back to a noisy blow dryer.
Keep in mind, it can still be hard to find a decent blow dryer since decibels are not something most manufacturers mention. On the bright side, there are at least 3 most important things to look out for so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into!
Best Quiet Hair Dryers 2021
If you are looking for a quiet hair dryer on the more affordable side, while still being efficient, then this might be the hair dryer for you. Here’s why:
It’s Lightweight
Remember we talked about using a heavy hair dryer on long, thick hair? That’s definitely something you want to avoid.
Weighing in at only 16 ounces, this quiet hair dryer is ultra-light in comparison to many others on the market.
With this Wazor low noise hair dryer weighing less than 2 pounds, you can manipulate it with very little effort. Even if you are using the dryer for half an hour, you won’t feel like you are getting an arm workout.
It's Powerful
Naturally, if you are buying a hair dryer you will need something with enough power to actually dry your hair.
No matter how quiet the dryer is, if it can’t dry your hair then it’s useless.
This hair dryer can do just that.
The Ion Whisper hair dryer has a pretty decent wattage. Performing at 1875 watts, it provides more than enough heat to dry your hair efficiently.
The wattage for hair dryers typically fall between 800 and 1800 watts.
At its current wattage rating, this dryer will get your hair dry in short order.
But the major issue with this is the trade-off between power and noise level.
While it’s definitely quieter than a regular hair dryer, the Wazor hair dryer produces more noise than you’d expect from a “quiet” hair dryer. It’s definitely not what you’d consider “whisper quiet.”
Tourmaline technology
If you are in search of a quiet hair dryer that also reduces frizz and is gentle on your hair, then try this one out.
This hair dryer was built with the tourmaline heating technology; one of the recommended technologies for safe heat usage.
This method of heating is very gentle on your hair cuticles, and will have your hair looking smooth and shiny.
Multiple temperature settings
Looking for a quiet dryer that also gives you a variety of styling options? Then this one is worth looking into.
It features 3 different temperature settings and 2 speed settings.
As discussed before, different hairstyles require different levels of heat. And if your hair is on the thicker or thinner end, then you may need more or less heat normally.
With 3 heat settings available to you on this dryer, you have the freedom to switch up your styles as often as you please. It also makes it very easy to adjust the heat to avoid damaging your hair.
One of the major issues with this dryer is that it starts to overheat rapidly, even on the medium heat setting.
Cool shot button
While heat is important for drying your hair, sometimes it’s good to take a break from the heat.
This hair dryer has a button for releasing cool air. This is a very handy button, as it works well for drying your hair - just without possible heat damage.
Drying your hair on a cooler setting will help with frizz reduction and it will help set your hairstyle for a longer time!
This quiet hair dryer is a bit more popular among customers.
And it still has the benefit of being on the more affordable end.
Here’s why you should check this one out:
It’s powerful
The MHU professional has wattage higher than that of a regular hair dryer. With its wattage measuring up to 1875, this gives off plenty of heat to get your hair dry in no time.
All that being said, one of the first things you’ll notice about this dryer is how loud it is.
So while it’s very effective for drying your hair… it could be a few decibels lower in the noise level – especially since it’s marketed as a quiet hair dryer.
Multiple heat settings
If you are in need of a quiet hair dryer that gives you maximum heat control, then you should definitely consider this one.
It has 3 different heat settings. While it’s not as many as the Whisper Quiet Lite, you still get enough options to give you sufficient control over the heat flow.
Having more control over heat flow gives you more flexibility when styling your hair; it also helps you to manage or reduce heat damage a little better.
One thing to look out for though is where these control buttons are placed.
Sadly, the controls are right at the handle, causing your fingers to accidentally press them when using the dryer.
Far-Infrared heat and negative ion technology
If you are concerned about drying time and frizz - then this is definitely for you! The MHU Professional was built with far-infrared heating technology.
The far-infrared emits gentler heat deep into your cuticles (not the hair shaft), thus reducing the possibility of frizzing.
The negative ion technology reduces drying time by up to 50%. So not only is this dryer gentle on your tresses, it’s very efficient!
Long cord length
We have already talked about the importance of cord length when buying a hair dryer. The cord length of this particular dryer makes it super convenient.
It measures about 9 feet in length.
You can practically plug the hair dryer into any electrical output in your home and still be able to use it at your vanity.
With all that being said, it turns out this dryer is far bulkier than you would like. So while the cord length is great, it can still be a bit difficult to manipulate.
If you are looking for a quiet hair dryer that’s even more powerful than the 2 above, then this might be the dryer for you.
Also, for those of you who are concerned about reducing carbon footprints and saving the ozone layer, this is definitely worth looking into.
