Overwhelmed by choice when shopping for the best diffuser for curly hair? You’ve come to the right place.
Curly hair has particular personality traits and characteristics that need to be taken into account when drying to make sure that firstly, it’s kept healthy and happy, and secondly, that the finished result is as bouncy, elastic and springy as possible.
A diffuser is the right tool for the job for all types of curly hair, but the exact features you’ll want to prioritise will vary based on your curl pattern and the finished look you prefer.
Read on to find out more about the must-have criteria for choosing the best diffuser for curly hair, plus why they’re so brilliant at minimising damage compared to traditional hair dryers or leaving your spirals to dry naturally. If you’re not already a diffuser convert, you will be by the end…
Most important things to consider when choosing a diffuser for curly hair
Not sure how to tell if the best hair diffuser for curly hair is any good? Don’t stress. These are the most important factors to keep in mind when shopping for a diffuser that delivers.
Bowl shape and size
The large surface area of the top of a diffuser (also referred to as the head or bowl) is what sets it apart from other styling attachments you might be familiar with.
The reason why it’s so much bigger than a traditional hairdryer nozzle is to allow the airflow to be distributed over a wide surface area rather than concentrated in just one spot.
This helps to encourage the natural curl pattern of your hair, as well as ensure that all of your strands are exposed to the same amount of heat and air. If you have long hair, you’ll want the bowl of your diffuser to be as generously sized as possible, allowing you to dry sizeable sections of hair at once and saving you precious minutes in the morning.
The shape of the bowl matters too. Ideally, it will be dipped with a lower centre area and higher sides that trap the air and allow you to nestle your curls within it.
Heat and speed settings
High temperatures and fast speed settings are beneficial when you’re trying to wrestle naturally curly hair into a sleek, poker-straight style, but helping curly hair to dry in its preferred pattern doesn’t require the same level of persuasion and force.
If you blast your curls with scorching temperatures and gale-worthy airflow then all you’re going to do is knock out their natural movement and create unnecessary damage. Keeping the heat and speed settings of your best hair diffuser as low as possible will make for a bouncy, springy finish that maintains hair health instead of dragging it down.
Perforated grid system
A feature that works hand-in-hand with the wide surface area of the best hair diffuser tool is a perforated grid system of perfectly spaced holes that funnel air out of the tool and onto the hair. The more holes, the merrier, as this will dilute the flow of air so that it escapes at a consistent pace rather than in one big whoosh.
What this means for your curls is gentle styling without drying one section faster than another or blasting the hair so intensely that you lose the separation from your spirals.
Identifying your exact curl type is the first step to finding the perfect hair care routine for you! Read our guide "Discovering curl types and hair styles"
Finger-like nodules
They might look a little odd, but the finger-like nodules on a diffuser play a really important role in styling curly hair.
They essentially replace the need to use your fingers (which can rough up the cuticle and lead to frizz) by encouraging the shape and movement of your curls.
It’s best if they’re topped with silicone to make them extra gentle and prevent them from snagging at the hair or scratching your scalp.
The overall design of the tool
If a diffuser isn’t easy and practical to use, then it’s not going to become a part of your weekly hair-drying routine. Just think of it like those kitchen gadgets gathering dust at the back of your cupboards.
The best diffusers for curly hair will have been made with curls in mind and feature an ergonomic, easy-to-handle design that allows you to maintain control, precision and grip when styling.
They won’t slip from your hand as you move from position to position, and can be held upwards to encourage bouncy curls, downwards to elongate your curls and even at the side for added separation – all without leaving your biceps aching.
Ideally, you also want the head of the diffuser to be built-in rather than detachable, as no one enjoys the process of rummaging on the floor for a run-away attachment that’s been accidentally knocked off mid-way through styling.
Advanced performance: drying curls without damage
Compared to air drying or using a traditional hairdryer, the best diffuser for curly hair is a superior choice that will reduce drying time without compromising the health of your strands. Curly hair is more likely to experience damage than straight hair, as the shape means it’s not as strong and is more prone to snapping.
The bendiness of an ‘S’ or ‘Z’ shaped curl pattern also stops the cuticles that coat our strands from lying flat, leaving gaps for moisture to escape through that can lead to dryness and damage. The great thing about diffuser tools is that (most) have been designed with this in mind, with the following features to ensure they’re as kind as can be to your curls and that the finished result is as defined and bouncy as possible…
Low wattage
As we’ve already mentioned, slow speed settings and low temperatures are best for drying curly hair, and you don’t need a super powerful tool to achieve that. Opt for a diffuser that operates at a low wattage (around 770W is optimum) to carefully dry the hair and set its natural curl pattern in place without causing any damage.
Adjustable temperatures
If you leave your hair to air dry, it’ll do so at one consistent temperature. With a diffuser, you can adjust this, using higher temperatures if your hair is very thick or you’re in a hurry, and lower ones for very fragile or porous hair.
For best results, we recommend gently reducing the temperature and amount of airflow as you style, ending on a cold shot. This shift in temperature from warm to cool will seal the hair cuticle, fixing your style in place and keeping frizz at bay, so your curls retain their shape and bounce until your next wash.
Moisture-infusing coatings
Curly hair needs plenty of moisture to keep it frizz-free and nourished, so the more moisturising products like hair masks and leave-in conditioners you can use, the better.
Where a diffuser has one up on air drying is when it comes to the coatings, as a diffuser infused with argan oil will transfer even more moisture into the strands to counteract any that might be lost during the drying process. Ceramic coatings are great too, working to enhance the shine and gloss of your curls.
Large surface area
Don’t like the idea of using heat on your curls? This diffuser feature might change your mind. Thanks to the large surface area, diffusers can dry substantial sections of hair at once, so your strands are only ever being exposed to heat for a very limited amount of time.
Fast drying time
It’s a common misconception that leaving your curls to air dry naturally is the healthiest choice for your strands. Our hair is at its most fragile when wet, which means even the slightest amount of friction from say, using a hairbrush, twisting your curls around your fingers or lying on a pillowcase can lead to breakage.
The longer and thicker your hair is, the more time it’ll take to dry, increasing the chance of split, snagged ends as it stays wet for longer. Using a diffuser to gently dry hair is the more caring option, as it won’t be in its most frail state for quite so long.
Ion technology
When we use too much heat on our hair (traditional hairdryers and hair straighteners, we’re looking at you) it takes on a positive ion charge that lifts the cuticle and leads to damage, frizz and static. A diffuser enhanced with ion technology will counteract this, using negative ions to smooth the cuticle back down so that hair looks shinier, feels smoother and isn’t so likely to develop unsightly split ends. Clever, eh?
Diffon Supreme for defined hairstyles and healthy hair
If you want to invest in the best diffuser for curly hair, the Diffon Supreme is the one to choose. Not all diffusers have been created to the same standards, and this tool has been meticulously designed to guarantee top-notch care at the same time as delivering extraordinary results for bouncy, enhanced curls.
It boasts all the essential and advanced features we’ve covered here, helping to make wash day something to look forward to rather than a chore. You’ll find an XL, bowl-shaped diffuser head for efficient styling, a perforated grid for optimum airflow as well as variable heat settings that can be adjusted depending on your curls needs.
Plus, the ergonomic design makes it intuitive to hold and manoeuvre to reach every part of your head with ease. A true game-changer.
