Laifen Mini hair dryer: two-minute evaluation
The Laifen Mini is a scaled-down, mini hair dryer that gives the type of energy and options you’d count on from a full-sized choice. It has the identical streamlined silhouette as nearly all of the best hair dryers in the marketplace as of late – it has a minimalist barrel, with many of the weight within the deal with – however the entire unit has been shrunk all the way down to a extra moveable measurement. The actual fact it comes with a carry bag suggests Laifen has journey in thoughts right here, however I would fortunately take into account it as a principal hair dryer if I used to be brief on area.
It is light-weight and cozy to make use of, with the (new with this mannequin) matte end including grip in addition to bumping up this mannequin’s model credentials. When it comes to modes, there’s the usual temperature and windspeed choices, but in addition a pair extra superior modes. One will cycle hot-to-cold each two seconds, and is designed to guard your scalp and likewise set your locks as you model, and the opposite is a toddler mode that makes use of decrease stress and is best for delicate hair.
Though neither have been required for my very own styling routine, they each work as marketed and supply a extra specialised choice for many who need them. Within the auto-cycle mode, it took two and a half minutes to rough-dry my hair to 90 per cent dry – a bit of longer than my full-sized dryer, however nonetheless very acceptable and impressively environment friendly for a travel-sized choice.
There are some potential downsides, although. The twine is brief and the very fact there’s at present no appropriate diffuser will frustrate curly haired prospects. I additionally discovered the controls some extent of irritation – you set the mode utilizing a sequence of lengthy or brief button presses, and you will must memorize these as a result of the one solution to word the present mode is by watching the glowing ring on the dryer’s barrel and remembering what every shade sequence means. It actually seems cool, however it is not essentially the most environment friendly solution to convey info.
These frustrations apart, this can be a very robust addition to the Laifen lineup. It is also affordably priced for the options it brings, sitting within the mid-range bracket and delivering robust efficiency, versatility and a cool search for that worth. That is the brief model – learn on for my full Laifen Mini hair dryer evaluation.
Laifen Mini hair dryer evaluation: worth & availability
- Listing worth: €129.99
- Obtainable: Europe, UK (by way of EU web site)
- Launched: September 2024
The Laifen Mini was unveiled at IFA in September 2024, and at time of writing is available for purchase within the UK, different European territories, in addition to South Africa. The UK state of affairs is a bit of odd as a result of it is solely available for purchase by way of the Laifen EU web site and the worth is listed in Euros, however Laifen has confirmed it is obtainable for UK customers right here, and you may specify that it include a UK plug.
At time of writing, Laifen did not have any info on if/when the Mini may be launched within the US or Australia – though when my teammate noticed the dryer at IFA she was informed the variations in voltage have been a barrier to launching within the US.
At listing worth it prices €129.99 – roughly $135 / £107 / AU$213 – though it was diminished to €110.49 on the time of writing. This places the Laifen Mini within the mid-range worth bracket for hair dryers, and I believe it is respectable worth for what it affords. It is a step up on fundamental by way of options; it feels sturdy and good high quality; and the design has a premium vibe.
- Worth for cash rating: 4 out of 5
Laifen Mini hair dryer specs
|
Wattage: |
1100W |
|
Weight: |
10.55oz / 299g (no twine) 17oz / 482g (with twine) |
|
Measurement (L x W x H): |
22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm |
|
Wire size: |
5.9ft / 1.8m |
|
Temperatures: |
3 (chilly, heat, sizzling) |
|
Speeds: |
2 (common, excessive) |
|
Additional modes: |
Baby mode (low stress); auto-temperature cycle |
|
Motor: |
110,000rpm brushless motor |
|
Equipment: |
Magnetic concentrator, carry bag |
|
Colours: |
Olive, pale pink, white, grey-blue |
Laifen Mini hair dryer evaluation: design
- Trendy, small and light-weight construct
- Comes with magnetic concentrator and carry bag
- Managed by way of button and slider on deal with; twine fairly brief
The Laifen Mini is a shrunk-down model of the model’s well-liked Laifen Swift hair dryer. Initially, that was a part of a wave of recent dryers with designs closely impressed by the then-hot-new-thing, the Dyson Supersonic.
