Buying a hot air gun should be approached thoughtfully, professionals say. This is not just a device that allows you to dry wet hair, but an investment in their healthy and beautiful appearance along with shampoo, balm and mask. how choose the best hair dryer?
Choosing the right hairdryer for home use
To begin with, what are they all like.
Types
The home appliances market offers three types of elecrofenes: standard, compact or traveling, and a hair dryer.
Standard (Fig. 1) - has a set of speeds and temperatures of the blown air. In a set - one, two nozzles. It allows you to dry your hair faster, give volume, do not complicated styling.
Fig. 1 Standard hot air gun
Travel hairdryer is small-sized, has less power. No nozzles. Often such models have a folding handle (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2 Travel hot air gun
Hair dryer (Fig. 3) - a tandem of a standard dryer and comb. With it, styling is quick and easy, and adding extra volume to your hairstyle is easy.
Fig. 3 Hair dryer with nozzles
Power
The choice of a hairdryer should begin by considering its power. Find out,what power to choose a hair dryer. Power determines the speed of air movement. The higher this indicator, the faster the drying process. This parameter varies from 300 to 2300 watts.
- Standard hair dryers, with power from 1000 to 1600 watts, are recommended for short hair, medium density.
- If the hairline is thick or long - you need to look at devices of medium power (from 1500 to 2000 watts). They quickly cope with the task due to the dense stream of air.
- Devices with a capacity of over 2000 watts are professional. But this hair dryer is in some cases suitable for home use.
- Travel dryers have a capacity of 800 to 1600 watts.
- The power of the hair dryer is even lower - from 300 to 1200 watts. The air speed is weaker so that the hair is held on the nozzle and takes the desired shape.
As a rule, the more powerful the device, the more noise it creates. The devices operate on direct and alternating current (the parameter is indicated in the passport). One that runs on alternating current, with other equal power will be better.
Modes
The device may have one or several modes of speed and temperature (Fig. 4). There are models with one mode: one speed and one temperature. More common are devices with the same temperature, but with two or three speeds. But the most common option is hairdryers with six modes. In this case, the device has two speeds and three air flow temperatures. Such a hair dryer will allow you to gently or quickly dry your hair.
Fig. 4 Panel for switching electric gun modes
Cold air and ionization
The ionization function implies the effect on the hair of negatively charged ions during exposure to air flow. Ion particles reduce the damage of hot air to the scalp and skin and protect them from dehydration and overdrying. The air enriched with ions makes hair smooth and silky, speeds up the drying process. If the curls are dry, brittle, dull, fluff, confused or electrified - ionization apparatus just salvation.
Choose a hair dryer with cold air supply important for those who do styling often.If you alternate jets of warm and cool air, the styling form will be fixed more reliably and be preserved for a long time.
Equipment
There are the following types of devices, which are equipped with electric hair dryers:
- The nozzle concentrator directs a direct air stream directly to the hairline, which quickly dries and straightens the strands.
- The diffuser nozzle gently dries the hair, makes it voluminous thanks to special fingers. With diffusers, you can do more magnificent hairstyles.
- Hair dryers-brushes are distinguished by a variety of nozzles. The minimum set is round brushes of different diameters. With their help, you can raise the hair at the roots and create waves along the entire length. Round brushes can be with rare or frequent bristles. Some models come with a nozzle in the form of tongs for straightening hair.
Note: tips for hair dryer brush for hair straightening.
As a rule, compact hair dryers have only a concentrator, while domestic or professional ones have a concentrator and a diffuser. There are models without removable devices.
Design
The hair dryer body is solid and has no additional parts besides nozzles. An exception is travel dryers with folding handles. It is made of plastic, which must be of high quality, resistant to temperatures. Otherwise, during operation, the smell of burning will be felt, worse, such a plastic is capable of melting.
Weight varies from 300 gr. (for road models), up to 700 gr. (professional). The lighter the device, the less tired the arm will be. The power cord of "home hairdressers" is from 180 to 300 cm. In rare cases, there is a length of 1.5 m - 3 m.
Increasingly, manufacturers produce rotatable hair dryers 360 degree cord. So it does not interfere during drying or styling. And so that the device is always at hand, many have loops for hanging.
Another important point is the removable filter cover. Regular cleaning will extend the life of the hair dryer. How disassemble the hair dryer (for example, popular models), you will learn in our article.
The heating element may be metal or ceramic. Metallic supply budget models. It is heated unevenly and warms hair in parts - this is harmful to them. Ceramic is installed on professional devices and expensive versions. In the process, it emits infrared heat, evenly envelops and does not overheat the hairline and scalp.
Design
It is impossible to choose a good hair dryer, if you do not pay attention to its design. As a rule, they are made of plastic, can have any shape and color. Many models delight the eye with rhinestones or floral patterns. But often the design of the device also has functional significance. For example, powerful professional models are equipped with a special, elongated shape - it is more convenient to do styling. The thickness of the handle of the hair dryer is important. During drying, it should not bring discomfort, especially if the palm is small. On some models, the body parts and the handle are rubberized, which also facilitates use.
