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Dyson Airwrap attachments explained

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In short

Airwrap attachments fall into four groups: curling barrels (40 mm long barrel, conical barrel) for curls and waves, brushes (round volumising and anti-snag loop) for blow-dries, dryer heads (fast dryer, Coanda smoothing dryer) for drying, and on the Co-anda 2x an air straightener. The Origin comes with three; the i.d. and Co-anda 2x with six. Most people use a barrel, a brush and a dryer most.

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The Dyson Airwrap is sold in several bundles, and the number and type of attachments is often the main difference between them. That makes choosing confusing: is it worth paying for six heads when you might use three? This guide explains each attachment, using the Amazon UK listings for the Airwrap Origin, i.d. and Co-anda 2x in our guides, and helps you work out which ones you will really use. Attachment names and designs change between generations, so always check compatibility.

Which bundle includes what

ModelAttachments listed
Airwrap Origin40 mm long barrel, anti-snag loop brush, fast dryer (3)
Airwrap i.d. (straight and wavy)Conical barrel, 40 mm long barrel, large round volumising brush, Coanda smoothing dryer, anti-snag loop brush and more (6)
Airwrap Co-anda 2x (straight and wavy)Fast dryer 2x, conical Co-anda2x barrel, 40 mm Co-anda2x barrel, air straightener 2x, large round volumising brush 2x, anti-snag loop brush 2x (6)
Airwrap i.d. Curly and Coily6 attachments including tools to stretch and diffuse
Attachments by Airwrap model, from the Amazon UK listings

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Curling barrels

The barrels use the Coanda effect: air leaving slots in the barrel follows its curve and draws a section of hair around it, so you do not twist it yourself. The 40 mm long barrel creates loose, bouncy curls and waves and suits mid-length to long hair. Newer barrels are bi-directional, so one barrel curls clockwise or anticlockwise; older Airwraps had separate left and right barrels.

The conical barrel tapers, which Dyson says gives tighter, more defined curls closer to the root, styling more like a curling wand. It suits shorter lengths and people who want definition rather than loose waves. If curls drop, see why an Airwrap is not curling.

Air slotsAirflow follows the curveHair strandBarrelDirection of wrap: the air pulls the strand round the barrel.
The Coanda effect: fast air leaving the slots clings to the curved barrel and pulls the hair round with it.

Brushes

The large round volumising brush is a hot air round brush: it lifts at the root and adds bend to the ends, for a bouncy blow-dry. Dyson's Co-anda 2x listing says it channels airflow through its base for fewer tangles and flyaways.

The anti-snag loop brush is a smoothing brush with looped bristles for a sleek, polished blowout on damp hair, designed for scalp comfort and less snagging. Older Airwraps came with firm and soft smoothing brushes and a small round brush. Our volume how-to explains round brush technique.

Dryer heads and the air straightener

The fast dryer turns the Airwrap into a hair dryer for rough-drying from wet. It is the attachment that saves you owning a separate dryer, though the Airwrap's straight handle is less comfortable for long drying sessions than a traditional dryer. The Coanda smoothing dryer on the i.d. dries and smooths flyaways in one step; Dyson's listing quotes less frizz and flyaways compared with original Airwrap attachments.

The air straightener 2x is exclusive to the Co-anda 2x bundle. It uses high-velocity airflow and aerothermal plates to straighten from wet to dry. It is the closest the Airwrap gets to straighteners without hot plates. Compare it with the dedicated Dyson Airstrait in our Airwrap vs Airstrait comparison.

Which attachments do you actually need?

If you mostly want waves and a blow-dry, the three-attachment Origin covers the basics. If you want tighter curls, root volume and smoothing, the six-attachment bundles make sense. Dyson sells many attachments separately, but check they are listed as compatible with your exact model, as newer intelligent attachments may not work on older handles and vice versa.

  • Loose curls and waves on long hair: 40 mm barrel, fast dryer.
  • Defined curls on shorter hair: conical barrel.
  • Smooth, bouncy blow-dries: round volumising brush plus anti-snag loop brush.
  • Sleek, straight finish without straighteners: Co-anda 2x air straightener.
  • Natural curls: a Curly and Coily bundle with a diffuser and wide-tooth tools.

Looking after attachments

Brushes trap hair and barrels collect product film, both of which reduce airflow. Our guide to cleaning Airwrap attachments covers each type. Store them in the case so slots stay free of dust, and let them cool before packing away.

If you are weighing up other brands, our Airwrap alternatives guide compares how many attachments Shark and Dreame include for the money, and the Shark FlexStyle attachments explainer covers Shark's heads.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use new Airwrap attachments on an old Airwrap? Not always. Newer intelligent attachments are designed for newer handles. Check Dyson's compatibility information for your model before buying.

Which Airwrap attachment is best for beginners? The round volumising brush is the easiest to get good results with. Barrels take a few sessions to master.

Can I buy Airwrap attachments separately? Dyson sells many attachments individually. Buying several separately usually costs more than getting them in a bundle.

Does the Airwrap Origin have a straightener? No. The Origin comes with a 40 mm barrel, anti-snag loop brush and fast dryer. The air straightener is part of the Co-anda 2x bundle.

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