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The short answer: If you want a high-performance hair dryer that dries hair fast and reduces frizz, the Dyson Supersonic is your pick. If you want a multi-styling tool that can dry, curl, smooth, and volumize, the Dyson Airwrap is the better choice. Your decision hinges on your styling routine and budget.
The Dyson Supersonic is primarily a hair dryer. It uses a digital motor to produce a powerful, controlled airflow, and it comes with magnetic attachments: a smoothing nozzle, a styling concentrator, and a diffuser (depending on the set). It excels at quick drying and can be used for straightening or adding volume with a round brush, but it doesn’t curl hair on its own.
The Dyson Airwrap is a styling system that uses the Coanda effect to wrap hair around barrels without extreme heat. It includes multiple attachments: barrels for curling, a smoothing brush, a round volumizing brush, and a pre-styling dryer. It can dry damp hair to about 80% and then style it, but it’s not as fast at drying as the Supersonic. It can create curls, waves, smooth blowouts, and add volume.
Bottom line: If you only need to dry and smooth, the Supersonic is enough. If you want versatility to curl and style without using a separate curling iron, the Airwrap is better.
Both Dyson tools use intelligent heat control to measure air temperature 40 times per second (as per Dyson’s own specs) to prevent extreme heat damage. However, the Supersonic uses focused heat for drying, while the Airwrap uses lower heat and higher airflow to style. The Airwrap is often considered safer for fine or fragile hair because it doesn’t require high heat to hold a curl, but the Supersonic is still gentle if used with the right nozzle and technique.
If you have very damaged hair or are worried about heat, the Airwrap may be a better choice for daily styling. But if you only blow dry once or twice a week, the Supersonic’s heat control is sufficient. Remember, no tool is completely heat-free; always use a heat protectant.
The Supersonic is straightforward: point and dry. It’s intuitive for anyone who has used a hair dryer. The Airwrap has a steeper learning curve. You need to understand how the Coanda effect works: hair wraps around the barrel based on airflow, so you need to hold the tool correctly and use the right attachment for your hair type. Many users report that it takes a few tries to get the curls right, but once you get the hang of it, it’s quick.
If you don’t like fiddling with attachments or are always in a rush, the Supersonic is easier. If you enjoy experimenting and are willing to practice, the Airwrap can become a daily favorite.
The Supersonic comes with a limited set of nozzles, but you can buy additional ones like a wide-tooth comb or a diffuser. However, it cannot curl hair without a round brush. The Airwrap includes multiple barrels (usually 30mm and 40mm), a soft smoothing brush, a firm smoothing brush, a round volumizing brush, and a pre-styling dryer. This means you can create different hairstyles without buying extra tools.
If you travel, the Airwrap is bulkier and heavier. The Supersonic is more compact and comes with a travel pouch. The Airwrap does come with a storage case, but it’s not as portable.
Both are premium-priced. The Supersonic is a significant investment, while the Airwrap is even more expensive, depending on the set. The Airwrap includes more attachments, so the cost per feature is lower, but it’s still a significant investment. If you only need a dryer, the Supersonic is a better value because you’re not paying for attachments you won’t use. If you want to replace a dryer and a curling iron, the Airwrap might save you money in the long run.
Consider how often you style. If you use a curling iron several times a week, the Airwrap could replace that, reducing your tool collection. But if you rarely curl, you might not justify the extra cost.
Choose the Supersonic if you:
Choose the Airwrap if you:
For a broader look at top hair dryers, check our best hair dryers guide to see how they compare to others.
Choosing between the Supersonic and the Airwrap often comes down to your hair type and how you wear it. The Supersonic works well for all hair types, but it is especially effective for thick, coarse, or very long hair because its powerful airflow can dry large sections quickly. If you have fine hair, you may find that the Supersonic’s concentrator nozzle gives you precise control to avoid over-drying or blowing hair around too much. For curly hair, the diffuser attachment is essential to define curls without disturbing the pattern.
