We reviewed Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer – here's our take

We all know that browsing products online isn’t the same as taking them for a test spin, so we’re here to help. In our series of in-depth reviews, our editors pick out products you may be curious about. We previously reviewed Ghd’s two-in-one hair dryer and styling tool, and this time, we have another hair product on our radar: the Dyson Supersonic^™ Travel hair dryer. Read our review to learn more about it, then head to Cathay Shop and check it out for yourself.      

A little bit of background    

32 per cent smaller and 25 per cent lighter than the full-sized Supersonic^™ blow dryer, this 330g, travel-ready device is designed with luggage restrictions in mind. With universal 100-240V voltage, it works with power outlets globally and is fully compatible with existing Supersonic^™ and Supersonic Nural^™ attachments to help you keep up styling routines during travel. The dryer has undergone a rigorous testing process – including drop and crush tests – so you can rest assured that it’ll be able to withstand bumpy journeys and unexpected mishaps. And while portability is the focus, you don’t have to sacrifice efficiency, as it boasts Air Multiplier^™ technology and a 110,000rpm motor for a powerful airflow. 

In addition to offering compact convenience wherever you go, it also promotes healthy hair with intelligent heat control. This feature measures air temperature over 100 times a second to prevent high heat damage – resulting in locks with up to 138 per cent more shine. Suitable for every hair type, including curly hair, the device comes equipped with a smoothing nozzle attachment, which creates a gentle, controlled airflow to reduce frizz.  

First impressions    

Coming in ceramic pink and rose gold with a streamlined silhouette, the Supersonic^™ Travel hair dryer is certainly a looker. Its two-metre cord length and simple controls make it easy to manoeuvre. There's a sliding switch for powering the device on and off, as well as two buttons to adjust heat and speed settings, which you can use to switch between three temperature settings and two airflow settings. 

During my first trial, I was immediately impressed by the strength of both the heat and airflow. The temperature was also able to change very quickly between settings. The lowest temperature setting was refreshing but took a while to dry hair completely. In contrast, at two bars, the higher heat setting was a bit too hot. Like Goldilocks, I eventually found my sweet spot: one bar of heat and two bars of speed delivered the fastest results. 

The smoothing nozzle snaps into place on the dryer’s front rim, offering a simple and secure magnetic attachment. With the nozzle attached, the heat felt less intense, perhaps because the air was being funnelled, reducing direct exposure. It also led to a calmer and quieter blow-drying experience, with a concentrated airflow that stopped my hair from flying all over the place. 

As someone who struggles with frizz, I appreciated that this hair dryer gave my tresses a sleek, silky-smooth finish, and felt noticeably less dry than after using other similar devices.  

Any cons?      

As mentioned, I found the maximum heat setting a bit too hot, but that problem was partly rectified with the smoothing nozzle. The hair dryer is definitely smaller than others on the market, but perhaps due to its high-quality build, it wasn’t quite as lightweight as expected. While I’d pack it on longer trips, I probably wouldn't bring it to the gym, especially if I was planning to be out all day.  

Final thoughts 

This stylish, scaled-down hair dryer is perfect for travellers who don’t want to give up their hair routines. Rather than leaving things to chance with hotel-provided hair dryers, this hair dryer offers a dependable way to maintain healthy, perfectly styled tresses wherever you go.