Not long ago, hair tools were all about heat, but now the industry focuses on damage-free styling using fast, focused airflow. The Dyson Airwrap, launched in 2018, set the trend, but its high price—around £500 for the latest model—has many seeking cheaper alternatives.
Beauty editor tested several airflow-powered stylers over a month, including Shark's FlexStyle and Revlon's volumiser brush, to find the best rivals. The Shark FlexStyle impressed as a game-changer, lightweight and versatile with six attachments, easy to swap, and effective on wet, damp, or dry hair. It uses Coanda technology for neat curls and costs £200 less than the Airwrap.
Revlon's One Step Volumiser is a reliable, basic tool for a blow-dry look at a lower price. Its chunky barrel combines boar and nylon bristles with airflow technology for smooth, bouncy waves. However, it's noisier and slower than other stylers, with no interchangeable attachments, and heat and speed settings are not adjustable separately.
Beauty Works styler also offers multiple attachments similar to the Airwrap, but the review focuses on the top performers. For those seeking a budget-friendly alternative, the Shark FlexStyle is recommended as on par with the Dyson Airwrap.
