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Best Hair Diffusers of 2025
Members of the curly hair club know that ringlets, coils, and curls require special treatment to look fresh and bouncy. Of all the hair styling tools in your kit, a diffuser for curly hair is the most essential. With one of the best diffusers for curly hair, you can speed up your drying time without dealing with frizz or flat pieces.
But what does a hair diffuser do? According to our experts, exactly what the name suggests: Hair diffusers disperse a hair dryer’s airflow across a wide surface area to deliver gentler heat that dries your strands without flattening your natural texture. Some of the latest diffuser technology, introduced by Dyson in the brand’s Supersonic Nural hair dryer last year, features a reverse airflow setting that draws hair into the diffuser’s bowl to stretch and dry curls or dry waves for effortless, French girl-style ‘dos. Most hair diffusers are pronged, bowl-shaped attachments that click onto the nozzle of your best hair dryer. Others, like hand diffusers and hooded diffusers, are dedicated solely for diffusing curly hair and are not compatible with other attachments.
“A diffuser is a great tool to help maintain your natural hair pattern and helps control frizz, leaving you with a gorgeous texture,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. The best hair diffusers easily work for all curl types, from the gentlest type 2 waves to type 4 coils. All curl patterns are different, so just like hair dryers for curly hair, the best diffusers for curly hair are not one-size-fits-all. Selecting the best hair diffuser for your curl pattern requires some research and consideration: Think about how you wear your hair on a daily basis, how often you dry it, and what type of result you’re after.
For everything you need to know about hair diffusers and other key curly hair products, we tapped the expertise of Fitzsimons and natural hair experts Kamara Brown and Erinn Courtney — to get a complete breakdown on hair diffusers, as well as their picks for the best hair diffusers out there. Equipped with this invaluable input, we set out to test 24 top-rated hair diffusers. The eight that made the cut are below.
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Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Brown, Courtney, and Fitzsimons all agree: Dyson’s Supersonic Hair Dryer is the best splurge-worthy hair dryer. One of its most recent iterations, the Supersonic Nural, comes outfitted with a groundbreaking Wave + Curl hair diffuser that functions two ways. Leave the pronged insert in the attachment, and it works like a standard hair diffuser, or pop it out to activate Dome mode, which uses airflow to draw hair into the bowl of the diffuser — resulting in stretched curls and perfectly set, French-girl waves. Currently, this diffuser is only available for purchase with the Supersonic Nural hair dryer, but rest assured that it’s worth the investment, as it also comes with an expert-recommended Gentle Air diffuser and three additional attachments to tame flyaways, comb through curls, and straighten out unwanted texture.
This dryer is also a great choice for those with sensitive scalps or damage-prone hair: It includes a setting that reduces the temperature when the nozzle gets close to your scalp, ensuring that your scalp and baby hairs aren’t damaged while you’re drying your hair. What’s not to love?
Editor testing and review notes: “This diffuser is groundbreaking for those with wavy or type 2 or 3 curls — rather than sending your hair up and out of the diffuser, it draws it into the bowl to set the hair pattern without creating frizz. I love to rough dry my hair with the dryer, tie the lengths into a few loose braids, then feed the plaits into the Wave + Curl diffuser set in Dome mode to get perfectly undone waves. My previous Supersonic hair dryer has lasted me three years without issue, so I know I can expect this dryer to outlast other options I’ve tested.” — Contributing Beauty Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $499.99
Conair Infinitpro 1875 Pro Hair Dryer With Diffuser Attachment
“Infinitipro by Conair is one of my favorite diffusers for all curl types,” Fitzsimons tells WWD. “It applies gentle and even heat to your curls, leaving them gorgeous and frizz-free.” You’re also able to choose a cooling air option here, which Fitzsimons says will help lock in curls instantly. Compared to other affordable hair dryers, this one stands out for its heat settings that won’t singe hair — the temps stays at comfortable-yet-effective levels to dry and set curls. Easy to use and easy on your wallet, it doesn’t get much better than this “Amazon’s Choice” gem.
