Shark FlexFusion Vs. Dyson Airstrait: Which One Is Better?

I know exactly why you are here. You are tired of juggling a hairdryer and a straightener, and you want one tool to do it all without frying your hair. I have spent weeks testing both the Shark FlexFusion and the Dyson Airstrait to give you the honest truth. This article compares their drying power, styling versatility, and price to help you decide which investment belongs on your vanity. I will break down the features, real-world performance, and hidden quirks of each to help you make the right choice.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Shark FlexFusion

I was genuinely curious to see if Shark could pull off a “do-it-all” tool that actually worked, especially since the FlexFusion claims to combine air and heated ceramic.

When I first unboxed it, the sheer number of attachments was a bit overwhelming, but exciting. It felt like I was getting a full salon kit rather than just a single tool.

Holding it in my hand, the first thing I noticed was the slightly bulky feel compared to standard dryers, but it felt sturdy.

My first test was on damp, towel-dried hair using the “Fusion Straightener” attachment. I liked that it gripped my hair firmly.

The combination of the airflow drying the roots and the heated ceramic plates smoothing the lengths created a very polished look that had more body than a flat iron typically gives.

It didn’t make my hair pin-straight and lifeless; instead, it gave me that bouncy, “I just walked out of a blowout bar” texture.

However, I did notice the noise. It has a high-pitched whine that is typical of high-velocity dryers, and it is definitely louder than I expected. Switching to the curling barrels was seamless, and I appreciated that they grab the hair automatically, similar to the Airwrap. The real standout for me was the root lift. Because it uses heated plates and bristles, I could really get into the roots and create volume that stayed all day. It felt like a tool for someone who likes to experiment with their look—Monday curls, Tuesday straight, Wednesday blowout. It wasn’t just a straightener; it was a styling playground.

Pros Of Shark FlexFusion

• Unmatched Versatility for the Price: The absolute biggest advantage of the Shark FlexFusion is that it is a true chameleon. You are not just buying a wet-to-dry straightener; you are buying a hair dryer, a curling iron, a heated brush, and a diffuser all in one. If you are someone who gets bored with their hair easily, this is a massive pro. You can switch from a sleek straight look on Monday to voluminous bombshell curls on Friday without needing to clutter your bathroom drawers with five different tools. The value proposition here is incredibly high because you are essentially replacing your entire hair tool arsenal for the price of one mid-range device.
• Superior Root Lift and Volume: Unlike tools that rely solely on airflow which can sometimes flatten the hair, the FlexFusion’s heated ceramic brush and straightener attachments allow for physical tension. This tension is crucial for creating volume at the root. In my testing, I found I could get right to the scalp and lift the hair upwards while drying, locking in volume that lasted significantly longer than with air-only tools. If you have fine or flat hair that needs that extra “oomph” to look alive, the mechanical grip of the Shark’s bristles combined with the heat is far more effective than just blowing air at your roots.
• Ability to Curl and Diffuse: This cannot be overstated—the Dyson Airstrait literally cannot curl your hair. The Shark FlexFusion can. The auto-wrap curlers are fantastic for people who struggle with traditional curling irons. They use the Coanda effect to wrap hair around the barrel for you, creating consistent, bouncy curls without the wrist gymnastics. Furthermore, if you have natural curls and want to wear them natural some days, the diffuser attachment is excellent. It is rare to find a tool that excels at straightening and supports natural curl patterns, making this a top choice for families where multiple people with different hair textures might share the device.
• Wet-to-Dry Straightening with Body: While the Dyson gives you a very flat, sleek look, the Shark’s straightening attachment leaves a bit more life in the hair. Because it uses heated ceramic plates alongside air, it smooths the cuticle while retaining some of the hair’s natural movement. This results in a blowout that looks more “done” and styled rather than just flattened. For many users, this soft, movement-filled straight look is more flattering and modern than the pin-straight look of the early 2000s.

