If you have curly hair, you are well aware that your wet head probably won’t dry perfectly smooth and shaped — and the nozzle on your hair dryer could be the reason why. While the standard smoothing nozzle that comes with a hair dryer is a great option for women with naturally straighter hair, for curly-haired ladies, the direct heat can cause frizz or ruin the shape of your spirals. The time has come to say goodbye to the traditional hair dryer nozzle and hello to a quality hair diffuser, so you can finally achieve the fullness and curl definition you’ve been dreaming of.
What is a diffuser?
Diffusers are crown-shaped attachments that snap or clip onto the end of your hair dryer. True to their name, diffusers help to “diffuse”or soften air flow, evenly dispersing it over a larger area of hair. This ensures that the air is not disrupting your wave pattern or causing breakage. So yes, those with curly hair should try using a diffuser with their hair dryer for best results, hair pros recommend. You can purchase a hair dryer with a diffuser included, a separate diffuser from the same brand as your hair dryer to attach to it, or a universal diffuser that can be attached to most hair dryers.
What’s the best diffuser for curly hair?
Of all the options on the market, how do you know which diffuser is good for curly hair? The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab narrowed down the best diffusers for different needs and hair textures, so you can seamlessly enhance curly strands and avoid accidentally turning your curls limp and fuzzy:
Here, the best diffusers for curly and wavy hair of 2021, including universal models that work on any hair dryer, drugstore buys, and those for naturally curly hair, volume and travel.
Best Overall Diffuser for Curly Hair
The Bouncer Diffuser
Cup diffusers like this model from Drybar are great for piling curls into to dry without frizz. Keep your curls in line with the universal diffuser that reduces the speed of airflow, ensuring that each curly strand is gently dried. Although it is designed for Drybar’s Buttercup and Baby Buttercup hair dryers, it still fits other hair dryers with nozzles up to two inches wide. “Works like magic,” an Ulta reviewer marveled. “Makes my curls more defined and less frizzy.”
- Large cup holds voluminous curls
- Gently dries curls to enhance their shape
- May fall off/not fit every hair dryer
Best Value Diffuser for Curly Hair
Volumizing Diffuser
Conair’s affordably-priced diffuser is a classic: The fingers lift hair and help for a quick drying with less damage, and over 5,500 Amazon reviewers seem to agree that it’s a keeper. This diffuser claims to slide onto “virtually any hair dryer” though note that some reviewers say the claims that it’s universal aren’t quite true. “This diffuser completely changed my hair,” one raved. “I have absolutely beautiful curls with volume.”
- Helps dry curls quickly
- Fingers boost volume
- Bargain price
- Some say it slips off their hair dryer
- May not fit every dryer
Best Diffuser for Wavy Hair
Universal Hair Diffuser
This crowdpleaser from Hairizone works especially well on naturally wavy hair to bring out texture thanks to its spaced out prongs. It fits hair dryer nozzles ranging from 1.7 inches to 2.6 inches. “Turns the bends in my hair into tousled waves without any product,” an Amazon reviewer marveled. “I’ve gotten many compliments on my hair ever since I started using it.”
- Enhances the shape of waves
- Fits a range of hair dryer nozzle sizes
Best Universal Diffuser for Curly Hair
Collapsible Hair Diffuser
Diffusers can be bulky, so if you’re low on space, reviewers swear by The Curly Co.’s universal collapsible pick. The silicone construction is built to stretch and shrink to fit almost any hair dryer — reviewers say it fits even most hotel hair dryers, making it a solid choice for travel, since it also collapses flat to fit in your drawer or bag. “My hair dried so fast, with a fraction of the amount of product I usually use, and was not frizzy at all,” an Amazon reviewer reported. “It was bouncy and beautiful.”
- Made of silicone to stretch to fit most hair dryers
- Collapses down for easy storage and portability
- Good value
Best Diffuser for Naturally Curly Hair
DevaFuser
Created for natural curls including coily and kinky hair, DevaCurl’s innovative hand shaped diffuser delivers 360º airflow, helping to preserve moisture and create body at the roots without disrupting the delicate curl pattern at the ends. “This transformed my curls! I have 3B curls halfway down my back and they can get so frizzy,” a Sephora reviewer noted. “This diffuser made them smooth ringlets that lasted all day.”
- Specialized hand shape to enhance curl pattern
- Flexible rubber to help fit on hair dryers
- Pricey
- May pop off/not fit on some hair dryers
Best Diffuser for Volume
Diffuser
The longer finger extensions of Bio Ionic’s diffuser are better than your own two hands: They prevent frizz while helping to separate curls. These spokes will diffuse your hair and gently build volume at the roots, leaving your hair full. “It gives you the best volume with minimal frizz and beautiful curls,” a reviewer enthused.
