I'm Sceptical of Expensive Hair Dryers, But Dyson's Might Actually Be Worth It
A no-holds-barred review of the cult £330 Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, from our discerning beauty editor.
I have a confession: hair dryers do not excite me. Not in the slightest. In a world overflowing with new beauty products and game-changing skincare, they don't enthral me one bit—and I'm a beauty editor. When the time comes to buy a new hair dryer, it feels like a buzzkill to part with my hard-earned money on something that, let's be honest, is a bit of a chore in my beauty routine. I practically procrastinate with my hair wrapped in a towel for as long as possible before drying my long and thick lengths, because it's both time-consuming and boring. If I didn't live in the UK, I'd be inclined to let my hair air dry or use a hot brush year-round.
So when Dyson launched its Supersonic Hair Dryer (£330) back in 2016, I was lost for words. Who would willingly spend over £300 on a hair dryer? I've been loyal to my GHD Air Hair Dryer for as long as I can remember, and I consider this to be an investment in itself, so I couldn't imagine dropping even more money on another hair dryer.
However, the glowing reviews have been pouring in for it ever since. The day finally came when the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer landed on theBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK beauty desk. Perhaps it was a sign from the universe? I'm already a fan of the Dyson Airwrap and Corrale Straighteners, so it was time for me to see if this supposedly next-level hair dryer was really worth it, too. Scroll ahead for my honest review, as well as my thoughts on the other Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer models, including the Dyson Supersonic R and Supersonic Nural hair dryers.
My Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Review
As I mentioned, I'm sceptical of expensive hair dryers, but my first impressions were positive. Firstly, the Supersonic, which is the original model of Dyson's hair dryers, looks and feels expensive. It's not heavy, and because the motor is located at the bottom of the handle (rather than at the head, like most hair dryers), it's really easy to hold for long periods without your arms getting tired. Who knew weight distribution could be such a game-changer?
Features:
- Styling Concentrator Nozzle
- Diffuser
- Pick Comb
- Flyaway Attachment
- Gentle Air Attachment
- Intelligent heat control
- Three speeds
- Four temperatures, including a cold-shot option
- Negative ion technology
Pros
- A quiet motor, which means minimal noise
- Dries hair very fast
- Intelligent heat control, which measures the temperature 40 times per second to help prevent heat damage
- Powerful airflow, which dries hair very quickly
- Three speeds and four temperatures, including a cold-shot option
- Unlike other hair dryers, the ergonomic design means the heaviest part of the device (the motor) is in the handle, making it easier to hold and use
- Negative ion technology to help achieve a smooth finish
- Five different attachments, which are tailored for different hair textures and results
Cons
- More expensive than other hair dryers
- Powerful airflow can take getting used to at first
- Case and attachments take up a lot of storage space
What Attachments Come With the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer?
Dyson offers its hair dryers in two versions: one designed for straight and wavy hair, and another for curly and coily hair types. This means you get the right attachments that work for your hair texture. Below are the attachments you get in the classic Supersonic model.
Straight + Wavy Model:
Styling Concentrator Nozzle: For smoothing.
Flyaway Attachment: Works to tuck in shorter flyaways underneath your hair for a frizz-free finish.
Gentle Air Attachment: Disperses air more gently to protect sensitive scalps.
Curly + Coily Model:
Styling Concentrator Nozzle: For smoothing.
Diffuser: For defining curls and waves as you dry.
Pick Comb: Created for curly and coily hair textures, which helps to stretch curls or create shape and volume.
How to Use the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Before Using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Here is my hair pre-wash without any styling. I'd describe my hair as having a slight natural wave, and the texture is coarse in areas, which means limp roots aren't a concern, but frizz and flyaways are. My hair is also quite thick and long, so my drying time is often lengthy.
Using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
To dry my hair, I first rough-dried it without any attachments until it was about 50% dry, before switching to the styling concentrator to help smooth the flyaways around my crown and add some shine to my lengths. I was really amazed at how powerful (yet quiet) it is, and it shaved some serious time off my standard blow-dry routine. Rough-drying from wet to totally dry took just seven and a half minutes—about half as long as it would normally take me.
Of course, it takes longer if I'm using a round brush to style as I dry, but the powerful airflow means the hair is dried quickly, and I can unlock a bouncy blowout in around 15 to 20 minutes. I also like the option to easily switch the heat and speed up and down with the press of a button.
