The only one with curling barrels
Shark FlexStyle
- Self-wrapping curlers
- Twists into a normal dryer
Cheaper alternatives to the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x
Three cheaper ways to a salon finish: curls, a smooth blow-dry, or the budget brush.
Updated November 11, 2026
Big sections, almost no snagging
ghd Duet Blowdry
- Dries from soaking wet
- Quiet enough to talk over
A small fraction of the price
Revlon One-Step Volumizer
- Smooths and adds volume
- Two heat settings
The original
Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x
Worth it if: You want curls, waves and sleek from one tool
- Curl i.d. wraps, sets and releases curls for you
- An Airsmooth tool that works like a straightener
Not worth it if: You only want a smooth, bouncy blow-dry
Top of the range, and worth it
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What are you actually paying extra for with the Airwrap Co-anda2x?
What the extra money buys
- Curl i.d. wraps, sets and releases curls for you
- An Airsmooth tool that works like a straightener
- Dries as fast as a full dryer
Worth it if
- You want curls, waves and sleek from one tool
- A sale narrows the gap
Not worth it if
- You only want a smooth, bouncy blow-dry
- You rarely curl your hair
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Shark FlexStyle
TechRadar found its curlers really do wrap hair on their own and called it well made, with slightly fewer attachments than the Dyson. Good Housekeeping's testers liked it across several hair types. It's the closest match here, because it curls as well as dries.
ghd Duet Blowdry
Good Housekeeping UK got smooth lengths and strong root volume in one pass, but says to detangle first. Marie Claire found it easier than any hot brush it had tried, though heavy in the hand. There's one heat setting and no curling attachments.
Revlon One-Step Volumizer
Woman & Home got a smooth, bouncy finish for a tiny part of the Dyson's price, but found it bulky and very hot, with some frizz at the parting. Expert Reviews liked the oval brush: flat sides smooth, rounded edges add a flick.
Final recommendation: For curls and waves without the Dyson price, the Shark FlexStyle HD430 is the closest match. The ghd Duet Blowdry suits anyone who just wants a smooth, full blow-dry from wet. On a tight budget, the Revlon One-Step RVDR5222 does that job for very little. Keep the Airwrap Co-anda2x for curls, waves and sleek styles from one tool.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Top of the range | Premium | Premium | Budget |
| Type | Multi-styler and dryer | Air styler that turns into a hair dryer | Hot air brush (dries from wet) | Hot air brush |
| Power | Twice the air pressure of earlier Airwraps (maker) | 1,600 W | One heat and airflow setting | 1,100 W |
| Heat settings | – | 3 heat and 3 airflow settings, cool shot | – | Two heat and speed settings, cool |
| Attachments | Dryer, curling barrels, brushes, Airsmooth (set varies) | Two curlers, oval and paddle brushes, concentrator | None: one oval brush | None: one oval brush |
| Weight | – | – | – | 990 g (Woman & Home) |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is the Shark FlexStyle as good as the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x?
Close for most people. TechRadar found its curlers wrap hair on their own, but it has fewer attachments and none of the Dyson's app-guided curling or Airsmooth straightening.
Can the ghd Duet Blowdry curl hair?
Not really. It's a round-ish brush for smooth, voluminous blow-dries. You can add a flick at the ends, but there are no curling barrels.
Does the Revlon One-Step damage hair?
It runs hot, and Woman & Home noticed some frizz at the parting. Use heat protection and the lower setting on fine hair.
How we reached this
We compared the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Dyson: Airwrap Co-anda2x multi-styler and dryer, The Independent: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x review, Marie Claire UK: Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x review, SharkNinja: Shark FlexStyle, TechRadar: Shark FlexStyle review: a versatile multi-styler to rival the Airwrap, Good Housekeeping (US): Shark FlexStyle review, Reviewed (USA Today): Shark FlexStyle review: This hair tool is a Dyson Airwrap dupe, ghd: Duet Blowdry, Good Housekeeping UK: ghd Duet Blowdry review, Marie Claire UK: ghd Duet Blowdry review, Revlon: One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer, Expert Reviews: Revlon One-Step review, Woman & Home: Revlon One-Step Volumiser review.