Dyson Supersonic review

The Dyson Supersonic is perhaps the most expensive hair dryer you can buy, but can it justify the price?

Dyson Supersonic Review
(Image: © Dyson)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

It is very expensive but if you struggle with getting salon hair at home then the Dyson Supersonic is definitely worth the investment.

Pros

  • +

    Leaves hair smooth and soft

  • +

    Sleek and sexy design

  • +

    Fast drying

  • +

    Convenient magnetic attachments

Cons

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Power and heat buttons could be better positioned

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The Dyson Supersonic is the British brand's first foray into the world of hair and beauty and while it might seem a bit of a departure for a company best known for its range of premium vacuums and slick air treatment solutions, it kind of makes sense. 

This is because Dyson has been able to employ some of the clever tech featured in its other products to produce what is perhaps the most advanced hair dryer available right now. All this tech does come at a price though, with the Dyson Supersonic costing $399 / £299. Can it justify its high price? 

Dyson Supersonic review: Features

Dyson Supersonic: Key specs

Power: 1600AW
Airflow: 41 liters per sec
Weight: 1.46lbs / 0.66kg
Height: 9.65-inches
Length: 3.8-inches
Width: 3-inches
Cable length: 9ft
Number of attachments: 3

  • Motor spins at up to 110,000rpm
  • 6 times faster than other hair dryers
  • Amplified by the Air Multiplier 

To give you a little idea how much time and energy Dyson has put into the Supersonic, the company spent some four years developing it at a cost of some $60 million with the end goal to produce a hair dryer that gives that salon look at home. 

At the heart of the Dyson Supersonic is the company's V9 digital motor that's been engineered to be six times faster than those found in other hair dryers. That translates to 110,000rpm and pushing out 13 liters of air per second. That's just half the story though, as the air is then amplified up to three times by the Air Multiplier tech on the Dyson Supersonic to dry your hair quicker than would otherwise be possible. 

That's all well and good, but what does that mean when it comes to drying and styling hair? Simply put it makes for a very fast and powerful flow of air that can be precisely targeted. What's more, there's an intelligent heat control that prevents extreme temperatures and overheating, with the Supersonic measuring the temperature 20 times a second. Less damaged hair from high temperatures reflects more light, so hair appears shiny.

A good choice of attachments are bundled with the Dyson Supersonic for a range of drying finishes, whether you want curls, waves or straight hair. First up is the smoothing nozzle that's designed to deliver a smooth, controlled airflow that will produce a smooth, natural finish. Next up is the styling concentrator that produces a high intensity blade of air for styling. Lastly, there's the diffuser that simulates natural drying that's designed to reduce frizz and define curls. 

Dyson Supersonic review: Design

  • Motor is in the handle for better balance
  • Attachments are magnetic 
  • Simple control layout

Looks wise it's a beautiful looking hair dryer, with a sleek and sexy design. With the V9 motor small enough to sit in the handle rather than fixed on the back, it's allowed Dyson to not only make the Supersonic much more compact than other hair dryers out there, but also considerably improve the balance as well. So while it may weigh in similar to a lot of rivals (it tips the scales at 1.46lbs / 0.66kg), it's not as top-heavy, making it much more comfy to hold over longer periods. Another benefit of the compact size is that it's easy to pack away - great for those trips away as it won't take up much space.

The attachments are magnetic, making them not only quick and easy to take off and on the Supersonic, but also angle quickly.

Complementing the streamlined design are a clutter-free set of controls. Slide the switch on the rear of the handle to 'on' and away you go. On the left of the barrel is the speed settings (in three stages) and on the right, the four heat settings. The top setting kicks out at 212ºF / 100ºC and is for fast drying and styling, then there's 176ºF / 80ºC for regular drying and 140ºF / 60ºC for gentle drying. Finally, there's a constant cold setting at 82ºF / 28ºC. There's also an additional cool blast button on the handle of the Dyson Supersonic for instant bursts of cold air.

Dyson Supersonic review: Performance

  • Trigger release to power on the V7 Absolute
  • Decent and powerful vacuum performance
  • Accessories swap out easily

All this tech translate to make the Dyson Supersonic the best performing hair dryer you can buy right now. 

First off, you can expect quicker drying times - you're not going to shave the time in half, but it'll make a significant difference to your drying routine. That's just half of the story though as it's how the Dyson Supersonic dries your hair. 

As well as the more powerful and focused airflow from the Dyson Supersonic compared to rivals, the clever way it's been designed and engineered never meant that hair became hot or uncomfortable thanks to the intelligent heat control. This meant we noticed that our hair felt significantly smoother after using the Supersonic. 

The Dyson Supersonic is also pretty quiet considering - it's possible to talk over it and have a conversation if needed, while we found children who who run at the sight of a hair dryer weren't scared of the Dyson Supersonic and would happily have their hair dried.

Should I buy a Dyson Supersonic?

The Dyson Supersonic is without doubt the best hair dryer available right now, but it does come at a significant premium. For some it'll be hard to justify, but those who are likely to use it daily or very regularly, think of it as a serious investment for your hair. For those looking to get salon-style hair at home, then the Dyson Supersonic is definitely worth the investment.  

Jennifer Christensen

Jennifer Christensen has written for many newspapers and magazines and has broadcast experience in television and radio. She has earned journalism awards from the Utah Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists and enjoys being a writer for Top Ten Reviews. Jennifer has five amazing children and loves to hike, play the piano, kick a soccer ball and eat ice cream.