Quick answer Pick the Shark FlexStyle if you have curls, want an included diffuser or a lower price. Pick the Dyson Airwrap for its larger attachment set and storage case, but only if your hair holds an air-styled curl. If you mostly blow-dry, a dryer plus a hot air brush costs far less.
The Airwrap vs FlexStyle question comes down to price and hair type, because both tools promise the same thing: curls, a smooth blowout and drying from one handle, without the direct contact heat of a curling iron.
At launch the Airwrap cost $550 and the FlexStyle $350, and whichever one you buy for yourself or wrap as a gift has to work on that particular head of hair, not just look good in a review video.
This guide skips the unboxing and works through the decision the way a stylist would. It covers budget first, then hair type, how well your hair holds a curl, which attachments you’ll actually use, how much the heat claims matter and what happens when something breaks. By the end you’ll know which one to buy, or whether a much cheaper dryer and hot air brush would serve you better.
Time 20-30 minutes to decide, plus a curl test within the return windowDifficulty BeginnerSteps 9
Dyson Airwrap vs Shark FlexStyle at a Glance
| Feature | Dyson Airwrap | Shark FlexStyle |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $550 | $350 |
| Attachments in the box | 7 | 4, or 3 of 8 direct |
| Motor | 1,300W | 1,400W |
| Diffuser included | No | Yes |
| Storage case | Included | Check the bundle |
| Heat monitoring claim | 40+ checks/sec, under 302°F | 1,000 checks/sec, no-heat setting |
What You’ll Need
As an Amazon Associate, HairAide earns from qualifying purchases. Product links in this guide are affiliate links: they cost you nothing extra and help keep these tutorials free.
- Dyson Airwrap multi-styler The bigger 7-attachment kit with a storage case, for hair that holds an air-styled curl.
- Shark FlexStyle air styling and drying system The lower-priced pick that includes a diffuser for curly hair and pivots into a dryer shape.
- One-step hot air brush The budget alternative for anyone who mostly wants a smooth, full blowout.
- Hair dryer with diffuser and comb nozzle Dries very thick or coily hair faster and diffuses curls if you choose the Airwrap or skip both.
- Heat protectant spray Reduces heat stress from any of these tools, whatever their temperature controls claim.
Step-by-Step
Step 1 Set your budget and styling frequency
Start with money, because it narrows the field fastest. The Airwrap launched at $550 and the FlexStyle at $350, and both are discounted often in holiday sales, so check today’s price instead of trusting a launch figure. Then be honest about how often you’ll use it.
A multi-styler earns its price when it replaces two or three tools you use several times a week. If you style once a week for nights out, the cost per use climbs fast. Set your ceiling before you compare features, so a longer attachment list doesn’t talk you into a tool you’d use twice a month.
Step 2 Match the tool to fine or thick hair
Fine hair dries quickly and goes flat easily, so it gets the most from low heat and a volumizing round brush. Both tools offer low settings, so what usually decides it for fine hair is whether curls last (step 4).
Thick, dense hair has the opposite problem: it takes longer to dry, and air-only curling barrels have more hair to move in every section. On thick hair, use smaller sections with either tool and expect to take longer than with a basic dryer, because airflow is doing the work instead of contact heat.
The FlexStyle pivots into a conventional dryer shape so you can rough-dry quickly before switching to brushes. Newer Airwrap models do the same job with a separate dryer attachment.
Step 3 Decide for curly or coily hair
If you wear your curls natural, the FlexStyle has the clearer advantage. It includes a diffuser and the Airwrap does not, and a diffuser is what lets curls dry without being blown apart into frizz.
If you still lean toward the Airwrap, budget for a separate dryer with a diffuser. If you have coily hair you want to stretch or blow out, both smoothing brushes can work.
Very dense coils need many passes per small section, though, and a powerful dryer with a comb nozzle often stretches them faster, leaving the multi-styler for finishing. Whichever you choose, keep sections small and tension gentle, because tightly coiled strands are weakest at the bends.
Step 4 Test how your hair holds an air curl
Both tools curl with airflow, not a hot plate. The Airwrap’s barrels use the Coanda effect to pull a section of hair around the barrel, and the FlexStyle’s Auto-Wrap curlers use the same airflow idea, with curls in either direction. Air-styled curls are softer than iron curls.
Hair that resists curling, such as very fine, slippery straight hair or heavy, thick hair, can lose them within hours on either tool. A curl holds when hair dries and cools in its new shape, because that is when its hydrogen bonds reset.
So start on hair that is mostly dry but still slightly damp, give each section a few seconds of cool shot on the barrel, and let it cool completely before you touch it. If your curls still drop after that, neither tool will match a curling iron on your hair, and that’s a strong reason to go cheaper.
Step 5 Compare attachments, motor and noise
Count only the attachments you’ll actually use. The Airwrap ships with 7 and the FlexStyle with 4, or with 3 you pick from 8 options if you buy direct from Shark, which lets you skip brushes you’d never touch.
The Airwrap includes a storage case, useful on a shared counter or for travel, and the FlexStyle includes the diffuser. The FlexStyle’s motor is rated 1,400W and the Airwrap’s 1,300W, but wattage measures power draw, not drying time. Real drying speed depends on airflow, how dense your hair is and how wet it starts, and no independent standard test settles which is faster.
