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Since its launch in 2018, the Dyson Airwrap has become one of the most hyped hair tools of the decade promising salon-worthy hair without the damage.
Instead of relying on extreme heat or hair curling products, it uses cooler airflow and clever technology to dry, smooth and curl hair all in one go. I've used the Dyson Airwrap before and when paired with a few hacks to hold curls, it does a pretty good job.
However, as amazing as it looks, the upfront cost can be a bit of a shock with prices starting at £399 for the most basic model and close to £500 for more recent releases. This price tag isn't ideal, especially if you're trying to stick to a budget.
So instead of splurging on one myself, I decided to see whether the results of the Dyson Airwrap could be matched for less.
To do this, I tested five of budget friendly alternatives - the Clara Multi Styler, Bellissima Italian Prodigy, Hershesons Multi-Styler, Beauty Works Aeris and the Shark Glam.
But can these great value alternatives really live up to Dyson's solid reputation and give you that effortless, just-left-the-salon finish the Airwrap is famous for? Read my reviews below to find out.
The Dyson Airwrap didn't take long to become one of the most hyped hair tools
I tested five of budget friendly alternatives
Best Dyson Airwrap alternatives: Quick list
- Best overall Dyson Airwrap alternative: Shark Glam multi-styler
- Best budget-friendly multi-styler: Clara Multi Styler
- Best for salon-style blowouts: Beauty Works Aeris multi-styler
- Best for air-styled curls: Bellissima Italian Prodigy
- Best for easy, everyday styling: Hershesons Multi-Styler:
How I tested
To keep things fair, I tested each multi-styler using the exact same routine on freshly washed, towel-dried hair, using each tool for a full week.
Every styler was used for rough-drying, smoothing, adding volume and creating curls or waves (where attachments allowed).
I paid close attention to how easy each tool was to use, how quickly it got the job done and whether the results actually lasted after the first hour.
I also looked at how close each one came to the Dyson Airwrap experience, from airflow and heat control to frizz reduction and shine.
Weight, noise and value for money all came into consideration, because great hair should feel effortless.
The best Dyson Airwrap alternatives
1. Best overall Dyson Airwrap alternative: Shark Glam multi-styler
| Shark Glam Multi-Styler | ★★★★★ |
| Number of attachments | 6 |
| Number of speeds | 3 |
| Heat settings | 3 |
After testing all five tools side by side, the Shark Glam multi-styler really stood out for me.
It's definitely on the more expensive side compared to the other alternatives I tried, but it also delivered the most consistently good results.
At £399, it's still an investment, and I won't pretend it isn't.
But after using it every day for a full week, it started to feel easier to justify.
From the very first use, it felt well designed and comfortable to hold, with attachments that clicked on securely and never felt flimsy.
What I noticed straight away was the airflow. It felt stronger and more consistent than the other tools, which meant I could style thicker sections of hair without spending ages going over the same pieces.
The balance between airflow and heat also felt right - powerful enough to get the job done quickly, but gentle enough that my hair still felt soft and looked healthy afterwards.
It's also quieter than I expected for a tool with this much power.
In terms of smoothness, shine and frizz control, the results felt very close to what I usually get when I've used my Dyson Airwrap.
It managed to deliver the same kind of polished, salon-style finish but at a more affordable price point.
This is why it makes a great option if you want consistent results without spending quite as much.
2. Best budget Dyson Airwrap alternative: Clara Multi Styler
| Clara Multi Styler | ★★★★★ |
| Number of attachments | 6 |
| Number of speeds | 3 |
| Heating levels | 3 |
The Clara Multi Styler doesn't try to be flashy or overly clever - it focuses on getting the basics right, and for the price, that really works in its favour.
Over the week I used it, I found it delivered soft, natural-looking results rather than a super-polished finish, which actually made it ideal for everyday styling.
Switching between attachments was quick and easy, so I could style my hair without disrupting my routine.
