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Comparison

Dyson Supersonic alternatives and dupes compared

Published

Short answer

The closest Supersonic alternatives are high-speed brushless or high-pressure dryers with fine heat control. The ghd Helios lists 75 mph airflow and a 1875W brushless motor. The BaBylissPRO Rapido lists a 2000W brushless motor at 0.91 lb. The T3 Aire IQ adjusts heat automatically and recognizes attachments. The Bio Ionic SMART-X lists increased air pressure with less heat. All cost less than the Supersonic Nural.

Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.

Verdict

For the best value, buy the BaBylissPRO Rapido: a 2000W brushless motor at 0.91 lb with a diffuser, for about half the Supersonic's price. Pick the ghd Helios for a strong, focused airflow in a classic shape, the T3 Aire IQ for Nural-style smart heat, or the Bio Ionic SMART-X for a pressure-first dryer with a diffuser.

The Dyson Supersonic set the template for the modern high-speed dryer: a small, fast motor, controlled heat and magnetic attachments. This page is for people who like that idea but want to pay less or prefer a different shape. We compare four alternatives from their Amazon listings, judged on the three things people usually want from a Supersonic: drying speed, light weight and heat control. We also cover Laifen, a popular lower-priced brand, from its own published material only. If you are unsure what makes a dryer high speed, start with high-speed hair dryers explained.

What to match: speed, weight and heat control

The Supersonic Origin listing describes a small, powerful motor with Air Multiplier technology for a high-pressure, high-velocity jet of air, heat control that measures air temperature over 40 times a second, and negative ions. Dyson publishes its heat settings as 100 C, 80 C and 60 C, plus a constant 28 C cold shot. A good alternative should give you strong airflow, a manageable weight and enough heat steps to keep temperature low on fine or color-treated hair.

Wattage alone does not tell you drying speed. Airflow speed and pressure matter as much as heat, which is why brushless high-speed motors dry quickly at lower temperatures. Our hair dryer wattage explained page covers this.

Cutaway of a hair dryer: intake and filter, motor and fan, heating element, ion generator, nozzle, buttons and cord12345678
  1. 1Air intake and filter: keep it clean, or the dryer runs hot
  2. 2Motor and fan: pull air in and push it forward
  3. 3Heating element: warms the air as it passes
  4. 4Ion generator, on dryers that list one
  5. 5Nozzle: where attachments clip on
  6. 6Heat and speed buttons
  7. 7Cool shot button: unheated air to set the style
  8. 8Cord
Inside a typical hair dryer. Layouts vary: some motors sit in the handle, and not every dryer has an ion generator.

Alternatives side by side

Prices are Amazon listing prices at the time of writing. The ghd Helios listing notes it is not dual voltage, so it is a home dryer, not a travel one.

  • ghd Helios

    Motor and airflow
    1875W brushless, 75 mph airflow
    Weight
    Not stated
    Heat control
    Variable temperature and power, cool shot
    In the box
    Contoured nozzle, 9 ft cord
    Listed price
    $280.00

  • BaBylissPRO Rapido

    Motor and airflow
    2000W brushless Italian motor
    Weight
    0.91 lb
    Heat control
    6 heat and speed settings, cold shot
    In the box
    Diffuser, small and large concentrators
    Listed price
    $199.99

  • T3 Aire IQ

    Motor and airflow
    AireX motor, higher air output
    Weight
    Not stated
    Heat control
    Heat ID auto-adjusts heat and speed
    In the box
    2 concentrators, diffuser, stand
    Listed price
    $399.00

  • Bio Ionic SMART-X

    Motor and airflow
    Increased air pressure, less heat
    Weight
    Not stated
    Heat control
    3 heat/speed settings with auto-memory
    In the box
    Diffuser, concentrator
    Listed price
    $359.00

  • Dyson Supersonic Origin (reference)

    Motor and airflow
    Air Multiplier, high-pressure jet
    Weight
    Not stated
    Heat control
    Checks air temp 40+ times a second
    In the box
    Styling concentrator
    Listed price
    $399.99
From the Amazon listings for each model

The four alternatives in detail

ghd Helios: the listing describes 75 mph airflow, ghd's patented Aeroprecis technology, an 1875W brushless motor and ionic technology, plus a balanced, ergonomic design with a bespoke acoustic system for lower sound. It is the closest in feel to a Supersonic for people who want a traditional dryer shape with a strong, focused airflow. See our best ghd hair dryer guide for the full ghd range.

BaBylissPRO Rapido: the listing describes a 2000W brushless motor made in Italy, ionic technology, six heat and speed settings, a cold shot button and a weight of 0.91 lb. It includes a diffuser and two concentrators, and has a removable filter cover. It is the lightest of the four with a stated weight and the cheapest, which makes it the strongest value pick.

T3 Aire IQ: the listing describes Heat ID technology that adjusts heat and speed to your hair, SoftAire airflow, attachment recognition, a high-res display and an AireX motor. It is the closest to the Supersonic Nural's smart features, and it ships with a diffuser and a stand.

Bio Ionic SMART-X: the listing describes increased air pressure with less heat, three heat and speed settings that remember your last choice, a self-cleaning function and an included diffuser. Bio Ionic claims it dries hair 75% faster; that is the maker's claim, not a figure we have checked.

What about Laifen and other dupes

Laifen is often named as a Supersonic dupe. Laifen publishes its dryers as using high-speed brushless motors at a much lower price than Dyson, and several models share the Supersonic's compact, tube-like shape. Specific figures such as motor speed, weight, heat temperatures and warranty vary by Laifen model and are not confirmed here, so check Laifen's own product page for the exact model. Our Dyson Supersonic vs Laifen page covers the comparison in more depth.

With any low-priced dupe, check that the maker publishes heat settings, attachment lists, voltage and warranty terms clearly, and buy from an authorized seller so the warranty applies.

Note.Claims like faster drying or more shine are the makers' own statements. Compare listed features such as motor type, heat steps and attachments rather than percentages.

How to choose

If you decide you still want Dyson, the Supersonic Origin is the lowest-priced way in, and is the Dyson Supersonic worth it weighs the cost. Our best high-speed hair dryer and best hair dryer under $300 guides list these and more.

  1. 1

    Decide your budget: under $300 points to the Rapido or ghd Helios; around $350 to $400 to the Bio Ionic SMART-X or T3 Aire IQ.

  2. 2

    Check weight if you have long or thick hair and dry for a long time; the Rapido lists 0.91 lb.

  3. 3

    Check heat steps: fine or color-treated hair benefits from more low settings.

  4. 4

    Check the box: curly hair needs a diffuser, which the Rapido, Aire IQ and SMART-X include.

  5. 5

    Check voltage if you travel; the Helios is not dual voltage.

Frequently asked questions

What hair dryer is most similar to the Dyson Supersonic? For smart features, the T3 Aire IQ. For a fast brushless motor in a conventional shape, the ghd Helios or BaBylissPRO Rapido.

Is there a cheaper Dyson Supersonic? The Supersonic Origin is Dyson's lower-priced version with one attachment, and the Supersonic Travel is listed at $299.99.

Are Supersonic dupes safe for my hair? Any dryer can damage hair if used too hot. Use the lowest heat that works and a heat protectant. See heat settings by hair type.

Which alternative is best for curly hair? The Rapido, T3 Aire IQ and Bio Ionic SMART-X all include a diffuser. See how to diffuse curly hair.

What you need for this

Sources