15 Best Diffusers for Perfect, No-Frizz Curls
Updated: Dec. 15, 2022Hey, curl. For more bounce and definition, try a hair-dryer diffuser.
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The best diffuser for curly hair
After years of seeing pin-straight hair everywhere from runways to PTA functions, curly hair is bouncing back into the spotlight. And it’s easier to achieve than ever, thanks to the modern hair-dryer diffuser. The handy blow-dryer attachment is typically round and cuplike, with finger-like vents that gently diffuse air over a large surface area to dry curly hair and tame frizz. For curly girls, it’s as essential a beauty tool as your trusty hairbrush and curling iron.
“Diffusers are great for anybody with wavy, curly, coily, and kinky hair textures to enhance curl, dry curl, stretch curl, or reduce shrinkage,” says Gregory Patterson, celebrity hairstylist and DIY expert for Sally Beauty. A curly hair diffuser can also be used to help set hair when doing twist-outs, rod sets, or wave patterns. For the smoothest effect, use low heat settings and lower speeds. “This helps to allow the curl pattern to form and dry in a much more gentle way, which your curls will always love,” he says.
Before you start investigating how to use a hair diffuser, browse our list of the best hair-dryer diffusers available. We tapped hair experts for their favorites and read through hundreds of reviews from curly-haired folks like you. We also tested many of them out to see how easy (or difficult!) they were to use and whether or not they lived up to the hype. We managed to narrow down our picks to 15 diffusers truly worth your money. One thing to pay attention to: Some of our favorite diffusers come prepackaged with a blow-dryer, while others are sold separately and work exclusively with a paired blow-dryer.
DevaCurl DevaFuser Universal Diffuser for All Curl Kind
Best for speed queens
If you’re the impatient type, this hair-dryer diffuser is the one for you. Yes, it looks like a funky green hand that might tousle your curls as you dry. But from a design standpoint, it’s genius. It boasts 360-degree airflow, which surrounds your curls and speeds up drying time without leaving your hair looking parched.
Highlights:
- 360-degree airflow
- Fits most blow-dryers
Dyson Supersonic Diffuser
Best for thick hair
Like most Dyson hair products, this diffuser will give you a salon-worthy blowout. You get the added benefit of longer prongs, which provide more control while drying and help those with the thickest curls manage drying time and styling.
Highlights:
- One-year warranty
- Three color options
Ion Luxe Supercharged Hair Dryer
Best for all types of hair
This small powerhouse is Patterson’s top pick. “I love it for its innovation in design—the finger air vents have been angled so that the diffuser airflow blows into the center of the curl section rather than the traditional airflow on the surface,” he says. “The hair closest to the root gets dried at the same time as the outer surface of the hair, which helps to create a more uniformed curl with less frizz because you will manipulate the curls much less.” Amp up your hair’s curling power by swapping out your regular shower routine for a combination of shampoo for curly hair and conditioner.
Highlights:
- Sold with blow-dryer
- Magnetic diffuser attachment is easier than most
Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000 Diffuser
Best for travel
This compact diffuser by celebrity hairstylist Harry Josh is small but mighty. It’s designed to not only dry curly hair but also distribute heat evenly so you don’t have random dry spots while other areas are still damp. Note that it fits only the stylist’s hair dryer, so if you don’t use the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000, you’ll need to pick a different diffuser option.
Highlights:
- Small enough for travel
- Even heat distribution
Revlon Infrared Heat Hair Dryer
Best for versatile styling
If you prefer curly hair only some of the time, your best bet is a blow-dryer with several attachments—including a diffuser for curly hair. We love Revlon’s hair dryer for the tourmaline ionic technology, which helps smooth away frizz. Take your pick of attachments, based on your ideal style for the day. Want smooth hair worthy of a straightening iron? Use the concentrator. Creating soft, bouncy curls? The diffuser gets the job done while maintaining volume. Nearly 22,000 five-star reviews sing its praises. “I need a dryer with a really good diffuser for when I wear my hair curly,” writes one reviewer. “This totally fit the bill! Airflow is strong, but the diffuser prevents it from straightening out the curls.” Don’t need a diffuser? Try our editor’s favorite styling tool, the Revlon one-step hair dryer.”
Highlights:
- Sold with blow-dryer
- Ionic technology reduces frizziness
T3 Fit Diffuser
Best for coils
Though it doesn’t quite match Dyson’s cult status, the T3 brand has a great reputation for delivering quality hair tools like this sleek and affordable diffuser. It’s meant to be used exclusively with the T3 Fit Hair Dryer (sold separately), but we tested it out with different models—it worked on some, not others. It’s worth a try, but be sure to consider the return policy before you commit to trying this diffuser on another brand’s hair dryer. The product was created to lift and separate hair for added body, so even heavy curls or coils won’t be weighed down. Pro tip: If frizz is an issue, use a frizzy-hair product before diffusing your curls.
