Dyson AirSmooth Review: Is It Better Than the GHD Duet Blowdry and Shark Glossi?

The Dyson AirSmooth remains my personal winner for a single-purpose wet-to-dry blow-dry brush. In my test, it dried my hair in 20 minutes, compared with 28 minutes for the GHD Duet Blowdry. After using both tools more often, however, I have found that the GHD gets my hair the straightest.

I still prefer the Dyson because it feels gentler on my hair, works faster and produces a smooth, bouncy result that is almost as straight. I normally use a flat iron after blow-drying, so the small difference in straightness is not important to me. If you have thick, frizz-prone hair and want the straightest possible finish without following with straighteners, you may prefer the GHD.

The Quick Verdict

• Best overall for my routine: Dyson AirSmooth
• Best for the straightest finish without flat-ironing: GHD Duet Blowdry
• Best lower-priced multi-use option: Shark Glossi 2-in-1
• One I would personally avoid: Revlon One-Step, because it felt too hot and pulled my hair

My Dyson AirSmooth Results

The most noticeable difference was speed. The Dyson dried my hair in 20 minutes. The GHD took 28 minutes on the same head of hair.

The Dyson still created a smooth, rounded and bouncy blow-dry with good volume, but repeated use showed me that the GHD leaves my hair straighter. The difference is not dramatic, and because I follow my blow-dry with a flat iron, I would rather have the Dyson's faster and gentler-feeling drying experience. Someone who wants to stop after blow-drying may value the GHD's straighter finish more than I do.

The teardrop-shaped brush head is another advantage. It reminds me of the Shark Glossi, but the tapered shape lets me work closer to my roots than I can with a traditional oval blow-dry brush. Dyson says the straight edge is designed for smoothing, while the curved edge can create shape, bends and flicks.

I also experienced no snagging with either the Dyson or the GHD. The Dyson's flexible bristles released my hair cleanly rather than catching it, which matters when repeated pulling can turn a convenient styling tool into a source of mechanical damage.

Dyson AirSmooth vs GHD Duet Blowdry

The GHD now has one clear advantage in my testing: it gets my hair the straightest. It also produced a very smooth blow-dry, and I experienced no snagging.

I still prefer the Dyson for my own routine. It was eight minutes faster in my test, gets closer to my roots, feels gentler on my hair and creates a rounded, bouncy result with volume. Because I use a flat iron afterwards, the Dyson gets me close enough to the GHD's result while making the blow-dry stage quicker and more comfortable. At the prices listed when I tested them, the Dyson was also considerably less expensive.

If you have thick, frizz-prone hair and do not want to use straighteners after blow-drying, the GHD may be the better choice. Its straighter finish could outweigh the extra drying time and higher price. If, like me, you refine the finish with a flat iron, I think the Dyson offers the better balance.

Dyson AirSmooth vs Shark Glossi

The Shark Glossi is the strongest alternative if value and versatility matter most. In my test, it dried my hair in 30 minutes, making the Dyson 10 minutes faster. The Shark has two distinct uses: Wet Mode for drying and adding lift, and Dry Mode for smoothing or refreshing dry hair. It is also cheaper than the Dyson.

In my experience, though, the Dyson got my hair just as straight with its normal blow-dry function as the Shark did after I used its dry smoothing mode. I also experienced a little snagging with the Shark, while the Dyson moved through my hair without catching.

Choose the Shark if you want one tool that can act as both a blow-dry brush and a dry hot brush. Choose the Dyson if you want the better single-purpose blow-dry experience.

What About the Revlon One-Step?

I would not personally return to the Revlon One-Step. When I used it a few years ago, it became too hot for me even on the low setting and pulled my hair enough to contribute to noticeable damage.

That is my experience rather than a universal result, but it is why I would spend more for a tool that gives me better control and less snagging. Whatever tool you choose, use heat protectant, detangle first, work in manageable sections and select the lowest effective setting.

Useful Dyson Details

The AirSmooth has four heat settings including cold, three speed settings and intelligent heat control that measures the airflow temperature more than 20 times per second. It weighs about 0.6 kg and has universal voltage, which makes it more travel-friendly than many hot-air brushes.

The brush head is fixed rather than interchangeable. That makes the AirSmooth less versatile than a multi-styler, but it also gives it the stable feel of a dedicated blow-dry brush.

Is the Dyson AirSmooth Worth It?

For me, yes. It is my winner if you want a single, non-multi-styler blow-dry brush that dries quickly, smooths well, adds bounce and volume, reaches the roots and does not snag.

The Shark Glossi remains the better-value choice if you want a separate dry-styling function. The GHD is the strongest choice if your priority is getting thick, frizz-prone hair as straight as possible without using a flat iron afterwards. For my own routine, the faster, gentler-feeling Dyson still wins because it gets almost as straight and I finish with a flat iron anyway.

My testing is personal and your timing will vary with hair density, length, starting moisture level and section size. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use an appropriate heat protectant.