‘I tried Dyson’s new pint-sized Supersonic r hair dryer and how I felt about it surprised me’

I must admit, I’m a bit lazy when it comes to drying my hair. If there’s a hair tool that promises to halve my drying time, protect my locks from heat damage and importantly, not leave my arms feeling like they’ve just endured an intense Pilates session, then I’m all ears.

So, when the new Dyson Supersonic r landed on my desk a few weeks ago – the latest iteration of the brand’s iconic hair dryer which officially launched in the UK this week – I had one burning question: would I shell out £449.99 for it? Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of the product, here’s a quick summary: the Supersonic r (yes, it’s shaped like an ‘R’! ) is designed to be 30% smaller, 20% lighter and just as effective as its predecessor. If it looks familiar, that’s because it was initially created for professional use only and made its debut at Fashion Week last February.

Recognising a demand for a lightweight, easy-to-use tool that prioritises hair health, Dyson has now made it available to the UK public, reports the Mirror. Let’s weigh up the pros and cons of the Dyson Supersonic r…

Pros: Featherlight feel: At just 325g (roughly the same as a can of dry shampoo), it’s one of the lightest high-end hair dryers on the market—ideal if you’re tired of your arm aching halfway through a blow-dry or if you have mobility issues. Compact yet mighty: Despite its smaller size, this dryer still packs a punch with a powerful airflow, significantly reducing drying time. It’s suitable for all hair types: Despite its compact size, it packs a punch when it comes to drying thick, curly and coily hair quickly. Smart heat control: Dyson’s advanced tech measures air temperature 100 times per second to prevent excessive heat damage, promising smoother, shinier hair over time. Cutting-edge radio frequency identification sensors: These automatically adjust the heat and airflow to protect your hair from unnecessary damage. Plus, once you’ve set your ideal settings, the dryer remembers them, so each time you attach a specific nozzle, it instantly recalls your preferences-saving you precious time and effort. Magnetic attachments: The five included styling attachments (including a flyaway smoother!) attach and detach with ease, making your styling sessions a breeze. Chic, travel-friendly design: Its more compact frame makes it perfect for packing in your suitcase, ideal for those who love to travel but don’t want to compromise on their hair routine.

The Dyson R was originally designed for professional use only (pictured here at Fashion Week in 2024)
(Image: Dyson)

Cons: The price tag: Priced just under £450, this is not a budget buy. It’s a significant investment-so consider how often you actually use your hair dryer before splashing out. Getting to grips with the attachments takes time: With five different attachments, it might take some trial and error to figure out what works best for your hair type. Travelling with your Dyson? Be aware that Dyson products are designed for the specific voltage and frequency of the country where they were purchased, so you may find your tool doesn’t work abroad (I had issues in the Caribbean). Colour options: It’s currently only available in the Ceramic Pink colourway, which is perfect for me, but a more unisex shade could have helped to broaden its customer base. However, a purple shade is set to launch this summer. The attachments explained:

You get five attachments with the Dyson r
(Image: Zoe Cripps)

The Dyson Supersonic r comes with five Straight-Wavy or Curly-Coily attachments to suit your hair type (you can make your choice when buying the tool online)

Powerful air attachment: Produces high-velocity airflow to dry hair fast. Pro concentrator: Focuses air precisely where you need it. Gentle air attachment: Evenly diffuses and smooths airflow so it’s gentler on the scalp. Smoothing nozzle: Helps deliver 2x ions for decreased frizz and a smooth, natural finish. Flyaway attachment: Attracts longer hairs and hides flyaways on finished styles, using the Coanda effect Our Head of Beauty’s verdict: Is it worth the splurge? When I first unboxed the Dyson Supersonic r, my immediate thought was, “Wow, this is so light!” I’m used to hair dryers feeling like I’m lifting weights, but this one barely felt like I was holding anything at all. I have long, thick hair (thanks to tape extensions) that takes forever to dry, so I was eager to put this to the test. Using the high heat and airflow settings, I managed to go from damp to dry in around 12 minutes – very fast.

But what really impressed me was the finish. My hair looked polished without needing to run my straighteners over it afterwards, which is a huge win. The flyaway attachment was a favourite of mine, as I expected it to be since it’s my go-to one on the original Supersonic. With other non-Dyson hairdryers, I have to use a separate smoothing brush or straightener to tame flyaways, but this little tool made a visible difference in seconds.

The heat control also meant my hair didn’t feel scorched or dry afterwards, just soft. I also really love the idea of the advanced radio frequency identification sensors, and how the R can store my favourite settings. I haven’t done this yet as I’m still getting to grips with all the attachments, but it looks simple enough to do.

Zoe managed to dry her thick hair extensions in 12 minutes with the Dyson Supersonic R
(Image: Zoe Cripps)

The tool is high tech without really feeling scarily techy, if you know what I mean? So, would I use this after every wash? Yes. Because it was so quick, even I, as an guilty-as-charged airdryer, can make time to use this. Plus it’s so easy to manoeuvre that I don’t feel I need to learn a new skill to make my hair look good. But I suppose the real question is, would I fork out almost £450 for it?

If you’re someone who styles their hair frequently and wants a top-tier tool that protects your hair from heat damage while being incredibly lightweight, this is a solid investment. If you’re more of a wash-and-go type, you might not get the most out of it. The Dyson Supersonic r is definitely a luxury purchase, but it lives up to its hype: it’s incredibly lightweight, dries hair quickly and protects against heat damage. If you frequently blow-dry your hair and want the crème de la crème, it’s worth considering.

However, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly that still feels lightweight, the MDLondon BLOW Hair Dryer, priced at £139.30, or the Shark SpeedStyle Pro 3-in-1 High-Velocity Hair Dryer System, costing £159.99, are fantastic alternatives.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.