14 Best Diffusers for Curly Hair in 2024

Loved by professional hairstylists, editors and consumers alike, Dyson's famed hair dryer proved to be worth the hype thanks to a stellar performance in GH Beauty Lab testing. Though pricey, this model comes with an impressive five attachments, including a diffuser, which all connect magnetically for easy use.

It also dried hair faster than any model in the history of GH Beauty Lab hair dryer testing, drying an eight-inch sample of hair in just 54 seconds. Our consumer testers included a range of different hair types and lengths. "On the most humid of days, it got hair smoother, and in less time, than any hair dryer I've used," raved one tester with curly hair.

This well-priced universal diffuser disperses air flow, allowing the dryer's air to spread over a large area of hair. Though sold on its own and created to fit on any dryer, it can also fit on GH Beauty Lab test-winning BabylissPro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer, which proved to dry hair fast, provided strong airflow and was comfortable to hold.

The diffuser "doesn't snap or lock into place, as I'd imagined based on a previous diffuser I owned," shares an Amazon reviewer. "It slides on and stays on because of pressure from the hidden collar inside." That design could be improved, as some online reviewers share that it falls off of their dryers often.

Featuring a digital LED display for heat and power settings and an indicator light when it's time to change the filter, this tech-savvy Paul Mitchell dryer performed well in GH Beauty Lab testing. Plus, it comes with a diffuser included (not pictured), key for drying curly and natural hair textures.

In Lab testing, it received a top drying rate score due to its airflow and high heat settings, and testers gave it high marks for minimizing frizz (helpful for curls), with one remarking it "added fullness" and another that "it seemed to dry my hair quickly." Though testers and experts found it easy to operate and liked the controls, it was one of the heaviest hair dryers evaluated.

Another top performer in GH Beauty Lab testing, this budget-friendly Hot Tools dryer loved by testers comes with a diffuser included. The compact model makes it easy to store, testers noted, with multiple adding that it also left their hair less frizzy. In testing, it also earned near-perfect scores for drying speed and ranked high for strong airflow.

"The hair dryer dried my hair with less frizz and more shine to it," a tester reported. "It was super easy to use and small, so it could be stored pretty much anywhere." Online reviewers and testers alike love its long cord length. Take caution when removing the diffuser, as online reviewers note that the heat gets very high and you may burn yourself if you touch it before letting it cool.

FHI Heat's GH Beauty Award-winning hair dryer comes complete with three attachments, including a diffuser (not pictured). The slim design was easy to maneuver, lightweight and "very comfortable to hold with easy-to-reach controls," according to our Beauty Lab scientists. In GH Beauty Lab instrumental testing, it also performed well, providing strong airflow and drying hair fast. However, it was on the slightly noisy side compared to other models.

Widely considered one of the best Dyson Airwrap dupes, Shark Beauty's styler is great for creating curls and waves. This GH Beauty Award winner is a hair dryer, hair dryer brush and curler in one, with five attachments including brushes, curlers, a concentrator and a diffuser that you can choose according to your needs. It's expensive, but "it's proven versatile enough to see me through two different haircuts and I like the easy on-and-off of all of the attachments," a tester revealed.

Plus, it achieved a near-record fast time drying hair samples, reached a high air temperature and had strong airflow in Beauty Lab testing. Alongside four heat and three airflow settings, the handle also twists 90º for different styling methods, like blow-drying and diffusing.

Those with thick or long curly hair will appreciate the extra-large size of this diffuser, making it possible to dry your curls more conveniently and quickly. Rather than a traditional hair dryer with attachment, this pricey two-in-one handheld dryer and built-in diffuser is designed to be easier to hold thanks to its unique shape.

According to the brand, it also features a micro-perforated grid and 112 air holes to help produce even air distribution and gentle heat on curls. "It does not overheat or burn the hair. Gives amazing volume," one reviewer writes. "Button placement is good, no accidental changing settings," another adds.

Cleverly designed in the shape of a hand so you can imitate scrunching as you would with your own hands, DevaCurl's innovative diffuser is loved by celebrity hairstylist Annagjid Kee Taylor. It also delivers 360º airflow which the brand says helps promote faster drying.

Taylor especially loves this option for type 3 curls. "It works really well with coilier hair types because it doesn’t disrupt the natural curl pattern," she says. "This product also features a custom Curl Flexible Alternating Ionic Technology that helps you add volume to your 'do." Just note that even though it's created as a universal diffuser, many online reviewers share that it doesn't fit well on their dryer.

Although it is designed for Drybar's Buttercup and Baby Buttercup hair dryers (the latter is a GH Beauty Lab test winner), it still fits other hair dryers as well (though some online reviewers claim it doesn't fit on theirs).

An online reviewer with fine hair shares that it "dried my hair quickly and the results were great — bouncy curls and no frizz." When paired with GH Beauty Lab test-winning Drybar Baby Buttercup Travel Hair Dryer (sold separately), you can bring the two along with you on your travels; the dryer scored perfectly in Lab evaluations for having easy-to-use controls.

With nearly 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, consumers agree: Conair's affordably-priced diffuser is a classic. "This diffuser completely changed my hair," one raves. The brand claims it fits most hair dryers, and it also fits GH Beauty Lab test winner Conair Worldwide Travel Dryer, which earned the best score for drying hair quickly. An online reviewer with short hair found that "the diffuser is pretty big and the 'fingers' are too far apart to do much of anything," so this may be best suited for longer curls.

The soft, mesh fabric of this YS Park diffuser contains silver and titanium particles, which heat up and retain heat, according to the brand (though this has not been confirmed by the GH Beauty Lab). By retaining the heat, it creates a softer, more manageable blow dry.

Weighing virtually nothing, this is the perfect diffuser to pack and travel with, especially for stylists who are on-the-go or tight on space. Designed for professionals, this brand also carries hair brushes that are widely loved by stylists. "This diffuser is flexible and can be squished flat for packing, plus it works with any hair dryer," a reviewer said. Another online reviewer notes that it doesn't work as well on shorter, smaller hair dryers.

Because of extra long finger extensions that reach down to your scalp, Bio Ionic's universal diffuser makes it super easy (and quick!) to to dry your curls. "I've used this diffuser for over three years and it's still in great shape," says GH Senior Analyst Emma Seymour. "I love how it easily attaches to different hair dryers, so I don't have to worry about it sliding off. It separates my curls without overheating." Many online reviewers love this model as well, especially noting that it doesn't leave their hair frizzy at all; however, some find it difficult to attach onto other dryers.

Not a fan of typical bowl diffusers? Try this sock diffuser instead. Because it's made of fabric, it can stretch to fit on any sized hair dryer, according to the brand (though this hasn't been confirmed by the GH Beauty Lab). Like a regular diffuser, it slows down the airflow to avoid damaging curls.

Online reviewers love how small it is, making it easy to travel with, but they do recommend hovering over your curls rather than touching them with the sock, with one explaining that "if you touch your hair with it, it will make it frizzy (the surface is rather fuzzy), so don't use your normal diffusing technique. Just hover diffuse."

Bringing a diffuser on a trip but don't want to take up too much space in your luggage? Look no further than this collapsible model. It's universal too, so you can attach it to hotel dryers and travel dryers to make packing even lighter. This silicone diffuser is not only easy to travel with, but also easy to store, with one online reviewer saying that they "love the result in my hair, and the attachment is easy on/off, cool to the touch, then collapses and is put away until next use."

Some users do note, though, that it can be initially difficult to put the diffuser on their dryers. (If you feel more comfortable bringing your own dryer, try this GH Beauty Lab test-winning travel dryer from the brand, complete with a foldable handle, diffuser included and more.)