Head-to-head · Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Dyson Supersonic vs Shark HyperAIR HD120

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Dyson Supersonic comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 3.9). Dyson Supersonic is best for: Shoppers who want the fastest, most refined everyday blow-dry and will pay a premium for the lightest, quietest, best-balanced tool. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Dyson Supersonic

4.6

2 sources$400as of Oct 16

The Dyson Supersonic is the benchmark fast-drying dryer, the one most others get measured against. TechGearLab scored it 86 out of 100, the top mark in their test group, praising its powerful, well-controlled airflow and handle-mounted motor. It is not always the single fastest in raw minutes; what nothing else matches is the combination of speed, low heat damage, balance, and quiet operation. The price is the only real barrier.

Strengths

— Intelligent heat control measures air temperature many times a second to keep the dryer from scorching hair
— Markedly quieter than competing high-velocity dryers thanks to the acoustically tuned motor
— Magnetic attachments (Flyaway, concentrator, diffuser, smoothing nozzle) snap on instantly and rotate while hot

Watch-outs

— Among the most expensive consumer hair dryers on the market at around $430

$400 · Buy at elevatehair.com Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Fast-Drying Hair Dryers

Shark HyperAIR HD120

3.9

1 source$204.99as of Oct 4

The Shark HyperAIR HD120 is the value pick for people who care most about raw drying speed. In Reviewed.com's head-to-head it dried hair fully in about 20 minutes against 30 for the Dyson, at roughly half the price. IQ sensors set heat and airflow automatically based on the attachment, which keeps the experience simple. It is heavier and noisier than the Dyson, but on speed per dollar it is hard to beat.

Strengths

— In a direct test against the Dyson Supersonic it fully dried hair in about 20 minutes versus the Dyson's 30, making it one of the faster dryers reviewers have clocked
— Costs roughly half what a Dyson does while delivering comparable raw drying power
— Ionic output reduces frizz and adds shine, and the cool-shot seals the cuticle

Watch-outs

— Lacks the acoustic tuning that makes the Dyson notably quieter

$204.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Dyson Supersonic

Faster and quieter than the Conair InfinitiPro 1875W and substantially better controlled, but the Shark HyperAIR HD120 matched or beat its raw drying time in Reviewed's direct test at half the price. Against the Shark FlexStyle HD440, the Supersonic wins as a pure dryer while the FlexStyle wins on built-in styling.

Shark HyperAIR HD120

Matched or beat the Dyson Supersonic on raw drying time in a direct test while costing about half as much. Faster and more powerful for pure drying than the Shark FlexStyle HD440, which trades some airflow for styling versatility, and far quicker than the budget Conair InfinitiPro 1875W.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Dyson Supersonic	Shark HyperAIR HD120
Wattage	1600W	1600W
Motor	Dyson digital motor V9 (handle-mounted)	—
Heat Settings	4 (incl. constant cold shot)	3
Airflow Settings	3	3
Attachments	Flyaway, styling concentrator, diffuser, smoothing nozzle, gentle air	2-in-1 concentrator, styling brush, curl-defining deep diffuser
Weight	1.8 lbs	—
Technology	Ionic, heat-controlled	Yes (negative ion generator)
Voltage	110-120V	—
Dimensions	3.1 x 3.8 x 9.6 inches; 1.8 pounds	—
Material	—	Plastic

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