Dyson Airwrap Origin vs Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
Get the Shark FlexStyle. Unless you want Dyson waves and a barrel that changes direction without swapping — then the Airwrap Origin.
Dyson Airwrap Origin
The Airwrap's drying and curling in a smaller kit for less. One barrel size and no case.
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer
A fast hair dryer that twists into an Airwrap-style styler, for well under half the price. Curls drop sooner.
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Both dry fast enough to replace your hair dryer. The Origin is light and its barrel switches curl direction on its own, but the FlexStyle costs less and adds brushes for a proper blow-dry.
- —You mostly want waves and loose curls.
- —You'd rather not swap barrels.
- —Light weight matters for long styling sessions.
- —You want to spend less.
- —Blow-dries and volume matter more than curls.
- —You have long or thick hair: the big brushes suit it.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Curling barrel switches direction, no swapping
- +Fast dryer that replaces a hair dryer
- +Light and comfortable to hold
- −Only one barrel size, and no round brush or storage case in the box.
- −Hair needs to be damp rather than soaking, and unsectioned hair can frizz in the airflow.
- −Single voltage, so it won't work abroad.
- −The filter at the base needs regular cleaning.
- +A fast hair dryer and a styler in one
- +Smooth, low-frizz blow-dries
- +Well under half the Dyson's price
- −Curls drop fairly quickly, especially on long, thick hair, so hairspray helps.
- −You swap between left and right barrels to change curl direction, and there's one barrel size.
- −It's loud and high-pitched, and the flat buttons are hard to find by feel.
- −The cord has a bulky power pack partway along.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Airwrap Origin worth it?
- Is the Shark FlexStyle worth it?
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: TechRadar, TechRadar, Woman & Home, manufacturer specifications.