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Top 10 Best Hair Dryer Diffusers for Curly Hair in the UK 2021 (Dyson, ghd and More)

Top 10 Best Hair Dryer Diffusers for Curly Hair in the UK 2021 (Dyson, ghd and More)

Curly girls (and guys!) know that the hair products you use for styling can matter just as much as which shampoo and conditioner you use in the shower. Regular hair dryers can make curly hair frizzy and undefined, but air-drying can take too long and sometimes leave curls limp and lifeless. That’s where hair diffusers come in!

If you have never used one of these special tools before, you may be finding the myriad of choices a bit overwhelming. We are here to tell you all the points you need to consider when purchasing a hair diffuser, as well as introduce some fantastic options from brands such as Dyson, ghd, and Panasonic. And, we'll be hearing some sound advice from Shannon of UK Curly Girl. Happy curls all around!

Last updated: 31-03-2021
22,446 views

Table of Contents

With Specialist Advice From UK Curly Girl

Shannon of UK Curly Girl is a natural curly hair blogger, YouTuber and owner of brand 'O So Curly'. She's a huge fan of natural beauty and hair products, and a self-proclaimed 'product junkie'.

With a gorgeous head of curls herself, she's previously shared her favourite curly hair accessories and deep conditioners with us, so we thought we'd ask her to share some pointers to think about when buying a hair dryer diffuser for curly hair, too!

What Is a Hair Diffuser?

In case you didn't know, a “diffuser” actually refers to the attachment placed on to the end of the hair dryer. It has a flat, rounded shape with several prongs poking out. Using this shape helps to diffuse, or disperse, the air coming out of the hair dryer, making it spread out evenly over a larger surface area.

This gentle stream of warm or cool air ensures that the natural, delicate shape of your curls (that you tried your best to create using conditioner and styling products!) will not be disturbed. It will also help to give your head of curls a more beautiful, bouncy, voluminous shape overall.

How to Choose a Hair Dryer Diffuser for Curly Hair in the UK – Buying Guide

When shopping for your first diffuser, there are multiple points to consider. Should you purchase just an attachment, or a hairdryer with a built-in diffuser? If the latter, what settings should you go for? We'll lay it out for you step-by-step so you can pick out your ideal styling product with confidence.

Should You Buy an Attachment or a Brand New Hair Dryer?

The first thing to decide when looking for a diffuser is whether you want to buy a simple diffuser attachment that you can pop onto the hair dryer you already have, or a completely new dryer with a specifically designed built-in diffuser. There are pros and cons to consider for both.

Universal Attachments Are Convenient and Can Be Used Overseas – But Check the Size!

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If you already own a good hair dryer, you’ll most likely be fine with just buying an attachment. Universal attachments are a convenient choice as they (usually!) can be put on any hair dryer, as the name suggests. They are light and can fit onto hotel dryers too, making them fantastic for travel.

You could also consider a collapsible attachment. These cute contraptions are even easier to pop into a bag or suitcase when travelling, or for storing discretely in a closet. On the downside, they tend to be less “universal” as they can only fit on the thin, sloped nozzles found on larger dryers.

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The third option to consider is a sock diffuser. These unique inventions are mesh fabric attachments that you slip over the hair dryer. The fabric diffuses the air, making a gentle breeze to help dry your curls. While these are very light and compact, they won’t give your curls any extra volume or shape like typical diffusers do.

Regardless of the style you would like to go for, you should check the specifications to make sure that it will definitely fit your hair dryer’s particular shape. Even some regular diffusers cannot fit dryers that are too short or too wide, which is something to take into consideration.

Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur

UK Curly Girl

Pick Hair Dryers With Diffusers if You Are Starting From Zero!

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Don’t own a hairdryer or looking to upgrade? In that case, you may just want to buy a dryer and diffuser set. The plus point for this option is that you know that the diffuser head will definitely fit the hairdryer with no difficulty, awkwardness, or overheating. These hair dryers often come with different heads too, in case you would like to experiment with styling.

On the other hand, dryers purchased in the UK cannot be used overseas because of voltage differences, yet the diffuser will not be compatible with any other hairdryers, meaning this option is not the best for globetrotters.

Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur

UK Curly Girl

Examine the Specs of the Hair Dryer for the Best Results

If you want to buy a hair dryer and diffuser set, it’s important that you check out the features of the dryer itself in order to guarantee the best curls at the end of your styling session.

Make Sure the Hair Dryer Has the Settings You Want

For curly hair, even if you use a diffuser, you won’t be able to achieve the best results possible if your hairdryer is on the wrong settings. For example, a breeze too hot can cause unwanted frizz.

