According to Kavya Nair, a Dyson designer based in Singapore, the brand developed the Airsmooth to provide a more travel-friendly, standalone solution specifically optimized for wet-to-dry styling. Choosing a brush format was a deliberate decision driven by several factors, including the immense popularity of the blow-dry brush category, which boasts one of the largest user bases among all hot styling tools. Furthermore, the smoothing and round brush attachments have historically been among the most frequently used components of the Airwrap system, yet the company lacked a dedicated, standalone blow-dry brush in its portfolio.
Beyond filling a gap in the product lineup, Nair notes that the Airsmooth development team saw an opportunity to address the needs of consumers who have traditionally felt underserved by the brand’s existing tools, particularly individuals within the textured hair community. Nair explained that the design team wanted to tackle the reality that previous products did not always deliver the performance desired by users with type 3 curly and type 4 coily hair patterns. Despite a bumpy pre-launch reception on social media, sentiment among individuals with tighter curl patterns has evolved, earning enthusiastic endorsements from several creators and users.
To evaluate whether the Airsmooth truly serves as an all-in-one styling solution for every hair type and whether it warrants a purchase for those who already own an Airwrap, beauty editors and contributors tested the device across four distinct hair types and textures.
The Design and Technology
At first glance, the Airsmooth resembles many other hot air brushes on the market. It features a lightweight, ergonomic build, with the most visually distinctive exterior feature being its teardrop-shaped brush head. However, closer inspection reveals a more significant engineering difference: the bristles. The device features slim, hyper-flexible bristles entirely devoid of the traditional ball-tipped ends found on most standard brushes and combs.
Nair explains that during the research and development phase, two primary user complaints consistently emerged from consumers with fine, thin hair and coily hair types: scalp discomfort and hair breakage. Investigators discovered that traditional ball-tipped bristles were largely responsible, as they frequently catch and snap knots rather than guiding smoothly through them.
At the same time, different hair textures present contrasting demands. High-tension tools that offer substantial control are favored by the curly and coily community, but those same characteristics can cause discomfort or pain for individuals with finer Asian or European hair types who require greater flexibility. To bridge this gap, the development team engineered two distinct bristle types: AntiSnag loops and PivotFlex bristles.
The AntiSnag loops, which are also utilized on the Dyson Airwrap’s Anti-Snag Loop Brush attachment, are designed to flex and release tangles around the bristle structure rather than tearing through the hair shaft. Meanwhile, the Eiffel Tower-shaped PivotFlex bristles are thinner, engineered to bend up to 90 degrees, and built with an open-base architecture. This configuration adapts to varying hair textures to eliminate tangles with minimal mechanical force while helping to diffuse airflow and minimize frizz. These advanced bristles are arranged around the teardrop-shaped head, where the narrower edge improves root accessibility and the flat sides facilitate smoothing and straightening.
Why Isn’t It an Airwrap Attachment?
Positioned as a standalone device rather than an interchangeable component, the Airsmooth is designed for consumers prioritizing convenience, affordability, and portability over multi-styling versatility. Nair describes the goal as bringing wet-to-dry styling capabilities to a hot brush format optimized for users on the move.
While the Airsmooth is priced at $250 and is comparable in weight to other styling tools, it offers a notable advantage for frequent international travelers. The Airwrap functions as a comprehensive styling system that demands substantial electrical power, meaning individual devices are manufactured with region-specific voltages that prevent them from operating safely abroad without specialized converters. By contrast, the lower-power Airsmooth can operate globally with a standard plug adapter.
Who Is the Dyson Airsmooth For?
Designed to accommodate a broad audience, the Airsmooth follows a performance curve where users in the middle categories—specifically those with type 2 waves and type 3 curls of medium thickness—are most readily able to achieve high-volume, shiny blowouts. Professional stylists note that these hair types see immediate smoothing and bounce with minimal physical exertion.
For consumers situated at the outer edges of the spectrum, results vary according to styling goals. Professional hairstylists emphasize that while individuals with type 4 coily hair will not achieve a traditional silk press using only a hot air brush, they can successfully obtain a stretched, voluminous blowout by working in small sections and utilizing proper thermal and styling products. Those seeking an ultra-sleek, pin-straight finish may find alternative tools more suitable, but individuals who prefer a soft, full blowout can significantly reduce their drying time.
Conversely, individuals with fine and thin hair may not experience dramatic volume flips, though stylists note that traditional round-brush blowouts on fine hair similarly require dedicated technique. For these hair types, the device functions effectively as a rapid general dryer, though some professionals recommend traditional rough-drying followed by a curling iron for maximum volume.
Allure Reviews
Eden Stuart, contributing writer with short-medium length, coily, and thick hair, found that while the tool does not replace a flatiron for a silk press, it streamlined the initial smoothing phase significantly. Despite working with larger sections than recommended, Stuart noted that the device dried roots quickly without causing the excessive heat or scalp discomfort typically experienced during heat styling. Although the finish yielded a natural blowout rather than a sleek 190s bob, the time saved made the tool a worthwhile addition to a styling routine.
Jessica Cruel, editor-in-chief with type 4 hair prone to shrinkage, tested a blow-dry brush for the first time. Using a thermal styling spray and a detangling brush beforehand, Cruel noted that the smooth tines bent easily with the hair structure, preventing the snagging typically associated with boar bristles. Although the overall styling duration remained similar to her traditional routine, the resulting blowout offered enhanced volume and successful root tension.
Sophia Panych, content director with long, fine, wavy hair, highlighted the ease with which the tool glided through damp, tangle-prone strands. Panych was able to achieve a sleek blowout in under ten minutes while utilizing the narrow edge for root precision, though she observed that the bristles left a notable amount of hair trapped on the brush head during detangling.
Jesa Marie Calaor, senior editor with long, thick, medium-coarse, and wavy hair, appreciated the rapid drying time and ergonomic root grip provided by the teardrop shape and bristle design. Prep work involving a moisture-sealing lotion and sectioning allowed Calaor to style her entire head in under 15 minutes. While the device delivered smooth movement and shine, Calaor noted that her existing Airwrap multi-styler ultimately provided a preferred styling result.
