Spending $400 on a hair dryer sounds absurd until you use one. The Dyson Supersonic redefined what a hair dryer could be when it launched, and it has dominated the premium market ever since. The Shark FlexStyle is the most credible challenger — a multi-styler that dries, curls, and smooths for $160 less.
If you dry your hair every day, the time savings and reduced heat damage from a premium dryer add up. After testing both on different hair types over several weeks, here is which one earns its spot on the bathroom counter.
Drying Speed
The Dyson Supersonic is fast. The digital motor spins at 110,000 RPM, pushing air through a precisely engineered aperture that creates a high-velocity, controlled airstream. Hair dries in about half the time of a conventional dryer. The Air Multiplier technology amplifies airflow without increasing heat, which means less damage.
The Shark FlexStyle is also fast, but in a different way. The motor is powerful and the airflow is strong, but the FlexStyle’s design prioritizes versatility over raw drying speed. As a dedicated dryer (using the concentrator attachment), it dries hair almost as quickly as the Dyson — maybe a minute slower on shoulder-length hair.
The Dyson is slightly faster. The difference is measurable but small enough that most people would not notice without a side-by-side comparison.
Hair Health
Both dryers use intelligent heat control to prevent extreme heat damage. The Dyson measures air temperature 40 times per second and adjusts the heating element to stay below 302 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature at which hair begins to suffer heat damage.
The Shark FlexStyle measures temperature constantly and adjusts to prevent overheating. In practice, both leave hair feeling smoother and less frizzy than conventional dryers. The Dyson’s reputation for hair health is well-earned. The Shark comes very close.
Both are vastly better for hair health than a $40 drugstore dryer that blasts uncontrolled heat.
Versatility
The Shark FlexStyle is not just a dryer — it is a multi-styler. The twisting base transforms it into a curling wand with Coanda airflow that wraps hair around the barrel automatically. It comes with two auto-wrap curlers (different directions), a paddle brush, a round brush, and a concentrator. You can dry, smooth, volumize, and curl with one device.
The Dyson Supersonic is a dedicated hair dryer with magnetic attachments: a concentrator, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a flyaway attachment. It dries hair exceptionally well. It does not curl or style in the way the FlexStyle does.
If you want a device that does one thing perfectly — dry hair — the Dyson is it. If you want to replace a drawer full of styling tools with one device, the Shark is more versatile.
Noise
The Dyson Supersonic is quieter than any conventional hair dryer. The digital motor produces a higher-pitched sound that is less intrusive than the low roar of traditional dryers. It is still a hair dryer — nobody will sleep through it — but the sound is less fatiguing.
The Shark FlexStyle is slightly louder and lower-pitched. Still quieter than a conventional dryer, but the Dyson has the edge on acoustic engineering.
Weight and Ergonomics
The Dyson Supersonic weighs 1.8 pounds and is balanced with the motor in the handle rather than the head. This makes it feel lighter than it is and reduces arm fatigue during longer drying sessions.
The Shark FlexStyle weighs 1.4 pounds when used as a dryer (heavier with attachments). The lightweight design and compact size make it easy to maneuver, especially when using the curling attachments.
Both are well-balanced and comfortable to use. The Dyson’s handle-motor design is clever. The Shark’s lighter weight and compact form factor are practical.
Attachments and Accessories
Dyson attachments are magnetic and snap on and off effortlessly. The diffuser is excellent for curly and textured hair, distributing air evenly without disrupting curl patterns. The flyaway attachment uses the Coanda effect to hide shorter, frizzier hairs under longer ones — it works, and it feels like magic the first time you use it.
Shark attachments twist and lock into place. The curlers use the same Coanda effect as Dyson’s Airwrap at a fraction of the price. They work well once you get the technique down — the learning curve is about three attempts.
Both attachment systems are well-designed. Dyson’s magnetic system is more satisfying to use. Shark’s styling attachments offer more creative options.
Verdict
Buy the Dyson Supersonic if you want the best dedicated hair dryer available — fastest drying, best hair health, quietest operation, and the most refined experience. It does one thing and does it perfectly. If you already have a curling iron, straightener, and round brush that you love, the Supersonic is the final piece.
Buy the Shark FlexStyle if you want to consolidate your hair tools into one device and save $160 in the process. The curling attachments work well, the drying speed is competitive, and the versatility means fewer devices cluttering your bathroom. It is the better value for someone who styles their hair in multiple ways.
Both are excellent. The real decision: do you want the best hair dryer or the most versatile hair tool? Dyson wins the first. Shark wins the second.