Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Review: Shiny and Healthy Hair, Super Fast

Known for its household appliances like vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, Dyson made its foray into hair tools, starting with a hair dryer, many years ago and quickly became a must-have for beauty editors and influencers everywhere.

The Dyson Supersonic has taken the haircare world by storm, promising salon-quality blowouts at home. But with a hefty price tag, is it worth the hype? I put the Supersonic to the test to find out.

I’m a longtime Dyson fan—I’ve purchased three of its heat tools in the past and have been impressed by all of them, especially the brand’s new flat iron. I’ve personally tested this blow dryer for the last few months and love it for frizz-free hair that dries at about half the speed it does with any other hair dryer—plus with much less damage. The not-so-great news? It’s absolutely a splurge at $429. That said, this is a heat tool you’ll have for years and years to come.

And if you’re someone who pays for regular blowouts, this blowdryer will earn its keep within a few weeks as it’ll replace salon appointments. I’m blown away at how subpar other blow dryers are in terms of speed and lack of damage when I use pretty much anything other than this one.

Unboxing and first impressions

The Dyson Supersonic arrives in a sleek, futuristic box that reflects the dryer's design. Inside, you'll find the hair dryer itself, along with a variety of attachments that snap on magnetically. The ease of this, specifically, can’t be overstated. I can’t believe I wrestled for years, snapping on attachments only for them to fall to the floor during my stylish session—every time. The overall impression is one of quality and innovation. The product is packaged beautifully and in a high-end manner—reminiscent of how Apple packages its wares.

Specifications:

• Size: 9.7 x 2.7 x 4.1 inches
• Heat settings: Four. High for fast drying and styling, medium for regular drying, low for cooler drying and diffusing, and a cold shot for constant cold to set your hair after styling.
• Speed settings: Three: High for fast drying and styling, medium for regular drying, and low for diffusing.
• Wattage: 1600 watts
• Attachments: Diffuser, concentrator, gentle-air attachment, wide-toothed comb attachment, and flyaway attachment
• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Price at time of publish: $429

Dyson Supersonic: Pros and cons

Pros:

• Fast drying: The Supersonic's powerful airflow dries hair quickly and efficiently, even on thick or coarse hair.
• Damage prevention: The intelligent heat control system helps to prevent heat damage, which can cause dryness, frizz, and breakage.
• Multiple attachments: The Supersonic comes with four attachments for all hair types and textures—a flyaway attachment, styling concentrator, diffuser, gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb. The new flyaway attachment harnesses the Coanda effect, which is a phenomenon first engineered for styling with Dyson’s Airwrap styler. It’s ideal for my frizz-prone hair. This attachment lifts and attracts longer hairs to the front and pushes all flyaways through the hair, then blends it in with the rest of your hair so it’s out of sight. Genius.
• Quiet operation: Compared to traditional hair dryers, I love that the Supersonic is significantly quieter.
• Ergonomic design: The dryer is comfortable to hold for extended periods.

Cons:

• Price: The Dyson Supersonic is one of the most expensive hair dryers on the market.
• Bulkier than some dryers: While smaller than most blow dryers, it's definitely not the most travel-friendly option.
• Learning curve: The multiple attachments and settings can be a bit overwhelming at first.
• The electrical cord is heavier and shorter than some other dryers: Given the other advantages of the Dyson Supersonic, that’s not a deal breaker for me.

How does the Dyson Supersonic work?

The Dyson Supersonic uses a digital motor that spins at an incredible speed, generating a powerful airflow. This airflow is then channeled through a diffuser, which helps to evenly distribute heat and prevent heat damage. The dryer also has a built-in heat sensor that constantly monitors the temperature of the air exiting the nozzle, preventing it from getting too hot.

Dyson Supersonic price

The Dyson Supersonic is a luxury hair dryer, and its price absolutely reflects that. Expect to pay around $429.

Dyson Supersonic accessories

The Supersonic comes with a variety of attachments, including:

• Diffuser:

For adding volume and definition to curly or wavy hair.

• Smoothing nozzle:

For smoothing frizz and flyaways.

• Concentrator nozzle:

For precise drying and styling.

