Parlux 3500 vs. ghd Air – Which is the Better Hair Dryer?
The ghd Air and the Parlux 3500 are both professional hair dryers within the same price bracket and with similar features, so you may be having a hard time trying to decide which one is the best option for you.
In this guide, we’ll compare each of the two ionic hair dryers on a point-by-point basis to help you make your decision.
Price
The Parlux 3500 is available in two different versions – one with industry standard ionic technology (the Parlux 3500 SuperCompact), and one with ceramic and ionic technology (the Parlux 3500 SuperCompact Ceramic and Ionic). The standard version of the dryer retails at $180, and the ceramic version has an RRP of $225.
The ghd Air normally retails at $199 but there is currently a promotion running on the official ghd website offering a limited time $100 discount so you can currently get a great bargain on this hair dryer and pick it up for only $99.
Size and Style
The ghd Air is available only in black with silver highlights from the ghd website but if you have a look on other retailers like Amazon, you can also find limited edition versions with highlights in hot pink or copper and a version with a gray body.
The ghd Air hair dryer measures approximately 12.5 x 10 x 4.5 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds. It is ergonomically designed to be easier to hold during styling and the placement of the buttons makes it harder to accidentally press them while in use.
The power cable on the ghd Air is 9 feet long.
The Parlux SuperCompact comes in a choice of pink, red, or black for the basic version and is available only in black if you choose the ceramic version.
The product measures 9.2 x 7.2 x 3.5 inches and weighs only 1.1 pounds. As it’s so lightweight, the wrist strain during styling is minimal and the ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold.
The Parlux also has a 9-foot cord.
While both hair dryers are small, as the Parlux is a compact hair dryer, it wins out in terms of both size and weight being significantly smaller and 0.2 pounds lighter than the ghd. The weight difference isn’t huge but can really make a difference on your wrists, particularly if you have very long or thick hair and it takes a long time to dry.
Power and Speed & Temperature Settings
Both versions of the Parlux SuperCompact are 1900 Watts and have 2 speed settings, 4 temperature settings, plus a cool shot button.
The GHD air has a 1600-Watt motor and a choice of 2 speed and 3 heat settings, plus cool shot button.
While at first glance it may seem the Parlux is a more powerful dryer because it has a higher wattage, the ghd Air is actually designed to be more efficient and the body is shaped for a faster blow dry. Most users actually find the ghd Air to be the more powerful hair dryer (one reviewer said it actually blew her bottle of hand soap across the sink when she turned it on) and due to its efficient design it also runs a lot quieter.
Ionic Technology
While both brands of hair dryer use ionic technology, The Parlux comes in two versions. The more expensive version includes superior ceramic technology, which produces more ions.
Ionic technology uses components that emit negative ions, which help your hair to dry faster as they breaks down water molecules within the hair, and will also make your hair look shinier and eliminate frizz as the hair cuticle stays closed
The advantage of ceramic technology is that it emits non-damaging infrared heat, which dries the hair gently, even if you use it on a higher heat setting. Ceramic components emit both positive and negative ions.
As both the ghd and Parlux hair dryers are ionic, they will both help to reduce frizz and achieve a smooth and shiny result. If you are concerned about hair damage or prefer to dry your hair on a hotter setting so it takes less time, you might want to opt for the Parlux 3500 SuperCompact Ceramic and Ionic to minimize damage from heat styling.
Hair Dryer Attachments
The ghd Air comes with 2 concentrator nozzles in different widths (65mm and 85mm) that can be used for precise styling. Both nozzles have a very thin opening, which concentrates the airflow and heat. In fact these nozzles generate as much heat as a straightening iron to help create a super-sleek result. There is also a ghd diffuser attachment available to buy separately with an RRP of $30.
Both versions of the Parlux also come with 2 concentrator nozzles. One is slightly wider than the other (74 mm instead of 69 mm) and has a flared opening. The larger nozzle is designed for quicker drying of long thick hair, while the smaller is suitable for drying bangs and curly or frizzy hair. A diffuser can be bought separately for $18. There’s also a “silencer” attachment available that reduces the noise of the dryer for $35.
Cleaning
The ghd Air has a removable metal dust filter, which can be taken out for cleaning, however some users have found it quite tricky to replace the filter in the right way after cleaning.
The Parlux also has a removable filter at the back end of the dryer.
There are videos available on YouTube showing the correct procedure for removing, cleaning, and replacing the filter for both brands of hair dryer and it’s recommended to watch one of these before attempting the task to avoid any accidental damage to your hair dryer.
The Verdict
While both driers are effective, professional quality dryers that give great results, the ghd has the upper hand in terms of power and low noise level.
One downside of the ghd Air is that it’s quite heavy, so if you’d prefer a smaller and lighter dryer, you may prefer the Parlux.
Another thing to note about Parlux hairdryers is that they’re eco-friendly meaning they’re sold in minimal packaging and made from recycled plastic. They’re also made in Italy, whereas ghd products are made in China. If this is an important factor for you, it may also influence your decision.
