Shark FlexStyle vs. Dyson Airwrap Review 2024: Tested by Our Lab

If you’ve ever stared at your bathroom mirror holding a round brush like it’s a tiny dumbbell and thought,
“Surely there’s a more civilized way,” welcome. In 2024, the “air styler” category is basically the beauty-tech
Olympics: one tool promises bouncy blowouts, glossy curls, and frizz controlwithout scorching your hair into
submission.

The two headliners? The Dyson Airwrap (the original it-girl) and the
Shark FlexStyle (the savvy challenger that shows up with a good attitude and a lower price tag).
We ran both through a lab-style testing protocolsame prep, same products, same humidity, same level of stubborn
cowlick energythen compared what actually matters: speed, results, ease, and whether you’ll want to throw it in
a drawer after day three.

Quick Verdict

• Buy the Shark FlexStyle if you want excellent results for less money, love the
  twist-to-dryer design, and care about strong value per attachment.
• Buy the Dyson Airwrap if you want the most refined experience, top-tier fit and finish,
  and you’re willing to pay for Dyson’s ecosystem, attachments, and heat-control engineering.
• If you’re curl-first, both can deliver, but your technique and products will decide who “wins”
  more than the logo on the barrel.

How We Tested

We used a consistent “real life but make it repeatable” method:

• Hair starting point: freshly washed, towel-dried to damp (not dripping), detangled.
• Products: lightweight leave-in + heat protectant + a small amount of mousse for hold.
• Styles tested: smooth blowout, bouncy blowout, curls/waves, and quick dry + polish.
• Scoring categories: drying speed, curl formation, frizz control, comfort/ergonomics, noise, learning curve, and style longevity.
• Hair-type reality check: we evaluated performance across different textures and lengths (fine/straight, medium/wavy, thick/curly), because one person’s “perfect blowout” is another person’s “why is my hair doing that?”

Results will always vary based on hair type, section size, and product choicebut the patterns were clear.

At-a-Glance Comparison

What These Tools Actually Do (And Why They’re Different From a Hot Iron)

Both the FlexStyle and Airwrap are hot air stylers that use airflow (including
“wrap-and-style” airflow) to shape hair while drying. Instead of clamping hair between blazing hot plates or
pressing hair onto a scorching barrel, they rely on controlled heat + high-velocity air to form curls, smooth
flyaways, and build volume.

Translation: you can get a blowout-style finish with less “I can smell my hair” dramaespecially when you start
with damp hair and keep sections reasonable.

Shark FlexStyle Review

Design: The Twist That Makes Sense

Shark’s signature move is the lockable, twistable design: you can rotate the handle to use it
like a classic hair dryer or straighten it into a wand for styling. In practice, this feels genuinely useful
when you’re switching between drying roots and styling lengthsless awkward wrist yoga.

Attachments: Strong Coverage Without the “Add-to-Cart Hangover”

Most sets include the core attachments people actually use:
auto-wrap curlers, at least one brush for volume/smoothing, and a concentrator for rough drying.
Shark also offers add-ons like a diffuser and other brushes, depending on the kit.

Performance in Our Testing

• Drying speed: fast enough to replace a standard dryer for many people. We liked it for quick
  root lift before switching to brushes.
• Curls/waves: the auto-wrap action grabs hair reliably, especially on damp, product-prepped
  sections. The result leaned toward defined, bouncy waves rather than ultra-loose “barely there” bends.
• Blowout finish: the brushes delivered a smooth, airy look when we used medium sections and
  finished with a cool shot. The best results came from a simple rule: smaller sections = shinier finish.
• Frizz control: strong, especially when paired with a smoothing product and when we didn’t
  overdry the ends.

What We Loved

• Value: you get multi-styling versatility at a more approachable price than Dyson.
• Convertible shape: the twist design makes drying + styling feel more intuitive.
• Defined curls: it can produce robust waves that hold well with the right prep.

What to Know Before You Buy

• Technique matters: like any air styler, it rewards patience and proper dampness. If hair is too
  wet, curls droop; too dry, the wrap won’t “catch” as easily.
• Bundle differences: attachments vary by kitdouble-check what’s included for your hair type.

