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There’s a good chance someone in your house already owns this hair dryer. The small purple Philips one, usually hanging from a hook in the bathroom or pushed to the back of a dressing table drawer.
It’s been on Amazon India since 2014. It has more than 1,13,000 ratings, still sits at #2 among hair dryers, and it’s back on offer in the Great Indian Festival sale. Products don’t stay popular for 12 years by accident, so let’s look at what you actually get and where it falls short.
Price right now
When I checked, it was ₹749, against an MRP of ₹1,095. One buyer mentioned getting it for ₹612 in an earlier offer, so if you’re not in a hurry, it does drop lower sometimes. But ₹749 is already a fair price for a Philips dryer with a 2-year warranty.
What it is (and isn’t)
- Power: 1000 watts
- Settings: 2 heat/speed settings, low and high
- ThermoProtect: a temperature setting meant to dry hair without overheating it
- Cord: 1.5 metres, not cordless
- Weight: 370 g
- Extras: concentrator nozzle and a hanging loop
- Warranty: 2 years from Philips India
- Made in: India (Himachal Pradesh)
The most important number here is 1000 watts. Salon dryers and the bigger home ones run at 1600 to 2200 watts. This one is deliberately small and gentle. That’s its strength and its weakness, depending on your hair.
Why so many people like it
It’s light and easy to hold. At 370 grams, you can dry your hair without your arm getting tired. Teenagers, older parents, anyone who finds big dryers heavy will be comfortable with this.
It takes up almost no space. It’s compact enough for a small bathroom shelf, a hostel cupboard or a suitcase. That makes it an easy one to pack for travel.
It lasts. Some of the reviews are about how long it keeps going. One buyer wrote that hers worked for 8 years before finally giving up. Another said they bought it again after 5 years. For a ₹749 appliance, that’s remarkable.
Gentle on hair. Lower power plus ThermoProtect means less risk of frying your hair with heat. If you blow-dry often, or your hair is already dry or coloured, gentle is good.
Handy for more than hair. One buyer said she bought it partly for other small jobs around the house where you need a bit of hot air. Not what Philips intended, but a cheap, light dryer does come in handy.
What you should know before buying
It’s slow on long or thick hair. This is the big one. With 1000W, if you have long, thick hair (very common in India), drying can take a while. One reviewer put it plainly: it’s not as powerful as higher-wattage models and takes a little longer. If you’re drying waist-length hair every morning before office, look at a 1600W+ dryer instead.
It gets hot to hold. One buyer said the dryer itself feels uncomfortably warm after a few minutes. Take short breaks if you’re using it for long.
Don’t drop it. A buyer said theirs stopped working after a fall. It’s lightweight plastic, so treat it a bit carefully.
Only two settings. No cool-shot button, no diffuser. It does the basics and nothing fancy.
Third-party seller. The listing I checked was sold by Kay Kay Overseas Corporation through Amazon. The Philips warranty still applies, but keep your invoice.
Who should buy it
It’s a great fit if you:
- Have short to medium-length hair
- Want a gentle dryer for occasional use
- Need something small for travel or a hostel
- Are buying a dryer for the first time
- Want an inexpensive, practical Diwali gift for a sister, daughter or mother
Look at something more powerful if you have very long or thick hair, need to dry it fast every day, or want styling features like a cool shot or diffuser.
So, should you buy it?
If your hair isn’t very long, yes. It’s light, simple, gentle and from a brand with service centres across India. Lots of buyers say theirs ran for years. At the sale price it’s one of the safest buys under ₹1,000.
If you have thick, long hair and you’re always short of time in the morning, this will test your patience. Spend a little more on a higher-wattage model.
Quick answers
Is the Philips HP8100 good for long hair?
It works, but it’s slow. At 1000W it’s better suited to short and medium hair.
Does it have a cool air setting?
No. It has two settings, low and high, both with warm air.
Is it foldable?
The listing doesn’t say it folds. It’s compact, though, and has a hanging loop for storage.
What’s the warranty?
2 years from Philips India, starting from the date of purchase.
Can men use it?
Yes, it works for anyone. It’s especially good for short hair, where 1000W is more than enough.
This post has affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Price and ratings were correct when checked during the Great Indian Festival sale and may change.
