There are two kinds of people in this world: people who have spent their entire lives searching for the perfect hairdryer, and people with easy-going, straight hair. That’s right, there are more kinds of heterosexual privilege than you thought possible.
I have curly hair, so I fall into the first category. Finding a hairdryer with the right diffuser attachment and temperature control is like finding the Holy Grail: if you do it right, you’ll have beautiful hair forever, but if you do it wrong, you’ll always look a little like you’ve recently been electrocuted.
I’ve been using the Dyson Supersonic Nural for a little over a month now and I think I’ve finally found my soul mate among hair dryers.
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hairdryer Review
First impressions
The Dyson Supersonic Nural looks both futuristic and like something from 2001, which means it follows the Dyson design language perfectly. In the box, you get five accessories (including the new Wave + Curl diffuser) and a snazzy-looking display box to store everything in.
I’ve been using Dyson hairdryers since they were launched in 2016, so I’m used to the system of attaching the ends with magnets, but if you’re new to it, you’ll probably find it great. All my other hairdryers required the diffuser to be screwed in at an angle that was more precise than you could do with wet hands, so the magnet system is a godsend.
Overall, it has a remarkable aesthetic and seems very easy to use.
Dyson Supersonic Pure Specifications and price in Australia
| Dimensions (HxLxW) | 245mm x 97mm x 78mm |
| Weight | 0.68kg |
| Cable length | 2.62m |
| Key control | Instant control (cold air to fix hair after styling) Scalp protection button |
| Accessories in the box | Attachment for gentle air circulation Wave+Curl Diffuser Flyaway attachment Styling concentrator Wide-toothed comb |
| Price (RRP) | $749 |
| guarantee | Two years |
| Official website | Dyson Australia |
Compared to the original Dyson Supersonic hair dryer for $650, the Nural for $750 is quite similar but has a few additional smart features. The Supersonic is designed with sensors to prevent hair burning, which the Nural also has. But the Nural goes a step further and also has scalp protection sensors, making it gentler on dry, sensitive and oily scalps. It senses when it has been turned off and pauses the heat. Those are the real electronic differences.
Then there are the attachments. The Nural has a sensor that detects which attachment has been connected and which settings are most commonly used with that attachment (and it also has its own built-in settings for that attachment). This makes it easier for families with different hair types to use the same hairdryer.
Dyson Supersonic Nural compared to other hair dryers
Look at all the reasons listed above. Most hair dryers blow varying degrees of hot or cold air onto the hair depending on the attachments. The success of any hair dryer depends on the design of these attachments and how they circulate the air. There are a few things that set Dyson hair dryers apart from most others.
One of them is the temperature sensors, which are designed to prevent hair burning. I have burned my hair with many hair dryers over the years, but with Dyson hair dryers, they only burn my hair a little, even after a lot of falling out over about five years, and that is more of a user issue.
Another difference is the quality of the attachments. Dyson has a different approach to attachments than most other hair dryer manufacturers. I’ve probably tried over 20 different diffusers in my life and Dyson’s are by far the best.
The weight distribution of a hairdryer is another important factor. 680g is not to be sniffed at, but because the motor is in the handle, the Nural is not as top-heavy and is more evenly balanced than some cheaper hairdryers.
Of course, the Supersonic has been around for nearly a decade, so there are plenty of imitators on the market. These features are no longer unique, but few can match Dyson’s performance.
Performance for smooth hair
Healthy straight hair isn’t as easy to ruin as curly or wavy hair, so as long as you don’t burn it to ash, it’s probably fine.
But trying to make not-so-straight hair look naturally straight without a straightener or special products is a bigger challenge. A challenge that the Supersonic Nural with its styling concentrator masters excellently.
My wife has slightly wavy hair and styles it alternately wavy and straight. She found that using the Nural with the styling concentrator helped her very thick hair dry faster and look shinier and healthier. The temperature sensors ensure that the hair does not burn and that the hairdryer maintains a consistent airflow, giving a more even, less burnt result.
Performance for curly hair
Although my hair is more of a “messy curl” than truly curly or frizzy, with the right hairdryer, these curls can look neat and effortless. I’ve been coloring my hair since I was seven, so it often has the texture of sad cotton candy.
I used the older hairdryer, the Dyson Supersonic, for years and it gave me the healthiest, most beautiful hair I’ve ever had. But the Supersonic Nural with the Wave + Curl Diffuser is a revelation. Usually my hair only looks this good and healthy when I get it done at the hairdresser’s, but now I can have bouncy, beautiful curls at home every time I wash my hair. That’s something I had completely given up on.
I’ve tried so many hair dryers over the years trying to find the perfect one. I don’t even have to use as much product as I used to, so I can almost squint and say I’m somehow saving money by doing this.
What makes the Wave + Curl Diffuser so good is that it’s basically two diffusers in one. You use it with the traditional prong attachment to dry your roots, then remove the prong attachment to access the “dome” which creates a small vortex of air that adds body to the hair.
While my hair isn’t immediately perfect like I was hoping for, or quite as good as it was at high-end salons using expensive products, these are the best results I’ve ever had at home with minimal effort. This really is the ultimate hairdryer for home use, and while it’s super expensive, it’s well worth the money.
Who is the Dyson Supersonic Nural hairdryer suitable for?
If you have a cheap hairdryer that works for you, or your hair is effortlessly shiny and healthy, then you will be eternally jealous and don’t need the Nural.
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is for people with “difficult” hair or people who think their hair isn’t reaching its full potential. It’s for people with curly and wavy hair who want a diffuser that’s more than “fine.” It’s for people who want or need the best hairdryer on the market. That’s because it’s the best.
