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Holiday hair is one of the most frustrating parts of travelling; you never know what you're going to get. When you cannot bring your usual styling tools - be it a hair dryer, curler or straighteners - a travel version could be your saving grace, so you do not end up dishevelled like Monica Geller from Friends with frizz up to your eyeballs.
As a travel writer constantly flying across the globe with little more than a cabin bag, I often prioritise work tools over personal items. This means fitting other travel essentials can be a struggle, especially when flying with only a cabin bag rather than hold luggage.
GHD's Flight travel hair dryer promises to be much easier to bring on holiday - with 78% of the power of a full-size model like the GHD Helios, yet 49% lighter, 25% smaller and complete with a foldable handle. It comes with a chic portable travel case and a price tag that, for such a popular brand, is relatively well-priced at just £79 - far less than premium competitors like the Shark SpeedStyle.
I also recently reviewed Dyson's Supersonic Travel hair dryer - so how does this one compare? Read my verdict below.
GHD Flight Travel Hair Dryer: At a Glance
Rating: ★★★★★
Price: £79 from LOOK FANTASTIC, £62.99 from Amazon, £79 from John Lewis
Product Specs:
- Weight: 422 g
- Dimensions: 22.9 x 12.7 x 8.9 cm
- Number of speeds: 2
What we love: Price - cheaper than many market alternatives; Size - travel-friendly and foldable.
What could be better: Attachments - does not come with diffusers for curly hair.
Our Verdict
To be honest, I am often sceptical of travel hairdryers. Without all the attachments and power I use at home, I wonder if I would be better off letting my hair air dry abroad. But at £79, this travel dryer from one of the top hair brands intrigued me - and I was right to be.
Light to hold and foldable, I had no trouble throwing the GHD Flight into my handbag for a night away, so it would take up very little room in a suitcase. It comes with a classy case to keep it protected, though this does take up additional space.
In terms of power, I noticed little difference from my usual hairdryer, which is always a plus. The two speed settings allowed me to adjust heat and strength easily, resulting in pretty frizz-free curls. With dual voltage functionality, you can safely style anywhere in the world - just do not forget your plug adapter.
The only real downside is the shortage of attachments. As a curly-haired girl, I always look for a diffuser, but this did a pretty good job nonetheless.
How We Test
When testing beauty products like hair dryers, we try them out thoroughly and use them exactly as we would when styling our hair on a typical day. We give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on holiday.
For the GHD Flight, I washed my hair as usual, brushed it out, and began drying. I looked for drying speed, power, frizz, feel in hand, and ease of use. I also researched similar products from Shark or Dyson to compare. Plus, I tried it in my backpacks and suitcases to check it would fit comfortably.
GHD Flight and Travel Hair Dryer Review
First Impressions
It is evident from the start that this is a suitcase-friendly tool. It is both light and compact - my wrist did not get tired holding it, and it fit perfectly in my overnight bag and suitcase. The folding feature is impressive; if you want case protection, you can have it, but if you are short on space, the ability to bend it in half saves space.
Size
The size is a win - 25% smaller and 49% lighter than GHD's full-size model. The folding feature makes this better than any other compact hair tool I have ever tried.
Attachments and Settings
Unfortunately, the lack of attachments is my only complaint. But if I had space for add-ons, I probably would not need a travel-sized hairdryer. A straight-haired friend also tried it and was very positive about the results.
Hair Drying Speed and Power
This hair dryer is super powerful with two settings for more control over heat and speed. It dried my hair in around 10 minutes, which is super fast - no complaints.
Smoothness and Damage
The hair dryer left my hair far less frizzy than usual, retaining my natural curl pattern nicely. The curls lasted three days, ideal if you do not want to wash and restyle daily.
Value for Money
GHD is not always the cheapest brand, but this product is well worth a buy - even as a standard hairdryer. At £79, it is on the lower end for such a premium item, especially compared to Dyson's Supersonic Travel (£249.99). I would even say the GHD beats it on ease of use, despite being less than a third of the price.
How Does It Compare to Similar Products?
Other popular premium travel hair dryers include the Drybar Baby Buttercup travel blow dryer (£125), which I found speedy and effective for curly hair. Also, check out our full review of the Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer, which is 32% smaller and 25% lighter than the standard model.
How Does It Rate Online?
On the GHD website, it has a 4.6/5 rating - impressively high. One review said: 'Fantastic powerful, lightweight hairdryer. Compact with a great wee case big enough to accommodate all the brushes I need.' Another added: 'Great little hair dryer, as powerful as my normal hairdryers. Best compact hairdryer without having less power as other brands.'
Why Trust Us
At the Daily Mail, our team of expert testers have been researching, reviewing, and writing about their specialisms for years. Erin has plenty of experience reviewing products from travel to beauty. All reviews are honest, impartial, and give a full-rounded opinion.
FAQs
Is the GHD Flight and Travel Hair Dryer worth it? Absolutely! This is a great budget-friendly travel tool that is easy to bring on holiday.
