ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer, Black

The ghd Helios is ghd's step up from the ghd Air. It costs about $280 and uses a 1875W brushless motor. Its Amazon rating is the thing to look at first: 3.9 stars from around 760 reviews. That's lower than the cheaper ghd Air (4.2) and the $23 Remington Damage Protection (4.6). Read the low-star reviews before you buy so you know what people are complaining about.

What you're paying for

The motor is brushless and rated at 1875W, the most a standard US dryer runs at on a 120V outlet. ghd says it pushes air at 75 mph. Aeroprecis is ghd's name for its airflow design, which works with a contoured nozzle to focus air on the section you're styling. Our AC vs DC motor piece explains why brushless motors cost more.

ghd says the ionic technology gives 30% more shine. That's ghd's figure, so take it as a claim rather than a test result. Heat and power are both variable, and there's a cool shot button for setting a style.

It also has what ghd calls a bespoke acoustic system for lower noise. ghd doesn't give a decibel figure. Our best quiet hair dryer guide covers that side of the market.

The cord is 9 ft. One limit to know about: it isn't dual voltage, so don't plan on packing it for trips abroad.

No diffuser

Only the contoured nozzle comes in the box. If you have curls, you'll need to buy a diffuser separately or pick a dryer that includes one. See our best hair dryer for curly hair roundup.

Who it's for

People with thick or long hair who blow-dry often and want a professional-style dryer with a focused nozzle. Also anyone who wants something quieter than a typical budget dryer, though without a published decibel number it's hard to say how much quieter.

Who should skip it

• Travelers who need a dual-voltage dryer
• Curly hair, unless you're willing to buy the diffuser separately
• Anyone put off by the 3.9-star rating

Alternatives

The ghd Air costs about $203. It also has ionic tech, variable controls and a 9 ft cord, and it's rated higher. The Dyson Supersonic Nural costs about $450 list and adds sensor-based scalp heat control plus five attachments, a diffuser among them. Our ghd Helios review and ghd Helios vs Dyson Supersonic comparison go into more detail.