From the olden days before Sephoras and Ultas became the new corner shops, locating the best hair dryer usually went this way: check out drugstore, see selection of five or six hair-dryers, choose mostly according to price and/or cuteness (scoring one out of a non-black color was really a big deal). Flash forward to 2016, and we feel as if we need to earn an advanced degree in aerospace engineering-and browse no less than 2500 product reviews-before even thinking about navigating the latest world of high-end, high-tech hair-dryers.

Yes, the humble hair-dryer has come a long way, and while basic models still exist, the expensive (or shall we say, "investment") versions boast bells and whistles that will significantly enhance your hair plus your blowout experience-provided you take the time to decode which of them matter to the hair. We're here to help with making this less like too tricky. Here's a cheat sheet of common hair-dryer traits and which to hone in on according to your blowout goals.


Wattage

A very high-wattage motor packs more wind power and definately will cut down your styling time without exposing hair to excessive heat. If the motor isn't strong, you wind up with a lot more heat and fewer wind, which means you're 'toasting' the hair dry. Shoot to get a wattage of 1800 to 2000. Bonus: High-wattage dryers don't burn out as soon as their small-motored cousins.


Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer


Heating Element

Today's hair dryers feature state-of-the-art heating technology which enables styling your hair very simple--literally and figuratively. Look for ionic models with heating elements manufactured from ceramic. Coils created from ceramic heat evenly for fast, uniform drying.

Ionic hair dryers use negative ions to neutralize the positive charges that cause frizz and flyaway, that makes for smoother, silkier hair. Those models featuring tourmaline are especially effective, since this semiprecious stone emits even more negative ions than regular ionic hair dryers. High-quality hair dryers with ceramic and ionic capabilities also dry hair quicker.


Temperature Range

Opt for a hair dryer that gives several temperature settings, such as three heat/two speed capabilities, and a cool shot option, that helps set your hairstyle and dries finishing sprays and other products. The better settings your dryer features, the greater flexibility you possess for styling and drying. Lower settings tend to cause less injury to the hair and are best used as soon as your hair is damp although not wet.


Cool Shot Feature

Switching onto cool air when hair is generally dry seals the cuticle, providing better shine and long-lasting hold. It's also handy for "locking in" curls.


Comfort

If at all possible, hold the hair dryer to see the way it feels within your hand. Also note the general weight of the dryer, particularly if you use a hair dryer frequently. For easy styling, decide on a lighter weight model that you could easily grip.


Convenient Features

Buttons must be positioned where they're an easy task to reach, but tough to hit unintentionally. A removable filter in the back is handy since you don't need to take the hair dryer apart to clean it. Another feature many users love is really a retracting cord, which coils up taken care of for storage -- though reviews we've seen of models with the feature indicate how the mechanisms are not always reliable.