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No. 04Review

Small dryer, big claims: 68 days with the Vireo AirDry

It is half the size of a salon dryer and says it is just as fast. We timed 31 blow-dries and measured the noise to find out.

By Jonah Reyes-Park and Tess Lindqvist

1 min read

Compact black hair dryer with a lime ring around the motor
Placeholder illustration.

Compact dryers usually ask you to trade speed for size. Vireo says the AirDry does not. That is a claim with numbers attached, so we checked the numbers: 31 timed blow-dries across two hair types, with a sound meter running.

Speed

On fine, shoulder-length hair the average was 5 minutes 40 seconds from towel-dry to done. That matches the full-size dryer it replaced. On thick, wavy long hair the average was 16 minutes, against a claimed 12.

Noise

At full power we measured 81 dB at ear height. That is typical for a dryer, but the brand calls it quiet, and it is not. The middle setting drops to 74 dB and adds about a minute.

The brand calls it quiet. At 81 decibels, it is not.

Living with it

After 68 days the body shows no marks, the filter cover still clicks firmly, and the magnetic nozzle has not loosened. It went on three trips and survived being packed without a case.

Who it suits

Fine to medium hair, small bathrooms and anyone who travels. If your hair is thick and long, a full-size dryer is still faster.

How it scored

Drying speed
7.5
Noise
6.0
Build
8.5
Value
7.5

What we liked

  • Fits in a carry-on side pocket
  • Dried fine hair in under six minutes
  • Magnetic nozzle stays put
  • Cool shot is properly cold

What we did not

  • About 30% slower than claimed on thick hair
  • 81 dB at ear height on full power
  • Cable is short at 1.8 m

Specifications

Power1600 W
Weight390 g without nozzle
Cable1.8 m
Heat settings3 plus cool shot
Measured noise81 dB at 30 cm
Warranty2 years

Tools and devices writer

Jonah Reyes-Park

Jonah measures things. Dryer noise, brush temperatures, how long a battery really lasts. If a device makes a claim with a number in it, he checks the number.

Hair writer

Tess Lindqvist

Tess has fine, colour-treated hair and hard water at home. She washes on a fixed schedule during testing so that every product gets the same number of chances.