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If you travel regularly for work or jet off throughout the year on city breaks with your family and friends, investing in a travel-friendly portable hair dryer can make a big difference to the way you style your hair on the road.
Many people think that it is necessary to buy a high-quality blow dryer for use at home and a smaller, compact dryer that you can take on the road. But what if we told you there’s a better solution? Investing in a lightweight dryer gives you the best of both worlds. You can use it daily at home, and then, when you travel, it packs away nicely in your suitcase.
But how do you choose a decent portable blow dryer? Join us as we introduce you to some of the key features you should look for in a portable dryer before introducing you to the Laifen Swift Special.
When a hair dryer can be called "portable"?
A portable hair dryer is a lightweight device that you can easily take from place to place. When at-home blow dryers first became a thing, they were big, bulky, and heavy, so it becomes extremely difficult to take with you on vacation or if you traveled for work.
But fast forward to 2025, and you will now find that portable hair dryers are light and small, which enables you to pack them in your carry-on or in-hold luggage when you travel for work or play.
How to choose a portable hair dryer?
When choosing a portable dryer, there are several things to think about and research before making a decision:
Features
Perhaps most importantly, you want your travel hair dryer to be of high quality with numerous features that help you dry your hair quickly and efficiently. Below are some of the key features you should check that your chosen travel hair dryer has:
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Adjustable heat: A non-negotiable feature in any modern dryer today is the ability to toggle between heat settings. You should have the option to dry your hair with low, medium, or high heat. Adjusting to low heat protects your hair from heat damage.
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Speed settings: As well as adjusting the heat, you should be able to toggle between different speeds while using your portable dryer. Toggling between fast and slow means you can switch things up as you style your hair in different ways, which gives you full flexibility over your chosen look.
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Attachments: Due to the ergonomic design of portable hair dryers, it helps if you order specific attachments. The best travel dryers come with diffusers and concentrator nozzles, which help when drying curly and straight hair, respectively.
Technology
Today’s most advanced portable blow dryers use ionic technology to dry your hair. Rather than using solely heat, ionic dryers emit negative ions, which break down the water molecules attached to your hair follicles. This process is much quicker and much more efficient than using hot air.
Ionic technology also reduces frizz and flyaways and helps to prevent over heating, which can be caused by other types of dryers. Ionic dryers are often lighter than ceramic and tourmaline options, which is another reason to choose them as your preferred travel blow dryer, as we explain below.
Weight
One of the most important aspects of any travel hair dryer is its weight. If you regularly travel with your hair dryer, the last thing you want is a bulky device that is super heavy, taking up much of your permitted suitcase weight.
We recommend looking for dryers that are 500g or lighter, as they’re easy to carry around with you. If your portable hair dryer is light, you can pack it in your travel-on or check-in case without worrying about taking up too much space in your bag.
ALCI safety plug
An ALCI safety plug is an essential feature to consider when choosing a portable hair dryer because it protects you from electrical shock in high-moisture environments like bathrooms, hotels, and gyms.
An ALCI (Appliance Leakage Current Interrupter) automatically shuts off the dryer the moment it detects an electrical imbalance, preventing accidents caused by water exposure or wiring issues.
Size
You also need to think about the size of a blow dryer before buying it. After all, if it is too big and bulky, it will be difficult to fit it in your suitcase. The more compact a dryer is, the easier it is to take with you, no matter where you’re going.
Design
Another impressive aspect of portable hair dryers is that they are ergonomically designed to be easy to use. They feature long handles and a relatively compact barrel, which are made to be easy to hold and style your hair accordingly.
Introducing a good portable hair blow dryer
The original Laifen Swift Special is a top portable hair dryer and offers styling convenience on the go while packing lots of features into a relatively small device. If you’re thinking about investing in a new portable blow dryer, below are the key features this model.
| Weight | 407g |
| Dimensions | 277 x 70 x 87mm |
| Voltage | 120V with 1,400W rated power |
| Technology | Ionic (200M+) |
| Heat settings | 3x (hot, warm, cold) with auto cycling |
| Speed settings | 2x (regular and fast) |
| Price | $169.99 (without discounts) |
Special is a portable hair dryer that is super lightweight, ergonomically designed, and compact. You can use it at home for your everyday styling or pack it in your bag as you go on holiday or away for a work trip.
Moreover, each dryer in the Laifen range is powered by ionic technology, which emits negative ions to neutralize static and break down the water molecules in our hair. The result is faster and more efficient drying times, reducing frizz and flyaways.
An attachment to enhance the portability - Storage bag
A storage bag is a smart attachment that enhances the portability of any hair dryer, especially for travelers or people who like to stay organized.
The Laifen Swift Special with a Storage Bag sale bundle is now available, giving you a convenient way to keep everything in one place. This durable, travel-friendly bag is designed to fit your hair dryer along with all its nozzles—including the diffuser and concentrator—so nothing gets lost or damaged in your luggage.
Choosing a storage bag makes packing easier, protects your tools, and enables you always have the right attachments ready wherever you go.
Wrap up
Choosing a top-rated portable hair blow dryer doesn’t need to be complicated. You should start with the features you want to see in a portable dryer - including those introduced above - before searching the market for a dryer that ticks all the necessary boxes.
As introduced above, the Special is extremely lightweight, has adjustable heat and speed settings, and is available for a brilliant price. When you use it at home and on the go, you will achieve the same styling results.
FAQs
Q1: Can you take hair dryers on an airplane?
Yes, you can take hair dryers on an airplane. To do so, check that your dryer is switched off, and if you check it into the hold, wrap it well in an appropriate case to protect it from damage. You should also wrap the cord and plug appropriately, preferably in a travel case.
Q2: What’s a good weight for a portable hair dryer?
The lighter your hair dryer is, the better it is to travel with. We recommend travel hair dryers that weigh 500g or less, as these are super lightweight dryers that you can easily pack in your carry-on case. Anything heavier than this can make the dryer a little more difficult to travel with.
Q3: Are ionic hair dryers safe for travel?
Yes, it’s safe to travel with ionic hair dryers, but you must wrap your dryer well to prevent it from damage. You can take ionic hair dryers on an airplane, either in your carry-on luggage or your checked-in case.
