Cosmo HQ Review: The New Dyson Airsmooth Is Half the Price of the Airwrap—Here’s How It Compares to the Best-Selling Tool
About the Dyson Airsmooth:
· CosmopolitanAs a beauty editor with long, thick, and wavy hair, I’ve become something of a Dyson connoisseur. I was among the first to get my hands on the Airstrait, and I’ve been an Airwrap lover for the past five years. Between testing the brand’s latest launches and figuring out which tools actually work for my hair type, I’m extremely tapped into the brand’s technology, what each styler does best, and how to work these high-tech gadgets into my everyday routine.
So when I heard Dyson was finally launching a one-step blow-dry brush for $250, specifically for wavy and curly hair types, I was immediately intrigued, since many other beloved hair tools cost upwards of $600 and can be limiting for different hair textures.
I got a sneak peek of the Dyson Airsmooth a few months back, and I’ve been counting down the days until I could finally get my hands on one of my own. Now that it’s officially made its way into my bathroom, I put it to the test to see how the attachment-free device stacks up against the rest of the Dyson collection. Plus, I broke down everything you need to know about the new blow-dry brush.
Dyson Airsmooth Styling Dryer Brush
Dyson Airsmooth Styling Dryer Brush$250Sephora
The Airsmooth is designed to be your one-and-done tool for a sleek blowout. While it works on all hair types, it’s especially catered to people with waves, curls, and coils. Unlike traditional blow-dry brushes with a round barrel, it features a teardrop-shaped design that grips the hair evenly, helps lift the roots, then smooths strands on the flat side. It also features anti-snag bristles to minimize pulling and breakage.
The Airsmooth vs. the Airwrap
Both tools are wet-to-dry stylers, but there are a few key differences to keep in mind. The Airwrap comes with multiple attachments, including curling barrels, a dryer head, a round brush, and more. Meanwhile, the Airsmooth has just one brush head, which helps explain the price difference.
The Airsmooth retails for $250, compared to $650 to $750 for the Airwrap. Its brush head is similar to the Airwrap’s round brush attachment but features a few key differences, including a teardrop shape, PivotFlex bristles that flex to create controlled tension, and anti-snag bristles designed to minimize breakage.
Like the Airwrap, the Airsmooth uses high-velocity airflow and intelligent heat control to help prevent extreme temperatures, reducing the risk of damage while you style.
Dyson Airsmooth review:
Jasmine Hyman for Cosmopolitan
Jasmine Hyman, assistant beauty editor
Hair type: Wavy and thick
While I love the results of my Airwrap, I rarely have the time (or motivation) to style my hair and fiddle with multiple attachments before or after a long day. So, I often settle for air-drying my waves, reserving the Airwrap for pre-weekend styling or special occasions. When I do use it, I’m primarily reaching for the round brush and curling barrels to get that coveted volume and bounce. So I was thrilled to find out Dyson had created a one-stop tool for drying and styling, complete with upgraded bristle technology.
I want to preserve as many of my precious strands as possible, and what I love most about this tool (besides the price) is that its bristles aren’t your basic plastic teeth that tug at your hair. Instead, they bend with your strands as you pull the brush through, releasing them rather than fighting against the tension. I usually finish styling with a solid clump of hair left behind on my tool, but with the Airsmooth, there were truly fewer than five strands caught in the bristles.
Beyond the lack of snagging compared to a classic round brush styler, I love how smooth and sleek my hair looks after styling. I put it to the test on my own waves when my hair was about 90 percent dry. In less than 15 minutes, it smoothed out my natural texture and frizz, leaving me with a sleek and shiny finish.
Keeks Reid, beauty director, Cosmopolitan UK
Hair type: Coily, fine to medium density
Keeks Reid
Keeks Reid
I have recommended the Dyson Airwrap so much since its launch in 2018. It works so well for me, and I would have tons of heat damage if it weren't for its technology. But I have a confession: I only use one attachment. I have tried them all, but the only one I use religiously is the round brush attachment to pre-stretch my hair before silk pressing it with straighteners.
So, when I saw the announcement for this, my heart practically leaped out of my chest. Surely this would be the answer to my hair dreams? Well, pretty much, yes.
If you are used to the Airwrap, the controls are pretty similar, and the finish I achieve with the Airsmooth is nearly identical to that of the Airwrap Coanda2x. So, I'd say that if you already have an Airwrap, you don't need this tool. But if you've been debating whether to get one or are worried about shelling out over $600 for it, I would seriously consider this newbie.
I mainly love the shape of the brush. At first, I worried that it would be too bulky to get to my roots, but the teardrop (or pear) shape actually means there's a flat side to really smooth them down. The tool is also shorter and slightly lighter than my Airwrap, has a smaller plug, and, most importantly for this work nomad, has dual voltage, so you can use it abroad, too! Honestly, I have no notes on this new launch. It's a real win for me!
Keeks Reid
Final thoughts:
The Airsmooth takes hair from wavy and curly to sleek and smooth with a few passes of a brush. If you've been relying on a $50 blow-dry brush that fries your hair and leaves a trail of broken strands behind, the Airsmooth is a worthwhile upgrade, especially if minimizing breakage is a priority. At $250, it's still an investment, but its streamlined design, updated bristle technology, dual voltage, and ability to dry and style in one step make it a compelling option for anyone looking to simplify their hair routine, especially those with waves, curls, and coils.
Why Trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things hair. For this story, she and Cosmo UK beauty director Keeks Reid tested the Dyson Airsmooth and reviewed it based on price, ease of use, styling time, and more.
From: Cosmopolitan UK
Keeks ReidBeauty Director
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.