Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer two-minute review

The Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer is a petite styler that performs surprisingly well considering its small size. In my hunt for the best hair dryer, I've yet to come across a compact styler that truly delivers full power and perfect performance, but the Dreame Pocket comes tantalizingly close. 

Despite weighing just 10.5oz / 300g and measuring a tiny 1.97 x 5.71 x 7.91in /  5 x 14.5 x 20.1cm, it has all the power and versatility of a full-sized styler. Its high-speed motor operates at 110,000 RPM and generates a powerful airflow of 70 m/s, all while keeping noise levels below 80dB. It provides five modes to suit different hair types and needs, ranging from Cold, Warm and Hot to the Instant Cold Air cool shot, and Hot & Cold Cycling mode designed to reduce potential heat damage. It comes with two attachments: the Unfrizz nozzle for sleek, straight hair, and the Curling nozzle for creating curls or waves.

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my long, thin hair using the dryer's Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed but the improvement in hair quality was worth this small time sacrifice. 

And all this is before we even get to the fact the Dreame Pocker dryer is foldable. This not only only means it can be easily stored inside its Dreame-branded storage bag ready for travelling, but it also allows you to adjust how the dryer is used. For example, when the dryer is in the "7" shape, it can be used on its own, or with the Unfrizz nozzle attached. You can then extend the barrel up into a "1" shape before attaching the Curling nozzle and turning the dryer into a curling wand. This hinged design additionally allows you to change the angle of the barrel mid-style, to help you dry hard-to-reach areas and bring a high-level of precision and control. 

The dryer isn't perfect, though. The performance of the Curling nozzle lets it down, and the attachments themselves are so clunky that they detract from the effort that has been made to pack a whole load of power into such a compact shape. That doesn't mean the Dreame Pocket isn't a good investment. Whether you need a quick touch-up on the go, or a full styling session at home, this hair dryer delivers professional results in a compact package. Just don't expect miracles.

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: price & availability

• List price: $159.99
• Available: US/EU

The $159.99 / €159 Dreame Pocket hair dryer is the latest launch in Dreame's growing hair care range, joining the $99 / €79 Dreame Gleam, and $129 / €129 Dreame Glory.

It's sold in the US as well as in a select number of countries in continental Europe from the Dreame website, and Amazon. The folding dryer is available in a Titanium Gold color and ships with two attachments – the Unfrizz Nozzle, and Curling Nozzle – as standard.

Its price and power puts the Pocket dryer in the mid-range bracket, sandwiched between the likes of the $129 T3 Featherweight and the $149.99 BaByliss Pro Portofino. Its folding design and compact, lightweight shape also position it in the travel dryer category, where its rivals include the $139 Drybar Baby Buttercup and the $199 GHD Flight+, while the attachments even draw comparisons with the Shark FlexStyle and even the Dyson Airwrap. 

As a result, the Dreame Pocket stands largely in a category of its own and this enhances its value for money and versatility. It's not cheap but these features go a long way towards justifying its price tag.

• Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer specs

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: design

• 3-in-1 folding design
• 5 modes and 2 airflow speeds
• Curling and Unfrizz attachments
• Comes with storage bag

The first thing I noticed about the Dreame Pocket hair dryer, other than just how light and compact it is at 10oz / 300g, was its folding design. Other foldable dryers tend to mask or disguise the folding mechanism. Dreame instead makes a feature of it by not only designing the hinge in chrome, while the rest of the dryer is a brushed gold color, but also in showing almost the full hinge itself. 

The mechanism is incredibly smooth and the barrel locks securely into place, whether you're using it as a standard dryer, in the so-called "7" shape; extending the barrel upwards into a "1" shape with the Curling nozzle attached; or when you're folding it in half, into an "N" shape, ready to pack into a bag. The Pocket dryer measures 1.97 × 5.71 × 7.91in / 5 × 14 × 20.1cm. 

On the rear of the cylindrical barrel is a curved filter, and there are just two controls on the dryer's handle – the Airflow switch, and a Mode selection button. This buttons are used to control Pocket's two airflow speeds, Low and High, and its five temperature modes:

• Cold 
• Warm
• Hot
• Instant Cold Air Mode 
• Hot & Cold Cycling Mode

The Cold, Warm and Hot modes are relatively self-explanatory. The Instant Cold Air mode is effectively a Cool Shot that allows you to blast your hair with cold air instantly, without having to re-cycle through the modes to reach the dedicated Cold setting. As the name suggests, the Hot and Cold Cycling Mode then cycles between hot and cold air as you style your hair, in a bid to reduce potential heat damage. I first used this feature on the BaByliss Air Wand and while it increases the styling time slightly, it makes a noticeable difference to the finish and feel of your hair. 

It's easy to see at a glance which mode you're using on the Dreame Pocket, thanks to color-coded LEDs on the Mode selection button. A solid blue light represents Cold mode. Press the button again and you'll see a solid orange light which represents Warm mode. A solid red light represents Hot mode, and the lights will repeatedly flash between red and blue on the Cycling Mode. To enable the Instant Cold Air mode, just press and hold the button until the light turns blue. Note that once you stop pressing and holding the button, the dryer will return to whichever mode was previously selected. 

