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Dyson Supersonic 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 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 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 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 Shark FlexStyle suits you if you want one tool that dries and styles your hair.
We researched 27 expert reviews, analyzed 67,890 owner ratings and comments across 26 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 83 · reliability 64 vs 77 vs 92
| Dyson Supersonic | Dyson Supersonic r | Shark FlexStyle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 80 | 80 | 83 |
| Experts | 87 | 84 | 82 |
| Owners | 82 | 78 | 79 |
| Reliability | 64 | 77 | 92 |
| Report problems | 14% | 9% | 3% |
| Evidence | 16 reviews · 537 comments | 8 reviews · 533 comments | 3 reviews · 573 comments |
| Typical price | $400–$500 | $570–$649 | $279.99–$349.99 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 87 vs 84 vs 82 · Owners 82 vs 78 vs 79
Dyson Supersonic
Dyson Supersonic r
Shark FlexStyle
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.
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
- 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
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 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 80 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 64 vs 77 vs 92; problems mentioned by 14% vs 9% vs 3% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
It's a draw. Day to day, the three are about as satisfying.
Based on: Owners score 82 vs 78 vs 79, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The Shark FlexStyle usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Dyson Supersonic $400–$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.