Dyson Hair Dryer Review: The Supersonic Has Been My Go-To For 3 Years (2024)

While it’s been around since 2016, the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer is still making waves—or blowing them straight—in the world of haircare. The styling tool features a digital motor V9, intelligent heat control and Air Multiplier technology that, according to the brand, are all designed to shield hair from excessive heat damage and “increase smoothness by 75%, increase shine by 132% and decrease frizz and flyaways by 61%.” In other words, it dries your hair in a New York minute, with a nearly salon-worthy finish—minus all the breakage and brittleness associated with many other hair dryers.

Of course, every good thing comes with a price, and Dyson’s hair dryer is no exception: At $429, it’s significantly more expensive than other models (though slightly less expensive than the brand’s also popular Airwrap). The question is whether the Supersonic lives up to the hefty price tag. After using it for several years—and falling in love with its quick drying time and ability to deliver a professional-quality blowout—I think it’s great for those looking for speed and smoothness in the form of an innovative hair tool. Read on for my in-depth review of the Dyson Supersonic.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer

Temperature options: 4 | Speed options: 3 | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Power: 1,600 watts | Height: 9.6 inches | Width: 3.1 inches | Length: 3.8 inches | Warranty: 2 years

Best for:

  • Quick, efficient drying
  • Smoothing and polishing
  • Protection from excessive heat

Skip if:

  • You don’t regularly use a hair dryer—it’s an investment
  • You have very curly hair, since diffuser attachments may not evenly style hair

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A Powerful Yet Quieter Motor

One key measure of a good hair dryer is how efficiently it dries your hair. Is the air flow subpar and uneven, or does it release a steady, focused blast? In the case of the Supersonic, it’s undeniably the latter. The digital motor V9 spins an average of six times faster than most other hair dryers’ motors, according to the brand, releasing 13 liters of air at 110,000 rpm every second. The result? A lightning-fast blowout.

When I use other hair dryers, it typically takes about seven to eight minutes to fully dry my hair. With my hair at its longest, the Dyson hair dryer blows it out in four minutes flat. If I let it air dry a bit before before using it, it’s an even speedier three minutes.

And though the motor might be powerful, it’s quiet, clocking in at 79 decibels, according to my Decibel X app (to test, I hovered the phone about ten inches from the hair dryer). That’s about as loud as the pleasant sloshing sounds of a washing machine. Other models can clock in as loud as 90 decibels, according to Hearing Science. For reference, this is about the same amount of noise generated by a leaf blower. The lower decibel level is especially welcome for sound-sensitive types (myself included), but I’m sure everyone could benefit from a quieter hair dryer.

The Easiest To Use Attachments

I’d always considered hair dryer attachments—additional parts that snap into the nozzle or slide over it for more precise styling—a total afterthought. I used to chuck them in a basket deep in my bathroom cabinet, only to recover them when spring cleaning rolled around. With this version, however, I value some of the attachments as much as the blow dryer itself. If the Supersonic’s digital motor V9 is the star of the show, consider the attachments its supporting actors.

The tool comes with five magnetic styling attachments that easily click onto the device. Aside from being incredibly satisfying to use (they lock into place in what feels like less than a nanosecond and stay securely put), their technology feels even more magical. The diffuser elegantly defines curls and waves; the Gentle Air attachment, an O-ring nozzle with wavy ridges protects fine hair and sensitive scalps; the wide-tooth comb lengthens wavy hair and creates body; the concentrator smooths and polishes hair in sections; and the Flyaway attachment tames frizz for a sleek finish.

As someone with fine hair who’s always seeking a sleek and shiny finish, I reach for two of the attachments most. For reference, I live in New York City, where the air is humid and muggy in the summer and drier in the winter, fall and spring. I use the Flyaway one more frequently in the summer months, when my hair has gone haywire, and the Gentle air diffuser in the winter months, when frizz is less of an issue.

While I can’t speak to the Wide-tooth comb attachment, my stepmother vouched for its effectiveness, claiming it tames her frizzy waves especially in the height of summer. While the hair dryer attachments may not style your hair exactly the way some dedicated styling tools can, they do really refine and polish your blowout.

A Heat Control System That Protects Your Hair

If you’ve had enough of the fried hair look from using lesser dryers, the Supersonic will most definitely win you over. It has features to measure airflow temperature over 40 times a second to prevent damage from overheating. Translation: healthier, stronger hair and a lot more shine.

Since I began using the Dyson hair dryer three years ago, I’ve noticed much less breakage and fewer flyaways around the crown of my head. You know the type...those pesky baby hairs that emerge from ponytails, making themselves known even after multiple spritzes of hairspray. I’ve also noticed my hair shaft has remained quite shiny even though I’ve become more lax with my regular trims and deep conditioning treatments.

While we’re on the topic of temperature regulation, the Supersonic features four precise heat settings, three speed settings and a cold shot to set hair after styling. You can vary the heat settings in step with the speed ones (i.e., use the highest heat setting for fast drying and styling and the lowest heat option for diffusing). I’m a blow drying speed demon, but if your hair is finer, damaged or color-treated, there are plenty of options for a more custom styling session.

Brilliant Blade-Free Design

Unlike other blow dryers, which use fan blades to draw in air, the Supersonic instead uses what Dyson calls its proprietary Air Multiplier Technology to dry hair. It essentially works by taking in air from all sides, then forcing it through the center of the ring for a powerful blast of air. This design feature prevents hair from getting tangled in the air inlet grille, a whole fiasco which used to happen to me regularly with more traditional, vented hair dryers.

