Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle: Which Hair Tool Is Better?

People love to ask beauty editors questions, and we love to answer. Does retinol work? When should I start getting Botox? Is high-end makeup worth it? But the #1 question I get IRL and over DM from friends and strangers? Which is better: the Shark FlexStyle (or the new iteration, the Shark Glam), or the Dyson Airwrap? And I find it a bit difficult to answer in a few quick sentences. The Dyson Airwrap has been at the top of everyone's wish lists since it first came out a few years ago. As soon as Shark announced the FlexStyle, its more affordable multi-styler also using the brand's well-known vacuum motor tech, people started wondering which was worth the splurge. Should you go for the ultra-expensive Dyson or Shark's more modestly priced option? And now, Shark has the Glam, a tool that utilizes both airflow and ceramic plates to style your hair. However does one choose? Each tool comes with a variety of attachments that let you dry, smooth, straighten, and curl using air styling technology, offering endless styling possibilities without the heat damage. Both are top-tier hair tools (and regular winners of various Cosmopolitan beauty awards). But I had to put them to the test to declare a champion. I polled five Cosmo editors (and added some of my own thoughts), all of whom have different hair types and goals, on where they fall in the Dyson vs. Shark debate. But first, let me get into the differences. The Airwrap is basically the Swiss Army knife of hair styling tools—it does it all. 'Dyson, a brand known for innovation, flipped the blowout method on its head, allowing for easy, salon-quality blow-dries at home,' explains celebrity hairstylist Davey Matthew. Unlike traditional hair tools that depend on intense heat, the Airwrap uses airflow technology and the Coanda effect (aka when high-speed airflow clings to a curved surface) to give hair shape and volume and create curls and waves without extreme heat, all while smoothing out frizz and flyaways. With 19 different attachments to choose from—think barrels, smoothing brushes, and innovative dryers—you can mix and match for nearly endless styling possibilities. As it styles, it also releases negative ions to help reduce static, giving you a sleek finish to your hair. Plus, with three heat settings, three speed settings, and heat control that measures airflow temperature 40 times per second, you have the ability to choose your own adventure, per se, when it comes to how strong you want the device to be, depending on your hair type and damage levels. The newest version, the Airwrap i.d., takes things up a notch with Bluetooth technology that makes styling easier (and smarter) than ever. You can personalize your hair profile through the brand's app, and with the press of a button, it literally wraps, styles, and sets your curls for you. Magic, bb. FWIW, I tested the previous iteration of the Airwrap for this review. But... This compact, lightweight tool transforms from a powerful, fast-drying blow dryer into a versatile multi-styler with just one twist. Whether you want to curl, smooth, add volume, or dry, the FlexStyle's attachments have you covered, making it perfect for all hair types, including straight, wavy, curly, or coily (you can choose between the straight/wavy set that comes with a concentrator nozzle and the curly/coily one that comes with a diffuser). What makes it different, though? The FlexStyle is half the price of the Dyson Airwrap, coming in at even less than half of the price at $249. Just like the Dyson, the auto-wrap curlers make creating curls and waves a breeze (just hold up the tool, and it'll automatically curl for you), the oval brush creates impressive volume according to reviews, and the dryer works fast to leave hair smooth and free of frizz. You've also got four heat settings and three speed settings with 1,600 watts of power—but dw, you won't end up with fried, heat-damaged hair since the tool reduces heat exposure and regulates temperatures (at 1,000 times per second, to be exact) to keep your hair healthy while styling. Let's bffr—both the Dyson Airwrap and Shark FlexStyle are total standouts, but the differences come down to performance, design, and price. The most important factor for many people? The Shark tool is half the price of the Dyson styler. But 'I recommend the Dyson Airwrap to all my clients, and anyone I know who has it absolutely loves it," says hairstylist Temur Hamilton. As for the Shark FlexStyle, he says, it's pretty much a copy of the Dyson Airwrap—just with slightly less powerful technology, according to Hamilton. That said, Shark did push the innovation forward with its flexible design, which Matthew points out makes it easier to achieve salon-level blowouts at home. 'The Shark FlexStyle took what Dyson created with the Airwrap one step further with their flexible model and professional power,' says Matthew. He also highlights how the FlexStyle's adjustable handle offers added convenience. When it comes to specifics, the Shark FlexStyle boasts four heat settings compared to Dyson's three, but both tools share three speed settings and weigh a super manageable 1.5 pounds. When it comes to the better hair tool, the pros are a house divided. Hamilton makes a strong case for the Dyson Airwrap: 'It all comes down to its technology and quality for me—it's the best," he says. "It attracts hair and wraps it around the barrel effortlessly, while smoothing, curling, and waving hair beautifully, and it works on all hair types and textures," he adds. He loves how easy it is to use, the temperature controls, and that it's less damaging than a lot of other tools on the market that he's tested. "That said, there's a price difference, so if you're looking for a more affordable option, the Shark FlexStyle is definitely a good choice," he adds. On the other hand, Matthew sees it differently. 