The 7 Best Plasma Hair Dryers

The humble hair dryer has found its way into most of our bathroom cabinets as a staple tool that many of us use almost daily.

But the tech has come a long way since the first hair dryer made its way onto the scene. Plasma hair dryers are the cutting-edge new upgrade to whatever you have in your cabinet right now.

Are they worth it? Which ones are best? I’m here to break down the science and help you find the best plasma hair dryer for you to cash in on the many benefits that this cutting-edge technology can offer your hair.

Best Plasma Hair Dryers

1. Ella Bella Professional Smart Plasma Hair Dryer– Best overall
2. Tideway AURA Edition H11 High-Speed Hair Dryer– Best-looking
3. Ella Bella Compact Plasma Hair Dryer– Best compact for travel
4. Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000– Best splurge
5. ANNLARRY Plasma Ion Hair Dryer with Diffuser for Curly Hair– Best on Amazon
6. BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ Ionic High-Speed Dryer– Best versatility
7. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR SmoothWrap Hair Dryer with Diffuse– Best budget

How Do Plasma Hair Dryers Work?

So… what does plasma have to do with hair dryers? And what is a plasma hair dryer anyway?

Many hair dryers use just heat and air pressure to dry hair. Then, a step above those, ionic or negative ionic hair dryers use negatively-charged ions that break apart water molecules, allowing for a safer, lower-damage hair drying experience. 

“Plasma” is an advanced form of ionic technology that offers a balance of both positive and negative ions to reduce frizz and static more effectively and for longer periods compared to regular ionic hair dryers, which mostly use negative ions to dry hair. 

While regular negative ionic dryers are great for taming frizz and adding shine to most hair types, especially thicker or coarser hair, plasma’s dual-ion action provides even better static reduction and smoothing. This makes it ideal for all hair types, especially those that get frizzy or static-y easily.

Benefits of Using a Plasma Hair Dryer

Using a plasma hair dryer is a great way to prevent heat damage to your hair and reduce frizz and shine.

Here are a few of the best benefits you can get from a plasma hair dryer:

• Faster drying time- Plasma technology breaks down water molecules faster, helping hair dry quicker than with traditional and negative ionic dryers.
• Reduced frizz- Plasma ions actually smooth the hair cuticle, minimizing static and flyaways for serious frizz reduction.
• Less damage- The even heat distribution from the plasma technology prevents hair from overheating and reduces the risk of heat damage.
• Shinier look- Sealing the cuticle helps your hair reflect more light, leaving hair looking glossy and healthier.
• More moisture- Plasma ions lock hydration into your hair, preventing dryness and keeping your hair silky soft.
• Enhanced styling control- The smooth, frizz-free finish plasma technology offers makes it easier to style your hair and keep that style for a long time.
• Suitable for all hair types- Works well on fine, thick, curly, or straight hair, making it great for you, dear reader.

How I Picked These Plasma Hair Dryers

I wanted to look at different factors that people would consider when choosing their own plasma hair dryers. Things like benefits, features, and, of course, price were top priority for my choices. Here’s a detailed overview of what I looked at.

• Drying performance- I looked for dryers that offer users strong airflow and, of course, plasma technology that actually cuts down drying time. Because nobody wants to stand there drying their hair for an hour.
• Hair health benefits- Protecting against heat damage, truly reducing frizz, and boosting moisture and shine were benefits I was on the lookout for when curating this list.
• Ease of use- As someone who likely has carpal tunnel, I wanted hair dryers that wouldn’t make me miserable every time I used them. Things like weight, balance, overall handle comfort, and convenient button placement all play a role in how user-friendly these dryers are.
• Features and attachments- I prioritized hair dryers that come with multiple different heat and speed settings, cool shot options, and useful nozzles or diffusers for every hair type and styling need.
• Price and value for money- Cost is a huge deciding factor for the vast majority of us, so I wanted to include options for every budget. The price-conscious picks offer quality and value, and the luxury options prove themselves to be splurge-worthy.

1. Ella Bella Professional Smart Plasma Hair Dryer

Best overall

Coming in first place overall is the Ella Bella Professional Smart Plasma Hair Dryer. 

This powerful plasma hair dryer uses smart technology to control and adjust heat and air speed automatically based on hair moisture and dryer closeness, giving you the exact amount of power and heat your hair needs without overdoing it and causing damage. You can also choose from multiple heat and airflow settings for the perfect dry for your hair.

The advanced plasma technology uses both negative and positive ions to create a powerful drying experience, drying hair in just a fraction of the time that a traditional or negative ion dryer would. The combo also works to seal the cuticle of your hair, locking in moisture and eliminating frizz for a sleek, smooth look.

It also comes with two different attachments, including a narrow flat nozzle for precision styling and a large diffuser for curly and wavy hair. The lightweight, ergonomic design makes it easy to hold and use, and it features a sleek black design with rose gold accents, making it a beautiful addition to your bathroom countertop.

Price: $199.99 (on sale for $139.97)

2. Tideway AURA Edition H11 High-Speed Hair Dryer

Best-looking

If you want the cutest one on the list, look no further than the Tideway AURA Edition H11 High-Speed Hair Dryer. Available in 5 different colors, including my personal favorite, Barbie Pink, the ultra-sleek design of this plasma dryer makes it the prettiest one here. 

But it’s not just about the looks. This high-speed hair dryer uses 200 million plasma particles to seal cuticles, fight static frizz, and protect scalp health. It even boasts a 99.99% inhibition rate against Malassezia and Propionibacterium acne, making it the best choice for scalp health.

Coming in at just under 16 oz, it gets an A+ in ergonomics. It uses “NTC Smart Temperature Control” to monitor heat 100 times per second, preventing damage. You can choose from 8 modes with 2 wind speeds and 4 temperature settings (including a unique hot and cold cycle option), and it comes with a diffuser for curly hair and a nozzle for concentrated drying, perfect for styling.