The brand new addition nonetheless has that streamlined form with the load within the deal with and a minimal barrel. Nonetheless, it now seems much less like a knock-off and extra of its personal factor, and I am a giant fan of Laifen’s styling. It is the primary Laifen dryer so as to add a matte coating – this brings the double good thing about enhancing grip whereas additionally avoiding that cheap-looking shiny plastic look. It is obtainable in 4 muted, pastel colours (arguably extra on-trend than the tropical tones nonetheless favored by Dyson).
My evaluation mannequin is Glacier Blue (a grey-blue), however it’s additionally obtainable in Jungle Inexperienced (an olive-toned shade), Coral Pink (actually extra child pink) and Arctic White. It arrives with one styling attachment – a concentrator that snaps on and off magnetically. Different Laifen dryers have a appropriate diffuser that may be bought individually, however that is not an choice right here.
To assist with portability it comes bundled with a carry bag in both gray or brown (shade chosen at random). It is simply sufficiently big for the dryer, cable and attachment to nestle inside, and is magnetic all the way in which alongside the highest, making it tremendous simple to open and shut.
At 5.9ft / 1.8m, the cable is on the brief facet. That may be annoying should you’re planning to make use of this as your principal dryer, however it does make sense as a journey choice. There is a rubbery cable tidy for once you need to pack the dryer in its bag.
For reference, most full-sized dryers have a cable that is round 8.5-10ft (2.5-3m) lengthy. Nonetheless, it is price flagging that Laifen generally is stingy with its cables – the full-sized Swift has the identical size twine as this Mini model.
Controls & modes
Controls are by way of two switches on the deal with. There is a slider to show the dryer on and transfer between the 2 completely different windspeed choices, indicated by icons (0, I, II). The second button is used to set the mode.
This is the place issues change into a bit of complicated, as a result of completely different modes require completely different press sorts:
- Lengthy press: temperature biking mode
- Two brief presses: youngster mode
- Single brief press: shift between low, medium and excessive temperature
A hoop across the barrel will glow completely different colours to point temperature; however apart from that, there is not any solution to decide which mode you are in.
When the dryer arrived, Laifen had added a wrapper to the deal with with directions printed on it, and I used to be grateful that I took a photograph on the time for reference – as a result of as soon as it is gone, you may must depend on your reminiscence to know what is going on on.
The temperature management is described as “sensible”, however that simply means there is a sensor inside to forestall overheating, which I would hope would not occur anyway. Like most trendy dryers, bar the ultra-budget fashions, it releases ions because it dries, to discourage frizz.
Laifen Mini hair dryer evaluation: efficiency
- Good quantity of energy for a travel-sized dryer
- Controls are fiddly and require memorizing
- Light-weight and cozy to carry and use
The Laifen Mini is snug to carry, with a well-balanced design and good grip due to the matte coating. It is light-weight sufficient to be used over lengthy intervals, and packs a good quantity of energy for a travel-sized dryer. I examined it out on my armpit-length, naturally wavy hair, and my drying occasions have been barely longer than when utilizing my Dyson Supersonic Nural, however not unreasonably so.
Whereas the dinky measurement and useful carry bag make it good for taking over journeys, I believe this might additionally work as a principal hair dryer for somebody who’s particularly brief on cupboard space. The facility and performance are much like what you’d get with a full-sized dryer; the principle compromise you make is the size of the twine (bear this in thoughts in case your energy shops aren’t helpfully positioned near your mirrors).
When it comes to attachments, the offered concentrator snaps on and off simply and feels safe in use. It is only a disgrace there is not any appropriate diffuser for curly haired prospects.
Modes in use
Let’s take a better take a look at the operation. There are two windspeeds; most trendy dryers supply three, though I believe two will probably be high quality for most individuals’s wants.
You are additionally barely extra restricted than regular on temperature choices. Most dryers as of late will include three temperature choices plus a separate chilly shot button. Right here, you simply have a medium, sizzling or chilly temperature mode. The band across the barrel will glow yellow, pink or blue respectively in these modes.
