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Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Review: We Tested the Nural
The Dyson Supersonic hair dryer has long been a benchmark for premium drying, and the Supersonic Nural adds sensors that lower the heat as the dryer gets closer to your scalp. But do those smart features justify a $449 price tag? We put the Nural through hands-on tests, measuring its weight, noise, airflow, and how much hair it could dry in just three minutes. It weighed about a pound, ran at around 78 dB at full power, and nearly dried our test hair in three minutes, earning a 4.5 out of 5. In this Dyson Supersonic hair dryer review, we break down what those results mean for your routine. Not sure the Nural is the right pick for you? Compare all seven dryers we tested in our roundup of the best premium hair dryers.
⭐ Quick Verdict
⭐ Best For: People who blow-dry often and want a premium dryer with smart features, including sensors that lowers the heat and airflow automatically, so your scalp isn’t hit with as much hot air.
🚫 Not Ideal For: Shoppers on a budget, or anyone who just wants fast, basic drying without paying extra for sensors and smart features.
✅ Bottom Line: The Dyson Supersonic Nural delivered strong drying performance in our hands-on tests and is comfortable to handle. Whether it’s worth the premium price depends on how much you value its smart features.
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is a premium hair dryer with built-in sensors that adjust it as you dry. Two buttons on the back of the handle let you set airflow speed and heat separately, so you can match the dryer to your hair type. Its main feature is Scalp Protect Mode: the dryer senses how close it is to your head and lowers the heat and airflow automatically, so your scalp stays comfortable. Dyson says this also helps bring out shine. It cost $449 on Dyson’s website when we filmed.
Key Features
Scalp Protect Mode for a 3x stronger scalp barrier
Unlike traditional dryers, which blow the same heat no matter how close they are, the Nural uses a time-of-flight sensor to track how close it is to your scalp and adjust its settings to suit.
Fast Drying
With Air Multiplier technology, the dryer draws in the air around it, triples the airflow, and sends it out with strength and precision.
No Heat Damage
Intelligent heat control checks the air temperature continuously and keeps it at an optimal level so your hair isn’t harmed by heat.
Adjustable Airflow Settings
Mix and match three speeds and four heat levels, then finish with a cold shot to cool your hair and lock in your style.
Attachment Learning
A built-in Hall sensor identifies whichever attachment you snap on, remembers how you like to use it, and switches to those settings on its own.²
Five Intelligent Attachments
Five magnetic attachments cover a range of hair types, including the Wave+Curl diffuser and the Styling concentrator.
Pause Detect
An accelerometer senses when you set the dryer down, then shuts off the heater and lowers the airflow.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Dyson |
| Model | Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer |
| Price | $449 (Dyson website, at the time of testing) |
| Wattage | 1,600W |
| Voltage | 120V |
| Motor | Dyson Digital Motor V9 |
| Weight | 1.8 lb listed / 464g (1.02 lb) tested |
| Airflow | 13.3 L/s (about 28 CFM) listed / 119 CFM tested |
| Settings | 4 heat levels, 3 speeds |
| Ionic Technology | Yes, negative ions to help reduce static |
| Cold Shot | Yes |
| Smart Features | Scalp Protect Mode, Attachment learning, Pause detect |
| Cord Length | 8.6 ft |
| Dimensions | 10 in (H) × 4 in (L) × 3.1 in (W) |
| What's Included | Dryer, Wave+Curl diffuser, Styling concentrator, Gentle air attachment, Flyaway attachment, Wide-tooth comb |
| Color | Plum and Copper, Prussian Blue/Rich Copper, Ceramic Khaki, Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold, Ceramic Patina/Topaz, Red Velvet/Gold |
| Warranty | 2-year limited |
How We Tested the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
We ran the Nural through the same hands-on tests we use for other hair dryers, so every result is measured the same way.
Hair Dryer Weight and Noise Results
A dryer’s weight matters more than most people expect. If you have long or thick hair, you can spend several minutes holding it over your head, and a heavy dryer tires your arm quickly. So we put the Supersonic Nural on a digital scale to see how much it actually weighs. We also measured noise. Using a sound meter, we took a reading at the top airflow setting, since that’s the one most people use to dry the bulk of their hair, and it’s usually the loudest.
Hair Dryer Airspeed Test
Airflow speed is a big part of how fast a dryer gets the job done. We set the Supersonic Nural to its highest airflow setting and measured the air speed with an airflow meter.
