So, you’re looking at that five-hundred-dollar price tag and wondering if Dyson has finally lost the plot. I get it. We’ve all been there with the original Supersonic, thinking it was just a fancy-looking fan until we actually tried it and realized our hair didn't feel like straw for the first time in a decade. But now there’s a new Dyson blow dryer in town—the Supersonic Nural—and honestly, the marketing jargon about "Time of Flight" sensors sounds like something straight out of a NASA briefing.
Is it just a gimmick? Not really. But it’s also not quite what a lot of people think it is.
The Big Shift: It’s Not About the Hair Anymore
Wait, that sounds weird. Of course it's about hair. But the fundamental shift with the new Dyson blow dryer is that they’ve stopped obsessing just over the strands and started looking at the skin they grow out of. Your scalp.
If you’ve ever felt that localized "ouch" moment when you hold a traditional dryer too close to your head, you’ve experienced a scalp burn. Most of us just pull the dryer away and keep going. Dyson’s engineers, led by folks like Shawn Lim and the research teams in Malmesbury, realized that heat damage to the scalp actually messes with the hair’s "birthplace." A stressed scalp leads to a compromised hair barrier.
That’s where the Nural sensors come in. Basically, there’s an invisible infrared beam—the "Time of Flight" sensor—that constantly pings your head. It measures the distance between the nozzle and your scalp. As you move the dryer closer, the machine automatically drops the heat.
The goal is to keep the air hitting your skin at a consistent 55°C (131°F).
The Light Show in the Capsule
You’ll notice the back of the Nural has this clear end cap. It’s kinda cool because you can see the tech inside, but it’s also functional. There’s a suspended LED capsule that changes color based on how much heat the machine is pumping out.
💡 You might also like: Power BI News Today: The Big AI Shakeup and What You Actually Need to Do
- Blue: Cool air.
- Yellow: Low heat.
- Orange: Medium heat.
- Red: High heat.
If you’re using the Scalp Protect mode, you’ll see that light dance around as you move the dryer. It’s like a visual confirmation that the machine is actually "thinking." You don't have to keep toggling buttons while you're trying to reach the back of your head. It just handles it.
Why "Pause Detect" is the Feature You’ll Actually Love
Honestly? The scalp sensing is great for long-term health, but the "Pause Detect" feature is the one that makes life easier on a Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM.
How many times have you had to put your dryer down to section a piece of hair, only for it to blow your clips off the counter or make a deafening roar while it sits on the vanity? The new Dyson blow dryer has an accelerometer. It knows when you’ve set it down.
The moment the Nural touches the counter, it kills the heater and drops the airflow to a whisper. Pick it back up? It roars back to life instantly at your previous settings. It sounds like a small thing, but once you use it, going back to a "dumb" dryer feels prehistoric.
Let’s Talk About the Wave+Curl Diffuser
Dyson didn’t just update the motor and sensors; they messed with the attachments, too. The new Wave+Curl diffuser is a bit of a transformer. It has two modes:
- Dome Mode: This is the big, bowl-shaped setup. It draws air into the dome and infuses it through the hair. It’s designed to create smoother, more elongated waves. If you find traditional diffusers make your hair too "crunchy" or tight, this is the fix.
- Diffuse Mode: This is the more traditional look with the long prongs. It’s meant to get deep into the roots for volume and defined curls.
The cool part? The machine knows which attachment you’ve snapped on. Thanks to a Hall sensor (which detects magnetic signatures), the Nural remembers your last-used settings for that specific attachment. If you like your Wide-Tooth Comb on high heat but your Flyaway attachment on low, it’ll automatically switch the moment you click them into place.
The Professional Alternative: Supersonic r
Now, don't get the Nural confused with the Supersonic r. While the Nural is the high-tech pick for home users, the Supersonic r is the one that looks like a literal "r" or a bent pipe.
That one is specifically for pros. It’s 20% lighter and 30% smaller, designed so stylists don't get carpal tunnel from holding a dryer for eight hours a day. It uses a different motor—the Hyperdymium motor—and has an RFID chip in the attachments.
If you’re a casual user, the Nural is probably your better bet because of the scalp protection. If you’re a "power user" who wants the lightest possible tool and doesn't care about the automatic heat-scaling, the "r" is the sleekest thing on the market.
Is It Actually Worth the Upgrade?
Let’s be real. If you have an original Supersonic and it’s working perfectly, the Nural is a luxury, not a necessity.
However, there are three types of people who should seriously consider the new Dyson blow dryer:
- The "Sensitive Scalp" Crowd: If you have thin hair, a sensitive scalp, or you’re worried about hair thinning, the automatic heat regulation is a legitimate health feature.
- The Curl Community: The new Wave+Curl diffuser is significantly better than the old version. The dome mode is a game-changer for people who want beachy waves without the frizz.
- Tech Obsessives: If you like having the newest, smartest thing, the Nural is objectively the most advanced hair dryer ever made.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Nural
If you do take the plunge, don't just use it like a $20 drugstore dryer.
First, make sure Scalp Protect mode is actually on. There’s a button for it on the top of the head. If the lights aren't changing color as you move it, you’re just using a regular Supersonic.
Second, play with the Dome mode on the diffuser. Most people use it wrong the first time. You want to tuck your hair into the bowl and let the air circulate around it rather than just "scrunching" it against your head.
Lastly, keep the filter clean. Dyson's biggest "fail" point is usually a clogged filter. On the Nural, the filter is at the bottom of the handle. Give it a wipe once a month. It takes ten seconds and keeps the motor from burning out.
Actionable Insights for Your Hair Health:
- Check your heat: If your scalp feels hot, you're damaging your hair's cuticle. Turn the heat down manually or use the Nural's auto-mode.
- Distance matters: Maintain at least 1-2 inches of space unless you're using a specialized attachment like the Gentle Air nozzle.
- Cool shot is key: Always finish your dry with the cool shot button. It seals the cuticle and gives you that "just left the salon" shine.