The hair dryer comes with two attachments, designed to create and set a range of straight, wavy and curly styles, and which both lock in to place on the Pocket's barrel using magnets. The Curling Nozzle looks almost identical to the curling wand attachment on the Shark FlexStyle, and it uses the same coanda effect found on both the FlexStyle and Dyson Airwrap to pull the hair and wrap it around the barrel. This dries the hair and sets it into a curl or wave, depending on how tight you wrap the hair, and how long you hold it in place. 

Dreame's Unfrizz Nozzle reminds me of the Flyaway attachment found on the Dyson Supersonic. It uses the Coanda effect to draw the hair towards the attachment, before using the so-called Bernoulli effect to reduce frizz and flyaways. The Bernoulli effect means that the faster the air, the lower the pressure. When used on the Pocket dryer, this effect helps calm flyaway hairs, causing them to lie flat. 

Both attachments are large compared to the compact dryer, and look almost out of place when attached. The Curling nozzle alone is the same height as the entire dryer and this detracts slightly from the travel-friendly nature of the whole setup. To put this into perspective, the dryer ships with a small Dreame-branded, waterproof storage bag which is only just big enough to store the dryer and its 5ft / 1.5m cord. You need to do some clever packing in order to get the zip to do up with the attachments inside, and even then, it's tight.

To truly appeal to all hair types, I would have liked to see the Dreame Pocket ship with a diffuser, but this is a minor point. Also, the Pocket is not dual voltage, unlike the GHD Flight+, which may limit its usability in regions with different electrical standards.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer review: performance

• 1000-watt motor
• High-speed motor operates at 110,000RPM 
• 79dB average noise

There is very often a trade-off in power and performance when you buy a travel hair dryer, or even a compact dryer for that fact. This is not the case with the Dreame Pocket. I was amazed – and I don't use that word lightly – with how well this dryer performed on my longer, fine hair. 

The airflow speed, even on Low, does a fantastic job of drying the hair quickly without blasting it into submission. Despite the small barrel and grille, the hair dryer manages to cover a large amount of hair as it dries, and being able to grip the handle completely provides a high level of precision and control, as does the fact you can subtly alter the angle of the barrel to direct the airflow. I had worried that the location of the buttons would cause me to knock them mid-style by accident, but this wasn't the case. They're perfectly positioned to be able to apply enough pressure to change the mode, without ever getting in the way. 

In my tests, it took 3 minutes and 45 seconds on average to rough dry my hair using the Warm mode, on Low speed. This dropped to just 2 minutes and 35 seconds on Warm mode at High speed. The drying time increased slightly to 4 minutes and 5 seconds, on average, when using the Cycling Mode on High speed. 

I experimented with all of the various combinations of airflow speeds versus modes and the best results I achieved were using the Pocket Dryer on Cycling mode at High speed. The smooth and sleek finish it creates is worth the slightly longer drying times, plus after four weeks of use, my hair felt and looked healthier. Adding the Unfrizz nozzle to the mix then further enhanced just how smooth and healthy my hair looked. This nozzle takes a little getting used to as you run it along the shaft of the hair but it makes a noticeable difference. It also helps bring second-day and even bed-hair under control. 

I had less success with the Curling nozzle, however. I've never rated the Airwrap all that highly because I find its curling wands to be poor, and I had the same issue with the Pocket dryer. To get the best results, your hair can't be too dry or too wet and getting this balance right is an art in itself. The Pocket's Curling nozzle does a better job, in my opinion, of pulling the hair into place than the Dyson, but it's still too unwieldy and temperamental for my liking. I get much quicker, better, long-lasting results with my curling tong. I also found the weight distribution to be a little unbalanced when using the Pocket in the "1" shape and this added to my frustrations. This is a major flaw in an otherwise fantastic dryer. 

On the plus side, the magnets do a great job of keeping the attachments locked in place when you need them to, while allowing you to swap the nozzles in and out easily and safely while styling. And the final positive feature of note on the Pocket dryer is how quiet it is. There is little difference, noise-wise, between the Low and High speed settings with both averaging just 79dB during my review period. It is easy to have a conversation, or hear your music or TV while using this dryer.  

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if….

How I tested the Dreame Pocket Hair Dryer

I used the Dreame Pocket as my go-to styler over the course of four weeks at home and during a weekend trip away. I used it most mornings as a replacement for my usual hair dryer – the Revlon One Step – to dry and style my long, thin hair. For travel testing, I packed the dryer in its storage bag and included it in my carry-on luggage for a weekend trip. 

To thoroughly test the dryer, I experimented with the full range of speed and temperature combinations, and nozzles. I paid close attention to the dryer’s features, how fast and effectively each of the modes and attachments worked, and how easy it was to use. I measured the decibel levels of the dryer on Low and High speeds throughout the testing period to achieve an average noise score. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

RevAir hair dryer two-minute review

The RevAir hair dryer is designed around the knowledge that curly folks — particularly those with especially curly type four hair like mine — spend more time and energy blow-drying and straightening their hair.

In response, RevAir developed a first-of-its-kind reverse-air dryer that’s extremely easy to use. Instead of the pistol-shaped body or wand form factors we’re used to seeing in some of the best hair dryers and best Dyson Airwrap dupes, the RevAir hair dryer opts for a unique design that looks far more like one of the best vacuum cleaners.

