Laifen Hair Dryer: Swift, SE & Mini Review — Xiaomi's Premium Hair Care Brand Challenges Dyson

Introduction

Laifen (徕芬) has been one of the most remarkable success stories in Chinese consumer electronics. Founded in 2020, the brand quickly became a household name with its high-speed hair dryers — challenging Dyson’s dominance at a fraction of the price. Their Swift (¥599), SE (¥199), and Mini (¥399) models have collectively amassed over 1 million reviews on JD.com with 98% positive ratings.

Laifen’s core innovation is their 11,000rpm brushless motor — the same technology class as Dyson — delivering 22m/s airflow that cuts drying time by 50% compared to traditional hair dryers. This review covers the full Swift lineup to help you choose the right model.

Specifications

Feature	Laifen Swift	Laifen SE	Laifen Mini	Dyson Supersonic
Price	¥599	¥199	¥399	¥3,299
Motor	11,000rpm BLDC	10,500rpm BLDC	11,000rpm BLDC	11,000rpm BLDC
Wind Speed	22m/s	21m/s	22m/s	22m/s
Temperature	2-stage (hot/warm/cold)	2-stage (hot/warm/cold)	2-stage (hot/warm/cold)	4-stage (100°C/80°C/60°C/28°C)
Auto Temp Control	✅ 50 times/sec	❌	✅ 50 times/sec	✅ 20 times/sec
Ion Output	200 million/cm³	150 million/cm³	200 million/cm³	100 million/cm³
Nozzles	Smooth + Diffuser	Smooth only	Smooth + Diffuser	Smooth + Diffuser + Concentrator
Air Filter	Magnetic, washable	Snap-on, washable	Magnetic, washable	Magnetic, washable
Weight	407g	420g	310g	610g
Cable Length	1.7m	1.5m	1.7m	2.8m
Noise	~75dB	~78dB	~76dB	~75dB

Design and Build

Laifen Swift

The Swift is Laifen’s flagship — a sleek, curved barrel design similar to Dyson’s but with a more compact motor-in-handle layout. The body is high-gloss UV-coated plastic with metal accents. The magnetic attachment system for nozzles and air filter is satisfyingly smooth.

The two-button interface is elegantly simple: one switches between heat settings (hot/warm/cold/cold lock), the other adjusts fan speed (low/high). A colored LED ring at the air intake shows the selected heat setting (red = hot, orange = warm, blue = cold).

The washable magnetic air filter prevents hair from being sucked into the motor. The 1.7m cable is adequate but shorter than Dyson’s generous 2.8m.

Laifen SE

The SE is the budget champion — retaining the core BLDC motor and high-speed airflow of the Swift while cutting corners on materials and features. The plastic body is matt instead of gloss, the auto-temperature control is removed (the SE only monitors, doesn’t adjust), and only one nozzle (smoothing) is included.

At ¥199, the SE represents 1/16th of Dyson’s price with 85% of its drying performance.

Laifen Mini

The Mini is designed for travel and portability — just 310g (lightest of the lineup) with a folding design. Despite its smaller size, it maintains the Swift’s 22m/s wind speed, 50-times/second temperature control, and 200 million/cm³ ion output. The folding mechanism is solid with a satisfying click lock.

The trade-off: less thermal mass means the heat drop-off is more noticeable in cold environments.

Performance

All three models dry hair significantly faster than traditional hair dryers. A typical medium-length thick hair takes 4-5 minutes to dry with the Swift (vs 10-12 minutes with a conventional dryer). The ion output reduces frizz — users report visibly smoother hair after the first use.

The Swift’s auto-temperature control measures temperature 50 times per second and adjusts the heating element to maintain a consistent temperature — preventing heat damage even when the nozzle is close to the scalp.

The SE lacks this feature — it monitors temperature but uses simple on/off control, resulting in noticeable temperature fluctuations (±5°C). For frequent users with fine or damaged hair, the Swift’s temperature stability is worth the upgrade.

“徕芬Swift用了半年，只能说后悔没早买。吹干速度比以前的老松下快一倍还不止，而且吹完头发很顺滑不毛躁。599的价格虽然比普通吹风机贵，但想想每天都要用，这个投入太值了。” — JD.com 石** ★★★★★* “6 months with the Laifen Swift — only regret is not buying it sooner. Drying speed is double my old Panasonic, and my hair is smooth without frizz afterwards. ¥599 is expensive for a hair dryer, but considering I use it daily, it’s totally worth it.”

“SE版199块钱，学生党也能入手。吹干速度很满意，虽然没有温度控制但热风档用起来不觉得烫。塑料外壳质感一般，但看在199的份上不挑剔了。强烈推荐给预算有限又想体验高速吹风机的人。” — 小红书 省钱小能手 *“The SE at ¥199 — even students can afford it. Drying speed is very satisfying. Despite no auto-temp control, the hot setting doesn’t feel burning. The plastic casing isn’t premium, but for ¥199 I’m not complaining. Highly recommend for budget-limited users who want to experience a high-speed dryer.”

What Chinese Users Say

Aggregated Ratings: 4.6/5 ★ (1,000,000+ reviews, 98% positive)

Quote 1 — 孟* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Swift)** “和Dyson对比过，吹干速度差不多，但徕芬更轻，长时间举着不累手。温度控制很准，吹头皮也不会烫。噪音方面差不多，都属于能接受的范围。” 💡 “Compared with a Dyson — similar drying speed, but Laifen is lighter — doesn’t make your arm tired from holding it. Temperature control is accurate — doesn’t burn your scalp even when drying close. Noise is similar — both are acceptable.”

