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Dyson Supersonic vs Dyson Supersonic r vs ghd Helios
Too close to call: the right one depends on your home.
The verdict in 10 seconds
The Dyson Supersonic suits you if
- You blow-dry often and want to save time on thick, long, or curly hair
- You worry about heat damage, especially on color-treated or fragile hair
- You want one tool that can smooth, diffuse, and tame flyaways
Skip it if
- You want a solid dryer without a luxury price tag
- You'd be bothered by a heavy, bulky cord with no strap
- You want controls right on the handle and a setup with no learning curve
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?
These are closely matched, so pick by what your home needs. The Dyson Supersonic suits you if you blow-dry often and want to save time on thick, long, or curly hair. The Dyson Supersonic r suits you if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers. The ghd Helios suits you if you have thick or long hair and want it dry fast.
We researched 27 expert reviews, analyzed 64,805 owner ratings and comments across 25 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 80 vs 80 vs 75 · reliability 64 vs 77 vs 89
| Dyson Supersonic | Dyson Supersonic r | ghd Helios | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 80 | 80 | 75 |
| Experts | 87 | 84 | 78 |
| Owners | 82 | 78 | 65 |
| Reliability | 64 | 77 | 89 |
| Report problems | 14% | 9% | 4% |
| Evidence | 16 reviews · 537 comments | 8 reviews · 533 comments | 3 reviews · 98 comments |
| Typical price | $400–$500 | $570–$649 | $247 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 87 vs 84 vs 78 · Owners 82 vs 78 vs 65
Dyson Supersonic
Dyson Supersonic r
ghd Helios
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
Dyson Supersonic
We analyzed 16 expert sources, 13 of them hands-on, and 537 owner comments, 451 first-hand, and the picture is strongly positive: experts score it 87 and owners 82. Owners most often praise its light weight (27%) and fast drying (25%), while experts repeatedly highlight its heat control, frizz reduction and magnetic attachments. Reliability is the weaker spot at 64, with 14% of owner comments mentioning failures, 6% saying it broke or died and 5% citing cord problems; long-term durability data is thin, and one expert noted it is not yet proven. Value splits owners almost evenly, with 10% calling it worth the money and 9% saying it isn't.
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
- Very expensive
- Heavy, bulky cord with no tie or retraction
- Awkwardly placed controls and attachments that can get knocked off
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 or the Dyson Supersonic r or the ghd Helios?
Neither, clearly. They're closely matched, so choose by your floors, pets and budget.
Based on: Product Review score 80 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 64 vs 77 vs 89; problems mentioned by 14% vs 9% vs 4% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
The Dyson Supersonic. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 82 vs 78 vs 65, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The ghd Helios usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Dyson Supersonic $400–$500; Dyson Supersonic r $570–$649; ghd Helios $247.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.