Somewhat similar to the Dyson Airwrap, the RevAir draws air into its wand, using reverse-air suction to gently tug on the hair to dry, stretch and reduce shrinkage. It offers seven tension settings to accommodate a variety of hair types, and uses internal sensors to maintain an even temperature and reduce heat damage.

It’s far from perfect, with its bulky design and loud components, but this vacuum-style dryer is worth the space it takes up, especially when dealing with children’s hair.

Those with braids or who simply want more manageability built into their styling routine may also like how this hair dryer—especially when used briefly—can save you from a literal headache.

• RevAir hair dryer for $399.99 at Best Buy

RevAir hair dryer review: price & availability

• Price: $399
• Availability: US only

With an MSRP of $399 the RevAir appears costly at face value, but if you consider how few and far between devices with such versatility are, and that everyone in the family can use it, then the cost is somewhat justified.

Also, when I purchased mine, I took advantage of a coupon that brought down the cost. It is available on the RevAir site, as well as at Bloomingdale’s and Best Buy.

Unfortunately, it’s not sold in the UK or Australia, but it can be imported from the US. It needs a hefty transformer setup to get it working though, and it’s not recommended.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer specs

RevAir hair dryer review: design

• Bulky and heavy
• Long hose
• Seven power settings

The RevAir looks not unlike an old-school vacuum cleaner with a long hose attached to a box (the base). You may have stumbled upon something like it in your grandmother's attic.

Just like those old vacuums, and with all the extra parts, this blow dryer is heavier than average. It weighs 8lbs / 3.6kg, but luckily, you’re not necessarily holding all that weight since the 5.5ft / 1.68m hose is long and lightweight. Probably 80% of the weight is in the base which would sit on a surface like your counter or bed, depending where you’re using it. Altogether, the product is pretty bulky at 7.94 x 7.25 x 7.68in / 20.17 x 18.44 x 19.51cm.

The wand, which is also larger than most, feels like holding a regular blow dryer. There are seven tension settings, which control the intensity of the suction via a dial on the side of the device. The RevAir also has three heat settings that can be controlled using a switch on the handle: 158F / 70C for low, 220F / 104C for high, and then a cool shot. Two other convenient features are the rack attachment for storing the wand, and the mesh filter basket, which is included in the accessory-laden “total package” bundle from RevAir.

• Design score: 3 out of 5

RevAir hair dryer review: performance

• Easy to use
• Sucks instead of blowing
• Dries fast and reduces heat damage

What stood out to me most when testing the RevAir was the ease of use and the time I saved. I still had to detangle my hair by hand after washing, but I felt like the RevAir helped with relaxing the coils so that each section became more manageable. That’s probably the reverse-air technology keeping my hair from getting overly frizzy.

The RevAir works using the opposite technique of a typical blow dryer. It actually sucks the excess water from your hair and that, in turn, helps to seal your cuticle since it’s pulling the hair in its natural direction.

Before using, you may be a little anxious about your hair getting stuck. My 4c hair tends to tangle very easily, but after a few passes, I had no concerns about it getting stuck anywhere in the RevAir. There is nothing in the blow dryer for your hair to get caught on but if you were concerned, you could just turn off the suction.

I initially didn’t think about using the RevAir for drying braids. I don’t wear braids often, as I’m a swimmer—triathlete, to be exact— and excessive water can weigh down locks, braids, and twists and leave your shirt soaked for hours. However, inserting a braid or plait into the wand is just as easy as it would be to grab a small section. Thus, the RevAir can give you more freedom with hairstyles without sacrificing washes (chlorine is damaging after all).

One downside is that, unlike other modern dryers, the RevAir won’t work for a blowout at home. You can’t “bump” with a brush or the wand like a standard dryer or Dyson Airwrap. Nonetheless, and much like those other tools, you’d have to follow up with a flatiron or a different styling tool anyway for curlier hair types, so that doesn’t take much from the product.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the RevAir hair dryer?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

How I tested the RevAir hair dryer

• I used the RevAir for about 30 minutes once a month for about six months
• I started on freshly cleaned and detangled hair after removing excess water
• I sprayed heat protectant spray on each section, which I separated with hair clips

I’ve been testing the RevAir for several months on my thin, medium-length 4c hair, comparing it against my go-to dryer and using my normal daily haircare routine for a fair comparison.

That involves cleaning and detangling my hair, using a cotton t-shirt to soak up excess water and then spraying my sectioned hair with heat protectant.

I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and over that time I’ve identified the most important aspects of value, design and performance that make great products great. This, and my personal hands-on testing, have informed my opinions.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler two-minute review

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Hair Multi-styler is a Dyson Airwrap dupe that’s easy to use and doesn’t weigh heavy on your arm. This will be welcome news to those whose hair features kinks or coils; when your hair is dense, the quicker the blow-dry, the better.

