Honestly, $500 for a hairdryer sounds like a fever dream. Or a typo. But then you see the Dyson Supersonic Nural, and suddenly the tech world is arguing about "time-of-flight" sensors while you're just trying to get out of the bathroom before your coffee gets cold.
It’s been a bit over a year since this thing hit the shelves in May 2024, and the dust hasn't really settled. Most people think it’s just the original Supersonic with a fancy new paint job. They’re wrong.
Basically, Dyson looked at the original and realized we’re all kind of bad at drying our hair. We hold the nozzle way too close. We fry our scalps. We leave it running on the counter while we look for a hair tie, blowing the toothpaste tube onto the floor. The Nural is Dyson’s attempt to fix us.
The Scalp Protect Mode is actually weirdly smart
The headline feature is the Scalp Protect mode. You’ve probably seen the marketing: it uses an invisible infrared beam—a "Time of Flight" sensor—to measure exactly how far the dryer is from your head.
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When you shove the dryer right up against your roots, it instantly drops the heat to 130°F (55°C).
Why that specific number?
Dyson claims it’s the sweet spot for drying speed without trashing your scalp’s moisture barrier. If you move the dryer away, the heat ramps back up. It’s like a proximity sensor for your skin.
You can tell it’s working because the LED "capsule" on the back changes color.
- Red means high heat (far away).
- Orange is medium.
- Yellow is low.
- Blue is the cool shot.
It’s kinda hypnotic to watch in the mirror. But the real benefit isn't just "not burning yourself." It’s for the long game. Over time, high heat kills shine and makes your scalp flaky. By keeping the temperature capped, the Nural is essentially babysitting your hair health so you don't have to.
It remembers your "toxic" styling habits
We all have that one attachment we use for 90% of the job. For me, it’s the styling concentrator. The Nural has something called Attachment Learning.
Inside each of the five magnetic attachments is a tiny Hall sensor. This is basically a digital ID tag. When you snap the Flyaway attachment on, the dryer recognizes it and immediately switches to the heat and speed settings you used last time with that specific tool.
No more fiddling with buttons every time you switch from the diffuser to the comb. It just knows.
Speaking of attachments, the Wave+Curl diffuser is a total pivot from the old design. It has two modes. "Diffuse mode" is the classic deep-prong vibe for volume. But then you can flip it into "Dome mode." This uses a reversible vortex to draw air into a bowl shape, which is supposed to define waves without turning them into a frizzy mess.
Does it work? If you have wavy hair that usually gets blown straight by accident, yeah, it’s a massive upgrade.
The "Pause Detect" is the feature you didn't know you needed
This is the one that feels most like "future tech."
There is an accelerometer inside the handle. When you set the Nural down on your vanity, it realizes it’s not moving. It immediately cuts the heater and drops the airflow to a whisper.
It doesn't turn off—it just idles.
The second you pick it back up, it roars back to life. It’s great for those moments when you’re sectioning hair or, let's be real, checking a text. It saves energy, but more importantly, it stops the dryer from screaming at the wall while you’re busy.
What’s the catch?
It’s not perfect. Nothing is.
First, the price is still a massive hurdle. At $549.99, you’re paying for a lot of sensors that some people might find "extra."
Then there’s the cord. Dyson still uses that bulky transformer brick on the cable. If your bathroom outlet is tight or positioned weirdly, that brick can be a literal weight dragging on the plug.
Also, a quick heads-up: if you have a graveyard of old Supersonic attachments, they will fit the Nural, but they won't talk to it. The "Attachment Learning" only works with the new RFID-enabled ones. The old ones will just work like regular attachments on a regular dryer.
Should you actually buy it?
Look, if you have the original Supersonic and it’s working fine, you probably don’t need to rush out and drop another half a grand.
But if you’re someone with a sensitive scalp, or if you’ve noticed your hair getting brittle from daily heat styling, the Nural is a legitimate leap forward. It’s less of a "hair dryer" and more of a "hair care robot."
The Supersonic r (the one shaped like a lowercase 'r') is also out now, but that’s really aimed at professional stylists who need something ultralight for 8-hour shifts. For the average person at home, the Nural is the more "intelligent" pick because of the scalp protection.
How to get the most out of it
If you do pull the trigger, don't just use it on manual.
- Engage Scalp Protect: Hit that button on the clear end-cap. It’s the one with the little hair follicle icon.
- Watch the lights: If you’re seeing red, you’re far enough away. If it’s yellow, you’re up close. Let the machine do the regulating.
- Clean the filter: The Nural has a clear end-cap so you can see the tech, but the filter at the bottom of the handle still needs a wipe-down. If it clogs, all those fancy sensors won't mean a thing because the motor will struggle.
Check your local retailers for the Ceramic Patina or Vinca Blue colorways, as these often come with the nicer presentation cases. Some stores like Ulta or Sephora sometimes have floor models; it's worth feeling the weight in your hand before committing to the investment.
The technology here is undeniably impressive, even if it feels a bit like overkill for a Monday morning. But then again, so did the original Supersonic back in 2016, and we all know how that turned out.