The only one that curls like it
Shark FlexStyle
- Curlers wrap hair themselves
- Pivots into a dryer
Cheaper alternatives to the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x
Curls for less, a salon blow-dry, or the cult cheap brush: three Airwrap swaps.
Updated 11 November 2026
Smooth volume in one pass
ghd Duet Blowdry
- Wet to dry, no dryer
- Snag-free, frizz-free finish
Cheapest by a long way
Revlon One-Step Volumiser
- Oval brush smooths and flicks
- Two heat and speed settings
The original
Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x
Worth it if: You switch between curls and sleek styles
- Curls on autopilot with curl i.d.
- An Airsmooth attachment for sleek, straight lengths
We earn a commission if you buy through the shop links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It never decides our picks. How that works.
What are you actually paying extra for with the Airwrap Co-anda2x?
What the extra money buys
- Curls on autopilot with curl i.d.
- An Airsmooth attachment for sleek, straight lengths
- Light and quiet in the hand
Worth it if
- You switch between curls and sleek styles
- It's on offer near the ghd
Not worth it if
- You want volume and smoothness only
- Curling isn't part of your routine
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Shark FlexStyle
Expert Reviews calls it a real Airwrap rival, thanks to the body that pivots into a normal dryer. T3 rates it a strong alternative for much less. TechRadar found the curlers wrap well but counted fewer attachments than Dyson's.
ghd Duet Blowdry
Good Housekeeping's tester got smoother lengths and big root volume in one pass. Marie Claire found it the easiest hot brush yet but heavy. It has one heat setting and no curling tools, so it's for blow-dries only.
Revlon One-Step Volumiser
Woman & Home called the finish smooth and bouncy at a fraction of the Dyson's cost, but the tool is bulky, very hot and left some frizz at the parting. Expert Reviews suggests the higher setting for thick or curly hair.
Final recommendation: Pick the Shark FlexStyle HD436SLUK if curls and waves matter. The ghd Duet Blowdry gives the best smooth, voluminous blow-dry of the three. The Revlon One-Step RVDR5222UK does a decent version of that for very little. The Airwrap Co-anda2x earns its price only if you'd use curls, waves and sleek styles.
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 | Premium | Affordable | 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) | 1,650 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) | Curlers, paddle and oval brushes, concentrator, diffuser | 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
What's the best cheaper alternative to the Dyson Airwrap?
For curls, the Shark FlexStyle. Expert Reviews calls it a real rival, and it pivots into a normal dryer. For smooth blow-dries only, the ghd Duet Blowdry.
Is the ghd Duet Blowdry heavy?
Yes. Marie Claire flagged the weight as its main downside, though it gets through large sections quickly.
Is the Revlon One-Step good for thick hair?
Yes, on the higher setting. Its large oval head gets through long, thick hair fast, but it runs very hot.
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, T3: Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Dryer review, Expert Reviews: Shark FlexStyle Air Styler & Hair Dryer review: The first real Dyson Airwrap rival, TechRadar: Shark FlexStyle review: a versatile multi-styler to rival the Airwrap, ghd: Duet Blowdry, Good Housekeeping UK: ghd Duet Blowdry review, Marie Claire UK: ghd Duet Blowdry review, Revlon: One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumiser, Expert Reviews: Revlon One-Step review, Woman & Home: Revlon One-Step Volumiser review.