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Dyson Supersonic r: two-minute review
The Dyson Supersonic r began life as a professional-only hair dryer, but is now available to the general public. It looks unlike any other hair dryer on the market; there’s no barrel to speak of, but instead the handle curves to a right angle, so the whole thing looks like a pipe – or a lower case “r”, if you like.
I tested the model to see how it compares to the rest of the best hair dryers on the market, and overall I was impressed. It’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the unusual shape makes it super-easy to direct the airflow with precision, even in awkward spots such as the back of your head. As I’d expect from Dyson, it’s also impressively powerful, making speedy work of rough-drying hair.
The compromise of the design is that in order to achieve the ultra-streamlined shape, Dyson has shifted some of the mechanics into the plug, which in turn is so chunky, it likely won’t fit into some sockets. I also found the controls – which are small and positioned on the back of the handle – slightly fiddly to use, and a little too easy to accidentally press while styling. It feels like a design that would work just fine for professionals, who have a clear view of the buttons as they hold the dryer in front of themselves; but it’s a little awkward for drying your own hair.
The magnetic attachments are thoughtfully designed and work well. Sensors enable the dryer to recognize which attachment is snapped on, and automatically adjust to your last-used temperature and airflow settings, which helps streamline the styling process.
Price-wise, it will come as a surprise to no one that we’re in ultra-premium territory here. While the Supersonic r’s build quality is impeccable, and the design innovative, some customers might find themselves more inclined to spend that amount on the Dyson Supersonic Nural, with its hi-tech Scalp Protect mode and ability to auto-pause when it’s put down (both of which are absent from the Supersonic r). Most of the Supersonic r’s appeal is in that lightweight and streamlined shape, and on that front it really is a standout option, and unique on the market, too.
That’s the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic r review.
Dyson Supersonic r review: price & availability
- List price: $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799
- Launched: April 2025 (consumer version)
- Available: Worldwide
The original version of the Dyson Supersonic r hit the market in February 2024, but it was available to professional hairstylists only. The consumer version reviewed here launched in April 2025.
At list price it costs $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799. That’s firmly in the premium bracket for hair dryers, and one of the priciest on the market right now – possibly beaten only by Dyson’s other dedicated dryer, the Supersonic Nural, which comes in at $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$749.
However, the outlay is perhaps a little easier to justify with the latter, because the Nural offers several features not found in other models on the market, whereas the Supersonic r, for the most part, is simply a very efficient hair dryer.
As I’d expect from Dyson, build quality is top-notch, and there’s plenty of meticulous research and engineering that’s gone into the development of this dryer. It looks and feels premium, and as mentioned, it’s incredibly well suited to precision styling. Nevertheless, if the outlay is too much, there are plenty of excellent dryers available for a far lower price.
- Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5
Dyson Supersonic r specs
|
Wattage: |
1,700W |
|
Dimensions (L x H x W): |
9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm |
|
Weight: |
Confirming |
|
Airflow settings: |
3 |
|
Temperature settings: |
3 + cool shot |
|
Extra modes: |
None |
|
Cord length: |
9.2ft / 2.8m |
Dyson Supersonic r review: design
- Lightweight, with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape
- Some mechanics have been shifted into the plug, which is enormous
- Magnetic attachments with setting memory
The Dyson Supersonic r looks nothing like the Supersonic that helped cement Dyson’s status in the haircare market. In fact, it doesn’t really look like a hairdryer at all – it looks like a pipe. It’s tubular in build, with a top end that curves to a stubby right-angle.
The only difference compared to the professional version is that the cable is shorter. It’s now 9.2ft / 2.8m, which is still up there with the longest on the consumer market.
That diminutive build is made possible by some redesigned mechanics. On the inside you’ll find a more streamlined air heater than the one found in the regular Supersonic hair dryers. Ten heater foils follow the curve of the dryer, apparently to offer more consistent temperatures, with no hot or cold spots. That sits alongside a Dyson Hyperdymium motor (unconfirmed whether this is the same / a version of the Hyperdymium motor that powers today’s best Dyson vacuums).
Dyson has also redesigned the plug socket, which now “incorporates primary electronics” that would otherwise have been inside the dryer itself (it looks very similar to the one included with the Dyson Airstrait.) That shifts extra weight away from your arm, but it does mean the plug is now pretty chunky – the main part measures 4.8in / 12.2cm (excluding the wrap at the top of the cord), with a part that protrudes downwards from the pins and lies flat to the wall. If you have power outlets that sit close to the floor or above protruding baseboards, it might not fit.
There’s a removable filter cage, with a flashing yellow LED to tell you when it needs cleaning.
The consumer Supersonic r is one of the first Dyson haircare gadgets to introduce the brand’s new colorways (currently being rolled out across the full range). Rather than the tropical tones we’re used to seeing, it’s available in the more delicate Ceramic Pink and Jasper Plum.
Controls
In terms of settings, there’s a rocker switch to increase and decrease temperature, and another for windspeed. There are three levels for each, indicated by lights. There’s also a separate power button. All can be found on the rear of the handle. Round the front, beneath the curve of the dryer, is a cool-shot button.
