The best Dyson Airwrap dupes under $300 — including the Shark FlexStyle

Read our full review of the Shark FlexStyle.

The similarities between the Airwrap and the FlexStyle(opens in a new tab) go way beyond the fact that they're both high-end, futuristic-looking hair tools made by vacuum companies. For starters, they're the only devices of their kind that employ an aerodynamic phenomenon called the Coanda effect(opens in a new tab) — this creates a spinning vortex of warm air that attracts and automatically wraps hair around their barrels, which gently dries while adding volume. They also come equipped with temperature regulation technology to minimize heat damage, and include interchangeable attachments for a range of different hair types and textures.

The FlexStyle would be impressive if its spec sheet stopped there, considering it retails for only $270 (or $280, if you want to customize its configuration). Except it doesn't: It one-ups the Airwrap with a twistable base lets it double as a normal hair dryer and a diffuser attachment for curly hair; Dyson doesn't offer one. The FlexStyle isn't just an Airwrap dupe — it's a true Airwrap competitor.

This isn't to say the FlexStyle is flawless. It doesn't include a nice storage case or tell you exactly how hot it gets like the Airwrap does. It takes a little longer to dry, it's slightly louder, and it's missing that designer feel. But according to Mashable Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard, who's spent several months with both tools, its overall value makes it the better choice for most buyers: "[It's] hard for me to imagine a reason why you'd opt for the [Airwrap] unless you're into big purchases for the sake of big purchases, or if you're especially loyal to Dyson," she said.

Read our full review of the GHD Rise.

The London-based hair tool manufacturer GHD (which stands for "Good Hair Day") is best known for its Platinum+ Styler, an award-winning flat iron. But it also deserves props for the Rise, a stellar thermal brush from 2020 featuring a 1.25-inch barrel and short nylon bristles that don't pull or create frizz. It's not an Airwrap dupe in terms of being able to style while drying, as it needs to be used on already-dry hair, but it can effortlessly and quietly produce equivalent salon-rivaling shape and body without extreme damage.

Mashable Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart came across the Rise after years of searching for a tool that would get her long, thick hair to cooperate for an at-home blowout. "My Beachwaver curling iron makes curls too spiraled and separated," she said. "Curling with my GHD straightener risks giving curls an accidental crease. Going the true blowout route with a hair dryer and a round brush is too loud, sweaty, and exhausting for my arms. The GHD Rise has been a solution to nearly all of these gripes."

The Rise is Airwrappian in that it comes with automatic heat-regulation technology, though it stays at a constant 365 degrees. GHD's website deems(opens in a new tab) this "the optimum temperature for styling on every hair type," and Stodart considers it a plus rather than a drawback: "It means I can get started on my hair immediately without messing with settings," she said, "and I'd personally rather just have the experts tell me what temperature is safe for not frying my hair." However, heat protectant probably wouldn't hurt.

Read our full review of the Revlon One-Step.

The original Revlon One-Step(opens in a new tab) is a bestselling hot air brush from the beauty industry veteran that originally debuted back in 2016. It was one of the first Airwrap dupes to go massively viral on TikTok long before the "de-influencing" trend took off, and we can confirm that the hype is mostly real: Its large barrel produces nice bounce, shape, and shine with minimal effort, and it's often on sale for $30 or less. Even at MSRP, you could buy ten One-Steps for the same cost as a single Airwrap.

Of course, you're going to make some sacrifices at this price point. While Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard didn't find the One-Step too heavy to hold for longer periods of time, as many TikTokers have, she did note that it's big and bulky to store. Its name is also a little misleading: You're going to fry your ends if you use it without partially pre-drying your hair first, so there's technically more than one step in the styling process.

Relatedly, this isn't the Airwrap dupe to pick if you're concerned about heat damage, as it can get quite hot. Allard says that even if you only utilize the low and cool settings, but especially if you use the high setting, that heat protectant should be a priority. At least its ultra-low price means you've got the wiggle room in your budget for a bottle of some fancy serum or spray.