The well-known adage is true: wherever there’s a Dyson product, there’s undoubtedly a copycat, and this is exceptionally true when it comes to Dyson’s beauty range.

The company entered the realm of beauty in 2016 with the release of the now-famous Supersonic, a hair dryer that revolutionized the industry with its design that focused on enhancing airflow and minimizing hair damage. Even eight years later, it’s still hailed as one of the best hair dryers available, an attestation to the fact that Dyson’s gamble on beauty technology was a resounding success. Despite its impressive features, it comes with a hefty price tag of $429, a cost you don’t necessarily have to bear for an excellent home hair drying experience.

So, what sets the Dyson Supersonic apart?

The Supersonic initially made headlines due to its innovative and futuristic design, a characteristic Dyson is renowned for. But beyond aesthetics, the sleek design serves a practical purpose. The unique ring-shaped head moves away from the traditional vented and coiled model of hair dryers and houses a compact V9 motor in the handle. This combo of the V9 motor and Air Multiplier technology results in a lightweight dryer (only 1.8 pounds) that still offers a powerful and noticeably quieter airflow compared to traditional models. This robust airflow reduces heat reliance, minimizing hair damage.

To further protect hair, the Supersonic also checks the air temperature up to 20 times per second and uses an inbuilt ionizer to minimize static and lend a smooth finish to your hair. This ionizing technology is one reason why the Dyson Supersonic yields such speedy and excellent results, and why hair dryers with ionizers tend to be more expensive – they do more than just dry hair.

The Supersonic also comes with magnetic attachments, designed for easy attachment to the dryer, enhancing its innovative feel. These include a styling concentrator, a flyaway attachment, a diffuser, a gentle air attachment, and a wide-tooth comb.

Why does the Dyson Supersonic have such a high price tag?

At $429, the Supersonic is undeniably a significant investment. However, what you’re paying for is a durable high-end motor, multiple heat settings for hair protection, a groundbreaking design, and the ionic technology. Other dryers from popular brands like T3, ghd, and Harry Josh offer some similar features and cost between $150 and $350, but none can quite replicate the allure of the Supersonic.

In my experience testing the Supersonic, I found it to have a luxury feel that distinguishes it from other hair dryers. But remember: the Dyson Supersonic is not a new kid on the block. It’s nearly a decade old.

Despite Dyson releasing an updated model called the Supersonic Nural last year, the only new feature it offers is a “smart” sensor. Other than that, the Supersonic sold today is identical to the one launched in 2016. This speaks volumes about how well the Supersonic has stood the test of time. However, it also means Dyson’s competitors have had ample time to develop alternatives at a fraction of the price.

So, what is the best alternative to the Dyson Supersonic?

While there are many luxury dryers and lookalikes that mimic Dyson but compromise on quality, it’s best to avoid cheap knockoffs that simply imitate Dyson’s signature design. I assure you they won’t perform the same, and you’d be lucky if they lasted six months.

Instead, I’ve tested an array of hair dryers, some visually similar to the Supersonic, and some that bear no resemblance. My goal was to identify the best hair dryers that offer a comparable experience to the Supersonic: quick, easy, and at least a bit luxurious hair drying.

Below, you’ll find my detailed analysis of the top five alternatives to the Dyson Supersonic.

The methodology of how I tested these alternatives is also included for your reference. I aimed to identify products that not only looked similar to the Supersonic but also matched its performance. I took into account customer reviews, damage-minimizing features, and other standout features. Additionally, I considered the potential lifespan of the product, as it’s not worth spending less on a dupe if you’ll have to replace it more often. The main idea was to find a cost-effective alternative to the Supersonic that would save money over the long run.