The Airwrap is more selective. It tends to perform best on hair that is shoulder-length or longer, and it works well on fine to medium hair. On very short hair, the barrels may not grip properly, so you would rely more on the smoothing brushes and round volumizing brush. For thick or coarse hair, the Airwrap can still work, but you may need to use higher heat and tension settings, and it may take longer to style. If your hair is extremely curly or coily, the Airwrap may not be able to smooth or curl it as effectively as a traditional flat iron or curling wand. In that case, the Supersonic with a diffuser might be more practical for drying, and you can use your existing styling tools for shaping.
Another factor is hair length. If you have a short bob or pixie cut, the Supersonic is likely the better fit because it can quickly dry and smooth without the need for wrapping hair around a barrel. If you have long hair and enjoy wearing it down with loose waves, the Airwrap can create that look with less heat damage than a curling iron. However, if your hair is very long and thick, you may find that the Airwrap’s barrels require smaller sections and more time, so the Supersonic plus a round brush might be faster.
Both tools are built to last, but they require some care to keep them performing well. The Supersonic has a filter at the bottom of the handle that needs to be cleaned regularly. Dyson recommends removing the filter cage and wiping it with a dry cloth or using a soft brush to remove dust and lint. If you have long hair, you may need to do this more often because hair can get caught in the filter. A clogged filter reduces airflow and can cause the dryer to overheat, so cleaning it every few weeks is a good habit. The Supersonic has fewer attachments, so there is less to store and maintain.
The Airwrap also has a filter that needs similar cleaning. In addition, its attachments have moving parts and surfaces that can accumulate styling product residue. You should wipe the barrels and brushes with a damp cloth after use to prevent buildup, which can affect performance. The Coanda effect relies on clean airflow, so keeping the attachments free of debris is important. The storage case helps protect the attachments when not in use, but it also takes up space. If you travel frequently, you may want a separate pouch for the attachments you use most.
In terms of longevity, the Supersonic’s simpler design means fewer parts that can break. The Airwrap’s attachments are durable, but they can wear out over time, especially the barrels if they are dropped or mishandled. Dyson offers a two-year warranty on both tools, but that does not cover normal wear and tear. To extend the life of either tool, always use them on a stable surface, avoid dropping them, and store them in a dry place. If you notice a decrease in airflow or unusual noises, check the filter first before assuming the motor is failing.
Many buyers make mistakes when using these tools for the first time. With the Supersonic, a common error is holding the dryer too close to the hair or using the wrong attachment. The concentrator nozzle is for precise drying and smoothing, while the diffuser is for curls. Using the diffuser on straight hair can create frizz, and using the concentrator on curly hair can disrupt the curl pattern. Another mistake is not using a heat protectant, even though the Supersonic has intelligent heat control. Heat protectant adds an extra layer of safety and helps prevent damage over time.
With the Airwrap, the biggest mistake is using it on soaking wet hair. The tool is designed to be used on damp hair that is about 80% dry. If your hair is too wet, the Coanda effect won’t work as well, and the curls won’t hold. Another common error is using too large a section of hair. The Airwrap works best with small, manageable sections, about one to two inches wide. If you try to wrap too much hair at once, it will not wrap properly and the style will fall out quickly. Also, many users forget to use the cold shot to set the curl. After wrapping and heating, switch to cold air for a few seconds to help the curl hold its shape. Finally, not cleaning the filter regularly can lead to reduced performance and potential overheating.
Another mistake is expecting the Airwrap to replace a traditional curling iron for very tight curls. The Airwrap creates loose waves and bends, not tight ringlets. If you want tight curls, you may need a smaller barrel or a different tool. Similarly, don’t expect the Supersonic to create curls on its own; it is a dryer, not a styler. Understanding these limitations will help you get the most out of your purchase.
Q: Can the Supersonic curl hair like the Airwrap?
A: No, the Supersonic doesn’t have curling barrels. You’d need to use a round brush to create curls, which is less effective and requires more skill.
Q: Is the Airwrap good for short hair?
A: Yes, but you may need to use smaller barrels or the brush attachments. It works best on shoulder-length or longer hair for curling, but you can still use it for volume and smoothing.
Q: Which is more durable?
A: Both are well-built. The Supersonic has fewer moving parts, so it might be less prone to mechanical issues. The Airwrap has more attachments that could wear out, but Dyson offers a 2-year warranty on both. Always buy from authorized retailers to ensure warranty coverage.
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