I Tested the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle Head-to-Head (2025)

Although I love my natural curly hair, a sleek, bouncy blowout feels like an instant power move for me. But let’s be real, getting your hair done professionally can be expensive and eat up a lot of time (bringing your laptop to the salon kinda kills the vibe, ya know?). Luckily, advanced hair tools have made it easier than ever to recreate that salon magic at home. At the top of everyone’s wish list? The Dyson Airwrap. But giving it some serious competition—at a more budget-friendly price point—is the Shark FlexStyle. The two brands started as vacuum innovators, transforming their high-pressure air technology into a goldmine for hair tools. But is one better than the other when it comes to their hair tools?

Each tool comes with a variety of attachments that let you dry, smooth, straighten, and curl using air styling technology, offering endless styling possibilities without the heat damage. Both are top-tier hair tools (and regular winners of various beauty awards, including both Cosmo Holy Grail and Readers' Choice Awards). But I had to put them to the test to declare a champion. I tried each one and consulted a few experts to determine which comes out on top:

What makes the Dyson Airwrap a good styling tool?

The Airwrap is basically the Swiss army knife of hair styling tools—it does it all. “Dyson, a brand known for innovation, flipped the blowout method on its head, allowing for easy, salon-quality blow-dries at home,” explains celebrity hairstylist Davey Matthew.

Unlike traditional hair tools that depend on intense heat, the Airwrap uses airflow technology and the Coanda effect (aka when high-speed airflow clings to a curved surface) to give hair shape and volume and create curls and waves without extreme heat, all while smoothing out frizz and flyaways. With 19 different attachments to choose from—think barrels, smoothing brushes, and innovative dryers—you can mix and match for nearly endless styling possibilities. As it styles, it also releases negative ions to help reduce static, giving you a sleek finish to your hair. Plus, with three heat settings, three speed settings, and heat control that measures airflow temperature 40 times per second, you have the ability to choose your own adventure, per se, when it comes to how strong you want the device to be, depending on your hair type and damage levels.

The newest version, the Airwrap i.d., takes things up a notch with bluetooth technology that makes styling easier (and smarter) than ever. You can personalize your hair profile through the brand’s app, and with the press of a button, it literally wraps, styles, and sets your curls for you. Magic, bb. FWIW, I tested the previous iteration of the Airwrap for this review. But...

What makes the Shark FlexStyle a good styling tool?

This compact, lightweight tool transforms from a powerful, fast-drying blow dryer into a versatile multi-styler with just one twist. Whether you want to curl, smooth, add volume, or dry, the FlexStyle’s attachments have you covered, making it perfect for all hair types including straight, wavy, curly, or coily (you can choose between the straight/wavy set that comes with a concentrator nozzle and the curly/coily one that comes with a diffuser).

What makes it different, though? The FlexStyle is half the price of the Dyson Airwrap, coming in at even less than half of the price at $249. Just like the Dyson, the auto-wrap curlers make creating curls and waves a breeze (just hold up the tool, and it'll automatically curl for you), the oval brush creates impressive volume according to reviews, and the dryer works fast to leave hair smooth and free of frizz. You've also got four heat settings and three speed settings with 1,600 watts of power—but dw, you won’t end up with fried, heat-damaged hair since the tool reduces heat exposure and regulates temperatures (at 1,000 times per second, to be exact) to keep your hair healthy while styling.

What are the main differences between the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle?

Let’s bffr—both the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle are total standouts, but the differences come down to performance, design, and price. The most important factor for many people? The Shark tool is half the price of the Dyson styler. But “I recommend the Dyson Airwrap to all my clients, and anyone I know who has it absolutely loves it," says hairstylist Temur Hamilton. As for the Shark FlexStyle, he says, it’s pretty much a copy of the Dyson Airwrap—just with slightly less powerful technology, according to Hamilton.

That said, Shark did push the innovation forward with its flexible design, which Matthew points out makes it easier to achieve salon-level blowouts at home. “The Shark FlexStyle took what Dyson created with the Airwrap one step further with their flexible model and professional power,” says Matthew. He also highlights how the FlexStyle’s adjustable handle offers added convenience. When it comes to specifics, the Shark FlexStyle boasts four heat settings compared to Dyson’s three, but both tools share three speed settings and weigh a super manageable 1.5 pounds.

Is Dyson Airwrap or Shark FlexStyle the better hair tool?

When it comes to the better hair tool, the pros are a house divided. Hamilton makes a strong case for the Dyson Airwrap: “It all comes down to its technology and quality for me—it’s the best," he says. "It attracts hair and wraps it around the barrel effortlessly, while smoothing, curling, and waving hair beautifully, and it works on all hair types and textures," he adds. He loves how easy it is to use, the temperature controls, and that it's less damaging than a lot of other tools on the market that he's tested. "That said, there’s a price difference, so if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Shark FlexStyle is definitely a good choice," he adds.

On the other hand, Matthew sees it differently. “I think it depends on personal preference and your hair type," he notes. "For example, people with textured hair might hold the dryer differently and prefer the Shark over the Dyson because it's more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time and is a bit more powerful as a dryer," he explains. He loves both tools (we can relate!), but he's really into the Shark rn.

At the end of the day, it's hard to give a definitive answer on if one is better than the other since it's totally up to you. Do you care the most about price, aesthetics, tech, or versatility? As for me, keep reading for my thoughts, as someone with thick, curly hair:

Personally, I’m obsessed with my Dyson Airwrap, but considering the Shark FlexStyle is nearly half the price, it’s an incredible alternative if you’re on a budget. It’s versatile, effective, and powerful. Sure, it can be a little loud and clunky at times, but for what it delivers, it’s absolutely worth the hype.

Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience writing stories that range from forehead acne to chin acne. She’s an authority in all categories, but is an expert when it comes to haircare, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different hair tools to perfect her blowout.