As someone who washes their hair daily, I can’t stand it when my hair dryer isn’t up to scratch. Weak airflow and fluctuating temperatures are some of my biggest bugbears, so when a dryer needs testing I’m always ready to put it through its paces. Will it make my arm ache? Will it fry my hair? Will it still leave my strands slightly damp after 15 minutes at full power? All are questions I’d ask before purchasing a new machine – and that I sought to answer with this T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer review.
Starting life as a passion project, T3 founder Kent Yu wanted to help his dissatisfied girlfriend by creating a new hair dryer. Now, 20 years on, the brand has amassed a huge following thanks to its innovative designs – covering some of the best hair dryers and styling tools – and premium appeal.
It might be small and light but with enough power to rival a full-size hair dryer at 1600W, the Fit is certainly not to be underestimated. But, does it live up to its brand’s glittering reputation? I had to find out.
Our contributing beauty editor's full T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer review
Our first impressions of the T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer
Opening up the box, it’s almost shocking how small this hair dryer is. It’s tiny. So tiny that its size actually reminds me of those awful hair dryers often found fastened to the wall in budget hotel rooms. But on closer inspection, you quickly notice the shiny exterior and rose gold detailing and it it soon regains its premium feel.
The hair dryer is accompanied by just one concentrator nozzle attachment, which is disappointing. I expected more options for the price, but you can buy a compatible diffuser attachment separately.
At under 400g, it feels very lightweight and incredibly comfortable to hold. It’s also great to see three temperature settings, two speed settings, a cool shot button and a decent length cord on such a small gadget. Most compact hair dryers tend to lack the bells and whistles associated with full-size tools, but this one doesn’t compromise on options.
How does the T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer perform?
My initial scepticism of such a small gadget was immediately put to bed when I put the T3 Fit to the test. The airflow was impressive and felt just as powerful as my day-to-day hair dryer. Due to its size, I was really able to get the hair dryer into my roots which is such a huge plus if, like me, you’re wanting to add volume to your hair and use a round brush to style. The light design means I could hold it over my head for a long time without aching and it never felt cumbersome or tricky to move around.
Built into the machine is IonAir technology, to smooth frizz, reduce damage and encourage shine and it definitely delivers on this. My hair felt silky and healthy from root to tip. It was gentle enough to dry my hair without burning my scalp but had enough ‘oomph’ in it for a speedy blowdry. It’s a reasonably quiet machine too, but I wouldn’t say it’s noticeably quieter than other hair dryers I’ve tried.
There is one aspect that I found disappointing with this hair dryer and that’s its cool shot button. It doesn’t provide airflow at a cooler temperature immediately when you press it. Instead, it limply switches from hot to lukewarm air. This is something that will bother those looking to "set" their style in place or boost shine with a shot of cold air.
How does the T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer compare?
Of course, there are cheaper hair dryers to choose from and the T3 Fit is at the higher end of the market. But what you’re really paying for is the power of a standard hair dryer with the convenience of a much more compact design. It’s miniscule, but still carries the same amount of settings as a full-sized option and for that I’d say it’s worth the extra spend.
If you’re a seasoned traveller and want to save room in your suitcase, you’ll love how petite and light this tool is. As with lots of hair dryers, bringing it with you while abroad can mean sacrificing space in a packed case or compromising on efficacy, but that’s not the case with the T3 Fit. It allows you a salon-worthy blow dry and room for that extra pair of shoes.
One drawback of the Fit is that it’s a single-voltage hair dryer. You’ll need around 220-240V for it to work in the UK, but this can differ when abroad. Most travel hair dryers take this into consideration and offer dual voltage, but it’s sadly lacking in this design.
Should you buy the T3 Fit Compact Hair Dryer?
If light and compact is what you’re looking for, the T3 Fit makes an excellent choice. It’s powerful, dries hair efficiently and reduces frizz. It has a premium feel, looks elegant and fits into a suitcase with ease. Plus, its 2.7m cord makes it a lot easier to reach a mirror if the socket is on the other side of the room.
On the other hand, if you want a hair dryer with an effective cool shot that reduces temperature quickly, you need extra attachments or you’re after a dual voltage machine, this may not be the right one for you.