Here’s what it has to offer:
High power
As discussed before, the higher the power rating on your dryer, the more heat it will produce. This significantly reduces the time it takes to get your hair dry.
This is the most powerful hair dryer on this list. It has a power rating of 2100 watts; far exceeding that of a typical hair dryer.
Lightweight
You must be mindful of the weight of any hair dryer you are buying. The Parlux 3800 weighs just under 1.6 pounds, which is much lighter than the typical hair dryer.
This means you are able to comfortably use the dryer (even on thicker hair) without giving yourself an unwanted arm workout.
The light weight makes it very easy to operate this hair dryer.
Ozone friendly
For the environmentalists out there, this one is for you.
This is one of the most environmentally friendly hair dryers around. And it’s not just because it’s made from recycled material.
The fast drying speed (as a result of the high power) reduces the overall amount of energy used, making it even safer for the planet.
While it’s not directly related to hair, we are all well aware of the benefits of preserving the ozone. Reducing global warming, for instance.
The one negative thing about this hair dryer is its durability – or lack thereof. Unfortunately, this dryer will not last you very long, especially considering the fairly high price.
Multiple temperature settings
We’ve talked about how more heat options improve styling options. With this dryer, it’s no different.
The Parlux 3800 has all of 4 heat settings. So you can easily manipulate the settings to get just the temperature you prefer.
With this many settings, you are able to try a wide variety of styles that require different degrees of heat.
If you are looking for a very functional, quiet hair dryer that is also affordable, then consider looking into this one.
Panasonic nanoe technology
For a quiet dryer that’s a bit gentler on your hair, this is a good option.
It was built with the nanoe technology. This feature pulls moisture from the air and gently diffuses it into your hair.
Not only does this help protect your hair from heat damage, it also helps with frizz reduction, resulting in smoother, shinier hair.
Sadly, this hair dryer seems to trade power for gentleness. While it is very gentle on your hair, the power level is much lower than you’d expect.
Useful attachments
If you are looking for a multi-functional dryer, then definitely give this one a whirl.
The Panasonic nanoe has 3 very useful attachments. Namely, a quick-dry nozzle, a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser.
These attachments increase the functionality of your dryer significantly.
The quick-dry nozzle, as you may have guessed, dries your hair much faster. The diffuser adds volume and helps fight frizz.
The concentrator nozzle gives you more control over where the air flows. This is very handy for more precise styles.
Long cord
The cord on this dryer is a rotating power cord, measuring about 9 feet in length. This comes in very handy when there are no electrical outlets near your bathroom or vanity.
The downside to this is that the dryer itself is a bit bulkier than you might like.
Multiple heat settings
With different heat settings, you can vary the heat level based on your hair type and desired style. The Panasonic nanoe has 3 heat settings.
Different styles require different levels of heat, and so do different hair types. The options on this dryer are perfect for manipulating the heat settings.
This quiet dryer is yet another popular one among customers, and it’s also reasonably priced.
Noise reduction technology
It does not get quieter than this dryer. If your only concern is noise level, then you will love this one.
It is built with technology to drastically reduce the noise emitted when you are using it. Not only does this reduce noise pollution, it is also less disruptive when used in a household setting.
Cool shot button
As you know, cool air helps to set your hairstyle for longer. The Centrix Q-Zone features a cool shot button, as well as a dual cool shot position.
So this feature is great if you want a more long lasting hairstyle.
Concentrator nozzle
If you are one of those persons interested in more intricate hairstyles, then you will have fun with this feature.
The dryer comes equipped with a concentrator nozzle. This gives you more control over the direction of the airflow, which is very useful for more precise hair styling.
What to consider when buying hair Dryers?
Needless to say, not all hair dryers are equal. And picking the right one that will fit your needs can be a monstrous task.
Not only should you be looking for something quiet; you also want to make sure it’s useful, effective and won’t wreak havoc on your tresses.
These are some things you should look out for when buying your perfect hair dryer – whether you’re just looking for quality or combination of both quality & quietness.
Noise Level
Of course, since we are talking about the quietest hair dryers, noise level is definitely a factor you should consider.
Some people might not mind the noisy hair dryer, since that’s something almost everyone is used to but not all hair dryers are made equal.
While it is usually safe to use hair dryers under 85 decibels, they are definitely noisier. For a quiet hair dryer, look for something less than 60 decibels.
However, the biggest issue is that most manufacturers don’t show the decibel rating in the product description. Purchasing online can be a bit of an issue, but you can still make a good purchase.
All you have to understand is how heating technology works and take a flow type of a blow dryer into consideration.
But if you aren’t a very technical person – simply choosing one of the products we’ve already reviewed & listed for you will be the easiest way to choose a quality yet quiet air blow dryer.