Editor testing and review notes: “If you’re searching for a simple hair dryer that comes with a diffuser, Conair’s beat out the competitors during testing. This duo feels like a $150 dryer in the hand — it has a matte finish material that’s easy to grip, features three heat and three airflow settings, and securely holds the included diffuser no matter what angles you’re subjecting the tool to while styling. The long prongs and shallow bowl give curls definition without overly scrunching them, so you’ll get a pretty, air-dried look. After over eight months of testing, the tool hasn’t slowed down or malfunctioned with consistent use.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $45.99
Ouidad Made For Curls 3-in-1 Universal Diffuser
Ouidad’s Universal Diffuser comes with two bowl inserts that allow you to adjust the depth and prong length. This feature makes the attachment compatible with hair textures ranging from fine, short curls to long, thick coils. Most diffusers are best suited to attach to dryers with a two-inch nozzle, but this one fits smaller nozzles, so you can clip it onto your favorite travel hair dryer. The oval shape is less bulky and thus perfect for throwing in a weekender bag, too.
Editor testing and review notes: “The unique oval shape of this hair diffuser is surprisingly ergonomic for working around your hair — it gathers more hair than round options, for faster styling. I use the deeper bowl insert for the lengths of my hair and switch over to the shallow, longer prongs when I want more volume at the roots or need a touch-up on the mid-lengths of my hair. My only qualm is that it can feel a little heavy on a hair dryer, however the tool doesn’t fall off the dryer mid-use thanks to the grippy silicone nozzle attachment.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $49
Bed Head Curls-in-Check Hair Dryer Diffuser
For easy, fuss-free diffusing, go with Bed Head’s Curls-in-Check Hair Diffuser Dryer. Because of its shallow bowl and medium-length prongs, this hair diffuser dryer is best for shorter hair lengths or fine, curly hair, effectively lifting and setting any curl pattern. These features also make it a great option for targeting the roots of your hair: Simply place the prongs near the crown of your head, lifting up and in to add some oomph. When you remove the diffuser insert, it functions like a gentle hair dryer to rough dry wet strands, too. As a top Amazon beauty product, the dryer earned thousands of five-star reviews. Join the club!
Editor testing and review notes: “While a hair dryer with a diffuser head instead of a nozzle might feel limiting, I can assure you that it’s actually genius. This tool is, of course, best for those who only use a diffuser in their drying process, and its pronged diffuser style makes the dryer perfect for shorter or thinner hair types. However, it actually worked well on my long, thick curls (if you have similar length and thickness, expect it to take a few more minutes than a deep bowl diffuser). I love that I don’t need to worry about storing or traveling with extra attachments.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28.96
Pattern The Blow Dryer With Hair Diffuser
Tracee Ellis Ross’ hair care line, Pattern, puts curly girls first. After two years of development, Pattern’s The Blow Dryer launched in January 2023. Unlike most hair dryers that include only one attachment for curly hair, each of the four attachments in this blow dryer are specifically designed to uplift your curls. The bowl diffuser features aluminum plates that heat up to expedite dry time, and the comb attachment helps detangle without flattening out ringlets. If you’re looking to stretch or smooth your curls, the dryer has two attachments that’ll do the trick as well as the best hair dryer brushes out there.
Editor testing and review notes: “After testing Pattern’s hair dryer, I can assure you that curly girls will love the diffuser attachment… and every other attachment option included. I found myself rotating between each one on my curly hair for different styling results, whether it’s the wide-tooth comb that detangles while drying or the bowl diffuser that gives my curls major bounce. Yes, the attachments are genius, but the hair dryer itself is, too. The heat and airflow settings truly cater to curly hair — I love that I have the option to use low, gentle heat with the diffuser without blasting my hair through the roof.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $199
Shark Beauty Shark Speedstyle Defrizzfast Diffuser
Shark Beauty’s hair tools are all the rage for their affordable prices and luxury details. The beauty of this diffuser for curly hair lies in its adjustable design: The prongs are extendable with the flick of a built-in lever, so you have a short- and long-pronged diffuser that can work across hair lengths and thicknesses. The DefrizzFast Diffuser is compatible with the editor-approved Shark FlexStyle hair dryer that’s both travel-friendly and high-powered for quick, at-home styling on the daily.