This speedy dryer promises to dry short hair in 1-2 minutes, medium-length hair in 2-3 minutes, and long hair in 3-5 minutes, all under 70dB for a “peaceful drying experience.” It also comes with a wall mount for easy storage and a cleaning brush.

Price: $200 (currently on sale for $64.99)

3. Ella Bella Compact Plasma Hair Dryer

Best compact for travel

For the benefits of plasma drying on the go, look no further than the Ella Bella Compact Plasma Hair Dryer.

This small but mighty hair dryer from Ella Bella has just about everything you love in the larger Ella Bella Professional Smart Plasma Hair Dryer in a smaller version (and with a smaller price tag). It has an intuitive, easy-to-use digital display screen that shows you the customizable heat and wind speed settings.

You won’t have to compromise power for size, here. The plasma technology dries hair in no time and seals the cuticle for a moisturized, frizz-free finish that doesn’t cause extra damage. 

With a nozzle attachment and a diffuser, this compact, easy-to-use hair dryer is suitable for any and all hair types. Plus, it comes with a beautiful gift box and a travel bag so you can easily toss it in your suitcase.

While I didn’t really consider customer service or shipping time on my list of criteria (because many of these products can be purchased from different retailers, so these things could vary), I did notice multiple reviews mentioning easy, speedy customer service and fast shipping.

Price: $99.99 (currently on sale for $59.97)

4. Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000

Best splurge

If you have the cash and want to treat yourself to a luxury plasma hair dryer, try the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000.

This fancy plasma dryer offers salon-quality results from your bathroom counter. It’s a lightweight, professional-quality dryer that weighs in at just 1 lb, featuring a cute, ergonomic design that’s easy to use.

It offers wind speeds up to 80 mph (the highest in its class) from 8 different customizable settings for heat and speed. The plasma ionic technology it uses emits 3 million ions every second, key to making hair shiny and frizz-free.

The Harry Josh Pro saves time and energy by reducing drying time to 50% and saving energy consumption up to 70% compared to traditional hair dryers.

If you want a seriously luxurious, professional experience and you have the cash to spend, the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000 is worth the splurge.

Price: $280

5. ANNLARRY Plasma Ion Hair Dryer with Diffuser for Curly Hair

Best on Amazon

Prime members looking for a plasma dryer that can arrive at their doorstep tomorrow, check out the ANNLARRY Plasma Ion Hair Dryer with Diffuser for Curly Hair.

This powerful little dryer is ultra quiet, emitting sound under 65 dB without sacrificing power. You’re getting 1500W of power and 40 million plasma ions delivered to your hair for super-fast drying (3 times faster than a traditional dryer) that locks in moisture, helping your hair look shinier and softer over time.

It only weighs 0.8lbs and features a balanced handle and foldable design, so ergonomics are a win here. Another win is the 3 heat and 3 speed settings, as well as the two magnetic attachments it comes with, making it suitable for all hair types and styles. Like other more expensive options on this list, the ANNLARRY dryer also features an intelligent temperature cycling mode to intuitively dry hair without causing unnecessary damage.

While it’s not the fanciest or fastest on this list, it’s an accessible way to get the benefits of a plasma hair dryer for under $100. You won’t be sacrificing performance with this one.

Price: $96.99 (currently on sale for $72.99)

6. BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ Ionic High-Speed Dryer

Best versatility

If you want a hair dryer that doubles as an all-in-one styling tool, you have to try out the BaBylissPRO® Nano Titanium™ Ionic High-Speed Dryer.

This incredibly versatile plasma ion hair dryer has 3 heat and 3 speed settings with a cold shock button to lock styles in place, making it great for different drying needs. What really sets it apart, though, are the 4 different attachments, including two different flat concentrator nozzles with cool tip sides, a large diffuser for curly and wavy hair, and a straightening pick to penetrate curly hair.

The engineering is solid, designed to cut drying time in half. It also comes with the option to turn the ions on for smoothing frizz or off to add texture and volume, making it even more customizable to every hair type.

For an all-in-one tool that gives you frizz-free volume and a ton of attachment and heat options for whatever hairstyle you’re feeling that way, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ionic High-Speed Dryer is worth looking into.

Price: $224.99

7. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR SmoothWrap Hair Dryer with Diffuser

Best budget

Not having a hundred bucks to drop on a hair dryer doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the benefits of plasma technology. For a super affordable option, try the INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR SmoothWrap Hair Dryer with Diffuser.

This dryer uses the power of dual-ionic drying to offer the same plasma tech benefits as all of the other hair dryers on this list at a fraction of the price. For around $50, you get 3 heat settings and 2 speed settings with a nozzle attachment for styling, a diffuser for even heat distribution, as well as a long-life motor.

It looks like the same iconic Conair dryer you’re used to, just with upgraded tech inside to protect your hair, reduce frizz, and boost shine, all while drying your hair faster than ever. It does weigh in at a little over an lb, making it a bit heavier and bulkier than others on this list. Still, you’re not sacrificing much to save $20.

Price: $70.00 (currently on sale for $54.99)

So, Which Plasma Hair Dryer Is the Best?

If you want the smartest hair dryer that balances value, performance, and design, the Ella Bella Professional Smart Plasma Hair Dryer is the clear winner. 

For travelers, the Ella Bella Compact is lightweight and super portable without compromising on performance, or if you’re looking for luxury, splurge on the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000 for salon-quality results at home. And if budget is top of mind, the INFINITIPRO by Conair SmoothWrap gives you all of the benefits of plasma tech for a much lower price. 

At the end of the day, the best plasma hair dryer for you depends on your personal styling needs, lifestyle, and budget.