Dyson Airwrap Review

Design: The Premium Benchmark

Dyson’s Airwrap still feels like the category’s “flagship.” The wand is sleek, attachments click in with a
satisfying precision, and the overall experience is polishedlike the tool expects you to have places to be
(and also a dedicated drawer).

Attachments: A Whole Wardrobe of Options

Airwrap sets typically include multiple barrels and brushes built around Dyson’s airflow styling approach.
Dyson’s ecosystem is a big part of the appeal: there are versions tailored to different hair types, and
attachments are designed to be swapped as your routine changes.

Performance in Our Testing

• Drying + smoothing: consistently impressive. The Airwrap did an excellent job taking hair from
  damp to “ready to style” quickly, with a noticeable reduction in flyaways when we used the smoothing steps.
• Curls/waves: when technique was right, curls formed with a very “polished” finishsoft, shiny,
  and uniform. The best results came from damp hair, smaller sections, and a cool shot to set.
• Blowout/volume: strong at creating that salon-like lift at the root, especially on fine-to-medium hair.
• Consistency: once we dialed in section size and timing, results were repeatable (which is the
  nicest compliment you can give a styling tool).

What We Loved

• Refined results: especially for smooth, glossy blowouts and uniform curls.
• Build quality: premium feel with an attachment ecosystem that’s mature and widely supported.
• Heat-control engineering: designed to prevent extreme heat damage through intelligent temperature management.

What to Know Before You Buy

• Price: the Airwrap is still a serious investment for a hair tool.
• Not a magic wand: it’s close, but you still need good prep, decent sectioning, and a little practice.
• 2024 update note: Dyson introduced the Airwrap i.d. concept in 2024, adding a “smarter” styling angle, including personalization via an app and new attachments.

Head-to-Head: Which One Wins Each Category?

1) Drying Speed

Both tools can handle real dryingnot just “warm breeze while you wait.”
In our protocol, neither felt sluggish. Dyson tended to feel slightly more refined in airflow delivery
during the prep-dry stage, while Shark felt powerful and efficient, especially when flipping between dryer mode
and styling mode.

2) Curling: Ease + Results

This is where emotions run high. (Hair has a way of turning adults into philosophers.)

• Shark FlexStyle: the auto-wrap curlers reliably grabbed damp sections, producing defined waves.
  If you like curls that look intentionallike you meant to do thatShark delivered.
• Dyson Airwrap: curls looked more “polished” and uniform once technique was dialed in.
  The finish leaned glossy and soft.

The deciding factor wasn’t “which is stronger,” but which matches your styling personality.
If you want fast, bold results with minimal fuss: Shark. If you want consistent, salon-smooth finish: Dyson.

3) Blowout and Volume

Both can create that airy, bouncy look that makes people say, “Did you do something different?”
(The correct answer is always “Oh, this? Nothing.”)

• Best root lift: Dyson, especially on fine-to-medium hair.
• Best value blowout kit: Shark, especially if you want multiple brushes without extra spending.

4) Frizz and Flyaways

Both improved smoothness versus rough drying. The key is not overdrying ends, using a smoothing product, and
finishing with cooler air. Dyson’s smoothing steps felt slightly more “engineered,” while Shark’s results were
very close when we used smaller sections and the right brush.

5) Comfort, Weight, and Handling

These are not featherweight tools, but both are manageable. Shark’s twist design helps when you’re switching
modes, and Dyson’s balance feels very intentional. If you style often, comfort matters more than one dramatic
TikTok day.

6) Noise

Neither tool is silent. If your household includes a baby, a roommate, or a cat with strong opinions, plan
accordingly. We found noise levels comparable in day-to-day usemore “busy salon” than “whisper meditation.”

Which Tool Is Best for Your Hair Type?

Fine or Straight Hair

• Best pick: Dyson Airwrap for refined smoothing and consistent volume.
• Also great: Shark FlexStyle if you want strong results and better value.

Wavy Hair

• Best pick: Eitherthis is the “golden zone” for air stylers.
• Tip: Use mousse or lightweight gel if you want waves/curls to hold past lunchtime.

Curly or Coily Hair

• Best pick: Depends on how you wear your hair. If you’re stretching/blowout styling frequently,
  both can work well with the right attachments. If you’re enhancing natural curls, prioritize a diffuser option
  and focus on technique.
• Tip: Work in smaller sections and use a curl cream + hold product for definition and longevity.

