As the summer holidays approach, it's time to address a common travel woe: the dreaded hotel hair dryer. You know the type - outdated, with a single scorching heat setting, leaving your hair frizzy and dehydrated. It's a scenario no one wants immortalized in their holiday photos. Enter Dyson, the British engineering brand, with a promise to revolutionize this travel nuisance.
The Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer is a compact, lightweight version of its full-size sibling, offering powerful airflow and heat control. But does it live up to its premium price tag? Let's dive in and explore this stylish compact dryer.
Testing the Dyson Supersonic Travel
I put the Supersonic Travel to the test by using it on my mid-length curly hair after washing and towel-drying. I timed how long it took to achieve a fully styled look and assessed the softness and frizz-free quality of my hair afterward. I tried both a simple blow-dry and a more styled look, noting the longevity of each style throughout the day.
Additionally, I considered the impact of its size and weight on comfort during use. Finally, I measured noise levels, comparing it to a budget hair dryer to simulate a hotel or travel tool.
Key Features of the Dyson Supersonic Travel
The Supersonic Travel boasts a miniature version of the original Supersonic's hollow-cylinder design, approximately a third smaller in size. It measures 7.1 x 22.2 x 6.8 cm (WDH), making it easily packable in your luggage or even a carry-on bag for short trips. The universal voltage compatibility ensures consistent performance worldwide, a feature I found particularly attractive.
Like its full-size counterpart, the Supersonic Travel utilizes a high-speed digital motor to generate strong airflow for fast drying without excessive heat. Paired with Dyson's heat control system, it minimizes the risk of dehydration and heat damage, a common concern with traditional hair dryers.
The travel dryer comes with a smoothing concentrator nozzle and is compatible with existing Supersonic attachments, a cost-saving feature for those who already own the regular model.
What We Love
Design-wise, the Supersonic Travel is an attractive and compact styling tool. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort during use, and the ceramic matt-pink finish adds a touch of style. It operates similarly to the original model, with a digital motor in the handle and a ring-shaped head for efficient drying using strong airflow.
The Supersonic Travel offers two airflow speeds and two heat settings, plus a cool option, providing enough flexibility for various styling combinations. It took me just under 10 minutes to achieve a satisfactory dry, comparable to premium full-size dryers but faster than basic models.
The magnetic attachment system, as seen in the full-size Supersonic, allows for easy swapping of existing diffuser and gentle air attachments. While the smart functions of the Supersonic Nural attachments are not fully supported, they can still be used with the Travel model.
The MyDyson app provides styling guides and maintenance advice, although direct control from within the app is not available, unlike with the Airwrap ID and Co-anda 2x. Instead, speed and heat adjustments are made manually via well-placed buttons on the dryer's head.
Despite its powerful airflow, the Supersonic Travel operates quietly, with noise levels measured at around 76-83 dB, quieter than most hair dryers and not disruptive to conversations.
Overall, the Supersonic Travel is a well-designed, compact hair dryer that performs efficiently and leaves hair looking and feeling healthy. Its compact size and attractive design make it a convenient travel companion.
What We Don't Love
The £250 price tag is undoubtedly a significant investment for a travel hair dryer. While it may make sense for frequent travelers or those who value convenience, it's a luxury purchase for occasional travelers.
Compared to rival travel dryers and full-size premium models, the Supersonic Travel is pricier. It offers fewer heat and airflow settings than the full-size Supersonic, and if you're accustomed to styling with the Supersonic Nural, the Travel model has limited compatibility with its smart attachments.
While smaller than the original Supersonic, it's not the smallest travel dryer available, so space-conscious travelers may find more compact options.
Warranty and Repairs
The Supersonic Travel comes with a two-year warranty, covering repairs or replacements for any faults. Spare parts and accessories have a one-year warranty. Repairs can be arranged via the Dyson helpline, which organizes courier collection for assessment and repair. The MyDyson app also provides maintenance tips.
Dyson offers refurbished devices through its Certified Dyson Refurbished program, although the Supersonic Travel is not currently available. Third-party sites like Sell My Dyson offer trade-in options for used devices, and electrical recycling schemes like Recycle Your Electricals ensure responsible disposal.
Should You Buy It?
If you're a frequent traveler or someone who values hair health and convenience, the Dyson Supersonic Travel could be a worthwhile investment. Its compact size, efficient drying, and universal voltage compatibility make it a reliable travel companion.
However, it's essential to consider your travel frequency and budget. For occasional travelers, alternative dryers or taking your chances with hotel options might be more cost-effective.
For those who don't own a Supersonic but are interested, the Travel model is slightly cheaper than the original, but with fewer features. Ultimately, the decision comes down to hair health and budget considerations.
If you have dry, damaged, or frizz-prone hair, the Supersonic Travel could provide peace of mind by ensuring consistent hair care on your travels.
Alternative Travel Hair Dryers
For those seeking alternatives, here are three options:
- Bellissima B-travel: A dinky folding travel dryer praised for its powerful wind speeds, faster than some full-size options, and highly portable.
- MDlondon Blow: A compact premium hair dryer with independently selectable airspeed and heat settings, perfect for versatile styling at home and on travels.
- BaByliss Travel Dry 2000: A lightweight, compact travel dryer with a folding handle and dual voltage, offering a basic yet adequate dry at a budget-friendly price.
Conclusion
The Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer offers a stylish and efficient solution for travelers who value hair health and convenience. While it's a luxury purchase, its compact size, powerful performance, and universal voltage compatibility make it a reliable companion for frequent travelers. For those on a budget or with less frequent travel needs, alternative options are available, each with its own unique features and price point.
