This Dual-Voltage Hair Dryer Is Actually Lightweight and Compact Enough to Pack

I envy my friends who arrive at the airport with nothing but a slim carry-on in tow. I, on the other hand, check a bag every time. And yes, I do overpack, but I really try not to; by the time I lay all my hair tools on one side of my suitcase, it’s halfway full. So, I accepted the fact that I’ll never be a carry-on-only traveler a long time ago. But recently, I got my hands on Dyson’s new Supersonic travel hair dryer—and for the first time, I might actually be able to save some space in my suitcase. Dyson’s latest hair tool is specifically designed with travelers in mind—it’s 32% smaller and 25% lighter than the brand’s OG best-selling Supersonic hair dryer, meaning it can be tucked away in the corner of a suitcase or pocket of a weekender bag with ease.

I’ve had the Dyson Airwrap for years, and don’t get me wrong, it’s great—but between the long barrel, the multiple attachments, and the thick cord, it’s usually way too bulky for me to pack. When I’m traveling, I want something easy, fuss-free, and overpacker-friendly. On a recent bachelorette trip to Rosemary Beach, Florida, I easily packed my Dyson Supersonic travel hair dryer in my suitcase. And because my friends and I were staying in an Airbnb, a hair dryer wasn’t provided, so it was even more important that I bring one. If you, like me, are tired of filling up the majority of your suitcase by packing a bulky hair dryer or styling system, Dyson’s new travel tool is worth checking out.

I had two main concerns when the hair tool arrived. First, is it actually smaller and lighter than your average hair dryer? And yes, it absolutely is. It’s really not much bigger than my iPhone, and takes up a fraction of the space in my bag that my Airwrap does. Second, I wanted to know if it actually worked as well as other Dyson hair tools—or if this smaller version would mean I sacrificed power. Within seconds of turning it on, I could tell this mini hair dryer packed a serious punch. It heats up in seconds and has just as much strength as my full-size Dyson Airwrap.

Dyson’s new travel hair dryer takes up little bathroom counter space—and even less suitcase space

Pooja Nayyar

The major pro for this travel hair dryer is that it’s dual voltage, meaning you can safely use it in outlets abroad too—unlike the Dyson Airwrap and original Supersonic hair dryer. I love knowing I can take this tool anywhere, whether I’m at home in New Jersey or traveling to Europe. I also love the look of it sitting on a hotel bathroom counter. It’s so simple and sleek—and the slim barrel is easy to grip and hold while drying.

Its design is simple: There’s a button to turn it on and off, a button to control the three heat settings, and another for its two speeds. I have long hair, and the Dyson can fully dry it in about 10 minutes—even when it’s sopping wet right out of the shower. It also leaves my hair with a glossy, shiny finish—unlike the hair dryer usually found at hotels that can sometimes leave my hair feeling dry and brittle. I like that the cable length is shorter than most tools (it’s only 6.5 feet, compared to the original model that is 8.6 feet). It also comes with a Styling Concentrator, a small attachment that helps prevent frizz and leaves your hair a little smoother. Another cool perk is that it’s compatible with attachments for the original Supersonic hair dryer, so you don’t have to buy additional parts if you want to mix and match.