Best Hair Dryer: Dyson Supersonic vs. Nural vs. Shark SpeedStyle vs. Laifen Swift
Dyson Supersonic and Nural vs. Shark SpeedStyle, Laifen Swift and Remington dryers on air speed, drying, heat and noise, and when you need a Dyson.
A premium hair dryer sells three things: faster drying, less heat on the hair and a lighter, quieter tool to hold near your ear. On air speed, drying and noise, the Dyson Supersonic earns its reputation on the first and the third, but the gap to Shark, Laifen and a good salon-style dryer is smaller than most people expect, and one plain Remington dryer comes surprisingly close on drying.
Below: how they compare, which attachments matter and which dryer fits which hair type.
Quick verdict
- Fastest drying and quietest: the Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer. The Supersonic dryer has the highest measured air speed, the driest hair after 90 seconds and the lowest noise reading of any dryer here.
- Best for hands-off heat control: the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer. Supersonic performance plus a distance sensor that turns the heat down near the scalp, settings that follow the attachment, and a sensor that knows when you set it down.
- Best Dyson alternative: the Laifen Swift Hair Dryer. Blowouts as smooth and drying as fast as the Supersonic's, with a cooler top setting and an easier filter.
- Best light high-velocity dryer: the Shark SpeedStyle HD331. Nearly Dyson-level air speed and light in the hand, but loud and gentle on heat.
- Best simple dryer: the Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer. A plain, basic dryer that dries wet hair second only to the Dyson.
- Best for raw heating power: the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer. The most heating power of the group and strong airflow in a conventional salon-style body.
The hair dryers side by side
| Hair dryer | Shop | Settings | Attachments | Measured | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer |  View on Amazon
| 4 heat (incl. cold), 3 speeds | Magnetic; fewer than the full Supersonic kit | Just over 40 mph; 82.3 dB, quietest | Fastest drying, quiet |
| Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer |  View on Amazon
| 4 heat (incl. cold), 3 speeds, Scalp protect mode | Magnetic, recognized by the dryer | Second quietest of the Dyson-Shark group | Automatic heat control, curls |
| Laifen Swift Hair Dryer |  View on Amazon
| 3 temperatures (incl. cold), 2 speeds, hot-cold cycle | 3 magnetic, incl. diffuser | Slightly louder than the Supersonic, softer tone | Dyson-style drying, cooler top heat |
| Shark SpeedStyle HD331 |  View on Amazon
| 4 heat, 3 airflow | Clip-on brush, concentrator, RapidGloss finisher | 39.5 mph; 88.2 dB, loudest | Light, fast airflow |
| Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer |  View on Amazon
| 3 heat, 2 speeds | Diffuser and concentrator | About 30 mph; 83.7 dB | Fast, simple drying |
| BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer |  View on Amazon
| 3 heat, 2 speeds | Concentrator | Just over 1,800 W; 36 mph | Salon-style power |
Fastest drying
Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer
The Supersonic dryer with fewer attachments: the fastest airflow and the driest hair in 90 seconds of any dryer measured, and the quietest too.
- Just over 40 mph measured
- 4 heat, 3 speeds
- Magnetic attachments
Good for
- Thick or long hair that takes forever to dry
- Daily use where noise and arm fatigue matter
Skip it if
- You want automatic scalp-heat control (see the Nural)
- A high-pitched motor tone bothers you
How the dryers compare
Air speed dries hair faster than heat alone
On high, the Dyson Supersonic moves air at just over 40 mph, the fastest of any dryer here, from drugstore models up. The Shark SpeedStyle follows at about 39.5 mph and the BaBylissPRO at about 36 mph, while several 1,875-watt drugstore dryers manage only 23 to 25 mph. That gap shows up in drying: after 90 seconds on high, wet hair dried with the Dyson is down to 11.5% moisture at its driest spot. The next best, the Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer, reads 20.3%, the BaBylissPRO 21.3% and the Shark 24.3%. A Panasonic dryer with a moving nozzle and a Wavytalk dryer, both with slower airflow, leave the hair close to 50% moisture.
