BaBylissPRO The Nano Titanium Hair Dryer, 2000W, 3 Attachments, Black

Why it's worth it

The Nano Titanium runs 2000 watts through a high-torque motor with six heat and speed combinations, a locking cool shot, and a 9-foot cord. It's the dryer a lot of stylists learned on, and it costs a fraction of the premium picks.

The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium line is standard equipment in cosmetology schools and salons across the U.S., and it's a recommended tool for students and working stylists per the Professional Beauty Association. That's not a small endorsement. It means the thing is built to be picked up and put down 15 times a day by people who don't baby their tools.

If you have thick or coarse hair, this is where the money goes furthest. Two thousand watts through a high-torque motor gives you the brute airflow that thick hair needs, and the nano titanium barrel puts out far-infrared heat plus ionic output for smoothing. Owners with dense, shoulder-length hair consistently describe cutting drying time roughly in half compared with a drugstore dryer — and often on the medium setting, not high.

From our review of 7 professional hair dryers for home use, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium line is standard equipment in cosmetology schools and salons across the U.S., and it's a…
• +If you have thick or coarse hair, this is where the money goes furthest
• +Six heat and speed combinations plus a locking cool shot gives you real control
• +The cord is 9 feet, which is salon standard and roughly what you want at home too

What to know

• –It uses a DC motor, not AC
• –There's no intelligent heat control here