A Touch Heavy With A Cumbersome Cord

My main two gripes with the hair dryer are related to its ease of use. Though the Supersonic is eons more sleek and futuristic looking than other options out there, the chicness of the design is slightly offset by its weight (at 1.8 pounds, it’s not the heaviest, but it’s not the lightest you can buy either). As someone with relatively long hair, my hand is often this close to cramping from holding such a weighty hair dryer. And if your hair is thicker or even longer, and requires a slightly longer dry time, this could potentially be a deal breaker.

Additionally, the cord could stand to lose some bulkiness. At 9 feet long, it’s an average length, but the cable feels slightly thicker than others and more difficult to maneuver. For this reason, I keep a portion of it wrapped in a figure eight loop to lessen any drag and make the styling process easier to maneuver.

Is The Dyson Supersonic Worth It?

As a grooming tool minimalist, I can confidently say that the Supersonic is a worthwhile investment. I no longer have to lean on styling creams, hair sprays and a straightening iron to tame my frizz and errant strands. This takes care of everything for me with a three minute blowout and a quick once-over with the Flyaway attachment.

For the premium price tag, you also get solid customer care and quality. When the filter cage on my hair dryer unexpectedly broke and wouldn’t reattach, the company sent me a filter replacement in the mail two weeks later. Full replacements are also possible under Dyson’s 2-year warranty.

If you’re impatient like me and want your hair dried yesterday, then the speedy Supersonic will be worth the extra cost. Blow drying is one of my least favorite beauty-related activities, so I’m happy to pay a premium for the ease and efficiency. The verdict: If you value time, thoughtful design and hair-protecting qualities, the Dyson hair dryer is worth every penny.

My Expertise

As a longtime beauty reporter and user of the Dyson Supersonic (I’ve had mine for more than three years now), I’m well-equipped to give a thorough review. I’m as satisfied with the hair dryer today as I was when I first unboxed it; I haven’t come across a better dryer, either. And while I can’t put an exact number on it, I’ve been blow drying my hair since the age of thirteen, and have owned around fifteen hair dryers since then (before the Supersonic, I had previously used Harry Josh’s Pro Tools Pro Dryer, which I used to think was the best on the block until I came across this one).

How I Tested The Dyson Hair Dryer

While evaluating the Supersonic hair dryer, I focused primarily on performance, features and ease of use. I tested for drying time and looked closely at how my strands looked afterwards in terms of polish, frizz and any signs of damage. Over a seven-day period, I experimented with using the blow dryer for different styling techniques after washing my hair each day. I tried it right out of the shower (four minutes’ drying time) and also blow dried it when it was half dry (three minutes’ drying time). In long-term use, I’ve tested the Supersonic in different environments (muggier weather, drier weather) and have used it on fully wet vs. partly air-dried hair. I’ve always gotten smooth, polished results, and in record time.

To gauge damage over time, I looked more closely at the crown of my head for flyaways or any breakage. While I always have a few rogue strands, I’m quite satisfied with how healthy my hair looks even with regular use, and over time.

To test the Supersonic’s features, I used the attachments most applicable to my hair type and preferences—the Flyaway and Gentle Air—and found that they worked exactly as they were designed to do. They smoothed and polished while protecting my scalp and fine strands from excessive heat.

How Long Does It Take To Dry Hair With The Dyson Supersonic?

It really depends on your hair’s length and texture, as well as how wet your hair is when you start blow drying. If you have fine mid-length hair like mine, it should take approximately three to five minutes.

Is The Supersonic The Best Hair Dryer On The Market?

It is our top pick for best luxury hair dryer for good reason. While I’ve been fickle about versions I’ve used in the past, testing out a new one every one to two years, I’ve remained loyal to the Supersonic once I started using it. Aside from being hands down the fastest tool of its kind that I’ve used, its attachments take my blowout to a nearly salon-worthy level every time. It does have minor shortcomings in the weight department and cord length, but hopefully these features will be addressed in a 2.0 version. Dyson just released a new Airwrap this past summer, so I’ll take this as a sign of good things to come with the Supersonic.

What’s The Difference Between The Dyson Supersonic And Dyson Airwrap?

The Supersonic is a hair dryer that includes attachments for polishing and smoothing out your blowout. Meanwhile, the Airwrap is a unique, blow-dryer-meets-styling-tool that includes multiple attachments to curl, wave, straighten or volumize hair. Instead of emitting hot air like traditional dryers do, the Airwrap uses an innovative Coanda effect that styles hair by the force of air, wrapping it around the barrel.

Is The Dyson Hair Dryer Easy To Maintain?

The Supersonic requires minimal upkeep to run smoothly. Once a month, I remove the filter cage from the base of the hair dryer and remove any excess lint with a clean cloth. This keeps the hair dryer operating optimally. Note: If the LED lights on the back of your hair dryer are flashing, this might mean your lint filter needs urgent attention.

What’s The Best Way To Store Your Supersonic Hair Dryer?

If you’re investing in this styling tool, you’ll want to protect it from unsightly scratches when storing. The hair dryer stand is a convenient way to display your hair dryer and MVP attachments; if you prefer to keep it out of sight, you can tuck it away in Dyson’s own presentation case. Both of these options can be purchased on the brand’s site. Alternatively, you could take a simpler route and store it in a basket or bin in your bathroom cabinet.

Dyson Hair Dryer Review: The Supersonic Has Been My Go-To For 3 Years (2024)
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