I used to be high quality with having to cycle by means of temperature setting to entry the chilly mode, though others could want the extra regular method of a separate, devoted button. Laifen’s method is less complicated for extended chilly setting use, as a result of it would not require a button to be held down.
Should you’re styling your hair or are notably involved about scalp well being, you possibly can go for a temperature biking mode, by which the Mini will change from sizzling to chilly each two seconds. On the identical time, the band will progressively transition from pink to pink to purple to blue. The intention of this mode is to forestall your scalp from turning into too sizzling, and to set your model as you are drying.
It took round two and half minutes to get my hair to 90 per cent dry on this mode. Compared, with the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s “auto” mode it takes round two minutes. I did not discover the automated temperature biking that helpful for my styling wants or routine, however I respect the choice is there if you need it.
A brand new addition with the Laifen Mini is the youngster mode. This is not a toddler lock, however fairly a mode designed for drying youngsters’s hair.
Laifen states that on this mode the dryer “maintains the identical airspeed as common modes, however the wind stress is diminished, making the air really feel gentler on the pores and skin”. Activate youngster mode and the dryer will keep at both 38ºC at low pace, or 48ºC in excessive pace, and the ring will pulse yellow.
I respect that Laifen is providing up extra than simply your customary modes right here. Whereas they will not all be helpful for everybody – and for my styling routine, I discovered myself largely sticking to the excessive windspeed, excessive temperature choice – I respect the choices are there to cater to completely different prospects’ wants and priorities.
Nonetheless, I do have a slight subject with the labelling – or lack thereof. I am all for a minimalist design, however the one solution to know which temperature mode you are in is to take a seat and watch the lights (and bear in mind what they imply). Until you’ve got an important reminiscence, switching modes will in all probability be a means of trial and error for a while.
- Efficiency rating: 4 out of 5
Do you have to purchase the Laifen Mini hair dryer?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
Mid-range dryer with a some superior options and a high-quality really feel. |
4 / 5 |
|
Design |
Compact and light-weight, with a trendy, trendy look. Wire a bit of brief and controls lack information. |
4 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Comfy to carry and highly effective for a mini dryer. Varied modes all work, though remembering which is which is hard. |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Laifen Mini hair dryer evaluation: alternate options to think about
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Laifen Mini (reviewed) |
Dyson Supersonic Nural |
T3 Match |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wattage: |
1,100W |
1,600W |
1,600W |
|
Weight (no twine): |
0.7lbs / 299g |
1.9lbs / 680g |
0.8lbs / 357.2g |
|
Measurement (L x W): |
8.7 x 3in / 22 x 7.7cm |
10 x 4in / 24.5 x 9.7cm |
10.3 x 5.7in / 26.2 x 14.5cm |
|
Wire size: |
5.9ft / 1.8m |
8.6 ft / 2.6m |
9ft / 2.7m |
|
Temperatures: |
3 together with chilly |
3 plus cool shot |
3 plus cool shot |
|
Speeds: |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Additional modes: |
Baby mode (low stress); auto-temperature cycle |
Scalp shield mode |
None |
|
Equipment: |
Concentrator, carry bag |
Wave+Curl diffuser, light air attachment, styling concentrator, wide-tooth comb, flyaway attachment |
Concentrator (diffuser offered individually) |
|
Listing worth: |
€129.99 (about $135 / £107) |
$499.99 / £399.99 |
$159.99 / £130 |
How I examined the Laifen Mini hair dryer
I used the Laifen Mini as my principal hair dryer for 2 weeks. For reference, I’ve armpit-length, naturally wavy hair. Based on my hairdresser, the strands are high quality however there are a whole lot of them. For this evaluation, I examined all of the completely different modes, recorded how lengthy it took to rough-dry my hair from moist to 90 per cent dry in most windspeed and temperature mode, in addition to in temperature biking mode. I assessed how snug it was to make use of, and the way easy the controls have been. In all of those areas, I in contrast my expertise with the Laifen Mini to different dryers together with the Dyson Supersonic Nural (which I exploit as my on a regular basis dryer) and extra fundamental, cheaper fashions.
Learn extra about how we test
- First reviewed February 2025