No. of temperature / speed settings: 3
power cord: 8.2 ft / 2.5 m
Attachments: Styling brush and volumizer (US), diffuser and volumizer (UK)
There are 3 different forms of the Shark IQ (aka HyperAir), each of which comes with different attachments. Quick drying hair, leaving a soft and shiny texture. It automatically makes adjustments when attaching attachments, with the attachment we most liked being the (UK) air splitter that has extendable prongs. However, the bulky attachments and lack of a removable filter make it difficult to clean.
to
- High drying speeds
- Automatic adjustment of temperature and air speed
- Shiny hair every time
against
- expensive
- The attachments are large
- It lacks a removable filter
No. of temperature / speed settings: 3/3
power cord: 8.8 ft / 2.7 m
Attachments: Volumizing, wide-toothed comb, diffuser and styling volumizer
There’s only one Dyson Supersonic, but it’s available in six beautiful colors – one of which is exclusive to Dyson. It regulates heat output to help avoid any damage to the hair, and we found the Flyaway attachment to be effective in creating smooth styles. It is also lightweight and compact. But, there’s no hanging loop, there are plenty of attachments to store and you may find the design is a bit too much for you.
to
- magnetic attachments
- Leaves hair feeling soft and smooth (with Flyaway attachment)
- Comfortable to use
against
- very expensive
- There is no hanging loop
- Not as quiet as you’d hope
There is no need to pay for an expensive salon blowout, you can create a shiny, bouncy hairdo from the comfort of your own home using one of the best hair dryers. Sure, a best-in-class hair dryer these days is an investment, but it’s packed with technology that makes it easier and faster to create bouncy, salon-style hair, with minimal effort.
If you are thinking of buying one of the best vacuum cleaners, Dyson and Shark are two brands that will immediately come to mind, but did you know that they are also competitors in the hair care market? Dyson launched its first hair dryer, the Dyson Supersonic back in 2016 and although it was expensive, it was an instant hit. However, the shark is exploding in its wake, however, with the HyperAir hair dryer, known as the Shark Style iQ in the UK.
So, if you’re wondering what the differences are and how to choose between Shark HyperAIR and Dyson Supersonic, we’ve got you covered. Here we compare the two brands in terms of price, design, and features, and after reviewing both models, we draw on our first-hand experience to provide you with information on these two hair dryers.
Shark HyperAIR vs. Dyson Supersonic: Key Similarities
- Both have 3 separate heat settings as the individual buttons, and a great shot for style selection
- Both are also derived from vacuum cleaner brands (it must be said)
- Both are beautiful beauty tools in their own unique ways
Shark HyperAIR vs. Dyson Supersonic: Key Differences
- The Dyson SuperSonic comes with a lot more attachments for hair styling, though how useful all of these are is is debatable.
- The Dyson Supersonic has a cable that is 0.4 ft / 0.2 m longer than the Shark HyperAir cable
- The motor position is in the handle of the Dyson Supersonic, while it is in the handle (as are most hair dryers) on the Shark HyperAir
- Shark HyperAir has two specific names depending on which country you’re in – it’s the UK’s Shark Style iQ – while Dyson has kept it simpler with just one name
Shark HyperAIR vs Dyson Supersonic: How we test
We’ve reviewed both the Shark HyperAir/Style IQ and the Dyson Supersonic in our homes, for drying wet locks.
When doing our Shark HyperAIR vs Dyson Supersonic comparison we thoroughly tested it. This means that we rated how fast it dried below shoulder (or long) hair on all of the heat and speed settings available to us on the machine. We’re looking for things like frizz and shine, and the overall final effect a blow-dryer has left after blow-drying. Cable length and useful features like hanging loops and cool shot buttons are also design elements we look for.
After testing, we can then make a direct comparison of the two hair dryers, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Shark HyperAIR vs. Dyson Supersonic: The price
Compared to the rest of the market, there’s no denying it: Shark HyperAir and Dyson Supersonic are both expensive hair dryers.
