As far as innovation goes, Dyson’s track record isn’t up for debate. With every launch, the brand continues to challenge what we thought we knew about hair tools — and the Supersonic R hairdryer is no exception.
Being used backstage at the Stella McCartney AW24 fashion show during Paris Fashion week, this lightweight and more ergonomic iteration of the original Supersonic has already earned its place in the hair tool hall of fame, and deservedly so.
That being said, as a beauty journalist who's tried practically every hair tool there is (from hair straighteners and curling irons to hot air brushes – you name it), it's not often that you'll see me raving about any ol' hairdryer. Even if stylists backstage at FW do seem to be loving it. New launches may all successfully perform their main function (to dry your hair, in this case) – but very few will manage to do so while: A) saving time and B) ensuring minimal damage (if any).
So, when I finally got my hands on the Dyson Supersonic R, I was curious to see whether it could genuinely impress me.
For the past three months, I've been busy testing and pushing this tool to its limits, having also quizzed celeb hair stylist Larry King for his top styling tips. And although I've been a Dyson convert for years, I wasn't going to let my previous positive experience cloud my judgement. So, here goes: my BS-free, definitive review that actually weighs out all the pros and the cons.
Dyson Supersonic R review: at a glance
- Price: £449.99.
- Best for: Precise drying and styling.
- Suitable hair types: All (it comes in two iterations: one for straight/wavy hair and one for curly and coily hair, featuring different sets of attachments.
- Weight: 325g.
- Cable Length: 2.7m.
- Number of heat settings: Four, including cold shot.
- Included attachments for straight/wavy hair: Concentrator nozzle, fly-away attachment, ‘gentle’ hair attachment, smoothing nozzle, powerful hair attachment.
- Included attachments for coily/curly hair: Concentrator nozzle, powerful hair attachment, fly-away attachment, wide tooth comb, diffuser attachment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptionally quick at drying hair | Expensive |
| Super lightweight | Has a bulky plug |
| Easy to manoeuvre |
My verdict: “While it may not have what it takes to outshine the Airwrap in terms of versatility, this hairdryer reigns supreme in its own category. Its extremely lightweight build and ergonomic design makes it super easy to manoeuvre, meaning it's also more accessible for those suffering from any kind of joint pain. It's also exceptionally quick at drying – all while leaving my hair shiny and silky soft."
Dyson Supersonic R: the technology
Dyson describes the Supersonic R hairdryer as its “most powerful and fastest drying tool" to date. Featuring the Dyson Hyperdymium motor that produces high-pressure airflow and a streamlined flow heater system, this hair dryer's jet spins at 110,000rpm – all while weighing 325g. It has been engineered to focus heat and airflow evenly for faster styling and better precision, allowing you to achieve a salon-worthy blow-out from the comfort of your home.
Similar to the Dyson Airwrap, it offers three heat settings: three power modes, as well as a cold shot mode. When I was comparing it to the original Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, I noticed that not only is the design completely different, but the build itself is where this tool truly shines. It sits way more naturally in the palm of my hand, offering a much more comfortable and ergonomic feel. And the difference in weight is undeniable too – I've yet to test a hair dryer that's just as lightweight.
In true Dyson fashion, the Supersonic R doesn't disappoint when it comes to the included attachments. Depending on whether you opt for the model intended for straight/wavy hair or the one for curly/coily hair, you will get a different set.
Both iterations offer a standard concentrator nozzle, a powerful hair drying attachment and a fly-away attachment. If you're choosing the model for straight/wavy hair, you'll also find a gentle hair attachment and a smoothing nozzle included in the pack, whereas the curly/coily iteration will also feature a wide tooth comb as well as a diffuser attachment.
And it doesn't end there. Each attachment also has a special chip inside it that allows the tool to remember the last used setting, making the styling process more seamless. Plus, they're all equipped with clever technology that automatically presets the right temperature and airflow setting for best results and minimal damage.
