The Dyson Supersonic is a superb hairdryer – not cheap – but superb. It was released way back in 2016 and it marked the British company’s first foray into the world of beauty tech. Since then, Dyson has released a range of additional hairstylers, starting with the Airwrap (one of the best products I’ve ever tested), the Corrale straighteners, the Airstrait and most recently, an exclusive model of the Supersonic.
The Supersonic r – as it is called – is Dyson’s most recent accolade, named after its shape (ahh, I hear you sigh) and designed for professional stylists rather than us mere mortals trying to blow dry our mops at home.
IMAGE CREDIT: DYSON / THE DISCONNEKT
And therein lies the problem. It’s Dyson’s lightest, smallest and most precise styling tool with a range of very cool tech on board and the majority of us won’t be able to get our hands on it. Devastated would be an understatement. In fact, I might give up journalism and retrain to become a hairdresser just to get my paws on it.
What is the Dyson Supersonic r hairdryer?
The Dyson Supersonic r is a professional hairdryer has been ergonomically designed in the shape of a unique ‘r’ curve. I think we can probably all agree that it absolutely doesn’t look like a hairdryer and it’s quite different to the original Supersonic too, which in itself marked a huge change for traditional hairdryers thanks to weight distribution moving from the head to the handle.
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The Dyson Supersonic r Professional hair dryer builds on the technology and knowledge we have developed, offering fast drying and styling benefits for all hair types with no heat damage. Our new streamlined heater technology developed for this machine is a world-first, combined with our high-speed motors enable the lightweight form factor, and fast precise airflow.
Gavin Galligan, Senior Design and Development Manager, Dyson Beauty
The Supersonic r takes things to a new level though, weighing just 325 grams – which is basically half of the Airwrap and less than a bottle of 400ml hairspray if you want some day-to-day context. It’s also significantly less than the likes of the Shark SmoothStyle Hot Brush. Overall, it’s 20 per cent lighter than the original Supersonic, and 30 per cent smaller, with Dyson claiming it is more manoeuvrable for faster and smoother drying with less frizz and a shinier finish. Sign. Me. Up.
Let’s talk about the Supersonic science
Dyson loves a bit of science talk and hey, I’m here for it. Especially if it that science is going to make me into a professional blow drier whilst keeping my hair silky smooth.
First up is new heater technology with the Supersonic r being the first to adopt Dyson’s curved heater. What that means, according to Dyson, is the high-pressure of airflow through the curve is heated more evenly with no hot spots. This is said to result in an even temperature when using attachments and a higher temperature overall for styling.
Elsewhere, the Dyson Supersonic r has Dyson’s Intelligent Heat Control, which is a technology you’ll find in all of Dyson’s hairstylers, from the original Supersonic to the Airwrap and Corrale straighteners. A glass bead thermistor works with an embedded temperature sensor in the heater to measure air temperature more than 20 times a second to prevent extreme heat damage.
IMAGE CREDIT: DYSON / THE DISCONNEKT
That’s not all either, the Supersonic r has upped the attachment game. The original Supersonic’s attachments are some of the best in the business so to enhance these is really quite a feat. The Supersonic r’s attachments feature integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors which communicate with the hairdryer automatically adjusting the motor and the heater to deliver optimal airflow and temperature.
The idea is that the various attachments are programmed to suit what Dyson expects them to be used for. The diffuser is set to low flow and low temperature to reduce frizz and enhance curls without disrupting the curl pattern for example, while rough dry mode uses max power heat and flow. Stylists can also customise the settings to suit different hair types and needs, and the attachments will also remember the last settings used too. Clever little things.
Like the original Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, the Supersonic r has three airflow settings and four heat modes, including constant cold shot. There are also LED indicators on the handle.
What else do you need to know about the Dyson Supersonic r hairdryer?
You probably can’t buy this wonderful hairdryer is the biggest takeaway here. I know, I know, I teased you. I still think it is worth knowing about these advancements in beauty technology, however, because while this might be targeted at professionals for now, I see a future where Dyson launches this as a consumer hairdryer. Dyson Supersonic 2.0, we are ready for you whenever you’d like to make an appearance.
If you are a professional, you can sign up to be notified when the Dyson Supersonic r is available to buy in the UK. It’s expected to appear in the US in March with a price tag of $569.99. Gulp.
