Should you by some means predicted that an organization finest identified for its high-end vacuums and air purifiers would additionally wind up making the world’s most coveted hair device, please come gather your prize.

We’re speaking, after all, about Dyson and its legendary Airwrap. Initially launched in 2018 after which up to date in the summertime of 2022, the multi-functional styler has earned a cult following for its capacity to dry, easy, and curl with out using excessive warmth. A set of brush and barrel attachments make it appropriate for a spread of various hair varieties and textures — plus, it comes with a case for simple storage.

Priced at a jolting $599.99, the Dyson Airwrap is dearer than a PlayStation 5, and it was once simply as arduous to purchase. (We discovered it in inventory at Finest Purchase(Opens in a brand new tab), Sephora(Opens in a brand new tab), Ulta(Opens in a brand new tab), and on the Dyson(Opens in a brand new tab) web site on the time of writing.) Between the present financial local weather and TikTok’s de-influencing pattern, it looks like persons are catching on to the truth that you’ll be able to obtain related styling outcomes at a fraction of the associated fee with the appropriate dupe. The latest and finest different we have examined managed to copy the Airwrap expertise for round $270, however there are a number of good choices properly below the $200 mark in the event you’re prepared to make some huge concessions.

Our Dyson Airwrap overview

For reference, the second-generation Airwrap is available in three completely different variants for various sorts of hair:

Mashable Purchasing Reporter Bethany Allard had excessive expectations when she took the Full Lengthy variant for a spin, given its popularity and luxurious worth level. And whereas she did get compliments “each single time I styled my hair with this product,” Allard in the end walked away from her weeks-long trial interval pondering the Airwrap was “simply positive.” Its studying curve was steeper than she anticipated, its case took up loads of room, and it took too lengthy to twist her lengthy hair (with limp, short-lived ringlets). Its smoothing attachments did handle to supply some spectacular outcomes, however they nonetheless weren’t life-changing sufficient for Allard to justify the Airwrap’s total value.

That being mentioned, Allard famous that there are some varieties of people that will discover the Airwrap extra price it than she did. Should you’re somebody who heat-styles their hair day-after-day, for instance, the Airwrap might forestall you from frying the shit out of your ends. Should you like preparing proper after you hop out of the bathe — the Airwrap is designed to be used on freshly washed hair — it’s going to match effortlessly into your current routine. And in case you have shoulder-length or shorter hair, it might reduce your styling time in half. “As somebody who’s had shorter hair, I additionally know that some type of day by day styling is often mandatory, so the plus of much less injury is not negligible,” Allard wrote.

Even in the event you’re dead-set on shopping for the Airwrap (extra energy to you), it is best to at the least pay attention to the competitors earlier than spending half a month’s hire on a hair device.

What’s the closest factor to a Dyson Airwrap?

First, somewhat extra in regards to the design of the Airwrap: Its base unit incorporates a high-pressure motor that is highly effective sufficient to supply an aerodynamic phenomenon referred to as the Coanda impact(Opens in a brand new tab). This creates a spinning vortex of heat air, which attracts and routinely wraps hair round its barrel in both route to softly dry whereas including quantity. As that is taking place, an clever warmth management system measures the system’s temperature over 40 instances a second to make sure it by no means ventures past 302°F; your hair’s keratin strands usually begin weakening when uncovered to warmth above the 300-degree mark(Opens in a brand new tab), Dyson says.

For a very long time, the Airwrap was the one hair device of its sort in the marketplace with this type of styling expertise, and no dupe was a precise match or a good comparability. However in late 2022, a scorching new bombshell entered the villa: the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System(Opens in a brand new tab). (What’s it with vacuum corporations and fancy hair instruments?) It makes use of the identical Coanda impact, gives the same vary of attachments because the Airwrap, and even one-ups it with a twistable base that lets it double as a traditional hair dryer. However maybe better of all, the FlexStyle clocks in at a way more cheap $269.99 — $279.99, if you wish to customise its configuration. It is the very best Dyson Airwrap dupe accessible proper now, no contest.

If that worth level continues to be pushing it, you’ll be able to replicate some Airwrap attachments’ outcomes utilizing extra conventional styling instruments like scorching air brushes and (sure) curling irons and straighteners. To slender down your pool of choices, pinpoint the No. 1 purpose why you are drawn to the Airwrap within the first place, apart from the “minimal warmth injury” factor:

It doesn’t matter what sort of system you wind up shopping for, even when it is a FlexStyle or an precise Airwrap, contemplate including some styling merchandise to your cart whilst you’re at it. Dyson itself recommends utilizing hairspray(Opens in a brand new tab) to “maximize curls’ longevity” and a warmth protectant(Opens in a brand new tab) “every time doable.” (It might solely assist.) The corporate’s World Lead Stylist Amy Johnson additionally suggests(Opens in a brand new tab) making use of a mousse to your roots whereas your hair continues to be moist for further quantity.

Extra Airwrap competitors on the horizon

Revlon lately launched the $74.99 One-Step Blowout Curls(Opens in a brand new tab), which is one more iteration of its One-Step scorching air brush with a removable, vented, ceramic-coated barrel that may supposedly dry and curl on the identical time. It is undoubtedly not a 1:1 dupe just like the FlexStyle, but it surely could be one other budget-friendly possibility for these involved in quick, full quantity. Test again to see if it winds up on this checklist as opinions begin trickling in. (Ours is within the pipeline, FWIW.)

Beneath, you will discover our information to one of the best Dyson Airwrap dupes which can be at present accessible: