Dyson Airwrap Complete Long Volumise Multi-styler and dryer review: does it deserve its cult status?

Price: £479.99

Our rating: 9/10

We like:

• Gentle on hair due to the intelligent heat control
• Six tool attachments for different styling options and hair types
• Sleek, quality feeling product and packaging

We don’t like:

• Takes some practice to master the technique
• Hair needs to be 50-80 per cent dry to get a longer lasting result
• Changing between the tools can feel a little confusing

What is the Dyson Airwrap Complete Long Volumise Multi-styler and Dryer?

Arguably the cult hair tool, the Airwrap was originally launched in 2018, but this version has been re-engineered and upgraded to be effective on all hair types, and with more styling options. The primary change is the addition of directional airflow switches on the curling barrels so you don’t have to swap out the attachments to change the direction of your curls on each side. 

There are also six versatile attachments including a clever directional dryer and flyaway smoother, two different sized barrels for curling, a firm smoothing brush, a large barrel volumising brush and a diffuser. What makes this different from other hot brushes or curling tools is the fact that it combines drying and styling functionalities in one multi-tasking tool, plus the Dyson Coanda engineering innovation that prevents the hair from coming into direct contact with any extreme or excessive heat.

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How we test hot brushes

I’m always looking for a multi tasking hot brush that can dry and style my hair as quickly as possible, to give a lasting, healthy looking style without it feeling like a workout for my triceps. For this review, I considered how easy the tool was for me to use, as well as the convenience of use and how inclined I was to pick it up over any other of my home hairstyling options. The immediate result is important but it is the longevity of my style that will determine how likely I am to recommend it to others. Finally, I took into account the design in terms of both aesthetic and user experience, plus the all important safety features.

Design: 10/10

The first thing to note is the beautiful, sturdy presentation box that houses the Airwrap and all its attachments - something important to consider in order to keep all the essential components that make this tool so versatile together in one place. I tested the Strawberry Bronze/Blush Pink colourway, but the fact that there are other options scores points for me in itself - and it is certainly very aesthetically pleasing. My most important factor though is the lightweight, ergonomic design. It is so easy to hold aloft for extended drying, plus the controls are easily and intuitively accessible no matter which area of my hair I am drying.

Usability: 8/10

I only score this down a little because of the research and practise it takes before first use. Whilst it is not immediately intuitive I watched a couple of tutorials on the Dyson website before I created my ‘mermaid waves’, but it was mostly to work out what each attachment did and how to use it. I partially dried my hair using the pre-dryer and flyaway smoother (with precise directional airflow in order to smooth the hair shaft with ease), then switched out the 30mm curling barrel. Whilst the Airwrap is known for its very cool Coanda technology that ‘sucks’ the hair to automatically wrap it around the barrel, I also tried the method recommended for more structured waves, holding the hair in place to dry. I was able to easily switch the direction of airflow from clockwise to anticlockwise when I moved from one side of my hair to the other. 

Convenience: 8/10

Whilst the number of attachments makes this a super versatile tool, the trial and error needed to learn what each one does for my hair specifically makes it a little confusing initially. I used three separate attachments to create the same wave I would get with a curling tong, but this is gentler on my hair and is faster than separately blow drying then heat-curling. On my first use, including the instructional video, I went from wet to fully dry, structured waves within eight minutes. I also appreciated the extra-long cord that pivots around the base very easily. The presentation box does make this easy to store, but I need somewhere to also store the box. It feels like a serious all-in-one hair station, but this means it isn’t very portable for travel.

Safety: 10/10

There are three heat settings on the Airwrap, but the intelligent heat control measures the temperature 40 times per second to keep the Airwrap temperature under 150 degrees (whereas other hot brushes can reach up to 200 degrees) so it protects even novice users from excessive heat damage. There is also a cool shot button that helps hold the shape once it has been styled. Each attachment has a cool tip that makes it easy to switch out mid-styling, plus there is an auto thermal cut-out if the filter becomes clogged or the attachment isn’t connected correctly. I appreciate how easy it is to place the tool down on a surface without worrying about it tipping and burning the carpet.

Results: 9/10

I have been struggling with managing frizz and flyaways recently since my hair is changing with age, so I have been reluctantly opting for air drying in favour of heat styling. I was genuinely impressed with how soft and sleek my hair was after the first use of the Airwrap, with the fly-away smoothing attachment plus the firm smoothing brush. When I blowdry my hair using a standard dryer it often feels a little coarse and lacks shine. Whilst this didn’t give me magically glossy waves, it looked much smoother with a healthy gentle sheen. I found that the shape of the waves dropped after about thirty minutes, but I preferred the more natural final effect, and my hair looked ‘done’ enough that I didn’t need to worry about fixing it before I went out six hours later. The next morning I re-curled the front section, but the smoothness was still there. 

Technical specifications

Shark released its competitor to the Dyson Airwrap not long after it first came out: the very similar Shark Flexstyle. It pips the Dyson on price and power, but it’s heavier and has a shorter cord.

The Telegraph verdict: 9 out of 10

No one is denying that this is an expensive option at £479.99, but you get a LOT of tool for your investment. Even if you’re not someone who curls or straightens their hair, the pre-drying and flyaway attachment is impressive enough for me in terms of speed and smoothness to recommend it (when compared to the accumulative cost of hair treatments and professional blow dries), but it is definitely the versatility that makes it worth the money for me. Yes there are other less expensive hot brushes, but having tried a lot of them, I’m most pleased with the pre-styling results from this one. The firm smoothing brush easily replaces the need for awkwardly wielding a paddle brush and dryer, and the end result is better every time. If you are willing to invest in your hair, are a frequent home hair-stylist and want a reliable does-it-all tool, this is a fantastic superior quality option.

FAQ

What makes the Dyson Airwrap unique compared to other styling tools?

The renowned Dyson engineering innovation called the Coanda Effect uses continuous airflow to wrap the hair around the barrel to style it effectively without coming into direct contact with extreme heat. The additional interchangeable attachments also make it the most versatile hot brush tool on the market.

Does the Dyson Airwrap work for all hair types?

The Airwrap complete long volumise model has improved technology and design, as well as alternative attachments that are specifically designed to style different hair types, including short fine, short coarse, long fine, long coarse and curly and coily hair. 

What attachments come with the Dyson Airwrap, and what are they for?

The Long Volumise airwrap comes with six attachments plus a wide tooth detangling comb. These include the Coanda Dryer and Flyaway Smoother, a multi-functional tool that quickly pre-dries hair, or provides directional focused air to smooth flyaways, the 30mm and 40mm Airwrap barrels to create either voluminous or looser curls, a Firm Smoothing brush for straighter, sleek styles or to defrizz before curling, a large round volumising brush that creates tension whilst drying to smooth and shape and a diffuser to enhance natural waves, coils and curls.