Head-to-head · Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Conair InfinitiPro 1875W vs Drybar Buttercup

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Drybar Buttercup comes out ahead by a clear margin (3.6 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about Shoppers who want a lightweight, quiet salon-style blowout dryer and value smooth-finish styling over smart features or the absolute fastest drying. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Conair InfinitiPro 1875W

3.6

3 sources2 derived$35.66as of Aug 1

The Conair InfinitiPro 1875W is the budget pick and proof you do not need to spend hundreds to dry hair fast. Its pro AC motor dries up to 50% faster than Conair's DC dryers, and TechGearLab found it dried with 'above-average expedience' even as its overall 57/100 score reflects the basic build. It is loud, simple, and short-corded. For around $40 with a diffuser and concentrator in the box, the value is excellent.

Strengths

— A genuine budget fast-dryer: the pro AC motor dries up to 50% faster than Conair's DC-motor models and lasts up to 3x longer
— Costs a tiny fraction of premium rivals while still drying with 'above-average expedience' in TechGearLab testing
— Includes both a concentrator and a diffuser, covering straight and curly routines

Watch-outs

— Lowest-scoring dryer here at 57/100 in TechGearLab testing; very basic versus premium tools
— Runs loud, a near-universal complaint among owners
— Cord is shorter than average (under 6 ft), which can be restrictive

$35.66 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Drybar Buttercup

4.1

2 sources1 derived$199as of Aug 1

The Drybar Buttercup is the salon-style pick, a 1875W ionic dryer built around smooth, fast blowouts rather than gadgetry. TechGearLab scored it 76 out of 100, calling its high-setting airflow fast, and Drybar claims a 20%-faster dry than most pro dryers. It is light and quiet. Reliability is the asterisk: a notable share of owners report units failing or overheating over time. Aimed at people who want a professional blowout feel at a mid-tier price.

Strengths

— Scored 76/100 in TechGearLab testing, with airflow rated 'quite fast, particularly at their higher settings'
— 1875W ionic motor delivers smooth, frizz-free blowouts that Drybar says take 20% less time than most pro dryers
— Light in the hand at just over 500g, making long blowouts comfortable

Watch-outs

— A meaningful number of customer reviews report units failing, overheating, or getting loud after months of use
— More expensive than budget dryers that dry nearly as fast
— No smart sensors or auto presets; it is a straightforward manual dryer

$199 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Conair InfinitiPro 1875W

The cheapest and most basic dryer here. It does not match the airflow control of the Dyson Supersonic, the raw speed of the Shark HyperAIR HD120, the styling range of the Shark FlexStyle HD440, or the blowout finish of the Drybar Buttercup, but its AC motor dries far faster than its price suggests.

Drybar Buttercup

Slower and less powerful than the Dyson Supersonic and Shark HyperAIR HD120, and without the styling versatility of the Shark FlexStyle HD440, but lighter and more blowout-focused than the budget Conair InfinitiPro 1875W with a more salon-style finish.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Conair InfinitiPro 1875W	Drybar Buttercup
Wattage	1875W	1875W
Motor	Pro AC (50% faster, 3x longer life vs DC)	Ionic
Heat Settings	3	6 (heat/speed combinations)
Airflow Settings	2	—
Attachments	Concentrator and diffuser	Narrow and wide concentrators
Technology	Ceramic, ionic	Ionic, frizz-reducing
Dimensions	2.01 x 14.29 x 3.6 inches; 1.23 pounds	10 x 4.5 x 12.5 inches; 3.33 pounds
Weight	—	1.78 lbs
Voltage	—	120V

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