ghd
ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer
$329
Released 2020
Best Hair Dryers · head-to-head
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer is cheaper at $169.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
ghd
$329
Released 2020
Laifen
$169.99Cheaper
Released 2024
The Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer is the cheaper at $169.99. The Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $329 Current MSRP at Ulta Beauty | $169.99 Current price on laifentech.com |
| Brand | ghd | Laifen |
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Wattage (W) | 1875 | 1400 |
| Weight (g) | 544 | 407 |
| Heat settings | 3 | 3 |
| Speed settings | 3 | 2 |
| Ionic | Yes | Yes |
| Cool shot | Yes | Yes |
| Attachments included | Contoured concentrator nozzle (1); diffuser sold separately | Smooth nozzle, diffuser nozzle, concentrator nozzle (3 magnetic nozzles) |
| Motor (rpm) | — | 110000 |
Sources — ghd Helios Professional Hair Dryer: ulta.com (verified 2026-06-15). Laifen Swift Special High-Speed Hair Dryer: laifentech.com (verified 2026-06-15).
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Two whitelisted reviewers both rate the ghd Helios among the best dryers they've tried: TechRadar timed it with a stopwatch and decibel meter, Real Homes tested it hands-on. Both praise fast drying (roughly a minute to go from wet to dry) and a smooth, frizz-free finish, and both flag the high £159 price as an investment rather than an impulse buy. TechRadar additionally notes the powerful airflow strips volume. (2 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Fast drying — took wet hair to dry in around a minute; Smooth, frizz-free finish; Well-built, attractive design with a premium silicone-feel shell.
Flagged: Expensive at £159 — an investment, not an impulse buy; Powerful airflow leaves hair lacking volume.
Two whitelisted outlets (TechRadar, TechHive) reviewed the Laifen Swift Special hands-on; both call it a strong, well-designed Dyson Supersonic alternative at roughly half the price. TechRadar measured just-under-seven-minute drying and 79dB noise - quieter-sounding but not the claimed 59dB. Common gripes: short cord, no separate cool shot, limited attachments. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Fast, powerful drying that rivals the Dyson Supersonic; Premium, luxe design at roughly half the Dyson price; Leaves hair smooth and shiny with less frizz (negative ions).
Flagged: Not as quiet as the claimed 59dB; No separate cool shot button; Short 1.8m/5.9ft cord.