We Southerners are known for our gorgeous hair, which generally speaking, is also infused with a good dose of volume. Other than great products—volumizing shampoos and conditioners to dry texturizing sprays and everything in between—there is no better way to optimize lift than to start with a blowout. And there is no such thing as a full beautiful blowout without a great hair dryer. With prices, styles, and promised results running the gamut, it’s hard to know how to choose the best one for you. After comparing and contrasting both pricey versions and budget-friendly options, we came to a refreshing conclusion: You can find the best hair dryer for under $50. Whether you’re looking to enhance natural curls, get smooth sleek locks, or keep hair looking great while on the road, one of these hair dryers is bound to fit the bill. Take a look and get ready to be blown away.
Conair Cord Keeper Dryer
BUY IT: $15; amazon.com
Quite possibly our favorite hair dryer to ever hit the beauty shelves. Not only is it lightweight, efficient, and easy on the budget, its retractable cord and foldable arm make it great for packing in a suitcase or neatly storing under the sink.
Bed Head Mind Blower 1875 W Tourmaline Ceramic Dryer
BUY IT: $29; amazon.com
This dryer's Tourmaline Ceramic technology offers up hair help where Southern gals need it most—keeping frizz at bay.
Babyliss PRO Nano Titanium Bino Compact Dryer
BUY IT: $29; target.com
Don’t let its size fool you. This pint-sized dryer is packed with plenty of power and it’ll get the job of drying hair done just as well as the full sized versions.
Helen of Troy 1" Professional Hot Air Brush
BUY IT: $23; amazon.com
Giving yourself a blowout is now easier than ever—only one arm (and one tool) are needed to get the job done. Bye, bye round brush!
Hot Tools Iconic Salon Dryer
BUY IT: $27; amazon.com
A rubber coating keeps this dryer from slipping out of grip, and six settings allow a customized dry for any hair type or style.
John Frieda Salon Shine Compact Dryer
BUY IT: $30; target.com
With a diffuser attachment and iconic technology for frizz control, this dryer will help you make the most of your natural curls.
Remington T Studio Thermaluxe Pro Series Hair Dryer
BUY IT: $30; target.com
This sleek lightweight dryer doesn’t just work magic on your hair, it looks great doing it too.
Revlon Deluxe Styler Frizz Fighter Dryer
BUY IT: $25; walmart.com
We love this dryer for its ceramic coating that helps evenly distribute heat, cutting down on the risk of hair damage.
Conair Infiniti Pro AC Motor Dryer
BUY IT: $24; target.com
This dryer has all of our favorite features: three heat settings, two speed settings, two attachments (for smooth or curly looks), and a cool blast button to set a finished style in place.
Remington Ultimate Beauty Hair Dryer
BUY IT: $25; target.com
Made for everyday use, this happy cheery dryer has hair protecting features that will also leave your locks shiny.