• Flyaway attachment:

To tame flyaways and create a sleek finish.

How I tested the Dyson Supersonic

I used the Dyson Supersonic on my curly-to-wavy natural texture and talked to a few friends who own the same dryer and have a variety of hair types, including straight, curly, and thick. All of whom sang its praises, specifically noting the drying time saved on busy mornings. I tested it out with all of the attachments and used all of the heat and airflow settings.

I use the concentrator nozzle all the time and the flyaway attachment on especially humid days when my hair is prone to frizz. I use the smoothing nozzle when I want straight hair (i.e., when I am not following this up with my curling iron, which I do most of the time). I also tested the diffuser once, which worked much better than others I’ve tried, but I tend not to wear my natural curls that often. I liked that it made my curls a bit more uniform, my biggest complaint when it comes to my curly but also wavy hair texture.

I wash and dry my hair two to three times per week and use it on damp or soaking wet hair each time. If I have time to air dry a bit in an Aquis hair towel, I’ll do that first. But most of the time, I’m in a rush and am using it on wet hair straight out of the shower. I also tested it on dry hair to touch it up before heading out to a dinner a few times.

My hair does dry pretty quickly because I have fine hair but a lot of it. So before using the Dyson, my entire hair styling session would take about 20 minutes. With the Dyson, it takes about 10 to 12.

Dyson Supersonic: Is it for you?

The Dyson Supersonic is a great option for anyone who is looking for a fast, efficient, and damage-free way to dry their hair. However, the high price tag may be a deterrent for some. If you are on a budget, there are many other great hair dryers on the market. But if you are looking for the best of the best in terms of lack of damage, speed, and incredibly smooth and sleek results (or bouncy curls!) — all with a much quieter volume ideal for those trying not to wake a spouse or child, the Dyson Supersonic is definitely worth considering. If your hair is especially coarse or resistant to straightening and you don’t want to resort to a flat iron, this is a great tool for you.

My experience using the Dyson Supersonic

Fast and versatile

I was very impressed with the Dyson Supersonic. It dried my hair quickly and efficiently without causing any heat damage—in about half of the total time it takes for me to use other blow dryers. My hair has a tendency to break, as it’s highlighted and heat styled multiple times per week. The multiple attachments were helpful for achieving a variety of styles. The only downside is the price, but overall, I think the Supersonic is a great investment for anyone who is serious about their hair care.

Light and easy to hold

I like that the Dyson Supersonic is much lighter and easier to wield than my previous hair dryer, making it a much faster, less painful task. I found it didn’t hurt my arm to hold it up the way it does with some other brands. Not only because it takes less time to dry, but because it’s considerably lighter than other dryers on the market.

Saves precious time

This is the fourth Dyson tool I’ve added to my own collection after purchasing three on my own. One thing to keep in mind? The Dyson hair dryer (an older version of the Supersonic) that I purchased in 2016 is still going strong and it’s weathered a lot of use in nearly a decade. I was able to score a PR sample this time around (which did not affect or influence my findings). My verdict? There are many great hair dryers. But in addition to being the best one on the market that yields the least amount of damage, it’s also, ironically, about TIME. Who has the time to sit around drying your hair? I have a five-month-old baby. My shower windows are SHORT. I want a dryer that works fast so I can get to what I need to do. As I mentioned above, this took my previously 20-minute hair styling session from 20 minutes with other dryers to just 10-12. That’s a considerable time savings multiple times per week.

Useful attachments

I find the concentrator is the one I use every time without fail and the flyaway one is great when I’m due for a trim. They were all useful, but some more for some hair types than for others.

Worth the investment

So, for me, though it’s expensive, it’s worth the price for the time I save, plus it completely eliminates my need for professional blowouts. The rapid flow of air combined with high heat dries my hair more quickly than the other less powerful products. And I tote this to my salon when my stylist isn’t available to blow out my hair because even salon-quality dryers…aren’t this dryer.

Final verdict

Like other Dyson products, this is an exceedingly well-engineered, well-made product. I also love that it’s relatively small and more easily stored. It’s easy to deal with in general compared to other larger blow dryers.