Dyson has long been known for its vacuum cleaners, but in recent years, I’d argue that Dyson has become a household name in haircare. The British company entered the beauty world with the Supersonic hairdryer in 2016, but while that was the first thing we saw from Dyson in this field, it was by no means the last. The company only recently announced the Supersonic r for professionals for example, but this is one of multiple launches in the last 8 years.
The original Supersonic hairdryer initially captured attention for its price tag, but it was clear after a few months that there was a reason why it cost so much – it was brilliant. I’ve used the Dyson Supersonic (alongside other Dyson haircare products) for several years. Let me tell you what I love, what it could do better, and what you should know about Dyson’s haircare products – including the newer Supersonic r – before you invest in this pricey piece of hair blowing equipment.
The Disconnekt Downlow
Pros
+ Innovative design
+ Excellent performance
+ Superb attachments
Cons
– Expensive
– Other Dyson haircare products also very good
I wouldn’t be without my Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and its results continue to impress me several years on. I use it daily and I love a lot of things about it, from its design and ease of use, to the fantastic Flyaway attachment I always use to finish my hair for a smooth and silky look, whatever other hair styler I’ve used beforehand. If you’re after a hairdryer that looks great, is comfortable to hold, will dry your hair very quickly and has a range of attachments for various styles, the Supersonic is exceptional. Consider the Dyson Airwrap and Airstrait before you hit buy if it’s not just a blow drying tool you’re after however.
The reasons you should choose the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer
The Dyson Supersonic hairdryer is excellent – there really is no denying that – but there are several things that led me to that conclusion over years of use. I will put it out there that I am not someone capable of blow drying my own hair – that has never been a skill I have managed to master. But the Supersonic has enabled me to make significant improvements in making it appear as though I have a hair stylist working on my ginger frizz every morning.
I put much of that down to the Flyaway attachment that Dyson introduced in 2021 – 5 years after the original Supersonic first hit shelves. This attachment – which is now included with Dyson Supersonic models – was an absolute game-changer when it came to me achieving a sleek finish. So much so that I would buy the Supersonic for this attachment alone (it can be bought separately but it is often out of stock) and that’s because I finish my hair off with it no matter how I have chosen to style it. Whether I’ve used the Shark SmoothStyle Hot Brush and Smoothing Comb, Dyson’s Airwrap, or I’ve straightened it using Dyson’s Corrale straighteners or GHDs, it’s become an absolute must in my hair routine.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
The Flyaway attachment won’t be perfect for all hair types of course, but that’s not a problem as there are several others (five attachments in total) that also come with the Supersonic, snapping on and off magnetically, making them very quick to switch between.
The design of the Supersonic is smart too, with a motor – which can run at speeds up to 110,000rpm – in the handle rather than the head, redistributing the weight and resulting in a hair dryer than looks significantly different to your average black plastic dryer.
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The Dyson Supersonic hairdryer is excellent – there really is no denying that – but there are several reasons why I have come to that conclusion over the years.
Similar to Dyson’s fan range, the Supersonic sucks in air from the bottom of the handle and pushes it out through the circular hole at the top of the coloured head. What you actually need to know, however, is that it’s comfortable to hold with its matte and soft-to-touch finish, not too heavy, and it will dry your hair very quickly.
There is the option of four heat settings, ranging from 100-degree Celsius fast drying, 80-degree Celsius regular drying, 60-degree Celsius gentle drying and 28-degree Celsius constant cold. I use the highest for myself and the 60-degree option for my kids. There are also three fan settings, with fast drying, regular drying and a styling mode. I rarely take it off the highest fan setting but you can if you need a reduced volume of air.
What the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer could do better
The biggest issue with the Dyson Supersonic is its price – it does very few things badly. But the price is high and while there are occasionally discounts on shopping holidays like Black Friday, these discounts are rare so you have to be prepared to part with the cash.
You also need to be prepared for the difference in weight distribution if you have been used to a traditional hairdryer. For some, this won’t take long to adjust to, but for others, it may require a different technique in blow drying to get the right tension and achieve that smooth, styled finish blow drying offers.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
For professionals, it’s possible the Supersonic won’t offer as much power as a traditional professional hairdryer, so again, some adjustment might be necessary. That’s where the Supersonic r comes in however, offering a lighter and redesigned model in the shape of an ‘r’ (hence the name) with more precise power and smarter attachments with RFID technology aimed at stylists rather than your average person.
The original Supersonic has more than enough power for me, but as I said at the start, I am not a pro at blow drying my hair.
It’s worth mentioning that you will never get that burning smell from the Supersonic (or Supersonic r for that matter), with a microprocessor on board to measure and regulate the temperature 30 times a second. This reduces fluctuation and as a result, is designed to prevent heat damage – something most of us will never complain about. A pro power setting would be a great addition but that’s of course where the Supersonic r comes in, if you can get your hands on it.
What else to consider about Dyson’s range of hair products
I mentioned that Dyson’s Supersonic was the first haircare product from Dyson and that’s something that is absolutely worth keeping in mind when it comes to making a buying decision.
If you are only planning on rough drying your hair before straightening it for example, the Supersonic may not be a necessary investment – or you could benefit more from one of the other Dyson products.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
The Dyson Airstait will dry and straighten your hair at the same time, for example, and it comes with a drying setting, while the Dyson Airwrap comes with a rough drying tool attachment to use before one of the barrels, which are great for achieving a bouncy blow dry look and uses a similar technology to the Flyaway attachment. Elsewhere, the Corrale hair straighteners take some of what the Supersonic offers in terms of temperature control to offer a way to straighten hair without causing too much damage thanks to flexible plates.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer?
I wouldn’t be without my Dyson Supersonic hairdryer and its results continue to impress me several years on. I use it daily and I love a lot of things about it, from its design and ease of use, to the fantastic Flyaway attachment that finishes my hair for a smooth, silky, look whatever other hair styler I’ve used.
The Supersonic is expensive however, and it might be that you can achieve the style you want from one of Dyson’s other hair products – or one of Shark’s for example – while also getting more for your money with some of those devices offering rough drying attachments or settings on top of styling devices.
If you’re after a hairdryer that looks great, is comfortable to hold, will dry your hair very quickly and has a range of attachments for various styles, the Supersonic is exceptional. Consider the Airwrap and Airstrait before you hit buy if it’s not just a blow drying tool you’re after though.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
FAQs
The Dyson Supersonic looks simple, but there is a lot of technology within this hair dryer that contribute to why it’s a great product – and why it’s so expensive. From the tiny motor at the bottom of the handle, to the microprocessor that regulates temperature 30 times a second to prevent heat damage to the hair, there’s more than meets the eye.
My personal opinion is yes, the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is worth it. It makes styling hair very easy, especially with the various attachments available and I say that as someone who isn’t all that great at blow drying my hair. I wouldn’t be without the Flyaway attachment now.
The Dyson Supersonic comes with a 2-year guarantee as standard, but I have had my Supersonic for over 5 years and it’s still going strong without any issues so far.