The styler has a sleek look and a thin wand – a popular form factor right now among the best hair dryers – but at a fraction of the price of some of its competitors (the Sharper Image costs $269 vs the Dyson Airwrap’s $499). It has six attachments, including brushes and a detangler for drying, smoothing, and adding body. While barrel brushes aren’t ideal for blowing out coarser hair, the paddle-style brush is perfect for blow-drying and smoothing textured hair. For anyone who’s broken a comb, the detangler is quite sturdy and ready to go on a journey with you. As for the curling attachments, someone with Type 4 hair can volumize fine locks or even give yourself a “bump,” no matter the length - and that’s no easy feat for a more affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe. 

Using a vortex or “Coanda technology” to wrap and circulate the air through your hair, the Sharper Image Revel dries hair at a pretty quiet 73.8dB. My husband could not hear me using it from downstairs.

All of the attachments are easy to use, and you simply twist the top of the detangler to extend the comb. Note that those with curly hair may still need a separate blow dryer for diffusing, since this styler doesn’t come with one. However, on a low heat setting, you may be able to stretch out your curls somewhat.

In fact, if you’re looking to stretch hair or do a silk press at home with less heat damage, the 6-in-1 styler is a solid choice without the hefty price tag.

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler specs

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: price & availability

• Price: $269.99
• Availability: US only

The Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 can be purchased at Sharper Image stores, and on sites such as Amazon, Walmart, and QVC at an MSRP $269.99. 

Value-wise, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 comes in at almost half the price of the Dyson Airwrap – the gold standard for multi-stylers – while still offering great performance across a variety of hair types. Also if you shop around you may well be able to get it even cheaper; at the time of writing it's available for just $198 at Amazon and also at Walmart.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: design

• Comfortable to hold
• Three heat and power settings
• Surprisingly long

Overall, the Sharper Image Revel styler looks like a curling iron in receipt of a makeover to bring it up to date. An all-rubberized cylinder means you can hold it wherever it’s most comfortable for you. It offers three adjustable heat and power settings, as well as a cold shot. Much like the original Dyson Airwrap, the airflow curlers have a left and right-side option; you have to switch the barrel to change the direction of your curls.

The Revel arrives with six attachments: an airflow curler, hair dryer and detangler, volumizing brush, smoothing brush, and styling brush. Overall, even with the largest attachment, the styler weighs only 1.6lbs – which is wonderfully lightweight and less than the blow dryer that I typically use to diffuse and stretch my hair every so often.

At 17.9 inches, the Sharper Image Revel is quite long, but this also makes it well suited to longer hair. Adding the attachments is simple: twist in place, and remove by pushing the button on the back. At the top, you’ll find the on/off and cold shot buttons. At the end of the handle you’ll find an easy-to-read heat symbol and fan symbol to control speed and temperature.

The power cord is extremely long, which is pretty convenient for styling but awkward for storing the tool away.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review: performance

• Reasonably fast drying
• Practice required for best results

I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair. Before I got started, I divided my hair into four sections and applied a heat protectant. Once I completed styling, I applied a finishing spray. I wasn’t trying to achieve a silk press look, but if I were, I’d need a hair spray that would provide shine and frizziness. Also, it would likely take some practice with the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 to achieve hair that looks like you’ve just stepped out of a blow-dry bar.

I was able to dry my entire head in about 25 minutes, which may seem quite lengthy; but when you consider that it usually takes over an hour to dry and flat-iron my hair, the Sharper Image Revel made good time. Note, though, that my 4c hair is fine, which means it could take someone with more dense, thicker hair longer. Also, my hair did become poofy the second I walked out into the humidity, but on a positive note, the next time I washed and dried my hair, I didn’t notice any heat damage.

The benefit of using a blow dryer and styling system together is that your hair doesn’t have to be 100% dry for you to start to style it. Blow dry it enough to smooth it, then you can allow your hair to dry into a cute spiral or wave. However, I’d advise being gentle with hair to avoid causing damage to your natural curls. I say that as someone who tried to drag the detangler tool through hair without starting with a wide-tooth comb.

Inevitably, I had to take a step back and take my time working my way from the end up to the roots to prepare it for drying. Ultimately I used the detangler attachment as my last step, instead of my first step for detangling, and I will note that it was refreshing that the teeth of the detangler didn’t break like the teeth of many blow dryers and combs I’ve tried in the past.

The success you have with the Sharper Image Revel’s two curling barrels will depend on how straight you’ve managed to get your hair; otherwise, you risk getting them becoming stuck in your hair!

Overall, the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 is a quality product that can save you much time. Styling Type 4 hair of any length can take hours, so any tools that can at least cut down drying time will help. As far as achieving a “straight” look with the Sharper Image Revel, depending on your hair type, one may have to slightly lower their expectations in terms of owning just a single tool that can do it all.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

How I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler

• I used the Revel for several months on medium-length, fine Type 4c hair
• I started on freshly washed, detangled hair and removed excess water
• I separated hair into sections and used a heat protectant spray

I tested the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 on my medium-length, fine Type 4c hair for several months, stretching and blow drying hair as I normally would

Having washed and detangled hair, I used a cotton t-shirt to remove excess moisture before sectioning hair and spraying it with heat protectant spray before drying and styling. I used my old faithful blow dryer as a reference point for comparing drying speed and performance.

