Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Dogs love to zoom through the house after a bath and rub their wet fur all over your carpeting and furniture! It’s not always the easiest task to towel dry them after a bath, so many dog owners choose to invest in a blow dryer for dogs. Blow drying your dog’s fur after they get wet keeps the moisture from spreading around your house. It also reduces shedding because it penetrates the dog’s undercoat. Dog dryers will even keep them looking their best by making their coat adorably fluffy!
Self-grooming is cheaper than taking them to a professional, but it can also be more of a challenge. Having the right tools makes the entire process run more smoothly. While there are quite a few options on the market, we have put together a list of reviews to help you decide which dog dryer is right for you and your pup.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Image Product Details
Flying Pig Grooming High-Velocity Dog & Cat Dryer
Powerful
10-foot hose
Multiple speeds
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Best Value
Shelandy Dog Grooming Dryer
Adjustable speed
Two heat settings
Quiet
Check Price
Premium Choice
Speedy Dryer V-1000UL Stand Dog Hair Dryer
Long-lasting
Made with durable materials
360-degree nozzle
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Go Pet Club Dog & Cat Grooming Dryer
Two speeds
Temperature controls
Lightweight
Check Price
Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer Stand
Two speeds
Two heat settings
Hands-free use
Check Price
The 7 Best Dog Dryers
After plenty of research, we’ve found that the Flying Pig High-VelocityDryer is our favorite dog dryer overall. This dryer runs with a four-horsepower motor while cutting drying time by up to 60%. It has a steel shell that makes it extra durable and a 10-foot-long plastic hose for easy maneuverability.
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The dryer’s air velocity is 240 cubic feet per minute with an airspeed of 2,800 feet per minute. The Flying Pig dryer is a floor unit with three different colors to choose from, and it is suitable for all fur types.
The only downside to this dryer is that it is costly compared to some other dryers on our list.
Pros
Powerful
10-foot hose
Multiple speeds
Three colors available
Works on all fur types
Cons
Expensive
Many of the dryers you see for sale are expensive, but there are some cheaper options available that work just as well as the premium choices. The Shelandy Dog Grooming Dryer is one of the best dog dryers for the money. It is affordable yet effective, running at 2,400 watts and 3.2 horsepower. This dryer comes with adjustable speed and heat options, which is useful for dogs that are a little scared of dryers.
Powerful
10-foot hose
Multiple speeds
Three colors available
Works on all fur types
- Powerful
- 10-foot hose
- Multiple speeds
- Three colors available
- Works on all fur types
Expensive
- Expensive
The Shelandy dryer also has four different nozzles to choose from, so it works on dogs of all sizes and is quiet due to the newer technology it was designed with. The plastic frame is lightweight but not as durable as metal options. The hose is also fairly short, so you might have to move it around more often while drying.
Pros
Adjustable speed
Two heat settings
Quiet
Four nozzle sizes
Affordable
Cons
Plastic construction
Short hose
The Speedy Dryer V-1000UL Stand Dog Hair Dryer is by far the most expensive on the list, but that’s only because it’s a professional dog grooming tool. This dryer works fast and is made from aluminum so it lasts for years of regular use. There are three different temperature settings and a 360-degree nozzle to reach even the hardest spots on your pooch. The dryer is on wheels so that it is easy to transport and move while you’re working.
Adjustable speed
Two heat settings
Quiet
Four nozzle sizes
Affordable
- Adjustable speed
- Two heat settings
- Quiet
- Four nozzle sizes
- Affordable
Plastic construction
Short hose
- Plastic construction
- Short hose
Material Aluminum
Colors Black
It is large, though, so isn’t ideal if you’re tight on storage. You’ll also have to buy attachments separately.
Pros
Long-lasting
Made with durable materials
360-degree nozzle
Three heat settings
Wheels make transport easy
Cons
Large
Attachments come separately
We found that this small floor unit from Go Pet Club is the perfect dryer if you’ve got puppies in the house. There are two speeds and two temperature controls. The airspeed is lower, around 25 meters per second, but it is still powerful enough to do a good job at drying dogs. We like that this dryer is light and easy to use, especially since young dogs can’t sit still for too long! Better yet, there is a no-heat option if your dog is sensitive to heat.
Long-lasting
Made with durable materials
360-degree nozzle
Three heat settings
Wheels make transport easy
- Long-lasting
- Made with durable materials
- 360-degree nozzle
- Three heat settings
- Wheels make transport easy
Large
Attachments come separately
- Large
- Attachments come separately
While this dryer works great, the hose is fairly short, and the temperature can get too hot if you’re not careful.
Pros
Two speeds
Temperature controls
Lightweight
Easy to use
Cons
Short hose
Can get too hot
Not as powerful
- Free Paws Dog Pet Dryer Stand Check Latest Price
Material Plastic
Colors Yellow
The Free Paws Pet Dryer contains a motor that runs anywhere from 400 to 3,000 watts. The yellow color makes a statement, and the adjustable arms make hands-free grooming a breeze. The base of the unit is on wheels so that you can move it around easily, and better yet, it tilts 120 degrees either up or down to make the drying process as smooth as possible.
Two speeds
Temperature controls
Lightweight
Easy to use
- Two speeds
- Temperature controls
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Short hose
Can get too hot
Not as powerful
- Short hose
- Can get too hot
- Not as powerful
This dryer has two heat and speed settings. It can get rather hot, though, so it is a better option for larger breeds rather than small breeds. One thing we don’t like about the dryer is how loud it is, which could be a problem for some of the more timid dogs out there.