The three heat and airflow settings, plus a cool shot, made it simple to tailor the style to my hair type.
When it came to volume and smoothing, it gave my hair a noticeable lift and a smoother finish, especially for loose waves and smooth blow-dries.
The styler is light, comfortable and manageable to use, even during longer styling sessions.
One small frustration is the placement of the cool shot button, which I sometimes pressed by accident.
However, noise-wise it felt comparable to a regular hair dryer rather than anything overly loud.
Therefore, the Clara Multi Styler is a solid and affordable multi-tool.
3. Best Dyson Airwrap alternative for salon-style blowouts: Beauty Works Aeris multi-styler
| Beauty Works Aeris multi-styler | ★★★★★ |
| Number of attachments | 6 |
| Number of speeds | 3 |
| Heat settings | 4 |
The Beauty Works Aeris Multi-Styler feels like one of the more high-tech options in this round-up, thanks to its brushless digital motor.
Over the week I used it, it dried my hair noticeably quicker than a standard dryer, without sounding overly loud in the process.
The advanced ionic technology helped smooth frizz and boost shine for a polished finish after each style.
It comes with a solid range of attachments for drying, smoothing, adding volume and creating loose waves, and while they're easy to switch between, the magnetic design means they can twist or come loose if you're not careful when setting the tool down.
Comfort-wise, it's well balanced and easy to hold, so my arm never felt like it had just done a workout.
The super-long three-metre cable also made styling far more convenient.
In terms of results, styles held well through the day - especially smooth blow-dries and bouncy waves - without dropping or frizzing too quickly.
I also loved that it remembers your last settings, so you're not constantly adjusting the controls every time you use it.
While it's not the cheapest option in this round-up, the Aeris feels thoughtfully designed and delivers reliable salon-style results.
4. Best Dyson airwrap alternative for longer hair: Bellissima Italia Prodigy
| Bellissima Italia Prodigy | ★★★★★ |
| Number of attachments | 6 |
| Number of speeds | 3 |
| Heat settings | 3 |
The Bellissima Italia Prodigy styler really feels like a true all-in-one tool, covering pretty much everything you need for styling at home.
While it took me a little time to get the hang of it at first, once I'd cracked it, it became genuinely satisfying to use.
All of the attachments lock into place easily with a simple slide-and-twist motion, and the wand itself is impressively lightweight and comfortable to manoeuvre.
It's also surprisingly quiet in use, which made styling feel calmer than with a standard hair dryer.
You get three fan speeds, three temperature settings and a cold blast, which is ideal for locking in your look.
Throughout the day, I found my bouncy waves held reasonably well—not perfectly—but I didn't use hairspray and my hair is very thick and long, so curls rarely last on me anyway because of the weight.
Because of the size of the styling heads, I do think this tool would be especially well suited to someone with medium to long hair.
If you're after easy curls, a comfortable tool and a gentler approach to heat at a much friendlier price, the Bellissima does a really good job.
5. Best Dyson airwrap alternative that uses heat: Hershesons Multi-Styler
| Hershesons Multi-Styler | ★★★★★ |
| Number of attachments | 3 |
The Hershesons Multi-Styler was easily the most straightforward tool I tested—and honestly, that's exactly what I liked about it.
Instead of an airflow system, it uses traditional heated styling—which meant my curls and waves held their shape far better than I expected.
From the first use it felt comfortable in my hand—with a lightweight design and it was noticeably quieter than most hot-air tools.
You don't get loads of attachments—but the ones included feel really well thought out.
The brush gave my hair a smooth， polished finish， while the wand created soft， natural curls that lasted well throughout the day。
It doesn't work on damp hair like the Dyson Airwrap， so you do need to start with dry hair， and it can take a little while to heat up。
It comes in two sizes - one for shorter hair and one for longer lengths - and while it's probably the most different option in this line-up， it's still a great choice if you want simple， reliable styling that actually lasts。