The most common hair styler problems, from 4,273 verified buyers

1. The most common hair styler problem owners report: “Results disappoint: flat, frizzy, or curls drop out”, raised in 27% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Heavy, bulky or awkward to hold” (20%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Salon-style results that last”, in 26% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 86% of verified buyers rated their hair styler 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; hair stylers rank 33 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 8% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 13.
5. Across the 4 hair stylers with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 83% to 89%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these hair stylers had a median of 86% happy buyers, against 86% for the cheaper half (up to £229).
7. Buyers in the UK were the happiest (93% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the rest of Europe the least (85%).

Share of the 603 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Results disappoint: flat, frizzy, or curls drop out27%
   Came up on 4 models
2. 2. Heavy, bulky or awkward to hold20%
   Came up on 3 models
3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault14%
   Came up on 4 models
4. 4. Noisy13%
   Came up on 2 models
5. 5. Slow to dry, weak airflow11%
   Came up on 3 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Results disappoint: flat, frizzy, or curls drop out (27% of complaints)

   Results depend a lot on hair type and practice: watch tutorials for your hair, start with damp, not wet, hair and finish on the cold shot.

2. 2. Heavy, bulky or awkward to hold (20% of complaints)

   Check the weight in your hand and the cord length if you style at a mirror away from a socket.

3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault (14% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

4. 4. Noisy (13% of complaints)

   If it will run near a bedroom, a desk or the TV, look for a published noise figure (in decibels) and read what reviewers say about it on its normal setting.

5. 5. Slow to dry, weak airflow (11% of complaints)

   Rough-dry hair with a towel or a normal dryer first: styling attachments dry slowly from soaking wet, especially thick or long hair.

Share of the 320 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Salon-style results that last26%
   Came up on 5 models
2. 2. Easy to set up and use15%
   Came up on 3 models
3. 3. Dries hair fast12%
   Came up on 2 models
4. 4. A clear step up from what they had8%
   Came up on 2 models
5. 5. Good value for the money4%
   Came up on 2 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.