Additional functions
Additional features such as overheating protection help prevent hair damage from too hot air flow. Many powerful models provide automatic overheat shutdownthat protects the device from combustion. There are hair dryers-brushes in which two directions of rotation of nozzles are possible. This is convenient when creating styling of any complexity. Some electric guns have an automatic cord reeling function.
What manufacturers offer: the pros and cons of top models
The best quality hair dryers are produced by world famous companies:
- Bosch
- Vitek.
- Scarlett.
- Rowenta.
- Philips
- Valera.
Among the variety of models on the counter, the following "home hairdressers" are in high demand among domestic buyers.
Bosch PHD9760 / 9769
The model is suitable both for home use and in professional activities.It has six speed modes and three temperature divisions with cool air supply (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 Bosch PHD9760 / 9769
Advantages:
- powerful engine;
- airflow ionization;
- cord length 3 m;
- included - diffuser, hub;
- Dries hair quickly and delicately.
Disadvantages: tangible weight of the device.
Cost: from 3500 rub.
Find out, why do I need a diffuser in a hairdryer.
Philips HP8280
Stylish design and advanced specifications. It is equipped with a sensor that determines the temperature of hair heating and regulates the characteristics of the blower as it dries (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 Philips HP8280
Advantages:
- the number of air flow modes - six;
- impressive power;
- airflow ionization;
- cold air function;
- hair dryer with diffuser;
- long wire;
- replaceable filter.
Disadvantages: significant weight, high cost.
Cost: from 5500 rub.
Panasonic EH-NE31
Model with folding handle, compact. Perfect for both travelers and stationary home use. Due to its small size and folding handle, it does not take up much space during storage and transportation (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 Panasonic EH-NE31
Advantages:
- divided streams of air evenly and quickly dry even thick locks;
- low noise level;
- there is a loop for hanging;
- airflow ionizer;
- six modes of air flow.
Disadvantages: no nozzles.
Cost: from 2400 rub.
Polaris PHD 2077i
Model with bright colors, stylish design. It has a low cost along with impressive functionality (Fig. 8).
Fig. 8 Polaris PHD 2077i
Advantages:
- elegant appearance;
- easy;
- affordable price;
- case made of quality material;
- equipped with a temperature sensor that protects against overheating;
- three temperature levels and two air flow rates;
- dries hair quickly.
Disadvantages: noisy, rotation of the cord is not provided.
Cost: from 1300 rub
Rowenta CV5351D0
The model is stylish, there is enough power to cope with thick and naughty curls (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 Rowenta CV5351D0
Advantages:
- ionization function;
- cold air mode;
- three temperature levels;
- gentle drying mode;
- quick drying.
Disadvantages: significant weight, the cold air supply button is not fixed.
Cost: from 2600 rub.
Vitek VT-2249 VT
Designed for drying and styling. Stylish and sleek design. The tool (Fig. 10) is very convenient, according to consumers.
Fig. 10 Vitek VT-2249 VT
Benefits:
- very powerful - 2200 W;
- 6 modes of speed and temperature;
- non-heating nozzle hub;
- heating element - ceramic;
- an ionizer relieves static stress from the hairline;
- removable filter;
- convenient arrangement of switches.
Disadvantages: short cord, lack of nozzle diffuser, impressive size.
Cost: from 1400 rub.
How to choose a good electric hair dryer
Summarizing all of the above, it is easy to formulate the principles of choosing an electric gun:
- Long service life and a gentle attitude to the hair are guaranteed by models of well-known European brands. Therefore, when choosing, it is logical to focus on the manufacturers of flagships.
- When drying hair every day, you should choose a model from 1500 to 2000 W, with a variety of modes of supply and heating of the air flow, an ionizer and a nozzle hub.
- For frequent styling, you should pay attention to the hair dryer with a set of nozzles, adjustable air flow rates and a rotating cord.
- For travel and travel - compact travel devices equipped with a folding handle, having a power of up to 1500 watts. One nozzle and two modes of an air stream are enough.
- To dry and give volume to the hairstyle, a hair dryer with a power from 300 to 1000 W with round hairbrushes of different diameters is called on.
- If the locks are dry, thin, dull, do not use a hair dryer that is too powerful. 1200 watts is enough. Ionization function air required, as well as the possibility of delicate drying.
- It makes no sense to buy a powerful unit and to care for short haircuts.A strong stream of air will quickly dry the hair, not allowing you to simulate the form, and also dry the hairline and scalp.
- With thick and long strands, the apparatus of a professional model can cope. The elongated shape and power of more than 2000 watts will be relevant when drying heavy heaps. The nozzle hub and diffuser will add volume and help create beautiful curls.
- A power regulator is an extremely important part when buying a hairdryer for the whole family. Different hair requires a different approach when drying and styling. Many modes will allow everyone to use the device without harmful consequences.
- It is not superfluous to determine the length of the cord. Too long - gets confused and interferes, too short - creates inconvenience, restricts movement.
- The convenience of using a “home hairdresser” must be tried on before purchase. Hold in your hand, simulate working movements, listen to the noise level.
When buying a hairdryer for yourself, your family or as a gift, it is not difficult to make the right choice based on these recommendations. A properly selected device will not only dry your hair, but also facilitate styling, delight with firm curls, add volume and even out naughty locks.
Good to know: how repair hair dryer yourself in case of breakage.
