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The most pleasant dryer to use per Wirecutter, with very fast drying and among the lowest measured noise. But it costs several times more than dryers that dry just as fast, and its buttons and weight balance are divisive.
Top complaints
- Very expensive for the results
Wirecutter says it doesn't dry faster than its $95 Rusk pick and costs hundreds more. Reviewed says cheaper dryers can give similar or better results.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Reviewed - Awkward buttons and weight balance
Wirecutter found the speed and heat buttons on the back of the head and the cool-shot button at the top of the handle hard to reach, and one tester found the heavy cord tiring. Reviewed found the motor-in-handle design made it feel unbalanced and heavy.
- High-pitched motor
Wirecutter says that despite being comparatively quiet, the motor has a high pitch some testers disliked. TechRadar rates it 'not as quiet as you'd hope'.
What owners love
- Fastest in head-to-head tests
TechRadar timed 3 min 26 s on damp shoulder-length hair, and about 4.5 minutes on thick hair that took the Laifen Swift about 7. Wirecutter measured 88 mph airflow.
- Smooth, shiny finish
TechRadar's flyaway attachment eliminated flyaways, and one Wirecutter tester thought it made her hair shinier.
- No vibration, cool magnetic attachments
Wirecutter says it doesn't vibrate at all. The magnetic attachments don't get burning hot, and the 9-foot cord is long.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
- You're on a budget (cheaper dryers dry as fast)
- You change settings often (awkward buttons)
- High-pitched motor tones bother you
- A premium, low-vibration experience
- Switching attachments mid-dry (they stay cool)
- Long hair that tangles in rear filters
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Upgrade pick: a pleasure to use and very quiet, but no faster than the Rusk W8less, with hard-to-reach buttons and a high pitch.
- Reviewed: Lost to the Shark HyperAIR: it took about 30 minutes with a round brush, left a poofy finish and felt unbalanced.
- NBC Select: Best overall (updated 2025-12-26), for limiting heat damage, reducing frizz and drying fast; the only con listed is price. This is a roundup, not a lab test.