Which Dyson Hair Tools Are Actually Worth It? An Investigation
A brief history lesson: In 2016, Dyson made the industry-upending announcement of the Supersonic hair dryer — and truthfully, the category has never been the same. Until then, Dyson was known as an expert in all things airflow — vacuums, air purifiers, and the like. The beauty breakthrough was only the beginning, though. Just two years later, the brand unveiled the first generation of the Airwrap, a category-defying, multi-functional tool that dried and styled hair in a single step. Then in March 2020, the Corrale, Dyson’s interpretation of the classic flatiron, debuted. In Spring 2023, the Airstrait — a one-step styler that simultaneously dries and smooths hair — was unveiled, followed by the Supersonic Nural (a “smarter” version of the Supersonic dryer) in early 2024. Then came the Supersonic r and Travel in 2025 and 2026.
There’s no question that these tools are all winners in terms of design and innovation — but given their lofty price tags, it’s an investment that you would understandably want to last for years. With the help of my fellow Refinery29 beauty editors, I decided it’s high time to revisit how Dyson’s tools have held up, years after our initial reviews. First impressions are important, but even months of testing offer a limited view of a product’s performance. However, now that Dyson’s array of hair tools have been on the market for quite a while, I can now give you the rundown on how these high-end products perform over years of use.
Without any further ado, keep scrolling for a vibe check on which Dyson products have stood the test of time.
Supersonic Travel, $299.99
Years Owned: <1
Frequency Of Use: 2-3x a week
“For as long as the original Supersonic has existed, people have been dreaming of a travel-sized version – and now it finally exists.
Even though the Supersonic Travel is 32% smaller and 25% lighter than the OG, this is not your average mini dryer. This thing packs a punch. I brought it with me to Miami recently and was literally blown away at how powerful it was — definitely comparable to my full-sized dryer back home. In addition to taking up less space in my crowded suitcase, some major pros include the automatic universal voltage adapter (i.e., no more fried devices while abroad) and the fact that it’s compatible with all Supersonic attachments.
I have a lot of hair, and was able to dry my entire head within ten minutes with the Supersonic Travel — that’s how powerful she is. Until now, I’d been using the T3 Afar, which I’ve had for a few years. (It retails for $199.99, $100 less than the Supersonic Travel.) Does it compare with the Supersonic Travel in terms of power and performance? Sadly, I can’t say that it does. But that doesn’t mean it’s a poor product by any means — it does the job well by all accounts. However, if you’re willing to spend extra for a top-of-the-line travel dryer (or if you’re a Dyson superfan and covet it as part of your collection), then I’d say it’s money well spent.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Verdict: Probably worth it.
Supersonic Hair Dryer, $399.99
Years Owned: Eight
Frequency Of Use: 2-3x a week
“I’ll go right in and say it: The Supersonic, in my opinion, is by far the best Dyson hair tool for your buck. I had my first one (a limited-edition purple colorway) for over six years, but recently retired it to a newer one and gave the old (still fully functional!) one to a friend. Even after nearly a decade (!), I’m still so impressed at how fast the Supersonic dries my hair. To call it a blow dryer almost seems insulting to its beauty. While I try to air-dry my hair after using my Aquis towel, I still end up using a dryer a few times a week if I’m running late to a dinner or event and don’t have time to wait for my hair to naturally dry on its own. (I also use it on my dog for his post-bath blowout.)
Even with regular use, my Supersonic is still in pretty good condition and only has some minor scuffs that are purely cosmetic. My most-used attachment is the Gentle Air one while I rough-dry, but I also reach for the diffuser to help minimize frizz as well as the flyaway-taming one that launched in 2021. The Supersonic also ranks as one of Dyson’s least expensive (but still expensive) tools, making it a great entry-level option for anyone wanting to try the brand out.” – Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Verdict: Worth the splurge. Period!
Airwrap i.d. multi-styler and dryer, $649.99
Years owned: Two
Frequency of use: Around five times a year, usually for special occasions
“I’ll admit I never fully got to grips with the original Airwrap, and two years on, I’m only slightly better at using it (I still forget the cool shot), so I often reach for my trusty ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand instead; it’s so good for thicker, longer hair. My biggest frustration is that the larger Airwrap barrel doesn’t get close enough to the roots, leaving me with frizz at the crown and beautifully blown-out lengths.
If your budget stretches a little further, I’d recommend the Airwrap i.d. It connects to your phone and guides you through styling, telling you exactly how long to hold each section around the barrel based on your hair type and length. It also indicates the airflow direction, making wrapping much easier. Plus, it comes with a conical barrel that tapers towards the tip, allowing you to get closer to the roots and achieve a smoother finish with less frizz.
