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Everyone usually has a reliable hair dryer. It’s one of the most versatile and useful hair care tools.
Over the years, the qualifications of a good hair dryer have changed and evolved.
Today it’s not just about one that effectively dries your hair.
Some focus on using materials like ceramic and tourmaline, some have different attachments, and some have unique conveniences built in, like cool shot buttons and retractable cords.
A retractable cord hair dryer is an excellent choice if you want a hair styling tool that is easy to transport and store and won’t clutter your countertop with another power cable.
It’s a great choice if you want versatility, and it’s perfect for travel too.
Plus, you don’t have to go online and research the best hair dryers with retractable cords because we’ve already done the work for you!
Read on to see our top 7 best hair dryers with retractable cords worth having in your hair care arsenal.
- Ionic technology
- Foldable design for easy storage
- Ceramic coating
- Ionic tourmaline technology
- 5.5-foot power cord
- Folding handle
- Ionic technology
- Five-foot power cord
- Cool shot button to lock style in place
Table of Contents
- 1 What to Look for in a Hair Dryer
- 2 Why Get a Hair Dryer With a Retractable Cord
- 3 Types of Hair Dryers With Retractable Cords
- 4 Pros and Cons of a Hair Dryer With a Retractable Cord
- 5 7 Best Retractable Cord Hair Dryers
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions
- 7 A Good Hair Dryer With Retractable Cord Is the Perfect Versatile Hair Care Investment
What to Look for in a Hair Dryer
You’ve most likely owned a hair dryer in the past, and you probably still have one today. It’s one of the most ubiquitous hair styling tools you can find everywhere — homes, gyms, hotels, and more.
But when buying a hair dryer, do you know what it is you should look for? Other than power and heat settings, there are other considerations you should consider when choosing a hair dryer.
Power
Power is important because it will help your hair dry faster. And faster drying hair means less overall exposure to heat.
For this, look for a dryer with a higher wattage. You need one at least 1,800 watts or higher if you have thin hair. Hair dryers used in salons can be as high as 3,600.
Some high-watt hair dryers are quiet too! Which is a nice plus.
Hair dryers with higher wattage can sometimes be more expensive, but they are worth the investment.
Technology
Hair dryers employ various types of technology to protect the hair while drying it. The most popular keywords for hair dryers are ceramic, tourmaline, and ionic.
Some hair dryers have one or all of these features. Let’s break it down.
- Ceramic: Ceramic refers to blow dryers that feature ceramic composite in the machine’s body, heating elements, or internal parts.
The ceramic helps control the heat of the air from the blow dryer and distributes it evenly among the hair strands. - Tourmaline: While this word is quite common, do a lot of people know what tourmaline actually means?
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gem crushed into powder and built into the internal components of styling tools like hair dryers.
When this powder is cooled, heated, or pressurized, it creates an electrical charge that emits negative ions and infrared heat.
This infrared heat helps to lock in the hair’s moisture, while the negative ions help seal hair cuticles to deliver shiny and frizz-free results. - Ionic: Ionic the other hand, gets its name from ions — particles that have either a positive or negative change.
Typically, the hair has both positive and negative charges. When it’s wet, it’s positive. So the dryer emitting negative ions will help to break up the water molecules to allow them to evaporate faster.
Like tourmaline ions, these also help seal the cuticle for frizz-free hair.
Attachments
Previously, hair dryers were sold as is. These days, many come with attachments to help you style your hair. Some attachments to look for include a nozzle to help direct the heat when drying.
If you have curly hair, a diffuser is a good attachment to help evenly spread airflow.
Heat Settings
Multiple settings give you more versatility when drying your hair.
You can use the high setting to remove most of the water from your locks, then lower it when it’s almost dry to give your hair a reprieve from the high heat.
Look for a dryer with different airflow settings and multiple heat settings.
Other Features
Quick cooldown and a cool shot button are fun extra features worth looking for when buying a hair dryer.
Quick cooldown means the machine cools down quickly even when on the high heat setting, while the cool shot button is precisely as its name implies.
It’s a quick way to add a shot of cool air to your hair, which helps set the style and seal the cuticles.
Size and Weight
Lastly, on a more cosmetic note, you should also consider the physical body of the hair dryer.
If you want to bring it with you to places, you should look for something small and compact.
Invest in something lightweight if you dry your hair often and get tired of holding up a heavy machine.
Another consideration is the length of the cord. If you want maneuverability, you want a longer cord.
There is no “right way” a hair dryer should look — just the right way for your personal needs.
Why Get a Hair Dryer With a Retractable Cord
As far as personal needs and physical appearance for hair dryers go, if you have limited bathroom or vanity counter space, you might want a smaller, easy-to-store blow dryer.