Quote 2 — 纪* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Mini)** “mini版出差神器，折叠后只比手掌大一点。风力一点没有缩水，酒店吹风机终于可以不用了。310g的重量放包里完全没感觉。建议配一个收纳袋。” 💡 “The Mini is a travel essential. Folded, it’s barely larger than a palm. Airpower hasn’t been reduced at all — finally, no more hotel hair dryers. 310g is imperceptible in a bag. Recommend getting a storage pouch.”

Quote 3 — 华* ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (SE)** “199太值了，吹干效果和五百多的差别不大。唯一的区别是塑料外壳摸起来廉价一些，以及没有温度感应。但风大、吹得快这两点核心体验没问题。” 💡 “The ¥199 price is amazing. Drying results aren’t much different from the ¥500+ models. The only differences: cheaper-feeling plastic body and no temp sensor. But the core experience — strong airflow, fast drying — is solid.”

Pros and Cons

Laifen Swift

Pros: Fast drying (22m/s), excellent temperature control, lightweight (407g), multiple attachments, good value vs Dyson Cons: Short power cable (1.7m), glossy surface fingerprints easily, no concentrator nozzle in kit

Laifen SE

Pros: Unbeatable ¥199 price, same core BLDC motor, fast drying, lightweight, good for basic use Cons: No auto-temperature control, cheap plastic feel, only one nozzle, slightly louder

Laifen Mini

Pros: Extremely portable (310g, folding), full-speed performance, temperature control, magnetic attachments Cons: Heat stability in cold environments, smaller air intake, cable could be longer for travel use

vs Competitors

Feature	Swift ¥599	SE ¥199	Mini ¥399	Dyson Supersonic ¥3,299	Xiaomi C1 ¥99
Motor	11,000rpm BLDC	10,500rpm	11,000rpm BLDC	11,000rpm BLDC	10,000rpm BLDC
Wind Speed	22m/s	21m/s	22m/s	22m/s	19m/s
Auto Temp	✅ 50x/sec	❌	✅ 50x/sec	✅ 20x/sec	❌
Weight	407g	420g	310g	610g	500g
Nozzles	2	1	2	3	1
Rating	4.6★	4.5★	4.6★	4.7★	4.3★

FAQ

Q1: Is Laifen as good as Dyson?

In terms of drying speed, Laifen is equivalent — both use the same class of BLDC motor. Dyson has more temperature settings (4 vs 3), better attachments (3 vs 2), a longer cord, and superior sound tuning (less whine). But Laifen is lighter, cheaper, and has better temperature control frequency (50x/second vs 20x). For 80% less money, Laifen is the better value.

Q2: Is the Laifen SE worth the ¥199 price?

Absolutely. The SE gives you 85% of the Swift’s drying performance for 33% of the price. The compromises (plastic body, no auto-temp, one nozzle) are acceptable trade-offs. For students, budget-conscious users, or anyone who wants fast drying without premium features, the SE is the best value hair dryer in China.

Q3: How does Laifen compare to Xiaomi’s C1 hair dryer (¥99)?

The Xiaomi C1 is a budget high-speed dryer at ¥99. The Laifen models are in a different class — faster wind speed (22m/s vs 19m/s), better ion output (200M vs 100M), and more durable motor. The C1 is good for the price but the Laifen Swift/SE are noticeably better. The choice is between ¥99 (functional) and ¥199+ (excellent).

Q4: Can I use the Laifen with curly/afro hair?

Yes. The Swift and Mini come with a diffuser attachment designed for curly hair. High-speed dryers work well for curly hair because the controlled airflow and temperature reduce frizz and maintain curl definition. The ion output also helps with smoothness.

Q5: How do I clean the Laifen air filter?

The magnetic filter (Swift/Mini) can be removed and washed under running water. For the SE, gently twist and pull the snap-on filter. Clean monthly for best airflow. The motor itself is sealed and dust-proof — no maintenance needed.

Who Should Buy / Which Model

✅ Buy Swift (¥599): Best for daily heavy users who want the full experience — auto-temp control, multiple attachments, premium design.

✅ Buy SE (¥199): Best value. Ideal for students, budget-conscious users, and anyone who wants fast drying without premium features.

✅ Buy Mini (¥399): Best for frequent travelers, gym-goers, and anyone who needs a compact but powerful dryer.

❌ Skip Laifen: If you absolutely need Dyson’s 3-year warranty and brand prestige. If you want the quietest possible dryer.

Buying Advice

Budget Champ — Laifen SE at ¥199: Unbeatable value. Buy this if you want a high-speed dryer without spending over ¥500. The lack of auto-temp control is not noticeable for most users.

Best Overall — Laifen Swift at ¥599: The complete package. Temperature control, premium feel, and two nozzles. Worth the upgrade from the SE for daily users.

Travel Essential — Laifen Mini at ¥399: The folding design makes it genuinely portable. The performance is equal to the Swift.

Verdict

Laifen has done what few brands manage — they’ve democratized premium hair dryer technology. The Swift at ¥599 delivers Dyson-like performance at 1/5th of the cost. The SE at ¥199 brings high-speed drying to an entirely new price segment. And the Mini solves a genuinely unmet need for portable high-performance drying. For Chinese consumers looking for a hair dryer, Laifen is the obvious choice at any budget level.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9/10)

• Drying Speed: 10/10
• Build Quality: 8/10 (Swift), 7/10 (SE), 9/10 (Mini)
• Value: 9/10 (Swift), 10/10 (SE), 8/10 (Mini)
• Temperature Control: 9/10
• Portability: 7/10 (Swift), 8/10 (SE), 10/10 (Mini)