Nothing came close to the absolute craze that followed the introduction of the Dyson Supersonic in 2016. From the superfans to the naysayers, it was hard to find a legitimate Dyson Supersonic hair dryer review without feeling like it was an outright ad or a complete teardown.
Now, after all these years, I can say I like the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. It does what it says, and it does give you great results. But is it the best hair dryer out there? Well, it sure comes close to it. However, it being a $400 hair dryer is still a little bit insane.
So, do all the bells and whistles provided here justify the price tag? Let’s take a look!
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Quick Overview
Buying the $400 Dyson hair dryer is a big decision; that’s why you should weigh the pros and cons before going for it and regretting it later. Here’s what to consider:
Pros
- Strong airflow, which makes for an incredibly fast drying time.
- Lower air temperature to protect hair from extreme heat damage.
- The weight distribution is optimal. Most of the weight lies in the handle, where the Dyson digital motor V9 is, so your wrist doesn’t get tired easily.
- Works for any hair type as it comes with a gentle air attachment for fine hair, a flyaway attachment for frizzy hair, a diffuser, and a wide-tooth comb attachment for curly hair.
- You don’t have to hold the cold shot button to keep it going like in other hair dryers.
Cons
- The price tag. If it didn’t go for that steep price, the Dyson Supersonic would be my go-to recommendation to anyone looking for a blow dryer.
- Other than the on/off and cold shot buttons, the rest of the buttons are placed in an awkward position, making it hard to adjust speed and heat settings one-handedly.
- Since the handle houses the motor, it’s cylindrical and has no grooves for your fingers. It looks cool but feels a bit uncomfortable.
- This isn’t a travel-compatible hair dryer! It either supports 120 or 240 voltage, not both.
- You must take out the filter basket and inner filter mesh and clean them with a monthly dry cloth.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Specifications
- Weight: 1.8 lbs.
- Size: 9.6″ long, 3.9″ wide, and 3.1″ deep.
- Voltage: 120 V (US)
- Wattage: 1600 Watt
- 4 Temperature settings: High heat: 212°F (100°C), Medium heat: 176°F (80°C), Low heat: 140°F (60°C), Cold shot: 82°F (28°C)
- 3 Airflow settings
- Sound Power: 77 dB
- 5 Magnetic styling attachments
What I Like About the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
At first glance, it’s easy to see how the Dyson Supersonic is an engineering masterpiece. The compactness, tunnel-shaped nozzle, as well as beautiful steel finish signal something almost futuristic about the hair dryer,
But beauty is only skin deep, so let’s see whether what’s on the inside counts!
Fast Drying Time
When it comes to the huge price tag, the biggest selling point to me was how fast the Dyson is compared to traditional hair dryers. I have fairly thick, long hair, so spending 20–30 minutes every morning to dry my hair wasn’t ideal, especially during the cold winter months.
Well, I’m happy to report that the Dyson Supersonic got its name for a reason. My hair goes from wet to completely dry in about 12 minutes now, which are serious time savings when you’re a mom!
This feature is the result of the Air Multiplier technology Dyson came up with for their hair dryer. Unlike the blades found in a regular hair dryer’s motor, the Dyson Supersonic collects the air from all directions, concentrating it before blasting it through the nozzle.
The best part is that there’s no grille on the back of the dryer where long hair can get stuck. The air comes in through the end of the handle, far away from where your hair might be.
Magnetic Attachments
I’ve had my fair share of struggling to remove hair dryer attachments that require pushing in. I mean, how far is too far to push before you require Thor’s power to pull the attachment back out?
The Dyson hair dryer solves this problem elegantly using magnets. The attachments pop right on and stay secure the whole styling session.
The attachments themselves are super innovative. You get the usual styling concentrator for controlled styling that gives you professional blowout results. Then there’s the diffuser, which mimics natural drying. You also get the wide-tooth comb that helps dry textured hair.
The innovation comes in the form of the two original attachments Dyson dreamt up. The Gentle Air works as a miniature diffuser to soften the air jet coming out of the dryer. This is a heaven-sent for sensitive scalps and fine hair that gets tangled easily.
The Flyaway attachment works great for last-minute touchups when you want to decrease frizz and flyaways without busting out the old straightener.
Protection From Heat Damage
Color-treated hair is pretty vulnerable when it comes to heat exposure. We all know the all-too-familiar smell of burning hair and the straw-like locks that result from overzealous hair dryers.
The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer solved this problem brilliantly.
It should prevent extreme heat damage because the airflow temperature is kept in check. Thanks to intelligent heat control, which is a sensor that checks the heat 40 times a second, it turns the heat down if need be. That means the hot air from your hair dryer never exceeds 212°F at its highest setting.
Sound & Performance
Dyson claims their Supersonic hair dryer is quieter than other hair dryers at just 77 dB. While this is true for the first two speed settings, I find that the highest speed is just as loud as other hair dryers.
Now, here’s the kicker, you probably won’t even need to use the highest speed. I know it’s one of the biggest selling points, and it contributes to how fast the hair dryer is, but it’s just too… strong!
If you have fine hair, the highest speed will probably result in a rat’s nest over your head. As for me, I find the second speed with the highest temperature combo works well for my thicker hair.
What’s in the Box?
When you buy the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, the box should contain:
- The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
- Styling concentrator
- Gentle air attachment
- Flyaway attachment
- Diffuser
- Wide tooth comb attachment
You can also find gift boxes during holidays and special occasions that might contain the Dyson hair dryer stand and/or presentation case that holds the dryer and the attachments. This retails separately for $59.99.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Dyson hair dryer:
Does the Dyson Hair Dryer Work for All Hair Types?
Yes, it does! The attachments that come with the hair dryer make it works for any hair type. The Gentle air is for fine hair, the Flyaway is for frizzy hair, the diffuser is for curls and wavy hair, and the wide-tooth comb is for coily hair.
How Long Does the Hair Drying Process Take With the Dyson Supersonic?
The answer to this question depends on multiple factors that include hair health, length, thickness, and texture. Fine, short hair shouldn’t take as long as thick, long, textured hair.
In my case, for long, thick, color-treated wavy hair, the Dyson hair dryer completely dries my hair in less than 15 minutes.
What’s the Difference Between the Dyson Hair Dryer and Dyson Airwrap?
The Airwrap is a hybrid between a hair dryer and a styling tool that straightens and curls your hair, while the Supersonic hair dryer is like a regular hair dryer.
Verdict
Before we get the final verdict, I have to say this: making up your mind about the Dyson hair dryer should come down to whether it fits into your budget or not.
Sure, the Dyson is an engineering marvel, and it could be one of the best hair styling tools on the market today. However, you should only buy it if you can afford it because what it does can be achieved with other hair dryers.
Let’s put it in simpler terms. If you:
- Have a profession where you need to look your best daily.
- Have no time to style your hair in the morning.
- Have super-thick or long hair that takes forever to dry.
- Have severely damaged, color-treated hair.
- Can afford a $400 hair dryer.
Then, by all means, go ahead and buy the Dyson hair dryer.
If you only use your blow dryer occasionally, have fine hair, or will go into debt if you buy this hair dryer, just skip it. There are many other options on the market that won’t break the bank.
I didn’t say anything about putting it on your wishlist so your significant other can buy it for your birthday, though!