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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle
Daisy Lester

Which Dyson hair tool should you buy? A guide to every model, from the airwrap to the supersonic

I’ve got three Dyson tools in my roster, but some are better than others - (Daisy Lester/The Standard)

From the famous airwrap to the newest travel supersonic, Dyson’s haircare roster can feel overwhelming – but after years as a shopping editor trying and testing each tool, consider this your ultimate guide.

Be it a hair dryer for scalp care or the wet-to-dry airstraight, finding the right tool comes down to your styling routine, hair type and budget.

Since branching beyond vacuums in 2016 and launching the first supersonic hair dryer, Dyson has transformed the beauty space. Replacing traditional high-heat tools with intelligent, air-powered designs, the brand has become a byword for luxury haircare.

A staple in high-end salons and five-star hotel bathrooms alike, its tools are just as covetable for at-home haircare arsenals. Dyson has completely streamlined my own routine: the supersonic nural is my go-to for drying thanks to its smart scalp care, while the airwrap helps me create loose waves with ease.

Best Dyson hair tools at a glance

Best overall Dyson airwrap co-anda2x multi-styler: £529.99, Dyson.co.uk

Best hair dryer – Dyson supersonic travel hair dryer: £250, Dyson.co.uk

Best for straight looks – Dyson airstraight: £449.99, Dyson.co.uk

Best for straight and wavy looks – Dyson corrale straighteners: £299, Dyson.co.uk

The brand is constantly innovating. The latest travel supersonic can be used around the world (a major gripe about its single voltage predecessors), while the new co-anda x2 airwrap allows you to create a personalised hair routine using the Dyson app.

But innovation only leads to more indecision – which Dyson hair tool should you invest in? Following a revamp of the Dyson beauty lab on Oxford Street – where shoppers can enjoy one of the most affordable blow dries in London for £55 – I headed down to try the latest tools and speak to Dyson stylists.

A blow-dry at the Dyson Beauty Lab on Oxford Street costs £55 (Daisy Lester/The Standard)
A blow-dry at the Dyson Beauty Lab on Oxford Street costs £55 (Daisy Lester/The Standard)

Whether you’re after straight locks, curly tresses or a tool that does-it-all, here’s your rundown of the best Dyson haircare products – and which one is right for you.

Read more: Best red light therapy devices for hair growth at home, tried and tested

Dyson airwrap co-anda2x multi-styler

★★★★★

Best: Multi-tasking tool for creating curls, waves, volume and smooth blow-dries

What we love: The ultimate all-in-one Dyson styling tool that creates curls and waves using air rather than extreme heat, complete with newer attachments to style quicker and more intuitively, and suitable for multiple hair types and finishes

Take note: Dyson’s most expensive hair tool takes practice to master the attachments, and is not designed to replace a dedicated straightener if you want pin-straight results, plus it’s still single voltage so can’t be used around the world

The Dyson airwrap co-anda2x multi-styler is Dyson's most powerful and advanced styling tool, offering salon-quality results with maximum versatility – that is once you’ve mastered it, at least, which can take a while. Powered by the new hyperdymium™ 2 motor, it delivers stronger airflow for faster drying, rivalling your favourite hair dryer.

The curling performance is improved too, with longer-lasting and smoother looks. When I tried it for the first time at the Dyson beauty lab, my bouncy curls lasted four days – even in the Italian humidity on holiday. A range of intelligent attachments lets you dry, curl, wave, smooth and add volume with less reliance on extreme heat, while the connected app can personalise your styling routine.

If you style your hair regularly and want the latest Dyson technology with the widest range of styling options, the co-anda2x is the brand's ultimate all-in-one hair tool, combining the power of a hair dryer and curler. The only thing it won’t replace is a dedicated hair straightener, and it’s a shame that the tool is single-voltage, so you can’t use it around the world.

Buy now £529.99, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson supersonic travel hair dryer

★★★★★

Best: Powerful but compact hair dryer

What we love: Compact version of Dyson’s iconic dryer, easier to pack than full-size models, still delivers fast drying performance, compatible with all Dyson hair dryer attachments, and ideal for holidays and gym bags

Take note: Not as many smart features as the nural hair dryer, and still expensive compared to most hair dryers on the market

Dyson’s newest launch has fast become one of its most popular. Offering the same power and speed as other tools in the supersonic range, Dyson has condensed it into a handy portable size. The hair dryer also addresses some of the compromises associated with Dyson’s other compact hair tool, the supersonic r. The travel version doesn’t come with a huge plug, and it can be used around the world thanks to automatic voltage adaptation, rather than just in Europe.

It’s also compatible with all existing Dyson Supersonic attachments, so you don’t need to rebuy. A great choice for frequent travellers who don't want to sacrifice styling performance, it’s 32 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter than the standard supersonic, yet still delivers fast drying with intelligent heat control to help protect hair from extreme heat. It’s also Dyson’s most affordable hair tool.

