Abstract: A portable hair dryer (12) comprising a tubular housing (14) having an air inlet end (16) and an air outlet nozzle end (18). A foldable hollow pistol-type handle (20) is pivotally connected at pivot pin (22) to the tubular housing (14) adjacent the air inlet end (16). The handle (20) can pivot from an inoperative position parallel to the tubular housing (14) to an operative position perpendicular to the tubular housing (14). An electrically actuated air pump assembly (24) is in the tubular housing (14) to draw air in through the air inlet end (16) and out through the air outlet nozzle end (18). An electrical resistance heating element (26) is disposed within the tubular housing (14) between the air pump assembly (24) and the air outlet nozzle end (18), to heat the air passing through the tubular housing (14). A circuit (28) electrically connects the air pump assembly (24) and the heating element (26) with a source of electrical power through the handle (20).