I’ve been writing about health, wellness and beauty for years, and during that time I’ve tried a variety of products that help to inform my assessment of the performance, design and value of different devices.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

Dyson Supersonic Nural: two-minute review

The Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer is the most hi-tech hair dryer I've ever used. The headline feature here is the 'Scalp Protect mode', which senses how far away your head is, then heats up or cools down to maintain what feels like a constant temperature on your scalp. All that means less heat damage; even if you put it right up to your head, it won't burn.

The Nural can also sense when you put it down, and drop into low-power mode in response, and when not using Scalp Protect mode, it also remembers your airspeed and temperature preference for each specific attachment. On test, I found these techy features all worked as they were meant to. While I guess they're not strictly essential to the hair drying experience, they're not just a gimmick either – each helps streamline and speed up the styling process. 

Alongside these new innovations, the Nural also has all the things that made the original Supersonic – widely considered the best hair dryer on the market (read about it in our Dyson Supersonic review) – so popular. Namely, very fast and efficient airflow, a design that's comfortable and easy to wield, and a range of well-designed, magnetic attachments that clip easily on and off. These attachments cater to a range of different hair types (short, long, straight, coily and curly) and include a unique Flyaway tool, which tames stray hairs with alarming effectiveness. 

While the attachments are broadly the same as with the original Supersonic, I would like to give a special shout-out to the redesigned diffuser, which can now be used without the prongs in so-called Dome mode, designed to define your curls. I have natural slight curls, and it's the only diffuser I've ever been able to use that hasn't transformed my hair into a frizz-ball of epic proportions. 

Of course, it's far from cheap. In fact, so far that 'cheap' isn't even a dot in the distance. The Nural's list price of $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750 puts it firmly beyond the reach of many, and will perhaps make you question the necessity of owning a hair dryer that glows like a UFO and knows how close it is to your head at any time. But if you want the best of the best and have the budget for it, I have basically no complaints about how well the Nural works. 

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic Nural review. Alternatively, for more on this brand's haircare range, head to our Dyson AirWrap review,  Dyson Airstrait review or Dyson Coralle review.

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: price & availability

• List price: $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$750 
• Available: globally
• Launch date: spring 2024

The Supersonic Nural was announced in March 2024, and became available across the US, UK and Australia shortly after. 

Regardless of territory, it's expensive. At TechRadar, we consider any hair dryer over $200/£200 to be a premium product, and at list price, the Nural is twice that. In the US it's $499.99, in the UK it's £399.99, and in Australia it's AU$750.

It's the priciest hair dryer I've tested, but then it's also the most high-tech – by some margin. You're not paying just for the Dyson name, you're paying for the innovation and the engineering. (Okay, and a little bit for the Dyson name.) While I'm not especially mad at how expensive the Nural is, I do think it would be useful to be able to pick a cheaper option with fewer attachments. With their individual sensors and magnetic design, these are presumably driving up the price, and most people will only need two or three. 

For comparison, at time of writing the original Dyson Supersonic is $429.99 / £279.99 / AU$649. So the price jump between the two models is biggest if you're in the UK.

The most expensive GHD model is the GHD Helios, which is significantly cheaper, with a list price of $279.00 / £159 / AU$280. But it's nowhere near as intelligent as the Nural; you're definitely not getting like-for-like.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural specs

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: design

• Scalp Protect mode adjusts temperature based on distance from head
• Wide range of magnetic attachments for different hair types
• Light and easy to wield, although handle could be a bit longer

At time of launch, there are two different colorway options: Vinca Blue/Topaz (which I would call purple and orange) and Ceramic Patina/Topaz (turquoise and orange – the version I tested for this review). Otherwise it looks very similar to the original Supersonic – a streamlined version of a hair dryer, with a relatively small and lightweight barrel at the top, with most of the weight in the handle.

While Dyson seems to be getting into the habit of adding tiny, largely unnecessary screens to its new releases (looking at you, Airstrait), the Nural has escaped the curse. Instead, it's operated via buttons – a sliding on-off switch and cool shot button on the handle, and temperature, airspeed and Scalp Protect mode buttons on the barrel. All are small and unobtrusive.

At the bottom of the handle is a filter cage. To clean, Dyson recommends snapping the cage off (it's magnetic), soaking it for 30 minutes in soapy water, rinsing and drying. The filter can be wiped with a dry cloth to get rid of anything that may have built up there.

At time of writing, the Vinca Blue colorway comes with a cushioned 'presentation case', but there isn't one with the turquoise – sorry, Ceramic Patina – option that I tested. I felt both slightly short-changed, and a bit sad, that I couldn't put my Nural to bed like a little prince, but it's not a major issue.

Settings

You have three temperature settings (high, medium, low), plus a cool shot. There are also three airflow speeds – high (for when you're in a rush, or if you're a generally impatient person), medium (for regular use, if you're not an impatient person) and low (for diffusing).

Air speed and temperature are adjusted by pressing little buttons on the main barrel of the hair dryer, with three tiny LEDs to indicate which setting you're using. The Nural also has sensors that recognize which attachment is connected. When you snap on each one, it'll automatically swap to your last-used temperature and speed settings, to save you having to manually adjust as you go through your routine.

