Can't justify the expense of an Airwrap? These are my favorite alternatives — including a 'versatile, well-designed' styler that comes in at half the price

Dyson changed the haircare game when it released the original Airwrap. This innovative gadget used directed air, rather than scorching hot barrels, to shape hair into curls. The Airwrap was good news for hair health, but bad news for your wallet — even that original version was a pricey proposition.

It took a while for decent Airwrap alternatives to start to appear. The air-based curling, using a phenomenon called the 'Coanda' effect, was the thing other brands seemed to be struggling to replicate. However, now — almost a decade on — there are plenty of Coanda-equipped multi-stylers on the market to choose from. I tested a whole load of top multi-stylers in my previous role as Homes Editor, and I've collected together my favorite recommendations below. The main brands to look for are Shark and Dreame, both of which have their own established styling tool line.

The Shark FlexStyle is probably the key Airwrap competitor, and does a great job of mimicking Dyson's efforts. I called it "versatile" and "well designed" in my review, and praised the range of compatible attachments. I wasn't so enamored with the newer Shark Glam, which adds in hot plates to smooth things even further, but it could be a winner if you're a fan of the ultra-glossy look.

The Dreame AirStyle Pro is one of the best-looking options around, and the new Dazzle (US only) is especially hi-tech, with attachment recognition. I'll be honest, though, the Airwrap alternative I find myself reaching for most often is my Dynamic Radiance Pro (UK only) — a cheap option that does the job with minimal fuss, and comes with an especially great brush attachment.

Awesome Airwrap-alikes

The real thing...

Considering buying the real thing? The model I'd recommend is the Airwrap i.d., which has a switch to launch an automated wrap > curl > cool shot sequence that takes all the skill and effort out of creating perfect coils. However, if you really want to push the boat out, the newest option is the Co-anda 2X, which has all the same tricks as the i.d. but in a lighter and more powerful package. At the other end of the price spectrum is the Airwrap Origin, which lacks the automation features but is much more wallet-friendly.

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