Editor testing and review notes: “The DefrizzFast diffuser won top marks during my testing for its smooth, luxury feel — this one will never fall off of your hair dryer due the grooves that lock the attachment into the dryer’s nozzle. Some of the diffusers with extendable prongs I tested wouldn’t extend or retract evenly, but this one transitions between the two settings like butter. I noticed some overheating during a longer styling session, so definitely stick to low heat when you’re using it.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $29.99
Conair Volumizing Diffuser
For those interested in a budget-friendly option, Fitzsimons suggests the Conair Volumizing Diffuser, which he says, “will give you stunning, sculpted curls for less than $20.” It’s great for all curl types and will help cut down on frizzy flyaways; plus, the high-achieving bargain buy fits with most hair dryers.
Editor testing and review notes: “This no-frills hair diffuser gives major bang for your buck: It easily and securely attached to five different hair dryers during testing and features mid-length prongs that work across short to long and fine to thick curl types. For the price, I was expecting inexpensive materials, but this Conair diffuser felt sturdy and well-made in the hand. It sustained a few drops during testing without breaking or malfunctioning the next time I used it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $16.94
Drybar The Bouncer Diffuser
“While diffusers work similarly in regards to volume, I would definitely recommend Drybar The Bouncer Diffuser for those looking to give their curls that extra oomph,” says Fitzsimons. This diffuser reduces the speed of heat and guarantees a very gentle blow-dry. You’ll also notice less frizz and defined, voluminous curls. As an added bonus, it fits most hair dryers, even if the one you own isn’t from Drybar.
Editor testing and review notes: “An adaptable pick that managed to fit on six standard-sized hair dryers during testing, Drybar’s diffuser is a great add-on that makes nearly any blow dryer friendly for curls. It has a rubber grip that expands for various nozzle sizes, and the attachment area is reinforced to keep its shape with repeated uses. Depending on the dryer, it may fall off during an extended period of use, but nine times out of 10 the tool felt secure.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $28.90
The Different Types of Diffusers for Curly Hair
Hair diffuser options abound, so you should choose the type of diffuser that aligns with your hair texture and how you prefer to style it. These three hair diffuser types are the most common, according to our experts:
Bowl diffusers: These attachments are likely what comes to mind when you think of hair diffusers. They usually feature a silicone ring or an alternative attachment mechanism that locks in to the nozzle of your dryer to evenly distribute heat throughout the bowl. Shallow options are ideal for short hair and targeting your roots, while deep bowl diffusers can dry thick, long hair with ease.
Hand diffusers: Rather than a bowl that cups your hair, hand diffusers spread heat throughout different finger-like prongs to set your curls naturally for an air-dried effect. This format also makes it easy for those with long hair to target the mid-lengths and roots of the hair without creating frizz or overexposing the ends of their strands to heat.
Hooded hair diffusers: These hands-free hair dryers diffuse heat throughout a bonnet. Because you don’t touch your hair while it dries, you’ll emerge with a full head of gravity-defying ringlets without an ounce of frizz. Note that although they’re hands-free, they can take an extensive amount of time to dry thicker hair types and are not designed for travel — two reasons why we omitted options from the category in our list of the best hair diffusers for curly hair.
What to Look for in the Best Hair Diffusers
Similar to the best curly hair dryers, the best curly hair diffusers come in several different sizes, and which one you use depends on what type of hair you have. “A diffuser for each individual will be different,” says Brown. “I don’t believe all diffusers should have a certain amount of prongs or that size should be a certain way.” The following factors will help you deduce what to seek out in a diffuser for your unique head of hair.
Compatibility with a hair dryer: This is crucial, as a diffuser that’s not fitted to your hair dryer is moot. Double check the diffuser manufacturer’s website to determine whether or not it will fit your current go-to hair dryer. You can also measure the diameter of the dryer nozzle and seek out a diffuser that’ll securely fit the size.
