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Dyson supersonic V ghd helios: Which hair dryer is the best?

We put the leading brands head to head to see which tool will give you frizz-free and polished locks

Chloë James
Tuesday 14 April 2020 16:45 BST
Can the new competitor knock the queen of dryers off the top spot?
Can the new competitor knock the queen of dryers off the top spot? (iStock/The Independent)

Who needs a salon when you can achieve the perfect blow dry at home? Styling tools have come a long way in the past few years, and hair dryers are no exception.

Dyson set the bar when it integrated the same technology as its vacuum cleaners into the supersonic hairdryer back in 2012.

Since then a whole horde of rival tools have cropped up trying to take its place as leader of the pack, with ghd launching its latest competitor – the ghd helios – in March this year.

Like most impressive hair dryers, this utilises ionic technology to neutralise static and frizz and give you a more polished finish.

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However, there are more than a few significant differences between the helios and the supersonic models.

We tested the power and efficiency of each device to establish which is the best investment for your hair.

The verdict: Which should you buy?

The Dyson may have been the reigning champion of the hair dryer world for four years now, but ghd is the first competitor worthy of the title.

More powerful than the Dyson for two thirds of the price, the ghd helios a must-have for any haircare lover. It’s particularly useful for those with longer, thicker hair who find that their blow dry takes a chunk out of their morning routine.

Admittedly, the ghd helios is less sophisticated than the Dyson supersonic. The latter features small touches that improve your hair dryer in ways you didn’t know you needed, such as redistributing the weight to the handle and relocating the vent.

But in defence of the ghd helios, it is a much more traditional tool that is easier to adapt to than the Dyson supersonic. While there are fewer manual temperatures or speed options, you can rest easy knowing that you can sit back and trust the hair dryer to do what’s best for your hair, without consciously changing the settings.

Reliable, powerful and easy to use – not to mention more affordable – our top choice is the ghd helios. However, if you’re someone who regularly uses their hair dryer for more complex styling, you might want to consider investing in the Dyson supersonic.

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