As well as the manual settings, there's the all-new Scalp Protect mode, activated via a button on the barrel with a hair follicle on it. When activated, the Nural uses a Time of Flight sensor to measure how close to your head the hair dryer is, and adjust so it maintains a consistent temperature. So when you have the Nural right up to your scalp, it'll lower the temperature, and if it's further away, it'll increase it. The idea is to minimize heat damage to the hair, was well as helping you avoid burning your scalp if you want to have the dryer right next to your head for precision styling.

To hammer home how space-age this feature is, the whole inside of the main barrel will illuminate to indicate the temperature – bright red for the hottest setting, down to blue for the cool shot. Is it strictly necessary? No. Is it cool? Yes. Is it hard to photograph effectively? Absolutely.

Finally, there's a Pause Detect function, which uses a motion sensor to identify when you've put the dryer down, and automatically cut the heat and minimize the airflow in response. There's intentionally a slight delay so the Nural doesn't cut out every time you pause slightly mid-style. This function is automatically on, unless you have a diffuser attachment connected.

Attachments

All versions of the Dyson Supersonic Nural come with the full selection of styling attachments. These are magnetic, and snap on and off the barrel of the dryer. They're broadly the same (save for some slight design tweaks) as those included with the original Supersonic, with the exception of the Diffuser, which has been redesigned more thoroughly.

Wave+Curl diffuser

This is the large diffuser, for waves and curls. It has been redesigned for the Nural, and can now be used in two ways. The central part, with the prongs, can be removed (it's magnetic) to leave a bowl-shaped attachment that Dyson calls 'Dome mode'. 

'Diffuse mode' (with prongs), is designed to add volume at the root, whereas Dome mode is designed to help define your curls. Dyson recommends you use the diffuser attachments with medium heat and medium airflow. It's the only attachment not to be compatible with Pause Detect. 

Gentle air attachment

This has crimped edges, and is designed to very slightly diffuse the airflow, for gentler drying compared to using it without. This one is a little confusing – a Dyson community page states it's 'engineered to be kinder to fine hair and sensitive scalps' but creating a 'gentle, cooler airflow', but then suggests it's used with high heat and high air flow. It is compatible with scalp protect mode.

Styling concentrator

Like your standard concentrator, this channels the air into a wide, thin blade, for smooth styles. It's designed for use with high heat and medium airflow, but can also be used with Scalp Protect mode.

Wide-tooth comb

A broader concentrator, with a comb extension, this attachment detangles your hair as it dries it. Dyson says it's for shaping and lengthening curly or coily hair, and it's designed to be used with high heat and high airflow. 

Flyaway attachment

This is for use on dry, straight hair. It uses 'Coanda airflow' – the same hair-bending phenomenon that powers the Airwrap – to flatten down flyaways. It's designed to be used with low heat and high airflow.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Nural review: performance

• Fast and effective drying; well-designed attachments
• Scalp Protect mode works well and doesn't impact drying time too much
• Auto-pause is useful

If Dyson really knows how to do one thing well, it's move air about. That's a more impressive specialism than it sounds – it's what earned Dyson reputation as the brand behind the best vacuum cleaners and the best fans around. And I wasn't surprised to find that the hair drying part of the Supersonic Nural is extremely effective. For rough drying, it gets the job done, and fast.

Because of the more compact shape and the fact that most of the weight is in the handle, it's more comfortable to hold, and easier to wield, than a traditional dryer. My only real complaint with the design is that the handle is a touch short for me – I'm either in danger of accidentally activating the cool shot button or getting my own 'cool shot' to the hand courtesy of the fan grille at the base of the handle.

As someone who has a habit of defaulting to the maximum settings on any haircare gadgets, I wasn't sure if Scalp Protect mode would be one of those features I'd end up neglecting, having prioritized extra sleep time over my long-term hair health. However, that hasn't been the case so far. 

I found that there was no appreciable difference in how long it took to rough-dry my hair in this mode compared to my usual blast-it-with-heat approach. This might be partly to do with the fact that the airspeed is so effective that it means you're not relying so much on cranking up the heat to get your hair dry. Scalp Protect mode has become my go-to for whenever I just want to quickly dry my hair. 

When comes to styling, the magnetic attachments snap on and off with just the right amount of effort – not so much it's a struggle, or requires the gripping of anywhere other than the dedicated stay-cool sections of the attachment, and not so little that there's a danger the tool will fall off mid-style.

The Attachment Learning tech worked as intended – in use, the Nural reliably remembered my last-used temperature and airspeed preferences. This feature will be useful for anyone who regularly uses a few different attachments for styling. Like many of Dyson's tech innovations here, it's not essential, but it does remove one of the annoying, fiddly parts of hair styling and streamline the process that little bit more. It's not just a gimmick. Exactly the same goes for the Pause Detect when the dryer is put down.

I also appreciate Dyson branching out past your standard diffuser-and-concentrator package to offer attachments for different hair types, although it has taken a bit of experimenting to figure out exactly how some of them work and what they're for (this Dyson community page has come in handy). The Flyaway attachment is a standout, using the same hair-bending Coanda airflow effect that the Airwrap is based on to flatten out flyaways and leave a smooth finish with absolutely minimal effort.

