Hair dryers - are they all just the same really?

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My hair dryer is on its last legs and I'm looking at getting in a newer model. But I don't know whether to just get a cheap-&-cheerful or spend a fair amount to ensure quality.... I mean it's a device that just blows air, can they really differ that much?

I understand if there's more power then it'll blow faster, and therefore dry quicker than a cheaper low watt model. But other than that, what's the difference?

I'm seeing all sorts of descriptions about them being 'ceramic' 'tourmaline' 'ionic' all aimed at giving shiny frizz-free hair (which we'd all love!) - but do they really work?

What hairdryer do you use? And would you recommend / not recommend it, and why.

Thanks muchly!

Does it matter which parlux, do you think? Ceramic/ionic ones quite a bit dearer, just wondering if that makes a difference!

No, they're definitely not all the same. If you're on a budget though, I love my BaByliss Elegance. It was a Which best buy too.

Argh! Still non-the-wiser now... so essentially a Parlux is good because it dries faster? I have lots of fine long hair, so it can take some time to dry. One that dries reasonably fast is a must. But I don't want it to dry so fast I don't have enough time to style it while I dry it. Will it set as a big nest if dried too fast???

I have fine, frizzy and awful hair - my parlux hairdryer plus a good blow drying technique gives me fabulous swishy hair . I would never go back to an ordinary dryer now . For me it is definitely worth the investment .

I'm another Parlux user, and I love it, since I stood on my Babylis.

I find that, yes, it is much, much quicker, but my hair is much less frizzy & much smoother, and also that my style does stay for longer.

Professional hair dryers and significantly more powerful and faster. I'd never buy one from boots etc. Try Sally's.

My hairdresser recommended ETI a few years ago. It is the best hairdryer I have had and ive had what seems like tonnes. The settings are actually different temperatures so I can dry my hair without boiling in my skin, and it dries my hair really well and quickly.

www.amazon.co.uk/ETI-Turbodryer-3500-Dryer-Purple/dp/B002Z8JNTO this is the one I have I think, I'm sure I got for nearer forty quids though!

I've always bought the best bargain from Argos and that seems as good a strategy as anything

My Parlux is very fast, but it doesn't get to hot. As a result, I can dry my naturally frizzy hair and obtain quite smooth results. I never managed this before, so for me it is worth every penny

*too hot

Mapless - I had a lesson from the John Frieda salon in London some years ago . I asked them to help me manage my hair at home . I think you could ask any decent salon . I now have a bracket - thing on my wall that I use to hold my hairdryer , so I can use both hands to brush and style it straight but with bounce . My Parlux is powerful but I thoroughly towel dry my hair first so that it is only used for a relatively short while. I think the secret is blowing hair downwards at the end until it is completely dry then finishing with the cool button. I manage to achieve a pretty professional finish now .

I have got this one, it's a Diva Veloce. I think it is meant to equal the Parluxes. I find it really good with no frizz.

I always kind of figured that unless you're a hairdresser, you really need three arms/hands to properly blow dry your own hair!