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The first time I tried the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer was back in 2016, shortly after stunning hairstylists and beauty editors alike with its launch—and it was love at first gust. I was completely blown away (literally) by its technology and how quickly it took my waist-length strands from soaking wet to sleek and styled, all in about half my usual drying time. However, spending $430 on a blow dryer seemed a bit outrageous for my budget and I chose to skip out on the styler in case a cheaper alternative would soon follow (though I can’t say I exercised the same restraint when the Airwrap launched two years later).
Since then, several so-called Dyson hairdryer dupes have graced the shelves of Sephora and Target alike. And, while there aren’t blow dryers that are identical to the Dyson, there are several incredible alternatives from brands such as Shark, T3, BondiBoost, and more—and they are all nearly half the price of the luxury styler.
Best Overall: Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Hair Dryer, $199
Best Overall, Runner Up: T3 Featherweight Stylemax, $199
Best Budget-Friendly: Wavytalk Professional Hair Dryer, $32 (was $40)
Best for Quick-Drying: BondiBoost Sonic Fast Drying Hair Blow Dryer, $199
Best With Brush Attachments: Drybar Triple Shot Interchangeable Hair Blow Dryer Brush, $190
Best for Textured Hair: PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Blow Dryer, $189
According to Natasha Glatz, a hairstylist and owner of Theory 88 Salon, there are a lot of factors to consider when shopping for hairdryers that are as good as Dyson. “When I consider a ‘good’ blow dryer, I primarily consider the effect it has on the hair, but also a lot of other factors like noise level, ergonomic control, speed, portability, options for different textures and styles, durability, and how it looks in my bathroom or on the counters at my salon,” she explains. “Without even realizing it, all these factors contribute to how much you enjoy using a product and whether or not you ultimately deem it as ‘good’ or worth its value.”
With that in mind, Glatz says you’ll be hard pressed to find a hairdryer that is as good as the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer. “I have no official affiliation with Dyson, but I have spent 18 years using every dryer from $20 Conairs to $200 T3s and I have yet to encounter something that works as effectively, looks as good, and causes minimal damage like the Dyson—it’s truly in a league of its own,” she explains. However, there are some options that are close to meeting the Dyson’s high-quality design, and many are nearly half and even a third of the price.
If you’re looking for a good Dyson hairdryer alternative, you’ll find it in high-end options like the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Hair Dryer, T3 Featherweight Stylemax, and the BondiBoost Sonic Fast Drying Hair Blow Dryer, which all cost $199.
When it comes to Dyson—be it a vacuum or a hairdryer—you get what you pay for. “The Supersonic was the original Dyson blow drying product and was the first of its kind to push out air at such high force and minimal heat,” Glatz explains. “It actually has a smart heat sensor to avoid getting too hot and burning the hair,” she adds, noting that this feature didn’t exist before the Dyson hairdryer. Because of this technology, the Dyson is more of an investment (aka, luxury) hair styling tool.
In addition to its impressive air speed features, the Dyson hairdryer also comes with a slim concentration nozzle that Glatz says creates faster and thinner blade of hair—similar to the Dyson hand dryers in bathrooms—to smooth the hair’s cuticle and minimize frizz. This can cut down styling time and also reduce damage, too.
BEST OVERALL
If you have your eye on the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer but want something a little more budget-friendly, the Shark SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher and High-Velocity Hair Dryer is the next best thing. This blow dryer features four heat settings plus a cool shot, so you can have full control over the temperature when heat styling. On top of that, it boasts three airflow settings and comes with three attachments that allow you to style straight and wavy hair.
While it’s not the most lightweight option on our list, this Dyson hairdryer dupe is still only 1.69 pounds, so it’s comfortable and convenient to hold, and you won’t have to worry about fatigue—even if you’re styling long strands.
Settings: 4 heat settings, plus a cool shot
Air speeds: 3 airflow settings
Cord length: Not listed
Weight: 1.69 pounds
Pros:
Designed for straight and wavy hair types
Under $200
Three attachments
Four heat settings (plus a cool shot)
Easy to hold
Cons:
Cord can cord weighs down the dryer
BEST OVERALL, RUNNER UP:
The T3 Featherweight Stylemax might not look super similar to the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, but it’s one of the best hair dryers I’ve ever tried—and is seriously just as powerful as the Dyson.
