When you’re short on time or just want to show off your natural strands, a wash n’ go is a solid option. However, for myself and my fellow curly or wavy-haired gals, it’s not always as simple as it sounds. To streamline the process and get straight to fabulous results, you might want to consider using a hair dryer with a diffuser attachment, which is designed to leave your curls dry, frizz-free and even more defined than if you were to just use a curl cream. “Using a diffuser is a great way to quickly dry curly or wavy hair without blowing it around too much,” says hairstylist Leigh Hardges.
Best hair diffusers for curly hair
Diffusers evenly distribute air through a blow dryer attachment that’s usually bowl-shaped, allowing you to work on big chunks of hair at a time. It applies dispersed heat directly to the hair without crazy airflow, so it sets your curls in place without adding unnecessary volume. To find which diffusers are worth the investment, editors at Women’s Health personally tested diffusers and worked closely with a team of anonymous testers and two hairstylists to find the 11 best hair diffusers for curly hair in 2024. Read on to see our final picks.
What to consider
To make sure you achieve the best curls you can, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping for a diffuser:
Your hair’s thickness
Some diffusers are capable of accommodating more hair than others or are designed to get closer to your root if you have shorter hair. The fuller your hair, the deeper the diffuser you buy should be, says Hardges. “A deep cup will hold more hair and long appendages can reach into thick, full hair.”
Compatibility with your hair dryer
If you’re purchasing a diffuser that doesn’t come with a hair dryer, you should check its measurements to make sure it’s compatible with the blow dryer you have at home. The best hair dryers for attaching diffusers are those with long nozzles, says Hardges.
Type
Diffusers come in all types of sizes and styles. Like Hardges said, the deeper the cup the more hair it will accommodate. Most diffusers come in bowl form, but there are other styles with a flatter surface that have ventilated prongs or a claw/hand-shaped design.
Special features
Having a diffuser with good ventilation can make a big difference, but every brand is a little different, so keep an eye out for those details on the brand’s website. “The whole point of a diffuser is to distribute air flow across a bigger surface area, so you want to make sure your diffuser has lots of ventilation,” explains celebrity hair stylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor.
Additionally, think about whether or not you want a tool that can be taken apart, since that can be especially helpful for frequent travelers who want to bring their diffuser with them wherever they go. Finally, consider whether or not it would be helpful to have multiple heat settings that cater to your styling preferences.
