In Underscored’s original test of the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer back in 2020, we said that it “ruined all other hair dryers for us.” And four years later, that holds up.
We’ve tested the first-generation Supersonic on curly, fine hair; 4b curls with extensions; thick, wavy-to-curly hair; and waist-length, super-straight hair. It’s consistently proven itself to be not only a superior hairstyling tool but also a champion of better-for-you hair care. Outfitted with Air Multiplier technology (which creates a high-pressure, high-velocity stream of air) and the ability to measure air temperature 40 times per second, the Supersonic cuts down on drying time without using extreme heat.
Eight years after the Supersonic’s launch, Dyson released the new Supersonic Nural hair dryer, which has all of the fast-drying features of the original plus some fresh additions focused on making blow-drying a healthier process for the hair.
As someone who has been using the first Supersonic for over a year, I’ve been getting acquainted with the new model for the past few weeks to compare the two and find out whether the upgrades are worth the hype. (Did I mention that it sold out within days of its launch?)
Ahead, find out everything you need to know about both Supersonic hair dryers — and which is right for you.
The best high-end hair dryer out there, the Supersonic is super speedy at drying hair, quieter than traditional dryers and just looks cool. It comes with five styling attachments — and if you're purchasing from Dyson's website, you'll also get a complimentary gift with purchase (spoiler: it's a Dyson hairbrush).
The Supersonic Nural comes with upgraded attachments and new intelligent temperature-controlling features that help protect the hair and scalp. For $70 more than the original, these enhancements are totally worth it if you heat style your hair often.
What we liked about it
Faster drying times and less heat damage
Compared to a traditional hair dryer, both of the Supersonics dramatically reduce drying time. All of our testers of the original Supersonic found that it took around half the usual amount of time. It used to take me 15 to 20 minutes to blow-dry my waist-length, medium-thick hair. A chore no more, it takes me about eight minutes with the original Supersonic, and about 10 minutes with the Supersonic Nural (I timed both). Both are equipped with Air Multiplier technology and are near-constantly measuring the air temperature. They each have four temperature settings (including the cold shot to set your styles) and three speed settings.
The added time on the Supersonic Nural is due to its intelligent Scalp Protect mode that uses an infrared beam (no, for real) to measure distance as you blow-dry — if your scalp is in close range of the hair dryer, it automatically reduces the heat to maintain a comfortable temperature. It indicates the temperature changes with its clear display, which illuminates with corresponding colors, from blue for cold to red for high heat. Because of this feature, I found that the Supersonic Nural added a couple minutes to my drying time since the temperature would reduce in close range, but my scalp never felt scorched. If you want to keep the temperature from changing, you can simply turn Scalp Protect mode off with the press of a button.
It’s also worth noting that despite the powerful airflow, the Supersonics are much quieter than traditional hair dryers. One tester even used it when they had their mom on FaceTime and were able to chat with no complaints.
Magnetic attachments
Dyson’s hair dryers come with an assortment of styling attachments, all of which easily snap onto the front of the hair dryers. They include typical ones like a concentrator and diffuser but also special options like a wide-tooth comb, a smoothing attachment and a gentle air attachment. The latter is one of my favorites — the unassuming ring diffuses airflow so you can get a faster rough dry. I can even get a smooth blowout using just my hands and the gentle air attachment until it’s 70% dry, and then finishing with the concentrator and my Wet Brush Pro Flex Dry. And for our testers with curls, it seemed like one pass effectively dried their tresses when separated into small sections, and it gave their hair more bounce and movement than any other dryer they’ve used before. Our tester with coily hair and extensions said the wide-tooth comb attachment worked like a dream, quickly leaving her hair feeling super soft without too many passes. It also worked well on her heat-trained leave-out (i.e., natural hair at the front).
For the Supersonic Nural, two of the attachments — the concentrator and the gentle air attachment — are compatible with Scalp Protect mode.
Dyson also upgraded to a new Wave+Curl diffuser with the Supersonic Nural, which converts between two modes. Created for natural curl patterns, the diffuser mode looks like a traditional diffuser, which disperses airflow across a bigger surface area to add volume and reduce frizz. The dome mode directs airflow downward into its bowl, away from the scalp, to create a defined finish for waves and curls.
