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Dyson Supersonic Nural vs Dyson Supersonic r vs ghd Helios
The Dyson Supersonic Nural edges it for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
The Dyson Supersonic Nural suits you if
- You blow-dry often and want to go easier on your scalp and hair
- You have thick, wavy or curly hair and want faster drying
- You like a light, quiet dryer that remembers your favorite settings
Skip it if
- You want a dryer that feels like a sensible value
- You want controls right on the handle rather than on the back
- You rely on easy, quick access to replacement parts and support
The Dyson Supersonic r suits you if
- You dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers
- You have long or thick hair and want something easy to maneuver
- You want a quieter dryer with attachments that set themselves up
Skip it if
- You want the most for your money, since Dyson's own Nural costs less and does nearly as much
- You travel abroad or have tight outlet spots, because the plug is bulky and US-voltage only
- You want built-in scalp protection or easy on-the-fly controls
The ghd Helios suits you if
- You have thick or long hair and want it dry fast
- You like simple controls without a lot of settings to fiddle with
- You want a smooth, low-frizz finish at home without salon-level fuss
Skip it if
- You want lots of heat and speed settings or smart features
- You rely on a diffuser and don't want to pay extra for one
- You're looking for strong value for the money
So, which one?
The Dyson Supersonic Nural is the stronger all-rounder of the three. The Dyson Supersonic r is still the better fit if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers. The ghd Helios is still the better fit if you have thick or long hair and want it dry fast.
We researched 18 expert reviews, analyzed 20,800 owner ratings and comments across 15 sources for the three, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Show me the receipts
The scoreboardProduct Review score 84 vs 80 vs 75 · reliability 70 vs 77 vs 89
| Dyson Supersonic Nural | Dyson Supersonic r | ghd Helios | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 84 | 80 | 75 |
| Experts | 90 | 84 | 78 |
| Owners | 84 | 78 | 65 |
| Reliability | 70 | 77 | 89 |
| Report problems | 12% | 9% | 4% |
| Evidence | 7 reviews · 479 comments | 8 reviews · 533 comments | 3 reviews · 98 comments |
| Typical price | $372–$500 | $570–$649 | $247 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 90 vs 84 vs 78 · Owners 84 vs 78 vs 65
Dyson Supersonic Nural
Dyson Supersonic r
ghd Helios
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
Dyson Supersonic Nural
We analyzed 7 expert sources (6 hands-on) and 479 owner comments, 420 of them first-hand, and the picture is strong: experts score it 90 and owners 84. Fast drying is the top owner theme (26%), followed by light weight and quiet operation (15% each), and every expert praises the Scalp Protect and attachment-memory features. Value is the main split: 14% of owners call it poor value against 9% who feel it's worth it, and every hands-on expert flags the price. Reliability is the weaker spot at 70, with 12% of comments mentioning failures and 7% describing a unit that broke or died; retailer ratings also vary widely, from 3.35 stars on just 26 retailer reviews to 4.8 across about 16,000 votes on Google, so the low-end figures rest on thin samples.
Dyson Supersonic r
Our research covered 8 expert sources, 6 of them hands-on, plus 533 owner comments. All 6 hands-on testers praised its light weight, and 5 called it fast-drying. Lightness is also the top owner theme at 44%, with fast drying at 27%. Every expert flagged the price, and 3 of the 6 hands-on testers would steer most buyers toward the cheaper Supersonic Nural instead. Reliability looks solid but not spotless: 9% of owner comments mention a failure of some kind, including 6% citing cord issues, and we found no recalls. The evidence on published scores is thin, with only 2 available.
ghd Helios
Our research found strong agreement on speed: both hands-on reviewers rated it among the fastest dryers they've used, and 11 of 98 owner comments praise quick drying, versus 2 citing slow drying. Value is the biggest owner sore point, raised in 13 of 98 comments, which helps explain the gap between the expert score (78) and the owner score (65). Reliability looks good, with failures mentioned in only 4% of owner comments and no recalls on record. The evidence is thin, though: only 3 expert sources (2 hands-on) and 45 first-hand owner accounts, so overall confidence is low.
Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints
Dyson Supersonic Nural
- Very high price for a hair dryer
- Some units failing and frustrating customer support
- Scalp Protect can be fiddly and adds a little drying time
Dyson Supersonic r
- Very high price with no case or stand included
- Bulky plug that can be awkward with some outlets
- Small controls and won't run without an attachment fitted
ghd Helios
- Feels overpriced for what it offers
- Basic controls with only two speeds and two heat settings
- Only one nozzle included; diffuser costs extra
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, the Dyson Supersonic Nural or the Dyson Supersonic r or the ghd Helios?
The Dyson Supersonic Nural, for most homes. The Dyson Supersonic r is the better fit if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers. The ghd Helios is the better fit if you have thick or long hair and want it dry fast.
Based on: Product Review score 84 vs 80 vs 75.Which is more reliable?
The ghd Helios. It's the least likely of the three to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 70 vs 77 vs 89; problems mentioned by 12% vs 9% vs 4% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
The Dyson Supersonic Nural. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 84 vs 78 vs 65, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The ghd Helios usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Dyson Supersonic Nural $372–$500; Dyson Supersonic r $570–$649; ghd Helios $247.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.