And the smallest travel hair dryer is…

A blow dryer is something most women can’t live without. If you frequently move about or travel around a lot, bringing your regular full-sized hairdryer can be cumbersome. If you’re in the market for a compact travel hair dryer that is totable (fits in your tote bag), then you’re in luck as we’ve covered the best travel size hair dryers below. Read on!

If you’re NOT after the smallest and most compact one, then check out our more general post on travel hairdryers.

The Best Mini Travel Hair Dryer Models and Their Features

The smallest travel hair dryer dual voltage models may be miniature in size when compared to their much larger counterparts, but they pack power, versatility, durability, convenience, and easy access in their portable form. Take a look at some of the best smallest travel dryers and see which one will match your particular needs. All have dual voltage capacity but, like beauty, a choice is often relative to the individual.

#1. Sephora Pink Travel Blow Dryer

Perhaps the ONLY blow dryer in Bright Pink, this petite model from Sephora is truly travel-sized at 4.5” by 8”, weighing at a measly 3/4 of a pound! With it’s unique ergonomic design, it it easy to hold and fun to use.

Check out the Sephora Mini Blow Dryer

Please note, however, that this unit does NOT come with any attachments. If you intend to use a diffuser with it, you’re better off choosing a different brand. Those universal diffusers won’t fit with this one as it has a curved end. It’s a bit noisy but it dries hair quickly. For those with long and thick hair, the Sephora may not be for you as it isn’t powerful enough to dry long hair in a reasonable amount of time.

#2. BaByliss Pro BABNT053T Nano Titanium Travel Dryer

The BabylissPRO BABNY053T is an international traveler’s perfect companion with its foldable handle, dual voltage, 1000 watt power, nano titanium technology, removable filter, and two settings for speed and heat. Everything that the big full-sized BabylissPRO has is in the BABNY053T. If you are familiar with the quality performance of Babyliss hairstyling tools, this dryer is no exception!

Get the latest deals on the BabylissPro Nano Titanium Dryer

This foldable mini travel hair dryer doesn’t come with a diffuser (only a concentrator nozzle), but if you have a silicon diffuser, it’ll fit the nozzle. If you’re looking for a model that comes with a diffuser, then check this out. Please note that if you have long or thick hair, you’ll find this dryer slow compared to those high heat ones with 1600 to 1875 watts. But for those with medium-length and fine hair, this is perfect!

Video Review of the BabylissPRO BABNY053T

#3. MiniPRO by Conair Ceramic Blow Dryer

For its size, Conair’s MiniPro packs a wallop when it comes to power from its ceramic tourmaline technology that provides high heat ideal for thick, coarse, curly or unmanageable hair. For those with fine, thin or color-treated hair, the low speed/heat setting will be suitable for you. With dual voltage capacity, the MiniPRO doesn’t need a converter if you take it abroad with you. A diffuser, styling accessories, printed travel pouch, and a concentrator come with the MiniPRO.

Get the Conair MiniPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Styler

An inexpensive, small yet powerful dryer even at 1200 watts, this model is great for travel or even every day use. The blowdryer itself weighs a measly 0.65 lbs., however it’ll weigh more if you bring the diffuser and concentrator nozzle attachments with you. The printed pouch included is a plus! Most users love its durability and small size. If you’re after a sturdy blow dryer and wouldn’t mind if it doesn’t have a retractable cord or a folding handle, then this Conair travel blow dryer is a good choice.

#4. BabylissPro Bambino 5510 Nano Titanium

A powerful mini dryer, the BabylissPRO Bambino 5510 is small enough to carry with you to the gym. With an ergonomic grip, it fits in your hand well. In terms of wattage, weight, size, and features, the Bambino is very much similar to the other Babyliss blue dryer mentioned above. The only difference is that the Bambino’s handle is fixed and not foldable.

Check out ratings, reviews and pricing on the Bambino 5510 Ultra Lightweight Dryer

The Bambino is also much powerful; for those with thick hair, this is a better choice. In fact, most users are quite surprised at how much power this teeny tiny blowdryer hold! While compact enough to be tucked away in the luggage, you can also use this as an every day dryer. This is great for those who want a powerful yet lightweight travel-sized dryer that doesn’t have a folding handle.

#5. Sedu Mini Travel Dryer

see how small it is! (Photo courtesy Emily from BeautyJunkieReviews)

The Sedu is fifth on this list simply because it’s bigger (in dimensions) compared to the others above. But it is, in fact, still quite small. It comes with a diffuser, concentrator, and a sleek black travel pouch. Despite being only 1200 watts, it packs a punch of air and heat that it dries hair faster than you’d think possible for such a small device.