'I think it depends on personal preference and your hair type," he notes. "For example, people with textured hair might hold the dryer differently and prefer the Shark over the Dyson because it's more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time and is a bit more powerful as a dryer," he explains. He loves both tools (we can relate!), but he's really into the Shark rn. At the end of the day, it's hard to give a definitive answer on if one is better than the other since it's totally up to you. Do you care the most about price, aesthetics, tech, or versatility? As for the Cosmo staff, keep reading for our thoughts. Choosing between the Shark and Dyson is like choosing between favorite boyfriends—I love them both for different reasons, and I still use both! But if I had to pick one, it'd be the Shark. It does everything a multi-styler, air-powered tool can do at a fraction of the price. It works so fast, and the curling attachments give my thick, coarse hair the prettiest bounce while keeping it smooth, defined, and frizz-free. The blowout brush is perfect for a quick refresh, and I love that you simply bend it to turn it into a blow-dryer—no extra attachment needed. And being hundreds of dollars cheaper than the Dyson? The biggest win. While all the attachments are incredibly clutch, my daily use for the Shark Glam is limited to the diffuser. The new diffuser attachment is pretty much identical to the original one and features two lengths to reach the roots and ends of my hair. After throwing on a deep conditioner, curl cream, and flexible hold hairspray, I switch between both while using the highest air pressure and temperature settings. I was most excited to try the new wet hair setting on the Shark Glam, and it made all the difference. Honestly, I'm not sure if the air pressure and heat settings are readjusted on the wet versus dry settings, but it's magical either way. With my old styler (and after a few years of losing its juice), I'd finish styling my hair in 10 to 15 minutes. With the new one, it only took me eight. And as someone who would rather not spend so much time on my hair, I'm obsessed with that. I'm notorious for showering and going right to bed with wet hair. Then, in the morning, when my hair inevitably looks like I stuck my finger in a socket, I just throw it up in a claw clip and call it a day. But I decided to give the Shark Glossi attachment a go on one of these mornings to see if it could minimize my frizz and flyaways and give my hair some polish before running out the door. Ten passes and literally four minutes later, my hair looked LIGHTYEARS better (please look at my makeup-free before and after that I took in my bathroom at 6:45 a.m. for proof). I was so impressed by how easy the Glossi (which is a teardrop-shaped round brush) glided through my knotty, tangled hair and gave it polish—like I had taken the time to actually blow-dry my hair before bed instead of falling asleep with it in a tangled lump on my pillow. The Glossi attachment is the best blow-dry attachment of any multi-styler I've ever tried—it made my hair smoother, shinier, and much more manageable. The next morning, on day two, I used the new Silki straightener attachment in an attempt to smooth my ends and face-framing pieces. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to maneuver Silki without causing creases or dents in my hair, but once I got the hang of it, this straightened just as well as my beloved CHI. It's a little bulky, so using Silki near your roots can be a little tricky, but on mid-length and ends, it's a dream. While it's pricey, the Airwrap is definitely deserving of the hype because it makes blowing my hair out so freaking easy. I don't need to maneuver a round brush and get arm cramps, or have salon-level skills. I love all the new and improved attachments (you don't need to switch the barrels out for different sides anymore), and the new connection to the Dyson app is super cool if you get the new i.d. version. You can preprogram how long you want certain temperature or speed settings on for, so you don't need to fiddle with the buttons during every pass. I've loved my Airwrap through many hair lengths (even when I had extensions), which is why it's such a mainstay in my hair routine. For me, it's the best tool to add volume to my hair quickly. I use a combo of the round brush and curling wands every time I wash my hair to style my bangs, add lift to my roots, and give my ends a slight wave. Even on my current cut, a short lil bixie, the Airwrap is my go-to tool. For me, it all comes down to the sizes of the barrels, which work extremely well for fine, thin hair. The round brush is the perfect size for styling my bangs and front pieces (hence why I think many with thick hair might prefer the Shark's more oval-shaped round brush). Also, I haven't replaced mine in over five years (even though new iterations have launched since), so IMO, it's worth the splurge. The Dyson may be a splurge, but let me tell you—if I were stranded on a deserted island with an electrical outlet and a dash of vanity still intact, it'd be right there with me. With its range of attachments, this tool truly does it all. My personal favorite attachment is the round volumizing brush, which I used religiously in the medium size until I got my hands on the larger one that you can buy separately. Now, I like to alternate between the two, using the smaller one for my bangs. One minor annoyance? The standard model comes with six attachments, and you have to purchase the others separately. But honestly, once you figure out what size works best for you, there's not really a need to own all 19 attachments. What I will say is that at times, it can get a bit too hot on the highest setting. There have definitely been moments where I've yelled 'ouch!' or noticed my hair looking a little crispy afterward. The easy fix is to stick to the medium setting, but it's something to keep in mind. The product itself feels super heavy-duty in your hands, and while some people wish it came in a standard black shade, I actually don't mind the unique colorways—it's part of what makes Dyson, well, Dyson. You really can't go wrong with either device, but the right one for you will come down to personal preference, your hair texture, and your budget. Our editors with fine hair tend to prefer the Dyson Airwrap, whereas thick, coarse, wavy, and/or curly hair editors preferred the larger barrels and brushes on the Shark FlexStyle and Glam. Both tools are expensive, but Shark is definitely a more stomachable price point (it's legit half the price). In the end, do your own research, and make the right choice for you. Consult your hairstylist, read lots of reviews (like the ones above), and consider your own budget. Or ya know, the holidays are coming up. Never too early to add something to your wish list... Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories. Iman Balagam is a beauty contributor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience writing stories that range from forehead acne to chin acne. She's an authority in all categories, but is an expert when it comes to haircare, thanks to years of personally researching and testing different hair tools to perfect her blowout. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months. Iman Balagam is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly five years. She has written for and contributed to top women's magazines and digital brands such as Harper's BAZAAR, Allure, Byrdie, Elle and more. She will try *nearly* anything and spends a lot of time looking for new ways to store her beauty products in a small New York apartment.