Prong size: Shorter prongs are ideal for lifting curls and adding volume near your root. Medium to longer prongs, on the other hand, help dry and add shape to your ends. Looser curl types, like type 2 or 3a, also benefit from longer prongs to add volume and shape to hair, according to Fitzsimons.
Venting: Fitzsimons recommends looking for a diffuser with a lot of small holes or vents, allowing the perfect amount of controlled airflow to dry hair without prolonging the drying time. This is particularly helpful for those with thicker, coarser hair (types 3 to 4). Some diffusers for curly hair allow you to adjust the vent size for more or less airflow.
How We Selected the Best Diffusers for Curly Hair
To select the best hair diffusers for curly hair, our team began by fielding interviews with professional hairstylists that are experienced in working with curly hair types. We took their product recommendations as well as their advice on key features to seek out in diffusers: narrowing down to a list of 24 hair diffusers that we then put through extensive testing. To make said list even more streamlined, we considered which options worked best on short, medium, and long hair, as well as fine to thick hair and wavy to type 4c curls. Our editors dove into verified shopper reviews to assess the longevity of the hair diffuser attachments, too.
WWD Shop editors test and review hair diffusers from top brands in our NYC offices.
WWD/Adam Mansuroglu
How We Tested and Reviewed the Best Hair Diffusers for Curly Hair
Each hair diffuser on this list was put to the test on types 2a to 4c hair by our panel of editors and testers, so that we could accurately assess how the attachments perform on various curl patterns and make honest recommendations about what diffusers work best for certain hair thicknesses and lengths. For diffusers that are marketed as compatible with many commercial hair dryers, we tried the attachments on eight to 10 different hair dryers to make sure they live up to their claims. During testing, we subjected the diffusers to high airflow and heat settings, also dropping them from countertop height onto tile floors and packing them in bags and suitcases to assess their durability. We are continuing to test hair diffusers for the next update to this guide.
While conducting testing, we rated each diffuser on the below criteria:
Stability and weight: Some hair diffusers can slide around or detach from the dryer during use — a fault that can make your styling session frustrating. Our testers made sure that the best hair diffusers for curly hair on our list feel stable and secure on the nozzle of hair dryers. Options that are marketed to be compatible with multiple dryers were tested across a variety of dryers with different shapes and sizes to confirm the claim; those that slipped off the nozzle or took elbow grease to lock in were removed from our list.
Customizable features: Newer diffusers for curly hair come with special features like adjustable prongs and vents you can calibrate for more or less airflow. These capabilities make standard hair diffusers better equipped for various hair textures, lengths, and thicknesses. We awarded extra points to diffusers with these features that are easy to adjust and don’t feel complicated to operate.
Styling results: Each of our testers used diffusers on freshly washed, damp hair to rate the results of the tools. We took note of frizz level, shine, and how well the diffusers enhanced our natural hair texture, whether this manifested in more defined waves or bouncier ringlets. Diffusers that snagged on our hair during styling or left our ends feeling dry and damaged didn’t make the cut.
WWD Shop contributing editor Claire Sullivan after testing one of the best hair diffusers on our list.
WWD/Claire Sullivan
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Meet the Experts
Erinn Courtney is a legend within the world of natural hair. She’s tended to the locks of celebrities including Jada Pinkett Smith, Future, and Offset. Courtney is considered one of the very best when it comes to braiding and protective styles.
Kamara Brown is a hairstylist with more than nine years of protective styling under her belt. Brown is famed for her signature Crochet Braids Afro style and founded Raww Intuition, a textured wig line for women who love big hair and curls.
Andrew Fitzsimons is the stylist that A-list celebs like Ashley Graham, Megan Fox, and the Kardashians have on speed dial when they want a look that’s sleek and cutting-edge.
Meet the Authors
Claire Sullivan was the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she wrote and edited beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends and clothing brands. Sullivan has regularly researched curly hair products since 2018. To write the original version of this article on the best hair diffusers, she researched the category and tested many on her type 2b curls.
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on beauty products worth readers’ time and money.