Abstract: A portable hand-held hair dryer having a housing formed with an elongate front edge portion along the edgewise direction of which is extended an air outlet for discharge of heated air. A hand grip is slidably connected to the front edge portion of the housing for movement therealong in a straight path between a retracted position in which the hand grip overlies the front edge portion to block the air outlet and a projected position in which the hand grip extends outwardly of the housing to be ready for being grasped by the hand of the user after opening the air outlet. A recess is formed in the housing at a portion adjacent to the function of the hand grip in its projected position so as to receive a portion of the user's hand grasping the hand grip. This recess is advantageous for providing a comfortable support of the hair dryer with a minimum projected length of the hand grip. A voltage selection switch is positioned so as to be accessible only when the hand grip is in its retracted position.