Another helpful consideration is if the cord is retractable and can be stowed inside the machine for easier storage and less messy cables cluttering your table.
You might also be wondering, Do cordless hair dryers exist?
Yes, definitely. These are powered either by batteries or by charging.
Cordless hair dryers are primarily for fast heat styling or specific events as the power often doesn’t last long. Some of the more reliable ones also tend to be more expensive.
A good alternative is a blow dryer with a retractable cord. It still stores just as easily, and you won’t need to worry about the batteries dying during your styling session.
Plus, some of the best hair dryers with retractable cords are affordable too.
Types of Hair Dryers With Retractable Cords
There are three simple types of hair dryers with retractable cords:
- Stable body hair dryer with retractable cord. This type of hair dryer is as is, with the cord stationary and going out of the bottom.
- Hair dryer with folding handle and retractable cord. With this type of hair dryer, the cord retracts into the handle. Some even have folding handles, making them even more compact.
- Wall-mounted hair dryer with retractable cord. These hair dryers aren’t commonly used at home. They are typically the ones you see at hotels where the cord retracts into the wall mount.
Pros and Cons of a Hair Dryer With a Retractable Cord
There are many reasons why a dryer with a retractable cord is a good option. To better understand your investment, let’s look at the pros and cons of a retractable cord blow dryer.
Pros of a Retractable Cord Hair Dryer
Here are the most notable pros of a hair dryer with a retractable cord:
- No more tangling. With a cord that retracts back into the body of your machine, you don’t have to worry about cords tangling, twisting, or knotting.
- You determine the cord length. Because most retractable cord mechanisms allow you to pull out the length of the cord you need, you can choose the length that’s best for you.
- No more cord damage. Because the cord is protected inside the machine, you have fewer chances for cord damage.
- Lightweight and mobile. Retractable cord care often smaller and lightweight. They are easy to pack and good for travel.
- Storage made simple. With retractable cords and folding handles, storing these hair dryers is easy and they don’t take up too much space.
Cons of a Retractable Cord Hair Dryer
On the flip side, there are also cons to consider when choosing a blow dryer with a retractable cord:
- Fewer options. Despite this being a popular choice, there are fewer options for blow dryers with retractable cords available.
- Cords can still get tangled. When mishandled, cords can still get twisted. You still need to be mindful when using the dryer and when the cord is exposed.
- Less power. Some options with retractable cords may not be as powerful as their corded counterparts.
- Potential for breakage. Anything with moving parts is susceptible to breaking. Sometimes the retracting mechanism can break or get jammed. The cord can also potentially get stuck.
7 Best Retractable Cord Hair Dryers
Now that you know more about retractable hair dryers and the pros and cons of getting one, we’ll share our top picks for the best hair dryers with retractable cords!
This versatile all-around hair dryer gives you everything you need + a retractable cord too!
Key benefits: Frizz control for smooth hair; multiple heat settings; uniform heat for fast drying
Features:
- Ionic technology
- 5-foot power cord
- Cool shot button to lock style in place
A powerful all-around hair dryer from a well-known hair care brand.
This versatile hair dryer is easy to store and gives users ultimate style control.
The lightweight frame allows for regular use, while the cord keeper handle stores the retractable cord with the simple push of a button.
The dryer utilizes ionic technology, which combats frizz for shiny and smooth locks. It also has tourmaline-ceramic technology to provide uniform heat for faster drying and less damage to your tresses.
It’s an excellent all-around choice if you want an easy-to-store and easy-to-use hair dryer with a retractable cord.
Get all the benefits of a powerful hair styling tool in this compact and lightweight hair dryer.
Key benefits: 1,875-watt power; multiple heat settings; removable back for easier cleaning
Features:
- Ionic tourmaline technology
- 5.5-foot power cord
- Folding handle
This hair dryer with retractable cord and folding handle makes it easy to store and use.
This powerful hair dryer is powered by 1,875 watts and a long folding handle and cord keeper that’s easy to hold and store.
This dryer also has a longer power cord at 5.5 feet. It has three air/heat settings and a cool shot button that provides a blast of cool air to help set hair styles.
It also utilizes ionic tourmaline technology for faster drying and a removable back for easy cleaning.
This professional hair dryer has multiple heat settings and all the necessary attachments.
Key benefits: 1,875-watt power; multiple heat settings; removable back for easy cleaning
Features:
- Enhances shine
- Negative ion technology
- Infrared heat technology
If you want to invest in a reliable and professional-level machine, this Sultra retractable cord hair dryer is your best bet!
Looking for a professional hair dryer? This is one of the best hair dryers with a retractable cord.
This portable hair dryer has a powerful 1,875-watt AC motor, allowing the dryer to be quiet while thoroughly drying your hair.
