The Dyson Airwrap has become more than just a hair tool; it's a phenomenon, promising salon-quality blowouts and bouncy curls from the comfort of your home. But with its premium price tag and dazzling marketing, many wonder: does it truly live up to the hype? This guide offers an unbiased look at the Pros and Cons of the Dyson Airwrap: An Unbiased Look, cutting through the noise to help you decide if this innovative styler is right for your hair and your wallet.
At a Glance: What You Need to Know About the Dyson Airwrap
- What it is: A multi-styler that dries and styles hair simultaneously using Coanda airflow, not extreme heat.
- Key Innovation: Coanda effect gently wraps hair, intelligent heat control keeps temperatures below 302°F.
- Versions: Initially launched in 2018, an overhauled 2.0 version was released in Summer 2022 with improved attachments.
- Major Pros: Significantly faster styling from wet-to-dry, much less heat damage, versatile, and can replace multiple tools.
- Major Cons: Very expensive, has a learning curve, and curl longevity varies greatly by hair type.
- Best For: Those seeking healthier styling, convenience, and a willingness to invest in a premium tool that can transform their routine.
What is the Dyson Airwrap, Really? Decoding the Hype
Imagine a hair tool that dries your hair and styles it into voluminous waves or sleek strands without scorching it. That's the promise of the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler. First introduced in 2018 and significantly upgraded in the summer of 2022 (often referred to as the 2.0 version), this device redefined at-home hair styling.
At its heart lies Dyson's proprietary Coanda technology. Instead of clamping hair or using plates that blast extreme heat, the Airwrap harnesses a continuous jet of air, creating a vortex that literally "grabs" and wraps sections of hair around its barrels or brushes. This clever engineering allows you to style your hair from wet to dry, significantly cutting down on styling time.
Powering this magic is the Dyson digital motor V9, generating the precise air pressure needed. Crucially, it features intelligent heat control, constantly measuring airflow temperature over 40 times per second. This ensures the temperature stays below a hair-safe 302°F, actively preventing the kind of extreme heat damage associated with traditional curling irons or straighteners. Plus, negative ions are dispersed in the airflow to help reduce static and smooth frizz, leaving your hair looking polished.
Since its re-release, reviewers, including those who’ve tested both generations over several years, laud the 2.0 version for its subtle but impactful improvements, making it more user-friendly and efficient.
Unpacking the Box: What's Inside the Complete Long Kit?
The beauty of the Airwrap lies in its modular design. The most popular configuration, the Dyson Airwrap Complete Long kit, comes packed with a range of attachments designed for different styling needs:
- Two Curling Barrels (1.2-inch and 1.6-inch long): These are the stars for creating curls and waves. The 1.2-inch barrel tends to give a tighter curl, which some users find too small for a relaxed look. The 1.6-inch offers a looser, bouncier wave. The 2.0 version boasts bi-directional barrels, a massive upgrade that eliminates the need to switch attachments for different curl directions – a true game-changer for speed and convenience.
- Two Smoothing Brushes (Firm and Soft): The firm smoothing brush is ideal for frizz-prone hair, while the soft smoothing brush caters to fine hair and can achieve a quick, smooth blowout. While effective, some users find these brushes struggle to fully dry roots, potentially leaving them damp, and the difference between the firm and soft can be negligible depending on your hair type.
- One Round Volumizing Brush: Perfect for adding body, shine, and shape, especially for bangs, the crown, or shorter layers. It’s effective, but some with very long hair might find it a bit too small to efficiently style their entire head.
- One Coanda Smoothing Dryer (a 2-in-1 Flyaway Smoother and Hairdryer): This innovative attachment is a standout. Its "flyaway" function is widely praised for delivering impressive shine and smoothness. However, its "hairdryer" function, designed to get hair about 70% dry, receives mixed reviews due to its undirected airflow, making it less intuitive for traditional drying than a dedicated hairdryer.
- Accessories: You also get a filter cleaning brush to maintain optimal performance and a large, structured storage case. Limited editions might even include a wide-tooth comb, a paddle brush, or a travel case.
It's worth noting that Dyson offers the flexibility to purchase new attachments individually, or you can buy a kit of new attachments for around $199 if you own an older Airwrap motor – a thoughtful touch for existing users.
The Airwrap Advantage: Why People Love It (The Pros)
Let's dive into why the Dyson Airwrap has garnered such a loyal following, offering a truly differentiated styling experience.
Time-Saving Transformation
One of the most compelling reasons people invest in the Airwrap is the sheer time it saves. Imagine going from wet, towel-dried hair to a fully styled look in about 15 minutes. This is a significant improvement over traditional methods that might require 15 minutes of blow-drying followed by another 15 minutes of curling or straightening.
Individual attachments also pull their weight:
- The smoothing brushes can transform your hair in about 10-15 minutes.
- The round volumizing brush can create a bouncy style in under 10 minutes.
- Even the pre-styling dryer gets your hair about 70% dry in under 5 minutes, setting you up for quick styling.
