Dyson Airwrap vs Supersonic: styler or dryer?

Listing facts side by side

Both use a Dyson digital motor in the handle and keep the air temperature under control. The difference is in power, shape and what clips on the end.

Compare Dyson Airwrap models →

Drying speed and finish

The Supersonic is the faster dryer. It has the higher rated power and pushes a focused jet of air through a concentrator, which suits thick or long hair that takes a while to dry. With a round brush and a smoothing nozzle you can get a sleek, salon-style blow-dry, but the brush work is down to you.

The Airwrap's fast dryer attachment takes hair from wet to damp before you switch to a barrel or brush. Dyson's own instructions suggest pre-drying until damp, then styling. It works, but drying a full head of thick hair with it usually takes longer than with a dedicated dryer.

Heat is handled differently too. The Supersonic listing gives a maximum temperature of 100°C, and you choose from several heat settings plus a cold shot. The Airwrap keeps air under 150°C, according to Dyson, and relies more on airflow than heat to shape hair. Both monitor air temperature many times a second, so neither runs at the very high temperatures of metal-plate tools.

Curls, waves and volume

This is where the Airwrap earns its place. Its barrels use the Coanda effect to pull hair around them, then the cold shot sets the curl. The Origin's 40 mm barrel can wrap in both directions, giving loose curls and waves. Newer models add a conical barrel for tighter curls. Our beginner's guide to the Airwrap shows the technique.

With a Supersonic you would need curling tongs, a hot brush or a round brush and skill to get the same shape. If you rarely curl your hair and prefer straight, smooth styles, the Airwrap's barrels may sit unused.

Hair length and type

Our guides to the best multi-stylers for long hair and hair dryers for thick hair go into more detail.

• Short hair: a Supersonic and a small round brush is often enough; the Airwrap's barrels can be fiddly on very short lengths.
• Shoulder length to long: the Airwrap shines here, with enough length to wrap round the barrel.
• Thick hair: the Supersonic dries faster; some people rough-dry with a dryer and then curl with an Airwrap.
• Curly hair: both come in curly and coily bundles with a diffuser or wide-tooth comb; check the box contents.

Running both, or choosing one

Some households buy both: the Supersonic for daily drying and the Airwrap for days when you want curls or volume. That covers everything but costs more. If you want one tool, ask what you do most often. Fast drying every morning points to the Supersonic. Styled curls two or three times a week points to the Airwrap.

Both need their filters cleaning regularly. A blocked filter makes either tool run hot and cut out. See our guides to cleaning the Supersonic filter and the Airwrap filter.

Note:Both are mains appliances. Keep them away from water, unplug them after use and before cleaning, and do not wrap the cable tightly round the handle, as that strains the wires.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Airwrap replace a hair dryer? It can dry hair with its fast dryer attachment, but it is usually slower than a dedicated dryer on long or thick hair.

Can the Supersonic curl hair? Not by itself. You need a round brush or a separate curling tool to add curl.

Do Supersonic attachments fit the Airwrap? No. Each uses its own attachments.

Which one is better for fine hair? Both can work. The Airwrap's volumising brushes suit fine hair that falls flat; see our guide to dryers for fine hair.