Since its earliest Airwrap models, Dyson’s goal has been to empower consumers with powerful hair tools for more efficient and less damaging hairstyling. Each new iteration has gotten a bit faster and smarter (not to mention, more expensive), moving the needle in innovation.
There are currently three versions of the Airwrap on the market, and I’ve been testing the two that are the most tricked out: the Airwrap Co-anda2x and the Airwrap i.d. I also have an old version of the Airwrap Complete, which has the same functions as the Airwrap Origin, so I’m well versed in all the differences across the generations. In fact, even before I was a beauty editor — and just a beauty enthusiast — I sprung for the very first Airwrap model as a gift for my mom. It still works as great as the day she got it, so I’d say the investment was worth it.
So, whether you’re fulfilling your own wish list or thinking about gift ideas for someone special, Dyson’s fancy hair tool is a valid top contender. To help you decide if it’s the right tool for you, I’ve laid out all the pros and cons below.
And before we dive into the review, please note that I have long, straight hair that’s medium to thick, so I tested only the straight/wavy versions of the Airwrap. Hair type, texture and length greatly impacts how these tools will work with your hair, so keep that in mind.
Dyson’s category-busting hair tool was not only one of the first multi-stylers but it paved the way for wet-to-dry stylers. These allow you to dry and style your hair with one tool, saving you time and protecting your hair from heat damage.
All versions of the Airwrap have three heat settings, three speed settings and a cold shot. This sounds pretty standard, but it’s what’s within the tool that makes it stand out. According to Dyson, the Airwrap has temperature sensors that ensure that the tool stays under 302 degrees Fahrenheit, whether it’s blow-drying, curling or smoothing the hair. In the long run, this is far less damaging to your hair than applying direct heat from a curling iron or hair straightener.
Before this technology, it would take me at least an hour to blow-dry my hair and then curl it. With the Airwrap, I can do all that in about 20 minutes. If I’m doing a blowout with the round brush, it takes me only 10 minutes to have my hair completely styled. This has made a huge difference for my mornings, and as someone that loves to hit the snooze button, it gives me at least one more chance to do so.
The Airwrap’s claim to fame is really its Coanda airflow technology, which is most notably used to automatically wrap and curl hair. It works best once hair has been rough-dried to 80%, so your hair is just slightly damp. Honestly, there’s a bit of a learning curve to figure out the right amount of hair to section for each curl, but once you do, the Airwrap will effortlessly “grab” the hair and curl it for you. This is made even easier by the i.d. curl setting on the Airwrap i.d. and Co-anda2x. The timed wrapping, curling and cold shot keeps the results consistent throughout styling, and I found that it helps my styles last longer too. My naturally straight hair typically doesn’t like to hold a curl, but the combination of wet-to-dry styling and the custom i.d. curl sequence has given me blowouts that last three days. I think it’s a great solution for anyone who struggles with the technical aspects of using traditional curling irons or who may have limited mobility. All current versions of the Airwrap feature dual-direction curling barrels that allow you to change the direction of the airflow and, thus, the direction of the curls.
Besides turning into a hair curler, the Airwrap can also become a blowout brush. The round brush is actually my most-used styling attachment since it gives me the quickest blowout. It helps create smooth styles with just a touch of volume. I prefer the smaller round brush that comes with the Co-anda2x than the large barrel round brush that comes with the Airwrap i.d., but both offer similar results. When I’m in a rush and just want a straight, smooth style, I’ll finish with the anti-snag loop brush attachment. Those with wavy hair may want to use this one to smooth their hair a bit before going in with the curling barrels.
Sophie Shaw/CNN Underscored
When it comes to hair tools, it’s so easy to misplace attachments or get the cords tangled up with other tools. Thankfully, Dyson’s innovation extends to its neat storage case, which comes with the Airwrap Co-anda2x and Airwrap i.d. For the straight/wavy sets I’ve tested, the case perfectly fits all the attachments and the tool itself, keeping everything organized and tidy. When you’re using your Airwrap, the lid of the case even doubles as a tray for smaller accessories, like hair clips or your hairbrush, and it has a dedicated spot where you can prop up your phone and keep track of your i.d. curl sessions.