Three-Minute Hair Drying Test
The real question with any dryer is how much drying it gets done in a set amount of time, so we tested the Supersonic Nural against the clock. We drenched the hair on a wig head and blotted it with a towel until it stopped dripping. Then we ran the dryer for three minutes, no more and no less. At the buzzer, we graded the hair on a 1-to-5 scale: 1 means still damp, and 5 means completely dry.
Performance Test and Results
Designed by a celebrity hairstylist and priced at $328, the Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000 promises salon-quality blowouts at home. But does a famous name and a premium price tag translate into better drying? We put it through hands-on weight, noise, airflow, and drying tests to see if it lives up to its reputation.
Hair Dryer Weight and Noise Results
Weight
Setup: We weighed the Dyson Supersonic Nural on a digital scale to see how it would feel to hold through a full blowout.
Observation: The Nural came in at 464 grams, which is about 1 pound.
Bottom Line: At about a pound, the Nural shouldn’t tire your arm much, even if long or thick hair keeps it over your head for several minutes.
Noise
Setup: We measured the Nural’s noise with a sound meter on its highest airflow setting, which is the setting most people use to dry the bulk of their hair and usually the loudest.
Observation: The meter read about 78 decibels. That’s roughly as loud as a vacuum cleaner running nearby, and well above normal conversation, which sits around 60 dB.
Bottom Line: It’s loud enough that you’d have to raise your voice to talk over it, but that’s typical for most blow dryers at full power.
Hair Dryer Airspeed Test
Setup: We set the Nural to its highest airflow setting and measured its output with an airflow meter.
Observation: The meter recorded two numbers. The first is 119 CFM (cubic feet per minute), which measures how much air the dryer pushes out. The second is 1,390 feet per minute, which measures how fast that air moves, about 15.8 mph.
Bottom Line: The Nural moves a large amount of air at a steady, moderate speed. That combination dries hair by covering a lot of it at once, rather than blasting one spot hard, which makes it easier to control while styling.
Three-Minute Hair Drying Test
Setup: We soaked the hair on a wig head, towel-dried it until it stopped dripping, then ran the Dyson Nural for exactly three minutes on its highest settings.
Observation: When the timer ran out, most of the hair was dry and the ends were completely dry. Only a little dampness was left, mostly closer to the roots.
Bottom Line: We gave it a 4.5 out of 5. Getting this close to fully dry in just three minutes shows that the high airflow we measured really does speed up drying.
Rating: 4.5/5
Overall Results
| Test | Result | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 464g (about 1 lb) | Light enough to hold through a full blowout without arm fatigue |
| Noise (highest airflow) | About 78 dB | About as loud as a vacuum cleaner; you'd need to raise your voice to talk over it |
| Airflow volume | 119 CFM | Pushes out a large amount of air |
| Air speed | 1,390 ft/min (about 15.8 mph) | Steady, moderate speed that's easy to control while styling |
| Three-minute drying test | 4.5/5 | Nearly dry in three minutes, with ends fully dry |
Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
Lightweight build. At about a pound (464 g), it’s easy to hold through a full blowout, even with long or thick hair.
Fast drying. It scored 4.5/5 in our three-minute test, leaving hair nearly dry with the ends fully dry.
High airflow. It moved 119 CFM in our test, so it covers a lot of hair at once.
Scalp Protect Mode. Built-in sensors lower the heat and airflow as the dryer gets closer to your head.
Separate speed and heat buttons. You can adjust airflow and temperature independently to suit your hair type.
Smart extras. The dryer remembers your settings for each attachment and pauses on its own when you set it down.
❌ Cons
Expensive. At $449, it costs much more than most dryers.
Loud at top speed. It measured about 78 dB, so you’d have to raise your voice to talk over it.
Moderate air speed. At about 15.8 mph, the air isn’t intense, which may be a downside if you want a powerful, concentrated blast for sleek, straight hair.
Not quite fully dry in three minutes. Some dampness remained after the test, so thicker hair may need extra time.