The Results
After finishing my blow-dry, I was very impressed with the results. My hair felt incredibly smooth, and the Supersonic left me with a lot more shine than my usual hair dryer. I sometimes find that hair dryers make my hair quite frizzy at first, but Dyson's leaves me with an instantly sleek result. I find I mostly reach for the styling concentrator and smoothing attachment, which are great for smoothing down flyaways and tucking in new hair growth.
However, I have a friend with 3b curly hair who says that the diffuser attachment is okay, but can sometimes leave her hair more prone to frizz than if she left it to air-dry. That being said, Who What Wear UK fashion editor Remy Farrell tells me that the attachments are great for her Afro hair. "I use the wide-tooth comb a lot and the styling concentrator to set gel, but I mostly don't use the attachments," she says.
Is the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Worth It?
Despite being unsure initially, I've been converted. The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer has made the chore of drying my hair something I now look forward to much, much more. Not only is my hair dry in under 10 minutes, but I'm really impressed with the attachments that serve their purpose well and deliver visible results.
It is a big investment, though. If you can get hold of one from a friend or family member to road test for yourself, I'd recommend doing that before taking the plunge to make sure it works for you and that you like all of the attachments. However, there are a couple of models that just offer the styling concentrator for less if you're not fussed about having all of the attachments. But as for myself, I don't think I could use any other hair dryer now.
However, Dyson also offers two other models—the Supersonic R and the Supersonic Nural. Scroll ahead to see how they compare.
Dyson Supersonic R
Dyson's latest hair dryer, the Supersonic R, was originally released a professional-only exclusive for hairstylists and salons. But, hairstylists tell me that several of their clients also wanted it too, and so Dyson launched the Supersonic R for home use too. So, what makes it different to the original Supersonic?
Firstly, this is Dyson's lightest hair dryer yet (lighter than a bottle of hairspray, in fact), and features a new shape and is 30% smaller than the original Supersonic. It makes it that bit easier to use and hold, making drying your hair a lot easier. It includes the following attachments, which differ depending on whether you go for the Straight + Wavy version or the Curly + Coily version.
Straight + Wavy Attachments:
Professional Concentrator: Delivers targeted airflow where you need it
Gentle Air Attachment: Diffuses the airflow, making it great for sensitive scalps
Smoothing Nozzle: Uses negative ions to reduce frizz as you dry your hair
Powerful Air Attachment: Large nozzle dries hair quickly
Flyaway Attachment: Cleverly tucks away flyaways for a seamless result
Curly + Coily Attachments:
Wide-Toothed Comb: Detangles and stretches hair as it dries
Diffuser: Helps to dry curly hair textures with defintion and less frizz
Professional Concentrator: Delivers targeted airflow where you need it
Powerful Air Attachment: Large nozzle dries hair quickly
Flyaway Attachment: Cleverly tucks away flyaways for a seamless result
Dyson Supersonic Nural
Alongside the original Supersonic and Supersonic R hair dryers is the Supersonic Nural. This model was launched with sensitive scalps in mind, and features more intelligent technology compared to the original Supersonic, meaning it remembers your preferred settings for each attachment and will adjust the heat and temperature settings when you attach them. It also carefully measures how far the hair dryer is from your scalp, so if you go closer, it will automatically reduce the heat to shield your scalp. Like the other models, it also comes in both Straight + Wavy and Curly + Curly variants, meaning you can choose the best attachments for your hair type.
Straight + Wavy Attachments:
Smoothing Nozzle: Helps to smooth the hair as you dry
Flyaway Smoother: Helps to reduce flyaways for a smooth result
Styling Concentrator: A narrower smoothing nozzle for precision drying
Diffuser: Helps to dry waves and curls with more definition
Gentle Air Attachment: Helps to shield the scalp when drying close to your head
Curly + Coily Attachments:
Wide-Tooth Comb: Helps to detangle and lengthen curls
Flyaway Attachment: Helps to smooth hair when creating sleek styles
Wave+Curl Diffuser: Engineered with tighter curl types in mind, it disperses air in different directions for better results on curly and coily hair
Gentle Air Attachment: Helps to shield the scalp when drying close to your head
Styling Concentrator: A narrower smoothing nozzle for precision drying
Shop All the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Models:
How We Tested
I've now owned the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer for many years, and it's my go-to hair dryer that I use to dry my hair multiple times a week. As such, I've been able to really put it through its paces, seeing how well (and how quickly) it dries my hair, as well as noting how it leaves my hair looking and feeling after drying my hair. I've also tested the different attachments to see how they work and noted how quiet the motor is compared to other hair dryers I've tested over the years. I've also tried both the Supersonic R and Supersonic Nural in-salons, so I've been able to compare the different models.
Why Trust Us
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
