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Testers agree it makes the best and longest-lasting air curls, thanks to an automatic curl switch and barrels that curl both ways. But it costs about twice as much as a Shark FlexStyle, and some testers got near-identical blowouts from the cheaper tool.
Top complaints
- Very expensive
List price is $599.99-$649.99. CNN Underscored says the upgrades have plateaued since the i.d. while prices keep rising. The Guardian and Wirecutter found the Shark FlexStyle gave near-identical blowouts for about half the price.
- Learning curve and fussy app setup
Good Housekeeping lists a learning curve as its main con. The Guardian found it harder to start with: the manual comes through the app, and once the Bluetooth would not connect.
- Air curls still drop sooner than iron curls
TechRadar says curls made with air don't last as long as curls from hot tongs, and results vary by hair type.
Source: TechRadar (Airwrap i.d. review)
What owners love
- Effortless, longer-lasting curls
The i.d. curl switch runs a timed wrap, curl and cool-shot sequence. TechRadar found curls lasted far longer than with rival stylers. CNN found Dyson's barrels had the strongest grip, and its curls outlasted other multi-stylers.
- One barrel curls both ways
A twist of the barrel's knob switches curl direction. TechRadar and The Guardian say rivals make you swap left and right barrels instead.
- Lower heat, quieter, well-placed controls
Good Housekeeping's lab measured the original Airwrap's round brush at about 158°F, versus 350°F+ for most irons. The Guardian found the i.d. about 7 dB quieter and about 1 oz lighter than the FlexStyle, with sliding buttons that are easy to reach.
- You mostly do straight blowouts (cheaper tools match it)
- You don't want an app and Bluetooth setup
- You're on a budget
- Curling your hair often
- Easy both-direction curls on one barrel
- Lower heat than curling irons
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- TechRadar: Calls it the best hair styler on the market (first reviewed March 2025), with design rated 5/5 and performance 4.5/5. The drawbacks are price and curls that don't last as long as tong curls.
- The Guardian: A close call against the FlexStyle (2026-03-24). It wins on curling, convenience and attachments, but the Shark gave identical results for nearly half the price.
- CNN Underscored: Tested the newer Co-anda2x ($750): the clear winner on performance alone, but not its pick because of the price (Sep 2026).