Anyone with curls or coils who’s ever let them air-dry knows the frizz that often follows—which is why the best diffusers for curly hair are so helpful. Once you get the hang of how to properly use a diffuser, you’ll quickly learn that it’s—in the words of IGK Hair Care co-founder Aaron Grenia—“a curl’s best friend.” A hair diffuser is an attachment that sticks on to your blow dryer. Its vented design can help spread hot air more evenly than the standard open-ended nozzle of your dryer. Instead of blasting curls into frizz, it lets them set in place without disturbance, adding definition and shine along the way.
Of course, not all diffusers are one-size-fits-all. Some are universal attachments that you can attach to most blow dryers, while others are designed for specific models (like those for the viral Dyson Airwrap and Shark dryer brush). Their shapes and sizes vary, too—you’ll find wide bowls with long teeth that experts say work better on thick, coily hair. More compact, collapsible options are suitable for finer curl types (and travel, too). To help you find the best diffuser for your curls, Glamour contributors and editors tested a wide range of the hair styling tools, evaluating them for their ease of use, convenience, and how well they reduced frizz and enhanced our natural curl patterns. Below, find our favorites.
The best diffusers for curly hair, at a glance
Featured in this article
Best for Speed
Shark FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
Jump to reviewBest for Coily Hair
Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Blow Dryer
Jump to review
Best Universal: Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
Original video from Clarice Henry-Tracht testing Rizos Curls Collapsible Hair Diffuser
- What we love: Collapsible and travel-friendly; lightweight; fits over Dyson Airwrap; adds volume and spring to curls
- Worth noting: Can collapse under the weight of heavy hair; fit depends on dryer size
This diffuser is a favorite for its portability and performance. Made with a soft, heat-resistant silicone bowl that collapses flat, it’s easy to stash in a gym bag or suitcase when on the go. Despite its compact build, it disperses air evenly to reduce frizz and enhance curl definition, while the flexible material stays comfortable in hand during use. Our tester noted that it created noticeably more volume and spring in her curls, and another appreciated that it could fit over her Dyson Airwrap.
Our tester says: “This diffuser did a good job of spreading air while drying my hair,” says Glamour contributor Clarice Henry-Tracht. “Because it’s collapsible, the body sometimes folded under the weight of my hair, but it still gave me more volume than I usually get when air-drying. My curls looked springier, which made me glad to have it in my routine.”
Best for Speed: Shark FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
Shark FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
Original video from Desiree Gutierrez testing Shark FlexStyle Curl-Defining Diffuser Attachment
- What we love: Quick dry time; adjustable prongs; secure lock-in mechanism
- Worth noting: Full setup can feel clunky; only fits Shark FlexStyle hair tool
This diffuser pairs with the Shark FlexStyle blow-dryer brush system and stands out for how fast and customizable it is. Our tester, who usually avoids diffusing because it takes so long, was surprised when her curls dried in about 10 minutes. The attachment locks securely onto the dryer—a huge perk if you’ve ever had a diffuser pop off mid-use—and features extendable prongs that let you cup sections of hair and direct airflow exactly where you want it. With three heat settings plus a cool shot, you can tweak the process to suit your texture. The diffuser itself is compact, about the size of a hand, though the overall setup is a little bulky.
