ConsFirst / Hair dryers / Compare
Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer vs Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on weight & comfort. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer wins on quietness, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer is no diffuser included; for the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer it's very expensive for the results. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer | Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in hair dryers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Hair dryer | Hair dryer |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 9% | — |
| Overall score | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| Drying speed | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Smooth results | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Weight & comfort | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Quietness | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer
- No diffuser included
Wirecutter's only listed flaw: it ships with just a concentrator nozzle, so curly-haired users have to buy a diffuser separately.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Switches easy to hit by accident
Wirecutter calls the switches hard to press by accident. Several readers in its comments disagree: they say the cool-shot or low/off/high switch sits right where they grip and they keep shutting it off. One also says the concentrator falls off with a bump.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) reader comments - Mixed durability, can run too hot
Amazon's review summary calls durability mixed: some owners say it lasts many years, while others say it broke after 8 months. Heat feedback is also mixed, with some finding it too hot.
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
- Very expensive for the results
Wirecutter says it doesn't dry faster than its $95 Rusk pick and costs hundreds more. Reviewed says cheaper dryers can give similar or better results.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Reviewed - Awkward buttons and weight balance
Wirecutter found the speed and heat buttons on the back of the head and the cool-shot button at the top of the handle hard to reach, and one tester found the heavy cord tiring. Reviewed found the motor-in-handle design made it feel unbalanced and heavy.
- High-pitched motor
Wirecutter says that despite being comparatively quiet, the motor has a high pitch some testers disliked. TechRadar rates it 'not as quiet as you'd hope'.
Who should pick which
Pick the Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Hair Dryer if
Fast drying without paying Dyson prices
Anyone whose arm tires holding a dryer
Outlets far from the mirror (8-foot cord)
Skip it if: You diffuse curls and want a diffuser in the box; You grip the dryer high on the handle; You want a long warranty
Pick the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer if
A premium, low-vibration experience
Switching attachments mid-dry (they stay cool)
Long hair that tangles in rear filters
Skip it if: You're on a budget (cheaper dryers dry as fast); You change settings often (awkward buttons); High-pitched motor tones bother you
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