DYSON’S iconic Airwrap is the most coveted (and expensive) hair styler on the market.
Released in 2018, the Airwrap was the first styler to use airflow technology to create salon-level bouncy blow-outs, and while it may live up to its glowing reputation, it’s far from affordable.

Dyson Airwrap I.D, £429.99 (was £479.99)
The Dyson Airwrap has had a few upgrades over the years, and the latest I.D model allows users to control the hair styler through their phone.
A retail price of £480 makes it no surprise that beauty fans are seeking out cheaper alternatives, and while no other brand has released the latest app-controlled technology just yet, there are some impressive dupes of the original Dyson Airwrap.
Shark, Nicky Clarke, Revlon and Babyliss are among the brands to launch their own air stylers, and we’ve tried-and-tested the popular buys to see if they’re worth it.
Dyson Airwrap dupes: Deals live now
- Shark FlexStyle Build Your Own Styling and Drying System, £249.99 (was £269.99)
- Revamp Dynamic Radiance 7-in-1 Ionic Air Styler, £134.99 (was £179.99)
- GHD Rise Professional Hot Brush, £149 (was £179)
- Beauty Words Aeris Multi-Styler, £176 (was £220)
- Silk ‘N Flex All-in-One Hairdryer, £149 (was £249)
- Babyliss Corded Electric Air Styler, £52 (was £75)
- Shark FlexFusion 5-in-1 Air Styler and Dryer, £349.99 (was £369.99)
My verdict of the original Dyson Airwrap
I’ve been using the Dyson Airwrap I.D (the brand’s latest model) for two months now, and it’s become my all-time favourite styler.
Everything about the Airwrap feels luxurious, from the sleek design to the range of attachments — but the performance is really where its cult status comes from.
The curling barrels wrap around the hair easily for an bouncy wave, and the hot brush attachments glide through the hair without snagging.
Dyson’s latest feature is what really sets it ahead of its competitors, as it uses Bluetooth to connect with the Airwrap.

Dyson Airwrap I.D Multi Styler, £429.99 (was £479.99)
Once personalised to your hair type, the styler works out how long you should be holding on the hot and cold shots on the hair, creating a profile.
The Dyson already felt user-friendly (once you’ve nailed the technique), but the app switches automatically between modes for you for that extra element of efficiency.
Would I recommend the Dyson Airwrap to a friend? Absolutely.
That being said, there are far cheaper options that hold up almost to the same level, so you don’t need to pay the full price to achieve the voluminous waves or sleek styles.
Best Dyson Airwrap dupes UK
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Drying System

Shark FlexStyle, £242.99 (was £269.99)
Pros: Effective styling, causes minimal heat damage, option to build your own set, rotates between dryer and styler, powerful hair dryer
Cons: Noisy, hot brush attachment can feel rough on the hair, bulky for travelling, two curling barrels for each side
Rating: 8.5/10
I added the Shark FlexStyle to my routine just over a year ago, and it’s been an absolute game-changer.
Mastering the bouncy blow-out with a hair dryer and a round brush always felt beyond my skillset, but Shark’s tool makes creating voluminous styles that much easier.
The feature that sets it apart from its competitors is how it rotates between a hair dryer and a styler at the touch of a button.
It makes such a difference being able to dry your hair with the tool sitting at an angle, and I love that the when using the smoothing concentrator head, it’s just as powerful as a traditional hair dryer.
The FlexStyle isn’t as sleek as the Dyson Airwrap, with two curling barrels for each side of the head and a slightly bulkier design, but it’s definitely the closest alternative on the market.
In terms of performance, it comes very close for creating blow-outs that last (although I sometimes find the curling barrels don’t pick up the hair quite as easily).
The power of the Shark’s hair dryer is seriously impressive, and it comes with very similar attachments.
Retailing for £200 less than the Dyson Airwrap, the Flexstyle holds up as a great alternative.
Read my Shark FlexStyle review for more information.
Reviewed by Sophie Bates
Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO Dryer and Styler

Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO Dryer and Styler, £249 at Amazon
Pros: Feels well made, airflow stylers are easy to use, separate left and right attachments, three heat and power settings, comes with two airflow attachments, a diffuser and hairdryer nozzle, long-lasting volume and curls
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 8.5/10
As an extreme bouncy blow-dry enthusiast where no volume will ever be enough, the Nicky Clarke AirStyle Pro has become the only tool that can give me a salon-level blowout at home.
Personally, I can’t fault this device.
It delivers salon-quality volume and a beautiful bouncy blow-dry which lasts all day and into the night.
Additionally, it offers protection through infrared and ionic technology, making it ideal for brittle, coloured, or fine hair.
There are three power settings and three heat settings, while the air-curl styling nozzles are thoughtfully designed with both left and right-sided options for ease of use.
Impressively, it has also cut the time it used to take me to create voluminous curls in half compared to other styling tools, such as wands or hot brushes.
The price point can be seen as a slight sting at £299, but in my opinion, it operates just as well as a Dyson for £180 less and acts as an investment that can help you save a considerable amount on trips to the hairdressers.
Reviewed by Lucy Powell
GHD Rise Professional Hot Brush

ghd Rise Professional Hot Brush, £179
Pros: Bristles on brush good for combing through knotty hair and tangles.
Cons: No interchangeable attachments, no adjustable heat settings. Cannot be used on wet hair.
Rating: 7.5/10
The GHD Rise Professional Hot Brush works seamlessly to style, tame pesky flyaways (of which I have many), create a sleek straight do with soft ends, or a subtle curl.
Similarly to the Revlon dupe, it does not have interchangeable attachments like the Dyson Airwrap.
I am a longtime GHD fan and rely on the brand’s hair tools and products to create long-lasting styles that will tame my hair in seconds.
While it works effectively on my long hair, compared to the Dyson Airwrap there are some glaringly obvious differences.
The GHD design does not have adjustable heat or speed settings, though it does heat up to 180 degrees.
But it does feature an ultra zone technology to ensure there is even heat distribution and prevent heat damage.
The brush on the GHD Rise is hugely different to those on the Dyson attachments, as the bristles are like small pronged teeth that glide through the knottiest hair seamlessly.
The main difference between the GHD Rise and the Airwrap is that it cannot be used on wet hair and cannot dry your locks.
Reviewed by Mia Lyndon
Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser, £34.99 (was £49.99) at Boots
Pros: Affordable, lightweight, easy to use, detachable styling heads for variety
Cons: Hot brush attachment creates some friction when passing it through your hair, feels very hot against your scalp, style fell flat within a few hours
Rating: 7/5
The Revlon One-Step Multi Styler is the largest hot brush I’ve used, but also the most lightweight, and features a clever swivel cord, making manoeuvring it around your head very easy.
The hair tool can be used on damp hair, so I began by using the root-drying concentrator, a clever attachment that quickly dries the hair near your scalp.
The thick, plastic bristles struggled to pass through my hair which caused some tension, although the attachment is still a game-changer as it dries hair from the top of the hair (unlike many others).
The Oval Shaped Brush attachment also does a brilliant job of drying your roots – meaning you could actually skip using the root-drying concentrator – and has a wide barrel covered in soft bristles.
The tool’s long, sleek curling wand made wrapping my hair into curls easy, but it felt very hot when used near my roots, meaning I had to adjust the temperature setting down.
At first, I was very impressed that the curling wand features a clip (which helps hold everything in place as you wrap your hair around the barrel), but its strong grip left a noticeable kink in my hair.
It took me a long time to style my hair, thanks to styling it in small sections on a low heat setting, but the result was gorgeous.
I don’t usually wear my hair wavy, but I fell in love with the floaty, dainty waves that the Revlon styler created – even if they fell flat a few hours later.
Reviewed by Mia Lyndon
BaByliss Corded Electric Air Styler