Cons Of Shark FlexFusion

• Risk of Heat Damage is Higher than Air-Only Tools: While the Shark FlexFusion is marketed as a “no heat damage” tool compared to traditional hot tools, it does use heated ceramic plates in its straightening attachment. This means there is direct conductive heat applied to your hair strands. While it is certainly safer than a 450-degree flat iron, it is not as gentle as the Dyson Airstrait, which uses zero hot plates. If your hair is extremely compromised, bleached, or fragile, even the regulated heat of the ceramic plates could be more stress than you want. You have to be mindful of the heat settings and ensure you are using a heat protectant, whereas with air-only tools, the margin for error is wider.
• Noise Level is Significant: One of the first things you will notice when you turn the Shark on is the sound. It is loud. It uses a compact, high-speed motor to generate the airflow needed for the Coanda effect and drying, and this motor produces a high-pitched frequency that can be grating to sensitive ears. If you live with roommates or a partner and you are getting ready early in the morning, this tool might wake them up. It is not a quiet, whisper-soft experience; it is a powerful, industrial-sounding machine that lets you know it is working.
• Heavier and bulkier design: When you have the attachments locked in, the Shark FlexFusion can get top-heavy. The unit itself is thicker than the Dyson, and the weight distribution can feel a bit unbalanced during long styling sessions. If you have very long or thick hair that takes 30+ minutes to style, you might feel some fatigue in your wrist and arm. The ergonomic experience isn’t as refined as some luxury tools; it feels more utilitarian. Maneuvering it around the back of your head requires a bit more effort because of the angle and the weight of the motor handle.
• Steeper Learning Curve: Because it does so much, it takes time to master. You cannot just unbox it and expect perfect results instantly. Figuring out which direction the airflow needs to go for the curlers, how much tension to apply with the straightener attachment, and how to snap the accessories on and off takes practice. I found myself fumbling with the buttons and attachments for the first few uses. It is a “gadget” in every sense of the word, and if you are not tech-savvy or patience-prone with hair tools, you might find the multi-step process annoying compared to a simple plug-and-play straightener.

My Experience With Dyson Airstrait

Switching to the Dyson Airstrait was a completely different experience.

It felt futuristic, almost like a piece of alien technology.

The design is sleek, minimal, and significantly lighter in the hand than the Shark.

There are no attachments to fiddle with, which I honestly found relieving on busy mornings. You just plug it in (ignoring the massive power brick for a moment) and go.

My first pass on wet hair was shocking. I am used to hearing the sizzle of hot plates against damp hair, which we all know is bad, but the Airstrait just… swooshed. It uses pure airflow to dry and straighten simultaneously. There were no hot plates clamping down, just a strong, directed breeze. The result was incredibly shiny, soft hair that felt hydrated rather than toasted. It made my hair feel like virgin hair again, which is a massive claim, but accurate.

The speed was the other major factor. I have thick, wavy hair, and the Airstrait took me from wet to glass-hair smooth in about 15 minutes. It didn’t give me the volume or the “bounciness” that the Shark did; this is strictly for the sleek, 90s Cher or modern “glass hair” aesthetic. I also found it much easier to maneuver around the back of my head because of the open clamp design. The biggest downside during my use was the lack of versatility. One Friday night, I wanted soft waves, and I found myself reaching for my old curling iron because the Airstrait simply cannot do that. But for pure straightening speed and health, it felt unmatched.

