Home / Health & personal care / Hair dryers / Compare
Dyson Supersonic Nural vs Dyson Supersonic r vs Shark FlexStyle
Too close to call: the right one depends on your home.
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 Shark FlexStyle suits you if
- You want one tool that dries and styles your hair
- You have straight, wavy, or fine hair and like sleek or loosely waved looks
- You're new to curling and want something forgiving and easy to learn
Skip it if
- You have very thick or coily hair and want defined curls
- You're sensitive to a loud, high-pitched motor
- You only need a basic dryer and don't want to pay for extras
So, which one?
These are closely matched, so pick by what your home needs. The Dyson Supersonic Nural suits you if you blow-dry often and want to go easier on your scalp and hair. The Dyson Supersonic r suits you if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers. The Shark FlexStyle suits you if you want one tool that dries and styles your hair.
We researched 18 expert reviews, analyzed 23,885 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 83 · reliability 70 vs 77 vs 92
| Dyson Supersonic Nural | Dyson Supersonic r | Shark FlexStyle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 84 | 80 | 83 |
| Experts | 90 | 84 | 82 |
| Owners | 84 | 78 | 79 |
| Reliability | 70 | 77 | 92 |
| Report problems | 12% | 9% | 3% |
| Evidence | 7 reviews · 479 comments | 8 reviews · 533 comments | 3 reviews · 573 comments |
| Typical price | $372–$500 | $570–$649 | $279.99–$349.99 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 90 vs 84 vs 82 · Owners 84 vs 78 vs 79
Dyson Supersonic Nural
Dyson Supersonic r
Shark FlexStyle
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.
Shark FlexStyle
We analyzed three hands-on expert evaluations, one based on nearly two years of use, along with 573 owner comments, 494 of them first-hand, plus about 3,700 retail ratings. All three experts call it well built and effective, especially as a dryer, and owners most often praise its value (13%) and fast drying (13%). Complaints are scattered: 5% of owners mention noise, 4% feel it's poor value, and only 3% of comments mention failures, which supports a strong reliability score of 92. The evidence is thin on the expert side, with only three hands-on assessments and two published scores, so our confidence is medium.
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
Shark FlexStyle
- Loud, high-pitched motor
- Curling struggles with thick hair and needs practice
- Still expensive, and not every kit includes a case
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, the Dyson Supersonic Nural or the Dyson Supersonic r or the Shark FlexStyle?
Neither, clearly. They're closely matched, so choose by your floors, pets and budget.
Based on: Product Review score 84 vs 80 vs 83.Which is more reliable?
The Shark FlexStyle. It's the least likely of the three to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 70 vs 77 vs 92; problems mentioned by 12% vs 9% vs 3% 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 79, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The Shark FlexStyle usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Dyson Supersonic Nural $372–$500; Dyson Supersonic r $570–$649; Shark FlexStyle $279.99–$349.99.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.