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).

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.

On my fine, 1B-ish-textured hair, the drying time clocked in at around 10 minutes, which is roughly the same as the original. It shaved two to three minutes off my routine here and there, but it wasn’t a drastic difference. It does, though, make the process feel quicker. I caught myself reaching for it on rushed mornings when I usually air-dry and lazy nights when I go to bed with wet hair. It’s the kind of subtle shift that matters when you’re trying to establish a sustainable grooming habit.

Hot Stuff

You get four heat levels, three airflow settings, and a cold-shot button—all placed on the handle for thumb-accessible toggling. A yellow LED on the handle flashes when it’s time to clean the filter. Missing, though, is the Scalp Protect mode from the Nural, which auto-adjusts heat to avoid frying your scalp. I missed it more than I expected. On a few occasions, I found the r running hot and had to manually toggle settings mid-style. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider if you’re not the kind of person who likes to micromanage temperature settings.

There are some drawbacks. The consumer model’s 6-foot cord is short and annoying if your outlet isn’t near a mirror. It’s also weirdly bulky and stiff, which feels at odds with the rest of the dryer’s vibe. With the Ceramic Pink finish, you don’t get a storage case, travel pouch, or display stand either, which feels stingy for a $570 tool marketed for its portability. Also important for frequent travelers: It’s 120-volt only, meaning you cannot use this dryer abroad. Still, it’ll take up far less space in your carry-on than a traditional dryer.

Dyson is positioning the r toward pros, and I get why. Stylists will appreciate the lighter weight after 12-hour shifts on their feet. But the compact body might also make filter cleaning trickier over time. And the Barbiecore finish (while adorable) won’t match every salon’s matte black aesthetic.

I think it’s better suited for impatient consumers like me—people who want great hair but don’t want to work for it. If you’re new to heat styling or nervous about heat damage, the Nural is the better choice. But for seasoned Dyson users who just want something light, powerful, and that doesn’t overcomplicate things, the Supersonic r is a delight. It’s not the smartest. But it is, by far, the most usable.

Will it give you the best blow-dry of your life? I can’t say for sure. But it will make blow-drying feel less like a burden—and for some of us, that’s worth every penny.