Review: Dyson Supersonic vs Parlux 3200 Compact

[EatsShitAndLeaves]

Hi All,

I posted on AIBU about buying a Dyson Supersonic. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2649882-aibu-to-pre-order-a-new-dyson-hairdryer

Upshot is I ordered one and it came today. Following requests on that thread I said I would post a review here, specifically how it performed vs my current Parlux (which I really rate).

So here we go......

As background I have long (bra strap length), highlighted hair. The strands are fine, but there is a lot of them so I would class my hair as thick, but not coarse. It has a tendency to dryness from being colour treated and is also wavy - but not attractively so, rather if left to dry naturally it just looks frizzy and unkempt.

I start by towel drying my hair, applying Ojon Hair Oil and then use my Parlux, without the nozzle to get it to about 90% dry before styling. This takes around 5 minutes. I then attach the nozzle and use a round brush to style and straighten. When in a rush this takes about 10 minutes, but if I'm aiming for a "great hair day" or a special occasion I spend about 15 minutes. So on an average day I'd say drying time is 15 mins in total.

This is what attempted to replicate - in the interests of a direct comparison, with the Dyson today.

So, first impressions. It looks fantastic. The dryer itself and accessories (2 nozzles, a diffuser and mat) feel and look very high quality. The dryer itself is much lighter than my Parlux - which with a 15 min drying time is a big plus. The nozzles attached by magnets, which I was a bit sceptical about - but they are very secure.

So I started by using the dryer to get to my 90% stage without any attachments as per a direct comparison with my Parlux. Goodness me - it is powerful. Shockingly so - but in a good way. I then used the smoothing nozzle to style. It's also very, quiet - I'd say over half the noise of my Parlux - you can easily have a normal conversation whilst using it.

I started at 2.06 and I kid you not, by 2.14 I was done. It had got my hair to the 90% dry stage in 3 minutes and my styling took 5.

My hair looks great - as smooth as if I had tried a "great hair day" with my Parlux in half the time. The fact that its lighter also made the whole process a lot easier on my arms.

To be honest even though I ordered one I wasn't sure if I believe the hype - especially when up against a Parlux rather than a regular hair dryer - but I can say, on my hair type a least it delivers!!!

So here's the big question - is it better then my Parlux? I can say categorically yes (again caveating my hair type and the fact I didn't use the diffuser or the Styling concentrator nozzle).

However is it 3 times as good as my Parlux? To be honest, here I am faltering a bit. It is without a doubt the best hairdryer I have used, but at more than 3 time the price is it really worth it? I think it going to depend on how much reducing your drying time is worth to you.

I do love it and if you have the cash to splash then I would recommend it - but in all honesty I would probably still have to concede that in terms of value for money the Parlux still wins, even if the Dyson is the better dryer.

Pictures....

Thanks for this. I've been waiting for some reviews of this to come out.
How low does the temperature go on this? I like a really good cool shot, and so many hairdryers just seem to be lukewarm instead of actually cool.

I didn't actually test the cool shot function.

I'll pop upstairs and give it a go and report back.

Time saving, c1 hour a week, 50 a year. £200 extra cost is £4 an hour if it only lasts 1 year. If you can afford the upfront cost, it appears financially worth it.

Ok I ran it for a minute on its highest setting to make sure it was up to full temperature then pressed the cool shot. Took 2/3 seconds to get as cool as it could - but it was actually very good.

Tried the same on my Parlux and the Dyson was noticeably cooler.

I have the Parlux. Am tempted!

Thanks for your review, now I want one even more. Not even going to try and hide my jealousy.

Thanks for this . So, so tempted now....I see they do a 14 day return if you are not satisfied ...

Ooooo 14 day return if we don't like?? Oh dear, now that is almost too tempting to turn down....off to have a little browse online!

Great review.thanks.

Wish I had the cash to splash. I have a parallax. I loathe drying my hair .

I imagine they will eventually reduce in price .

*parlux

Sorry - I should probably have said for clarity that I have no affiliation with Dyson :-).

Sounds good but I can't justify that much as I only got my parlux at Christmas.

Interesting that you rate Parlux as I'm really not that impressed with mine. It's good but no better than my babyliss one as well as heavier and slower.

So I'm wondering if the parlux is better on different hair types. I'd need to try a dyson one first.

Oh bugger I was hoping you'd say it was shit!

I have to say that for that price it should come in a leather box as standard and not just for bloggers.

In that video it dried her hair very smoothly. If it was 200 I'd be tempted but 299 is pushing it for a hair dryer!

I would get it in a shot though,but counting the pennies atm

The comment about the box refers to the fact that in Ruth Crilly's review she shows it being "unboxed" from a leather case.

On my AIBU thread I noted that mine didn't come packaged that way - only as I have pictured above - so I assume hers was a special press version as I checked back on the Dyson site and there was no option to have it come in its own leather case.

I just thought it worth mentioning for people who see that review that the packaging is not I believe standard.

I googled and there is another type of box too as well as the leather one,so I do think you got short changed OP

Umm - feeling a bit miffed tbh

It bloody well should come in a leather box for that price. Gutted if you should've got one.

Just having a nosy around on google and I think the leather case was a limited edition and cost more ££.

To be honest, her hair doesnt look any different either side in they you tube video and if it does look slightly tousled, i reckon its down to the fact she dried them differently. She smooths the hair with the dyson and tousles it with the parlux!!! Its all in the head [pardon the pun]. You spend that amount of money and think, yeh, its a great hairdyer to justify the price. It looks like a good hairdryer but worth only the price of a Parlux. I think they will eventually come down in price and others will make similar. It hasn't changed my mind about spending £££ on a hairdryer.

TBH a £100 and a £300 hairdryer are luxery buys, and the difference is not great to people in that bracket. It will sell in salons and to thta market at that price.

I am soooo tempted to buy one!

I have thick hair that's just past shoulder length, wash it every day and dry with a diffuser through the week and blow it out on weekends. I spend at least 30 minutes a day drying it, and it's bloody tedious! I have the Parlux 385 with diffuser (smaller than I'd like it to be), but still find my hair can get over-frizzed no matter how careful / which products I use.

I love the idea of cutting down the drying time and the frizz... I wonder how long I'll hold out before I buy...

Never - I acknowledge your point, but to be clear I was fully prepared to say I didn't rate it if I'd found it didn't perform - whatever I'd paid for it.

This was especially true in the context of a forum where it may have some bearing on someone's decision to part with a lot of money.

It is an indulgence - at the end of the day a £20 hairdryer will get your hair dry , however it is a very well engineered gadget that (on my hair at least) did live up to its claims of significantly reduced drying time, a smooth finish and low noise.

People just have to decide if those things make it worth the investment to them if they have the cash to spare.