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How Many Watts Does a Hair Dryer Use? Power and Electricity Explained

Hair dryers commonly fall around 1,500–2,000 W, though ratings vary by model and setting. See how to convert wattage and runtime into electricity use and cost.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 2 min read
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Most hair dryers are rated around 1,500–2,000 watts (W), but the exact figure depends on the model and setting. Published examples range from 1,000 W to 2,400 W, so check the rating on the specific dryer rather than assuming every model uses the same amount. The wattage tells you its power draw; how much electricity it uses depends on how long you run it.

How many watts does a hair dryer use?

EnergySage gives 1,500–2,000 W as a general range for hair dryers. Individual examples vary: Philips lists models rated at 1,000 W and 1,800 W, while a European Commission study excerpt hosted by Oeko-Institut reports rated power ranging from 1,000 W to 2,400 W. These figures describe general ranges and listed models, not a single universal rating. EnergySage, Philips, European Commission study excerpt.

Power also changes with the operating setting. APPLiA, the European appliance association, says an unheated setting can use as little as 70 W, compared with around 1,500 W on high heat. Its page, dated 26 May 2023, notes that energy use first depends on the model. APPLiA.

How much electricity does a hair dryer use?

Watts measure the rate at which a dryer uses power. Electricity use over time is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), the unit commonly used on household electricity bills. Estimate the energy for a session with this formula:

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#1 Best Overall
Revlon Compact Hair Dryer | 1875W Lightweight Design, Perfect for Travel, (Black)
  • Compact Dryer. Easy, Everyday Use
  • 2 Heat/Speed Settings
  • Cool Shot Button
  • Lightweight & Compact Design
  • Removable End-cap for Easy Cleaning

kWh = watts × hours used ÷ 1,000

For example, an 1,800 W dryer running for 10 minutes uses about 0.3 kWh: 1,800 × (10 ÷ 60) ÷ 1,000. This is a calculation based on the stated rating and runtime, not a measurement of every dryer’s actual draw.

EnergySage estimates 9.13 kWh per month and 109.5 kWh per year for an 1,800 W dryer used 10 minutes daily. Those totals follow that specific daily-use assumption; your total will vary with the model, setting and runtime. EnergySage’s calculation and assumptions.

Rank #2
Sale
Wavytalk Blown Away Ionic Hair Dryer with Diffuser for Curly Hair
  • 2x Faster Drying: Powered by a robust 1875W motor and advanced aerodynamic design, this ionic hair dryer delivers high-speed airflow to dry your hair twice as fast. Spend less time drying, avoid overheating, and minimize damage—all while achieving effortlessly sleek results
  • Ionic Frizz Reduction: This hair dryer releases millions of negative ions during use, neutralizing static, taming frizz, and boosting shine—leaving your hair smooth, glossy, and effortlessly polished
  • 3 Attachments for Every Style: A concentrated nozzle delivers precision airflow, allowing for targeted styling and greater control. The diffuser reduces frizz while enhancing and defining natural curls or waves. The comb attachment smooths and straightens, making it perfect for managing thick, unruly hair with ease
  • 3 Temperature Settings: With three temperature settings and two airflow speeds (including a cool air option), this device offers customizable versatility for every hair type, turning your daily hair care routine into an effortless, salon-worthy experience
  • Safety Protection & Low Radiation: Equipped with an automatic shutdown function to prevent overheating, this hair dryer with diffuser ensures safe use at all times. Additionally, its low electromagnetic wave technology reduces radiation by 50%, making it a safer choice for pregnant women and children

How much does it cost to run a hair dryer?

Multiply the kWh used by your electricity price per kWh to estimate the cost. For the 0.3 kWh example above, the session cost is 0.3 multiplied by your local rate. Since electricity rates vary by location and plan, the wattage alone cannot determine a cost.

Does a higher-wattage dryer use more electricity?

A higher wattage means a higher rate of power use while the dryer is running at that rating. But it does not, by itself, show which dryer uses less electricity for a complete drying session: session energy depends on both power and runtime. A lower-rated dryer could run longer, while a higher-rated one could finish sooner. The sources cited here do not establish a universal relationship between wattage and drying speed, or a controlled comparison of whole-session energy use.

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Rank #3
REVLON Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer with Diffuser & Concentrator, White
  • Maintain Hair's Natural Moisture: Infrared Heat Technology helps prevent over-drying while supporting healthy-looking shine
  • Professional Drying Power: 1875W motor delivers efficient airflow for quick drying and salon-inspired results
  • Smooth Away Frizz: Tourmaline ionic technology and ceramic coating help reduce flyaways and heat damage
  • Customized for Every Hair Type: Three heat settings, two speeds, and cool shot functionality provide styling flexibility
  • Complete Styling Kit: Includes diffuser, concentrator, and styling clips for versatile styling options

When comparing models, check the rated watts at comparable settings and consider how long each takes for the same task. Multiply the power rating by the relevant runtime to compare estimated session energy; do not treat wattage alone as an efficiency ranking.

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What should you check before using a hair dryer abroad?

Check the dryer’s supported voltage and the plug requirements at your destination, as well as its wattage. For example, ghd says its flight+ travel dryer reaches a maximum of 1,600 W when operating at 240 V. That specification applies to that model and voltage; it should not be assumed for other dryers or supply voltages. ghd flight+.

Best Value
Sale
slopehill Professional Ionic Hair Dryer, Powerful 1800W Fast Drying Low Noise Blow Dryer with 2 Concentrator Nozzle 1 Diffuser Attachments for Home Salon Travel (Black)
  • Powerful Motor for Faster Drying: The professional hair dryer delivers strong wind for fast drying even thick wavy hair in less time, because of the high airflow motor, up to 21,000 rpm. Compact design will be more lightweight & portable.
  • Deeply Protect Hair from Damaged: Hair care and low-radiation. The hair is protected at a constant temperature, evenly dried, no damaged. And Air outlet electromagnetic low radiation.
  • 1 Cool Shooting Button & 3 Heat Settings: One speed control knob + Three heat settings for complete drying and styling flexibility. Easy to control the temperature and wind speed to make your favorite hairstyle at home.
  • Concentrator & Diffuser Included: Concentrator is ideal for precision styling on straight, Diffuser focused airflow to help define hair natural curls and waves.
  • Safe, Reliable and High Quality: Built-in high-end fault diagnosis chip, intelligent diagnosis of usage faults, craftsman-level manufacturing technology to create safe, reliable and high quality, the motor service life is more than 1000 hours, which is more than twice the life of ordinary hair dryers.
Rank #4
AINA Diffuser Hair Dryer Full-Featured Blow Dryer 110V/1600W(Vader Black)
  • Creative 4-layer airflow filter: A 4-layer filter is used to ensure that hair is not sucked inside the blow dryer. It is safer and can be used with confidence.
  • Ceramic Coating: Helps reduce heat damage from over-styling with even heat distribution for a frizz-free results.
  • Tourmaline Technology: Maintain neutral charge on hair's surface, leaving it looking conditioned and smooth while helping reduce frizz and static for healthy, shiny hair. And Blowing air up to 120°.
  • All Hair Types: 1600 Watts(125V) for maximum drying power[1800W/240V]. This is 110V edition. 2 heat/ 2 speed settings for precise styling. And cold shot button releases cold air to lock in style.
  • A variety of accessories come standard:The concentrator and volumizing finger diffuser attachments give you maximum precision for truly customized hairstyles.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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