Shark SpeedStyle Essential Hair Dryer with Concentrator, Ultra Fast Drying Hair Dryer For All Hair Types, No Heat Damage, Automatic Heat and Airflow Settings, Ionic, Silk HD301UK

The SpeedStyle Essential is Shark's cheapest dryer. Same IQ auto-adjusting tech as the Pro models, same temperature regulation (measures heat 1,000 times per second, never exceeds 110°C), but with only a concentrator nozzle. No brush, no diffuser, no finishing tool. 4.6 stars from 104 reviews.

What you get

The dryer and a Turbo Concentrator. That's it. Three heat and airflow settings, cool shot. The concentrator rotates for angled blow-drying, which is useful.

If you need a diffuser for curly hair, this isn't the one. The SpeedStyle Pro HD752UK comes with five attachments including a diffuser. Our best hair dryer for curly hair roundup has options with diffusers included.

The heat control

Same system as the more expensive Shark models. It regulates temperature 1,000 times per second and caps at 110°C. Most conventional dryers can hit 150°C+. If heat damage worries you, this is meaningful. Our best hair dryer for colour-treated hair guide covers heat protection across the market.

Weight

750g. Heavier than the SpeedStyle Pro (662g). At this weight it's comparable to a BaByliss Midnight Luxe. Not heavy, not light. Our best lightweight hair dryer roundup has the numbers.

Essential vs Pro

Same heat regulation. Same IQ auto-adjust. The Pro has scalp shield mode and more attachments. The Essential is just a dryer with a nozzle and smart heat control. If you don't style with brushes or diffusers and just want to dry your hair without damage, the Essential does that for less money.

Our best hair dryer under £50 roundup covers this price bracket. For the wider picture, our best hair dryer UK roundup has everything.