Power
A hairdryer with a higher wattage will generally dry your hair more quickly and efficiently. But unfortunately, higher power usually means more noise.
There’s no point buying the quietest hair dryer on the market if it can’t dry your hair.
So while it’s good to keep an eye out for the noise level, you might have to sacrifice some amount of noise for efficiency.
Definitely pay attention to the wattage on whatever hairdryer you are thinking to buy.
If you aren’t in a rush to make the purchase – taking a bit of time to understand heating technology can pay off big time.
Most of the blow dryers use about 1,875 watts on average – but if you’re looking for a quiet blow dryer, we highly recommend staying between 1,400 – 1,600 watts. This will give you a decent amount of power yet it will drastically reduce the noise.
Also, you might even save a couple of dollars on your electricity bill – how is that? Of course, this depends on how often you use your hair dryer and the time you spend drying your hair.
Weight
The weight of your hairdryer is definitely something you want to pay attention to; especially if you have a thick head of hair.
Unless you are looking for an arm workout, you don’t want to be drying your thick hair with a heavy hairdryer.
So be sure to check the packaging or the manufacturer’s website for the weight of your hairdryer before buying.
However, if you’re someone who pays attention to their strength and works out – having a bit of a heavier blow dryer won’t be a big of an issue as long as the hair dryer meets your needs.
Ease of use and cord length
Remember that you only use one hand to operate a hairdryer. So it is important that you buy one that you can easily manipulate.
For easy usage, make sure the buttons and switches on your hairdryer are placed somewhere you can easily reach them - without getting in the way while using the dryer.
As for cord length; the longer the cord, the better for you.
If your vanity or bathroom is a fair distance from your electrical output, then a dryer with a shorter cord can be a nightmare to work with.
Heat Setting
Heat settings allow you to change the speed and temperature of your hairdryer, depending on your type of hair and style.
The more heat settings the dryer has, the more useful it is for you. This gives you the option to choose heat levels and speed that most benefit your hair.
Most modern dryers utilize a dual air flow technology which increases the airflow but also gives you two heat settings to choose from. Even though it can seem like a bit of a hassle having to set both heat settings – but it’s a lot more beneficial for your hair.
Also, if you’re only looking for the quietest blow dryer – finding a modern version that features dual air flow can reduce the noise since such blow dryer types use a fixed space between the fan and the body. This is known to reduce the noise coming out of the blow dryer.
Combine this heat setting with the heat speed setting and you will get a powerful yet a pretty quiet blow dryer.
Even though most of the people settle with a dryer that is on the noisy side – there are a lot quieter dryers, yet we just have to experience them and find them.
But one thing is for sure – once you give a quiet blow dryer a try, you won’t be going back to a noisy one again.
Heat Technology
Heat is an important factor in drying and styling your hair. But the way the heat is produced can have some damaging effects on your mane.
To be on the safe side, look for a quiet hair dryer that uses more modern heating technology. These include ceramic, ionic and tourmaline technologies.
Most modern air blow dryers rely on a couple of different technologies. The most common heating technology is ionic technology, but you will also be able to find tourmaline or ceramic too.
Such technologies aren’t only designed to help you protect your hair & keep it shine, but technology such as ionic can minimize the noise of a powerful air dryer.
While some blow dryers rely on a single type of heating technology, most modern blow dryers even combine two or three technologies which prove to be a bit better for hair care.
If you’re interested only in getting the quietest blow dryer – we highly recommend going for ionic heating technology. It provides a decent amount of protection & noise reduction.
On the Best Quiet Hair Dryers
| Product | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Ion Whisper Quiet Lite Ionic | 1875 W | 1 lb |
| MHU Professional Hair Dryer | 1875 W | 0.88 lb |
| Parlux Professional 3800 | 2100 W | 1.59 lb |
| Panasonic EH-NA65-K Nanoe | 1875 W | 1.28 lb |
| Centrix Q-Zone Dryer | 1500 W | 1.5 lb |
The clear winner for this line-up would have to be the Ion Whisper Quiet Lite. While it may not be “whisper” quiet, it still emits far less noise than a regular hair dryer.
Also, weighing only 16 ounces makes it a very convenient, everyday tool; especially for those of us with thicker hair.
Other things that stood out were the higher-than-average power rating, the modern tourmaline technology and the 4 heat settings.
And if you browse through our guide once again – you will see that Ion Whisper meets almost every single things we recommended to keep an eye for.
What hair dryer have you been using so far? Which brand is your favorite when it comes down to quality or noise levels?
Feel free to leave a comment down below, share your experience & leave a feedback on any hair dryer – but also feel free to ask any questions or even share this post!
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