Review: Dyson Supersonic r Hair Dryer

Blow-drying my hair feels like flossing: necessary, tedious, and something I do only because I know I’ll regret it if I don’t. I don’t daydream about blow-drying my hair. I don’t look forward to aiming a hot contraption at my scalp for 15 minutes or so, while my comfort podcast drowns in the noise. And yet, I kept reaching for the Dyson Supersonic r. That’s saying something.

For a company known for overengineering everything from vacuums to hair tools to air purifiers, the Supersonic r is Dyson at its most restrained. It trims the flash of the original cult-favorite Supersonic and focuses on being easy to use. It isn’t trying to be your hairdresser or smart assistant. It just wants to make your morning easier—for $570 (gulp).

A Lean, Pink Machine

You don’t need to be a hairstylist to appreciate the redesign. Weighing just 0.7 pound, the r is 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter than its predecessor (1.8 pounds). You feel it immediately, especially if you’re used to a standard dryer. The lowercase “r” refers to the curved shape of the device—reminiscent of a teeny pink periscope. It wraps comfortably around your hand and your head. It’s easier to maneuver around tricky spots like the crown or nape without switching hands or twisting wrists.

Inside, it’s still a typical Dyson. The brand’s Hyperdymium motor spins at 110,000 rpm, powering a high-velocity airflow. That air is then heated via a redesigned heater with 10 foil elements in the curve of the dryer. With 1,700 watts of power, the r is technically more powerful than both the OG and the Supersonic Nural (9/10, WIRED Recommends). The compact build is also slightly louder (80.1 decibels versus 77).

Photograph: Dyson

Included are five magnetic attachments: a diffuser, wide-tooth comb, professional concentrator, airflow attachment, and flyaway smoother. None of these are revolutionary to Dyson users, but the company’s accessories remain some of the best. The flyaway attachment, in particular, still does a stellar job of smoothing the outer layer of straight hair without needing a serum or oil. What is new is that each attachment has an RFID chip that auto-adjusts the dryer to its last-used settings.