Dyson Supersonic Nural Vs Other Premium Hair Dryers
| Specification | Dyson Supersonic Nural | Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000 | Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic | Shark SpeedStyle Pro | BaBylissPRO Volare | SRI Dry Q Hair Dryer | Ella Bella Ionic Hair Dryer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $328 | $220 | $169 | $189 | $299 | $149 |
| Wattage | 1,600W | 1,875W | 1,875W | 1,750W | 2,000W | 1,300W | 1,200W |
| Weight (tested) | 464g | 540g | 578g | 390g | 534g | 386g | 334g |
| Noise (tested) | ~78 dB | ~86 dB | ~83 dB | ~87 dB | ~80 dB | ~85 dB | ~81 dB |
| Airflow (tested) | 119 CFM / 15.80 mph | 124 CFM / 16.41 mph | 140 CFM / 18.53 mph | 140 CFM / 18.52 mph | 132 CFM / 17.49 mph | 123 CFM / 16.30 mph | 133 CFM / 17.55 mph |
| Drying Test Score | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Heat/Speed Settings | 4 heat / 3 speed | 8 combined (heat/speed/ion) | 2 speeds / 3 settings | 5 heat / 3 speed settings | 6 combined | 4 modes / 3 speeds | 3 speed settings |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | Limited Lifetime | 2 years | 4 years | 18 months | 3 years |
| Technology | Ionic | Ionic | Ionic/ceramic | Ionic | Ionic, Nano Titanium | Red and infrared light; negative ion | Ionic |
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000
The Harry Josh costs $121 less ($328 vs. $449) and runs on more power (1,875W vs. 1,600W). Even so, the two dryers moved almost the same amount of air in our test: 124 CFM for the Harry Josh and 119 CFM for the Dyson. The Dyson scored higher in our drying test (4.5/5 vs. 4/5), weighs less (464g vs. 540g), and runs noticeably quieter (~78 dB vs. ~86 dB). Both come with a 2-year warranty. For the full test results, read our Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000 review.
Choose the Dyson if you want faster drying, a lighter dryer, and quieter operation. Choose the Harry Josh if you want salon-level performance for less money.
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic
The Elchim pushed more air in our test (140 CFM vs. 119 CFM) and costs about half as much ($220 vs. $449). But it didn’t dry hair any faster. It scored 4/5 in our drying test compared with the Dyson’s 4.5/5. It’s also the heaviest dryer we tested at 578g, more than 100g heavier than the Dyson, and it’s louder (~83 dB vs. ~78 dB). The Elchim’s limited lifetime warranty beats the Dyson’s 2 years. See how it performed in every test in our Elchim 3900 Healthy Ionic hair dryer review.
Choose the Dyson if you have long or thick hair and arm fatigue is a concern. Choose the Elchim if you want strong airflow and long-term warranty coverage at a lower price.
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. Shark SpeedStyle Pro
The Shark is the only dryer that beat the Dyson in our drying test, earning a perfect 5/5 to the Dyson’s 4.5/5. It also pushed more air (140 CFM vs. 119 CFM), weighs less (390g vs. 464g), and costs $280 less ($169 vs. $449). Its main drawback is noise. At ~87 dB, it was the loudest dryer we tested, about 9 dB louder than the Dyson. Both have a 2-year warranty. Find out how it earned a perfect score in our Shark SpeedStyle Pro review.
Choose the Dyson if you want a quieter dryer and smart features like Scalp Protect Mode. Choose the Shark if your top priorities are drying speed and value, and noise doesn’t bother you.
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. BaBylissPRO Volare
The Volare costs $260 less ($189 vs. $449), pushed slightly more air (132 CFM vs. 119 CFM), and comes with the longest warranty in our lineup at 4 years. In our drying test, though, it scored 3/5 compared with the Dyson’s 4.5/5. It’s also heavier (534g vs. 464g). Noise levels were close: ~80 dB for the Volare and ~78 dB for the Dyson. Get the complete breakdown in our BaBylissPRO Volare hair dryer review.
Choose the Dyson if you want hair dry in less time. Choose the Volare if you want a budget-friendly dryer with strong warranty protection and don’t mind longer drying times.
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. SRI DryQ Hair Dryer
The DryQ matched the Dyson’s 4.5/5 drying score at $150 less ($299 vs. $449). It’s also lighter (386g vs. 464g), and its airflow was nearly the same (123 CFM vs. 119 CFM). The Dyson is quieter (~78 dB vs. ~85 dB) and comes with a longer warranty (2 years vs. 18 months). The two dryers use different technology: the Dyson relies on negative ions and smart sensors, while the DryQ uses red and infrared light along with negative ions [UNVERIFIED: confirm against DryQ spec sheet]. Read our SRI DryQ hair dryer review for the full results.
