Dyson’s Airwrap has quickly become one of the most talked-about gadgets in haircare. Why though? Well, its clever airflow tech, wide range of attachments and focus on lower-heat styling make it incredibly versatile, helping it build up a big following fast.
Plus, because it packs multiple beauty tools into one design, you can get by without buying different hair straighteners, hair dryers and the like. Get one of these and you’re pretty much sorted!
But the Airwrap does land at the slightly more premium end of the most popular hair styling tools. So, is it worth the extra cash? Or can a slightly cheaper alternative do a similar job? Let’s take a closer look…
What makes the Dyson Airwrap different?
The Dyson Airwrap stands out because of its super smart Coanda airflow tech. Instead of relying on very high heat, it uses a fast stream of air that attracts and then wraps hair around its barrel. This makes curling and styling so much easier, while reducing your hair’s exposure to extreme temperatures.
And that’s backed up by another handy feature – the intelligent heat control. It constantly monitors the temperature of the airflow (over 40 times a second in fact) to prevent unnecessary heat damage.
Dyson’s range includes a few different models, from the Airwrap I.D. Straight + Wavy, to the Airwrap Co-anda 2x Straight + Wavy and the Airwrap Origin. All of them come with multiple attachments made for curling, smoothing, drying and adding volume. So, pick the one you like the look of, and get your glam on!
Popular Dyson Airwrap alternatives
The good news is that there’s now loads of strong alternatives that give you a similar set of styling options, but won’t break the bank. Here’s a few of our faves…
Best overall alternative
Model: Shark FlexStyle 4-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
Why we love it: Twist it once to dry off with the hair dryer. Then twist it again to swap to a versatile air styler. With it, it’s simple to smooth, straighten, curl and volumise for that salon-quality finish. It’s super lightweight too. So, if you’re really taking your time to nail that new do, your arms won’t get tired.
Best premium alternative
Model: BaByliss Air Wand Hair Dryer, Styler & Straightener All-in-One
Why we love it: It doesn’t matter what sort of hair type you have. With 4 temperature levels and 3 airflow settings, there’s an option here that’ll suit yours. And the ultra-care mode takes that safety a step further, switching between cool and hot air to lessen any heat damage.
Best mid-range alternative
Model: Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro Blow Dry 7-in-1 Ionic Air Styler
Why we love it: You don’t need to stress if you’re in a rush. A 1400 W motor gives you speedy, powerful drying, getting you ready for that night out in no time. Then, you can dial in almost any look you like with the six unique styling attachments. Whether that’s a smart, slicked back style or big, bouncy curls.
Best budget alternative
Model: Revlon RVDR5371UK One Step 5-in-1 Hair Styler
Why we love it: Need some extra hold? Use the root dryer concentrator. It’ll keep your new style locked in place, helping it to stay strong. Or, if you’re after bouncy, fun curls, there’s the vented curler. Fire it up and you’ll have yourself a shiny, voluminous finish.
Styling performance: can cheaper alternatives achieve similar results?
This is where things get interesting. For blow-dries, smoothing and adding volume, many cheaper alternatives perform surprisingly well. Most people will be more than happy with the results you can get from tools like the Shark FlexStyle or Revamp’s Dynamic Radiance Pro.
When it comes to curls, Dyson still has the advantage. The Coanda airflow system creates consistent curls with less effort, especially once you’ve mastered the technique. The curls often look smoother and more polished as well.
Your hair type also matters. Fine hair sometimes benefits more from Dyson’s accurate airflow and lower heat approach. Thick hair usually responds well to both Dyson and other premium options (like Shark). For the odd bit of styling, you’ll probably struggle to spot a huge day-to-day difference though.
The biggest gap isn’t necessarily the final look. Instead, it’s actually the speed, consistency and ease of styling that makes the most noticeable difference.
Is the Dyson Airwrap worth the money?
Absolutely. If you style your hair most days, the cost-per-use quickly becomes easier to justify. You’re getting multiple tools in the one device, which can replace having a separate hair dryer, curling wand and styling brush.
The Airwrap is also appealing if reducing heat exposure is a priority. Regular heat styling can take a toll on your hair over time, so a lower-heat option has obvious benefits in the long term.
Not everyone needs that premium experience either. Only styling your hair here and there? Mainly after simple, blow-dried locks? A more affordable alternative probably makes more sense.
The smart choice really comes down to how often you think you’ll use it and which features matter the most to you.
Final verdict: Dyson Airwrap or a cheaper alternative
The Airwrap is still the benchmark for multi-stylers. Its airflow tech and range of attachments make it pretty easy to see why it’s so popular. Saying that, premium doesn’t always mean it’s the best option for everyone.
Shark’s FlexStyle offers incredible value for money and comes fairly close to recreating the Dyson experience. The Babyliss Air Wand is ideal if you prefer simplicity. While the Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro is a great all-rounder that sits somewhere in between the two.
If you’re styling your hair frequently and want the most advanced features you can get, grab yourself the Airwrap. If you’re focused on finding something more affordable, there are plenty of excellent alternatives that’ll give you stunning everyday results too.
FAQs
What is the best cheaper alternative to the Dyson Airwrap?
Shark’s FlexStyle would be our number one pick here. It gives you similar versatile styling and comes with a bunch of useful attachments too. And all at a lower price.
Is Shark FlexStyle as good as the Dyson Airwrap?
The Shark FlexStyle comes very close. While Dyson just about has the edge, a lot of beauty lovers find the final look they can achieve is pretty similar.
Why is the Dyson Airwrap so expensive?
The price reflects all of the amazing engineering Dyson have packed inside it. It also combines multiple styling tools into one handy device – so, you don’t have to buy a bunch of different ones!
Can cheaper hair stylers achieve similar results?
Yes. Lots of the alternatives out there can create smooth blow-dries, volume and loose curls that look similar to Dyson styles. There is going to be a difference though. You might not get the same speed, consistency and styling precision.
Which Dyson Airwrap alternative is best for beginners?
We’d go for the Revlon One Step 5-in-1 hair styler. It’s the perfect beginner option, as it’s easy to use and doesn’t require much styling experience to get a good-looking result. Oh, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg either.
Need more advice?
The Dyson Airwrap chat doesn’t end there. Our piece – Dyson Airwrap attachments explained – takes an in-depth look at every single attachment that comes with your new gadget.
