Is the Dyson Airstrait worth it?

How does the Dyson Airstrait work?

The Airstrait has two arms, like a straightener, but instead of heated plates each arm blows a jet of heated air downwards. You close the arms around a section of towel-dried hair and glide down slowly. The airflow dries the hair while the arms hold it under tension, so it sets straight as it dries.

It has a wet mode for drying and straightening and a dry mode for touch-ups on dry hair, with heat and airflow settings. Dyson says it senses when hair is between the arms and pauses the airflow when they are open. Air temperatures are much lower than plate temperatures; see what temperature should straighteners be. Our how to use the Dyson Airstrait article covers technique.

Who saves time with it

The Airstrait's big promise is merging two steps into one. Dyson says it can save up to 8 minutes per style compared with drying and then straightening. That saving is real only if your current routine is a full blow-dry followed by straighteners.

• Good fit: you blow-dry and straighten most days; you like straight hair with movement; your hair is fine to medium or thick but not tightly coiled.
• Less useful: you air-dry and then flat iron quickly; you only straighten a fringe; you want curls and waves from one tool.
• Check carefully: very thick, long or tightly curled hair may need more passes, and results vary with technique.

Where flat irons still win

A plate straightener at around 185 °C gives a sleeker, more polished finish than air. If you want glass-like, poker-straight hair, plates do it better. Plates are also far more versatile: a good straightener with a rounded body can curl and wave, which the Airstrait is not designed for.

Flat irons are also smaller, lighter and simpler to travel with, and they need no filter cleaning. If those things matter, see our best hair straighteners guide.

Alternatives to consider

Dyson is not the only maker of wet-to-dry stylers. ghd's Duet Style and Shark's SilkiPro work on a similar principle. Our best wet-to-dry straighteners guide compares them, and we cover the matchups in Dyson Airstrait vs ghd Duet Style, Dyson Airstrait vs Shark and Dyson Airstrait vs Corrale.

Compare wet-to-dry stylers →

Running it day to day

The Airstrait is a corded tool with a large motor, so it is heavier and bulkier than a straightener. Expect a short learning curve: slow, steady passes on small sections give the best result. The filter needs regular cleaning to keep airflow strong; a blocked filter is the most common reason it cuts out. See Dyson Airstrait not working.

Dyson says the Airstrait comes with a two-year guarantee when bought from Dyson or an authorised retailer. Fakes are sold online, so buy from authorised sellers; see how to spot fake ghd and Dyson stylers.

The verdict

The Airstrait is worth it for people who would otherwise blow-dry and straighten every day and are happy with a natural straight finish. It is not a straight swap for a flat iron if you want the sleekest result or need one tool for curls as well. If you are undecided, think about your current routine: the more time you spend with a hair dryer before straightening, the more the Airstrait will give back.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dyson Airstrait better than a straightener? It is different. It saves time from wet hair, while a straightener gives a sleeker finish and can curl.

Does the Dyson Airstrait work on curly hair? It can straighten curly hair, but tightly curled or very thick hair may need more passes. Results depend on technique.

Can the Airstrait curl hair? It is not designed for curls. Use a straightener or a curling wand for that.

Do you need a hair dryer with the Airstrait? Not for straight styles. You towel-dry, then use its wet mode.