Dyson Supersonic Nural – Review

Dyson turned the haircare world upside down when it released the Supersonic hair dryer in 2016, transforming an old-fashioned accessory into a symbol of quiet luxury, gracing salons, spas, and the bathrooms of your most stylish friends. This tool quickly became essential for home hairstyling, becoming known for its ability to dry and style simultaneously, while simultaneously revolutionising hair care with its intelligent heat control, quiet motor, and rapid drying capabilities.

Over the years, Dyson has continued to innovate, expanding its range with the Airwrap multi-styler that delivers salon-worthy curls, the Corrale cordless hair straightener, and the Airstrait wet-to-dry hair straightener, each establishing the brand’s unchallenged position at the forefront of high-end, innovative hair tools. 

Is it possible to improve upon perfection? The Supersonic hair dryer is already widely considered the best hair dryer ever made, garnering countless awards and a devoted following. But Dyson has never been a brand to rest on its laurels and eight years on, it’s back to it’s roots, so to speak, with the Dyson Supersonic Nural – the first major evolution of the iconic Supersonic.

Priced at S$699, the Supersonic Nural has been hailed as Dyson’s “most intelligent” hair dryer to date, integrating advanced smart settings and new specialty attachments tailored for curly and wavy hair. This model represents a strategic leap forward that focuses on both scalp and hair health through sophisticated sensor technology, in an era where scalp care is gaining significant attention in the beauty world.

One of the first significant new feature of the Supersonic Nural is a cutting-edge time-of-flight sensor, a notable upgrade that uses an invisible infrared beam to measure the proximity to the user’s head. As the dryer approaches, it automatically reduces the heat to safeguard the hair and scalp from thermal damage. This innovative feature is central to the Supersonic Nural’s dedicated scalp protect mode, which caps the heat at a carefully calibrated 55 degrees Celsius – the ideal temperature for comfortable drying without sacrificing speed (compared to a typical hair dryer that can heat up to 140 degrees Celsius). 

A clever touch is the colour-changing transparent end cap, illuminating in cool blue or yellow for low heat (28 to 60 degrees Celsius), orange for medium heat (80 degrees Celsius), and red for high heat (100 degrees Celsius), giving users real-time feedback on the dryer’s proximity and heat level.

For individuals who struggle with dandruff and hair loss, and have a sensitive scalp, this feature is particularly beneficial. Hair products with heavy chemicals, aggressive brushing, and high heat can exacerbate scalp sensitivity, leading to discomfort and irritation. However, the Nural’s scalp-protection feature addresses these concerns by maintaining a safe temperature, thus helping to prevent oily scalp conditions, dryness, and in severe cases, burns and irreversible hair loss. 

It’s a subtle shift, but the most noticeable difference when using the Supersonic Nural has been the absence of that telltale tingling sensation on the scalp – a sure sign that the heat was too intense. This thoughtful design ensures that the Supersonic Nural is not just an excellent choice for those with specific scalp conditions but offers universal benefits by minimising the risk of heat damage. 

Breaking away from the traditional Iron/Fuschia colour palette, the Supersonic Nural introduces a refreshing new aesthetic. A transparent end cap, reminiscent of Dyson’s latest vacuum cleaner models such as the WashG1 wet floor cleaner, that offers a glimpse into the intricate technology within. Available in two vibrant colour schemes – Ceramic Patina/Topaz Orange and Vinca Blue/Topaz – the Supersonic Nural adds a touch of modern flair to the classic Dyson design. Our test model, the Vinca Blue/Topaz, was particularly striking, evoking the rich hues of the Prussian Blue/Rich Copper seen in the Airstrait, but with a brighter, more energetic twist.

While maintaining the iconic shape and user-friendly design of the original Supersonic, the 245mm (height) x 97mm (length) x 78mm (width) Supersonic Nural is slightly heavier at 680 grams compared to the original’s 650 grams. This barely noticeable increase in weight doesn’t compromise its comfortable handling, ensuring that styling sessions won’t leave your arm aching.

The Supersonic Nural doesn’t stop at scalp protection. A pause-detect function, a feature beloved by users of the Airstrait, makes a welcome return. It’s a game-changer for anyone like me who’s ever experienced the dreaded mid-blow-dry mishap of accidentally blasting their makeup or knocking over a precious beauty product. With the Supersonic Nural, the moment you set it down, the heater automatically reduces heat and airflow, preventing those frustrating incidents. And as soon as you pick it up again, the Supersonic Nural seamlessly resumes your styling session, ensuring your routine stays uninterrupted.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Supersonic Nural is its suite of five “intelligent” attachments. Upon unboxing, these five attachments include a smoothing nozzle to reduce frizz, gentle air attachment for quick drying, a styling concentrator for precise styling, a flyaway attachment for sleek looks, and a new Wave+Curl diffuser specially designed for those with type 2C to 3C curls. These attachments connect magnetically, easily snapping onto the hair dryer and serve as an overall investment, compared to the original Supersonic which required separate purchases for such enhancements. Equipped with Hall proximity sensors, the Supersonic Nural cleverly remembers your last-used settings for each attachment, making those rushed mornings a breeze.

In my experience, the gentle air attachment and styling concentrator, set to my preferred medium airflow and low to medium heat, drastically reduced my drying and styling time. It was remarkable to achieve my desired look in a mere 8 minutes, a significant improvement from the 20 minutes my previous dryer required. Even with my naturally type 1 fine and straight hair, I was able to coax out beachy waves using the styling concentrator, a styling cream, and a Dyson hairbrush. While the humidity in Singapore can make maintaining these waves a challenge, a little leave-in styling treatment goes a long way to prolong the style. 

Since its debut in 2016, the Supersonic has set the benchmark for high-end hairdryers, but the Supersonic Nural adds even more value. With its intelligent attachments, pause detect mode, and scalp protect mode, it stands alone in the market – no other hairdryer combines such smart technology and hopefully, this spurs competitors like Shark and Laifen to introduce similarly advanced, more affordable options.

Alas, there’s no denying that the Supersonic Nural’s S$699 price tag is a luxury investment, but for those who consider their hair an investment in itself, the Nural might be worth every penny. It delivers all the qualities that made the original Supersonic a cult favourite – sleek design, lightning-fast drying, and salon-quality results – with the added bonus of intelligent, scalp-protecting technology.

If you’re already considering the original S$649 Supersonic hair dryer, the Nural’s enhanced features make the S$50 upgrade a no-brainer. Consider this as an early investment that prevents the need for expensive hair treatments or mitigate long-term damage later. Your pocket might feel the pinch, but your hair will thank you.

The Dyson Supersonic Nural is available in two colours: Ceramic Patina/Topaz Orange and Vinca Blue/Topaz, for purchase on Dyson’s website.