Highlights:
- Ideal for tight coils
- Lifts and separates curls
Bio Ionic Universal Diffuser
Best for shine
With 12 air outlets for faster drying and a dial that lets you control airflow, this diffuser adjusts to your needs. You’ll also have maximum styling ability, so you get to decide whether you want to target specific areas or concentrate on a few big, bouncy curls. While we love a good diffuser that’ll work on all blow-dryers, as this one promises, quite a few reviewers said that it didn’t fit theirs. So read the description and measurements carefully before ordering. And if you want to try a completely different look, check out this hair straightener comb.
Highlights:
- Offers airflow control
- Created for use with all blow-dryers
Drybar The Bouncer Diffuser
Best for natural-looking curls
If you like to look like you woke up this way, step away from the straightener brush and toward this diffuser instead. The Bouncer is made to create springy curls that look polished but not too done. Drybar products have a massive following for a reason—they almost always produce perfect results, even if you’re not a styling expert. Many reviewers rave about its curl-defining ability, and most (though not all) report that it fits their blow-dryer, no matter what brand or model. If you like to combine your hair tools, you can also experiment with straightener brushes to add a few focal points to complement your curls.
Highlights:
- Fits most blow-dryers
- Good for all hair types
Sultra Bombshell Volumizing Hair Dryer Diffuser
Best for tight budgets
It’s a hair myth that you need to drop a fortune to get a gorgeous mane. In fact, if you’re just starting out with diffusing your curls, it’s probably best not to spend a bunch of money on new tools. We like that this curly hair diffuser also works on naturally enhanced and textured styles. And at $10, it’s a great way to test out a new tool to see whether or not it works with your curls or coils. One thing to note: It’s specifically made to fit the Bombshell blow-dryer.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Works well on textured hair
T3 SoftCurl Diffuser
Best for fine hair
Curly hair isn’t always thick or kinky. For fine or harder-to-manage hair, you need a diffuser that will enhance curls softly to prevent breakage while lifting and separating to create volume. Though this product is compatible only with the T3 Cura or Cura Lux blow-dryers, the pair is worth the investment for its ability to avoid damage from overdrying. On that note, here’s a hairstylist tip to avoid further damage: When you scrunch your curls, be extra gentle to prevent breakage or split ends.
Highlights:
- Two color options
- Ideal for thin, fine hair
Flower Hair Tools Ionic Pro Dryer Diffuser
Best for big, bouncy curls
Drew Barrymore’s Flower Beauty line has a huge following for a reason, and it’s not (only) because the products are so darn cute. Just about all of them are as bold and colorful as the recently added pink diffuser, and they also get results. One reviewer raved about the fact that she didn’t have to use a lot of product to get great-looking natural curls with this curly hair diffuser.
Highlights:
- 360-degree airflow
- Air reaches hair at roots
Chi Volumizer 4-in-1 Blowout Brush
Best for the multitasker
If you change your hairstyle with your mood, you might not want to limit your look to curly all the time. We love the fact that this all-in-one tool lets you create a few giant curls, a head full of girls, or sleek waves, depending on how much time you have to style your hair. The four interchangeable attachments are all created to reduce static electricity (avoid flyaways) while adding bounce and shine.
Highlights:
- Ion generator reduces frizz and damage
- Compact enough for travel
Conair Volumizing Diffuser Hair Dryer Attachment
Best old-school diffuser
If you’ve been diffusing your curls forever, you know the drill by now and might want to stick with Conair’s classic hair-dryer diffuser. There’s a great big list of blow dryers that this diffuser is compatible with and an even longer list of rave reviews. Not quite a curly girl? Many of the reviewers say the product works to create natural-looking or beachy waves in addition to frizz-free curls.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Fits most blow-dryers
BaBylissPro Nano Titanium Universal Finger Diffuser
Best for volume
Everyone assumes that curly-haired people have tons of volume. Not so! For those who want to add a bit of lift to their fine hair, the BaBylissPro combines fingers aimed at creating volume and titanium ion technology aimed at tackling frizz. Even though loads of air is dispersed while drying, neither the curl pattern nor the natural wave is disturbed. As a bonus, this diffuser works well on both naturally curly and permed hair. And yes, permed hair is making a comeback in a big way this spring.
Highlights:
- Fits most blow-dryers
- Far-infrared heat speeds up drying
Bed Head Curls in Check Diffuser Hair Dryer
Best for the minimalist
Achieving perfect curls is an uncomplicated matter with this diffuser and blower combo. With three heat and two speed settings, you can customize your diffusing to meet your hair goals. Also impressive is the six-foot, tangle-free swivel cord. “I have always been afraid to dry my hair due to my fear of the fluff. So after 25 years of air-drying my hair, I took the leap and bought this,” writes one reviewer. “Easy to use, light, effective. If I can use it and get good hair, so can you. I have no idea what I’m doing, and it still looks good.”
Highlights:
- Cool-air button helps set your style
- Ionic technology helps fight frizz
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Source:
- Gregory Patterson, celebrity hairstylist and DIY expert for Sally Beauty
