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Dyson Supersonic vs Dyson Supersonic r vs Shark SpeedStyle
The Shark SpeedStyle edges it for most homes.
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 SpeedStyle suits you if
- You want one tool for drying, smoothing and volume
- You travel and want a compact dryer
- You worry about heat damage and like the dryer to manage the temperature
Skip it if
- You want quick grab-and-go styling with no learning curve
- You already own a similar Shark multi-styler
- You want air-curling barrels for bouncy curls
So, which one?
The Shark SpeedStyle is the stronger all-rounder of the three. The Dyson Supersonic is still the better fit if you blow-dry often and want to save time on thick, long, or curly hair. The Dyson Supersonic r is still the better fit if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers.
We researched 31 expert reviews, analyzed 65,300 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 87 · reliability 64 vs 77 vs 92
| Dyson Supersonic | Dyson Supersonic r | Shark SpeedStyle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 80 | 80 | 87 |
| Experts | 87 | 84 | 86 |
| Owners | 82 | 78 | 86 |
| Reliability | 64 | 77 | 92 |
| Report problems | 14% | 9% | 3% |
| Evidence | 16 reviews · 537 comments | 8 reviews · 533 comments | 7 reviews · 91 comments |
| Typical price | $400–$500 | $570–$649 | $169–$260 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 87 vs 84 vs 86 · Owners 82 vs 78 vs 86
Dyson Supersonic
Dyson Supersonic r
Shark SpeedStyle
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 SpeedStyle
We analyzed 7 expert evaluations (6 hands-on) and 91 owner comments, 62 of them first-hand, and the picture is consistently positive: all 6 hands-on experts found it fast-drying, and 16% of owners say the same. Value is the top owner theme at 21%, with 12% praising frizz control, though 6 of 7 experts call it expensive at full price, and 3 flag a learning curve with the attachments. Reliability looks strong, with failure mentions in just 3% of comments, 2 of them about overheating or shutting off, and no recalls on record. Confidence is low because the owner sample is small, although the 4.3-star Amazon average across 1,600 ratings points the same way.
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 SpeedStyle
- Expensive at full price
- Attachments take practice and are slow to swap
- Heat can feel too hot near the roots
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, the Dyson Supersonic or the Dyson Supersonic r or the Shark SpeedStyle?
The Shark SpeedStyle, for most homes. The Dyson Supersonic is the better fit if you blow-dry often and want to save time on thick, long, or curly hair. The Dyson Supersonic r is the better fit if you dry your hair often and get tired arms with heavier dryers.
Based on: Product Review score 80 vs 80 vs 87.Which is more reliable?
The Shark SpeedStyle. 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?
The Shark SpeedStyle. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 82 vs 78 vs 86, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The Shark SpeedStyle usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Dyson Supersonic $400–$500; Dyson Supersonic r $570–$649; Shark SpeedStyle $169–$260.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.