Skip the Dyson Supersonic, I’d buy the new £250 travel dryer instead

Dyson is synonymous with luxury. Given that the brand’s haircare devices retail in the region of £300 and £600, they’re not the sort of beauty essentials you’re likely to pick up on a whim. Rather, they’re investment tools that are designed to improve your hair’s health and appearance.

Given my experience as a beauty journalist, I’ve tried and tested countless hair dryers, and the one quality that gives Dyson tools the edge is their motor speed (the power of the airflow versus the temperature that shortens the drying time). In my experience, this equates to quicker styling sessions and less hair damage.

It is, however, hard to ignore the price of Dyson’s hair dryers – the OG supersonic costs £329.99, the supersonic nural will set you back £399.99, and the supersonic r is a whopping £449.99. But the latest launch is a travel-sized version of its supersonic costs just £249.99, which is almost £100 cheaper than the OG dryer. After testing it both at home and on the go, I think it might outshine its pricier counterparts for everyday use. Here’s why.

The full-size nural dryer (left) next to the new travel model (right) (Lucy Smith/The Independent)

Dyson supersonic travel hair dryer

Rating: 4.5/5

Why we love it

• Dual voltage for worldwide use (Dyson tools notoriously aren't)
• Motor matches the power of the Hershesons full-size great dryer (among others) for £45 less
• Weighs less than a can of Coke
• Controlled airflow effectively smooths flyaways

Take note

• A higher heat setting to help set styles could be helpful

My interest in Dyson’s supersonic travel hair dryer wasn’t purely its on-the-go suitability, but whether it might beat competitors for day-to-day styling, too.

Off the bat, Dyson’s travel dryer doesn’t outperform the brand’s full-size line-up. And how could it? The nural cleverly auto-adjusts temperatures to keep your scalp health in check and the supersonic r demonstrates the sheer power of Dyson’s most impressive motor yet. The thing is, I’d argue these features aren’t always necessary for everyday blow drying, and that’s where the travel dryer comes in.

The strong motor matches other brands’ premium full-size dryers, which is impressive, especially given its ultra-light design (weighing just over 300g, making it a smart choice for anyone with reduced strength or mobility). Of course, it won’t knock your socks off like the supersonic r will, but it directs air right into the roots for quick drying.

In total, it took my hair from wet to dry in around 15 minutes and didn’t require further styling with straighteners. I predominantly used the highest heat and speed settings to achieve this. If I were to be picky, I would have appreciated an even hotter setting for creating curls with a round brush. But I was still able to create subtle face framing, and my hair was left smooth, soft and ready to go in no time.

After styling, my hair appeared smooth and sleek, and was silky to the touch (Lucy Smith/The Independent)

Unlike Dyson’s other newer supersonic hair dryers, you only get one attachment: the concentrator nozzle. For me, it is a real hero. It allowed me to smooth down flyaways and static. Those who enjoy using a diffuser might feel short-changed. But it has, after all, been designed with ease of travel in mind.

And when you actually consider its aptitude as a travel dryer, it – of course – excels. The dual-voltage (100–240V) design means you can use it worldwide, which is a first from Dyson. Its other tools (including the airwrap and the airstrait) are single-voltage, meaning UK models don’t work in the U.S. (and vice versa). What’s more, I barely noticed the extra weight in my travel bag when lugging it around. In fact, my ghd curling wand weighs around 50g more.

Unless you have very thick locks or particularly fragile hair after years of bleaching and heat styling, you won’t compromise on time, drying and smoothing performance with the Dyson supersonic travel dryer. Even if your hair has suffered breakage (my own included), the travel dryer promises to monitor its air temperature “100 times a second” to prevent extreme heat damage. In summary, this is your ticket to a slice of luxury at a more mid-to-aspirational price point.

Key specifications

• Heat settings: Three (including one cool shot)
• Speed settings: Two
• Weight: 331g
• Cord length: 2m

Does the Dyson travel dryer beat the full-size supersonic?

For everyday styling, the Dyson supersonic travel dryer arguably makes more sense than some of Dyson’s full-size machines and offers the brand’s signature speed and finish without the bulk. It balances price, portability and performance well and, while it doesn’t quite rival the brand’s most powerful hair dryers (such as the nural and supersonic r), it comes remarkably close where it counts, delivering fast drying, smooth results and a noticeably lighter feel.

How I tested

To see whether the Dyson supersonic travel hair dryer could compete with the brand’s existing line-up of dryers, I tested it at home and a hotel, using it as my primary dryer for a week. I assessed how it stacked up with competitors not just as a space-saver, but as an everyday styling device and, specifically, considered the following factors:

• Drying power: I timed how fast it took my hair from wet to dry, and whether the airflow felt comparable to other full-size premium dryers.
• Styling performance: I looked at how well the dryer smoothed hair, reduced frizz and supported styling (including using a round brush and the included concentrator nozzle).
• Heat and control: I tested the different temperature and speed settings, noting how effective they were in achieving my various styling needs.
• Weight: I evaluated how lightweight and easy the dryer was to manoeuvre.
• Travel suitability: I used the dryer away from home to assess how practical it was to pack, carry and use in a cramped hotel bathroom.
• Finish: I monitored how my hair looked and felt after drying, including smoothness, softness and whether additional tools (like straighteners) were needed.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

In her two years at IndyBest, Lucy Smith has become somewhat of a Dyson expert. Not only has she reviewed the brand’s co-anda 2x airwrap and airstrait stylers, but looking at the brand more broadly, she’s even road-tested the V16 piston animal vacuum. Lucy is also big on hair health, having never dyed her hair, and regularly speaks to stylists and trichologists to learn the latest recommendations for silky smooth locks.

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