Beauty & Health · 4 products compared
ghd vs Parlux vs Laifen vs Philips: Which Hair Dryer to Buy?
Best hair dryers compared: ghd Helios, Parlux Advance Light, Laifen Neo and Philips 8000. Our review and which one to choose for your needs.
This page shows ads and contains affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never changes our verdict.
At a glance
- 1€199.99See at Amazon
- 2
€119See at Amazon - 3
€214.99See at Amazon - 4
€149.99See at Amazon
Prices and availability as of 16 Oct 2026 and subject to change. The price shown on the store at the time of purchase applies.
Our top pick is the ghd Helios professional hair dryer: it's the safest bet if you want a powerful, versatile dryer backed by thousands of owners. If your budget is tighter or lightness is your priority, the Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice is the most sensible alternative.
All four models compared here hold a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Amazon. So the difference comes down to other things: number of reviews, price, motor technology and weight.
Two approaches: conventional motor or brushless motor
The ghd Helios professional hair dryer and the Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice run at 2200 W, the benchmark for salon hair dryers. It's a safe choice for thick or long hair.
The Laifen Neo Hair Dryer Black and the Philips 8000 Series Hair Dryer BHD837/10 rely on a brushless motor spinning at 110,000 rpm. This type of motor produces fast airflow while drawing less power (1500 W and 1400 W here), which doesn't mean less effective drying. These technologies are newer, though, and there's less user feedback on them.
ghd Helios: the most proven choice
With more than 8,600 reviews, the ghd Helios professional hair dryer is by far the model best documented by its owners. It combines 2200 W, Aeroprecis airflow technology, an ionic function, 3 heat settings and 2 speeds.
Its drawback is the price, close to 200 euros. You're also paying for the brand, but satisfaction measured across so many reviews is reassuring.
Parlux Advance Light: the best value
The Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice delivers the same 2200 W as the ghd for about 80 euros less. Its biggest strength is a claimed weight of 450 g, welcome during long blow-dries.
It pairs ionic and ceramic technology. The data available doesn't detail its heat and speed settings, so check that before buying.
Laifen Neo: newer tech at a reasonable price
The Laifen Neo Hair Dryer Black brings a 110,000 rpm brushless motor, a claimed 200 million negative ions and 2 easy-to-swap magnetic attachments. It's the cheapest way to get this type of motor in our selection.
With only 271 reviews, there's limited track record on its reliability.
Philips 8000 Series: promising but pricey
The Philips 8000 Series Hair Dryer BHD837/10 is the most expensive in this comparison. It shares the 110,000 rpm brushless motor and adds ThermoShield Advanced sensors, designed to monitor heat and limit damage to your hair.
On paper, it's appealing. But with 369 reviews and a price above the ghd, it's hard to recommend as a first choice.
Which one should you choose?
- For a reliable, versatile dryer: ghd Helios professional hair dryer.
- To save money and go lighter: Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice.
- To try a brushless motor without spending too much: Laifen Neo Hair Dryer Black.
- If heat protection is your priority and you're willing to pay more: Philips 8000 Series Hair Dryer BHD837/10.
Side by side
| Spec | Best overallghd Helios professional hair dryer | Best valueParlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice | Philips 8000 Series Hair Dryer BHD837/10 | Best budget brushlessLaifen Neo Hair Dryer Black |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6/5 (8,627 reviews) | 4.6/5 (3,147 reviews) | 4.6/5 (369 reviews) | 4.6/5 (271 reviews) |
| Motor | Conventional | Conventional | Brushless, 110,000 rpm | Brushless, 110,000 rpm |
| Power | 2200 W | 2200 W | 1400 W | 1500 W |
| Settings | 3 heat settings, 2 speeds | – | – | – |
| Technology | Ionic, Aeroprecis airflow | Ionic and ceramic | Ionic, ThermoShield Advanced sensors | Ionic, 200 million negative ions |
| Weight | – | 450 g | – | – |
| Accessories | – | – | – | 2 magnetic attachments |
| Price | €199.99 | €119 | €214.99 | €149.99 |
Prices and availability as of 16 Oct 2026 and subject to change. The price shown on the store at the time of purchase applies.
