I'm Sceptical of Expensive Hair Dryers, But Dyson's Might Actually Be Worth It

I have a confession: hair dryers do not excite me. Not in the slightest. In a world overflowing with new beauty products and game-changing skincare, even the best hair dryers don't enthrall me one bit—and I'm a beauty editor. When the time comes to buy a new hair dryer, it feels like a buzzkill to part with my hard-earned money on something that, let's be honest, is a bit of a chore in my beauty routine. I practically procrastinate with my hair wrapped in a towel for as long as possible before drying my long and thick lengths, because it's both time-consuming and boring. If I didn't live in the UK, I'd be inclined to let my hair air dry or simply use a hot brush year-round.

So when Dyson launched its Supersonic Hair Dryer (£280) back in 2016, I was lost for words. Who would willingly spend almost £300 on a hair dryer? I've been loyal to my GHD Air Hair Dryer for as long as I can remember, and I considered this to be an investment in itself, so I couldn't imagine dropping even more money on another hair dryer.

However, the glowing reviews have been pouring in for it ever since. The day finally came when the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer landed on the Who What Wear UK beauty desk. Perhaps it was a sign from the universe? I'm already a fan of the Dyson Airwrap and Corrale Straighteners, so it was time for me to see if this supposedly next-level hair dryer was really worth it too. Scroll ahead for my honest review.

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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Attachments:

The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer comes with five attachments, including:
- Styling Concentrator Nozzle: For smoothing.
- Diffuser: For defining curls and waves as you dry.
- Pick Comb: Created for curly and coily hair textures, which helps to stretch curls or create shape and volume.
- Flyaway Attachment: Works to tuck in shorter flyaways underneath your hair for a frizz-free finish.
- Gentle Air Attachment: Disperses air more gently to protect sensitive scalps.

All of the attachments snap on magnetically, making them easy to interchange.

My Review of the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer:

As I mentioned, I'm sceptical of expensive hair dryers, but my first impressions of this one were positive. Firstly, the Supersonic looks and feels expensive. It's not heavy, and because the motor is in the bottom of the handle (rather than the head, like with most hair dryers) it's really easy to hold for long periods without your arms getting tired. Who knew weight distribution could be such a game-changer?

Me Before Using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer:

Here is my hair pre-wash without any styling. I'd describe my hair as having a slight natural wave, and the texture is coarse in areas, which means limp roots aren't a concern, but frizz and flyaways are. My hair is also quite thick and long, so my drying time if often lengthy.

Using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer:

To dry my hair, I first rough-dried it without any attachments until it was about 50% dry, before switching to the styling concentrator to help smooth the flyaways around my crown and add some shine to my lengths. I was really amazed at how powerful (yet quiet) it is, and it shaved some serious time off my standard blow-dry routine. Rough-drying from wet to totally dry took just seven and a half minutes—about half as long as it would normally take me.

Of course, it takes longer if I'm using a round brush to style as I dry, but the powerful airflow means the hair is dried quickly, and I can unlock a bouncy blowout in around 15 to 20 minutes. I also like the option to easily switch the heat and speed up and down at a press of a button.

Me After Using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer:

After finishing my blowdry, I was very impressed with the results. My hair felt incredibly smooth, and the Supersonic left me with a lot more shine than my usual hair dryer. I sometimes find that hair dryers make my hair quite frizzy at first, but Dyson's leaves me with an instantly sleek result. I find I mostly reach for the styling concentrator and smoothing attachment, which are great for smoothing down flyaways and tucking in new hair growth.

However, I have a friend with 3b curly hair who says that diffuser attachment is okay but can sometimes leave her hair more prone to frizz than if she left it to air-dry. That being said, Who What Wear UK fashion editor Remy Farrell tells me that the attachments are great for her Afro hair. "I use the wide-tooth comb a lot and the styling concentrator to set gel, but I mostly don't use the attachments," she says.

The Pros and Cons of the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer:

Pros:
- A quiet motor, which means minimal noise
- Dries hair very fast
- Intelligent heat control, which measures the temperature 40 times per second to help prevent heat damage
- Quiet but powerful airflow, which dries hair very quickly
- Three speeds and four temperatures, including a cold-shot option
- Unlike other hair dryers, the ergonomic design means the heaviest part of the device (the motor) is in the handle, making it easier to hold and use
- Negative ion technology to help achieve a smooth finish
- Five different attachments, which are tailored for different hair textures and results.

Cons:
- More expensive than other hair dryers
- Powerful airflow can take getting used to at first
- Case and attachments take up a lot of storage space

Is the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Worth It?

Despite being unsure initially, I've been converted. The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer has made the chore of drying my hair something I now look forward to much, much more. Not only is my hair dry in under 10 minutes, but I'm really impressed with the attachments that serve their purpose well and deliver visible results.

It is a big investment though. If you can get hold of one from a friend or family member to road test for yourself, I'd recommend doing that before taking the plunge to make sure it works for you and that you like all of the attachments. However, there are a couple of models that just offer the styling concentrator for less if you're not fussed about having all of the attachments. But as for myself, I don't think I could use any other hair dryer now.

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