Dyson Supersonic Vs. Shark FlexStyle: In-depth Difference

When you are staring at a shelf—or a digital cart—trying to decide where to drop hundreds of dollars on your hair, the pressure is real.

I have spent months testing and analyzing the market to bring you this Dyson Supersonic vs. Shark FlexStyle comparison, aimed at helping you find your perfect match.

My intent is to break down the flashy marketing and look at how these tools actually behave in a humid bathroom at 7 AM.

You should choose based on whether you want a dedicated, powerful dryer or a versatile, all-in-one styling system that evolves with your look.

Comparison Table: Dyson Supersonic Vs. Shark FlexStyle

My user experience: Living with the Dyson and the Shark

I have lived with the Dyson Supersonic for years, and adding the Shark FlexStyle to my routine felt like dating someone entirely new after a long marriage.

The first thing I noticed when using the Dyson is how “serious” it feels.

It is a precision instrument; when I click the magnetic smoothing nozzle on, I know exactly where that air is going.

I am someone who has quite thick hair that holds onto water like a sponge, and the Supersonic is the only tool that makes me feel like I am not wasting my life in front of a mirror.

It feels light because the motor is in my hand, not at the end of a long stick, so my shoulders don’t scream at me by the time I am finished.

Switching to the Shark FlexStyle was a bit of a shock to the system, mainly because of the noise.

It is undeniably louder—it has a growl to it that the Dyson lacks.

However, the moment I twisted the base and turned it from a “wand” into a “hair dryer,” I felt a sense of genius.

I started by rough-drying my hair in the dryer mode, then with a quick click and a twist, I was using the auto-wrap barrels to create curls.

With the Dyson, if I want curls, I have to pick up a separate curling iron or be a magician with a round brush.

With the Shark, it was all right there in one handle.

I did find that the Shark’s barrels are a bit shorter than the Dyson Airwrap’s (though we are comparing the Supersonic dryer here), and they get much hotter to the touch.

I had to be careful not to grab the top of the Shark attachment when swapping them out.

In terms of the actual “dry,” the Dyson side of my hair felt a bit more “closed” and shiny, whereas the Shark side had incredible volume but felt a tiny bit “rougher” to the touch.

If you are someone who just wants to get dry and get out the door, the Dyson’s efficiency is mesmerizing.

But if you are someone who loves the process of “building” a hairstyle—adding bounce, flipping ends, and experimenting—the Shark makes you feel like you have a whole salon kit in the palm of your hand.

Maintenance and tips for your hair tools

Whether you go Team Dyson or Team Shark, these machines are essentially small jet engines, and they need to breathe.

• Clean your filter every single week: I cannot stress this enough. For the Dyson, the filter is at the bottom of the handle; for the Shark, it is also at the base. Use a soft, dry toothbrush to gently whisk away the lint and hairspray buildup. If you ignore this, the motor will overheat and eventually die.
• Avoid the “bathroom steam” storage: Many of us leave our tools on the counter, but the constant humidity from showers can affect the internal electronics over time. If you can, store them in a drawer or a dedicated case once they have cooled down.
• Rotate the Shark with care: When you are switching the FlexStyle from wand to dryer mode, make sure you hear the “click.” Forcing the hinge or twisting it while the motor is running can wear down the internal locking mechanism.
• Wipe the attachment contact points: Every month, take a slightly damp (not wet!) microfiber cloth and wipe the areas where the attachments connect to the base. Hairspray residue can act like glue and make it difficult to swap tools.
• Let it cool before packing: If you are traveling, give your tool at least ten minutes to cool down before tossing it into a bag. Heat trapped in a small space can degrade the plastic and the battery (if it were a cordless model) or the internal wiring.

Also Read: Comparison Of Dyson Supersonic Vs. Nural

Pros and Cons of the Dyson Supersonic

Pros of the Dyson Supersonic

• Incredible Air Velocity: The V9 digital motor is small but moves an enormous amount of air, which allows you to dry your hair using speed rather than just cranking up the heat.
• Magnetic Convenience: There are no tabs to break or clips to jam; the attachments simply snap on and off with a satisfying click, and you can rotate them 360 degrees effortlessly.
• Superior Heat Regulation: The “Intelligent Heat Control” is the real deal—it keeps the air at a consistent temperature so you never get those “hot spots” that smell like burning hair.
• Balanced Ergonomics: By placing the weight in the handle, Dyson has solved the problem of the “top-heavy” dryer that makes your wrist ache after five minutes of styling.
• The Flyaway Attachment: This is perhaps the greatest invention for frizzy hair; it uses air to tuck flyaways under longer strands, giving you a flat-iron finish without the heat damage of a flat iron.

Cons of the Dyson Supersonic

• Single Purpose Nature: Despite its high price, it is fundamentally just a hair dryer; you cannot use it to “auto-wrap” curls like you can with the Shark or the Airwrap.
• Price Barrier: At nearly $430, it is a luxury investment that may be hard to justify if you already own a decent dryer and a separate curling iron.
• No Cold Shot Toggle: You have to hold the cold shot button down manually to set your style, which can be annoying if you are trying to hold a brush and a section of hair at the same time.
• Cable Bulk: The professional-length cord is great, but it has a large “brick” (the filter/power housing) that can get in the way or pull the tool off a counter if you aren’t careful.

Pros and Cons of the Shark FlexStyle

Pros of the Shark FlexStyle

• Unmatched Versatility: It is a true “chameleon” tool; it is a hair dryer when you need it and a multi-styler with curling barrels and brushes when you want more.
• Lower Price Point: Generally speaking, you can get the FlexStyle and a full set of attachments for about half the price of a Dyson system, making high-end tech accessible.
• Powerful Airflow for Volume: The Shark seems to “push” air with more force, which I found gave my roots much more lift and body compared to the more controlled Dyson stream.
• Compact for Travel: Because it folds into a straight wand, it fits into a suitcase much more easily than the awkward “L” shape of the Supersonic.
• Customizable Bundles: Shark allows you to pick a bundle based on your hair type (curly/coily vs. straight/wavy), so you aren’t paying for attachments you will never use.

Cons of the Shark FlexStyle

• High Noise Levels: The motor has a high-pitched, loud whine that registered significantly higher in my tests than the Dyson, which can be a dealbreaker for sensitive ears.
• Heat Spikes: While it is regulated, the attachments (especially the curling barrels) get very hot to the touch, and I found the air temperature felt less “stable” than the Dyson’s.
• Top-Heavy in Dryer Mode: When you rotate it into the hair dryer position, the balance feels a bit off because the weight isn’t centered in the handle like it is with the Supersonic.
• Attachment “Wobble”: Because it uses a mechanical locking slide rather than magnets, I noticed a tiny bit of play or “wobble” in the brushes over time that made it feel slightly less premium.

Also Read: Comparison Of Dyson Supersonic Vs. Airwrap

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

After putting these two giants head-to-head, the choice really depends on what your morning routine looks like.

I have found that the Dyson Supersonic is the absolute gold standard for someone who wants to dry their hair in record time and walk out the door with a sleek, polished finish.

However, you should buy the Shark FlexStyle if you love the idea of a “transforming” tool that can give you a bouncy blowout or curls without needing five different devices.

I believe your hair will thank you for the lower heat regardless of which one you choose, but you must decide if you value the “quiet precision” of Dyson or the “flexible versatility” of Shark.

Before you spend your hard-earned money, think about whether you are a “dry and go” person or a “style and play” person, as that will be your ultimate guide.