Dyson Hair Dryer Review: Is the Supersonic actually worth it?
I tested the Dyson Supersonic, and now it has me ditching my Airwrap — and all other hair dryers — for good.
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Remi Rosmarin
I've had the Dyson Airwrap for about three years, and it's sat untouched for most of that time. While I think it's a great product, it certainly has a learning curve I never got the hang of. I thought maybe I should reserve my Dyson experiences for vacuums and air purifiers, but when I got the opportunity to try the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, I knew I had to give it a go.
The Dyson Supersonic topped our list of the best hair dryers for a reason. Not only does it create an amazing blowout, but it's so powerful that you can get that salon-quality blowout in under fifteen minutes. Before I used it, I didn't think I'd see the value in spending $430 on just a hair dryer. But, after using the Supersonic for the past few months, my hair has never looked or felt better. And for that, I'm sold.
What makes the Dyson Supersonic so special?
As I stated above, before trying the Supersonic, I saw it as your average blowdryer, albeit dressed up with some fancy features. The first time I used the Supersonic, I was quickly proven wrong.
Right out of the box, the Dyson Supersonic looks and feels more elevated than any hair dryer I've used before. It's super lightweight, clocking in at just 1.8 pounds. It's also physically quite small at 3.8 inches tall, 9.6 inches long, and 3.1 inches wide. On top of everything, this one looks and feels refreshingly sleek in a sea of clunky blow dryers.
It also comes with five attachments: the flyaway attachment, styling concentrator, diffuser, gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb.
This blow dryer is not only thoughtfully designed to make your styling experience easier, but it's laden with smart technology that protects your strands, reduces frizz, and makes your mane shine.
Meet the Supersonic's hero features:
1. Digital Motor VP
The Supersonic is powered by Dyson's digital motor V9, which spins up to 110,000 times per minute. For reference, a standard hair dryer rotates about 20,000 times per minute. The more rotations per minute, the faster the hair dries.
2. Air Multiplier Technology
This proprietary technology amplifies airflow to create a concentrated, high-speed stream of air, which helps hair dry even faster. In turn, your locks are less susceptible to heat exposure and potential damage.
3. Intelligent Heat Technology
According to Dyson, the Supersonic measures airflow temperature over 40 times per second to ensure your hair is never exposed to extremely high heat and prevent damage.
On top of the advanced technology features, the Supersonic has a variety of drying speeds, heat settings, and attachments to choose from so you can get the best drying experience for your hair every time.
For speeds, choose from low (recommended for diffusing), medium (for regular drying), or high (for fast drying and styling). For heat settings, you have 82℉ (constant cold or cold shot to set hair post-drying), 140℉ (cool drying and diffusing), 176℉ (regular drying), and 212℉ (fast drying and styling).
Using the Dyson Supersonic
For context, I don't have a ton of hair. It's naturally wavy and medium in thickness, density, and length. My hair has been burned by bad dye jobs and hot tools, so I am quite discerning when it comes to at-home styling. For those reasons, the Dyson Supersonic has become indispensable to my hairstyling routine.
I've never dried my hair faster than with the Dyson Supersonic. In the past, the thought of giving myself an at-home blowout was unimaginable. I either took my time and went with low heat to take better care of my hair, only to get impatient with the lengthy process and stopping, or I just blasted my hair with high heat and ended up with a flat and frizzy mess.
With the Supersonic, I have mastered the quick and easy at-home blowout, which takes less than 15 minutes. I use the styling concentrator (set to high speed and cool drying temperature) and a regular nylon bristle brush to get the results I want.
The lightweight nature of the dryer makes it easy to hold and maneuver as you style, which I appreciate. While small, the airflow that comes out of this machine is mighty. It feels gentle but very powerful. I'm consistently impressed with how fast my hair dries and how silky-smooth it feels after each use.
Most days, I don't even want to spend 15 minutes on my hair or have a super done-up look. That's when I go to the Dyson Supersonic for a low-maintenance, rough dry that helps enhance my natural waves. No matter the attachment I use or how long I spend styling, my hair always looks shiny and soft.
Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?
Dyson's website claims that the Supersonic helps increase smoothness by 75%, increase shine by up to 132%, and decrease frizz and flyaways by up to 61%. I'm not sure how to find the exact numbers for my head, but based on the compliments I've been getting, it's safe to say that these statistics hold true.
While pricey, the Dyson Supersonic is a worthy splurge for many people. It's great for those concerned with heat damage, those who want to spend less time doing their hair, and those who just want a great hair dryer that will last a lifetime. And on that note, Dyson does have a 2-year warranty, which includes parts and labor.
There are many great hair dryers on the market, but the Dyson Supersonic is the best money can buy. If you can invest, you'll be paid off in years of silky, shiny, perfectly styled hair.