The Dyson Airwrap is the hair tool everyone wants for the holidays. It also costs more than $600. The Shark FlexStyle does most of the same tricks for about half the price, and the Revlon One-Step Volumizer gives you a salon-style blowout for under $40.
So which one should you buy? It depends on what you actually do with your hair each morning. Below we compare all three on price, what’s in the box, and who each one is really for.
Prices change often, especially around Black Friday, so check the current price before you buy.
Short answer: If you mainly want a smooth, bouncy blowout, buy the Revlon One-Step and save hundreds.
If you want to dry, curl and smooth with one tool, the Shark FlexStyle is the best Dyson Airwrap dupe for most people.
Splurge on the Dyson Airwrap if you style your hair every day, use the curling barrels a lot, and want the most polished, best-made tool of the three.
Quick list
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long | Daily stylers who want the best | Splurge | Buy on Amazon |
| Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System (HD430) | The best Dyson Airwrap dupe | Splurge | Buy on Amazon |
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler | Bouncy blowouts on a budget | Mid-range | Buy on Amazon |
Side-by-side comparison
| Dyson Airwrap | Shark FlexStyle | Revlon One-Step | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | Most expensive | Mid-priced | Cheapest |
| Dries hair | Yes, with dryer attachment | Yes, twists into a dryer | Yes, while brushing |
| Air-wrap curls | Yes | Yes | No |
| Smoothing brushes | Yes | Yes | One oval brush |
| Heat control | Intelligent heat control | Temperature regulation | Basic settings |
| Best for | Daily styling, curls and waves | Most people who want an Airwrap | Volume and blowouts |
The three tools, compared
1. Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
Best for: Daily stylers who want the best · Price range: Splurge The Airwrap uses Dyson’s Coanda airflow to pull hair around its curling barrels, so you get curls without a hot clamp. Dyson says its intelligent heat control checks the air temperature more than 40 times a second to stop extreme heat. The Complete Long set comes with a dryer attachment, long curling barrels, smoothing brushes, a round volumizing brush and a storage case. It’s beautifully made and the attachments click on fast. The catch is the price, and the curling barrels take some practice before your curls look like the videos. Buy it if: you style every day, love loose curls and waves, and want one premium tool to replace a dryer, a round brush and a curling iron.Keep in mind: It’s very expensive, there’s a learning curve, and curls may not last as long on very fine or straight hair.
Check price on Amazon2. Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System (HD430)
Best for: The best Dyson Airwrap dupe · Price range: Splurge The FlexStyle is the closest thing to an Airwrap. It uses the same kind of air-wrap curlers, and its handle twists so it works as a regular hair dryer too, which the Airwrap needs an extra attachment for. It comes with two auto-wrap curlers, an oval brush, a paddle brush and a concentrator. Shark says the tool regulates its temperature constantly to keep heat low. It feels a little less premium than the Dyson in the hand, but the results are close for most hair types. Buy it if: you want air-wrap curls and an everyday dryer in one, for about half the Dyson price.Keep in mind: It’s still a big spend, and the auto-wrap curlers take some practice before curls come out even.
Check price on Amazon3. Revlon One-Step Volumizer Hair Dryer and Styler
Best for: Bouncy blowouts on a budget · Price range: Mid-range This oval hot-air brush is one of Amazon’s best-selling hair tools for a reason. You dry and style at the same time, and you get a smooth, volumized blowout in one pass. It doesn’t curl, it’s bulkier than the other two, and it can run hot, so use a heat protectant and a lower setting on fine or damaged hair. But for the classic round-brush blowout, it does the job of a far pricier tool for the price of a dinner out. Buy it if: your goal is volume and smoothness, not curls. It’s also a great gift under $40.Keep in mind: It’s bulky and gets hot, so use a heat protectant every time, and the big brush doesn’t suit very short hair.
Check price on AmazonIs the Dyson Airwrap worth it?
For some people, yes. If you style your hair most days, use curls and smooth blowouts, and want a tool built to last, the Airwrap is a genuine upgrade. The finish, the attachments and the case all feel premium. For everyone else, the Shark gets you most of the way for less than half the price. And if you just want a good blowout, the Revlon is all you need.Tips to protect your hair
- Use a heat protectant every time, even with low-heat tools.
- Start on a lower heat setting, especially with fine, bleached or damaged hair.
- Rough-dry to about 80% before you curl. Air-wrap curls hold better on almost-dry hair.
- Clean the filter regularly. A clogged filter makes any dryer run hotter.
When to buy
Big hair tools are one of the best things to buy on sale. Check our Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals page before you pay full price.FAQ
What is the best Dyson Airwrap dupe?
The Shark FlexStyle. It uses the same air-wrap idea for curls, doubles as a regular dryer, and costs about half as much.Is the Revlon One-Step a dupe for the Dyson Airwrap?
Not really. It gives a great blowout, but it can’t make air-wrap curls. It’s a dupe for a salon round-brush blowout, not for the Airwrap.Does the Dyson Airwrap damage hair?
Any heat tool can damage hair if you use it hot and often. The Airwrap and the FlexStyle both control their temperature to limit heat, but you should still use a heat protectant.Which is best for short hair?
The Revlon’s oval brush works best on medium to long hair. For short hair, the Shark or the Dyson with their smaller brushes and curlers is easier to use.Price ranges are a rough guide. Check the current price on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
