This Dyson Airwrap Dupe Is Half the Price and Gave Me a Pro-Level Blow Out at Home

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There’s something about drying my hair that’s always felt like a chore. Sure, the best hair dryer brushes make things easier, but they can only do one thing (and still take up valuable space in my New York City apartment). When the Dyson Airwrap came to market in 2018, it shook up the beauty scene in terms of all-in-one hair tools—but man was (read: is!) it expensive. So when the Shark Flexstyle Hair Dryer debuted in 2022 at half the price, it seemed too good to be true. Is it really a Dyson Airwrap dupe, though? I put it to the test on my fine, thin hair for two months to inform my Shark Flexstyle review. Here’s what you need to know before you purchase the beauty tool for yourself.

What is the Shark Flexstyle?

The Shark Flexstyle is a hair dryer, multi-styler system that uses air and limited heat to dry and style strands. I find it’s best to explain it as a hair dryer, hair dryer brush, and curler in one. With the press of a button and the twist of its head, the dryer transforms into a multi-styling tool that dries, straightens, diffuses, or curls based on the attachment you choose. You can buy the hairdryer and load up on attachments later on, or buy a bundle right away, to transform the tool into what you need. It features three heat settings, three air speed settings, and one cool setting (to lock styling in place).

Shark recommends people use the styling attachments on partially dried hair (note: not wet). When I gave it a try, a quick few minutes with the regular dryer got my hair to the desired dryness level. I sprayed my hair with some Olaplex volumizing blow-dry mist to prep strands and add an extra level of heat protection (the styler already has a low level of heat when compared to other hairdryers, per the brand, and uses air to help get strands dry).

What does the Shark Flexstyle hair dryer come with?

It depends on what bundle you purchase. There are quite a few options to choose from, including creating your own bundle (where you get to choose three attachments). Shark’s website offers recommendations based on your hair type and curl pattern, including straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair.

The Shark Flexstyle Air Styling and Drying System for straight and wavy hair comes with:

• Two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers

• One paddle brush

• One oval brush

• Styling concentrator for smooth strands

The Shark Flexstyle Air Styling and Drying System for curly and coily hair comes with:

• Two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers

• One oval brush

• One diffuser

• Styling concentrator for smooth strands

The Shark Flexstyle Air Styling and Drying Limited Edition Ultimate Gift Set comes with:

• Two 1.25-inch auto-wrap curlers

• One paddle brush

• One oval brush

• One diffuser

• Styling concentrator for smooth strands

• A case

FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System With Case

FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for Curly and Coily hair

FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System for Straight and Wavy Hair

Air Styling & Drying System Limited Edition Ultimate Gift Set

Build Your Own FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System

What attachments are available?

You can purchase attachments on their own or in a bundle. Each bundle comes with different attachments, but below is a comprehensive list:

• 0.95-inch auto-wrap curlers

• Wide-tooth comb

• Diffuser

• Styling concentrator

• Paddle brush

• Oval brush

• Round brush

• Frizz-fighter finishing tool

Is the Shark Flexstyle a Dyson Airwrap dupe?

In my experience, yes. I’ve used both the Dyson Airwrap and the Shark Flexstyle multiple times now (note: I don’t own a Dyson Airwrap, just borrowed from people willing to let me try theirs), and I have to say that they are pretty comparable. The main difference, besides the price point and luxe feel of the Dyson iteration and its accompanying velvety travel case, is that the Flexstyle auto-wrap curlers require two attachments: one curls left and one curls right. Whereas the Dyson Airwrap allows you to click a button to switch the curl direction—no need for two barrels.

So, to sum it up, the main differences I noticed between the Shark Flexstyle vs. Dyson Airwrap are:

• Barrel/hair dryer attachments

• Price point

• Product finishes

• Carrying case

• Number of attachments

• Ability to change the air wrap direction

Is the Shark Flexstyle worth it?

For me it is. For half the price of a Dyson system, you get a bevy of attachments and an extremely powerful multi-styler. I will say that the auto-wrap and Airwrap both made my fine, thin hair a bit frizzy. Plus, the curls fell after about an hour. However, this was not the case when using the round brush and the oval brush attachments. This has become my new go-to tool for all my hairstyling needs and at a fraction of the price tag a hair dryer, hair dryer brush, and curler would rack up on their own, I think it’s definitely worth the price.

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