A hair dryer seems a simple thing until you start choosing one. Wattage, motor revs, “200 million ions”, air speed in metres per second: manufacturers love big numbers, but not all of them matter equally. We look at which parameters really affect results and the health of your hair, and at the end show six dryers that AliExpress shoppers buy most often.
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Power and airflow
For a home hair dryer, TechRadar reviewers advise a power of 1,600W or more. The Dutch retailer Coolblue recommends 1,800W and an airflow of 120 km/h or more for thick, long hair, which is around 33 m/s. Fine hair does not need that much; a gentle mode and low temperature matter more.
But with modern high-speed dryers, watts are no longer the main figure. These models dry with a strong airflow rather than hot air, so manufacturers state air speed first. For popular AliExpress models it is 62 to 75 m/s, far above the threshold Coolblue mentions.
Motor type
This is perhaps the most important point, and one that is rarely printed in large type.
- AC motor: powerful and durable, used in salon dryers. The downsides are noticeable weight and price.
- DC motor: light and cheap, and such dryers are handy for travel, but they dry more slowly. Coolblue does not recommend simple DC models for styling.
- Brushless motor (BLDC): lasts longer, runs quieter and more efficiently, and the dryer ends up light. It costs more, but this is exactly the motor found in high-speed models rated at 110,000 rpm.
If the description lists revs of around 100,000 or higher and air speed above 60 m/s, you are almost certainly looking at a dryer with a brushless motor.
Heat and settings
Heating elements come in metal, ceramic and tourmaline. Metal is cheaper but heats unevenly and harms hair more. Ceramic spreads heat more evenly and suits fine and damaged hair. Tourmaline dries faster than ceramic and is gentler than metal, and is often recommended for thick, long hair.
The minimum you need for proper styling: two or three temperature levels, two speeds and a cool shot button. A cool blast at the end sets the style. It is best to dry on the lowest temperature that works for you time-wise: every dryer damages hair to some extent, so a heat protectant is not superfluous either. Pricier models have temperature control that stops the air from overheating.
Ionisation: marketing or benefit
A negative ion function is found on almost every dryer in our selection. According to TechRadar, ionisation reduces frizz and static and adds shine. Do not expect miracles, but for dry, coloured and curly hair it is a noticeable plus. Comparing dryers by the number of ions in the description, however, is pointless: those figures cannot be verified.
Attachments, weight and cord
A concentrator narrows the airflow and is needed for styling and straightening. A diffuser suits curly hair and volume: it keeps curls intact rather than breaking them up. Without an attachment, a wide airflow dries well but is hard to style with.
If your arm tires quickly, Coolblue advises a dryer weighing up to 500 grams. Light models with the motor in the handle are also better balanced. Check the cord length in advance: 1.8 metres is already called a short option in reviews.
And one last important point for AliExpress: the plug. Chinese versions often arrive with a Chinese plug, and you will need an adapter. If the seller offers a version with a UK plug, choose it.
6 popular hair dryers from AliExpress
Budget 2000W dryer with ionisation
The bestselling dryer in the selection, with more than 8,000 orders. A classic 2000W model with negative ions. The seller promises fast drying, low noise and constant temperature. It suits anyone who wants a simple dryer for everyday use without overpaying. Price: £7.89.
Price on 27 October: £7.89
Sold: 8521+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
HOMEFISH, 5 speeds
A professional “salon-style” dryer: five speeds, hot and cold air and ionisation. A good option if you need flexible settings for different hair types in the family.
Price on 27 October: £21.89
Sold: 985+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
MIJIA H101, foldable
A compact Xiaomi dryer with ionisation and a folding handle, convenient for travel. This is the Chinese 220V version, so you will most likely need an adapter for a UK plug.
Price on 27 October: £24.99
Sold: 576+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
MIJIA H501 SE
A high-speed Xiaomi dryer from the official SMARTMI MIJIA store: 62 m/s airflow, 110,000 rpm, ionisation. It is one of the most affordable ways to get a brushless-motor dryer from a major brand. Also a Chinese version, so check the plug.
Price on 27 October: £34.77
Sold: 1279+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.5%
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DOCO, 75 m/s
The fastest airflow in the selection: 75 m/s at 110,000 rpm. The seller offers a UK or EU plug and calls the model light, suitable for both home and travel. More than 4,000 sales.
Price on 27 October: £30.17
Sold: 4004+ pcs, positive reviews: 96.9%
View on AliExpress
7-in-1 styler dryer
A high-speed ionic dryer at 110,000 rpm with a set of styling attachments. An option for anyone who wants not just to dry but to create volume, curls and straightening with a single tool.
Price on 27 October: £51.59
Sold: 2182+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
View on AliExpress
In short: which dryer to choose
For simple everyday drying, a classic 2000W dryer with ionisation and a cool shot is enough. If your hair is thick and long, or you want to dry faster and more gently, it makes sense to pay extra for a high-speed model with a brushless motor such as the MIJIA H501 SE or DOCO. And if styling matters most, look at stylers with attachments. Before ordering, check the plug type and read the reviews about noise: it is what buyers complain about most often.
