Dyson's new supersonic hair dryer will blow you away

UK-based tech giant and household appliances specialist Dyson Ltd has expanded its beauty range with the recent release of a hair dryer the company claims can cut styling time in half and minimize the risk of irreversible hair damage.

It took the brand took more than four years of testing and $62 million worth of spending on R&D, which includes the establishment of hair laboratory dedicated to hair science, to come up with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer.

The result is a device that is lighter, quieter and gentler to the hair than traditional hair dryers already available in the market.

The secret is in Dyson's patented V9 digital motor, the company's smallest and lightest, which runs eight times faster than those used in standard hair dryers but is half the weight. The motor is capable of propelling 13L of air per second, raising efficiency and making it less prone to overheating.

Its size allows the motor to be placed in the handle, reducing bulk, and making the device easier to grip and balance. In addition, it uses 13 blades instead of the conventional 11, lessening the noise the unit produces.

The Supersonic hair dryer also incorporates a glass bead thermometer that monitors the device’s temperature 20 times per second and transmits the data back to a microprocessor, ensuring airflow heat remains at the safe level of below 150 C. Above this temperature, hair damage becomes irreversible and more noticeable.

There are four heat and three airflow power settings to choose from, with the buttons located at the back of the unit. The power and cool air buttons are on the handle.

Another innovative feature is the hair dryer's magnetic attachments. Consisting of a standard wide nozzle, narrow nozzle for smoothing and wide diffuser for curly hair, magnetizing the heads facilitates fitting and removing.

The main drawback of the Supersonic is its price. Retailing at $599, many consider the device as a personal luxury item rather than necessity.