- Extended prongs help reach rooots to volumize
- Large overall size to fit thick hair
- Attachment may be too small for some hair dryers
Best Travel Diffuser for Curly Hair
Large Diffuser
The soft, mesh fabric of this Y.S. Park diffuser produces negative ions that reduce drying time and remove static electricity, which is ideal in dry climates (or during the winter). Weighing virtually nothing, this is the perfect diffuser to pack and travel with. “This diffuser is flexible and can be squished flat for packing, plus it works with any hair dryer,” a reviewer said.
- Made of fabric which collapses for packing
- Lightweight
- May not produce as strong diffusing effects as solid versions
Best Diffuser for Thick Curly Hair
Hair Diffuser
Thicker hair requires a specially designed diffuser, like this one from Segbeauty. The model has a deeper and bigger bowl which allows for a better grip on denser sections of hair and prevents curl disturbance. Plus, the staggered finger lengths are great for layered hair. “Due to the depth of the diffuser, you can place more hair inside, which not only dries the hair faster but also helps with thick hair and making sure the roots are lifted,” a reviewer noted.
- Larger head holds more hair
- Varied prong lengths to reach layers
- Good value
Best Diffuser for Drying Curly Hair Fast
Black Orchid Large Hair Diffuser
You’ll appreciate this Xtava diffuser if you have ever suffered from arm cramps while drying your hair for what seems like forever. The fingers feature drying vents, so you get simultaneous air flow at both the root and tips, expediting your hair drying and styling process. “I have a LOT of hair, and it’s actually cut my drying time in half,” a reviewer marveled.
- Vented prongs maximize airflow to speed drying
- Large sized bowl
- May get hot to the touch
- Could tug on hair
Best Lightweight Diffuser for Curly Hair
Pro Dryer 2000 Diffuser
Ideal for all curly hair types, the Harry Josh Pro Tools lightweight diffuser is designed to facilitate even heat distribution so you can have defined, flawless curls that will be sure to turn heads. Be aware that this style only fits on the Harry Josh Pro Tools Pro Dryer 2000 (a favorite of GH’s beauty editors!). “It attaches nicely and doesn’t fall off,” a Dermstore reviewer reported.
- Light and easy to use
- Attaches securely to the hair dryer
- Good heat distribution
- Only fits on one hair dryer
Best Sock Diffuser for Curly Hair
Diffuser
Ideal for frizzy hair, a sock diffuser like Hot Sock softens airflow to prevent ruffling strands, which can cauze frizz. The fabric also stretches to fit most hair dryers and is lightweight and compact, making it great for travel. “It’s tiny and keeps my hair from becoming a frizzy mess, so I highly recommend! a reviewer exclaimed.
- Fabric adapts to most hair dryers and is portable
- Gentle airflow minimizes frizz
- Bargain price
Best Diffuser for Long Curly Hair
Finer Softstyler Diffuser
This Solano diffuser’s bowl has extended sides, helping it hold lengths of hair. “I have long, wavy hair that sometimes takes a very long time to dry, and this helps immensely with lifting the roots and drying more gently and evenly,” a reviewer commented.
- Deep bowl cups long strands
- Fits snugly on hair dryer
- May not fit on some hair dryers
Best Compact Diffuser for Curly Hair
Professional Collapsible Hair Dryer Diffuser
If you’re looking for a more streamlined diffuser, StyleCraft is for you. The rubber model is compact in size and collapses into itself for easy storage. “Good curl formation without blowing out my curls,” a reviewer noted. “Easy to use, store and travel with.”
- Collapses into a smaller size
- Great value
- Some users noted it collapsed during use
How to choose the right diffuser for your hair
Take your needs and hair type into consideration when picking the best diffuser for you:
✔️ If you want to dry hair faster, or if your hair has lots of volume, “you will want a cup diffuser with prongs,” advises Angela Soto, hair stylist and owner of Baja Studio in New York City. “The airflow is a little stronger than most diffusers.”
✔️ If you have frizzy hair, you may want to use a sock diffuser. The gentle airflow “will not disturb the curls at all,” says Soto, but hair make take longer to dry.
✔️ If you have tight curls, “use a diffuser shaped like a hand,” suggests Soto. “The airflow is gentle but the fingers can be inserted straight to the root without disturbing the length of the curls.”As for how to use a diffuser for curly hair, start by applying any styling and leave-in haircare products to your damp strands. Attach the diffuser to your hair dryer, turn the dryer on, then plop large sections of hair into the diffuser, cupping it around your curls. Repeat until all hair is dry.
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