This efficiency makes daily styling much more achievable, especially for those with busy schedules.
Gentle Styling, Less Damage
For anyone concerned about heat damage, the Airwrap is a game-changer. By leveraging the Coanda effect, it styles hair using controlled airflow rather than extreme heat. The intelligent heat control ensures the temperature never exceeds 302°F, a crucial threshold for preventing significant heat damage to your hair’s cuticle. This means you can achieve beautiful styles with less guilt, preserving your hair's health and shine over time.
Mastering the Magic: Intuitive Design
While there's a slight learning curve, the Airwrap is surprisingly intuitive once you get the hang of it. Its lightweight design makes it comfortable to maneuver, reducing arm fatigue during styling sessions. The ability to change airflow direction (especially with the new bi-directional barrels) allows you to effortlessly create mirror curls on both sides of your head. Plus, the cool shot feature is a fantastic addition, helping to set your curls and waves for longer-lasting hold.
Versatility Unleashed: Curls, Waves, & Beyond
The Airwrap isn't a one-trick pony. Its array of attachments means it’s incredibly versatile, capable of creating everything from tight curls to loose waves, adding volume, or achieving a smooth, sleek finish. It’s designed to work on wet, damp, or dry hair, adapting to your routine. This makes it suitable for a wide range of hair types, from fine to thick, straight to wavy, truly replacing a multitude of single-purpose styling tools. In many cases, it can even stand in for a Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer and then some, offering a more complete styling solution.
Travel-Friendly & Quiet Operation
Despite its comprehensive kit, the Airwrap motor unit itself is relatively compact, making it convenient for travel. You can easily pack your favorite attachments to maintain your styling routine on the go. An often-overlooked pro is its comparatively quiet operation. While not silent, it's generally less noisy than a traditional high-power hairdryer, making for a more pleasant styling experience.
The New & Improved 2.0: Bi-Directional Barrels
For those eyeing the latest model, the 2.0 version offers a significant upgrade: bi-directional curling barrels. This means you no longer have to swap barrels mid-style to change the direction of your curls. A simple twist of a dial lets you switch between curling away from or towards your face, streamlining the styling process and making it even faster and more user-friendly.
The Reality Check: Where the Airwrap Falls Short (The Cons)
No product is perfect, and the Dyson Airwrap, for all its innovations, has its downsides. Being aware of these can help manage expectations and determine if the investment is truly worthwhile for you.
The Elephant in the Room: The Price Tag
Let's be blunt: the Dyson Airwrap is very expensive. It's a luxury item, and for many, its cost is the single biggest barrier to entry. While it offers advanced technology and versatility, the upfront investment can be prohibitive. You're paying not just for a styler, but for cutting-edge engineering, brand reputation, and a promise of less hair damage. This is often the first consideration when asking is the Dyson Airwrap worth it?, and for some, the answer will simply be no due to budget constraints.
Learning Curve & Attachment Overload
While intuitive, there's definitely a learning period involved. Mastering the Coanda effect to consistently pick up hair and achieve desired styles takes practice. Furthermore, while the range of attachments offers versatility, many users find several of them go unused. You might find your favorites quickly, leaving others gathering dust in the oversized storage box. The 1.2-inch barrel, for example, produces a curl that is too tight for some preferences, making it less useful for those seeking looser waves.
Not a Universal Hair Hero: Curl Longevity Varies
This is perhaps the most significant drawback for many potential buyers. The Airwrap's ability to hold a curl varies drastically depending on hair type.
- For thick, naturally curly hair, the Airwrap can work wonders, creating beautifully defined curls that last.
- For wavy, thicker-than-average, long hair, initial curls might be strong but typically relax within the first hour, settling into a pleasing, softer wave that lasts throughout the day.
- For stick-straight hair, especially fine or slippery textures, the curls might drop out within 20 minutes, even with liberal use of setting products and cool shots.
If your hair generally struggles to hold a curl from traditional hot tools, the Airwrap, despite its innovative tech, might not miraculously change that. It's crucial to have realistic expectations about how your specific hair type will respond.
Attachment Pitfalls: Damp Roots & Frizz Concerns
While most attachments perform well, some have specific quirks:
- Smoothing brushes can sometimes leave roots damp, requiring extra air-drying or attention to ensure hair is fully dry, which can impact styling longevity and volume.
- The Coanda smoothing dryer's hairdryer function, while innovative, has undirected airflow. This can make it difficult to use for targeted drying, especially at the roots, and some users with fine hair reported it could even frizz their hair if used to fully dry from soaking wet.
The Storage Conundrum
The included storage case, while luxurious and protective, is undeniably large. For those with limited bathroom counter or storage space, it can be a significant inconvenience. Many users opt to store only their most-used attachments outside the case, or find alternative storage solutions.
Wish List: More Flexible Purchase Options
A common complaint is the inability to purchase the Airwrap with only a selection of desired attachments. While Dyson offers the Complete and the Long versions, it's often an all-or-nothing purchase for the core kit. Though the option to buy individual attachments or attachment upgrade kits separately is a step in the right direction, a "build-your-own" kit from the start would be a welcome addition for many, allowing them to avoid paying for tools they know they won't use.
