This New $189 Hair Multi-Styler Gave Me Nearly Identical Results to Pricier Options

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As a devoted hot tools enthusiast, my standards have evolved over the years. I'll admit to a cringe-worthy moment when I crimped my thick hair without using a heat protectant, resulting in a school photo that looked like I had an incident with an electric socket. However, I've learned from those experiences, and nowadays, I prioritize tools that not only style but also protect my hair’s health. This journey led me to the internet-famous Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete. Despite its steep price, it brought my hair the closest it’s ever been to a fresh-from-the-salon look.

But recently, I got my hands on the Revel 6-in-1 Hair Multi-Styler from Sharper Image, which launched this fall. The device retails for $270 but is currently on sale for $189 at QVC, or $230 at Amazon. It includes six attachments for drying, detangling, smoothing, curling, and styling your hair. While unboxing, it was clear that the tool bears a striking visual resemblance to the Dyson. Prompted by my beauty editor instincts, I swiftly hopped in the shower to wash my hair and put both tools to the test side by side.

<p>Amazon</p>

Amazon

After shampooing, conditioning, and blow-drying my hair about 85 percent of the way, I reached for my preferred attachment: the volumizing blow-dry brush. This tool substantially cuts my styling time by at least half, and I love how it smooths my hair while adding volume. I tested both brand’s blow-dry attachments side by side — using the Sharper Image tool on the right and the Dyson on the left — employing the same styling method, and you heard it here first: the results are pretty damn similar.

<p>InStyle / Marisa Petrarca</p> Hair comparison using the Sharper Image Multi-Styler on the right side and the Dyson Airwrap on the left.

InStyle / Marisa Petrarca

Hair comparison using the Sharper Image Multi-Styler on the right side and the Dyson Airwrap on the left.

While I found the results to be nearly the same and the tools to work nearly identically, I discovered the Sharper Image tool to be more user-friendly for shaping my hair and adding body. I credit that to the fact that it comes with both a long and short barrel (I use the long one), whereas the Dyson only comes with one shorter barrel. The longer Sharper Image attachment is easiest for wrapping large sections of hair around the barrel for fast and efficient styling.

After testing the blow-dry brush attachments, I experimented with the curler barrels from each brand. Both tools attracted and self-wrapped the hair, a technology initially created by Dyson and replicated by Sharper Image. The result? Beautiful curls that I brushed out and transformed into waves. I found the key difference to be the design, as the Sharper Image version boasts a dedicated barrel for each side, while the Dyson features a single barrel with the flexibility to alternate airflow in both directions.

<p>InStyle / Marisa Petrarca</p> Hair comparison using the Sharper Image Multi-Styler on the right side and the Dyson Airwrap on the left.

InStyle / Marisa Petrarca

Hair comparison using the Sharper Image Multi-Styler on the right side and the Dyson Airwrap on the left.

That being said, the Sharper Image Multi-Styler earns my endorsement as intensely as the Dyson Airwrap. And I'm not alone; other shoppers who haven't compared the two love it as well. "I have very straight hair that does not like to hold a curl," said one QVC shopper, who added that it gave them "8-plus hours of curls." Another wrote: "I used the curlers, and although I have naturally curly hair, the curlers gave me defined curls, which I like." A final Amazon shopper with “very frizzy, wavy hair” that usually wears it “up in a bun” said the tool is “perfect for a busy mom.”

I'm not in the business of saying one is objectively better than the other. However, I can confidently attest that if you want to save money while achieving comparable results, the Sharper Image Multi-Styler is a solid choice. I will say that I find the Dyson’s bristles better at creating firm tension, a quality I appreciate for achieving sleek styles. But that’s a minor detail in the grand scheme if you’re looking for a hot tool that does it all. Alongside its impressive performance, the sleek matte gray design adds a touch of sophistication to your bathroom. Before you know it, every visitor will be eager to hear your firsthand review, too.

Shop the Sharper Image Revel Multi-Styler while it’s still on sale at Amazon for $230 or QVC for $189.

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