As someone with naturally slightly curly hair, I was also impressed with the redesigned Diffuser. Regular diffusers leave my hair super-frizzy, but the 'Dome mode', created by removing the central prongs, gave me smoother, more defined curls. (You can see how it works in the video above.)

Overall, minor niggle about the length of the handle aside, I really have no complaints about the Supersonic Nural's performance. It's by far the best hair dryer I've used. 

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic Nural?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How I tested the Dyson Nural Supersonic

• I used it as my primary hair dryer for a month
• I tested all the attachments and features

For this Dyson Supersonic Nural review, I used it as my primary hair dryer for a full month. I tried out all the various attachments and settings, using it to create a range of different styles and finishes. I compared it to other dryers I've used, including the original Supersonic, in terms of how long it takes to dry and style, and how easy it is to use. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2024

GHD Duet Style: two-minute review

The GHD Duet Style promises to be a game-changer, because it can dry and style at the hair at the same time. In theory, it could make for worthy, somewhat more affordable alternative to the Dyson Airstrait (which launched after the Duet), but on test it falls a little short in places.

Throughout my trial, I tested the Duet Style on a range of hair states: soaking wet; damp, towel-dried hair; and second-day hair. Compared to my regular hairdryer, which takes my hair from wet to dry in around four minutes, the Duet Style took an almost painful 15 minutes – the slowest hair dryer I've ever used. (In comparison, in our Dyson Airstrait review, we found this drier-straightener was a genuine time-saver.)

The issue with the Duet Style is that because you have to section your hair and dry each section individually. Even then, it takes multiple passes over each strand to truly dry it effectively. If it takes this long on my long, thin hair, I dread to think how long it would take on thick or coily hair. It's not going to be troubling our best hair dryer guide any time soon. 

Using the Duet Style on damp hair took an average of nine minutes, while using it bring life back to my second-day hair took less than two. The latter has quickly become my favorite way to use the Duet Style. The hot air reaches 300F / 150C, while the plates heat up to 360F / 180C. Like all GHD stylers, there's only one temperature setting.

Once your hair's dry, pressing the Shine Shot button turns off the hot airflow and turns on the plates. After 20 seconds, you can then run the Duet Style over your hair like you would with standard straighteners to knock out any remaining frizz and add a dose of shine.

The styles created with the Duet Style last noticeably longer than they ever have when I've blowdried my hair in the past. I have naturally curly hair, and typically a hint of humidity sends it into a frizzy frenzy, but the Duet Style improved this. The only downside is that you have to sacrifice the volume, body and bounce you only really get from a traditional blow dry.

I'm also not a huge fan of the Duet Style's size and weight. It measures 16.7 x 12.8in / 42.4 cm x 32.5cm (H x W) and weighs 1.5lb / 675g. This makes the styler cumbersome to maneuver around your head and near-impossible to create flicks or curls, like GHD promises, significantly reducing the Duet Style's versatility.

This extra weight also means you have to hold the end of the tool for stability and to stop your arm from aching, but the styler has a tendency to get hot during use, making it uncomfortable to grip for long periods. On the plus side, the large size does allow you to tackle bigger sections of hair at once. 

Size and weight issues aside, the GHD Duet Style's controls are simple and easy to use and the fact it creates styles that last is a major selling point. If you're looking for a one-stop shop for drying and straightening your hair, and you're a patient person, the Duet Style could be a good option. However, if you value speed, maneuverability, and styling versatility, or you have thick hair, you might be better off sticking with your trusty hairdryer and straightener combo.

GHD Duet Style review: price & availability

• List price: $399 / £379 / AU $595
• Available: US, Australia, UK and Europe

The GHD Duet Style is available in black or white as standard, and at time of writing there's also a limited-edition Elemental Blue colorway, which forms part of GHD's recent Color Crush collection.

The standard model costs $399 / £379 / AUD$595, making it the most expensive GHD styler on the market. In the US, the Color Crush version costs the same as the standard model, at $399, yet in the UK and Australia the price for the blue model rises to £389 and AUD$605 respectively. All three regions sell the blue version with a leather storage case. 

You can additionally buy the black GHD Duet Style as part of a styling set in the US. This kit contains the styler, a 'lizard velvet' storage case and the GHD Sleek Talker heat protect spray yet still costs the same, at $399. 

Within the wider GHD range, the Duet Style most closely resembles the $269 / £209 / AUD$370 GHD Max in terms of design, and is closest in price to the $299 / £309 / AUD$500 cordless GHD Unplugged. Yet stands apart from all of its siblings, as well as the vast majority of the market because of its 2-in-1, wet-to-dry features.

The only other like-for-like styler wet-to-dry styler is the Dyson Airstrait. The Airstrait is available in the US and UK for $499.99 / £499.99 and is due to launch in Australia later in 2024. The Airstrait offers the same wet-to-dry features as the Duet Style but doesn't have the flat iron hot plates seen on the GHD model. 

The GHD Duet Style is available in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and across Europe, and is sold directly from the GHD website, but also via plenty of third party retailers. 

Given that the choice of wet-to-dry stylers is limited, and the GHD Duet Style is significantly cheaper than the Airstrait, despite featuring hot plates, it represents decent value for money. You're effectively paying for advanced, cutting-edge tech and innovation and getting a GHD hair dryer and flat iron styler for the price of one. That said, you could still a separate hair dryer and flat iron with change to spare, so it depends on your needs. 

