Having already re-engineered vacuum cleaners and fans from the ground up, Dyson has now applied its expertise at moving air to an appliance you probably use every day, and despise doing so. The Dyson Supersonic wants to replace the hair dryer in your bathroom with a lighter, safer, and quieter alternative.
The starting point for the redesign, and the biggest improvement Dyson has made to hair dryers, is with the size of their motors. The monster on the left, which is what you’ll find in most high-end hair dryers, has been replaced with the company’s new V9 digital motor pictured on the right, which is about as large as a D-sized battery.
Not only does the new V9 motor make the Dyson Supersonic lighter and more efficient, it’s also been specifically engineered to shift some of the high-pitched sounds hair dryers often produce to an even higher frequency beyond the reach of human hearing. The motor’s compact design also means it can be integrated into the Supersonic’s handle, instead of the head, completely changing its weight distribution, and making it more comfortable to hold and use for prolonged periods.
To ensure the smaller V9 motor still produces the same intense blast of air as other hair dryers, the Supersonic borrows the air multiplier techniques used by Dyson’s fans, heaters, and air purifiers. The torrent of air from the motor is amplified by air sucked through the Supersonic’s hollow head for increased power. And because the motor itself is drawing air through a filter on the bottom of the device’s handle, there’s less risk of the user’s hair accidentally getting near and sucked into it.
Dyson has also made the Supersonic safer to use in other ways, particularly when it comes to heat. To prevent burns, sensors monitor the heating elements in the head 20 times every second to ensure a constant temperature is maintained—automatically shutting the unit down should it get too hot. And the Supersonic’s accessories, including a concentrator, smoothing nozzle, and diffuser, attach using a magnetic ring, and feature double-walled designs keeping the heat on the inside so the outside remains cool to the touch and easy to swap out.
As for pricing? That’s where the Dyson Supersonic might be less appealing for some. The company’s products have always come with steep price tags, and the $400 Supersonic—available come September in the US—is no different. That being said, if over the years you’ve had a few nasty run-ins with hair dryers leaving you with battle scars and burn marks, you might already have your credit card at the ready.
[Dyson]