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How long does a hair dryer last?

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Short answer

There is no fixed lifespan. How long a hair dryer lasts depends on the motor type, how often and how long you use it, and how well you keep the filter and cord in shape. Makers do not publish expected lifespans, so the warranty is the best signal: many premium dryers and stylers carry one to two year warranties. Brushless motors have no carbon brushes to wear, and regular filter cleaning is the single best habit for a longer life.

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When you pay $200 to $700 for a hair dryer or multi-styler, you want to know how long it should last. The honest answer is that it varies a lot, and makers do not publish lifespans. What we can explain is what wears out inside a dryer, how motor type and use affect it, what the warranties on common premium tools say, the warning signs that a dryer is near the end, and the habits that help it last longer. This page is for owners of conventional dryers, high-speed dryers like the Dyson Supersonic, and multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap.

What wears out in a hair dryer

A dryer has a few parts that take most of the wear. The motor spins every time you use it. The heating element cycles from cold to very hot. The switches and buttons are pressed thousands of times. The cord flexes near the handle and gets wrapped tightly around the body. The filter clogs, which makes everything else work harder.

Of these, cord damage near the handle and overheating from a clogged filter are among the most common reasons dryers fail early. Both are mostly within your control.

Cutaway of a hair dryer: intake and filter, motor and fan, heating element, ion generator, nozzle, buttons and cord12345678
  1. 1Air intake and filter: keep it clean, or the dryer runs hot
  2. 2Motor and fan: pull air in and push it forward
  3. 3Heating element: warms the air as it passes
  4. 4Ion generator, on dryers that list one
  5. 5Nozzle: where attachments clip on
  6. 6Heat and speed buttons
  7. 7Cool shot button: unheated air to set the style
  8. 8Cord
Inside a typical hair dryer. Layouts vary: some motors sit in the handle, and not every dryer has an ion generator.

Brushed vs brushless motors

Conventional dryers often use brushed motors, where carbon brushes rub against a spinning part to deliver current. Those brushes wear down over time. Brushless digital motors, used in many high-speed dryers and in the Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap, switch current electronically and have no brushes to wear. Makers often market brushless models as long lasting for that reason; the BaBylissPRO Rapido listing, for example, describes a professional motor built to last.

A brushless motor does not guarantee a longer life overall. The electronics, heater, switches and cord still wear. But it removes one common wear part. See high-speed hair dryers explained.

Warranties as a guide

Because makers do not publish expected lifespans, warranty length is the most concrete signal of how long they expect a tool to keep working. Check the listing and the maker's site before buying, and register the product if the maker asks. Examples from listings in our guides:

  • ghd Duet Blowdry: listed with a 2-year warranty.
  • T3 AireBrush Duo: listed with up to a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
  • T3 Featherweight StyleMax: listed with a 1-year manufacturer warranty.
  • Dyson hair care: Dyson offers a warranty on its hair tools bought new from Dyson or authorized sellers. See Dyson Airwrap warranty.

Note.Warranties usually require purchase from the maker or an authorized seller. Keep your receipt and order details.

How long Dyson dryers and the Airwrap last

Dyson does not publish an expected lifespan for the Supersonic or Airwrap. Both use Dyson digital motors, and both depend on a clean intake filter to keep airflow up and temperatures in range. Dyson lists intelligent heat control on both, measuring air temperature over 40 times a second. The Supersonic r listing also mentions a re-engineered depth-loaded filter that protects the motor.

The two things you control that matter most are the filter, since a clogged one makes the tool run hot and cut out, and the cord, which tight wrapping can damage. Clean the filter often and follow how to clean the Dyson Airwrap filter. If yours cuts out, see Dyson Supersonic cutting out or Dyson Airwrap keeps cutting out.

Compare Dyson hair dryers →

Signs your dryer is wearing out

Some of these are fixable. Read hair dryer blowing cold air and hair dryer trips breaker before replacing a dryer.

  • Weaker airflow

    Possible cause
    Clogged filter, motor wear
    Action
    Clean filter first

  • Blows cold on all settings

    Possible cause
    Heater or control failure
    Action
    See cold air fix, then warranty

  • Cuts out after a few minutes

    Possible cause
    Overheating, blocked intake
    Action
    Clean filter, then contact maker

  • Burning smell or sparks

    Possible cause
    Electrical fault
    Action
    Stop using it

  • Cord hot, kinked or frayed

    Possible cause
    Cord damage
    Action
    Stop using it, replace or repair

  • Rattling or grinding

    Possible cause
    Fan or motor damage
    Action
    Stop using it, contact maker
Warning signs and what to do

Note.Stop using any dryer that sparks, smells of burning plastic, or has a damaged cord.

How to make a hair dryer last longer

  • Clean the intake filter regularly, more often if you use a lot of hairspray or dry shampoo nearby.
  • Do not wrap the cord tightly around the dryer. Loop it loosely and avoid sharp bends at the handle.
  • Hang it or store it where it will not be dropped. Many hair tools do not survive a fall onto tile.
  • Let it cool before putting it in a drawer or bag.
  • Keep it away from water and do not use it with wet hands on the controls.
  • Use the right voltage. Plugging a single-voltage dryer into a higher voltage abroad can destroy it. See how to travel with a hair dryer.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a hair dryer last? Makers do not publish lifespans, and it varies with use and care. Warranty length, often one to two years on premium tools, is the best published signal.

How long does a Dyson hair dryer last? Dyson does not publish a lifespan for the Supersonic. Its brushless motor has no carbon brushes to wear, but filter care and cord care still matter most.

How long does a Dyson Airwrap last? Dyson does not publish one either. Keeping the filter clean and avoiding cord damage are the two habits most likely to extend it. See is the Dyson Airwrap worth it.

When should I replace my hair dryer? When it shows electrical warning signs, or when it is out of warranty and a key part fails. See how to choose a hair dryer and best hair dryers over $150.

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