REVIEW: Should You Invest in the Dyson Supersonic R?

Have you been looking to upgrade your hairdryer? Beauty Editor Red makes a case for the all-new Dyson Supersonic R.

No one looks forward to wash day, least of all me. Sure, the feeling of a freshly cleansed scalp is lovely, but let’s face it—the routine that follows is usually quite a slog. For my bleached, damaged hair, my hair routine is pretty extensive. It typically involves multiple scalp and hair products and a meticulous and slow detangling process before drying and styling even begin to factor in. Frankly, by the time I should be drying my hair, I’m ready to throw in the towel.

Granted, I’ve found a few ways to streamline this process and make it less tedious. For a start, the Dyson Airstrait and Airwrap i.d. tools have consolidated my drying and styling routine into one step. This is great for slow days, but sometimes I’m just not in the mood to painstakingly go section by section. For lazy days, the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer makes very quick work of drying my hair, albeit at the cost of sore arms (it’s a fabulous hairdryer, but it gets pretty heavy to hold after a while). Essentially, I already own great tools, but I must admit that when I found out that the Dyson Supersonic R™ was launching for the masses, my interest was piqued. 

Originally designed for session hairstylists and salon professionals, the Dyson Supersonic R™’s unconventional design has been optimised for comfort and convenience. The ergonomic build of the professional hairdryer is 30 percent smaller, 20 percent lighter and offers improved manoeuvrability for faster, smoother and shinier results. All of this sounds good on paper, but how does it hold up in real life? Ahead, I’ve reviewed the dryer to help you decide whether it’s a worthy purchase or not.

Technology and build

The technology behind this hairdryer is very impressive for such a compact device. In fact, given its considerably lighter build and small size, I was sceptical of whether it would be as effective as the original Supersonic. Fortunately, after thorough experimentation, I am happy to report that it absolutely is. 

Instead of the OG Supersonic’s digital motor V9 or Air Multiplier technology, the Supersonic R™ is fitted with a streamlined heater, the Dyson Hyperdymium™ motor. While it isn’t as powerful as the original Supersonic, it definitely packs a punch (and gets the job done!). 

During my first trial run with the Supersonic R™, it took me just 10 minutes to take my hair from sopping wet to fully dry and styled! For context, I have long hair down to my waist, so I’d say that’s a pretty decent dry time. I also find the Supersonic R™ a lot easier to use in general—its shape and weight make it really comfortable and easy to manoeuvre the tool, which in turn makes both drying and styling a breeze. That, and the added benefit of my arms not aching after 10 minutes is an added plus!

Secondly, its attachments use intelligent Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors, which remember the last settings used with every attachment and automatically adjust the motor and heater to the optimal airflow and temperature—all without me having to lift a finger. There are five key attachments included with the dryer: The Flyaway Attachment which uses the Coanda effect to hide flyaways under longer strands; the Smoothing Nozzle for decreased frizz; the Gentle Air Attachment for sensitive scalps; the Pro Concentrator for more precise airflow; and the Powerful Air Attachment for high-velocity airflow. 

Honestly, I don’t think all the attachments are necessary—at least for me. They’re nice to have, for sure, but I usually find myself reaching for just two of them: The Powerful Air Attachment (mostly because I’m an impatient woman with a resilient scalp) and the Smoothing Nozzle (to help me deal with my frizz). With just these two attachments and an old hairbrush, I can usually get my strands really sleek. The finish isn’t quite as flawless as the Airstrait, but it’s pretty close!

Design and aesthetics

While the original Dyson Supersonic is an iconic silhouette in its own right, I actually love the ‘r’-shaped design of the Supersonic R™. It’s sleek, minimalist, and comes in two super cute colourways: Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold and Jasper Plum. While the device’s aesthetics obviously serve no function, having a cute little accessory on my vanity does excite me to use it.

Travel-friendly unit

Finally, I love that it’s light and compact enough for travel! It’s honestly the biggest selling point for me. As someone who is on the road a lot and likes to travel light, I like that I no longer have to worry about having to choose between great hair and bag space. 

The verdict

In short, yes! Overall, I’d say that if you’re looking for a travel-friendly, high-performance hairdryer, the Dyson Supersonic R™ is well worth the investment.

The Dyson Supersonic R™ hair dryer is available for purchase at RM2,599 online and in-store. Find more hair reads here.