Choose the Dyson if you want a quieter dryer, a longer warranty, and sensor features like Scalp Protect Mode. Choose the DryQ if you want the same drying performance in a lighter dryer for less money.
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs. Ella Bella Ionic Hair Dryer
The Ella Bella is the lightest (334g) and least expensive ($149) dryer we tested, which makes it $300 cheaper than the Dyson. It pushed more air (133 CFM vs. 119 CFM), but that didn’t lead to faster drying. It scored 3/5 compared with the Dyson’s 4.5/5. It’s a little louder (~81 dB vs. ~78 dB), offers only speed settings with no separate heat control, and has a longer warranty (3 years vs. 2). See all of its test results in our Ella Bella Ionic hair dryer review.
Choose the Dyson if you want faster drying and full control over heat. Choose the Ella Bella if you want the lightest, most affordable option and don’t mind spending more time drying.
Who Is the Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer For?
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is a good fit if you:
Blow-dry often and want to save time. It nearly finished drying our test hair in just three minutes, so you spend less time on heat styling every day.
Have long or thick hair. At about a pound, it’s light enough to hold overhead without wearing out your arm, and its high airflow covers a lot of hair at once.
Care about scalp and hair health. Scalp Protect Mode lowers the heat and airflow automatically as the dryer gets closer to your head.
Like to fine-tune your settings. Separate speed and heat buttons let you dial in the right combination for your hair, and the dryer remembers your settings for each attachment.
Who should skip it:
Shoppers on a budget. At $449, you’re paying a premium for the sensors and smart features.
Anyone sensitive to noise. At about 78 dB, it’s loud at full speed, so it’s not ideal for early mornings with others sleeping nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dyson Supersonic Nural worth it?
It’s worth it if drying speed, low noise, and scalp-protection features matter to you. In our testing, it nearly dried hair in three minutes (4.5/5) and was the quietest of the seven dryers we tested at about 78 dB. If price is your top concern, the Shark SpeedStyle Pro dried faster in our test for $280 less.
What’s the difference between the Dyson Supersonic and the Supersonic Nural?
The Nural adds sensors the original Dyson Supersonic hairdryer doesn’t have. Along with heat-adjusting sensors that react to how close the dryer is to your head, the Nural recognizes which attachment is on and saves your settings for each one. It also pauses automatically when you set it down. In the US, Dyson prices the Nural higher than the original Supersonic.
What does Scalp Protect Mode do?
A sensor measures how far the dryer is from your head and lowers the heat as it gets closer. Dyson says this helps protect the scalp and adds shine. This feature is the main difference between the Nural and older Supersonic models.
How fast does the Dyson Supersonic Nural dry hair?
In our three-minute drying test on a wig head, the Nural left hair mostly dry with fully dry ends, earning a 4.5/5. Only the Shark SpeedStyle Pro scored higher among the seven dryers we tested.
Is the Dyson Supersonic Nural loud?
It was the quietest dryer in our lineup. It measured about 78 dB at its highest airflow setting, compared with 80–87 dB for the other six dryers. That’s still about as loud as a vacuum cleaner, so you’ll need to raise your voice to talk over it.
Is the Dyson Supersonic Nural good for thick hair?
Yes. At about a pound (464g), it’s easy to hold through long drying sessions, and it nearly dried our test hair in three minutes. Very thick hair may still need extra time, since some dampness remained after our test.
Final Verdict: Is the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Worth It?
The Dyson Supersonic Nural earns its premium price through strong drying performance and smart features. In our three-minute test, it left hair nearly dry with fully dry ends, scoring 4.5 out of 5. At about a pound, it’s comfortable to hold through a full blowout. Its sensors also take some of the work off your hands: Scalp Protect Mode lowers the heat near your head, attachment learning recalls your settings, and pause detect stops the heat when you set the dryer down.
It does have trade-offs. Its airflow is steady and moderate rather than intense, which suits controlled styling more than quick, powerful blasts. At around 78 dB, it’s still loud enough that you’ll need to raise your voice to talk over it. The $449 price is also a big investment for a hair dryer.
If you blow-dry often and want a lightweight dryer with built-in scalp protection and settings that adapt to you, the Nural is worth it. If you only need fast, basic drying, the premium price is harder to justify.
Curious how the Dyson Supersonic Nural stacks up against other dryers built around similar ‘premium’ promises? Take a look at our breakdown of premium hair dryers put through the same testing process to see where it lands next to the competition.
