Evaluate how well a Hair Dryer meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a hair dryer and you've learned about the different features of hair dryers. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of hair dryer - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the hair dryers available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed hair dryers to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Hair Dryer meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available hair dryers in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any hair dryers that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any hair dryers that clearly exceed your price limit.
There are lots of different hair dryers on the market that can meet your needs and your budget. If you only use your hair dryer in the dead of winter, then your needs can probably be met with something basic and inexpensive that has just a few speed and heat settings. If you style your hair regularly, then you may need a more expensive model that allows for a larger range of settings, more features, and a longer warranty.
The first choice you should make between dryers is whether you want a standard or ionic model. Standard models just use heated air to dry your hair and are less expensive. Ionic hair dryers use ions that go into the hair and help break down the water molecules. These smaller particles are then absorbed into the hair to make it fuller and less dried out. It also allows for using half the amount of heat in half the time of a standard hair dryer to dry hair. The strands are less frizzy and hair is silkier than with an ordinary hair dryer. If you have very long or thick hair that requires a lot of drying time, then you may want to choose an ionic dryer.
Tip: Since ionic dryers help to protect hair from heat, anyone who needs regular styling or already has dry heat-damaged hair may want to consider the top of the line ionic hair dryer made of tourmaline. Tourmaline is the best ionic and infrared generator, so when used to blow heat on hair the massive amounts of negative ions leave hair smother and less frizzy and will close the hair's cuticles for protection. This is the choice of professionals.
If you enjoy styling your hair, but lack the finesse of a professional, then consider a bonnet style hair dryer or a hair dryer stand. This will let you use your hands on your hair more easily. If storage is an issue for you, then try a dryer with a retractable cord to keep things neat or a wall mounting to hang your dryer out of the way. If you are chasing after the kids all day, then a quiet dryer may be just what you need to keep your ears perked up all the time. For the world traveller type, a useful and portable travel dryer might be just the thing to use at home or on the road.
When you were considering your requirements in a hair dryer it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as ionic or standard, power, attachments, settings and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various hair dryers meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Basic Dryers
- Standard
- Ionic - Ceramic or Tourmaline
Model Types
- Travel - small, foldable, dual voltage for overseas travel
- Quiet - designed for quieter operation
- Brush Hair - comes with styling brush, comb and detangling comb
- Bonnet - Hard, soft and free standing
Power
- 1400 watts and below - low powered dryer
- 1400 to 1800 watts - medium powered dryer
- 1800 watts and above - high powered dryer
Settings and Switches
- Speed 1 to 8
- Heat 1 to 8
- Cold Shot
- On and off switch
- Heat switches
- Speed switches
- Ion on and off switch
- Cold shot switch
- Digital panel
Attachments
- Concentrator
- Straightener
- Diffuser
- Finger Diffuser
- Pick
- Combs, brushes and detanglers
Filters
Cord and Plug
- 6 to 9 feet long (1.8 to 2.8 meters)
- Retractable cord
- Swivel cord
- Cord guard
- Safety plug
Motor
Accessories and Other Features
- Travel case
- Wall mounted
- Hair dryer stand
- Hanging ring
- Portable dryer bonnet
- Adjustable bonnet
- Automatic air diffuser (bonnet models)
- Wheels (bonnet models)
- Adjustable heights and angle (bonnet models)
- Flexible hose for bonnet models 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120cm)
Support
- Warranty - up to 5 years
- User manual
- Telephone support (manufacturer)
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your hair dryer needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a hair dryer.
Once you have finished evaluating the hair dryers available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the hair dryers one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Hair Dryer compares with competing Hair Dryers
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of hair dryers that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of hair dryers that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which hair dryer on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these hair dryers best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed hair dryers has the best warranty?
Which hair dryer is the easiest to use?
Which of the hair dryers seems of the highest quality?
Which short-listed hair dryer has the most attachments?
Which hair dryer do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating hair dryers that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the hair dryer, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the hair dryer is put together. Check the assembly - is the hair dryer solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the hair dryer from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the hair dryer prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the hair dryer is user-friendly - some hair dryers look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labeled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you don't clean the filter regularly.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need styling brushes, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of hair dryers that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:AccessoriesHair dryer diffusersHair dryer holders and standsLarge range of hair dryer diffusersReviewsHair dryer reviews Reviews of hair dryers