Guide · Checked 18 October 2026
Best air styler in 2026: Dyson, Shark, BaByliss and budget picks
Auto-wrap curling is what you pay extra for. If you only want a smooth blow-dry, a hot air brush does it for far less.
The best air styler for most people is one that dries and curls with air, such as the Shark FlexStyle, because it replaces a hair dryer, a curling tool and a round brush in one. The Dyson Airwrap is the premium choice, and a hot air brush from Revlon, BaByliss or Remington gives a smooth, bouncy blow-dry for a fraction of the cost. These eight air stylers were selling in large numbers on Amazon UK on 18 October 2026.
We have not tested these products. This guide is based on the manufacturers' Amazon UK listings and buyer demand, checked on 18 October 2026. We do not show prices because they change constantly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we choose.
Two kinds of air styler
- Multi-stylers with auto-wrap curlers (Dyson Airwrap, Shark FlexStyle). They use the Coanda effect: the airflow pulls a section of hair round the barrel so it curls without you twisting it. They also work as a hair dryer. These cost the most.
- Hot air brushes (Revlon One-Step, BaByliss, Remington). A brush with hot air blowing through it. They dry and shape at the same time for volume and smoothness, and some come with curling heads, but you wrap the hair yourself.
- Neither is as hot as a curling iron or straightener. That is kinder to hair but means styles can drop faster in very fine or very heavy hair.
What to look for
- Attachments you will use. Curlers, an oval brush for volume, a paddle brush for sleek hair and a smoothing tool. More heads are only useful if you use them.
- Heat control. Dyson says the Airwrap keeps air under 150°C, Shark that the FlexStyle measures temperature 1,000 times a second. Lower heat settings suit fine, bleached or coloured hair.
- Ions. Most of these release negative ions, which the makers say reduce frizz and static.
- Weight and cable length. You will hold it above your head for 10 to 20 minutes. Lighter is better, and a long cable helps.
Air stylers compared
| Air styler | Type | Curling | Attachments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Airwrap i.d. | Multi-styler and dryer | Auto-wrap, curl sequence via app | 6 |
| Dyson Airwrap Origin | Multi-styler and dryer | Auto-wrap, 40mm long barrel | 3 |
| Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 | Multi-styler and dryer | Auto-wrap, 32mm and 24mm | 5 tools |
| Shark FlexStyle IonCurl | Multi-styler and dryer | Auto-wrap, 2 x 32mm | Several, including polisher |
| BaByliss Air Wand | Dry and straighten | No, straightening brush | 3 brushes |
| Revlon One-Step Multi Air Styler | Hot air brush | 32mm vented curler | 5 heads |
| Remington Blow Dry & Style | Hot air brush | Brush heads | 6 |
| BaByliss Air Style 1000 | Hot air brush | Conical barrel | 4 |
From each brand's Amazon UK listing on 18 October 2026. Attachments vary by bundle and colour, so check the listing.
Best air styler: the eight picks
Best value auto-wrap air styler
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1
Twists from a hair dryer into a styler, with auto-wrap curlers in two sizes, an oval brush and a FrizzFighter finishing tool. It was one of the best-selling air stylers on Amazon UK when we checked. Curls take a little practice.
Read our full guide to the Shark HD456TLUK →
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Newest Shark
Shark FlexStyle IonCurl
Shark's next-generation FlexStyle adds ion-powered air (Shark quotes 200 million negative ions) for frizz control, a Scalp Shield mode that lowers the temperature, and an AirSet button to pause the air or blast cool air. Comes with two 32mm Coanda curlers, a polisher and brushes.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best premium air styler
Dyson Airwrap i.d.
Six attachments, including a conical barrel for tighter curls, and an i.d. curl sequence that Dyson says adjusts heat, airflow and timing to your hair at one button press. Bluetooth links to the MyDyson app. Dyson keeps the air under 150°C.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Simplest Dyson
Dyson Airwrap Origin
The original Airwrap multi-styler: a 40mm long barrel that curls in both directions, an anti-snag loop brush and a fast dryer attachment, powered by the Dyson V9 digital motor. Fewer attachments than the i.d., for loose curls and waves.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best for straight, smooth hair
BaByliss Air Wand
Dries, straightens and volumises from wet, with a volumising oval brush, a smoothing brush and a straightening brush with ceramic plates. An ultra-care mode alternates hot and cool air. It does not curl like an Airwrap or FlexStyle.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best budget air styler
Revlon One-Step Multi Air Styler 5-in-1
Five air-powered heads: a 32mm vented curler, a 64mm oval brush, a 38mm round brush, a paddle brush and a root-drying concentrator. It was selling over a thousand a month on Amazon UK when we checked. You wrap the curls yourself.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best for lots of brush options
Remington Blow Dry & Style Air Styler
Six attachments including a paddle brush, a 50mm mixed-bristle brush and a 38mm retractable-bristle brush, 1200W, ionic conditioning and two heat and speed settings.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Cheapest all-in-one
BaByliss Air Style 1000
1000W with four attachments: a drying nozzle, a 50mm thermal brush, a conical barrel for soft curls and a full brush. Two heat settings plus a cool shot, and a heat glove. A long-running best seller.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Dyson Airwrap or Shark FlexStyle?
Both dry hair and curl it with auto-wrap barrels. The Dyson has more attachments and, on the i.d., an automatic curl sequence. The Shark costs far less and twists into a normal hair dryer shape. If you are not sure you will curl your hair often, start with the Shark.
Before Black Friday
Air stylers are one of the most discounted beauty products around Black Friday (27 November 2026), and Dyson and Shark sell many bundles and colours under different codes. Buy from the brand or Amazon, as these are often counterfeited.
Questions people ask
What is the best air styler in the UK?
For most people the Shark FlexStyle: it dries and curls with auto-wrap barrels for much less than a Dyson Airwrap. The Dyson Airwrap i.d. is the premium pick, and the Revlon One-Step Multi Air Styler is the best-selling budget option.
Is an air styler better than a curling iron?
It is gentler because it uses air rather than a very hot barrel, and it dries your hair at the same time. A curling iron gives tighter curls that hold longer, especially in fine hair.
Is the Shark FlexStyle as good as the Dyson Airwrap?
Both use the same idea, auto-wrap curling with air. The Dyson has more attachments and features, while the Shark is lighter on the wallet and doubles as a normal-shaped hair dryer. Many people find the Shark is enough.
What is the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl?
Shark's newer FlexStyle with ion-powered air for frizz control, a Scalp Shield mode that lowers the heat and an AirSet button to pause or cool the airflow. It comes with two 32mm curlers.
Which BaByliss air styler should I buy?
The BaByliss Air Wand if you want straight, smooth hair from wet. The BaByliss Air Style 1000 if you want a simple, low-cost hot air brush with a curling barrel.
Do air stylers damage hair?
They use lower heat than straighteners and curling irons, which is gentler. Use the lower heat settings on fine, bleached or coloured hair, and a heat protection spray.
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