Since the design for the modern household hair dryer was patented way back in the 1920s, not much has changed in its aesthetic. Well, until 2016, and the Dyson Supersonic.
The brand reveals that it took 50 months and 103 engineers to get the device just right. The finishing touch took the reverse L-shape that defined the hair dryer and turned it on its head with a circular head and a completely different approach to the drying process.
Dyson’s futuristic-looking haircare tool is an attractive-looking design with its grey construction and pink accents, but don’t think it’s a case of fashion over function - that couldn’t be further from the case.
The James Dyson-helmed label designed a lightweight model that was the quietest around, while minimising heat damage at the same time. Following customer feedback that traditional hair dryers made arms ache, took too long to dry hair, and put fragile wet locks under thermal strain, the creation of the Supersonic looked to solve each of these very pressing concerns.
It began with a motor. The small, smart and powerful V9 was placed into the handle over the head to give more flexibility for drying angles. Air Multiplier technology followed, leading to a high-pressure air jet each time you switched it on - but always with hair health in mind.
When the Supersonic is switched on, glass bead thermistors measure the temperature 20 times a second to ensure hair isn’t under extreme heat. This intelligent heat control keeps it at the optimal temperature so that you’re not sacrificing shine, colour or strength to speed up styling on hair wash days.
But with all this innovation and high-powered tech, a costly price tag is part and parcel. You’ll be hard-pressed to find Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer on sale - which is where we come in.
How to use Dyson Supersonic
Legendary hairstylist Larry King explains, “Both the original Supersonic and new Supersonic Nural hairdryers are perfect for maintaining optimum hair health and styling. They are powerful, easy to use and come with three different heat and speed settings. They’re the only hairdryers on the market that come with five different attachments, so work for all hair types. There is a gentle dryer for fine and sensitive hair, a styling concentrator to optimise airflow direction and an amazing diffuser. This diffuses the hair perfectly.
“The new Nural comes with a double diffuser so it waves and curls. It comes with a wide-tooth attachment so stretches out any coils for pre-straightening and loosening up the scalp. The flyaway attachment finishes styles. The Supersonic is the first and only hairdryer on the market that is good for all hair types and has a beginning, middle and end to styling with its attachments”.
Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?
For King, it’s a resounding yes. “The Supersonic and the new Supersonic Nural are both without a doubt the most perfect and best hairdryers on the market for multiple reasons. Firstly, when the Supersonic came out, it was a revelation with intelligent heat control built within it so it never goes above 150 degrees. This way, you’re maintaining that optimum temperature for styling but it never gets irreversible heat damage and breakage to the hair, unlike other hairdryers that will go above 150 degrees. You’ve got the manipulable, easy styling whilst maintaining absolute hair health”.
We have searched high and low to find deals across the Supersonic collection. What began as an instantly recognisable signature grey and pink product has expanded into six different colourways. No matter which you prefer, we’ve trawled through the internet to save your precious pennies.
Shop the best deals on the Dyson Supersonic hair dryers below
Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer, Ceramic Pink
The Dyson Supersonic has been a status symbol since its unveiling back in 2016 - instantly recognisable by its circular head and silver and fuchsia colourway. Not content with resting on its laurels, the Supersonic has evolved since it first hit the market. The Nural was released in March 2024 and brought with it new sensor technology, and now comes the Supersonic r.
Once the reserve of professional stylists, the dryer is now part of Dyson’s main collection. But what makes it different? Not only is the r more powerful, but it’s lighter too - so it’s no wonder that it’s a fixture backstage at the fashion weeks. It already garnered the seal of approval from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Sam McKnight, Eugene Souleiman and Lacy Redway.
Dyson is known for its design chops, and the r follows suit. This is a very attractive hair tool and comes in a ceramic pink colourway with more to come.
As you take it out of the box, you'll see just how compact this dryer is. It’s almost like a travel hair dryer in size. This makes it very easily manoeuvrable and less fatiguing for those with thick locks. It is actually 20 per cent smaller and 30 per cent lighter than the Supersonic, which was already one of the lightest hair dryers on the market.
Dyson is clear on its mission to minimise heat damage, and this is ensured with the r through the brand’s trademarked Hyperdymium motor that spins at 110,000rpm to create high velocity air flow. The air travels through a flow heater before it reaches the end to even out and add precision to the styling process. There is also intelligent heat control that measures the air temperature and adapts accordingly.
