In 2016, Dyson entered the beauty space with the Supersonic hair dryer. During a global launch in Seoul today, founder James Dyson unveiled his latest evolution, the Supersonic Nural.
Dubbed “Dyson’s smartest hair dryer,” the Nural has three new smart settings and a new special attachment for curly and wavy hair.
Dyson’s latest tool uses a network of ‘Nural’ sensors to activate heat modes, recognize the user’s head, apply preferred settings, and more. The company also claims that these sensors improve the styling experience, enhance hair shine, and prevent heat damage.
In particular, the most interesting new feature is the Scalp Protect mode. This mode automatically reduces the heat to 55 degrees Celsius (the optimal temperature identified by Dyson for scalp comfort and drying speed) as the hair dryer approaches the scalp. Using a time-of-flight sensor, the hair dryer projects an invisible infrared beam to measure the distance between the machine and the user’s head. But for easy reference, the dryer turns on a yellow light on the end cap to show that this mode is activated.
The illuminations also change color to show different heat settings. The LED light color will flash between cool blue, yellow (low heat), orange (medium heat), and red (high heat), depending on the heat setting, the distance between the machine and the head, and the user’s learned preferences.
Getting hands-on with the dryer during a press event last week, I found that switching between heat modes was pretty easy. Additionally, if you don’t want to activate Scalp Protect every time you use the device, it has a separate switch on the top of the lid. The switches are quite smooth and like the previous model, the airflow and heat settings are also excellent.
Supersonic Nural also features a new pause sensing mode, which turns off heat and reduces airflow and noise when the dryer is placed. Dyson notes that this mode is ideal for users who need to part their hair while styling their hair or even when chatting over a hair dryer (I mean, who hasn’t tried this and failed before).
When I tried Pause Detect mode for myself, I was amazed. The dryer becomes almost silent, limiting heat and airflow a millisecond after you put it down. This feature will be a saving grace for products (like powder or makeup) on the counter and for taking breaks between hair drying (because sometimes it feels like an absolute chore).
Another smart feature of Nural is newly learned settings preferences that match new and improved accessories. When a user inserts an accessory, the device selects style preferences and remembers the last heat and airflow settings used by the user for each accessory. From there, the dryer supposedly applies these settings the next time the accessory is used.
Speaking of new accessories, Dyson has designed a new Wave+Curl diffuser that helps define and shape natural hair patterns in two different modes. The accessory allows the user to remove the spike insert and use it in “dome” mode, which promotes elongated waves with reversible vortex airflow. In “diffuse” mode, the spiked insert helps provide airflow to the roots for deeper, more defined curls.
Surprisingly, the new Supersonic model will not debut in the usual Iron/Fuschia colorways that we have seen on previous products. Complementing the new built-in sensors, the model will feature a new transparent end cap to show off the technology inside, similar to that seen on the latest Dyson stick vacuums, and comes in two vibrant color combinations, Ceramic Patina/Topaz and Vinca Blue/Topaz.
Launching for the first time in Australia, the Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer will be available from midnight on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Retailing for AU$749 (around $491/£385), It comes with five accessories and other accessories will also be offered. In terms of price, the Supersonic Nural will cost AU$100 more than the standard model, but with additional smart features and new technology, the inflated price checks out (despite being a tough pill to swallow for a hair dryer). We expect launches in the US and UK later this year.
