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Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer vs Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on curls & waves, ease of use, heat & hair care, durability. Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System wins on drying speed.
The biggest complaint about the Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer is very expensive; for the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System it's stops working after months. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer | Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in multi-stylers & airwrap alternatives | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Auto-wrap multi-styler | Auto-wrap multi-styler |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | — | 14% |
| Overall score | 4.4 | 3.5 |
| Curls & waves | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Drying speed | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Heat & hair care | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–300 · $$$ over $300. 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
Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer
- 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)
Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
- Stops working after months
Amazon's review summary says durability is a concern, with many owners reporting it stops working after 6 months (about 231 of 281 durability mentions are negative).
- Curls don't always hold
TechRadar found styles could lack staying power. Amazon curl-retention mentions lean negative (about 141 of 244). CNN found the original FlexStyle's curlers weaker than Dyson's.
- Awkward buttons, barrel swapping, louder
Wirecutter says its buttons are largely out of reach, and you must swap left and right barrels to change curl direction. The Guardian found it about 7 dB louder than the Airwrap i.d. Good Housekeeping and the NY Post note a higher-pitched, harsher sound.
Who should pick which
Pick the Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-Styler and Dryer if
Curling your hair often
Easy both-direction curls on one barrel
Lower heat than curling irons
Skip it if: You mostly do straight blowouts (cheaper tools match it); You don't want an app and Bluetooth setup; You're on a budget
Pick the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System if
Getting Airwrap-style results for about half the price
Replacing your hair dryer too (twists to 90°)
Households with different hair types (many add-on attachments)
Skip it if: You need curls that last all day; You want proven long-term reliability; A high-pitched motor bothers you
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