I have long used the original Supersonic, and while I appreciate the lower temperature to combat hair damage, I find the time it takes to blow dry my hair to be tedious. The r is the complete opposite experience. It is so lightweight that there is no opportunity to get arm ache as the drying process is so speedy. I have fine hair, but it took a mere four minutes to go from towel-dried to bone dry. Four minutes!
There are five attachments that vary depending on whether you select the Straight and Wavy or Curly and Coily model. For achieving straighter and wavy locks, you then have the pro concentrator for precision, the gentle air attachment, the smoothing nozzle to combat frizz and the flyaway attachment that harnesses the famous Coanda effect to smooth out finished styles. The Curly and Coily model switches the gentle air attachment for a diffuser to define curls and the smoothing nozzle for a wide-tooth comb for detangling.
These are all smart or ‘intelligent’ attachments. This means that as soon as they are affixed, the heated tool automatically adjusts the temperature and airflow to maximise their efficiency, thanks to the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors.
At the end, I popped on the flyaway nozzle, which is infused with the cold shot and left my hair smooth and crucially, frizz-free.
The dryer with attachments for curly and coily hair is available here. Apply promo code DYSONBRUSH for a free paddle brush.
Buy now £449.99, John Lewis
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Best for: a sound(less) investment piece + using around small, slumbering children
Dyson has used the bladeless technology used in its fans and transplanted it into this stylish pastel copper and blue hairdryer. The Nural is an update to the original Supersonic (£329).
The designers have also cleverly moved the motor from the head to the handle, taking the strain off your arms and making it far more comfortable to hold while drying sections of hair. Airflow is fast and even thanks to the motor which propels at an astonishing 110,000 times a minute, pushing out 41 litres a second. More air equals faster drying.
The motor design also means that the Supersonic is so quiet you can hold a conversation while using it; something of a game changer in itself. It comes with smoothing and diffusing attachments that connect magnetically while a microprocessor monitors air temperature every 40 seconds to ensure you’re not damaging your strands with excess heat. It takes getting used to when making the switch from traditional-looking dryers, but once you’ve mastered the new way to hold the machine for maximum drying power, you’ll be converted.
The new model adds Scalp protection mode to its offering. This is made possible through sensors that automatically adjust the heat and airflow when you’re near, improving shine and preventing damage in the process.
The gold standard for hair dryers (which also comes in a fetching Prussian Blue and a pop of pink), the only downside is the cost which admittedly is far more than the average. But if you’re one for regular salon blow dries anyway, you should quickly recover the cost of Dyson’s Supersonic Nural within weeks. What cost to keep the gleam on your crowning glory?
Buy now £399.99, John Lewis
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Dyson’s hair dryers are some of the best on the market, so you can say goodbye to hair-dragged-through-a-hedge-backwards locks. This one in particular comes with multiple attachments to suit all hair types and is engineered to protect your scalp from the heat while multiplying airflow threefold.
Buy now £299.99, Argos
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
At John Lewis, the purchase of the Supersonic comes alongside a two-year guarantee.
Was: £399.99
Buy now £279.99, John Lewis
Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer (Nickel/Copper) - Refurbished
Was: £279.99
Buy now £249.99, eBay
Dyson Supersonic hair dryer Iron/Fuchsia
If you enter the code DYSONFNDD, you will get free next-day delivery.
Buy now £279.99, Boots
DYSON Supersonic Special Edition Hair Dryer with Gift Case - Blue Blush
Free next day delivery and pay within 12 months.
Was £329.99
Buy now £279.99, Currys
Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer Iron/Fuchsia
If you’re non-committal about sticking solely to your natural curls and would rather invest in an all-rounder kind of hairdryer, there’s probably no better investment than a Dyson Supersonic. With five styling attachments (diffuser included, of course) this model will allow you to embrace your hair’s versatility.
The diffuser included with this hairdryer has those ever-useful extra-large 3D prongs so you can style more hair in one go with control. Speedy, speedy, speedy styling. Yes, please.
The brand is offering a free paddle brush and detangling comb with purchase. What’s more, for a limited time, you can trade in your old Dyson Supersonic for a new one with a discount of £65 and get the latest upgraded machine in the process complete with five attachments. It requires posting your old device back with a pre-paid label.
Was: £399.99
Buy now £329.99, Dyson
