The best Dyson Airwrap dupes have come a long way over the past few years. While nothing we've tested quite matches Dyson's flagship styler in every respect, several now come surprisingly close, delivering glossy curls, smooth blow-dries and sleek finishes for hundreds less. That's good news if you've always fancied an Airwrap but struggled to justify the price.
Of course, not all Airwrap alternatives are created equal. We've tested every model in this guide ourselves, using them as part of our everyday styling routines to see how they perform long after the excitement of unboxing wears off. We look at everything from curl longevity and drying speed to ease of use, attachment quality and whether they're actually enjoyable to style with before deciding whether they're worthy of a place in this guide.
The Dyson Airwrap changed the way many people style their hair by using the Coanda effect to curl with air rather than extreme heat. Instead of wrapping hair around a hot barrel yourself, carefully directed airflow does the work for you, helping to create curls as your hair dries. The best Airwrap dupes now recreate that experience remarkably well, although most still require you to swap between separate barrels when changing curl direction, whereas the latest Dyson Airwrap can do both from a single attachment.
A great Airwrap alternative isn't just about curling, though. The best models can replace several tools on your dressing table, drying, smoothing, curling and adding volume with a single device. That's why we've also paid close attention to the range of attachments each styler offers, how comfortable it is to use, how well it works on different hair types and, perhaps most importantly, whether it offers good value for money.
Still tempted by the real thing? We've also reviewed both versions of Dyson's styler, so you can read our Dyson Airwrap i.d. review, Dyson Airwrap (2022) review and Dyson Airwrap vs Airwrap i.d. If you've decided a dupe is the better fit for your budget, you're in the right place.
The best Dyson Airwrap dupes – tried and tested
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The best Dyson Airwrap dupe
The T3 Aire 360 is the closest we've come to using a Dyson Airwrap without actually using a Dyson Airwrap. After three weeks of testing it on fine, mid-length, naturally curly hair, our reviewer Victoria found herself reaching for it regularly thanks to its premium feel, polished styling experience and reliable results. It isn't cheap, but considering it costs significantly less than a Dyson Airwrap, it delivers remarkably few compromises.
Victoria used every attachment as part of her regular styling routine, from quick weekday blow-dries to glossy curls and smoother, sleeker finishes. She found the SoftAire concentrator dried her hair in just over three minutes and liked how swapping between attachments was quick and intuitive.
The curling barrels ended up being her favourite attachment. They were straightforward to use and consistently produced glossy curls that held their shape well into the next day, making them some of the best we've tested on an Airwrap alternative. Because they use airflow rather than extreme heat to shape your hair, they're also a gentler choice if you style regularly.
Even the Dyson Airwrap isn't flawless, and the same is true of the T3 Aire 360. The diffuser you will have to buy separately, and while Victoria loved the curling barrels, she found the oversized oval brush a little awkward (bulky) to manoeuvre. Those are fairly minor complaints, though. Whether you're replacing a drawer full of styling tools, upgrading from a basic hair dryer, or looking for an Airwrap alternative, the T3 Aire 360 is the one we'd recommend first.
Read more: T3 Aire 360 review
The most versatile Dyson Airwrap dupe
If you're looking for one styler that can tackle almost every hairstyle, or one that's flexible enough to share with other people in your household, the Shark FlexStyle is hard to beat. It's one of only a few alternatives that uses the same auto-wrap Coanda technology that made the Airwrap so popular. Here, the curling barrels work almost identically to Dyson's, save for the fact that you'll need to swap barrels when changing curl direction.
Elsewhere, the FlexStyle boasts one of the widest ranges of compatible attachments we've seen on a multi-styler. In some regions, you can even build your own bundle, so you're only paying for the tools you'll actually use rather than ending up with attachments that don't suit your hair. In testing, we were especially impressed with the paddle brush, which left hair looking smooth and sleek.
The design is balanced and comfortable to hold, even during longer styling sessions. The top section twists to 90 degrees when you're using it as a hair dryer, making it easier to direct the airflow without constantly lifting your arms, and it packs enough power to dry hair quickly before moving on to styling.
While much cheaper than a Dyson Airwrap, the FlexStyle is still a premium purchase, and if you're on a tighter budget, there are more affordable options in this guide worth considering. But if you regularly switch between curls, waves, sleek styles and blow-dries, or you're buying one styler to share with someone who has different hair types or styling preferences, the FlexStyle is hard to beat.
