Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer review: can it measure up to its pricier rivals?

Price: Currently £219.99

Our rating: 8/10

We like:

• Speed of drying with hair smoothing attachment
• Handy case with compartments
• Good price for a versatile styler

We don’t like:

• Placement of buttons is not the easiest to navigate
• Wide handle makes holding tool for extended periods a little uncomfortable
• Changing direction of hair curling requires two separate attachments

What is the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer?

The Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 is a complete hair drying and styling system that has six interchangeable tools, which include two interchangeable curl attachments depending on the direction of the curl, a concentrated smoother, a curl diffuser, a paddle brush and a volumising oval brush.

The nozzle has an option to rotate and transform from a styling wand to a traditionally-shaped hairdryer. It has three heat and airflow settings, as well as a cool shot button, and uses “auto-wrap” technology to attract the hair around the curl barrels for hassle-free styling.

The viral tool became popular on TikTok as an alternative to another air styler that uses similar technology, with many online users drawing comparisons to the Dyson Airwrap.

How we test hot brushes

A versatile hot brush that can quickly dry and style my hair in one is key. I’m after a healthy and long-lasting look that is easily achievable and can be done in a hurry if necessary.

I’ll evaluate how user-friendly the tool is by considering its convenience and whether I prefer it over my other hairstyling devices at home. I’ll also take into account the overall design – focusing on both aesthetics and functionality as well as essential safety features – and finally the finished style, condition of my hair and how it holds up over time.

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Design: 7/10

While this design is similar to another air styler on the market, there are some key differences. Firstly, the option to rotate the end of the nozzle is great to easily change from a styling wand to a hairdryer – I also used it in this mode to curl one side of my hair as it felt a little easier on the arms.

I’ve marked the device down because of the width of the handle, which is a little clunky to hold and use. The tool itself is still considerably light weight at 700g, but the handle’s size makes it feel a bit cumbersome. The presentation box is great and has separate compartments to house all of the attachments, and I like the different colour editions of the tool.

Usability: 7/10

A multi-styler is always going to take some practice to master, but this product was intuitive enough to get a nice result the first time. I started by drying my damp hair using the paddle brush attachment. The brush itself doesn’t create very much tension in the hair but this was overcome by using my hand to hold the sections of hair taught, achieving a lovely smooth and shiny finish that makes the Shark FlexStyle worth the investment alone for me (someone who struggles to get smooth hair with a hairdryer alone).

The placement of the buttons was my only real criticism. The cool shot and “on/off” switch are quite widely spaced out on the handle so I found that I needed to feel around for them or even stop styling to check sometimes.

Convenience: 7/10

This is both extra convenient – in that there are several tools in one – and slightly inconvenient, as you need a few change-overs to achieve the finished look. The most fiddly change was the two directional auto-wrap curl attachments. The FlexStyle uses Coanda technology to auto-wrap the hair around the 32mm barrel so if you want face-framing, symmetrical curls, you need to switch out the attachment halfway through from clockwise to anti-clockwise.

It’s effective once it’s done and the hair is neatly sucked up around the barrel into shiny, bouncy curls. For the best results, you need to blast the hair with a cool shot, then switch off the machine to release the curls, but the placement of the buttons makes this quite cumbersome and somewhat inconvenient.

The large wand and all the attachments are not super travel-friendly, but if you have the extra luggage space, then the case makes it easy to pack up and go.

Safety: 10/10

The main benefit of this type of “air” styling is the measures that reduce excessive heat damage, since the hair is never in direct contact with a hot plate or barrel. In addition, there is a heat control system to monitor the temperature 1000 times per second, keeping the FlexStyle consistent so it doesn’t get hotter with use.

There are three heat settings, meaning this air styler does reach higher temperatures than its main rivals – 203C at its highest setting. But there is also a cool shot button that helps lock in more hold and shine.

The cord is long and flexible, and there are cool tips on some of the attachments to ensure they are safe to remove. The unlock button is great to make sure the attachments don’t move or come loose while in use.

Results: 9/10

I have been so impressed by how quickly and effectively my hair dried with the Shark FlexStyle, appearing smooth, soft and shiny. When I use a standard hairdryer and brush, I’m left with a coarser texture that needs extra styling to look “done”.

I could’ve happily left my hair smoothed like this until the next wash, making this device a game-changer in terms of speed of styling. The addition of the auto-curlers for a bouncier blow-dry look was brilliant and created full curls within minutes.

However, I didn’t use a holding product and the curls did drop within around an hour, but my hair kept the smoothed, blow-dried look that even got me compliments on the school run, which made me very happy.

Technical specifications

The Shark FlexStyle’s biggest competitor is the Dyson Airwrap. Both dry hair and come with multiple styling attachments. I’ve reviewed both, here’s how they stack up:

Telegraph verdict: 8/10

If you’re interested in investing in a multi-styling tool but concerned about blowing the budget, this is an excellent option. The powerful airflow and smoothing attachments make it an absolute winner for me, and I’ll be happy to avoid using my straighteners and curling tongs in favour of a healthier styling option.

Although I couldn’t rely on this product for long-lasting curls, I’m so impressed by how healthy it made my hair look and how fast I was able to achieve a glossy result. A few slight design criticisms aside, I’d happily recommend this tool as a great all-rounder that’s well worth the investment.

FAQs

What makes the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler unique compared to other styling tools?

It has a recognisable design but the addition of a rotating nozzle takes this multi-styling tool from “traditional” hairdryer mode to styling wand quickly and easily.

Does the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler work for all hair types?

The Flexstyle is marketed for all hair types, though thicker hair might need more styling products to support and hold the finished look. The auto-wrap curlers are best for straight or wavy hair, while the other attachments are suitable for all hair types.

What attachments come with the Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler and what are they for?

The 5-in-1 Flexstyle comes with six attachments:

• A styling concentrator with a rotating nozzle to give a smoother blow-dried finish at any angle
• Two 32mm auto-wrap curling barrels that use air power to wrap the hair and create clockwise or anti-clockwise curls
• An oval brush with boar and nylon bristles to give bounce and volume
• A paddle brush to smooth and straighten while you dry
• A curl-defining diffuser to enhance natural waves, coils and curls