It’s only been available to a select group of industry professionals, until now. Dyson is finally launching its Supersonic r hairdryer to the public.
It’s Dyson’s latest innovation in beauty. A hair dryer that can style your hair sleeker then before – and with an improved ergonomic design. But of course, this is not Dyson’s first foray into hair tools. It’s not even the brand’s first hair dryer. So how is the Supersonic r different to the Dyson hot tools that are already on the market?
How is the Supersonic r different to the original Supersonic?
In Dyson’s hair tool range we have the Corrale, a straightener; the Airwrap, a multi-styler; the Airstrait, a straightener option without hot plates; the Supersonic, a hair dryer; and the Supersonic Nural, a hair dryer focused on scalp health. So, what are the differences?
According to Dyson: “the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer is Dyson’s most powerful, yet lightest and most precise hair dryer to date.”
It is 30 per cent smaller than the original Supersonic and 20 per cent lighter. Given that the original Supersonic was already lighter and smaller than many other hair dryers, the Supersonic r will be one of the lightest hair dryers available to consumers.
It was originally designed for hair stylists, who often have to spend long periods of time holding and manoeuvring hot tools. It can become draining on the arms. So, Dyson set out to create a professional-grade device with improved ergonomics. And these improvements allow for more precise and controlled styling.
It also delivers fast drying, and “smoother and shinier” results thanks to some improved technology.
It has a new streamlined heater which optimises the airflow and heat distribution for more precise drying. The motor is new too, a Dyson exclusive component called the Hyperdymium™ Motor. It’s more power-dense and offers faster drying times while being quieter. Also, intelligent Radion Frequency Identification sensors communicate with the hair dryer to automatically adjust the motor and heater, ensuring optimal airflow and temperature for different styling needs. These intelligent sensors have been previously seen in the attachments for the Supersonic Nural but are new to the actual hair dryer itself.
The Supersonic r will come in new colours too: Ceramic Pink and Jasper Plum. There will be other colours available exclusively in the professional range (which also includes a longer cord), they are Vinca Blue and Topaz.
Are there any components that are the same?
Fundamentally, the core technology that makes these hair dryers more intelligent than your average hair dryer remains the same.
While the Supersonic r hair dryer has some new features, some key elements are the same as what you’ll find in the Supersonic and Supersonic Nural.
The heat protection technology, where the temperature of the air is monitored 40 times a second to ensure your hair is not exposed to damaging temperature, that component is the same across the Supersonic range. You’ll also find that the air multiplier technology is the same, where air is amplified three times to produce a controlled, high-pressure, high-velocity jet of air for fast drying.
The acoustic principles are also the same across the Supersonic range, all of them are designed to be whisper quiet. The balanced weight distribution and design language is the same too. As are the multiple speeds and different heat settings.
Do I need to update my existing Supersonic?
Probably not. The original Supersonic and the Supersonic Nural are excellent hair dryers. And many of the key features like the heat protection technology are the same across the Supersonic r.
If you’re in the market for a new hairdryer all together, I would personally choose the Supersonic r over the original because it’s lighter and smaller.
It’s worth noting that Dyson will sell all three models alongside each other. The Supersonic r is not there to supersede any of the others. It’s simply another option for those who are perhaps heavier hot tool users and need something very easy to handle and store.
Will the existing Supersonic attachments fit the Supersonic r?
If you separately purchased the Flyaway Attachment for the Supersonic, unfortunately it will not fit the Supersonic r. The attachments for the original Supersonic and the Nural are not compatible with the Supersonic r.
This is because the Supersonic r is a smaller device. It comes with its own suite of attachments that are compatible with the intelligent RFID sensors.
The Supersonic r will be available on the Dyson website for $799. However the device won’t be available to buy in Australia until later in 2025. Watch this space.