Read more: Shark FlexStyle review
The best affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe in the UK
The (deep breath) Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro Blow Dry 7-in-1 Ionic Air Styler is our favorite affordable Airwrap dupe in the UK. This tube-shaped multi-styler comes with various styling attachments – including the all-important auto-wrap curl barrels. Aside from the fact you'll need to swap barrels over when you want to change the direction of curl, these work almost identically to the real Airwrap. A nice touch is the easily accessible Pause button to switch off the blower, so you can remove the wand without disturbing your curls.
The Dynamic Radiance Pro can also be used with nothing attached, to rough-dry hair. In this mode it packs a decent amount of power, and the pivoting top section is helpful for directing the airflow without having to extend your arm. The build quality is a little on the cheap side, and our tester found the button placement meant it was a little too easy to accidentally change the settings mid-style, though.
There's a decent range of attachments included – our tester was a big fan of the large oval bristle brush for creating bouncy low-dries – and they come on and off easily and feel secure in use. However, unlike the Shark (#1) that's it for compatible accessories; you can't pick more specialized add-ons to purchase separately or bundle in.
Overall, if you're looking for an Airwrap dupe that delivers a lot for a far more affordable price than the original, this Revamp model is a great choice.
Read our full Revamp Dynamic Radiance Pro Blow Dry 7-in-1 Ionic Air Styler review
The best affordable Dyson Airwrap dupe in the US
Looking for performance and features that are close to the Dyson Airwrap but at a far lower price? Our top dupe in the US is the Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler is a pretty strong bet. It's one of a handful Airwrap dupes (including the Shark at #1) that uses the Coanda effect to create curls, and it comes with enough power and accessories to make it an effective styler a range of hair types.
The design is a little more premium than other dupes in this list, with the rubberized finish making it comfortable to grip. There are three power and three temperature settings plus a cool shot to lock in your style. Alongside your auto-wrap curl barrels, the accessories are mostly limited to different brushes – unusually, there's no concentrator here, and no diffuser either.
Our reviewer, who has super-curly type 4c hair, was impressed by the Sharper Image Revel's performance, finding that it it dried her hair quickly without any noticeable heat damage but a little frizz, and did a good job of both straightening and curling. She noted, though, that for best results you'll have to put a lot of practice into using the Revel, and even then you might need to lower your expectations of what you'll get from an all-in-one tool.
Read our full Sharper Image Revel 6-in-1 Multi-Styler review
The best cheap Dyson Airwrap alternative in the UK
The Remington Curl and Straight Confidence Airstyler AS8606 (also known as the Remington Pro Rotating Hot Air Styler AS8606 in the US) is a great Airwrap alternative if you're on a very tight budget. While there's no auto-wrap curl barrels, this styler has a different solution: it can be set to rotate automatically when the barrel brush tool is attached, to mimic the curl and smoothing action that hairdressers make look so easy when blow drying locks.
This versatile styler can smooth, volumize and curl, and on test we found it effective at creating both straight and bouncy hair styles. However, it's not the most powerful option here, and with only two temperature settings and two windspeeds, you have less precise control compared to other models in this list (which tend to have three of each). We found the curling tong was a little fiddly to use, requiring some patience and practice. On the downside, this tool is a little bulky, and only comes with one, rather large brush attachment, making it best for use on mid-length and longer hair.
Read more: Remington Curl and Straight Confidence Airstyler AS8606 review
The best Dyson Airwrap dupe for big curls and waves
The BaByliss Air Style 1000 is another UK-only Airwrap alternative that's worth considering if you're on a budget. There are no auto-wrap curl barrels here, but it ships with a selection of four attachments: a drying nozzle, soft round bristle brush, a paddle brush and a conical barrel for soft curls.
On test, we found our tester managed to create bouncy results but found the process time-consuming – especially because the dryer isn't especially powerful. Some of the attachments are a little fiddly, and the fact they heat up in use and lack stay-cool sections means you'll need to keep the heat-resistant glove handy for swapping them over. The soft bristle brush is on the large side, making it best suited to those with long hair.
There are some compromises you'll need to make with this styler, but it's affordable enough that it's still a decent buy – provided you have the patience to achieve good results.
