Shark FlexStyle vs Dyson Airwrap: Which is Actually Better?
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve definitely seen the battle of the blowouts: The Dyson Airwrap vs. it's challenger, while many people mistakenly call it the ‘Shark Airwrap', its real name is the Shark FlexStyle.
I know, I know, it’s overwhelming. One costs as much as a weekend getaway, and the other promises to do the same thing for half the price. Is the Dyson really worth the splurge? Or is the Shark the ultimate save?
Here is the tea: I’ve been using the Shark FlexStyle religiously for three years now. But, I’ve also borrowed my sister’s Dyson Airwrap more times than she probably knows about. After testing both on my own hair, I’ve got some serious thoughts.
Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or just want a good hair day without the hassle, here is my ultimate breakdown to help you decide.
The Price Tag: Let’s Talk Money
Let’s get the big one out of the way first.
- Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x: Around £579. It’s an investment. Like, a “happy birthday to me” kind of purchase.
- Shark FlexStyle: Around £269. Still pricey for a hair tool, but literally half the cost of the Dyson.
The Question: Is the Dyson twice as good? Let’s find out.
Drying Power
This is where my loyal Shark really shines. The coolest feature of the FlexStyle is that with one click, the top half of the wand rotates 90 degrees and transforms into a regular hair dryer.
Shark Wins Here: Because it twists into a dryer shape, it’s super comfortable to use for rough drying your hair before you style it. Plus, it is powerful. I feel like it dries my hair faster because the airflow is so strong. If you have thick or curly hair, you are going to love the diffuser and the sheer power of this thing.
Dyson: The Dyson doesn’t bend. It’s a straight wand, and while it comes with a dryer attachment (the Coanda smoothing dryer), it can feel a little awkward to hold if you’re just trying to blast your roots dry. It’s definitely quieter, but maybe a little less aggressive on the drying speed.
The Curls
Okay, this is what we’re all here for, the curls! Both tools use this science-y thing called the “Coanda effect.” Basically, the air grabs your hair and wraps it around the barrel for you. It’s like magic.
The Convenience King: Dyson
The newer Dyson barrels are bidirectional. This means there is a little knob on top that you twist to change the airflow direction. You can curl the left side of your face, twist the knob, and immediately do the right side. It’s seamless and feels very fancy.
The Slight Annoyance: Shark
Since I’ve had my Shark for 3 years, I’m used to it, but here is the catch: You have two separate barrels, one for the left side and one for the right. When you switch sides, you have to turn the machine off, unlock the hot barrel (careful!), and snap in the other one. It adds a little friction to the routine, but honestly? For a £300 savings, I don’t mind swapping them out.
The Hold:
Here is a hot take, literally. The Shark gets a little hotter than the Dyson. Because of that extra heat and the stronger airflow, I actually find that the Shark curls hold a bit better on my hair. The Dyson is gentler, which is great for hair health, but if your hair struggles to hold a curl, the Shark might actually work better for you.
Noise and Vibes
We have to talk about the sound.
Dyson: It sounds… expensive. It’s quieter and has this high-tech futuristic hum. You can almost have a conversation over it.
Shark: It’s definitely louder and higher-pitched. Ok that’s an understatement, its really loud. It sounds more like a traditional powerful hair dryer. If you are sensitive to noise, the Dyson is much more pleasant to use.
The Brushes
Both systems come with brushes to smooth your hair out (for that blowout look).
Shark: The oval brush is huge! It creates tons of volume and tension, which is amazing if you want that big, bouncy 90s blowout look. The boar bristles really grip the hair.
Dyson: The brushes are a bit gentler. They use the airflow to pull the hair to the surface of the brush. It gives a very smooth, sleek finish, but maybe with a little less “grip” than the Shark.
What Else is in the Box? (And Do I Actually Use It?)
Since the Shark FlexStyle comes with a bunch of attachments, here is the official scoop on what the rest of them do:
Paddle Brush: Think of this as your multitasker. It straightens and dries at the same time using boar and nylon bristles to grip the hair. If you want a sleek, straight look without wrestling with a round brush, this is for you.
