You can select a hair dryer according to a variety of parameters in the general catalog. By the way, here, among other things, it is possible to filter models by motor type.

There are three main types of motors in modern hair dryers:

  • DC (Direct Current) is a direct current motor, considered the most common variation in the home segment;
  • AC (Alternating Current) — alternating current motor. Not so long ago, it was used primarily in professional hair dryers, but it has already moved into the segment of home styling devices;
  • brushless motor. It can be said that this is the most advanced, but not yet too common option on the market.

We will talk briefly about the operating principles, pros and cons of each motor for hair dryers below.

The most common option for a hair dryer is a DC motor.

The DC motor used in modern hair dryers is different in that it runs on direct current. To convert the energy supplied from our electrical network, special rectifiers or adapters are used in the design.

DC motors in hair dryers are categorized as commutator motors due to their internal mechanical device with brushes controlling currents. Operating at low voltages (12 to 36 volts), these motors are compact and lightweight. The design comprises a stationary element (stator) and a movable element (rotor), generating magnetic fields when current is supplied. The strength of the current determines the rotation intensity, causing the connected fan to move and produce a stream of air from the hair dryer.

The DC motor is simple in design, inexpensive and compact.

Pros of a hair dryer DC motor:

  • Light weight and compact.
  • A simple principle for adjusting the rotation speed with the ability to implement both stepwise and smooth changes using resistors.
  • Low cost of both the motor and the hair dryer in general.

Cons of a DC motor:

  • Rapid heating up and the need to stop operation to cool down.
  • Relatively short operating life (compared to other motors) — from 500 to 1500 hours.

Hair dryers with a DC motor used to dominate the home segment. Now they are no longer an alternative option and are presented primarily in the budget and medium category. At the same time, their range is still the widest.

The DC motor is optimal for compact travel hair dryers.

For home use, the capabilities of DC motors are usually sufficient. The capacity of the motor is usually sufficient for one cycle of drying long hair. Also, such hair dryers are preferable if the budget is very limited or a compact travel model is required.

Travel hair dryers

Advanced model — hair dryers with AC motor

These motors do not differ from their DC counterpart in their operating principle. They are also commutator motors (have mechanical brushes). Magnetic fields cause the rotor to move, and from its shaft the rotation is transmitted to the blower fan. But the AC-motor operates directly from the AC mains, that is, it does not need additional structural elements (rectifiers). Also here, instead of permanent magnets on the starter, an excitation winding is used, which is responsible for the creation of magnetic fields, rotation control and the absence of high starting currents. The latter feature reduces the load on the power grid and increases the overall reliability of the device.

It is also worth noting that AC motors operate at high voltage, so they require wires of a larger cross-section, and it is larger than a DC motor.

The AC motor has an open design which helps with heat dissipation.

Pros of AC motors:

  • Long-term operation without overheating (even at maximum speed).
  • Extended service life (up to 2500 hours) due to low inrush currents and no high heating.
  • Quick change of temperature conditions.

Cons of AC motors:

  • Larger sizes.
  • Higher cost.
Hair dryers in beauty salons often have an AC motor.

AC motors are now used in mid- and advanced-level home hair dryers, as well as in professional models. Often these devices are ready for more intense loads, typical for hairdressing or beauty salons, have high power and expanded functionality, although the latter is not directly connected to the motor.

You should choose a hair dryer with an AC motor when you are interested in a reliable model, but compactness and lightness are not so important. By the way, the price factor is gradually leveling out; current models with an AC motor are already rarely found in the budget and/or lower part of the middle price category.

Hair dryers with AC motor

The most advanced option is brushless motors in hair dryers

Motors without a commutator in the design are called commutatorless or brushless motors. There are also other designations, such as EC (short for Electronically Commutated) or BL (BrushLess). The principle of operation of such a motor is already different from its analogues. Thus, an electronic circuit is used to control the currents, rather than a mechanical commutator. Necessary switching in the circuit is performed by a special controller. Also, the rotor is equipped with powerful neodymium magnets. All this allows for the most precise control of the speed of rotation and intensity of blowing. Additionally, EC motors have various sensors, including Hall (responsible for tracking the rotor position), temperature sensors, etc.

The companion to the brushless motor is an electronic chip.

Pros of a brushless hair dryer motor:

  • The greatest reliability and durability (operating life up to 10 thousand hours).
  • Low heat generation and almost the ability to operate non-stop.
  • Compact sizes.
  • Low noise level.
  • Precise adjustment of airflow intensity.

Cons of EC motor:

  • High price.
  • A small range of hair dryers with such a motor.

Models with a brushless motor are not yet very common. They can be recommended for professional use, because they are the most durable and are better prepared for intense loads than others. The main advantages of such hair dryers will, of course, be appreciated by the most demanding users at home, although they are ready to pay corresponding sums for them.

Brushless hair dryers

What kind of motor does Dyson hair dryers have? What do other top brands offer?

One of the features of the Dyson motor is its location in the handle.

Today's popular Dyson hair dryers are almost like the iPhone of the smartphone world. Promoted as state-of-the-art hair styling tools, Dyson hair dryers incorporate the Digital Motor V9, a digitally controlled brushless motor uniquely positioned in the handle rather than the upper body. This motor boasts heightened speed capabilities, reaching up to 110 thousand revolutions per minute, while maintaining low noise levels. Enhanced by supplementary sensors constantly monitoring temperature, these sensors transmit data to the microprocessor for precise regulation of key operational parameters.

Note that other manufacturers also equip their hair dryers with various smart sensors. For example, Philips' flagship model 9000 Series BHD829 has an infrared sensor that measures the temperature not of the motor itself, but of the user's hair and automatically adjusts performance to balance between gentleness and drying speed. At the same time, the accompanying electronics are often not directly related to the type of motor and the principles of its operation.

In conclusion, for clarity, let’s summarize the main features of hair dryer motors in a table:

Comparison parameter DC motor AC motor Brushless motor
Operating life (max), hours 1500 2500 10000
Continuous operation short-term long-term long-term
Sizes compact bigger compact
Adjustable temperatures and intensity present present, very accurate present, very accurate
Price minimum average high
Range maximum average small

Conclusions on hair dryer motors

For one girl, even with everyday use, a DC-motor hair dryer should usually be enough. It will not need to operate for a long time without pause. In addition, a similar model should be considered for traveling.

For a family where there are several representatives of the fair sex or owners of long hair, hair dryers with an AC motor can already be recommended. But even a simply demanding buyer can take an advanced model with an AC motor without large overpayments.

For professional use, it is necessary to use models with at least AC motors. The purchase of devices with brushless motors for barber shops and beauty salons is also justified, because in addition to high performance, this equipment adds status and increases the reputation of the institution (for knowledgeable customers, of course).

Do the most advanced BrushLess models need to be used at home? Why not, if your budget allows. In this case, you get a durable styling device that quickly performs its main function, is comfortable to use, and most likely, supplemented with other options for gentle effect, increasing hair manageability (ionization), etc.

We hope that our article was useful and you will be able to approach the choice of hair dryer even more intelligently.