Hand dryers have been popular with industries for their apparent economies; hand dryers can cut costs by as much as 90%, when compared to paper towels. They require very little maintenance, whereas paper towel stocks need to be replaced, and used paper towels removed.

Due to the reduction in litter and waste in comparison with paper towels (which cannot be recycled), hand dryers are also claimed to be better for the environment. One source claims that an average fast-food restaurant using paper towels, annually, results in 9 fully-grown trees being cut down, and 1,000 pounds of landfill waste created, though many are often unaware of these consequences. Even before the paper towels are used, each ton has claimed 20,000 gallons of water in chemical cleansing.

Hand dryers, are also be more hygienic. the blowing of warm air may lead to an accelerated dehydration of the skin surface, thereby affecting the viability" of the microorganisms, and that the warm air may "penetrate all the crevices in the skin, whereas absorbent towels may not reach such areas, even though the skin appears dryer".