If you search “what’s a good hair dryer for travel” you will find a ton of options claiming to be the best for on-the-go drying and styling, but you’ll notice that the majority are still very clunky, weighing over 500g, and despite boasting a ‘foldable handle’ they still take up a lot of room. The price tag for these dryers specifically designed for traveling can also be super high, so it begs the question, is there a better option? Let’s take a look at the main things to look for in a travel hair dryer and what we recommend the most.
Can you take a hairdryer on an airplane?
Yes, you can bring a hair dryer in your carry-on bag, but there are some considerations to keep in mind. First, ensure that it doesn’t exceed the weight or size limits, as bulkier models can take up valuable space and weight in your baggage. A large hair dryer can occupy a significant portion of your allowed weight and reduce the space available for other essentials. Additionally, there are other factors to consider…
How to choose a good hair dryer for travel?
When asking yourself, “what’s a good hair dryer for traveling?”, the key things you need to consider are size/weight, price, and performance.
- Size & weight: A bulky hair dryer can occupy a significant portion of your size and weight allowance, so it’s best to look for a more compact option. Additionally, holding a hair dryer for an extended period can strain your arms. Choosing a model that is small, compact, and lightweight is the most sensible option for both travel and use at home.
- Price: No one wants to spend a lot of money on a hair dryer that is only for traveling. Instead, you should look for a hair dryer that is versatile enough for both travel and everyday use at home. It would be beneficial to choose a model that includes a styling nozzle as a bonus feature.
- Performance: For any hair dryer, fast drying without damaging your hair and scalp is always essential, and considering you might be traveling to a humid climate, look for a dryer that has negative ionic technology to beat the frizz. Additionally, look for a model that offers multiple drying modes, airspeeds, and temperature settings for better versatility.
Laifen SE Lite
The SE Lite is a fantastic budget-friendly option for those looking for a hair dryer that will not only be a great travel companion but also provide powerful performance for your daily hair routine. Weighing in at only 345g/0.76lb (about the same weight as a can of soup!), it provides super-fast airflows of 19 meters per second, drying hair in around 1 minute for short hair, 3 minutes for medium-length hair, and 5 minutes for long hair. Heading to a humid destination? No problem! The SE Lite packs 150 million negative ions to help combat frizz wherever you go.
Laifen SE Lite specs:
| Airspeed/Motor speed | 19m/s / 100,000 RPM |
| Features / Total settings | Temperature Cycling Mode / 8 |
| Sound level | 62dB |
| Temperature monitoring | 50 times per second |
| Negative ions | 150 Million |
| Colors | Glossy Tan, Glossy White, Glossy Purple, Glossy Green, Glossy Pink |
| Accessories | Smooth Nozzle (Snap-On) |
| Weight | 345g/0.76lb/12.17oz |
| Dimensions | 277 x 70 x 83mm |
| Cord length | 2.5m / 8.2ft cord (w/plug) |
Curly-haired adventurers – travel hair dryer with diffuser
The SE Lite is a fantastic option for those who need a travel hair dryer and have basic hair-drying requirements. If you have curly hair and you need to take a diffuser with you on the road, then you can also consider the Laifen SE, which comes with both a smooth nozzle and a diffuser. Having a travel hair dryer with a diffuser and 150 million negative ions can be a lifesaver by helping fight the frizz when you find yourself in humid climates. The SE is slightly more powerful than the SE Lite, with faster airflow, quieter sound levels, and comes with an extra nozzle attachment, which is reflected in its higher price tag. Despite these advantages with performance, the SE still only weighs 407g/0.89lb, making it another amazing travel option if you have curly hair to maintain on the go.
Laifen SE specs
| Airspeed/Motor speed | 21m/s / 105,000 RPM |
| Features / Total settings | Temperature Cycling Mode / 8 |
| Sound level | 59dB |
| Temperature monitoring | 50 times per second |
| Negative ions | 200 Million |
| Colors | Matte Purple, Matte Pink, Matte White, Matte Blue, Matte Black |
| Accessories | Smooth Nozzle, Diffuser Nozzle (Magnetic) |
| Weight | 407g/0.89lb/14.35oz |
| Dimensions | 277 x 70 x 89mm |
| Cord Length | 2.5m / 8.2ft cord (w/plug) |
Have a wonderful, frizz-free trip!
Among Laifen’s wide range of hair dryers, the heaviest model still only weighs in at around 407g, which is significantly lighter than the average high-performance dryer.
If you don’t have the need for extra styling nozzles, then we suggest the SE Lite as the perfect travel companion. It’s budget-friendly, compact, lightweight, and yet still packs a lot of power to give you smooth, shiny, dry hair without frizz, no matter where you go.
For those who are looking for something a bit more advanced and don’t mind paying a little extra for that enhanced performance, then the SE model is the right choice for you. Featuring stronger airflow and an included diffuser for curls, without being bigger, or weighing much more.
Whichever hair dryer you choose to be your travel companion, whether it’s Laifen or another brand, we hope you have a wonderful trip with the best travel hair dryer for you!
