I test hair dryers for a living and the only one I actually use is the Dyson Supersonic

The Dyson Supersonic is arguably the most famous hair dryer on the planet. With its sleek design, innovative tech and impressive results, its 2016 launch took the haircare market by storm and transformed the way we blow dry hair forever, cementing its position as the best hair dryer on the market.

Originally known for its whizzy and futuristic vacuum cleaners, Dyson made the move into beauty and hasn't looked back. The brand's other hair tools - the Airwrap, the Corrale and the Airstrait - have been equally as disruptive in their respective categories.

In our jobs we test a lot of hot tools and we’ve tried dozens of hair dryers over the years, from the biggest names in hair styling to smaller under-the-radar brands. When we're not testing and reviewing other dryers, Dyson’s is the one that we so often return to for our own styling routines. It's also just happens to be a Marie Claire UK Hair Awards winner.

Let's get to know it a little better...

What makes the Dyson Supersonic different?

The most obvious difference between the Supersonic and other dryers is how it looks. When it first launched back in 2016, there was no other hair dryer on the market like it. Now, on the other hand, there are a plethora of lookalikes out there. The slim handle and circular head design was completely unique.

The other thing that sets it apart is the V9 motor. Not only is it small so that it sits in the handle rather than in the head like most other dryers, which allows for much easier and less strenuous blow drying - no arm ache here - but it's also mighty powerful. This means faster and more precise drying and styling.

Like other tools, you can control the heat and speed, but the Supersonic is a smart cookie. It measures the air temperature over 40 times a second so that it can regulate the heat to prevent hair damage.

Earlier this year, Dyson launched an updated and even more techy version of the dryer: the Supersonic Nural. If you're concerned about scalp health, as well as heat damage take a look at our deep dive into the new model.

The attachments

Included in your dryer package you get five different magnetic attachments in your bundle that cater to different styling needs: a diffuser, a comb, a concentrated nozzle, a gentle air attachment and a flyaway tool.

• Diffuser: A bowl-shaped attachment for drying curly and wavy hair, whilst reducing frizz
• Gentle air attachment: Creates a gentle and cool airflow, designed for sensitive scalps or very fine hair
• Styling Concentrator: Concentrates the air into a narrow blade for focused styling
• Flyaway attachment: Flattens any flyaways for a smoother finish
• Wide-tooth comb: attachment: Comb for lengthening, volumising and shaping coily and curly hair

We can't pretend that the Supersonic isn’t expensive, but below one beauty editor shares her honest Dyson Supersonic hair dryer review and reveals why she thinks it's worth every penny.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer reviewed by a beauty editor

"Most of the time I’ll go one of two routes when styling my hair post-wash; either I’ll smooth it out while drying, or I’ll diffuse and wear it naturally curly (my hair is a mix of types 2C and 3A). If I’m blow-drying it smooth, I’ll use a 2-in-1 hair dryer brush as I’m nowhere near dextrous enough to get as good results as with a separate brush. There’s a reason blow drying is an art that hairdressers have spent a lot of time learning to master.

Where the Dyson Supersonic fits into my routine is with the diffuser attachment when I’m drying my hair curly. It is on the small side, but I find that it dries my curls with great definition—and I know that several other beauty editors with curly hair will agree that it's one of the best hair dryers for curly hair.

It’s not just beauty journalists who love this combo, however. As part of my job I chat to a lot of hairdressers about hair trends, styling hacks, product recommendations and co. Many of them have told me the Supersonic, when paired with its diffuser, is their tool of choice for drying curly hair because of the gentle airflow and well-designed attachment. 

Although the diffuser is the attachment I use most often, they are all very well designed. Because they're magnetic, they secure onto the dryer well without slipping off easily and they can also rotate, which is useful if you want to adjust you're styling at the angle, for example. The flyaway attachment is also wow-inducing—trust me when I say it can flatten flyaways for a smooth finish like nothing else, either straight after styling or as a general refresh.

Another talking point is the power. If you’re somebody for whom time is of the essence when drying their hair, Dyson’s dryer really is impressively powerful. Go and try one out next time you see one in a shop like John Lewis, for example, and you’ll see what I mean." - Lucy Abbersteen, beauty contributor

Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?

"Let's quickly touch on the price, because I know that it's incredibly expensive. You probably already know that the Dyson Supersonic costs a lot of money. I am in no way going to suggest that a price tag of more than £300 constitutes an affordable hair dryer. 

What I will say is that on top of its impressive technology, the Supersonic is very well-equipped with attachments. There are multiple brands out there that upwards of £20 each for separate attachments like a diffuser or comb attachment, which significantly adds to the overall. With the Supersonic, you get five attachments mentioned above as standard. There is a bundle that only comes with the concentrated nozzle, which costs £50 less if you are hoping to get in on the action for a little less.

No beauty product is worth a massive financial strain to get your hands on it, but if this dryer sounds like it would work well for you and you can afford an investment, then I don't think you'll be disappointed." - Lucy

Shop the Dyson Supersonic colourways