Shark FlexStyle vs Dyson Airwrap: Which Multi-Styler Actually Delivers?

Based on lab testing from Good Housekeeping, expert hairstylist reviews, and thousands of real user experiences from Reddit, Amazon, and beauty forums

The short answer: The Shark FlexStyle wins for most people. It delivers 80% of the Dyson experience at less than half the price, dries faster, and converts into a traditional blow dryer. Unless you have thick, hard-to-style hair where the Dyson's cooler operation and stronger curl-setting power genuinely matters, save $300 and get the Shark. Get Shark FlexStyle on Amazon for $299 →

The Fighters

	Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
Price	$299 on Amazon	$599 on Amazon
Best For	Budget-conscious buyers, fine to medium hair	Thick hair, those prioritizing hair health
Heat Temp	183°F (higher)	158°F (cooler)
Drying Speed	5:42 (faster)	5:59
Noise Level	95 dB (louder)	84 dB (quieter)
Weight	1.54 lbs	1.5 lbs

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System with all attachments

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Drying Speed & Power

Both tools promise to dry and style simultaneously, but the Shark FlexStyle has the edge in raw drying power. In Good Housekeeping's lab testing, the FlexStyle dried half a head in 5:42 compared to the Dyson's 5:59. That's 17 seconds faster—not huge, but it adds up over daily use.

More importantly, the FlexStyle's signature move is its 90-degree rotation that converts it into a traditional blow dryer shape. This makes root drying significantly easier than the Dyson's wand-style design, which some users find awkward for drying at the scalp. The Shark measures airflow temperature 1,000 times per second and offers a no-heat setting for air drying.

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
8/10	7/10

Round 1 Winner: Shark FlexStyle — Faster drying with a more versatile dryer mode.

Score after Round 1: Shark FlexStyle 8 | Dyson Airwrap 7

Round 2: Heat Protection & Hair Health

This is where Dyson pulls ahead. The Airwrap measures air temperature more than 40 times per second and stays under 302°F—but in real-world testing with the round brush attachment, it reached only 158°F at the highest settings. The Shark FlexStyle operates at 183°F.

That 25-degree difference matters for hair health. As Good Housekeeping noted: "Because I have such curly, thick hair that I style often, the Dyson is my personal pick to decrease excessive damage."

Some TikTok users have reported hair breakage with the FlexStyle, though this varies by hair type and technique. The Dyson's cooler operation makes it the safer choice for damaged, color-treated, or fragile hair.

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
6/10	9/10

Round 2 Winner: Dyson Airwrap — Significantly cooler temps mean less heat damage over time.

Score after Round 2: Shark FlexStyle 14 | Dyson Airwrap 16

Round 3: Curl Results

Here's where things get interesting—and where your hair type really matters.

The Shark FlexStyle creates tighter, more defined curls with more body. Multiple reviewers report it "sets curls better for hard-to-curl hair." If your hair typically refuses to hold a curl, the FlexStyle's higher heat and stronger suction may work in your favor.

The Dyson Airwrap produces looser, more voluminous "Hollywood bombshell waves." Beautiful, yes—but some users on Mumsnet report their curls last only about an hour before falling flat. One comprehensive test by Girl Get Glamorous found the Dyson kept its shape slightly better at the 8-hour mark, though results varied.

The key difference: Dyson's barrel has a switch to change curl direction. Shark requires physically swapping between two separate barrels for clockwise and counterclockwise curls—annoying when the attachments are hot.

Dyson Airwrap multi-styler showing the sleek wand design and curling attachments

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
7/10	7/10

Round 3 Winner: Tie — FlexStyle for tighter curls, Dyson for loose waves. Depends on your preference.

Score after Round 3: Shark FlexStyle 21 | Dyson Airwrap 23

Round 4: Ease of Use

Both tools have a learning curve—that's unavoidable with Coanda-effect styling. The Dyson's learning curve for the "wrapping" technique is notoriously steep. As Haiirology put it: "There's definitely a learning curve, but it's completely manageable."

However, the Dyson wins on button placement. Heat level, airflow, and cold shot buttons are all accessible one-handed. The Shark's cold shot button sits at the bottom, requiring two hands to operate.

For thick hair specifically, the Dyson handles styling at medium speed with high heat. The Shark requires high speed for thick hair and can struggle to wrap thicker sections, according to testers at The New Knew.

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
6/10	7/10

Round 4 Winner: Dyson Airwrap — Better button ergonomics and superior thick-hair handling.

Score after Round 4: Shark FlexStyle 27 | Dyson Airwrap 30

Round 5: Value for Money

This is the FlexStyle's knockout punch.