Therefore, before purchasing a hair dryer diffuser set it’s important to make sure that it has what you want and need to properly style your locks. Many curlies like to diffuse their hair with the hairdryer on the lowest and coolest functions, so keep this in mind if you are a diffusing beginner.

Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur

UK Curly Girl

You'll want your brand new dryer to come with an option of more than 2 heat settings, you should steer away from the highest heat when drying your curls as this can over time damage the hair. It's always a good sign if you have a low and medium heat setting and a low speed as you can better manage your drying session.

Never buy a dryer that does not have a cool heat setting (this is usually under the dryer and in a separate space from the heat and speed settings) this setting is so important as it will prevent heat damage and seal in your moisture and definition.

Ionic Hair Dryers Can Reduce Frizz

Many hair dryers nowadays are ionic, which means that they create negative ions. These negative ions help water to evaporate quicker by breaking down the water molecules, which in turn makes your hair dry faster.

Apart from the quicker drying time, another benefit of this is that you will be using less heat on your hair than with a regular drier, resulting in less frizz. Hurrah!

Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur

UK Curly Girl

Top 10 Best Hair Dryer Diffusers for Curly Hair in the UK

Now that you are aware of your different options when searching for a hair dryer diffuser for your gorgeous curls, it’s time for us to introduce some of our favourite recommendations.

amazon.co.uk

Hot SockUltralight Diffuser

£13.50

View product on Amazon

A Simple Sock Diffuser for On-the-Go Drying

For our sock diffuser option, we have chosen this popular product by Hot Sock which can be slipped on to any hair dryer with ease. It’s made from a spongy fabric which creates a very gentle breeze of air that will not disturb any of your ringlets. Because of this, it’s said to give the effect of air drying in a reduced amount of time.

Like any sock diffuser, even when held under the hair or at the scalp, it won’t really help to give any extra volume to your curls – just like air drying. Nevertheless, due to its versatility and compactness it’s perfect for bringing on trips abroad, and is apparently a favourite at fashion shows for some last-minute styling!

Type	Sock diffuser
Size	5 x 15 x 2.5 cm
Number of Settings	-
Ionic	-

The Curly Co. Collapsible Diffuser

£32.15

Ideal for Travel, Overnight Stays and Gym Bags

This stylish black diffuser made from silicone has a convenient folding design so it can be easily stuffed into any bag or suitcase. Whether you’re at the airport, the gym, or a friends house, you should always be able to avoid frizz while giving volume to your locks by whipping out this bad boy.

However, this product is not universal so you will need to check if it fits on your hairdryer before purchase. In addition, the shape is rather flat, so you may want to reserve this for on-the-go use while using another diffuser for weekly styling at home. It's also pretty expensive, considering that you can buy a hairdryer diffuser set for less!

Type	Collapsible diffuser attachment
Size	Connection 2.5", diameter 5.25"
Number of Settings	-
Ionic	-

DysonSupersonic Hair Dryer

HD03

£299.99

Advanced Technology for Frizz-Free Curls

Like all Dyson products, this is a unique and innovative invention that will change your image of hair dryers forever. As the motor is in the handle, the hair dryer is pleasantly light to hold. The air flow is good quality with several adjustable heat settings, and the specially-designed magnetic diffuser head clips on with ease.

The downside is of course, the price tag! It’s hard to justify paying so much for a styling tool, so you will have to think long and hard before purchasing it. In addition, some reviewers with long hair have said that they would like the surface area of the diffuser attachment to be larger. Despite this, you can’t deny that this is top quality!

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	98 x 67.8 x 25.4 cm
Number of Settings	3 speed settings, 4 heat settings
Ionic	Yes

amazon.co.uk

BaBylissCurl Dry 2100 Hair Dryer

£22.96

Designed to Tame Frizz and Bring Out Curls

From the experts at BaByliss, this hair dryer is designed specifically with curly hair in mind. It uses negative ions to reduce frizz and decrease drying time, and a cool shot button to help set your curls at the end of the styling process. The dryer itself is very lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for as long as you need.

Reviewers have complained that the cord is a bit shorter than they would like, and they would prefer the diffuser head to be larger to cover more of their curls with air. In addition, more heat settings would be better for freedom when styling. That said, this is a great choice for a budget hair dryer.