It also utilizes negative ion and infrared technology to decrease drying time and prevent too much exposure to potential heat damage.
The dryer comes with a removable air exit vent cover, hanging loop for storage, diffuser, and directional air nozzle.
Conair is one of the most reliable hair care brands, and this folding handle hair dryer is another excellent Conair product.
Key benefits: Frizz-free hair drying; dries hair quickly to reduce hair damage; dual-voltage
Features:
- Tourmaline ceramic technology
- Folding handle for compact storage
- Cool shot button to lock in style
A retractable cord and folding handle make this Conair dryer a portable favorite.
Is it really surprising that we’d have more than one Conair hair dryer on our list? After all, the brand makes exceptional hairstyling tools.
This 1,875-watt hair dryer is an ideal travel companion. It is powerful, dual-volt, and easy to store and bring around, with the folding handle making it even more compact and easy to pack.
Plus, it utilizes ionic conditioning for smoother, shinier locks and less frizz. It also dries fast to help minimize your hair’s exposure to heat.
It’s an excellent choice for a powerful travel hair dryer with retractable cord.
This Revlon hair dryer is one of the best available travel hair dryers with a retractable cord.
Key benefits: Compact and convenient; combats frizz; comes with all dryer accessories
Features:
- Ionic technology
- Foldable design for easy storage
- Ceramic coating
If you love to travel, this easy-to-use compact hair dryer will be a mainstay in your travel bag!
Achieve beautiful blowouts with Revlon’s compact design hair dryer. It comes with a folding handle and retractable cord so that it’s easy to store and bring with you everywhere!
From the gym to your travels, this conveniently designed blow dryer has dual voltage and all the essential features of standard-sized hair dryers.
It has ionic technology to minimize frizz and ceramic coating for strong heat protection while delivering gorgeous smooth locks.
This blow dryer is an excellent travel hair dryer that is so good you can use it at home too.
Enjoy salon-quality style with this lightweight dryer with a retractable cord.
Key benefits: Easy drying and salon-quality style; multiple heat settings; combats frizz
Features:
- Ceramic-ionic technology
- Suitable for all hair types
- Concentrated nozzle for targeted airflow
The Andis Fold-N-Go is perfect for travel and home use with its folding handle and retractable cord.
Andis is a family-owned brand that has been around since 1922! Their focus is on creating high-quality hair care products.
This hair dryer with a folding handle and retractable cord is lightweight and utilizes ionic technology to promote the hair’s natural shine. It also has a concentrated nozzle to ensure targeted airflow.
It has ceramic technology to help seal the hair’s cuticle for safer styling, and multiple heat and speed settings give you better drying control.
It’s an excellent product that is perfect for all hair types and textures to create protected, smoother and silkier styles.
A sturdy and reliable member of the Conair retractable cord hair dryer family.
Key benefits: 1875-watt power; two heat and speed settings; dries hair evenly for more manageable locks
Features:
- Ionic technology
- Push-button retractable cord
- Folding handle for easy storage
You’ll enjoy all the conveniences of a portable hair dryer with the Conair Cord Keeper Hair Dryer.
Our final pick is one last Conair retractable cord hair dryer. This hair dryer with cord keeper even has a folding handle for multiple storage options.
It also offers ionic technology for healthy-looking, smoother, and shinier hair and has a cool shot button to seal in style.
This dryer only has two heat/speed settings, but even so, it’s easy to use, healthy for the hair, and easy to transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a retractable cord hair dryer better better than one with a normal cord?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. It depends on what you’re looking for and what your hair needs.
If you want something compact and easy to store, a hair dryer with a retractable cord is a good choice.
Even if they are small, many of them are still powerful and come with all the accessories you need.
On the other hand, if you prefer a larger machine and need more attachments and settings, you might find more choices with traditional cord dryers.
What wattage should I look for in a hair dryer?
The higher the wattage of your hair dryer, the higher the power. And this usually means that you can dryer your hair faster and expose it to less heat each time.
Most stylists recommend using a hair dryer with at least 1,800 to 1,850 watts for fast results.
A Good Hair Dryer With Retractable Cord Is the Perfect Versatile Hair Care Investment
An excellent and trusty hair dryer is always a good investment. And if you get a compact one with a retractable cord, you are getting a dryer that is not only easy to store at home but also easy to bring anywhere you go.
These smaller machines still have high wattage and all the attachments and features you need to achieve smooth, shiny, and frizz-free locks.
So if you’re looking for a good hair dryer, consider a powerful compact hair dryer with a retractable cord. It’s a great versatile investment that you can use for many years.
All the above-listed best hair dryers with retractable cords tick all the boxes. Now all you have to do is choose the best one for you!
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