Shark FlexStyle: $299 (frequently on sale for $199-$270)
Dyson Airwrap: $599 (occasionally $499 during sales)

That's $300 in savings—enough to buy additional attachments, a year's worth of styling products, or just keep in your pocket. As the expert consensus from Mint Arrow summarizes: "The FlexStyle truly does exactly what the Dyson can do except at a more affordable price point."

Both include 2-year warranties. Shark offers a 60-day money-back guarantee; Dyson offers 30 days. Additional Shark attachments cost around $30 each, while Dyson replacement parts are notoriously expensive.

Amazon data shows over 8,000 shoppers purchased the FlexStyle in a recent month, with reviews like: "Just buy it. It's amazing. It gives you a salon look in a matter of seconds" and "works just the same and even a little better than the Dyson."

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
10/10	5/10

Round 5 Winner: Shark FlexStyle — Half the price for nearly identical results.

Score after Round 5: Shark FlexStyle 37 | Dyson Airwrap 35

Woman styling her hair at home with professional results

Round 6: Build Quality & Longevity

Dyson's premium reputation is earned here. According to data from product reliability surveys:

Only 7% of Dyson owners reported declining performance after 12 months
18% of Shark owners reported declining performance after 12 months (slower heat-up, inconsistent airflow)

The Dyson feels sturdier and more premium in hand. It's also significantly quieter at 84 dB compared to the Shark's 95 dB—that's the difference between a dishwasher and a motorcycle passing at 25 feet. Some users describe the FlexStyle's noise as an "awful high-pitched whine."

However, the Dyson's customer service has issues. It holds a 2.0-star rating on PissedConsumer from 403 reviews, with only 41% recommending the product—though complaints often center on service rather than product quality.

Shark FlexStyle	Dyson Airwrap
6/10	8/10

Round 6 Winner: Dyson Airwrap — Better longevity stats and much quieter operation.

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Shark FlexStyle	43/60	WINNER
Dyson Airwrap	43/60

The Winner: Shark FlexStyle

It's a tie on points—but we're declaring a winner, and it's the Shark FlexStyle. Here's why: in a dead heat, the tiebreaker is value. The FlexStyle delivers comparable styling results, faster drying, and a more versatile design for half the price.

The Dyson Airwrap is undeniably a superior product in certain areas: it's gentler on hair, quieter, better-built, and handles thick hair with more finesse. But is it $300 better? For most people, no.

The FlexStyle won Good Housekeeping's Beauty Award for a reason. It's the smarter buy for fine to medium hair types who want salon-quality styling without the luxury tax. Save the $300 for a nice dinner—or three.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Shark FlexStyle on Amazon for $299 →

When the Dyson Actually Wins

The Dyson Airwrap isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You have thick, coarse, or hard-to-style hair — The Dyson's power and cooler temps handle thick hair better without damage
Hair health is your top priority — 25°F cooler operation adds up over daily use
You style in a shared space — 11 dB quieter is noticeably more pleasant
You want premium build quality — Better longevity stats (7% vs 18% declining performance)
One-handed operation matters — Button placement is more ergonomic

Dyson Airwrap might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Woman with beautiful styled wavy hair looking confident

Is the Shark FlexStyle a dupe for the Dyson Airwrap?

Yes and no. Both use Coanda-effect technology to wrap hair around the barrel for styling. The FlexStyle replicates about 80% of what the Dyson does at half the price. The main differences: Dyson operates cooler (better for hair health), handles thick hair better, and has a reversible barrel instead of requiring separate attachments for each curl direction.

Which lasts longer: Shark FlexStyle or Dyson Airwrap?

Data suggests the Dyson has better longevity. Only 7% of Dyson owners reported declining performance after 12 months, compared to 18% of Shark owners who noticed slower heat-up times or inconsistent airflow. Both carry 2-year warranties.

Can the Shark FlexStyle damage your hair?

Any heat styling tool can damage hair with improper use. The FlexStyle operates at higher temperatures (183°F) than the Dyson (158°F), which increases damage risk. Some TikTok users have reported breakage, though this often relates to technique and hair type. Use heat protectant and avoid maximum heat settings on fragile hair.

Is the Dyson Airwrap worth twice the price?

For most people, no. The FlexStyle delivers similar results at half the cost. The Dyson is worth it if you have thick hair that's hard to style, prioritize hair health over everything, or want the quieter, more premium experience. Otherwise, the FlexStyle is the smarter investment.

Which is better for curly hair?

Both work for curly hair, but differently. The FlexStyle is easier for "halo drying" techniques and has larger attachments that suit longer, thicker curls. Dyson offers specific Curly+Coily kits with attachments designed for textured hair. If you style your curly hair frequently, the Dyson's cooler temperatures will cause less heat damage over time.