Unfortunately, the diffuser is a bit too bulky to store inside for the curly/coily set. Nonetheless, Dyson created an attractive storage solution that feels substantial and luxe.
What I didn’t like about it
It’s not international travel-friendly
Once you’re hooked on using the Airwrap, it becomes difficult to imagine styling your hair without it. Then reality hits when you’re planning for vacation. At least, that’s what happened to me earlier this year. I had to leave my trusty Airwrap at home while I was off to Seoul, because the tool is specifically manufactured for the voltage and outlets of the country it’s sold in. This is the case with most high-powered hair appliances, but it’s nonetheless disappointing, especially since a multi-styler would save so much packing space compared with bringing a hair dryer and all your styling tools. And I wouldn’t even think about trying to use an adapter or voltage converter with it. You’ll risk frying your Airwrap, and the gamble just isn’t worth it when it’s a $500+ investment.
It’s not great at curling short hair
I recently added short layers into my hair and realized that the Airwrap isn’t great at reaching and styling those pieces when I’m using the curling barrels. You give up a bit of styling control when you let the Airwrap do it’s thing, but with shorter pieces, you need a bit more precision. I found both the 1.2-inch and 1.6-inch barrels could create some big waves at best with my chin-length pieces.
How it compares
Airwrap Co-anda2x vs. Airwrap i.d.
From a user-experience standpoint, the difference between the Airwrap Co-anda2x and the Airwrap i.d. is marginal. Both feature i.d. curl technology, so if that’s the upgrade you’re after, the Airwrap i.d. will deliver it at 100 bucks cheaper. While the Co-anda2x has a fancy new Dyson Hyperdymium 2 motor that makes it faster and more powerful, I found that the optimal i.d. curl sequence still had the same timing as the Airwrap i.d for my hair. The fast dryer was a bit quicker with the Co-anda2x, though.
The attachments may weigh in on your decision too. For the straight/wavy Airwrap, I’d say the Co-anda2x would be best geared toward wavy hair types that want smoother styles, simply because the new Airsmooth2x finishing attachment uses tension on your dry hair to deliver sleeker, smoother styles. It didn’t make a big difference for my straight hair, but I tested it on my mom’s 2b/2c curly hair after rough drying it, and it helped give a straight finish. We also thought that the larger round brush with finer bristles, which comes with the Airwrap i.d., was better for my mom’s finely textured hair than the smaller round brush with firmer bristles, which is paired with the Co-anda2x.
Dyson vs. other brands
Dyson truly laid the blueprint for multi-stylers with interchangeable attachments, and now there are a bunch of options at different price points. Shark is often cited as the closest competitor, and I previously tested the Shark Flexstyle head-to-head with the decommissioned Airwrap Complete. Both multi-stylers had powerful airflow, Coanda technology and intuitive attachments, but ultimately, Dyson’s tool wowed me more.
Since then, however, Dyson upgraded the Airwrap and Shark now has several multi-stylers that are comparable: the aforementioned Shark FlexStyle, the Shark FlexFusion and the Shark Glam.
Bottom line
Is the Airwrap one of the most expensive hair tools out there? Yes. Is it one of the most impressive? Also yes. So, is the Dyson Airwrap worth it? I think so. I’ve been lucky enough to have used every iteration of the Airwrap to hit the market, so I’ve experienced how it’s advanced over time. While I find it hard to justify a $750 version that will do the same job as the $650 one, I suppose it’s comparable to Apple’s endless upgrades to the iPhone. The older generation will do just fine, but for those after the top tech, it’s worth the investment. With the Airwrap, you’re really springing for the MVP of at-home hairstyling.