Demystifying the Dyson Airwrap: The Styling Process Step-by-Step
Getting started with your Airwrap doesn't have to be intimidating. Here’s a simple, effective process to achieve great results:
- Prep Your Hair: Begin by thoroughly towel-drying your hair or letting it air-dry partially. The Airwrap works best on damp, not soaking wet, hair.
- Detangle & Protect: Gently comb through your hair to remove any tangles. This is also the crucial step to apply your heat protectant and any desired styling products. A water-based gel can offer both heat/UV protection and help with curl retention.
- Optimize Dampness: Let your hair air-dry a bit further. The dryer your hair is (while still damp), the easier it will be for the Airwrap to pick up sections and the faster the overall styling process will be. Aim for about 70-80% dry.
- Section Your Hair: For best results, divide your hair into manageable sections. A good starting point is to clip up the top half, then work on the bottom, before tackling two top sections.
- Choose Your Attachment: Select the attachment best suited for your desired style. For bouncy waves, the 1.6-inch barrel is often a favorite. For more volume at the roots, try the round volumizing brush.
- Style in Sections: Work your way around your head, typically from front to back. When curling, always direct the airflow (and thus the curl) away from your face for a flattering look. For waves, you might find it effective to manually wrap hair around the barrel with the tool held upside down, letting the Coanda effect take over for the final wrap.
- Set with Cool Shot: Once a section is dry and styled, finish with a blast of the cool shot button. This helps to set the curl pattern and improve longevity.
- Release & Finish: Once all sections are complete, remove any clips or ties. Gently shake out your hair, or lightly finger-comb through the curls for a relaxed, natural wave. Avoid brushing if you want to maintain curl definition.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts aren't salon-perfect.
The Million-Dollar Question: Is the Dyson Airwrap Worth It for YOU?
Deciding whether to invest in the Dyson Airwrap ultimately comes down to your personal priorities, hair type, and budget.
It's likely worth the investment if you:
- Prioritize hair health: If you're tired of extreme heat damage and want a gentler styling solution.
- Value time-saving: If you need a tool that significantly cuts down your wet-to-styled hair routine.
- Seek versatility: If you regularly use multiple tools (hairdryer, curling iron, straightener) and want to consolidate.
- Can afford the premium price: If the cost aligns with your budget for a high-end beauty appliance. It's also worth keeping an eye out for major sales, like Sephora's VIB sale, where it's often included.
- Have hair that generally holds a style: If your hair type is prone to holding curls or waves, you'll likely see excellent, long-lasting results.
It might not be worth the investment if you: - Are on a tight budget: The price is a significant hurdle.
- Have hair that struggles significantly to hold a curl: If even professional styling drops quickly, the Airwrap might not be a miracle worker for curl longevity, though it still offers less damage.
- Only need one specific styling function: If you only ever blow-dry straight, a powerful traditional hairdryer might suffice.
- Don't want to commit to a learning curve: While not steep, it does require some practice.
For many, the Airwrap fully replaces other styling tools, including a dedicated Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, providing a significantly improved look and healthier styling. The consensus among those who can afford it is often that it's worth the investment for the benefits it delivers.
Addressing Common Questions & Misconceptions
- Does the Dyson Airwrap work on all hair types? Yes, it's designed to work on many hair types, from fine to thick, straight to coily. However, the results (especially curl longevity) vary greatly by hair type.
- Can I use the Airwrap on dry hair? Yes, you can use it on dry hair to refresh a style or add volume, but it generally performs best and most efficiently on damp hair, allowing the Coanda effect to really take hold and dry simultaneously.
- Is it truly less damaging than other hot tools? Absolutely. Its intelligent heat control keeps temperatures below 302°F, which is significantly lower than many traditional curling irons or straighteners that can reach 400°F+, drastically reducing the risk of extreme heat damage.
- Why are my curls falling out so quickly? This is often due to hair type (some hair just doesn't hold curl well), insufficient dampness at the start, not using a cool shot to set, or not using appropriate styling products for hold. Experiment with product, dampness, and setting techniques.
- Is the 2.0 version really that much better? The most significant improvement in the 2.0 version is the bi-directional curling barrels, which dramatically streamline the curling process. If you curl your hair frequently, this alone can be a game-changer. Other attachments like the Coanda smoothing dryer also received ergonomic and performance tweaks.
Making an Informed Decision: Your Next Steps
The Dyson Airwrap is a premium styling tool that offers remarkable innovation and benefits, particularly for those seeking a faster, less damaging way to style their hair. It's a significant investment, but one that many users find pays off in terms of convenience, hair health, and consistent salon-quality results.
Before making your decision, consider your hair type, your current styling routine, and your budget. If possible, try to test one out or watch numerous tutorials specific to your hair type to get a realistic sense of what to expect. Ultimately, the best hair tool is one you'll actually use and that delivers results you love.