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

Conair InfinitiPro 1875W vs Shark HyperAIR HD120

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

The short answer

Shark HyperAIR HD120 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Thick-haired shoppers who want the fastest drying possible per dollar and are happy to skip the Dyson's refinement and quiet operation. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Conair InfinitiPro 1875W
Ranked #5 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers
Conair InfinitiPro 1875W
$46.99as of Jun 7

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 its basic build. It is loud, simple, and has a short cord, but 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
Shark HyperAIR HD120
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers
Shark HyperAIR HD120
$189.99as of Jun 7

The Shark HyperAIR HD120 is the value pick for people who care most about raw drying speed. In Reviewed.com's head-to-head, it dried hair fully in about 20 minutes versus 30 for the Dyson, and it does so for roughly half the price. Its IQ sensors set heat and airflow automatically based on the attachment, which keeps the experience simple. It is heavier and noisier than the Dyson, but for pure speed-per-dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths
  • In a direct test against the Dyson Supersonic it fully dried hair in about 20 minutes versus the Dyson's 30, making it one of the faster dryers reviewers have clocked
  • Dual IQ optical sensors auto-detect the attachment and set heat and airflow without manual fiddling
  • Costs roughly half what a Dyson does while delivering comparable raw drying power
Watch-outs
  • Heavier than the Dyson, and the high airflow setting can whip and tangle longer hair
  • Some users report concern about heat and potential damage at the top settings
  • Bulkier head than premium rivals makes precise sectioning slightly harder

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.

Shark HyperAIR HD120

Matched or beat the Dyson Supersonic on raw drying time in a direct test while costing about half as much. Faster and more powerful for pure drying than the Shark FlexStyle HD440, which trades some airflow for styling versatility, and far quicker than the budget Conair InfinitiPro 1875W.

Specs side-by-side

SpecConair InfinitiPro 1875WShark HyperAIR HD120
Wattage1875W1600W
MotorPro AC (50% faster, 3x longer life vs DC)
Heat Settings33
Speed Settings2
AttachmentsConcentrator and diffuser2-in-1 concentrator, styling brush, curl-defining deep diffuser
Cool ShotTrue cold-shot buttonYes
TechnologyCeramic, ionic
FilterRemovable twist-off
Airflow Settings3
Smart SensorsDual IQ optical attachment detection
IonicYes (negative ion generator)
ColorStone (HD120BRN)
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