Head-to-head · Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Dyson Supersonic vs Shark HyperAIR HD120

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Dyson Supersonic comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.7 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Shoppers who want the fastest, most refined everyday blow-dry and will pay a premium for the lightest, quietest, best-balanced tool. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Dyson Supersonic

4.7

$355.69as of Jun 7

The Dyson Supersonic is the benchmark fast-drying dryer and the dryer most others are measured against. TechGearLab scored it 86 out of 100, the top mark in their test group, praising its powerful, well-controlled airflow and handle-mounted motor. It is not always the single fastest in raw minutes, but its combination of speed, low heat damage, balance, and quiet operation is unmatched. The price is the only real barrier.

Strengths

— Highest-ranked dryer in TechGearLab's lab testing (86/100), with airflow that cut drying time roughly in half versus a standard dryer
— Digital V9 motor sits in the handle, so the tool is exceptionally well-balanced and light on the wrist during long blowouts
— Intelligent heat control measures air temperature many times a second to keep the dryer from scorching hair

Watch-outs

— Among the most expensive consumer hair dryers on the market at around $430
— In one head-to-head test it took 30 minutes to fully dry thick hair versus 20 for the Shark HyperAIR, so it is not always the literal fastest
— Replacement and accessory costs are high, and the proprietary attachments do not fit other brands

$355.69 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Shark HyperAIR HD120

4.5

$189.99as of Jun 7

The Shark HyperAIR HD120 is the value pick for people who care most about raw drying speed. In Reviewed.com's head-to-head, it dried hair fully in about 20 minutes versus 30 for the Dyson, and it does so for roughly half the price. Its IQ sensors set heat and airflow automatically based on the attachment, which keeps the experience simple. It is heavier and noisier than the Dyson, but for pure speed-per-dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths

— In a direct test against the Dyson Supersonic it fully dried hair in about 20 minutes versus the Dyson's 30, making it one of the faster dryers reviewers have clocked
— Dual IQ optical sensors auto-detect the attachment and set heat and airflow without manual fiddling
— Costs roughly half what a Dyson does while delivering comparable raw drying power

Watch-outs

— Heavier than the Dyson, and the high airflow setting can whip and tangle longer hair
— Some users report concern about heat and potential damage at the top settings
— Bulkier head than premium rivals makes precise sectioning slightly harder

$189.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Dyson Supersonic

Faster and quieter than the Conair InfinitiPro 1875W and substantially better controlled, but the Shark HyperAIR HD120 matched or beat its raw drying time in one direct test at half the price. Against the Shark FlexStyle HD440, the Supersonic wins as a pure dryer while the FlexStyle wins on built-in styling.

Shark HyperAIR HD120

Matched or beat the Dyson Supersonic on raw drying time in a direct test while costing about half as much. Faster and more powerful for pure drying than the Shark FlexStyle HD440, which trades some airflow for styling versatility, and far quicker than the budget Conair InfinitiPro 1875W.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Dyson Supersonic	Shark HyperAIR HD120
Wattage	1600W	1600W
Motor	Dyson digital motor V9 (handle-mounted)	—
Heat Settings	4 (incl. constant cold shot)	3
Airflow Settings	3	3
Attachments	Flyaway, styling concentrator, diffuser, smoothing nozzle, gentle air	2-in-1 concentrator, styling brush, curl-defining deep diffuser
Weight	1.8 lbs	—
Cord Length	8.7 ft	—
Heat Control	Measures air temp 40x per second	—
Smart Sensors	—	Dual IQ optical attachment detection
Ionic	—	Yes (negative ion generator)
Cool Shot	—	Yes
Color	—	Stone (HD120BRN)

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