Dyson Airwrap vs Shark FlexStyle

Listing facts side by side

The table sets out what each listing states. Weights are as given on the listings and may include different parts, so treat small differences with caution.

See all Airwrap-style multi-stylers →

Curling barrels and the Coanda effect

Both stylers rely on the Coanda effect: fast air leaving slots in the barrel hugs the curved surface and pulls a section of hair round with it. You hold the ends near the barrel, the air wraps the hair, and a blast of cool air sets the curl. Our explainer on how the Airwrap works covers the physics in more detail.

The Airwrap i.d. listing names a conical barrel for tighter curls near the root and a 40 mm long barrel for looser waves. Its i.d. curl sequence adjusts heat, airflow and timing at the press of a button, based on a hair profile you set up in the app. The FlexStyle 5-in-1 comes with two Auto-Wrap curlers, and Shark sells other bundles with 32 mm and 24 mm curlers for loose and tighter results. Neither curls as tightly as a hot tong, because air sets hair more gently than metal plates.

The twist hinge and drying

The FlexStyle's main design trick is a hinge in the handle. Straight, it is a wand for the curlers and brushes. Twisted, it becomes an angled hair dryer that you hold like a conventional one, with the concentrator or diffuser fitted. That makes rough-drying long or thick hair more comfortable, and the diffuser in the 5-in-1 box suits curly hair.

The Airwrap stays a straight wand. You clip on the fast dryer or the smoothing dryer attachment and point it at the hair. Many people find this fine for a quick pre-dry, but holding a long wand at the back of the head takes some practice. If you dry before styling every day, the FlexStyle's dryer mode is the more natural grip.

Smoothing, volume and finishing

For smooth blow-dries, the Airwrap i.d. includes a large round volumising brush and an anti-snag loop brush, plus the smoothing dryer that Dyson says reduces frizz and flyaways. The FlexStyle 5-in-1 has a paddle brush for straighter finishes and an oval brush for volume at the root. Both approaches work best on damp, not soaking, hair.

Neither replaces straighteners for a glassy, poker-straight finish on very curly hair. They give a softer, bouncier blow-dry. If sleek and flat is your goal, read our comparison of hot air brushes and straighteners.

Which suits which hair

Weight matters less than balance. Both are corded and both put the motor in the handle, so your arm tires from holding the tool up rather than from a few grams either way.

• Short hair: both work, but smaller barrels help. See our guide to multi-stylers for short hair.
• Long hair: the Airwrap's 40 mm barrel and the FlexStyle's curlers both handle length; longer sections need more patience.
• Curly hair: the FlexStyle 5-in-1 includes a diffuser; check which Airwrap version you buy, as Dyson sells straight-and-wavy and curly-and-coily sets.
• Tech fans: only the Airwrap i.d. links to an app and stores your settings.

Note:Both are mains appliances. Keep them away from water, unplug them before cleaning or swapping a damaged attachment, and never use one with a cracked casing or frayed cable.

Living with each one

Both have a removable filter at the base of the handle that needs regular cleaning, or the tool may run hot and cut out. We cover the steps in cleaning the Airwrap filter and cleaning the FlexStyle filter. Shark's listing states a two-year guarantee on registration in the UK and Ireland; check Dyson's current guarantee terms when you register an Airwrap.

Expect a learning curve with either. The first few sessions take longer than a normal blow-dry while you learn section sizes and how long to hold each curl. Our Airwrap beginner's guide and FlexStyle guide walk through the basics.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Shark FlexStyle as good as the Dyson Airwrap? It does the same core jobs with the same airflow principle. The Airwrap adds app features and Dyson's heat limit; the FlexStyle adds a twist-to-dry handle and a diffuser in the 5-in-1 set.

Can I use Airwrap attachments on a FlexStyle? No. Each brand's attachments fit only its own handle, so plan to buy extra heads from the same maker.

Which one dries hair faster? The FlexStyle has the higher rated wattage, but watts measure power drawn, not drying speed. Airflow and nozzle design matter as much. See wattage explained.

Do they work on wet hair? Both are designed to dry from damp. The makers suggest towel-drying first, and rough-drying before curling gives longer-lasting results.