Airflow needs some heat behind it, though. On a wet towel, the Shark's fast but cooler air (about 108°F at the towel) removes the least water of the group, while the Dyson, with nearly as fast air at close to 130°F, dries the towel completely in its path within a minute.
Rated watts are not real watts
Most dryers draw less power on high than the box claims. Several "1,875-watt" drugstore dryers measure between about 1,670 and 1,730 W, and a dryer rated at 2,200 W measures under 1,670 W. The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium comes closest to its rating, at just over 1,800 W, and also has the strongest low setting. The Dyson measures about 1,554 W against a 1,600 W rating and the Shark about 1,643 W against 1,700 W. Watts alone don't win: the Dyson draws the least and still dries fastest. To check what your own dryer pulls, a plug-in meter from the home energy monitor guide does the job.
Heat control and temperature range
The premium dryers all monitor air temperature to limit heat damage. Shark says the SpeedStyle checks it 1,000 times a second and never exceeds 230°F; Dyson says the Supersonic checks more than 40 times a second. The Shark HyperAIR, a heavier Shark model, has the widest spread between its lowest and highest heat, with the Supersonic second. The first-generation Supersonic runs all three heat settings cooler than the others and shows little difference between its speed settings.
The Laifen Swift's hottest setting is noticeably cooler than the Supersonic's hottest, yet with the same paddle brush and nozzle it dries hair in about the same time and leaves it just as smooth. Less heat for the same result is a point in the Laifen's favor.
Noise, weight and balance
On high, the Supersonic reads 82.3 dB from 12 inches away, quieter than every drugstore dryer here and every Shark, with the Nural a close second among the premium models. The Shark SpeedStyle is the loudest at 88.2 dB. The Laifen measures a little louder than the Dyson, but its sound is softer and lower, while the Dyson's is higher-pitched; some people notice that whine.
The Supersonic weighs 466 grams without its cord, a little more than most drugstore dryers, and the SpeedStyle 416 grams. The Laifen and Dyson feel about the same in the hand. Balance matters as much as weight: the Dyson's barrel sticks out only 1.5 inches from the handle, against 2.75 inches on the SpeedStyle, so the weight sits close to your hand and your arm tires less.
How to choose a hair dryer
Attachments: the three you'll actually use
Dyson ships more attachments than anyone, but most people use three: a wider nozzle for rough drying and paddle-brush work, a narrower styling nozzle that spans a round brush for a polished finish, and a diffuser for curly or wavy hair. A diffuser matters with high-velocity dryers in particular, because it breaks up the strong airflow that would otherwise rough up curls and add frizz.
How attachments connect matters too. The Dysons and the Laifen use magnets, which are quick and secure; the Sharks use a locking clip.
Smart features
The Supersonic Nural adds sensors the others lack. Its Scalp protect mode measures the distance to your head and adjusts the heat, which Dyson says keeps the scalp at about 131°F. Attachment learning recognizes each Nural attachment, sets the speed and heat for it and remembers changes you make, and a motion sensor knows when you set the dryer down (Dyson calls this Pause detect). The Laifen's useful extras are simpler: an LED ring on the back that changes color with the temperature (blue, orange, red), easier to read at a glance than the Dyson's small lights, and a hot-cold cycle mode, turned on by holding the power button, that alternates temperatures automatically.
Filter cleaning
A clogged intake filter makes any dryer slower and hotter. The Laifen's filter pulls off and wipes clean in seconds; the Dyson's takes the included brush and more effort.
Safety
Every hand-held dryer sold in the U.S. must have built-in immersion protection, the bulky block on the plug. The Consumer Product Safety Commission still warns against using a dryer anywhere it could touch water, and bathroom outlets should be GFCI-protected.
Best smart dryer
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Supersonic-level drying with a distance sensor that turns the heat down near the scalp and settings that follow each attachment.