Another added feature for the Supersonic Nural is its attachment learning, which recalls the last-used airflow and temperature settings for each. When you connect an attachment, it will automatically switch the settings based on its memory. While a smaller detail, I found this made for a seamless drying experience. I haven’t even had to touch the heat settings since my first time using the Supersonic Nural.
The Supersonic Nural’s intelligent features
In addition to the new capabilities mentioned above — to recap, Scalp Protect mode, attachment memory and the new and improved diffuser — the Supersonic Nural has one more trick up its sleeve: Pause Detect. Packing yet another sensor into its sleek body, a motion-sensing accelerometer can detect when the hair dryer is put down and it will automatically reduce the airflow and temperature. I found this helpful when I needed both hands to section my hair or apply styling product to my strands.
What we didn’t like about it
The only critique we have about the Supersonic is that the airflow and temperature control buttons are on the back of the device rather than on the handle. This means you have to use your other hand to change the settings or maneuver a bit awkwardly with one hand. The Supersonic Nural’s attachment memory somewhat solves this, unless you want to manually change the settings. Not a biggie, but we’ve had other hair dryers where the controls are on the handle and easy to control with the hand holding the device.
One other thing worth mentioning is about its storage case (or lack thereof). While both models I tested came with the coordinating storage case, it’s not included with all the color options available, although all colors are priced the same. Maybe it’s not a deal breaker for everyone, but my Supersonics would be a jumble of cords and attachments without the neat and attractive cases. So double-check that the color you order comes with the storage case. It’s currently only offered with two colors of the Supersonic (Prussian Blue/Rich Copper and the limited-edition Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold) and one color of the Supersonic Nural (Vinca Blue/Topaz).
Dyson does offer storage cases for purchase separately from the hair dryers, but these are 1) an extra 60 bucks, 2) currently sold out in all colors and 3) sized only for the hair dryer and either the smoothing nozzle or styling concentrator (but not both).
Besides this, the only other downside is that the device has a tendency to sell out (especially in limited-edition colors).
How it compares
If you’re wondering how exactly the Dyson Supersonic works — and why it doesn’t look like most other hair dryers on the market — it’s because of its special motor. The digital V9 motor is within the handle of the device for all Supersonic models. This motor is faster, lighter and quieter than those of traditional hair dryers, which typically house the motor in back of the long, tubular part where the air is propelled from. Because of the motor’s position in the handle, it allows for a more weight-balanced device and does away with the need for that long “nose” of the hair dryer. This innovation, along with the high-tech sensors in both the Supersonic and Supersonic Nural, adds up to the luxury price tags on the Dyson devices.
As someone who’s also tested the Dyson Airwrap and Dyson Airstrait, which both have blow-drying settings, I still find myself reaching for the Supersonic the most. Its high-powered drying is by far the most efficient, and for day-to-day styling, it gives the most consistent results. I get the most out of my investment in the Supersonic. Even when I want to use the Airwap for curling or its hair dryer brush attachment, or the Airstrait for an extra-sleek finish, I’ll use the Supersonic to get my hair 70% dry before switching to one of the other devices.
Bottom line
We think the investment in the original Dyson Supersonic is well worth it if you’re someone who blow-dries your hair regularly — and if you’re after the best of the best, the Supersonic Nural is worth the extra splurge. Both versions of the Supersonic will cut down your styling time and are great for the full spectrum of hair types.
Considering all of the Supersonic Nural’s upgrades, it’s indeed a wickedly intelligent hair dryer. Its Scalp Protect mode reduces the usage of high heat, and therefore will help your scalp and hair stay healthier and stronger. We’d even argue that the Supersonic Nural is a great option for hair tool newbies since its smart features help avoid self-inflicted heat damage.
Eight years after its introduction, the Supersonic remains an editor favorite and an impressive gift idea for the hair-obsessed loved one in your life — or, you know, for yourself, because you deserve it.