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	-
Number of Settings	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot
Ionic	Yes

amazon.co.uk

RemingtonPro-Air Turbo Dryer

D5220

£24.99

High Quality Drying at a Budget Price

Want an affordable but good-quality ionic hair dryer from a trusted brand? Consider Remington's latest Pro-Air dryer. It is lightweight and has a long 2.5 m cord, so you won’t have any difficulty drying your hair even if your plug socket is on the other side of the room to the mirror!

If considering this dryer, keep in mind that the diffuser is smaller than we would like, which could make drying curly hair a bit difficult. In addition, there are only 2 speed settings which will not give you as much freedom when styling as other options on this list.

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	-
Number of Settings	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot
Ionic	Yes

HairizoneUniversal Hair Diffuser

£17.99

A Universal Diffuser That Won’t Leave Scratches

If you already have a hair dryer and just want a universal diffuser that you could pop on top, this is a great option. It fits onto any hair dryer with the help of some adjustable silicone strips, which also prevent scratches or overheating. The surface area is nice and wide too, so it’s great at evenly distributing air across your hair.

However, depending on the shape of the hair dryer that you use, there’s a chance that it might slip or become lopsided, as the silicone strips aren’t always totally secure. The prongs are also a bit short so won’t help to dry the depths of long sections of hair.

Type	Diffuser attachment
Size	Connection 1.7-2.6", diameter 6"
Number of Settings	-
Ionic	-

amazon.co.uk

Xtava Black Orchid Large Hair Diffuser

£49.19

The Best Attachment for Thick or Black Hair

This unique attachment from Xtava is a good 17 cm wide and has an impressive 90 air vents, so is great at distributing the warm or cool air from your dryer all over your curls for even and quick drying. This is further enhanced with the help of the extra-long prongs, which can get to the roots of even thicker hair.

As this option is not completely “universal”, you will have to check if it fits your hair dryer before ordering it. Despite this, if you have a suitably-shaped model, we believe this is the best diffuser attachment for bringing bounce to thick and natural curls!

Type	Diffuser attachment
Size	Connection 1.8", diameter 17.3 cm
Number of Settings	-
Ionic	-

PanasonicNanoe Ion Hair Dryer

EH-NA65

£54.99

A Top-Quality Nanoe Dryer From a Trusted Brand

From renowned Japanese brand Panasonic comes a dryer and diffuser set that uses Nanoe technology to give the hair and scalp moisture while drying it, making the hair soft and preventing unwanted frizz.

Plus, the prongs on the diffuser head are nice and long to help the air reach all your curls, and there are many settings to help you out when drying. This is an excellent choice if you want to invest in a top-quality hair dryer that you can trust to perform well.

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	-
Number of Settings	3 speed settings, 4 heat settings, cool shot
Ionic	Yes

amazon.co.uk

RemingtonProluxe Ionic Hairdryer

£39.26

For Drying Curls Quickly in Style

This elegant dryer from Remington utilises “OPTIHeat technology” to help direct the heat to your hair, significantly cutting down drying time – so while it may be quite heavy for some, this shouldn’t be an issue. What’s more, 90% more ions than the standard Remington hair dryers will help to reduce frizz, giving your ringlets a gorgeous shape.

Although the prongs on the diffuser head are a bit low, the wide surface area will help the air reach every curl on your head. Curly girls and guys will also appreciate the fact that the cool shot function has a switch instead of a button, so you don’t have to worry about holding it down to add the final touch to your styling.

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	-
Number of Settings	3 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot, style shot
Ionic	Yes

amazon.co.uk

ghdAir Hair Drying Kit

£115.00

Professional-Standard Drying at Home

Top on our list is this stylish choice from ghd which promises a salon finish and completely dry hair in half the time a conventional hair dryer would take. The powerful 2100 watt motor and negative ions ensure quick drying and reduced frizz, while bestowing much-desired volume to your lovely locks.

The prongs on the wide diffuser are nice and long, ensuring an equal distribution of air across your hair. What’s more, this trustworthy, British hair care brand has designed this dryer with an easy-to-hold ergonomic design and a conveniently long cable. Our verdict? It’s pricey, but definitely worth it for the top-notch quality!