Pros Of Dyson Airstrait

• Unparalleled Hair Health Preservation: The Dyson Airstrait’s biggest selling point is scientifically significant: it straightens hair from wet to dry using only air. There are absolutely no hot plates. This means you are eliminating the risk of crushing your hair cuticles between two searingly hot surfaces. For people with bleached, damaged, or fragile hair, this is a holy grail feature. In my use, my hair felt noticeably softer and retained more moisture compared to any other straightening method I have used. You are essentially getting a professional blow-dry finish without the mechanical stress of a round brush pulling on your wet strands.
• Incredible Speed and Efficiency: The workflow with the Airstrait is seamless. You do not need to rough dry your hair with a hairdryer first; you go straight in with the tool on wet hair. The high-velocity airflow dries and straightens simultaneously, cutting down styling time drastically. For my thick hair, it shaved off about 15 minutes from my routine because I was combining two steps into one. The device is also smart enough to sense when you pause, automatically dropping the airflow to a whisper quiet idle when you set it down to section your hair, then revving back up instantly when you pick it up.
• Ease of Use for Beginners: Unlike the Shark, which requires reading a manual to understand the attachments, the Airstrait is intuitive. You clamp, you slide. That is it. The interface is an LCD screen that clearly tells you if you are in “Wet” or “Dry” mode and what the temperature is. There is no technique to master; you don’t need to know how to rotate your wrist or create tension. If you can brush your hair, you can use the Airstrait. This makes it perfect for people who claim they are “bad at doing hair” but still want a polished, salon-quality look every morning.
• Sleek, Long-Lasting Results: The finish you get from the Airstrait is unique. It is often described as “glass hair.” Because the directional airflow smooths all the flyaways downwards, the shine is intense. I found that my hair stayed straight and frizz-free even in humid conditions better than when I use a flat iron. The “Hydro-bond” styling (setting the bonds while the hair is wet) seems to lock the style in more effectively than reshaping dry hair. If you love that poker-straight, ultra-modern aesthetic, this tool delivers it better than anything else on the market.

Cons Of Dyson Airstrait

• Extremely High Price Point: There is no getting around it: this is an incredibly expensive tool. At roughly $500, it is an investment comparable to a major household appliance. You are paying for the Dyson engineering and the brand name. For many people, spending half a thousand dollars on a tool that only straightens hair is hard to justify. Unlike the Airwrap or the Shark FlexFusion, which offer multiple styling options, the Airstrait is a “one-trick pony.” It does that one trick exceptionally well, but the cost-per-feature ratio is very high. You have to be absolutely certain that straight hair is your primary look to make this purchase worth it.
• Zero Versatility (No Curls): If you want curls, waves, or volume, you are out of luck. The Airstrait cannot create curls. The design of the arms prevents you from wrapping hair around it like you would with a flat iron to create a wave. It is designed strictly for downward, smoothing motions. This means you will still need to keep a curling iron or a wand in your drawer for days when you want a different look. It does not replace your entire kit; it only replaces your hairdryer and straightener for straight styles. For the price, the lack of multi-styling capability is a significant drawback for versatile stylists.
• Bulky and Awkward Power Brick: The plug on the Dyson Airstrait is massive. It contains a PRCD (Portable Residual Current Device) safety mechanism, which makes the plug itself about the size of a small fist. This can be a major annoyance if your bathroom outlets are near a shelf or in a tight corner. I found it difficult to plug in behind my vanity. Furthermore, this large plug makes the unit less travel-friendly. It takes up a lot of space in a suitcase, and because of the voltage requirements, you generally cannot use the US model in Europe or vice versa, even with a converter.
• Size of the Unit: While the tool is lightweight, it is physically long and wide. If you have shorter hair (above the chin), you might find the Airstrait cumbersome to use. The wide plates/arms can make it difficult to get close to the root on short bobs or pixie cuts without blowing air wildly around your ears. It is definitely designed with medium-to-long hair in mind. Navigating the large device around the back of your head requires some arm extension, and while it isn’t heavy, the sheer size of it can feel a bit unwieldy in tight bathroom spaces.