- Scalp protect mode
- Attachment learning
- Pause detect
Good for
- Hands-off heat control
- Curly and wavy hair, with its two-mode diffuser
Skip it if
- You want the most power per dollar
- You plan to diffuse with Scalp protect on
The picks in detail
Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer: fastest drying
The Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer is the Supersonic dryer sold with fewer attachments. The Supersonic leads where it counts: the fastest air, the driest hair after 90 seconds, the most water out of a wet towel and the lowest noise reading. Its attachments are magnetic and snap on securely; if you want the diffuser, check that the listing includes it. Its high-pitched tone bothers some people.
Fastest drying
Dyson Supersonic Origin Hair Dryer
The Supersonic dryer with fewer attachments: the fastest airflow and the driest hair in 90 seconds of any dryer measured, and the quietest too.
- Just over 40 mph measured
- 4 heat, 3 speeds
- Magnetic attachments
Good for
- Thick or long hair that takes forever to dry
- Daily use where noise and arm fatigue matter
Skip it if
- You want automatic scalp-heat control (see the Nural)
- A high-pitched motor tone bothers you
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer: best for hands-off heat control
The Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer has nearly the Supersonic's airflow and noise level, plus the sensors: Scalp protect mode, attachment learning and a motion sensor that knows when it's set down. Its diffuser has a second mode for curls and waves. It is the pick for anyone who wants the dryer to manage heat on its own. Scalp protect mode works with the styling attachments, not the diffuser, comb or flyaway nozzle.
Best smart dryer
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
Supersonic-level drying with a distance sensor that turns the heat down near the scalp and settings that follow each attachment.
- Scalp protect mode
- Attachment learning
- Pause detect
Good for
- Hands-off heat control
- Curly and wavy hair, with its two-mode diffuser
Skip it if
- You want the most power per dollar
- You plan to diffuse with Scalp protect on
Laifen Swift Hair Dryer: best Dyson alternative
The Laifen Swift Hair Dryer looks like a Supersonic and performs like one: an equally smooth blowout, about the same drying time and similar air pressure, at a cooler top temperature. It has two speeds and three temperatures with an LED ring that shows which is on, a hot-cold cycle mode, a filter that wipes clean in seconds and magnetic nozzles plus a diffuser in this package. Check that the listing includes the diffuser if you need one.
Best Dyson alternative
Laifen Swift Hair Dryer
A Dyson-style dryer that matches the Supersonic's blowout and drying time at a cooler top setting.
- 3 temperatures, 2 speeds
- LED temperature ring
- Magnetic nozzles
Good for
- Dyson-level results
- An easy-to-read temperature indicator and a quick-clean filter
Skip it if
- You want three speed settings or the most attachments
Shark SpeedStyle HD331: best light high-velocity dryer
The Shark SpeedStyle HD331 blows nearly as fast as the Dyson and is lighter, but it runs gentler on heat, so it dries a wet head well but trails on soaked fabric, and it is the loudest of these dryers. It comes with a QuickSmooth brush, a Turbo concentrator and a RapidGloss finisher that, like Dyson's flyaway nozzle, smooths the top layer. The HD332 version adds a diffuser for curly and coily hair. Overall it is the Shark that comes closest to the two Dysons.
Best light high-velocity pick
Shark SpeedStyle HD331
Close to Dyson airflow in a light body, with a brush and a gloss finisher.
- 39.5 mph measured
- 4 heat, 3 airflow
- 3 attachments
Good for
- Fine to medium hair
- Anyone who wants a light high-velocity dryer
Skip it if
- Noise bothers you
- You need a diffuser (choose the HD332)
Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer: best simple dryer
The Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer is the surprise of the group. Its airflow, about 30 mph on high, beats most drugstore dryers, and after 90 seconds it leaves wet hair at 20.3% moisture, second only to the Dyson and ahead of the Shark and BaBylissPRO. On a wet towel it removes nearly as much water as the Dyson and dries the spot in its path just as thoroughly. It reads 83.7 dB, quieter than many pricier dryers. The trade-off is handling: its ergonomics trail the premium dryers, so it's less comfortable for long sessions. It has three heat and two speed settings and comes with a diffuser and concentrator.
Best simple dryer
Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer
A basic dryer that dries hair second only to the Dyson, with a diffuser and concentrator in the box.