This one comes with five heat settings, a cold shot, and three-speed settings that allow you to achieve a salon-worthy blowout at home. I’ll admit I am not the best at DIY blowouts, but I find that the T3 hair dryer is an excellent tool for novice stylists like myself because it dries your hair super fast, so your arms don’t get fatigued halfway through the styling process. The hair dryer also has a long 9-foot cord that makes maneuvering a total breeze, even in my small apartment bathroom.
One of the best things about this hair dryer, though, is how well it combats frizz. Whenever I use a blow dryer on my strands, I am left with a frizzy finish (which is why the Dyson Airwrap is actually my go-to styling tool). But, this one not only dried my long locks in under ten minutes, it actually smooths out my ‘do, too.
Settings: 5 heat settings
Air speeds: 3 air speed settings
Cord length: 9 feet
Weight: 1.88 pounds
Pros:
Includes four attachments
Five heat settings
Dries hair super fast
Prevents frizz
Long cord
Cons:
Attachments can be hard to attach
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY:
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on a blow dryer to get one of the best Dyson Supersonic dupes. After all, the Wavytalk Professional Hair Dryer is only $40 (and currently on sale for even less). This Dyson dupe features three heat settings and two airflow settings that allow you to achieve a gorgeous style at home without much fuss. It also has a lightweight design, so it doesn’t feel super heavy on the wrists and makes styling strands a lot more comfortable than traditional hair dryers. On top of that, it features special technology that evaporates moisture super fast, so you can cut your styling time in half. Oh, and we mentioned it’s only $40, right?
Settings: 3 heat settings
Air speeds: 2 airflow settings
Cord length: Not listed
Weight: 1.32 pounds
Pros:
Comes in 13 different colors
Has three attachments
Compact design
Lightweight design
Cons:
Not made for longevity
BEST FOR QUICK-DRYING
BondiBoost’s hairstyling tools are some of the best money can buy, and when it comes to Dyson hairdryer dupes, the BondiBoost Sonic Fast Drying Hair Blow Dryer is an excellent choice. This dryer is designed for all hair types—including straight, wavy, curly, and coily—and comes with two attachments designed to help you achieve both sleek and straight looks as well as more defined curly styles. The blow dryer is one of the lightest on this list, weighing in at around 0.77 pounds, so it’s incredibly comfortable to hold, and you don’t have to worry about your arms getting fatigued or sore halfway through styling. On top of that, it has an 8-foot cord that allows you free rein while blow-drying strands.
Settings: 3 heat settings
Air speeds: 3 speed settings
Cord length: 8 feet
Weight: 0.77 pounds
Pros:
Lightweight design
Long cord for easy maneuvering
Ultra-lightweight
Two attachments
Cons:
No brush attachments
BEST WITH BRUSH ATTACHMENTS
One of the most challenging things about giving yourself an at-home blowout is managing a round brush and blow dryer at the same time. But, with the Drybar Triple Shot Interchangeable Hair Blow Dryer Brush you don’t have to. This hair dryer is both a brush and a blow dryer and features three separate attachments designed for style versatility. Whether you want a sleek and straight look or a voluminous ‘do, you can achieve your desired look with this hot tool. The blow dryer brush is also designed specifically with ergonomic details which make it super easy and comfortable to hold while drying your hair. And, since it features a flat paddle brush attachment, you could easily use this tool to touch up your locks and extend the life of your blowout.
Settings: Three heat settings
Air speeds: Three speed settings
Cord length: Not listed
Weight: Not listed
Pros:
Three attachments
Creates a pro-looking blowout at home
Cool shot setting
Cons:
Speed and heat settings are combined
BEST FOR TEXTURED HAIR
If you have textured hair, the PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Blow Dryer isn’t just the best Dyson hairdryer dupe, it’s the superior option. This blow dryer was specifically designed for curly and coily hair types, and can do everything from enhancing your curls to combatting frizz to giving you a sleek and straight blowout. It is also specially designed with an AC motor that cuts down drying time, saving you time and protecting your strands from unnecessary heat exposure.
Settings: Two heat settings
Air speeds: Three-speed settings
Cord length: Not listed
Weight: Not listed
Pros:
Four attachments
Designed for curls
Under $200
Cons:
Only two heat settings
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