Attachments
In terms of attachments, there’s an impressive selection. Compatible attachments include a Professional Concentrator, Powerful Air Attachment, Gentle Air Attachment, Flyaway Attachment, Smoothing Nozzle, Diffuser and Wide-Tooth Comb. Beware, though, what’s included in the box varies by region.
Personally, I’m a fan of the way the model is being offered in the UK: just as with the Dyson Airwrap i.d., you can choose between a Curly+Coily Supersonic r and a Straight+Wavy one. Both have a Powerful Air Attachment, Professional Concentrator and Flyaway Attachment, then the one for curls adds a Wide-Tooth Comb and Diffuser, and the other swaps in the Smoothing Nozzle and Gentle Air Attachment. That means you don’t end up with a bunch of attachments that aren’t suitable for your hair type, gathering dust.
As is standard for Dyson haircare products, the add-ons attach via magnets. And like the Supersonic Nural, they contain RFID sensors, which means the Supersonic r knows which one is attached. The recommended settings will kick in as default, and if you change them then the hair dryer will remember your preferences next time you snap that attachment back on.
Dyson Supersonic r review: performance
- Comfortable to hold and incredibly easy easy to direct airflow
- Controls a little fiddly and can be pressed accidentally
- Attachment setting memory helps streamline the styling process
Dyson describes the r as being geared towards “fast, precision drying”, with the unusual design making it easier to reach areas that would otherwise be tricky to tackle – namely, the back of your head. On test, that absolutely held true. It’s comfortable to hold and extremely easy to direct; perfect if you want to be able to dry with precision. My only slight complaint is that I found the handle a touch too short.
Airflow is nice and powerful, drying my hair quickly; a rough-dry won’t take long at all. However, the Supersonic r is really geared towards more complex styling tasks, where its light weight and easy-to-direct airflow come into their own.
The Supersonic Nural has a feature where it will automatically drop into low-powered mode if you put it down. That’ isn’t present here, and I missed it, although I will concede that it’s a nice-to-have rather than an essential.
Moving on to the controls, the design of which I was a little less sold on. The switches to adjust speed and temperature are tiny and a little fiddly to use, and the positioning on the back of the handle means they proved fairly easy to press accidentally. I feel like they’re better suited to professional use – where the person drying the hair can easily see the buttons; they’re a little fiddly if you’re trying to dry your own hair.
I was far more impressed with the cool-shot button, which sits on the inside of the handle, where it’s comfortable to depress for setting your style.
Attachment performance
All the attachments are well designed and good quality, and the magnetic connection feels secure in use. Usefully, all the attachments have areas that stay cool, so you can comfortably remove them immediately after using if switching to another, for example.
Attachment memory is a welcome addition. It helps streamline the drying process, and means less fiddling about with controls as you dry. It will prove most useful for people who use multiple attachments throughout their styling routine. I guess it might also help with hair health, if it makes you less likely to default to “hot and fast” for everything.
Curly haired users might miss the two-part Wave+Curl Diffuser, which was introduced with the Supersonic Nural but is absent here – you’re just getting the standard all-in-one option instead.
A special shout-out should go to the Flyaway Attachment, which uses the Coanda effect (the same thing that makes the Airwrap work) to attract and smooth your locks once you’ve finished styling. It’s unique to Dyson’s dryers, and it made a noticeable difference to the sleekness of my hair.
- Performance score: 4.5 out of 5
Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic r?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
Very much a premium buy, and while the quality is outstanding, the list of special features is relatively short. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
Lightweight with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape and a wide range of well-designed attachments. Plug is very bulky, though. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Powerful airflow that’s extremely easy to direct, while automatic attachment recognition saves time. Buttons are a little fiddly. |
4.5 /5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Dyson Supersonic r: alternatives to consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Dyson Supersonic r (reviewed) |
Dyson Supersonic Nural |
Laifen Mini |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wattage: |
1,700W |
1,600W |
1,100W |
|
Dimensions (L x H x W): |
9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm |
10 x 4 x 3.1in / 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.8cm |
8.6 x 3. x 2.5in / 22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm |
|
Weight: |
Confirming |
1.9lbs / 680g (with cord) |
0.7lbs / 299g (no cord) 1.1lbs / 482g (with cord) |
|
Airflow settings: |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Temperature settings: |
3 + cool shot |
3 + cool shot |
2 + cool shot |
|
Extra modes: |
None |
Scalp protect |
Child mode, auto-temperature cycle |
|
Cord length: |
9.2ft / 2.8m |
8.5 ft / 2.6m |
5.9ft / 1.8m |
How I tested the Dyson Supersonic r
I used the Dyson Supersonic r as my primary hair dryer for over a month. During this time, I tested all the settings and explored the different attachment options. I paid particular attention to how easy it was to use, and how efficient it was at drying and styling my hair. I compared my experience with other hair dryers I’ve used.
Read more about how we test