Read more: BaByliss Air Style 1000 review
The best Dyson Airwrap dupe for curly hair
If you have naturally curly hair then this Airwrap alternative is worth considering, as it’s one of a handful of options that ships with a diffuser. This attachment disperses the air stream when drying, so it doesn’t disrupt the curl pattern. In total there are six attachments, including different-sized round brushes, and one of the narrowest curling tong attachments we've come across, making it ideal for creating everything from soft bouncy waves to tight curls in all lengths of hair.
On test, we found it was able to effectively smooth and wave hair – although you won't get the auto-wrap curl effect the Airwrap is known for, and which is included on the other Revamp styler here (#2). Our reviewer found the 6-in-1 Ionic Airstyle bulky to hold, and struggled to to clamp hair against the curling tong easily, and the attachments could be tricky to remove, too. However, she was impressed by the hinged filter, which made it easy to clean dust and lint.
Read more: Revamp Progloss Airstyle 6-in-1Air Styler DR-1250 review
How to choose the best Dyson Airwrap dupe for you
When it comes to buying the best Airwrap alternative for you, there are a number of features you should consider.
First of all, decide how much versatility you want from the hot air styler. Do you only ever smooth and straighten your hair, or are you looking for a styler that can also add volume and create soft waves, or even tight curls? Look for models that come bundled with the correct attachments for these different looks.
If you regularly curl your hair, you’ll find a hot air styler that has a grip on the tong invaluable as it means you don’t have to hold the tresses while they’re wrapped around the attachment. Similarly, smaller brushes are best suited to those with shorter, to mid-length hair, as if a brush is too wide, you’ll struggle to get a defined wave unless your hair is long.
The higher the wattage of Airwrap dupe, the faster the airflow, which means it will dry and style your hair quicker. Also consider the number of temperature settings it offers. If you have fine or colored hair, you’ll need a lower temperature setting to reduce heat damage, whereas coarser hair can withstand higher temperatures.
Airwrap alternatives with cool shot buttons are ideal for ‘setting’ hair styles so they don’t drop as quickly, while longer cables enable you to style your hair without having to be positioned right next to an electrical outlet.
Frequently asked questions about Dyson Airwrap dupes
How similar are Dyson Airwrap dupes to the original?
In terms of the basics, fairly well. The very best Airwrap dupes feature the auto-wrap curl barrels that the original Airwrap was known for. These use the Coanda effect to wrap hair around the barrel, shaping it into curls as it dries it. The auto-wrap barrels on Airwrap dupes are functionally almost identical to the first Airwrap.
Dyson has moved a step ahead of the competition now, though: you can create clockwise and anticlockwise curls on the same barrel, whereas all dupes require you to swap over your barrel. The newest version, the Airwrap i.d., has a curl switch that runs through a curl plus cool shot cycle, timed specifically to suit your hair, at the flick of a switch. Again, you won't find that on a dupe.
In terms of other attachments, quality varies depending on which alternative you go for. In general, expect lower quality and less power than if you invested in an Airwrap, although, there are some very good dupes about these days.
Are Airwrap dupes damaging to hair?
Any hair care appliance that uses heat to style will damage the outer protective coating of hair, known as a cuticle. The cuticle is formed of layers of overlapping cells known as scales.
These scales line up perfectly on healthy hair and reflect light, which is why hair appears shiny. However, when hair is subject to temperatures that are too hot, tiny holes will start to appear in these cells, which not only stoops the light reflecting, but eventually leads to breakages.
The Airwrap alternatives we’ve tested don’t drop as low as 300F / 150C, which is the coolest heat setting offered by Dyson’s iconic hot air styler.
Subsequently, they will (likely) cause damage to your hair if used untreated. To mitigate this, always apply a heat protection styling spray before blow drying, and keep the heat level at the lowest setting that still enables the hair to be manipulated into the style you want.
How we tested these Dyson Airwrap dupes
To compare Airwrap dupes we assess how effective they are at smoothing, volumizing and curling our locks on all of their heat settings and how shiny and frizz-free they left our hair.
We also monitored the sound level, and factored in how comfortable and balanced they were to use, along with how easy the attachments were to change and any handy features such as rotating barrels, or grips on curling tongs, that make it easier to style your hair.
We also considered cable length, any storage options for the attachments, and even cool shot buttons.
