Hair dryer power: types and tips for choosing
All hair dryers differ from each other in type and power. By type, they are divided into only two categories: household and professional. The power of a hair dryer may depend on the type - for example, a hair dryer for home use has a power of 1200 to 1600 W, which is quite enough for drying hair.
Why is this parameter important?
Power is the speed at which the appliance blows out air. The drying time of the hair depends on this parameter. At high speed, the hair will dry faster, but styling is unlikely to be done unless you are a professional. For self-drying hair, devices with a power of 1200-1600 W are quite suitable.
Hair dryers with less power are suitable for travel, as they are usually compact and easy to take on the road. Also, devices with a power of less than 1200 W are suitable for short, thin or brittle hair - they will dry out the hair, but will not harm it. There are models with a power switch function - such hair dryers are suitable for a family where several people use the hair dryer.
The power of the hair dryer also affects the heating. The most gentle hair drying mode is maximum speed and medium temperature.
Low power hair dryers can reach high temperatures, but the low airflow will make the drying time of the hair longer, which will damage the hair. Hair dryers with a power of up to 1000 W are mainly used for styling hair.
The most common models have the ability to switch the air flow rate... Typically, a hair dryer has three operating modes: low, medium and maximum. In professional models, there can be six modes of operation, for a more individual work with each client. The temperature regime can also be changed. The maximum temperature regime is recommended for styling, so that the hair quickly takes the desired shape, and the minimum or the "cold air" function is applied at the end of styling in order to preserve its appearance for a long time. To simply dry your hair, you can use a medium setting of power and temperature.
A hair dryer with the right power will keep your curls healthy. You need to choose this parameter taking into account the structure and type of curls: for normal hair a hairdryer with a power of 1500-1600 W is suitable, for weak hair you need to choose a less powerful device, and if you need to style long and thick hair every day, it is better to opt for professional models.
What is the power?
The power of the hair dryer is measured in watts, on the device it is indicated in the form of numbers with the letter W. There are several types of power.
Minimum
This is a power of up to 1500 W, used for gentle styling. Hair dryers with minimum power are usually compact and can be folded... It is this option that is called road: it does not take up much space, and this power is enough to dry your hair. Another plus of a low-power hair dryer can be considered its low cost.
This model is suitable for owners of dry, short or not too voluminous hair.
Optimal
Average power is from 1500 to 2000 W. Devices with this parameter recommended for home use, they are also called household. If we compare them with travel hair dryers (with low power), then household ones have a larger size and a switch for the air supply and temperature. Among the disadvantages, one can single out a large amount of energy consumption, even if the device is used at the lowest possible rates. Household hair dryers are suitable for owners of long and thick hair.
Maximum
This is 2000 or more watts. Such models are classified as professional, not only because the air supply to them is very strong, but also because the hair dryer is made of heat-resistant materials that can withstand heavy loads for a long time. Often, professional hair dryers are equipped with various attachments. Among the disadvantages are the high cost, high power consumption. These hair dryers are suitable for almost everyone, as they have the ability to switch modes.
Overview of hair dryers manufacturers
Companies that produce budget hairdryers:
- Philips;
- Redmond;
- Polaris.
The best manufacturers of professional hair dryers:
- BaByliss PRO;
- Braun;
- Rowenta.
Manufacturers of the best travel hair dryers:
- Polaris;
- Rowenta;
- Lumme.
The best manufacturers of hair dryers:
- Philips;
- Braun;
- Rowenta.
The best manufacturers in terms of price / quality:
- Philips;
- BaByliss PRO;
- Moser.
Philips is an international Dutch company. The main activity is the manufacture of household appliances, as well as medical devices. This brand is known for its innovative products, among which there are both budget models and more expensive ones.
Moser is a German manufacturer that specializes in the manufacture of hairdressing tools. The factories and offices of the company are located not only in Germany, but also in the USA and Hungary. The quality of the products is of a high level, this is monitored with German scrupulousness at all factories.
Lumme manufactures equipment that is safe for the health of users. The company has made environmental friendliness a priority in its work. The trade mark belongs to the St. Petersburg company "Stingray", and the products are distributed not only across Russia, but also across the CIS countries.
Redmond is another popular domestic manufacturer... The company has been successfully selling its products in the CIS and European countries for several decades. The production plant is located in China.
Polaris is a Russian company. The copyright holder of the trade name is the international corporation Texton Corporation LLC. Products are manufactured in China. The company has established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality and inexpensive equipment.
BaByliss PRO - Italian manufacturer of hair technology.It produces both budget and expensive professional models of hair dryers, which stand out for their quality and discreet design.
Braun Is a German company whose products were one of the first to appear on the Russian market. The technique of this brand is of high quality.
And in another German brand, Rowenta, great attention is paid not only to the quality of products, but also to the appearance and economy.
How to choose?
Before buying, you need to know exactly what the device is for. In addition, the following parameters should be analyzed.
- Device type... All hair dryers are divided into ordinary and hair dryers (brushes). Regular ones are recommended for long hair, and brushes are better for owners of short haircuts. They make it easier to style and simply dry your hair.
- Mode of operation, additional functions. At home, 2-3 modes are enough (power switch, temperature switch, cold air function). If you plan to use the hairdryer professionally, then you need to choose a model with a large set of functionality - these are several power modes, temperatures for each type of hair and different styling.
- The weight. The device should not be too heavy for you, otherwise the hand will quickly get tired during the installation process. A household hairdryer is lightweight and compact, while professional models are heavier. A travel hairdryer is not as powerful, but it is small and light, will do its job well and will not take up much space both at home and when traveling. You also need to pay attention to the location of the buttons - there should be no possibility of accidental pressing during styling or drying.
- Number of attachments. As standard, the hair dryer is equipped with one nozzle for directing the air flow. This is enough for standard hair drying. If you are planning to do styling, then pay attention to the models with additional attachments included.
- Body material... It must have a very high melting point, otherwise, after a while, the case will become very hot and burn your hands.
- Heating element material... In household appliances that are not intended for long-term use, the heating element is most often made of metal. The metal provides uneven heat that can damage hair with frequent use. Now there are models with a ceramic heating element that evenly heat the air and do not overheat, which ensures gentle hair care.
- The presence of an ionizer. Ions help reduce the negative effects of hot air on hair and maintain moisture levels. A hair dryer with ionization is especially recommended for owners of dry, lifeless, oily or colored hair.
- Cord. This parameter determines how long the hair dryer will last you. The base must have additional protection against creases. Do not wrap the cord around the hair dryer, keep it near hot surfaces, wet it. The device should only be stored in a dry place.
When choosing, evaluate the usability: hold the product in your hand, check the convenience of the location of the buttons. The handle should not slip, and the cord should be of such length that it would not hamper your movements in front of the mirror.
How to choose a hairdryer, see below.