What sets the Airwrap apart — and Dyson tools in general — is that they’re gentler on the hair than many other styling tools, which rely on high heat and can further damage dry or color-treated lengths. If this sounds like you, then a tool like the Airwrap is a good investment in preserving your strands.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Verdict: If you’re willing to put in the practice (TikTok tutorials help), you’ll likely love it. The Airwrap is designed to create a bouncy blowdry effect rather than tight curls, but there are a few non-negotiables: hair should be around 80% dry before styling, and the cool shot is essential for helping waves hold. Of all the Airwrap models, the newer i.d. version remains my favorite.
Corrale Hair Straightener, $539.99
Years Owned: Four
Frequency Of Use: 1x week
“Compared to the buzz that the Supersonic and Airwrap frequently garner, the Corrale feels super slept on. I’m here to say that it sort of is and isn’t. On one hand, it has completely replaced my previous flatiron for a couple reasons: For starters, the fact that it’s cordless is an absolute game-changer. Nothing makes me feel like a completely liberated woman like being able to do my hair from anywhere in my apartment. It also manages to smooth out my unruly mane within a few passes, which I can’t say for any other flatiron I’ve ever tried.
That all said, it’s a bit heavier than straighteners you might be used to because it has a built-in battery pack — I recently started lifting weights, so this is personally not a huge deal, but one that is worth noting. I will say that for $500, it’s a really expensive straightener. You can technically do those cool-girl S-waves with it too, but I can never manage to make it look as good as with a curling iron. Again, that’s 100% user error on my part, but the gist is that, unlike the Supersonic and Airwrap, it’s not the sort of tool that has myriad attachments to achieve myriad things. In that sense, the value element just isn’t as strong for me.” – Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Verdict: As much as it breaks my heart, I say pass and save your pennies for the Supersonic or Airwrap — unless you’ve literally flat-ironed your hair every day since 2006.
Airstrait Straightener, $499.99 $399.99
Years Owned: Three years
Frequency of Use: 2x a week
“When I first tried the Airstrait, I had mixed feelings. It did exactly what it promised — drying and straightening hair in one step — but on my long, thick hair, it still took a while to get through my entire head. (And to be fair, I rarely wore my hair straight anyway.) Fast-forward six months and a foot of donated hair later, and I’ve completely changed my tune. Since embracing the lob life, the Airstrait has become my most-used hair tool — and, in my opinion, an absolute essential for shorter lengths.
My routine is simple: After shampooing, I wrap my hair in an Aquis or Crown Affair towel, then rough-dry it for a few minutes to remove some excess moisture. (My thick hair seems to hold onto water forever.) Next, I section my hair — or, if I’m short on time, clip it into a quick half-up style and work in three layers — and do a few passes with the Airstrait.
The result is sleek, polished hair that looks like I’ve just left the salon, but never unnaturally pin-straight. In fact, I don’t think I receive more compliments on my hair than when I’ve used this tool. Sometimes I’ll leave it as is; other times, I’ll follow up with a curling iron to add a few soft, beachy waves. Either way, the Airstrait has earned a permanent spot in my routine.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Verdict: Definitely, surprisingly, worth it.
Supersonic Nural, $449.99
Years Owned: One
Frequency of Use: Every other day
“I have a habit of daydreaming while drying my hair and getting too close to the scalp, but that isn’t an issue with the Dyson Nural, which uses a smart sensor to adjust the temperature when it gets near your head. From personal experience, after trying dozens of hairdryers in recent years, it’s the fastest I’ve used — even quicker than the Supersonic — drying my thick, wavy hair in half the time of others. It’s also lightweight and easy to maneuver, and compact enough to pack into an overnight bag or suitcase without taking up half the space. It’s a bit quieter than the Supersonic too, which I like, with airflow that feels kinder on the ears. I also love the diffuser attachment, which makes it easy to enhance my curls without frizz. Because it’s so light, I can diffuse my hair without getting arm ache, and the even heat distribution also helps boost shine.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Verdict: I have to steal this back from my partner, who also has long, wavy hair, every time I get out of the shower. He’s obsessed with tech and usually spots a good gadget, so I trust his judgment, but I can see the results for myself. Is it worth the $449.99 price tag? It’s definitely a stretch, but if you’re the kind of person who invests in a blowdryer and expects it to last for years, it starts to make sense. It also comes with multiple attachments, including a flyaway-smoothing nozzle and a comb, so you can create a range of looks with one tool. It’s the blowdryer I reach for most.
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