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.

I haven't had a 'High Street' hairdryer that has dried my hair well and I've tried loads- Toni and Guy,Babyliss,Remmington. If my hair doesn't get dried fast I end up looking like Crystal Tips.The type of drier makes a huge difference to the state of my hair that's why I love my Parlux so much. I'm seriously interested if the Dyson is even better.

Well quite, i have no problem with spending £300 on a hairdryer if you can afford it. That wasnt my point. I was merely just drawing attention to the you tube video, not your post Eatshit
I also enjoyed reading the review [both]. I just don't think in the you tube video that the difference between the parlux and the dyson are enough to justify its hefty price tag.

Ok so I'm going to come out here and say I don't really rate my Parlux. It's no better than my old high street one.

I actually have fine short bob hair so it works ok on me but it takes an AGE to dry DDs thicker long hair.

I'm honestly quite disappointed with the Parlux and if I had the money I would try the Dyson!

MissW Glad I'm not the only one. My hair is thick and long. It's good for doing a final shine and de-frizz after I've dried it with my babyliss one but I was pretty disappointed too.

Funny isn't it,as the Parlux changed my life ( not exaggerating!)

I know, loads of people love them. It was seeing the rave reviews on here that made me get one. Must just be my type of hair. Like I say though it is good at some things so I'm glad I have it and it's a nice shiny red colour.

I cracked, ordered the Dyson

🐑

Guilty as charged

Can't wait for your review!

Baaa, will report back asap

Make sure you do!

Little I want to read your review too! You better have your hair freshly washed and be ready to go as soon as it arrives.

If they were £150 or even £200 at a push I might be tempted. I think £300 is just too much for me. Still nosy interested in what it's like though.

Thanks for taking the time to review, Eats - I'm sorely tempted! It's gone on the list of things to buy when I'm feeling flush.

Enid, I wash my hair every night, so that won't be an issue .

As mentioned, I dry it curly with a diffuser through the week, so that'll be my first test. I'm really hoping it's going to deliver on time saving and frizz reduction but, like the OP, I'm going to try to be impartial, and I will return it if I don't see an improvement on the results I get from my Parlux - I want to know I'm getting something extra for the significant outlay.

Meanwhile, I cannot wait for it to arrive!

Can't wait to hear what you think Little.

I don't use a diffuser do that will be really interesting .

It takes me nearly 40 minutes to dry my hair using a diffuser as its so thick, I'd be really interested to see how it performs.

Well... it arrived yesterday. Decided to use it twice before reporting back, as I felt I spent time getting used to it last night.

So, the good:
It is much quieter than my Parlux, my husband commented that this was very noticeable from another room.
The diffuser is much bigger than the Parlux 385 standard diffuser, consequentially you can fit more hair in and dry in bigger sections (obviously ).
I timed my standard diffuser dry with the Parlux, and it came out around 32 minutes every time. With the Dyson, tonight it took 22 minutes.
It feels good to hold, no arm ache.
Seems to dry very evenly, and I think (but not 100% sure) frizz level was lower than with the Parlux.

And the not so good:
Heat settings are controlled by pressing a button. It goes from cold to low heat, then medium, then high in that order. With a diffuser, you need to use the low heat and cold setting, but you can't switch back and forth between them, you have to go via the medium then high heats to get back to no heat (I hope that makes sense?!). I ended up using the low heat and the cool shot button.

I have to say I'm not totally convinced yet. I'm encouraged by the reduced drying time, but I need to use it a few more times and try a non-diffuser blow dry before I decide whether its really worth the extra money, or whether I need to send it back

Great post - I still haven't used the diffuser or tbh used variable heat settings - I'm a full blast girl :-)

So I think that's great feedback.

I'm on my 4th dry now and getting more used to it. I still rate it.

My drying time hasn't improved since my first attempt but I have noticed I'm getting "smoother" results as I get accustomed to it.

Thanks Eats - I think the cost is forcing me to be objective, which has to be a good thing

Will report back when I've experimented a bit more!

So it's an oldish picture (cos I'm lazy) of my hair but I thought it might help. It's longer now - but might set some context of the Dyson working on "my" hair type.

Opps to be clear this is not a picture of a post Dyson hair dry!

This was taken post a professional hair dry in response to another thread about 8 months ago about hair highlights.

How odd,I always imagined you had red hair!