See the latest deals on the Sedu Mini Hair Dryer

Compact and light, it’s perfect for weekend trips, as a gym companion, and even for traveling to other countries since it’s dual voltage. If you have the bigger Sedu 4000i, it won’t be as powerful but it’ll certainly get the job done!

Other compact and lightweight blow dryers to consider

The 5 models above are definitely among the smallest in terms of their dimensions. But if you’re looking for a more robust and powerful unit, then consider the 2 brands below. Also, none of the products mentioned above have a cool shot button, but the Revlon has that feature.

#6. Revlon Perfect Heat 1875W Fast Dry Compact Dryer

The name Revlon says a lot about a product, that’s why the Perfect Heat model is, undoubtedly, a standout in the category for small travel blow dryers. It has two settings for speed and heat, concentrator, dual voltage, tourmaline and ceramic technology, ions for eliminating static in the hair, and a removable end cap for easier cleaning. The unique features of the Perfect Heat include the foldable handle and cool shot button.

Check out pricing discounts on the Revlon Perfect Heat

Lightweight and compact at 0.8 lbs, this can be a good travel companion. Several users have commented on having used this for international travel. However, take note that it has a rounded head design which other users found to be ‘too bulky’ especially for those who travel lightly. Although it has a comfortable “soft feel” folding handle, some users found the toggle switch difficult to use using just one hand. Also, there’s only control control button for both the heat and speed setting, so low heat would also mean low speed. But this is common among travel-sized blow dyers.

#7. Bio Ionic iDry Travel Dryer

The most expensive and biggest among the ‘small travel hairdryer’ category, the Bio Ionic iTools is actually the most durable of them all, with users reporting that they last for for over 5 years!

See prices, reviews and ratings on the Bio Ionic Blow Dryer

Perhaps the best feature this dryer has is its swivel handle which makes it convenient to bring with you in your travels. With the patented Nanolonic technology, it helps condition hair making it frizz-free and healthy.

Check out our comparison chart…

(click the image for a bigger view)

LEGEND: $ = Under $30, $$ = $30 to $70, $$$ = above $70 (Actual prices may vary)
Found one that meets your needs? Scroll up 🙂

We’ve reviewed each of them in more detail above.

How to choose the right tiny travel hair dryer for your needs

With several models and brands to choose from, it can be hard to choose. There are several factors to consider and we’ve listed them below. Hopefully, it’ll guide you on making an informed decision.

1. Size

Just because something is marketed as a ‘travel dryer’ doesn’t always mean that it’s small. Sometimes, what is small for one person might be considered bulky by another. Be sure to get the exact measurements to give you an accurate picture of what you’ll be getting. That way, you won’t get a nasty surprise by the time your order arrives in your front door.

2. Weight

Looking for a lightweight travel hairdryer?

Since construction and build varies from one dryer model to another, size doesn’t always equal weight. The best small travel hair dryer may NOT be the lightest when it comes to how much (or how little) it weighs. Conversely, the most lightweight blow dryers aren’t the smallest.

3. Wattage

Dryers in this category range from 1000 to 2000 watts, with most brands in the lower end. Unlike full-sized handheld dryers that typically have 1875 watts, smaller blow dryers usually come with less power at 1200 watts. This is important to note as lower power means longer hair drying time, although there are a few exceptions. Those models with low wattage compensate by having several heat/speed options to speed up the time it takes to dry your hair.

4. Settings

Most, if not all, travel size blow dryers have a combined option for heat and speed. Some brands have 2 options (low and high), whereas a few models have 3 (low, med, high). For those with naturally curly or wavy hair, a cool setting is a must-have feature!

5. Other features

There are brands that come with attachments such as diffuser and concentrator. Some models have a retractable cord and folding handle. Most hair dryers for travel also have dual voltage capacity for international travel. If your hair is prone to frizz, make sure you choose your choose one that has ionic and tourmaline features.

A quick note about quality and price..

With healthy competition, you can now buy a dryer with (nearly) all the features you want for a much cheaper price. However, as with most things, quality doesn’t come cheap. Some people complained that the $19.99 Conair Pro is flimsy and constructed poorly. Well, what can you expect for that price? You get what you pay for (unless the item is on sale, that is!).

So, would you rather purchase a $20 blow dryer that might break down after a few uses or get a more expensive brand that’ll last longer? Consider how often you’ll be using it. Many people use travel-sized dryers for every day use, especially those who don’t have much space at home. A cheap hairdryer which you bought under 20 bucks would have paid for itself with continued daily use even if it only lasted for 6 months.

If you plan on using it almost every day and you don’t want to change models often, then get a sturdier yet pricey one. Another thing to take note is the warranty. Some brands have longer than your standard 1-year warranty, but it’s only limited and does not cover normal wear and tear of the product.