Dyson Supersonic™: Re-Engineering Hair Drying
There was so much hype when the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer launched in 2016 – the first of the brand’s venture into hair styling tools.
The world thought it was crazy for the vacuum cleaner powerhouse to move into the beauty industry, but Dyson has gone ahead and proven everyone wrong by completely revolutionising the market in the subsequent years.
It’s a product that has become a defining hallmark of luxury hotels and has woven its way into many Santa wishlists. Everyone was racing to get their hands on it (despite the hefty price tag); it was all my friends could talk about, and I couldn’t help thinking: is the hair dryer really worth it, or is it all just marketing hype?
Dyson Supersonic™ Features
The Technology
Power and performance – The V9 digital motor spins at up to 110,000rpm, producing a high-pressure jet of controlled air for fast drying and precision styling.
Intelligent heat control – Precise controls measure air temperature at over 40 times a second and regulate heat, preventing excessive heat damage to retain moisture, prevent breakage and maintain shine.
Lightweight and balanced design – The hair dryer body is made of glass-filled nylon, a substantial upgrade from the all-plastic design of most hair dryers that feels more durable throughout. While its weight of 0.68kg is on par with other mid-tier hair dryers, the motor is incorporated into the handle, making for a more lightweight, ergonomic grip for balance, control and manoeuvrability.
Advanced safety features: A non-self-resetting thermal cut automatically shuts off the device to prevent overheating once it passes the heat threshold.
Heat Settings
100°C – fast drying and styling
80°C – regular drying
60°C – cooler drying and diffusing (curly hair, this is for you)
28°C – constant cold
Cold shot button – quick shot at 28°C to set hair after styling
Speed Settings
High – for fast drying and styling
Medium – for regular drying
Low – for diffusing
Attachments
Dyson Supersonic™ has various attachments that snap onto the hair dryer magnetically: no more fiddling or falling off halfway through your routine! Attachments may or may not be included depending on the edition purchased, but they are always available separately, as is a painted steel stand to conveniently store the hair dryer and attachments. The air exit and metal ring on the hair dryer will be hot during use, so always let the hair dryer cool before handling attachments.
If you’re wondering what the difference between the Dyson Supersonic™ HD15 and HD08 is, the former is an updated version of the set sold with revised attachments. The hair dryer itself remains exactly the same.
Smoothing nozzle – delivers controlled airflow to remove unwanted frizz for a smooth, natural finish
Styling concentrator – high-velocity blade of air for focused styling on hair sections
Flyaway smoother – hides flyaways for a smooth, shiny finish
Gentle air – diffuser creates a soft, cooler airflow for fine air and sensitive scalps
Wide tooth comb – robust teeth lengthen hair and create volume for curly hair
Thoughts
I have long hair that is slightly wavy and very prone to frizz in Hong Kong’s humid climate, and I wash my hair daily. Hair drying has always created so much friction around my beauty routine that, in hindsight, subconsciously made me dread winding down for bedtime. Before the Dyson Supersonic™ came around, it would take me 20+ minutes to blow dry it thoroughly. The Dyson now halves that time down to 10 minutes. Kudos to it not being one of those over-engineered gadgets.
The cool thing about the Dyson is that it offers flexible options for heat, speed and multiple attachments, so you can play around to determine what your hair responds to best. I typically blast everything on high when drying my hair, then dial it down for styling. Most hair dryers only have two heat settings and one standard nozzle or diffuser, if any, and the variety on the Dyson makes you feel like a pro at hair drying (even when you’re not).
So, does the Dyson live up to its big claims on improving hair smoothness, shine and frizz? I say it does. While it doesn’t utilise ceramic or ionic technologies that smoothen hair on the spot, its temperature control and fast drying time subject hair to less direct heat, yielding much healthier locks in the long run. I’ve ditched my straightener (unless it’s a sleek look I’m going for) as the Dyson keeps my hair glossy and supple with a natural bounce to the roots and ends. And my hair feels as healthy as ever, even when I use a curling tong weekly.
Not gonna lie; the Dyson Supersonic™ hair dryer is a proper splurge, though it doesn’t feel as ridiculous when you consider the slew of hair styling tools that Dyson has launched since. But then, hair dryers rarely break down (my last few ones far outlasted my patience for them), so if the Dyson is anything like that – fingers crossed – it’s well worth it.
Sometimes I wonder if the Dyson Airwrap would be a better investment as it can do the drying as well as styling. But given how frequently I wash my hair, I prefer something more powerful that also gives me better control. Where the Dyson Airwrap is a multi-tasker more suited to rough drying, the Dyson Supersonic™ has one sole purpose – to blow dry hair – and it comes with more settings and accessories to get the job done. I honestly can’t be happier with how it turned out.
My only issue with the Dyson Supersonic™ is with storage. While the hair dryer is durable, it’s not invincible to nicks and scratches. My edition came with the official Dyson presentation case, and while it looks great on the shelf and comes cushioned with soft fabric for protection, it’s just not designed for convenience. It’s a minor inconvenience that I can’t fit my hair dryer and all my attachments without wrestling with the cable. If you have the counter space, the better option would be to go with the official steel stand that accommodates the hair dryer, plus up to three magnetic attachments. Or you could order a third-party stand that goes onto the wall with holders for everything.
That said, the Dyson has a slight learning curve if you want to maximise its capabilities. I haven’t mastered giving myself a salon-quality blowout yet, but between my long hair and daily wash cycles, I won’t give up my Dyson anytime soon. It’s safe to say that the Dyson Supersonic™ represented a significant leap forward for the market and has become the golden standard for at-home hair styling. It’s been a game-changer in all the right ways, and I can’t imagine returning to my old hair dryer since the Dyson found its way into my bathroom. Good hair days just became so much easier.
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