Type	Hair dryer with diffuser
Size	80 x 35 x 25 cm
Number of Settings	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot
Ionic	Yes

Compare the Best Hair Dryer Diffusers for Curly Hair

Image	1 ghd	2 Remington	3 Panasonic	4 Xtava	5 Hairizone	6 Remington	7 BaByliss	8 Dyson	9 The Curly Co.	10 Hot Sock
Name	Air Hair Drying Kit	Proluxe Ionic Hairdryer	Nanoe Ion Hair Dryer	Black Orchid Large Hair Diffuser	Universal Hair Diffuser	Pro-Air Turbo Dryer	Curl Dry 2100 Hair Dryer	Supersonic Hair Dryer	Collapsible Diffuser	Ultralight Diffuser
Features	Professional-Standard Drying at Home	For Drying Curls Quickly in Style	A Top-Quality Nanoe Dryer From a Trusted Brand	The Best Attachment for Thick or Black Hair	A Universal Diffuser That Won’t Leave Scratches	High Quality Drying at a Budget Price	Designed to Tame Frizz and Bring Out Curls	Advanced Technology for Frizz-Free Curls	Ideal for Travel, Overnight Stays and Gym Bags	A Simple Sock Diffuser for On-the-Go Drying
Price	£115.00	£39.26	£54.99	£49.19	£17.99	£24.99	£22.96	£299.99	£32.15	£13.50
Type	Hair dryer with diffuser	Hair dryer with diffuser	Hair dryer with diffuser	Diffuser attachment	Diffuser attachment	Hair dryer with diffuser	Hair dryer with diffuser	Hair dryer with diffuser	Collapsible diffuser attachment	Sock diffuser
Size	80 x 35 x 25 cm	-	-	Connection 1.8", diameter 17.3 cm	Connection 1.7-2.6", diameter 6"	-	-	98 x 67.8 x 25.4 cm	Connection 2.5", diameter 5.25"	5 x 15 x 2.5 cm
Number of Settings	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot	3 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot, style shot	3 speed settings, 4 heat settings, cool shot	-	-	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot	2 speed settings, 3 heat settings, cool shot	3 speed settings, 4 heat settings	-	-
Ionic	Yes	Yes	Yes	-	-	Yes	Yes	Yes	-	-
Link	View Amazon View eBay View John Lewis	View Amazon View eBay View Argos	View Amazon View eBay View Argos	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon View eBay View Argos	View Amazon View eBay View Argos	View Amazon View John Lewis View Boots	View Amazon View eBay	View Amazon

How to Use a Diffuser on Curly Hair

Now you know the ins and outs of choosing a diffuser, let’s share some useful tips for any diffusing beginners. After applying any styling products – such as leave-in conditioner, curl cream, or gel – attach the diffuser to the hair dryer and put it on the lowest, coolest setting for the best results.

For more volume and a nicer lift at the roots you may want to flip your head over for the start of the process. While avoiding touching your hair too much, focus the diffuser on your scalp to dry your roots first. You can either gently hover the diffuser around your roots for a more natural effect or place it on each section of scalp for 30 seconds or so to ensure the roots are as dry as possible.

Moving on to the rest of your hair! For this, it’s better to move your hair from side to side when diffusing to make sure your curls can move around freely once dry. Once again, you can hover the diffuser around your hair to have a more air-drying effect, or place the diffuser directly to your strands.

To do this, place the ends of your hair on to the cup of the diffuser, and scrunch the hair up to your scalp with the dryer. Hold the dryer up towards your head for a few seconds, and repeat with the remaining sections of your hair while moving your head back and forth until dry! Et voilà, beautifully styled, frizz-free, voluminous curls!

Hair Blogger and Entrepreneur

UK Curly Girl

How you use your diffuser is crucial to your hair's results after drying! You want to be gentle and hardly touch your curls with the diffuser, so start by simply cupping the hair in sections into the diffuser (without moving it) and hold it there for some time, do this all-around your head.

You'll want to focus on the top of the head and crown area, where you should hold the dryer on top of your hair (do not push too deeply). At the end of the session, I like to flip my head down and cup the ends of my curls upside down, then flip my hair to the right, dry from above, and do the same on the left side. Repeat as necessary until your hair is fully dry.

Looking for More Curly Hair Saviours?

Wondering how else to give your curls the care and treatment they deserve? We have plenty more suggestions for creams, shampoos, conditioners, and everything in between, so you can learn how to wash and style your way to a good curly hair day every day.

Top 10 Best Curly Hair Products for Men in the UK 2021 (Cantu, Davines and More)

Top 10 Best Curl Creams in the UK 2021

Top 10 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair in the UK 2021

Summary

That’s it! We hope this article was useful to you, whether you’re on the beginning of your hair-diffusing journey or are just looking to replace your old favourite. Once you get used to drying your hair with your new product, you’ll see why diffusers are a must-have for many curlies. Now, let your hair down and embrace those natural ringlets!

Author: Brigid Bernard