Dyson’s new Supersonic Travel hair dryer drops to $299.99 in the US, offering a 32 percent reduction in size and 25 percent lighter build compared to the original 2016 model while maintaining full backward compatibility with existing attachments.
The device, unveiled this week, addresses a long-standing pain point for international travelers: voltage incompatibility. Unlike its predecessor, the Supersonic Travel automatically adjusts to local electrical standards, eliminating the need for bulky converters or the risk of motor damage when used abroad. This feature was notably absent in earlier launches like the Coanda 2x Airwrap, where attachment incompatibility frustrated early adopters.
Pricing varies by region — £249.99 in the UK and AU$449 in Australia (approximately $340 USD) — though Dyson has not yet confirmed international rollout dates beyond these markets. The travel model retains the intelligent heat control system that measures airflow temperature 100 times per second to prevent heat damage, a technology first highlighted in TechRadar’s testing of the original Supersonic.
Backward compatibility remains a key selling point. Users who already own Dyson Supersonic or Supersonic Nural attachments can continue using them without repurchasing, a deliberate contrast to past product transitions that forced consumers into new ecosystems. The Styling Concentrator is included in the box; other tools like the Diffuser, Wide Tooth Comb, and Flyaway Smoother are sold separately.
Dyson’s expansion into hair care now extends beyond hardware. Since launching the Supersonic a decade ago — a move that ignited the premium hair gadget market — the company has released multiple iterations of the Airwrap curler, Corrale straightener, and Airstrait wet-to-dry straightener, alongside topical products like oils, serums, and scalp treatments. This diversification has spurred a wave of dupes, most notably the Shark Flexstyle, as competitors attempt to replicate Dyson’s airflow-based styling technology.
The Supersonic Travel’s compact form factor — small enough to fit in a purse or carry-on luggage — positions it directly against the underpowered, often damaging hotel hair dryers that TechRadar described as either “wheezing warm air” or “blasting it with heat.” By contrast, Dyson’s Scalp Protect Mode automatically lowers temperature for gentler drying, a feature aimed at reducing long-term hair stress during frequent travel.
While the device matches the core performance of its full-sized counterpart, questions linger about whether the reduced size impacts airflow power or drying time — details Dyson has not yet disclosed in its public specifications. The company’s history of iterative updates, such as the 2024 Supersonic r aimed at professionals before reaching consumers, suggests further refinements may follow.
Is the Dyson Supersonic Travel actually quieter than the original model?
The sources do not provide any information about noise levels or decibel comparisons between the Supersonic Travel and the original Supersonic hair dryer, so this question cannot be answered based on the available material.
Can the Supersonic Travel be used with attachments from the Supersonic r model?
The sources confirm backward compatibility with existing Dyson Supersonic and Supersonic Nural attachments but do not mention compatibility with the Supersonic r model’s RFID-enabled attachments, so this cannot be confirmed from the provided information.