- 1875W rated
- 3 heat, 2 speeds
- Diffuser and concentrator
Good for
- Anyone who wants a no-frills dryer
- A backup or guest-room dryer
Skip it if
- You want the most comfortable dryer to hold
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer: best for raw heating power
The BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer is a conventional salon-style dryer that measures just over 1,800 W, the most of any dryer here, with about 36 mph of airflow. It dries better than average, has an 8.7-foot cord and reads 84 dB; the longer barrel means more arm fatigue on long hair.
Best salon-style power
BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Hair Dryer
The most heating power measured and strong airflow in a classic salon dryer.
- Just over 1,800 W measured
- 3 heat, 2 speeds
- 8.7 ft cord
Good for
- Thick hair
- Anyone who prefers a traditional dryer
Skip it if
- You want light weight and short-barrel balance
Do you need the Dyson?
For drying speed, quiet and comfort, the Supersonic is the best dryer here, and it is a buy-once tool for someone who dries long or thick hair every day. But the Laifen Swift delivers the same blowout and drying time, the Shark SpeedStyle comes close, and the plain Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer dries hair faster than most of the fancier dryers.
Best Dyson alternative
Laifen Swift Hair Dryer
A Dyson-style dryer that matches the Supersonic's blowout and drying time at a cooler top setting.
- 3 temperatures, 2 speeds
- LED temperature ring
- Magnetic nozzles
Good for
- Dyson-level results
- An easy-to-read temperature indicator and a quick-clean filter
Skip it if
- You want three speed settings or the most attachments
Who should buy which
- Long, thick hair, dried daily: the Dyson Supersonic Origin.
- Want the dryer to watch the heat for you: the Dyson Supersonic Nural.
- Want Dyson results with a cooler top setting: the Laifen Swift.
- Fine to medium hair: the Shark SpeedStyle HD331, or the HD332 for curls.
- Just want a simple, fast dryer: the Remington Damage Protection Hair Dryer.
- Prefer a traditional salon dryer with lots of power: the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium.
Setting up a styling space at home? See how to turn a spare bedroom into a home hair salon.
Want curls and smoothing from one tool? See Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle.
Posted by Kristopher Larson
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dyson Supersonic worth it?
If you dry long or thick hair every day, it can be. It moves the fastest air of the dryers in this guide, dries wet hair the most in 90 seconds and is the quietest of them. If you mainly want a smooth blowout, the Laifen Swift gets very close, and the Shark SpeedStyle comes close in a lighter body.
What is the difference between the Dyson Supersonic and the Supersonic Nural?
Drying speed and noise are very similar. The Nural adds sensors: Scalp protect mode reads the distance to your head and lowers the heat near the scalp, attachment learning sets and remembers speed and heat for each attachment, and a motion sensor (Pause detect) knows when you set the dryer down. Its diffuser also has a second mode for curls and waves.
Is the Laifen Swift as good as a Dyson?
For the core job, it comes very close. It dries hair in about the same time with an equally smooth result, while its hottest setting runs cooler than the Dyson's. The Dyson is slightly quieter, has three speed settings to the Laifen's two and comes with more attachments.
Does a higher-wattage hair dryer dry hair faster?
Not by itself. Air speed matters more. Many 1,875-watt drugstore dryers draw less than their rating and move air slowly, while the Dyson draws about 1,550 watts on high and still dries hair fastest, because its air moves at just over 40 mph. The best results come from fast air combined with enough heat.
Do I need a diffuser for curly hair?
Yes, especially with a high-velocity dryer. A diffuser spreads out and slows the airflow, so the strong air doesn't blow curls apart and add frizz. Choose a diffuser made for your dryer; universal clip-on diffusers can soften or melt on hot conventional dryers.
Why is my hair dryer getting weaker or hotter?
A clogged intake filter is the usual cause. Lint and hair block the airflow, so the dryer pushes less air and the heater runs hotter. Clean the filter regularly; on the Laifen it pulls off and wipes clean, and on the Dyson it comes off and is cleaned with the included brush.
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