I have an Andis I got on Amazon. It is professional quality but it was only about $25-$30.

I have a Rusk brand dryer. Bought it at Ulta, maybe 5 years ago. It has been the longest lasting dryer I have found. It's lightweight and dries my hair fast - I also have fine, just above shoulder length hair.

I bought an expensive T3 hairdryer that made my hair look like dried and fried straw after using it. I returned it and bought a cheap ConAir Pro at Costco to tide me over while I researched brands. It works so well that I never replaced it. It cost less than $30.00 and it works great without the fried effect.

Wanted to say 'Thanks' so far. The fried effect is definitely a concern, so I've been really concerned about that.

Outside, I have your hair! I also have a ConAir Ion Shine 1875 dryer. I like it because it has 3 heat settings (plus Cool Set which I never use). But more importantly, it has 3 blower settings: the standard Gale Force, plus a Medium "dry my hair, don't blow it off my head", and Low, which is about like but maybe juuuust a tad stronger than the Poof Of Air setting that is Low on most.

That Medium setting is hard to find, and is the number one thing is like about my dryer, and is why I always bring it with me when I travel.

This dryer is several years old, now, judging by the duct tape holding the screen guard together from where I've dropped it on the tile.

Yes, bpathome! I neglected to say that I do use the 'Cool' button on mine quite a lot. It seems like my Chi was the 'Gale Force' you mention and the lower setting was not enough, so the 3 settings is what I will look for. Had to laugh at the duct tape comment. The Rusk is another one that looked promising so thanks Bluebell.

Mine is BaByliss. I do need to use a smoothing product, I don't know if its my dryer or the new texture of increasing gray that I'm having camouflaged/colored every 7 weeks.

Other things that are deal breakers for me with a dryer, it's got to be light, and reasonably compact. I've purchased a couple of very expensive professional dryers that are both too big (long), and heavy for my mornings. I also have to check the cord...the outlets at the master vanity in this house are set somewhat low to the tiled top. Some of those elongated plug-ins don't work in my bathroom....i.e. the last Conair Infiniti I purchased and placed immediately in the guest bath where it could actually be used ;0)

Morz, I hear ya on the outlet, when we remodeled our bathroom the fellow had installed the new outlet where the old one was, but I had to ask him to flip it so the blow dryer plug would fit.

I wish I could find out one that has a good high volume of air, yet is quieter. I had one 10 years ago, but alas, dropped it. I only get the ion ones now to reduce winter static. I also have a wall mount Andis one at the lake place -- the type they supply in some motels. It is perfect when you don't have storage drawers.

Loonlake, my DH is with ya on the quieter dryer. He says someone should have made one by now.

I've always wondered if an expensive dryer is worth the money. I know for my flat iron I can see a difference between a $30. iron and $100. flat iron. I use a hairdryer that has a brush and comb attachments. I have super thick wavy hair and it saves my arms trying to handle a dryer and brush separately. I wouldn't mind trying a more expensive dryer to see if it makes a big difference.

FWIW, I've tried all different price points for dryers and the cheap ones have always outlasted expensive big salon brands. The worst for me ended up being a more pricey Rusk and Andis.

I generally use standard Conair dryers. I don't understand what the ion feature does, and don't think any of my dryers have had it.

But aren't hairdryers built on the same principle? Hot/medium/cool air with some degree of force behind it? What else am I missing?

I confess I only recently started using the concentrator. I thought it was a special feature and it does further elongate my dryer. I just this minute read that there's a right/wrong way to install it (should be parallel to the handle). However, my dryer twists in many directions depending on the location of the hair I'm drying. I do like that it adds a buffer between my hair and scalp and the heat.

I let my hair air dry for a couple of hours before I try to blowdry. Otherwise it would take way too long and I haven't the patience for it.

I think I would happily settle for a more compact dryer so my arms aren't at full reach.

You should look on sallybeauty.com and look at reviews. Then go into the store and ask them what they would recommend for your hair, then go look at reviews again.

I bought my last two hair dryers there and loved them. I have thick frizzy hair so the blow dryer is a big deal. Some of the seasoned employees there work a lot with stylists so they really know hair. They helped me a lot with hair color issues too (sensitive scalp).

FWIW, I've tried all different price points for dryers and the cheap ones have always outlasted expensive big salon brands. The worst for me ended up being a more pricey Rusk and Andis.

