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Dyson Supersonic r
Featherlight, fast and quiet, but you pay dearly for it
Loupe's take: Experts and owners agree on this one. Who's Loupe?
Photo: Dyson
Tom's GuideCnnElle
Harpersbazaar
Amazon
Google Shopping
Reddit
YouTubeSee how we scored it
Updated October 27, 2026
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.
What each expert concluded
A well-designed, ultra-light and quiet dryer with decent power that suits hairdressers and those with budget to spare, but average home users may not notice enough improvement over the standard Supersonic to justify the cost.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗~8/10The Supersonic r is an excellent, comfortable and highly maneuverable dryer that dries as fast as the Nural, but its fiddly controls, missing Scalp Protect mode and higher price lead the writer to favor the Nural for most people.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A superb, light, quiet and powerful dryer with excellent attachments, but its very high price and bulky plug mean the writer would pick the cheaper Dyson Supersonic Nural instead for most buyers.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The writer finds the Supersonic r a powerful, quiet, very light and intuitive dryer that is worth buying for those who accept the premium price, though the Supersonic Nural remains the better pick for most beginners.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The writer was impressed by the lightweight Supersonic r, which dried her hair in about four minutes, left volume, and helped her build a healthier blow-drying habit, making the high price feel justified.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗~7/10A news-style launch announcement of Dyson's pro-focused Supersonic r, presenting its smaller, lighter design and smart attachments favorably, but without hands-on testing or a rating.
Roundup · open the review ↗A news-style launch announcement presenting the professional-only Supersonic r as a lighter, more ergonomic and efficient upgrade for stylists, based on brand statements rather than testing.
Roundup · open the review ↗~8.5/10The writer found the Supersonic r extremely light, fast-drying, and comfortable to use, with smart features and a standout red-light mode, though the high price and a couple of omissions hold it back slightly.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗Verdicts paraphrased; open a card to read the original. How we score
The verdict in 10 seconds
You'll love it 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
What owners rave and rant about
What they rave about
What they rant about
Share of 533 owner reviews and comments that mention each topic.
The no-fluff verdict
This dryer is so light and easy to aim that long drying sessions stop feeling like an arm workout, and it gets hair dry quickly without much noise. Its biggest strength is comfort, along with smart attachments that set the heat and airflow for you. The catches are the steep price, a bulky plug and fiddly little controls. It suits people who dry their hair often, find heavy dryers tiring, or have long or thick hair.
This verdict draws on 12 independent sources: 8 expert tests,
2,464 ratings and reports from retailers, owner communities and video reviews, and official safety records,
analyzed and cross-checked into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Ratings across the web
AmazonGoogle ShoppingRedditYouTubeShop ratings lean positive (happy buyers, brand-moderated stores); forums lean critical (people post problems). Our owners score weighs both equally.
Questions people actually ask
Is the Dyson Supersonic r bad for your hair?
Not in normal use. It dries hair quickly and its attachments lean toward gentler heat, which helps limit heat damage.
Based on: Hands-on testers reported no heat damage and soft, shiny results.Is the Dyson Supersonic r blow dryer bad for your scalp?
It can be on the hottest setting. It runs very hot close to the scalp and lacks the scalp-protecting mode found on Dyson's Nural, so a lower heat setting is the safer choice.
Based on: Two testers noted the missing Scalp Protect mode; one found highest heat very hot.How do you use the diffuser on the Dyson Supersonic r?
Snap it onto the end, and the dryer sets the heat and airflow for it automatically. It also remembers any changes you make, so the next session starts where you left off.
Based on: Several testers confirmed attachments are recognized automatically and remember their settings.Is the Dyson Supersonic r diffuser good for curls and waves?
It works well for curls. It dries them gently with good definition, but it's a single all-in-one piece without the removable insert for waves that the Nural offers.
Based on: One tester praised curl definition; two noted it lacks the Nural's wave insert.How do you fix a Dyson Supersonic r that won't turn on?
First check that an attachment is fitted, because it won't run without one. If it's still dead, look at the air filter in the base, since the dryer requires it to be in place and maintained.
Based on: Three testers said it won't start without an attachment; the filter is mandatory.How much does the Dyson Supersonic r cost?
Usually $570–$649 in the US. Prices move with sales, so check the current price.
Based on: Prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com.What does the Dyson Supersonic r cost to run?
Mostly replacement parts and supplies
- Built-in air filter must be used and maintained (price not stated)
- Display Stand: $90, sold separately, only in Vinca Blue/Topaz
- Presentation Case: $60, sold separately, only in Vinca Blue/Topaz
Has the Dyson Supersonic r been recalled?
No. We found no U.S. safety recalls for this model.
Based on: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.