• Value for money score: 3 out of 5

GHD Duet Style hair dryer review: design

• Large and heavy paddle-shaped design
• Easy to use controls
• Well-placed air vents 

The GHD Duet Style is notably larger and heavier than the average styler, measuring 16.7 x 12.8 in / 42.4 cm x 32.5 cm (H x W) and weighing 1.5lb / 675g. The hot plates each then measure 0.6 in / 1.7cm wide. This makes it a bulky piece of kit and not the easiest of stylers to move around the head. It also makes it a pain to store.

The plates sit either side of a central air vent on both the upper and lower arms of the styler. These vents are covered in a grid that disperses the hot air evenly onto your wet hair as you pass it through the dryer. There are then two thin air vents built into the arms of the Duet Style. These are used to dry the hair above and below the styler as it moves through the hair. A small but welcome, and smart, addition. 

Design-wise, the Duet Style closely resembles the GHD Max, thanks to its wide, paddle-shaped design, albeit with a much thicker handle. This handle is where the motor and filter for the drying element sits and this filter is attached to the Duet Style's 360-degree, 8.8ft / 2.7m cord. Its minimal, easy-to-use controls are then found on the top of the styler's arm.

These controls consist of a power switch surrounded by a white LED ring, above a Shine Shot button. The switch controls the dryer element of the GHD Duet Style and can be used on wet or damp hair. The Shine Shot button controls the hot plates and should only be used on dry hair. Both controls are accompanied by a short beep that signals that the styler is ready for use. I'm a big fan of this auditory feedback and I miss it when I use other stylers without it. 

The hot airflow on the GHD Duet Style maxes out at 300F / 150C while the plates operate at 180C / 360F. GHD stylers only ever offer one temperature setting. This is the optimum temperature, according to GHD, because it's hot enough to mold the hair into shape, while causing minimal damage.

While the GHD Duet Style has a built-in filter, it doesn't offer a cleaning mode (like the Dyson Airstrait) so you'll need to keep it free from dust and build-up over time. GHD recommends using a soft toothbrush to keep this filter clear. 

It may not be the most stylish, or compact styler, but the GHD Duet Style's design is well considered. It shares the premium look seen across rest of the GHD range and there are small touches and accents that elevate its appearance. 

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

GHD Duet Style review: performance

• Slow drying times
• Difficult to maneuver and use for long periods
• Long-lasting styles 

The GHD Duet Style takes a bit of getting used to. Not just because it's unlike any styler I've used before, but because it goes against everything I'd ever been told about using stylers on wet hair. For my Duet Style review, I tested the styler on wet hair, straight from the shower; on damp towel-dried hair; and on second-day hair. 

My favorite way to use the Duet Style is on second-day hair. It brings my style back to life without having to rewash it, and it gives more precision than a traditional hair dryer without having to resort to straightening it or similar.

From wet to dry, the GHD Duet Style took significantly longer than it does with a regular hair dryer – almost 15 minutes compared to the average of four. If you have long, thick or coily hair, this could exceed 30 minutes or more.  Taking my hair from damp to dry then took, on average, nine minutes and produced a similar finish. 

These lengthy times are largely because you have to section the hair, and dry each section in turn. GHD advises that you hold the dryer near your roots for three seconds to dry the hair closest to your head before passing it over the lengths, which adds to this time. It then takes multiple, slow passes over each strand of hair to dry it effectively. I had hoped, after spending this long drying my hair, that I'd be ready to leave the house, but my hair lacked the shine and finish I'd have expected. 

Thankfully, the Duet Style's Shine Shot came to the rescue. Press the button, wait 20 seconds and the Duet Style becomes a flat iron styler. You then run it over your hair to knock out any remaining frizz and add shine.   

The biggest selling point of the Duet Style, however, is that whichever way I use it, my style lasts much longer than when I blow dry it. I have naturally curly hair and usually, as soon as it gets even a hint of humidity, it becomes frizzy and the curls return. This was noticeably improved while using the Duet Style. It isn't the cure for frizz, but it's close. 

This does come at the sacrifice of body and movement though. The root drying vents help add volume at the roots but you don't get the same movement or bounce as you do with a regular blow dry. What's more, there's not much you can do about this. The Duet Style is too large and unwieldy to move around the head easily, or twirl it around the hair in the same way you would with a barrel brush. No matter how hard I tried, I never managed to add flicks or curls or achieve the versatility that GHD promises.

Given the size and weight of the styler, it's also necessary to hold the end of the Duet Style while passing it over your hair to keep it steady and to manage the weight. This can get uncomfortable as the styler gets hot and you have to avoid the hot air coming out of the side vents.

It's not so hot that it burns you, but it's hot enough for you not want to hold it for long periods. There are strips of rubber edging to help with this but they're too narrow to really make a difference, and these rubber strips tend to attract a build-up of leftover heat protector and styling products easily. If there is one plus side to the Duet Style's large size, it means you can dry large sections of hair at any one time. Helping to counteract the long styling times.  

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Should I buy the GHD Duet Style?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

First reviewed: April 2024

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