For long hair, check the barrel length in the exact bundle you’re buying. Both run at roughly hair-dryer volume, and how loud is too loud is personal, so if noise matters, try it within the return window.
Step 6 Read the heat claims realistically
Dyson says the Airwrap checks airflow temperature more than 40 times per second and keeps it under 302°F. Shark says the FlexStyle checks 1,000 times per second and offers a no-heat setting.
Both features are designed to stop temperature spikes, which is useful, but heat damage also builds up over months of repeated styling, not only from one hot moment. A higher check rate doesn’t by itself mean less damage, because what matters is how hot your hair actually gets and for how long.
Sources also disagree on whether the FlexStyle has three or four heat settings, so confirm the count on the current listing. Treat these features as a safety net, not permission to style daily on the highest setting.
Step 7 Check warranty, spares and compatibility
Buy from the brand or an authorized retailer, because warranty claims usually need proof of purchase from one, and units from unauthorized sellers can be turned down. Register the tool when it arrives and keep the receipt.
Warranty terms vary by model and country, so read the length on the listing instead of assuming. Attachments are brand-specific: Dyson pieces don’t fit the Shark or the other way round, and not every attachment fits every generation of the same brand, so match spares to your model number.
Both tools have removable filters that need regular cleaning. A clogged filter makes a styler run hot and cut out, and that is the most common ‘it broke’ complaint that is really a maintenance problem.
Step 8 Know when to skip both
If you mostly blow-dry straight or just want volume, a well-made dryer plus a one-step hot air brush gets you most of the result for a fraction of either price. That pairing also suits very thick hair when speed matters more than versatility, because a dedicated dryer usually moves more air than a multi-styler head.
Skip both, too, if your hair dropped air-styled curls in the step 4 test and you want curls that last all day; a curling iron still holds better on that kind of hair. And if your hair is already breaking from heat, spend the money on a trim before any new tool.
Step 9 Match the verdict to who it’s for
For a gift, choose by the person, not the brand. Someone curly who diffuses: the FlexStyle, for the included diffuser. Someone who wants the full kit and a storage case, travels a lot, and has hair that holds an air curl: the Airwrap.
A student or first-time styler on a budget: the FlexStyle, or a hot air brush. Someone who just wants a fast, smooth blowout: a good dryer and a hot air brush. Include a gift receipt, because only the recipient’s own hair can run the curl test that settles it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing on wattage alone. A 100W difference says little about how fast your own hair will dry.
- Curling soaking-wet or bone-dry hair with the wrapping barrels, then deciding the tool doesn’t work. They curl best on hair that is mostly dry but still slightly damp.
- Assuming attachments swap between brands or between generations of the same brand.
- Buying from an unauthorized third-party seller and finding out later the warranty won’t cover it.
- Paying for a multi-styler when you only ever blow-dry straight.
Pro tip Run the curl test on second-day hair inside the return window. Curl sections that are mostly dry, set each one with the cool shot, and check again after four hours. Whichever tool’s curls last on your hair is the answer, whatever the reviews say.
The Bottom Line
Neither tool is better for everyone. The FlexStyle is the value pick and the better choice for curls, thanks to its included diffuser and lower launch price. The Airwrap is the bigger kit with a storage case, a good buy if your hair holds an air-styled curl. Run the curl test within the return window, and clean the filter regularly so whichever you choose doesn’t overheat.
If your hair won’t hold air curls, if you only blow-dry, or if heat has already left your ends splitting, skip both. A dryer and a hot air brush cover everyday styling, and a stylist can tell you whether a trim or a treatment should come first. If it’s a gift, tuck the receipt in the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dyson Airwrap worth the extra money over the Shark FlexStyle?
It's worth it if you'll use most of its 7 attachments, want the included storage case, and your hair holds an air-styled curl. At launch it cost $200 more than the FlexStyle ($550 vs $350). For curly hair, the FlexStyle's included diffuser makes it the better value. Check current prices, because both are discounted often.
Is the Shark FlexStyle good for curly hair?
Yes. For curls you wear natural it's the stronger of the two, because it includes a diffuser and the Airwrap does not. Diffuse on low heat and low speed so curls dry in their clumps. For coily hair you want stretched, it's good for finishing, but a powerful dryer with a comb nozzle is often faster on very dense hair.
Do I still need heat protectant with the Airwrap or FlexStyle?
Yes. Both tools' temperature monitoring limits spikes, but damage also builds from repeated heat over time. Mist a heat protectant through towel-dried hair before every session and use the lowest heat that works. If you use a curling iron instead, use it on completely dry hair only, at up to about 300°F (150°C) for fine or bleached hair and 355-390°F (180-200°C) for coarse hair.
Can I use Dyson Airwrap attachments on the Shark FlexStyle?
No. Attachments are brand-specific, and not every attachment fits every generation of the same brand, so match any spares to your exact model number. Buy replacements from the brand or an authorized retailer so they're genuine and fit properly, and so a third-party part can't complicate a warranty claim.
Keep Reading
Sources
- Shark flexstyle vs dyson airwrap womanandhome.com
- Dyson airwrap vs shark flexstyle techradar.com
- Shark flexstyle vs dyson airwrap expertreviews.co.uk
- Dyson airwrap vs shark flexstyle purewow.com