Best overall
1. ghd Helios professional hair dryer
4.5The safest choice: powerful, versatile and backed by thousands of buyers, but expensive.
Best for Versatile everyday use
- 2200 W of power suits thick or long hair.
- Aeroprecis technology aims for concentrated airflow for more precise drying.
- 3 heat settings and 2 speeds let you match the heat to your hair type.
What we like
- Huge number of positive reviews
- 2200 W of power
- Full heat and speed settings
What could be better
- High price, close to 200 euros
- Conventional rather than brushless motor
Best value
2. Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic Hair Dryer Ice
4.5The same power as the ghd for far less, with genuine lightness as a bonus.
Best for Tighter budgets and long blow-dries
- At 450 g, it reduces arm fatigue during long blow-dries.
- The ionic and ceramic combination aims for more even heat and less frizz.
- 2200 W matches the ghd for a much lower price.
What we like
- Excellent power for the price
- Very light at 450 g
- Over 3,000 reassuring reviews
What could be better
- Heat and speed settings not specified in our data
- Fewer accessories highlighted than the Laifen
3. Philips 8000 Series Hair Dryer BHD837/10
3.5Promising hair-protection tech, but the priciest of the bunch with few reviews.
Best for Those who prioritize heat protection
- The 110,000 rpm brushless motor produces fast airflow despite 1400 W of power.
- ThermoShield Advanced sensors are designed to monitor temperature and limit heat damage.
- The ionic function helps reduce frizz.
What we like
- Fast brushless motor
- Heat protection sensors
- Lower power consumption
What could be better
- Most expensive in the comparison
- Only 369 reviews
- Pricier than the Laifen with an equivalent motor
Best budget brushless
4. Laifen Neo Hair Dryer Black
4.0The cheapest way into brushless motors, though with little track record so far.
Best for Trying a brushless motor
- The 110,000 rpm brushless motor delivers fast airflow while drawing 1500 W.
- A claimed 200 million negative ions aim to smooth the hair and reduce frizz.
- The 2 magnetic attachments click on and swap easily.
What we like
- Brushless motor at a reasonable price
- Handy magnetic attachments
- Cheaper than the ghd and the Philips
What could be better
- Fewest reviews in the comparison (271)
- Long-term reliability poorly documented
The verdict
Buy the ghd Helios if you want the most proven hair dryer, with 2200 W and more than 8,600 positive reviews. The Parlux Advance Light is the best value and the lightest, ideal for frequent blow-drying. The Laifen Neo suits those who want a brushless motor at a reasonable price and can accept a limited track record. Save the Philips 8000 Series for those set on its heat sensors: it's the most expensive and the least documented by reviews.
How we compared: We did not test these hair dryers ourselves. Our ranking is based on manufacturers' technical specifications, observed prices in euros, and the average rating and number of buyer reviews on Amazon. Where ratings were equal, we gave more weight to products with a large volume of reviews and to the balance between price and features. Read our full method
Readers' podium
Which one would you buy?
Pick one to vote. Our pick is marked, so you can see if readers agree.
No votes yet: be the first
Responses (0)
Questions people ask
What is the best professional hair dryer?
The ghd Helios is our best overall pick thanks to its 2200 W, 3 heat settings and 2 speeds, and a 4.6/5 rating across more than 8,600 reviews. The Parlux Advance Light is a cheaper, lighter alternative.
Is a 1400 or 1500 W hair dryer less effective than a 2200 W one?
Not necessarily, because brushless motors like those in the Laifen Neo and Philips 8000 spin very fast and produce fast airflow with less electrical power. 2200 W models remain a safe choice for thick hair.
What does the ionic function on a hair dryer do?
The ionic function emits negative ions meant to reduce frizz and static. All four models in this comparison have it.
Is the ghd Helios worth it compared to the Parlux?
Yes if you want more documented settings and the most popular model, but the Parlux offers the same 2200 W for about 80 euros less and weighs only 450 g.
Is the Laifen Neo reliable?
Its 4.6/5 rating is encouraging, but it's based on only 271 reviews, which gives less insight into durability than for the ghd or the Parlux.