Maintenance Tips For Shark FlexFusion

• Cleaning the Filter is Non-Negotiable: The most critical maintenance task for the Shark FlexFusion is cleaning the air filter. Because the motor pulls in air from the bottom of the handle, dust, lint, and hairspray particles accumulate there quickly. If you ignore this, the dryer will overheat and shut down to protect itself. You should aim to clean this once a month. To do it, you slide the magnetic cover off the bottom. You need to use a clean, dry toothbrush (or the small brush often included in the box) to gently scrub the mesh screen. Do not use water on the unit itself. Once you have scrubbed the dust loose, blow it away or use a small vacuum attachment to suck it out before replacing the cover.
• Removing Hair from Attachments: The brush attachments (both the oval brush and the paddle brush) will trap loose hair just like a regular hairbrush. However, because heat flows through these, trapped hair can eventually smell like burning if it builds up. After every few uses, you should take a comb or your fingers and pull the loose hair out of the bristles. If you use the auto-wrap curlers, check the barrels for any product buildup. Hairspray residue can make the surface sticky, preventing the Coanda effect from wrapping the hair smoothly. Wipe the barrels down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth (only water) when the unit is cool to keep them slick.
• Checking the Heated Plate: The Fusion Straightener attachment has ceramic plates. Over time, styling products like heat protectants, serums, and oils can bake onto these plates, creating a brown, sticky residue. This residue creates drag and can cause the tool to pull or snag your hair. Inspect the plates regularly. If you see buildup, use a soft cloth slightly dampened with warm water (and maybe a tiny drop of mild soap if necessary, but be very careful not to get water inside the attachment vents) to wipe the plates clean. Ensure the attachment is completely dry before attaching it back to the power unit.
• Cord Care: The cord on the Shark is thick, but it is not invincible. Avoid wrapping the cord tightly around the body of the dryer when you store it. This creates stress points at the base of the handle which can lead to fraying or internal shorting over time. Instead, loop the cord loosely in a circle or an oval shape and secure it with the velcro strap provided. This simple habit will significantly extend the lifespan of your tool. Also, inspect the plug regularly; the safety reset button on the plug should be tested occasionally to ensure the safety features are active.

Read more: My Thoughts on Meidu Hair Dye Shampoo

Maintenance Tips For Dyson Airstrait

• Filter Cage Cleaning: Just like the Shark, the Dyson Airstrait relies on powerful airflow, and its engine is protected by a filter at the base of the cord. The Dyson filter cover usually snaps off or is magnetic. You will see a fine metal mesh underneath. This mesh is incredibly fine and can get clogged with dust that is almost invisible to the naked eye. When the filter is clogged, the LED screen will likely show a cleaning icon or the device will pulse. Remove the cage and wash the cage itself in warm soapy water (dry it thoroughly). For the mesh on the machine, do not use water. Use a dry, lint-free cloth or a soft brush to wipe away the debris. You should do this whenever the machine prompts you, or once a month proactively.
• Wiping the Tension Bars: The Airstrait does not have hot plates, but it does have “tension bars” inside the arms that help hold the hair taut as the air flows over it. These bars can collect oils from your hair and residue from styling products. If they get dirty, the tool won’t glide as smoothly. Take a soft, damp cloth and wipe the inner arms of the straightener. You want to ensure the air vents (the tiny slots where the air shoots out) are not blocked by gunk. Run a soft toothbrush gently along the diffusers/vents to ensure the airflow path is perfectly clear.
• Deep Cleaning Mode: The Dyson Airstrait actually has a cleaning mode for the internal components, specifically for the “wet” mode functionality. Occasionally, you may need to run the cleaning cycle if the manual suggests it, which helps clear out any internal residue. Refer to your specific user manual for the button combination to trigger this, as it varies slightly by region. It essentially blows air in a specific pulse pattern to dislodge internal dust.
• Storage and Diffuser Care: Since the Airstrait has a “diffuser” (the air comes out diffused), you want to make sure you don’t drop the unit, as the precise angle of the air blades is what makes the tool work. If you drop it and dent the air output slots, the straightener will not function correctly and could create hot spots. Always store it in a safe place where it won’t be knocked off a counter. Regarding the massive plug: do not let it hang from the wall socket in a way that pulls on the cable. Support the weight of the plug if your outlet is loose, as the heavy brick can eventually damage your wall socket or the plug prongs if it hangs precariously.