Pros
Two speeds
Two heat settings
Hands-free use
Cons
Not ideal for small breeds
Loud
Heavy
The MetroVac Air Force Quick Draw Pet Dryer comes in two sizes: mini and standard. This is an excellent feature because you can make your purchase based on the size of your dog. This dryer has a portable design that is easy to travel with. While it’s little, it is still pretty powerful with an airflow of 18,000 feet per minute.
Two speeds
Two heat settings
Hands-free use
- Two speeds
- Two heat settings
- Hands-free use
Not ideal for small breeds
Loud
Heavy
- Not ideal for small breeds
- Loud
- Heavy
The all-steel construction makes it one of the most durable options on the list. Plus, it comes with a shoulder strap and wall hook so that you can take it anywhere you want to go. We did find that the hose was rather flimsy, and the machine itself is loud with high energy consumption.
Pros
Lightweight and portable
Comes with accessories
Steel frame
Cons
Not very powerful
Loud
High energy consumption
The B-Air Fido Max 1 is an affordable dog dryer that’s easy to use. It is designed to latch to cages and comes with three long hoses so you can dry multiple dogs at once. It’s very loud and won’t dry your dog well unless they move around in the cage. There is a timer, though, so it will shut off whenever you want it to. This dryer is not as powerful or durable as some other options, plus it’s also loud and heavy, so a lot of dogs don’t like it.
Lightweight and portable
Comes with accessories
Steel frame
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with accessories
- Steel frame
Not very powerful
Loud
High energy consumption
- Not very powerful
- Loud
- High energy consumption
Pros
Three speeds
Timer
Cons
Not powerful
Dogs must move to get dry
Loud
Heavy
Three speeds
Timer
- Three speeds
- Timer
Not powerful
Dogs must move to get dry
Loud
Heavy
- Not powerful
- Dogs must move to get dry
- Loud
- Heavy
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right Dryer for Your Dog
There are a lot of options for dog hair dryers to choose from, and we want you to be able to make an informed decision about your purchase. Here are some of the factors you may want to consider in a dog dryer:
Speed
Most of the options on this list come with several different speed settings. Keep in mind that speed and heat are not the same. Instead, speed refers to how fast the air comes out of the machine. Some pet parents can get away with one speed, but others with dogs with thicker coats might need something with several different options to get their pet’s coat completely dry.
Heat
Heat is another important factor to consider when buying a dog dryer. You have to be aware that some dogs tolerate heat better than others. You don’t want the temperature to get too hot, or you could make your dog uncomfortable or even burn their sensitive skin. If possible, try to find something with multiple heat settings or even a no-heat setting.
Ease of Use
Using a dog dryer should make the grooming process easier—not complicated. Think about how a handheld dryer is going to compare to a floor model. Do you want something with wheels or something that stays stationary? These are all things you need to consider based on your needs and how your dog reacts to a dryer.
Accessories
Accessories are a huge part of the grooming process. Some nozzle attachments may be crucial to get your dog’s fur dry. Others can get away with a plain hose. Think about the attachments you need before buying your dryer.
Tips to Introduce Your Dog to a Dryer
Buying the dryer is only the first step in the grooming process. Your dog might have taken plenty of trips to a professional groomer and is accustomed to a drying machine, but some dogs don’t react as well. This is when it’s nice to know a few grooming tips:
Allow your dog to become familiar with the dryer before you even turn it on. Let them sniff, lick, and even paw at it, so they know there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Turn the dryer on at its lowest level while your dog is in the room without actually using it on them. When they become accustomed to it, you can increase it to the loudest level. This may take some time for your dog to adjust to.
If you move closer to your pup with the dryer and they become scared, immediately turn it off. You can try again later, but you don’t want to traumatize them.
Allow them to get used to the air without heat first. Once they grow accustomed, you can start to turn up the heat settings and see where they’re comfortable. Never let the temperature get so hot that it makes them uncomfortable.
Allow your dog to become familiar with the dryer before you even turn it on. Let them sniff, lick, and even paw at it, so they know there’s nothing to be afraid of.
Turn the dryer on at its lowest level while your dog is in the room without actually using it on them. When they become accustomed to it, you can increase it to the loudest level. This may take some time for your dog to adjust to.
If you move closer to your pup with the dryer and they become scared, immediately turn it off. You can try again later, but you don’t want to traumatize them.
Allow them to get used to the air without heat first. Once they grow accustomed, you can start to turn up the heat settings and see where they’re comfortable. Never let the temperature get so hot that it makes them uncomfortable.
- Allow your dog to become familiar with the dryer before you even turn it on. Let them sniff, lick, and even paw at it, so they know there’s nothing to be afraid of.
- Turn the dryer on at its lowest level while your dog is in the room without actually using it on them. When they become accustomed to it, you can increase it to the loudest level. This may take some time for your dog to adjust to.
- If you move closer to your pup with the dryer and they become scared, immediately turn it off. You can try again later, but you don’t want to traumatize them.
- Allow them to get used to the air without heat first. Once they grow accustomed, you can start to turn up the heat settings and see where they’re comfortable. Never let the temperature get so hot that it makes them uncomfortable.
Conclusion
We hope that these reviews have provided insight into which dog dryer is best for you. Our favorite dryer overall is the Flying Pig dryer. However, there are plenty of other options we love too, like the Shelandy Dryer and Go Pet Club dryer. Each of the products on this list are of top quality and a decent investment for any pet owner looking to do their own grooming.
Featured Image Credit: karelnoppe, Shutterstock
