Best infrared hair dryers and straighteners for shiny, healthier hair

Best for: Styling versatility

• Settings: Three heat settings, three-speed settings
• Power Wattage: 2000W
• Cool Shot: Yes
• Accessories Included: Styler attachment, concentrator nozzle, diffuser

At just 350g this is by far the lightest infrared hair dryer we could find. It is also the quietest at just 74 decibels (and the only hair dryer our dog didn’t run from the minute we turned it on).

It is considerably more pricey than the other dryers on the list, but it comes with accessories that make it worth the additional cost. Think of it as a budget-friendly alternative to Dyson air wrap. It has two styling attachments (one for the left side of your head and one for the right), that use air to wrap the hair around to provide easy curls and waves. It also comes with a diffuser and concentrator nozzle, ideal if you like to regularly change your look.

Also useful is the 2.8m salon-length cable, meaning it can stretch from the nearest plug to wherever your mirror is (handy in badly thought-out hotel rooms) and it is small enough to stow in a suitcase.

Best for: damage-free volume

• No. of temperature settings: Four ‘modes’, rather than heat settings
• Power: 680W
• Cable length: 1.5 metre
• Weight: 0.534KG
• Cool shot: Yes
• Accessories included: Yes

Using patented LightCare Technology instead of intense heat, the Zuvi Halo dries hair in the same way as the elements (wind and sun) would, but with infrared light. It also offers far more control with a choice of four modes to best suit your hair type (soft, style, fast and care), and there are an array of attachments to help finesse different kinds of hair.

While it's on the pricier end of the spectrum, if you're someone who regularly dries their hair and are starting to become conscious of the damage it's causing, the Zuvi Halo could make all the difference to your getting ready routine and scalp health.

Read the full review here.

Best for: a sleek finish

• Settings: three heat, two speed
• Power Wattage: 2200W
• Cool Shot: Yes
• Accessories Included: Concentrator nozzle, diffuser

At £79.99 the Voduz Infrared Hair Dryer is among the cheapest on the list and yet has wowed customers if the 138 five-star reviews on its website are to be believed.

Users report it transforming “frizzy, puffy hair” into “smooth and silky” hair and many declare it the best hair dryer they have ever owned, saying it dries their hair in half the time.

It comes with a salon-length three-metre cable and hook to hang it when not in use. The inclusion of a cool shot button helps to set styles in place for longer-lasting results. Additionally, its ionic technology reduces frizz and static, leaving hair smooth, shiny, and healthy-looking.

Also available in white.

Best for: Energy saving

• Settings: Three heat and two speed
• Power Wattage: 1300W
• Cool Shot: Yes
• Accessories Included: Concentrator nozzle

At just 1300W, this hair dryer uses 40 per cent less energy than some hair dryers and yet the drying time is halved thanks to the infrared technology and the fast speed setting.

It weighs 520g meaning it’s light enough to manoeuvre easily, although it is slightly bulkier than its airstyle cousin. This is one of the hair dryers that actually emits a red light when drying and so the scalp gets the restorative benefits of the light, which can aid hair regrowth.  

Best for: Curly hair

• Settings: Two speeds, three heat settings
• Power Wattage: 2300W
• Cool Shot: Yes
• Accessories Included: Concentrator nozzle, ceramic nozzle and ceramic diffuser

The Bellissima Ceramic Hair Dryer comes with a ceramic diffuser making it a great option for those with curly hair who need the diffuser to create bouncy, defined curls.

It’s on the heavier side at 1.03kg, but the handle is curved for ease of grip and the switches can be easily activated with your thumb. If it’s straight hair you are after, there is also a ceramic nozzle that channels the infrared heat for precision styling.

The copper accents on the dryer make it an attractive addition to your dressing table and there’s a hook if you wish to hang it.

Best for: Frizz reduction

• Settings: Two speed and three heat
• Power Wattage: 1875W
• Cool Shot: Yes
• Accessories Included: Concentrator nozzle

Like the Nicky Clarke Infrared Pro, this dryer also emits the red glow of infrared light, encouraging hair regrowth, while reducing drying times and heat damage. It also boasts ionic technologies for the ultimate frizz-free finish.

Despite the relatively low wattage, it still packs a punch and the airflow feels powerful at the highest setting. This dryer is a good choice for those seeking professional results without adding lots of product to the hair.

Best for: Achieving bouncy waves

Settings: 11 heat settings from 130C to 230C

These straighteners are rounded, which means they produce full, bouncy waves when used at an angle without any of the ridges you can get when trying to curl your hair with more rectangular straighteners.

Two plates allow the infrared light to emit through the middle on both sides of the hair section. The Creativity Infrared Straightener rapidly reaches the bottom temperature of 120C and from there you can increase the heat in 10C increments to a maximum temperature of 230C using the LCD display.

The copper accents make this an attractive addition to your dressing table, while a lock keeps the straighteners closed if you want to store them away in a drawer.

Best for: Achieving a lasting straighten

Settings: Six heat settings from 180C to 230C

The flat titanium plates of this straightener glide easily over the hair and leave hair shiny and smooth. The nanotechnology in the 100 per cent titanium plates remove unwanted odours and harmful chemicals from your hair. Integrated microsensors in the plates ensure the temperature is evenly distributed – this means you won't have to worry about hot spots that can damage your hair.

The straighteners advertise 10 heat settings (from 150°C) but they heat to a base temperature of 180°C in just 30 seconds, so most people will increase the temperature from there in 10°C increments to the hottest temperature of 230°C.

The infrared straighteners come in an attractive solid grey box with a heat mat for placing them on to cool down.

Best for: Temperature control

Settings: 12 heat settings from 120°C to 230°C

Heating to an initial temperature of just 120°C, these straighteners are a good choice if you have coloured or heat-damaged hair. The 12 temperature settings allow maximum flexibility in using just enough heat to get your desired result. The straighteners will also remember your temperature setting and will heat to that temperature next time you turn them on, meaning less fiddling with numbers and quicker hair styling.

The irons come in a heat-protective carry case, which folds out into a mat that you can use as you are styling, saving your surfaces from scorch marks. The barrel is rounded to produce large waves as an alternative to straightening and there is a lock to keep them closed when you are not using them.