Babyliss Corded Electric Hair Styler, £52.05 at Amazon
Pros: Four attachments included, suitable for all hair types, long-lasting results, leaves hair looking shiny, comes with heat-protecting glove, great smoothing and barrell attachments
Cons: Hair dryer attachment isn’t very powerful, feels flimsy, noisy, curling barrel lacks power
Rating: 6.5/10
The Babyliss Air Styler features anti-frizz technology and ionic system, working to release positive and negative ions that attach to each strand of hair for a sleek, glossy finish.
There are a number of heat settings which is good to stop damaging your hair with excess, and the drying nozzle is similar to Dyson’s concentrator attachment.
You’re supposed to move the appliance down your hair and start rotating the brush away from your head, this will create tension throughout the strand of hair to give that blow-dry finish.
The motion in itself takes a bit of practice, and you’re better off starting slow as you can easily find hair tangled around if you’re not careful.
While the curling barrel lacked power, the straightening and smoothing brushes worked well for eliminating frizz.
This isn’t one I’d recommend for creating curls, but for those that want a sleek blow-out, it’s an affordable option worth considering.
Reviewed by Lucy Powell
What is the closest thing to a Dyson Airwrap?
The Dyson’s innovative features set it ahead of its competitors, but there are some alternatives that rival the real thing.
Shark ‘s FlexStyle is the closest alternative to the Airwrap, featuring similar attachments with the same high-powered air technology.
Shoppers can also choose from a FlexStyle based on their hair type, or build their own Air Styling System on the Shark website.
Nicky Clarke’s Air Styler is also a top choice.
The hair tool comes in at the same price as the Shark FlexStyle, featuring curling barrels and a styling concentrator.
Although, it doesn’t have as much variety as the Airwrap or FlexStyle (as it’s missing the hot brush attachments).
Are Dyson Airwrap dupes worth it?
The Dyson Airwrap is a big investment, so scoping out a dupe is a great way to save some money or to try out air styling before taking the plunge.
Several alternatives have received rave reviews for how they hold up against the real thing, and some have almost identical attachments.
Other options take it back to basics with less attachments, which is great for beginners who don’t want to overcomplicate their routine.
Leading brands including Shark, Revlon, Babyliss and Nicky Clarke all have air stylers that resemble the Dyson Airwrap.
Some Dyson dupes cost as little as £25 and achieve similar styles efficiently, so you don’t have to spend a small fortune to get impressive results.
Best Dyson Airwrap alternatives you can find on Amazon?
There are plenty of affordable alternatives to shop instead of the Dyson Airwrap from various retailers.
Amazon is a great shopping destination to head to, as it has a variety of brands stocked online, which means even more choice, and affordable dupes too.
- BaByliss Corded Electric Air Styler, £52.05
- Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser, £34.98 (was £41.50)
- Nicky Clarke AirStyle PRO Dryer and Styler, £249.99
- Revlon One-Step Blow-Dry Multi Styler, £43.66 (was £74.99)
- WeChip Hair Dryer Brush, Hot Air Brush, £59.99
- Remington Keratin Protect Heated 45mm Barrel Hot Hair Brush, £39.99
- PRITECH Hair Dryer Brush, £24.99 (was £35.99)
- Drybar Single Shot Blow-Dryer Brush, £125 (was £125)
Is Shark Airwrap as good as Dyson?

While the Dyson Airwrap is still at the top of its game, Shark’s FlexStyle comes pretty close.
Shark’s version of the air tool dries and styles hair just as effectively, creating bouncy blow-outs with the same level of efficiency.
Shoppers can also choose their attachments with the FlexStyle, or buy a bundle designed for their hair type.
The attachments do slightly differ between the two brands, and I found that Shark’s hot brush attachments weren’t quite as smooth as the Airwrap’s.
However, the curling barrels worked just as well (Dyson only slightly taking the win for its power), but I found they generally gave the same result.
Shark does provide two barrels for curling each side of the head, whereas Dyson has an efficient twist button on the one barrel, making it a better option for tavelling.
When it came to drying, I actually preferred the Shark FlexStyle due to the rotating design that mimics a traditional hair dryer.
Overall, the two stylers come pretty close in terms of quality and design, so Shark is a great option for those looking to save some money.
Why is Dyson Airwrap so expensive?

As far as premium styling tools go, Dyson’s Airwrap is at the top with a £479.99 price tag.
There’s no denying that the styler is extremely expensive, which is the case with most of Dyson’s products.
The Airwrap is a luxury product that’s paved the way for similar tools to follow, and the latest I.D model is also ahead of the game with its app-controlled features.
It’s no surprise that other beauty tech brands have followed suit with their own versions of the air styler, and some alternatives are far cheaper.
Whether it’s the original or a dupe, it’s worth researching which models are best suited to your hair type before taking the plunge.
Dyson’s hair stylers are sometimes on sale, so if you’re set on getting a saving, it’s worth trying to pick the Airwrap up when it’s discounted.
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