Styling Concentrator: This little nozzle snaps on to give you a focused stream of air. It rotates, so you can get the perfect angle for smoothing out sections during a blowout.
Curl-Defining Diffuser: This is the deep bowl attachment with the little prongs. It’s made for defining natural curls and coils, drying them gently from root to tip so you get volume without the frizz.
I have all of these in my set, but if I'm being totally honest, I’ve not really used them much! I love the look of the curling barrels so much that they are pretty much all I use. However, if I accidentally leave my hair too long before I dry it and it gets too far gone for the curlers, I will sometimes use the Oval Brush to smooth it out. But the others mostly live in the box for me!
Hair Health
If your hair is bleached, damaged, or super fine, this is important. The Dyson checks the temperature 40 times a second to make sure it never gets too hot (under 302°F).
The Shark also regulates heat, but it definitely runs hotter (up to about 203°F on high). Since I’ve been using the Shark for 3 years, I haven't noticed damage, and I’m useless at applying heat protectant. If your hair is incredibly fragile, the Dyson’s lower heat might be the safer bet for daily use, depending how sensitive your hair is.
Shark FlexStyle vs Dyson Airwrap: Which is Better?
So, which one should you buy?
Stick with the Shark FlexStyle if:
- You want to save £300. (That’s a lot of lattes!)
- You have thick, coarse, or curly hair. The higher heat and stronger airflow will actually tame your hair better.
- You travel a lot. Since it doubles as a legit hair dryer, you only have to pack one tool.
- You want volume. That oval brush is unmatched for big volume.
Splurge on the Dyson Airwrap if:
- You have fine, thin, or damaged hair. The gentler airflow and lower heat are safer for you.
- You value luxury and quiet. The experience of using it just feels smoother and quieter.
- You hate fiddling with attachments. The bidirectional barrels that switch with a click are a huge convenience win.
I still love my Shark. It’s a workhorse, it’s fast, and it fits my lifestyle perfectly. My sister loves her Dyson for its gentle, quiet styling. Honestly? You can’t go wrong with either, but don’t feel like you have to spend £600 to get salon-worthy hair!
Have you tried either of these? Let me know in the comments below!
Honestly, yes! It’s widely considered the best Dyson Airwrap alternative out there. While it doesn't have the Dyson's fancy bidirectional barrels (you do have to manually swap the Shark barrels for the left and right sides of your head) and it’s definitely louder, it uses the exact same Coanda airflow technology to wrap and curl your hair for you. You get those same bouncy, salon-worthy results for literally half the price.
Here’s the deal: the Shark does run hotter. The Dyson Airwrap is basically a tiny computer that checks its temperature 40 times a second to make sure it never goes over 302°F. It’s incredibly gentle. The Shark reaches higher temps to get that powerful styling done. If your hair is heavily bleached, super fine, or fragile, the Dyson is your safest bet. But if your hair is pretty healthy? I’ve used my Shark for three years with no noticeable heat damage (and I’m terrible at remembering heat protectant!).
If your hair drops curls the minute you step outside, the Shark FlexStyle might actually be your new best friend. Because it gets a bit hotter and has a really strong, aggressive airflow, I find that the Shark actually “sets” the curl more firmly. It gives a blowout that lasts longer for stubborn hair compared to the gentler Dyson.
Nope! The attachments are totally brand-specific. They have completely different shapes and locking mechanisms, so you definitely cannot snap a fancy Dyson bidirectional barrel onto your Shark wand, or vice versa. You've gotta stick with the family!
Sadly, no. Neither the Dyson Airwrap nor the Shark FlexStyle are dual voltage, which is a major bummer if you travel internationally. If you buy your tool in the UK or US and plug it in abroad with a standard travel adapter, you will likely fry your expensive machine. Always check the local voltage before packing it in your suitcase!
“Shark Airwrap” is just a funny nickname people accidentally use because Dyson made the “Airwrap” name so iconic! The actual, official name is the Shark FlexStyle, but since it does exactly what we all expect an “Airwrap” to do (magically use air to wrap and curl your hair), the nickname just kind of stuck.
