Comparison · 2 picks
Dyson Airwrap vs Shark FlexStyle: Which Is Worth It?
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These two multi-stylers use the same core trick, wrapping hair around a barrel with airflow rather than clamping it with heat, but they sit at very different prices. The question is whether the Dyson's extra polish and automation is worth its premium over the Shark, which copies the idea impressively well. For most people, the answer comes down to budget.
Selections draw on manufacturer specifications, UK listings and independent reviews, and linked prices update automatically.
At a glance
All 2 options side by side.
 Dyson Airwrap i.d. |  Shark FlexStyle | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See price | See price |
| Best for | The premium pick. | The value champion. |
| Review | Read review → | Read review → |
| Buy |
The picks in detail
Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d.
Bottom line. The premium pick. The most refined Coanda multi-styler, with automatic heat and airflow settings and an app-guided routine. The best experience money buys, at a premium price.
Pros
- RFID attachment recognition removes the settings learning curve of the original
- Curls come out smooth and shiny and hold through the day in testing
- Fast dryer attachment meaningfully improves the drying stage over the original Airwrap
- Anti-snag loop brush is notably gentle on fine or fragile hair
- Sub-150 C airflow styling underpins the no-extreme-heat-damage approach
- Comprehensive kits with premium presentation case
Cons
- Premium pricing tier, with attachments also sold separately at Dyson prices
- Barrel curling technique still has a genuine learning curve
- Slower at pure drying than high-wattage dedicated dryers
- The newer Co-anda 2x now outguns it on raw airflow
- App features are guidance-level rather than transformative
Shark Beauty Shark FlexStyle
Bottom line. The value champion. Delivers much of the Coanda styling experience, doubles as a powerful dryer, and costs far less than the Dyson. The sensible choice for most people who want the effect without the flagship price.
Pros
- Strong airflow dries hair notably faster than the Airwrap in comparison tests
- Curls set firmly and hold longer than Dyson's in multi-year side-by-side testing
- Huge oval brush builds exceptional volume and tension for blowouts
- Genuine dryer mode via the rotating barrel makes it a true 2-tools-in-1
- Three years of regular use showed no noticeable heat damage in long-term review
- Compact and travel-friendly with the storage case
Cons
- Left and right curls need physically swapped barrels - slower than Dyson's bidirectional barrel
- Noticeably loud with a higher-pitched note
- Runs hotter than the Airwrap on high
- Attachments get warm to handle mid-style
- Model-number sprawl (HD424-HD456) makes UK variants confusing
Is the Dyson worth the extra over the Shark?
Buy the Dyson Airwrap i.d. if you want the most refined experience with the least guesswork, and the premium price is not a barrier: the automatic settings and polish genuinely make styling easier. Buy the Shark FlexStyle if you want most of the same Coanda styling for far less, plus a powerful standalone dryer mode; for the majority of people it is the better value, giving up a little refinement rather than a lot of performance.
Both work best on the wavy-to-medium hair textures Coanda styling suits, and neither is a magic wand for very straight or very coarse hair. If your hair type is well suited, the Shark is the value pick and the Dyson the luxury one, and both are capable tools.