Dual-Voltage Hair Dryer vs Voltage Converter: Which Should You Pack?
Your US hair dryer probably won't work safely overseas on its own. You have two good fixes: buy a dual-voltage travel dryer, or bring a voltage converter for the dryer you already own. Here's how to choose.
What each one does
- A dual-voltage dryer works on both US power (about 120V) and the 220 to 240V used in much of the world. Some have a small voltage switch you set before plugging in. Abroad, you only add a plug adapter.
- A voltage converter steps the local power down to the 110 to 120V your US dryer expects. You plug the converter into the wall, then plug your dryer into the converter.
Pick a dual-voltage dryer if...
You want a light bag. A travel dryer like the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium weighs 0.4 lb with a folding handle. A 2000W converter can weigh a pound or two on its own, before you add your dryer.
You only need to dry your hair. If a dryer is your only hot tool, a dual-voltage dryer plus a small plug adapter is the simplest setup.
You want fewer things to go wrong. There's no wattage math to get wrong and no converter to overload.
The trade-off is power. Many travel dryers run at about 1000W, while a full-size US dryer is often 1875W. There are full-power options, like the Conair 1875W dual-voltage dryer, which still folds for packing.
One more tip: make sure the dryer is set to the right voltage before you plug it in, if it has a switch.
Pick a converter if...
You love your own dryer. Some people don't want to change the dryer they use every day. A converter rated above your dryer's watts lets you bring it.
You also have a flat iron or curling iron. Straighteners and curling irons made for the US are often single voltage too. A converter with extra converted outlets can run all of them. Buying dual-voltage versions of every tool costs more.
You travel often. One good converter can serve several trips and tools.
The trade-offs are weight and rules. You must match watts, and many converters list things they won't run. The Ceptics and BESTEK converters, for example, both say they won't work with Dyson or other digital dryers.
Side by side
| Dual-voltage dryer | Voltage converter | |
|---|---|---|
| What you pack | Dryer + plug adapter | Your dryer + converter |
| Weight | About 1 lb or less | Often 1 to 2 lb for the converter alone |
| Power | Travel models often 1000W; some 1875W | Your full-size dryer, if the converter is rated above it |
| Other hot tools | Each needs its own dual-voltage version | Can run a flat iron and curling iron too, on the right model |
| Main risk | Forgetting the voltage switch | Picking a converter rated too low |
What about hotel dryers?
Many hotels provide a hair dryer. If yours does, and you can live with it, you may not need either option. Check with the hotel before you pack.
What not to do
- Don't plug a single-voltage dryer into a plug adapter alone. The adapter changes the plug shape, not the power.
- Don't use a small multi-outlet travel adapter for heat tools. Many of them warn against hair dryers and straighteners.
- Don't use a low-watt "travel converter" for a dryer. Converters rated for a couple hundred watts are for chargers and shavers.
The short answer
Pack a dual-voltage dryer if you want light and simple. Bring a converter if you want your own dryer, or need to power several US hot tools.
For three converters and two dual-voltage dryers compared, see our travel adapter for hair dryers comparison.