Buy now £250.00, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson airstrait straightener

★★★★★

Best: For straightening hair while it dries

What we love: Straightens wet-to-dry hair without hot plates, uses high-pressure airflow to smooth and dry simultaneously, leaves hair looking natural rather than overly flat, and great for everyday sleek styles

Take note: Designed primarily for straight styles (not curls or waves), larger than a traditional straightener, and takes some adjustment if you’re used to ceramic plates

Rivalling the ghd duet styler or Shark’s silkipro, Dyson’s airstrait takes hair from wet to dry and styled in one smooth process. Perfect for those who want natural-looking straight hair without using traditional hot plates, it presses hair between plates that use high-pressure airflow.

Drying and straightening simultaneously, it can simplify your hair routine while reducing heat damage. Best suited to straight, wavy and loosely curly hair, the tool delivers a sleek, polished finish with natural movement, rather than poker-straight styles (the corrale below is your best bet for that). Designed for everyday straightening, it’s not great for adding curls or waves to your hair, and it’s larger than a traditional straightener, so it can feel bulky to handle.

Buy now £449.00, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson supersonic nural hair dryer

★★★★★

Best: Hair dryer for scalp care

What we love: Intelligent sensors adjust heat and airflow automatically, help protect the scalp and reduce unnecessary heat exposure, fast drying with Dyson’s signature powerful airflow, and includes attachments for different hair types and styles

Take note: Premium price for a hair dryer, and if you only dry your hair occasionally, simpler models may offer better value. It’s not as fast and powerful as other Dyson hair dryers owing to the scalp sensitivity

The nural hair dryer is a smart addition to Dyson’s supersonic range, and I’ve used it consistently since its launch in 2024. A great option if you’re wary of heat damage to your scalp, the hair dryer boasts smart sensors that cool down the temperature the closer it gets to your head. This helps to protect the follicle, prevents burns, promotes new hair growth, and preserves natural moisture.

The payoff in this model is performance. When the hair dryer is cooler, it’s obviously not as fast and powerful as other Dyson hair dryers in the line-up – compared to the supersonic travel and R, the nural takes noticeably longer to dry my hair. However, you can turn off the scalp protect mode and flick between four settings – albeit at a higher price than the supersonic R or travel hair dryers. It offers great styling versatility, however, thanks to smoothing, rough dry and diffuser attachments.

Buy now £299.00, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson airwrap origin multi-styler

★★★★☆

Best: For first-time Dyson airwrap buyers

What we love: More affordable route into the airwrap range, creates curls, waves and smooth finishes using the same Coanda airflow styling principle, and great for everyday styling

Take note: Fewer attachments than premium irwrap models, and may not offer the same versatility for advanced styling

The Dyson airwrap origin multi-styler is the best entry point into Dyson's styling range if you want versatility without paying for every attachment. It comes with three essential tools – a barrel, brush and fast dryer – to curl and smooth hair using Dyson's coanda airflow technology, which styles with air rather than extreme heat to help reduce damage.

Though able to create soft curls, bouncy blow-dry, or a sleek finish, it offers fewer styling options than the newer Airwrap i.d models, which use app connectivity for a more bespoke experience. If you regularly switch between styles but don't need every attachment, the Airwrap Origin delivers the signature Dyson experience at a more accessible price point.

Buy now £399.00, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson corrale straightener

★★★★☆

Best: For cordless straightening and sleek styles

What we love: Flexible plates gather hair more efficiently, designed to style at lower temperatures than traditional straighteners, a cord-free option makes it convenient for travel, and creates smooth, polished finishes

Take note: Heavier than many standard straighteners, battery life may not suit very long styling sessions, and not the newest Dyson hair technology

The Dyson corrale is the best choice if straightening is your priority, but you still want to minimise heat damage. Unlike traditional straighteners, its flexing copper plates gather hair together, allowing you to achieve the same sleek finish with less heat and fewer passes. It can also create loose waves and curls, making it a versatile addition to your hair styling routine.

The cordless design is ideal for styling on the go and around the world. Although battery life is limited to around 30 minutes of cord-free use, you’re not troubled by the single-voltage problems attributed to Dyson’s other hair tools. Choose the corrale if you wear your hair straight, want salon-smooth results, reduced heat exposure and the flexibility to style anywhere.

Buy now £299.00, Dyson.co.uk

Dyson supersonic R hair dryer

★★★★☆

Best: For professional-style blow dries

What we love: Dyson’s lightest, most streamlined professional dryer design, precision airflow for salon-inspired styling, compact shape makes it comfortable to use, and designed for more controlled styling

Take note: More specialist than the standard Supersonic range, and may be unnecessary for occasional home use

Last year, Dyson made its salon-only hair dryer, the supersonic R, available to buy. I reviewed it at home when it first launched, and got the in-salon experience at Larry King. Designed to suit a hair stylist’s need for speed, portability and power, the supersonic r is hard to fault – that is, until the travel supersonic came along.

With powerful airflow technology, five attachments and four temperature settings, it offers a comfortable, versatile and healthy hair drying experience. My only gripe is the hefty plug, which houses all the important bits so the actual hair dryer can be so compact. The long cable is a handy touch, and the ergonomic shape of the tool means it’s a dream to hold. It can also get into the roots for more precise styling.

But with the supersonic travel rivalling it for power and portability, the £100 price difference seals the deal for me.

Buy now £349.00, Dyson.co.uk

Read more: We've been testing Ghd's new AI styler – does it really deliver zero damage and maximum shine?

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