Long, Thick Hair

• Best pick: Consider attachment size and airflow feelboth can work, but patience and sectioning are mandatory.
• Tip: Pre-dry roots first, then style mid-lengths and ends. Trying to do everything at once is how time disappears.

Pro Tips to Get Better Results With Either Tool

• Start damp, not wet: Too wet = limp curls. Too dry = weak wrap.
• Section smaller than you think: The tool isn’t judging you. It’s helping you.
• Use hold: A little mousse or styling spray can make curls last dramatically longer.
• Cool shot is not optional: It’s the “save” button for your style.
• Don’t overdry ends: Stop when hair is dry and smoothextra time often adds frizz.
• Clean filters regularly: Air tools perform best when they can breathe.

FAQs

Is Shark FlexStyle a Dyson Airwrap dupe?

“Dupe” makes it sound like a costume party. It’s more accurate to say Shark built a strong competitor with its
own design advantages (especially the twist-to-dryer format) and a lower price point.

Do these tools actually reduce heat damage?

They’re designed to avoid extreme heat compared with traditional hot tools, but “no damage ever” is not how hair
physics works. Use a heat protectant, avoid overdrying, and choose settings that fit your hair type.

Can I use them on dry hair?

You can do touch-ups, but the best results (especially curls) generally happen on damp hair, because the hair is
being shaped as it dries.

Our Lab Diary: of Real-World Styling Experience

Day 1 began with optimism and ended with humilityexactly the way hair styling likes it. We started with the
Shark FlexStyle because it feels like the friend who shows up early, helps you move, and doesn’t ask for pizza
money afterward. The twist-to-transform handle immediately made sense: rough dry the roots in dryer mode, twist,
pop on a brush, and suddenly you’re doing a blowout without performing wrist acrobatics. The first pass with the
oval brush gave us that “I used a round brush, but with fewer tears” finishsoft volume, smoother ends, and less
frizz than a basic dryer. The auto-wrap curlers were the surprise hit. When hair was damp and sectioned neatly,
they grabbed quickly and formed defined waves that looked intentionally styled, not accidentally slept-on.

Day 2 was Dyson’s turn, and the vibe shifted to “premium experience.” Attachments clicked in with the kind of
satisfying precision that makes you want to clean your bathroom just to match the mood. Dyson’s prep-dry stage
felt controlled and efficient, like the airflow had an opinion about where it wanted to go (in a good way). The
curls took slightly more patience to mastermostly because we had to retrain our instincts. The tool wants you to
trust it: bring the ends near the barrel, let it catch, hold, then cool shot. When we followed the process, the
result was glossy, soft curls that looked salon-finished, especially on fine-to-medium hair.

By midweek we had our biggest “aha”: these tools don’t replace techniquethey amplify it. When we rushed,
overloaded sections, or ignored the cool shot, both tools punished us with droopier curls. When we worked in
smaller sections and used a little hold product, both tools delivered styles that lasted far longer. Shark leaned
into bouncy, defined waves and felt faster to switch between drying and styling. Dyson leaned into a polished,
uniform finishespecially for smoothing and that airy blowout look that makes hair feel expensive.

The most realistic takeaway came on Day 5, when we timed a “get-ready-before-you-regret-your-life-choices” morning.
Shark won for speed of workflow: twist, swap, style, done. Dyson won for refinement: fewer flyaways and a more
consistent finish when we were picky. If your hair routine is a daily event, Dyson’s premium feel can make the
price sting less over time. If you want impressive results without paying luxury-tax pricing, Shark delivers the
“why didn’t I buy this sooner?” momentespecially if you choose the kit that matches your hair type.

Final Thoughts

In our 2024 lab-style testing, the result wasn’t a knockoutit was a smart split decision.
Dyson Airwrap remains the most refined option, with a premium experience that shines for
consistent smoothing and polished curls. Shark FlexStyle is the value powerhouse: versatile,
clever in design, and capable of delivering genuinely great blowouts and defined waves for significantly less.

Pick Dyson if you’re all-in on premium, you style frequently, and you want the most “finished” feel.
Pick Shark if you want excellent performance, a flexible dryer/styler format, and the best bang for your beauty buck.
Either way, your hair gets to retire from the “extreme heat Olympics,” and your round brush can finally rest.