Dyson Airwrap Vs. Shark: In-depth Difference

In a world of $600 hair tools, making a choice between the Dyson Airwrap and the Shark FlexStyle feels like a major life event.

I have spent months analyzing every airflow pattern and heat sensor to provide an honest, first-person Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark comparison.

My intent is to give you a clear, analytical look at which multi-styler actually delivers a salon-quality blowout without the professional price tag.

You should buy the Airwrap if you want the pinnacle of luxury and hair health, but the Shark is the winner for those who prioritize power and versatility on a budget.

Comparison Table: Dyson Airwrap Vs. Shark FlexStyle

My experience in the trenches of hair styling

I remember the first time I held the Dyson Airwrap.

It felt like holding a piece of precision engineering rather than a hair tool.

I am someone who has struggled for years to master the “round brush and blow dryer” coordination, and the Airwrap felt like it was finally doing the work for me.

On the right side of my head, I used the 30mm Airwrap barrel.

The hair was literally sucked toward the barrel in a smooth, hypnotic loop.

The result was a bouncy, shiny curl that looked like I had just walked out of a high-end salon in Manhattan.

Then, I picked up the Shark FlexStyle for the left side of my head.

The first thing I noticed was the roar of the motor; it is undeniably louder than the Dyson.

However, the suction was intense.

I felt like the Shark was “grabbing” my hair with more aggression than the Dyson.

While I had to stop and physically change the barrels to switch the direction of the curl—which felt a bit clunky compared to the Dyson’s simple toggle—the curls it produced were tight and held their shape remarkably well.

The biggest “aha!” moment with the Shark was twisting the top of the wand to turn it into a 90-degree hair dryer.

I could actually dry my roots comfortably without the awkward “wand-over-head” angle that the Airwrap requires.

I found that my Dyson curls looked a bit more “polished” and had a higher level of shine, likely due to the more consistent heat regulation and the Coanda smoothing dryer.

However, the Shark side of my hair had a certain “oomph” and volume that lasted longer into the second day.

If you are someone like me who has a busy schedule and needs a tool that can “rough dry” and style in under fifteen minutes, the Shark’s raw power is seductive.

But if you value the quiet, meditative process of styling and want to ensure zero heat damage to your precious strands, the Dyson’s finesse is hard to argue with.

Maintenance and tips for your multi-styler

To keep these high-speed motors from burning out, you need to treat them like the precision machines they are.

• Clean the filter once a week: Both the Dyson and the Shark have a mesh filter at the base of the handle. Use the provided cleaning brush (or a soft toothbrush) to clear the dust. If the lights on your tool start flashing or it shuts off mid-use, it is almost always because the filter is clogged and the motor is suffocating.
• Wipe the barrels after using product: If you use a lot of hairspray or mousse while styling, a residue can build up on the barrels. This creates friction and ruins the Coanda effect. A quick wipe with a damp cloth once a month keeps the air flowing perfectly.
• Store in a dust-free environment: Don’t just leave your attachments rolling around in a bathroom drawer. Use the case or a dedicated organizer. Dust is the enemy of the small, high-speed fans inside these units.
• Check the attachment lock: For the Shark, ensure the locking slide is clear of debris. For the Dyson, check that the magnetic ring is clean so the “attachment recognition” sensor can read the RFID chips in each tool.
• Avoid cord twisting: When you finish styling, don’t wrap the cord tightly around the wand. This is the fastest way to fray the internal wires. Loop it loosely or use the Velcro strap provided.

Pros and Cons of the Dyson Airwrap

Pros of the Dyson Airwrap

• Advanced Coanda Refinement: The Dyson uses air so precisely that it smooths the hair cuticle while curling, resulting in a glass-like finish that cheaper tools struggle to replicate.
• Single-Barrel Convenience: The latest barrels allow you to switch airflow direction with a simple twist of the cool tip, saving you from having to store and swap multiple attachments mid-style.
• Intelligent Heat Control: By capping the temperature at 150°C, the Airwrap ensures that you are never “baking” your hair, which is vital for anyone with bleached or fragile hair.
• Ecosystem and Attachments: From the wide-tooth comb for curls to the new “AirSmooth” plates, the Dyson has a deeper library of specialized tools that click on with professional-grade magnets.
• The “i.d. Curl” Automation: If you have the newer i.d. version, the app literally tells the tool how long to hold the curl and when to hit the cold shot, taking the guesswork out of the routine.

Cons of the Dyson Airwrap

• Prohibitive Price Tag: At nearly $600, it is an investment that requires serious thought, especially when competitors are closing the performance gap.
• Learning Curve for Fine Hair: If you don’t use the right products (like a good mousse), the curls can fall out quickly because the air-set method is gentler than traditional heat.
• Awkward Root Drying: Because the tool is a straight wand, drying the back of your head in “dryer mode” requires you to hold your arm at a high, somewhat tiring angle.
• Power Brick on the Cord: The cord features a heavy rectangular box that can be a nuisance when you are trying to move around your bathroom or pack the tool for travel.

Also Read: Comparison Of Dyson Supersonic Vs. Airwrap

Pros and Cons of the Shark 

Pros of the Shark FlexStyle

• The Transforming Hinge: The ability to rotate the head into a traditional hair dryer shape is a massive ergonomic win, making root drying much easier on your wrists and shoulders.
• Stronger Airflow for Thick Hair: The Shark pushes more air with more force, which I found cut down the “rough dry” time significantly for people with high-density hair.
• Exceptional Value for Money: You are essentially getting 90 percent of the Dyson performance for less than half the price, which is a logic that is hard to ignore from an analytical perspective.
• Better Tension on Smoothing Brushes: The Shark’s oval brush features a mix of nylon and boar bristles that grip the hair tighter, providing the tension needed to straighten wavy or curly hair more effectively.
• Customizable Attachment Sets: Unlike the fixed bundles of the past, you can often “build your own” Shark set, ensuring you only pay for the attachments you will actually use.

Cons of the Shark FlexStyle

• High Noise Levels: The motor has a high-pitched, loud frequency that can be quite jarring, making it difficult to listen to music or talk while you style.
• Attachment Heat: The attachments get significantly hotter than the Dyson’s, and the manual swapping of barrels means you often have to touch hot plastic to change directions.
• Less Refined “Flyaway” Tech: While Shark has a smoothing tool, I found it wasn’t as effective as the Dyson Coanda smoothing dryer at tucking those stubborn “baby hairs” away.
• Bulkier Aesthetic: The Shark feels a bit more “utilitarian” and plasticky compared to the sleek, metallic, and premium finish of the Dyson hardware.

Also Read: Comparison Of Dyson Supersonic Vs. Shark FlexStyle

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

After comparing the Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle, it is clear that the “best” tool depends entirely on your priorities and your hair’s unique needs.

I have found that the Dyson Airwrap is a masterpiece of user experience, offering a quieter, more automated, and gentler approach to styling that justifies its “luxury” status.

However, you should buy the Shark FlexStyle if you are looking for a powerful, 2-in-1 tool that can handle heavy-duty drying and styling without breaking the bank.

I believe you will see a massive improvement in your hair’s texture regardless of which one you choose, as both move away from the “frying” temperatures of the past.

You should consider whether the ease of a single barrel and a quiet motor is worth the extra $300 to you, or if the “twist and dry” flexibility of the Shark is the practical winner for your lifestyle.