Note: This review was first published on 19 June 2025.
When I first heard that Dyson was finally releasing the Supersonic r for everyday users, I was curious, but also mildly sceptical – and you can’t blame me. The original Supersonic already does a solid job, and I’d also spent time with the equally impressive Supersonic Nural (read the review here), which seemed like Dyson’s smartest hairdryer to date. So the idea of paying even more for a version originally built for salon professionals felt a little excessive. Still, the thought of using what the pros use – especially when it’s smaller, lighter, and faster – was hard to resist. So I gave it a go and here’s my impression of it, right after my video showcasing it in action at an earlier media launch event:-
Out of the box, the Supersonic r doesn’t quite look like your typical hairdryer. In fact, it’s almost underwhelming in how simple it looks considering Dyson has priced it at $759. The curved handle, matte finish, and compact form give it a rather clinical device-like kind of feel. But the moment I picked it up, it clicked. It’s ridiculously light. Like, noticeably lighter than any hairdryer I’ve used. And I say this as someone who’s tried more than a few, including Dyson’s own lineup. This one feels like it was made to be held for long stretches without your wrist complaining halfway through.
Photo: HWZ
That might sound like a small thing, but it really isn’t. I’ve had mornings where drying my long tresses felt like a mild workout for the arms. But with the Supersonic r, I’ve never had that strain. It just glides through the routine, and that alone makes a bigger difference than I expected.
The drying performance itself? To be honest it’s not wildly different from its other Supersonic brethren. I still clock around eight to ten minutes to dry my hair, depending on whether I’m going for volume or a smoother finish. What is noticeably different, though, is the sound. This thing is quiet. Not whisper-quiet, but quiet enough that I can watch a video on my iPad without losing the thread of the conversation. It also doesn’t seem to rattle my partner as much who sleeps in the same room. That’s a win in my books.
Photo: HWZ
Another thing I wasn’t expecting to care about but ended up really appreciating was the way the attachments work. They all still snap on magnetically and stay put, but more interestingly, each one has an RFID chip inside that tells the dryer which heat and airflow setting to use. So the moment you pop one on, the Supersonic r adjusts itself. I didn’t think I’d care about how even hairdryers are turning into smart devices until now. That said, if you want to override it manually, you still can.
What stood out was how consistent the styling results were. I’d use the pro concentrator to rough-dry my hair to about 80, then finish off with the flyaway attachment to smooth things down. It didn’t leave my hair feeling parched or overly blasted with heat, which is something I always look out for. That’s probably down to Dyson’s usual temperature regulation tech, which keeps things just hot enough to be effective but not so hot that you’re left with frazzled ends.
Now, I don’t have particularly high-maintenance hair – it's straight and moderately thick –but what stood out was how consistent the styling results were. No matter how I blow-dry my hair, it never felt parched or overly blasted with heat. If you have sensitive scalps or brittle hair, the Supersonic r (or even the Supersonic Nural) might be worth a look. One quirk that threw me off at first: the dryer won’t actually turn on unless one of the attachments is locked in. At first I thought mine was faulty. Turns out, it’s a design choice as Dyson wants to make sure you’re always using it with the right directional airflow. Logical, I suppose, but it can take some time to get used to if you are the type that doesn’t use attachments (for whatever reason).
With its compact form factor and light weight, you’d think that the Supersonic r would make for a great overseas travel companion – and not having to depend on underpowered, inferior, hairdryers that many hotels use. Well, yes – but only in places that supports the 220V/240V voltage like Singapore (and most Commonwealth countries including Malaysia and the UK). That leaves very popular countries like South Korea and of course Japan, out of the question since they run on 120V. That feels like a bit of a missed opportunity, considering how travel-friendly the rest of the design is. It’s possible Dyson could make a miniature voltage converter as an accessory in the future. Fingers crossed.
Photo: HWZ
So where does that leave things? I’ve used the Supersonic r for a couple of months now, and the biggest compliment I can give is that I don’t think about it much anymore. It’s become one of those tools that just does what it’s meant to – reliably and quickly. I reach for it, dry my hair, and get on with my day. No arm fatigue, no excessive heat, no ear-rattling noise. And that simplicity, in a way, is what makes it feel quietly luxurious. And it should.
And now the golden question: is the Supersonic r worth the $759 asking price? As with most of Dyson’s products – especially its Supersonic hairdryers – that’s always going to be subjective. If you just need something to dry your hair and don’t care about the finer details, this will feel like overkill. But if you’re someone who values build quality, thoughtful design, and tech that quietly makes your day easier, then the Supersonic r might be one of the best hair tools you’ll own. It won’t change your life, but it might make doing your hair feel less like a chore. And that, honestly, makes it worth considering.
The Dyson Supersonic r hairdryer is available at Dyson's online store for $759. It is available in two colours: Ceramic Pink / Rose Gold and Jasper Plum from the Dyson store or official Dyson LazMall store.
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