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How Many Watts Does a Hair Dryer Use? Watts and Amps by Model
Most hair dryers use about 1,100 to 1,875 watts on their highest setting, and some pro models are rated at 2,000 watts. Revlon rates its One-Step Volumizer at 1,100 watts, Dyson its Supersonic at 1,600 watts, and Conair its 303XN at 1,875 watts. That is about 9 to 16 amps at 120 volts, one of the biggest plug-in loads in the house, but only for a few minutes at a time.
Hair dryer watts by model
| Model | Watts | Amps at 120V |
|---|---|---|
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer | 1,100 W | About 9.2 A |
| Dyson Supersonic (US, 120V) | 1,600 W | About 13.3 A |
| Conair 303XN Mid-Size | 1,875 W | About 15.6 A |
| BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium BNT5548 | 2,000 W | About 16.7 A |
Sources: Revlon, Dyson, Conair, and BaBylissPRO product pages. Amps = watts / 120. Lower heat and speed settings draw less.
Find your own number: the watts are printed on the handle or the tag near the plug.
How much electricity does a hair dryer use?
Watts x minutes / 60 = watt-hours. A 1,875 W dryer on high for 10 minutes uses about 313 Wh (0.31 kWh), about 5 cents at 17 cents per kWh. Do that every day for a year and it is about 114 kWh, roughly $19.
Can a power station run a hair dryer?
Only if its continuous output is higher than the dryer's watts. A hair dryer pulls its full rating as soon as you switch it to high.
| Power station | Capacity / output | Runs | 10 minute uses (1,875 W) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh / 1,500 W | Dryers up to 1,500 W, or a bigger dryer on a lower setting | Not rated for 1,875 W | From $499 |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | 2,042 Wh / 2,200 W | Every model above | About 5.9 | From $899 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | 3,072 Wh / 3,600 W | Every model above | About 8.8 | From $1,349 |
Uses = capacity x 0.9 / 313 Wh. Capacity and output are from each product page. Browse all portable power stations.
Can a generator run a hair dryer?
Yes. A hair dryer is a heating element and a small fan, so it needs running watts above its rating, not a big starting surge. Even with a fridge running, a generator like the DuroMax XP5500HX (4,500 running watts, CO alert, $629) has room for a 1,875 W dryer.
Camping or in an RV? See What Size Generator for an RV or Camper? For other big plug-in loads, read How Many Watts Does a Space Heater Use?
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Tell us what you want to run, and we will match you to a power station or generator.
Hair dryer wattage FAQ
How many watts does a hair dryer use? About 1,100 to 1,875 watts for most models, and up to 2,000 watts for some professional dryers.
How many amps does a hair dryer use? About 9 to 16 amps at 120V on high. A 1,875 W dryer draws about 15.6 amps.
How much does it cost to use a hair dryer? About 5 cents for 10 minutes with a 1,875 W dryer, at 17 cents per kWh.
Can a 1,500 W power station run a hair dryer? Only a dryer rated 1,500 W or less, or a larger dryer on a lower setting that stays under 1,500 W.
How many watts does a Dyson hair dryer use? Dyson rates the US Supersonic at 1,600 W at 120V.