Dyson Supersonic R: my experience
As someone who has thick-yet-stubborn Asian hair that doesn't pair well with most hair tools, I was a bit skeptical going into this review. After all, I'm the kind of person that usually opts to air-dry my hair for the sheer reason of how long it usually takes to style it straight out of the shower. But given the bold and undeniably promising claims. I was intrigued to see whether the Supersonic R could actually exceed my expectations.
Right off the bat, I enjoyed its super lightweight and ergonomic design, but the real star of the show was the motor. Having pre-treated my hair with a leave-in conditioner and a few drops of my go-to hair oil, I started rough-drying my hair with the powerful hair attachment, which helped get my hair from nearly soaking-wet to just about 70% dry.
Next, I proceeded to dry my length using my brush and the concentrator nozzle, before following up with the smoothing nozzle. My hair is naturally a bit wavy, and I was surprised to see just how easily this hair dryer helped me straighten my hair without the need to follow up with a straightener. To finish the process, I used the fly-away attachment to smooth everything out, which gave my hair the exact sleek look I was after. Before I knew it, I was left with silky smooth hair that looked as though I'd just treated myself to a deep conditioning treatment. Plus, the shine that followed helped it earn a few extra points.
It was, hands down, the quickest I'd ever dried and styled my hair (it took roughly 12 minutes in total, which is my new personal record). The only con worth pointing out was that the plug itself is a lot bulkier than I expected. It wasn't as big of an issue, though it still meant that I needed to make sure there was always enough space for it to be plugged in properly.
Dyson Supersonic R: my final verdict
Similar to other Dyson tools, the Supersonic R hair dryer is far from affordable, but given its quality build and innovative design, I'd say that it definitely makes up for its premium price tag. It's a true next-gen hair dryer that ticks all the boxes: lightweight, powerful and gentle on the hair. I wasn't expected to like it as much as I did (particularly its cleverly engineered attachments), but having pushed it to its limits, I'd say that it's a great buy for both novices and professional stylists alike.
That said, if you already own the Dyson Airwrap, I wouldn't necessarily say it's a “must buy”. The Supersonic R is definitely not as versatile of a tool that will help you create any style imaginable. Rather, it's a fairly straightforward hair dryer that's great for quicker results and a more precise styling process. Apart from the bulky plug, it's a pretty mighty tool that has the potential to dethrone most of the hair dryers I've tried.
Dyson Supersonic R styling tips, according to celeb hair stylist
For the sleek, pin-straight look
“If you want that sleek, polished finish, the idea is to start by rough-drying the hair, but keeping the airflow going down,” shares Larry King, celebrity hairstylist, Dyson global ambassador and founder of his namesake salons in London.“You definitely want to keep the hair cuticle coming down for that mirrored shine,” he adds.
After you're done rough-drying the hair, Larry recommends going in with “either a paddle brush, or if you need to stretch your hair out, a round brush to smooth the hair.”
“Once you've finished blow drying the hair, go over the whole head with the fly away attachment section by section to get it really shiny and smooth,” he explains.
For the voluminous, bouncier look
“If you're going for that big voluminous blow dry, your first step would be to rough-dry and really get in there at the roots and lift them up, giving the maximum amount of volume,” Larry shares. “You could even go in with a wide tooth comb to lift the roots up even more and give them more body,” he adds. “Then, you can start using your round brush with your smoothing concentrator to get those really big bouncy curls."
Larry shares that when it comes to working on curly hair types, “it's all about using the diffuser.” He recommends using different heat settings to help define your curls.
“Once you've set those curls, go in gently with the wide tooth comb to loosen them up a bit and give the hair more volume and more bounce,” he says.
Which hair types and lengths would benefit from the Supersonic R hair dryer?
“I think all hair types can benefit from using it,” points out Larry. Whether you have long, mid-length or short hair, Larry says that its ability to create “all sorts of bends, flicks and indentations using the attachments” for a bouncy and textured blow-dry.
Regardless, “you've got that guarantee you're not going to damage the hair,” he adds.