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Cheap hair dryers make a horrible, frizzy mess of my hair. I have also gone really expensive and have maybe gotten a couple of years out of a dryer. As I mentioned above, my Rusk that I paid around $75 for has lasted 5 years now. Prior to that, I was replacing less expensive dryers at least every two years. At one point, I had a more expensive Chi that lasted less than a year. Honestly, anymore, I think it's a crap shoot no matter what small appliance you buy.

My Rusk dryer is pretty quiet as dryers go, and that is one reason I bought it at Ulta. I haven't looked at dryers in a while so I don't know if they still do this, but they used to have a display where you can turn them on and listen to the sound and feel the different speeds.

Mine is Babyliss Tourmaline 3000. Smaller and lighter than full-size dryers but powerful enough for me.

I have a Hana Air dryer that was expensive but has been the most reliable hair dryer I've ever had. I can't remember exactly what year I purchased it but I know I've had it for over seven years. It is a bit heavy but has a lot of power and it's still going strong. I always have a back up dryer on hand. My back up is a Babyliss but not sure of the model. As a side note, it appears that Hana is no longer in business so I hope this one lasts for a loooooooong time.

Bluebell - Definitely a crap shoot. I should maybe consider myself lucky all dryers seem to have the same effect on my hair. That's around the same price I paid for my Rusk. It was a very pretty hair dryer! Don't get me wrong, I went through a few Revlon's that had as short of a lifespan. Growing up I remember we had a boring looking white ConAir that lasted it seems my entire childhood and teens years. My mom, myself, and everyone else I know IRL seems to go through dryers fast now.

Outside - Did you end up picking one out today?

In summer, I try not to heat dry my hair. I have a Conair which I've had for several years but I would also like a new one.

My hairstylist has a brand called Kadori, but like she said she needs the professional model because it needs the heavy duty capacity to work all day. There are non-professional models of Kadori.

Kadori Pro

Thank you all for your helpful comments. I looked online yesterday at several and planned a trip to Ulta after a meeting at a location nearby yesterday afternoon. I was all set to purchase a Conair, but wanted to try out several at Ulta. They still have their set-up where you can turn them on and feel the heat and speed. I probably increased the store temperature in that corner by 10 degrees trying out several at a time.

I ended up with one made by Hot Tools, the Hot Tools Professional, for $42.99. I switched from the Conair after talking with someone and looking, feeling and testing. It was only a few dollars more and I had a $3.50 coupon, so the price wasn't really a deal breaker. The placard said it was good for fine hair, it has 3 heat settings and 2 speeds and a cool shot button, which I used a lot on my Chi. So did the Conair. The main difference was the weight and it seemed quieter. It is very light. Used it this morning and am happy. Funny, but my hair didn't seem to have those little frizzies around my part that I sometimes notice, even after getting out in the humid air.

I asked the sales person about the brand and she said they get very few returns of that brand and if I wasn't happy after a few days I could return it. I did ask what brand seemed to be returned the most and guess what? It was Chi. I have to say, mine lasted at least 7 years. I took my old Chi to the lake and bought this one which is used every day, so I really can't complain.

I've always had a Conair. They last forever.

OP, what model Hot tool did you get? I noticed that the cord on my Hana is starting to come out of the dryer so I may need a new one sooner rather than later :( booo!

It is called the Hot Tools Professional. I can look on the box tonight and get the exact model # for you. If you look on the Ulta website it doesn't show up. It may be a discontinued model that or one that is sold in the stores. It was $42.99 (on sale) in the store.

After using it all weekend, I'm still very pleased with the performance and how smooth my hair looks. I'm just amazed I didn't connect the frizzies in my hair with my Chi hair dryer. Shameful I know! Good luck!

Thanks OP. I hope my Ulta has it because I looked on the Ulta site and didn't see that one so maybe it IS a discontinued model or an exclusive to Ulta stores.

Holly-Kay, it is Model 1038UL and I am including a photo. I would call and see if they have it. Let me know if you don't find it in your store. Maybe I can find another here and send one to you.

Thanks OP! It's great that you included the pic too. I will be out on that end of town later this week so it will be easy to just pop in and look around.

The UL at the end stands for Ulta, it is an Ulta exclusive.