Dyson Supersonic is the icon that reinvented the hairdryer, and it’s just been joined by the long-awaited follow-up. So what do you need to know about Supersonic Nural, and is it going to disrupt the beauty industry all over again? We’ve got our hands on the new sister super-dryer, so we’re poised and ready to give you the full low-down.
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But first, a quick recap. It’s been eight years since Supersonic started a revolution, turning the humble hairdryer from something generic and functional into a sleek item of desire. Every hair electricals brand immediately began playing catch-up, spawning a futuristic breed of sexy, slinky dryers. With the competition having risen smartly to the challenge, it was over to Dyson to throw down the next move – like a hairdryer version of an MTV dance battle.
And, boom: Supersonic Nural. Looks-wise it’s most definitely a sister to the original, but one that’s more colourful and a little bit cyber-punk, with its inner workings on show through the outer case. Basically, it has its brains on display, and with good reason. There’s rather a lot going on under that pretty Topaz exterior (or Vinca Blue, depending on your choice of trending colourway).
What’s new about Dyson Nural?
In short, Nural is one seriously intelligent dryer. The big point of difference is a new scalp-focused sensor technology which uses an invisible infrared beam to figure out exactly where the dryer is in relation to your head. The sensor then automatically adjusts the dryer’s heat as it comes closer, protecting your scalp and hair from damage. When the dryer is at its closest to your head, the heat drops down to 55 degrees C, which Dyson has identified as "the highest recommended temperature for optimum scalp comfort".
As James Dyson himself puts it: “If you’re able to limit heat damage, you can get a healthier scalp; and healthier hair.” The idea is better growth, less breakage and shinier hair, starting right from the roots.
This scalp-sparing mode is available in two of the attachments that come with Nural, namely the gentle air attachment and concentrator nozzle. The mode can also be switched off, should you feel the need to blast roots with max heat. Presumably Dyson recognises that sometimes, needs must.
Needless to say, none of this tech comes cheap. Nural will set you back £399,99, over £100 more than the most basic version of the original Supersonic.
What’s in the Dyson Nural box?
Nural comes with five attachments. Firstly, there's the aforementioned gentle air attachment, for general drying duties, and concentrator nozzle, for styling. You'll also find a wave and curls diffuser with reversible airflow, a wide-tooth comb to help stretch and lengthen hair, and a flyaway attachment for a smooth, shiny finish.
Clip on any of these heads via slick magnetic connectors, and Nural will recognise it and adjust the temperature automatically. The idea is that Nural does the thinking for you by switching to what Dyson’s research has found to be the optimum temperature for each tool.
And should you disagree? Not a problem, as it’s very simple to override the default to suit your personal preference. You won’t have to tell it twice, as Nural helpfully remembers the temperature each attachment was last used at.
Any other smart feature I should know about?
At a time when every watt of energy adds up, Dyson has built in a tech that pauses the airflow when you put the dryer down. A motion sensor quickly spots when Nural stops moving, shutting off the air between styling passes.
Our review of Dyson Nural
GH Senior Beauty Editor Lynne Hyland put the new superdryer to the test
This is going to sound slightly strange, but I’ve not used a hairdryer in months. And no, I’m not an air dryer, either. (Heaven forbid; if my hair is left to do its own thing after washing, my natural texture is threadbare Brillo pad from the ears down.)
No, I’ve become converted to the new breed of ‘wet to styled’ dryers, and in particular the recently-launched Dyson Airstrait. I’ve been won over by the promise of zero damage plus the undeniable convenience of one-hand styling, with a tool which gives me a fuss-free, sleek finish even on the tricky back of the head area. Why switch back to the bother of ‘dryer in one hand, brush in the other’ styling?
However, this IS a Dyson hairdryer, so I’d be a fool to dismiss it out of (clumsy, poor-coordinated) hand.
First impressions of Dyson Nural
As soon as I pick Nural up, I can see just how cool it is. Both the unusual colour and the exposed inner wizardry mark it out as beauty eye candy, but the real fun begins when I activate the scalp protect mode.
Not only does the dryer’s heat drop and rise instantaneously as I move the nozzle closer or further away from my head, that tech is matched with a clever visual representation, Nural’s LEDs changing from blue or yellow (cool heat) to orange (medium) and finally red for high heat. (Imagine a high-tech visual version of the ‘getting warmer/getting cooler’ game.)
Having recently finished a successful course of PhilArt injections for thinning hair and excess shedding, scalp health is something I take seriously. I can appreciate how useful it is to have a dryer that stops me accidentally getting carried away and frying my precious regrowth.
How well does Dyson Nural work?
So that’s the future-proofing taken care of, but what about the results in the here and now? Having used and liked the original Supersonic, I’d say the new model is a leap forward when it comes to the actual finish on fine hair like mine.
The new styling nozzle offers a beautifully controlled, precise downward airflow, better at replicating the pro hairdresser’s touch than any other concentrator nozzle I’ve used. It’s so good, it almost makes the Supersonic flyaway attachment redundant, and that’s saying something – said Flyaway gizmo is my favourite all-time tool for taming a frizz halo.
It’s not quite as light as some dryers I’ve tried but it doesn’t give me arm ache. And even if it did, the clever motion sensor function works seamlessly, with Nural hitting pause within seconds of being put down.
Is Nural as good as Supersonic?
Obviously, Nural was never going to be a disruptor on the same scale as the original Supersonic, but it would be harsh it to mark it down for that too much. It is, after all, the sequel to arguably the most influential hair tool of the past decade.
Overall, the Nural is a joy to use, with a winning combination of beauty and brains. It’s captivating to look at, and the scalp-saving, energy sparing innovations are genuinely useful, not just gimmicks.
It dries my hair quickly, and to a lovely, smooth finish, even factoring in the heat reduction of the scalp sparing mode. Yes, it does require going back to the two-handed method, but the new nozzle is so precise, it made it much easier to swap over my hairbrush and dryer hands and style the second half of my head.
Given a free choice between Supersonic and Nural, I'd go for the new arrival, no question. It gives me an even better finish, and I love the tech to protect my scalp and hair health. I’ll probably still use Airstrait as my day to day dryer, as it’s so easy, but I can’t deny that Nural offers me more in terms of potential bounce and volume. In my view, Nural is Dyson's best-ever hair dryer.
When can I buy and it how much is it?
Nural is available now for £399.99 via Dyson.co.uk and Dyson Demo Stores in the UK.
