Abstract: A cordless electric hair dryer and stand are provided in which the portable hair dryer unit has a rechargeable battery and a thermal heat reservoir. The fan blows ambient air over the thermal reservoir in heat exchange relationship to expel hot air from the dryer when in use. The stand has an electrical circuit inductivley coupled through a coil in the base of the stand to a coil in the rear of the housing of the dryer which provides power to charge the rechargeable battery in the handle of the dryer and to heat the thermal storage medium in the dryer. The heating is accomplished by resistors mounted in heat exchange relationship with the thermal reservoir material. The rechargeable battery is used only to run the fan during drying operation of the portable unit.