HyperAir is the cheapest fare, which keeps you coming back $229.99 / £229.99 (about AU$400), and in the United States, the hair dryer ships with a concentrator nozzle and an additional styling brush attachment that combines a concentrator nozzle with a bristle brush. While in the UK it comes with a volumizer nozzle, but instead of a styling brush it has a diffuser, which those with naturally curly hair will need.
In the US, there’s also another HyperAir bundle that includes a concentrator nozzle, diffuser, styling brush, and air wave, which works in the same way as a hair curler, $249.60what is the best value.
All attachments also Available for purchase separately, with concentrator nozzle cost $24.99 / £19.99the diffuser is $29.99 / £19.99, and the pattern brush attachment will set you back $29.99 / £29.99.
To add to the confusion, the Air Wave attachment is currently only available in the US and costs $49.95, so you’ll practically need a pen and paper to decide which package is right for you.
The Dyson Supersonic is slightly more expensive $430 / £330 / AU$599 And available worldwide from Dyson, as well as online retailers including Amazon.
It comes with five attachments including a diffuser, concentrator nozzle, wide-tooth comb, fly-away tool designed to smooth hair, and a gentle air attachment that reduces airflow and temperature for sensitive scalps – this is an even better value if you’re planning to create a range of styles With a hair dryer, and you also want to tame the flies. Each of the attachments is available for purchase separately at a price $39.99 / £30 / AU$99.
Shark HyperAIR vs Dyson Supersonic: Design
When it comes to design, the Shark HyperAir has the look of a traditional hair dryer with a wide barrel and angled handle. However, the Dyson Supersonic has a more exotic look with a shorter barrel that packs a handle located in the middle, and includes the filter.
The Shark HyperAir has a champagne finish, while in the UK, the Shark Style iQ 9 (as it’s known) comes in a black and rose gold design. However, the Dyson Supersonic is available in gray with fuchsia accents and this year’s limited edition model known as Prussian Blue, which mixes a deep navy with copper accents.
Both hair dryers come with three heat settings and three speed settings, and they both feature buttons on the back of the barrel to control these settings. The Shark HyperAir also includes an 8.2ft / 2.5m power cord, while the cable on the Dyson Supersonic is slightly longer at 9ft / 2.7m. Neither hair dryer features a hanging loop either.
Shark HyperAIR vs Dyson Supersonic: Features
When it comes to blow-drying, we found the pair to be an even match. Both hair dryers offer 1,600 watts of power, which means the Dyson Supersonic took our shoulder-length, damp hair to dry completely in three minutes and 26 seconds, and the Shark HyperAir took three minutes and 56 seconds, adding 30 seconds to the drying time… though That in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a long time at all.
Both hair dryers left our hair soft and shiny, with just a few flyaways, though when the Dyson was used with a fly-away attachment, it totally eliminated them. We used the blow dryer without the attachment to dry just about everything except the crown and then used the fly away attachment for the rest—but it added 32 seconds to the drying time.
The Dyson was also marginally quieter in use, scoring 74dB on our decibel scale, compared to the 76dB recorded on the Shark HyperAir.
However, there are two areas where the Shark beats Dyson. One of them is the diffuser, which has extendable prongs to ensure that the roots, as well as the ends of curly hair, are dried evenly, reducing heat damage.
We were also impressed that when the concentrator nozzle or diffuser was attached to the hair dryer, the temperature and speed settings were automatically adjusted to the optimal level for using this tool—perfect for anyone unsure how to use the Shark HyperAir to achieve their desired style.
Shark HyperAIR vs Dyson Supersonic: The Verdict
When it comes to choosing the best hair dryer, both the Shark HyperAir and the Dyson Supersonic can dry hair quickly and guarantee plenty of smooth shine—we found ourselves leaving the house with satisfying bounce when using both models.
However, since the Shark HyperAir is fairly affordable, this is the better option for most users—especially if you have curly hair or aren’t sure what settings you should use when drying for different styles.
That being said, we love the wide variety of accessories Dyson offers, so if you want a plethora of ways to create a range of different styles, or if you struggle particularly with flyaway strands and want a hair dryer that guarantees all-over smoothness (plus it comes with an attractive finish… in Prussian blue) the Dyson Supersonic is well worth a look.