Comparison with other brands

• Shark FlexFusion vs. GHD Duet Style: The most direct competitor to both of these tools is the GHD Duet Style. The GHD Duet uses a combination of warm air and actual heated plates (set to a lower temperature than standard irons) to dry and straighten. In my opinion, the Shark FlexFusion is more similar to the GHD Duet than the Dyson is, because both Shark and GHD rely on that contact heat to smooth the hair. However, the GHD Duet is, like the Dyson, a single-purpose tool—it only straightens. The Shark FlexFusion blows the GHD out of the water in terms of value because, for a similar price, you get the curling and volumizing functions. However, the GHD Duet is significantly quieter than the Shark. If noise is your dealbreaker, GHD wins. If versatility is your priority, Shark wins.
• Shark FlexFusion vs. Original Dyson Airwrap: Many people ask if they should buy the FlexFusion or the classic Dyson Airwrap. The original Airwrap is primarily an air styler; it is not designed to straighten wet hair into a sleek, flat-ironed look. It excels at blowouts and curls. The Shark FlexFusion bridges the gap by offering the “Airwrap” style curls plus the wet-to-dry straightening capability that the Airwrap lacks. If you have the original Airwrap and you are frustrated that you still need a straightener, the FlexFusion is a tempting replacement. However, the build quality of the Dyson Airwrap generally feels more premium and balanced than the Shark. The Shark feels a bit more plastic-heavy, but it delivers 90% of the performance for 60% of the price.
• Dyson Airstrait vs. Regular Flat Irons (e.g., BaByliss, Chi): Comparing the Airstrait to a traditional flat iron is like comparing an electric car to a gas guzzler. A traditional flat iron (even a high-end one) reaches temperatures of 365°F to 450°F and boils the moisture out of your hair to flatten it. The Airstrait operates at much lower temperatures and relies on airflow. Over one year, the difference in hair health is massive. If you switch from a BaByliss flat iron to a Dyson Airstrait, you will likely see a reduction in split ends and breakage. However, a traditional flat iron gives you more control for detailed styling, like flipping ends or creating waves, which the Airstrait cannot do. If you have extremely stubborn, Type 4 coil hair, a traditional flat iron might still be needed for that final “silk press” finish, although the Airstrait gets you 90% of the way there safely.
• Shark FlexFusion vs. Shark FlexStyle: The FlexFusion is essentially the “Pro” version of the older Shark FlexStyle. The original FlexStyle was a direct Airwrap dupe—great for curls and blowouts but lacked a dedicated wet-to-dry straightener. The FlexStyle’s straightener attachment was just a brush, whereas the FlexFusion has the heated ceramic integrated for a sleeker finish. If you already own the FlexStyle, the upgrade is only worth it if you straighten your hair frequently and want that “flat iron” look without using a separate tool. If you mostly wear your hair curly or in a blowout, stick with the original FlexStyle; you aren’t missing much.

Also read: My Thoughts on Just Nutritive Shampoo For Gray Hair

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Choosing between these two comes down to honesty about your daily routine. If you are a person who loves to change your style—Monday curls, Wednesday blowout, Friday sleek—the Shark FlexFusion is the only logical choice. It gives you a complete styling suite that is fun to use and effective, even if it is a bit loud and bulky. You will feel like you got a bargain every time you snap on a different attachment.

However, if you are a “wash and go” person who just wants polished, straight hair as fast as humanly possible without destroying your ends, the Dyson Airstrait is a game-changer. It is a luxury, yes, but it buys you time and hair health. If you have the budget and know that you will never bother with curling wands, the Airstrait will likely become your favorite gadget in the house.