Dyson Airstrait Review: Faster, Flatter Blowouts Without Extra Heat Damage

If you want glossy, poker-straight hair without juggling a round brush, dryer, and flat iron, the Dyson Airstrait is an intriguing proposition. It is a wet-to-dry straightener that uses high-velocity airflow through the arms to dry and smooth hair at the same time. The pitch is simple: salon-flat blowouts in less time, with less reliance on scorching plates. After testing on fine, wavy, and coily textures, the Airstrait does deliver faster, flatter results than a typical brush and dryer combo, and it is gentler than most flat irons when used correctly. It is also big, pricey, and has a learning curve. Here is the complete picture so you can decide if it belongs on your counter.

Overview

The Dyson Airstrait looks like a straightener at first glance, but air is the star. Instead of clamping heated plates, the tool directs controlled sheets of heated air down the hair shaft while the arms guide and hold sections flat. You can use it right out of the shower on towel-dried hair or on dry hair for quick touch-ups. There are multiple heat and airflow settings, plus a root-drying option that acts like a mini blow dryer for lifting your crown before you straighten the lengths.

What stands out in daily use is consistency. Because the Airstrait relies on regulated airflow rather than super-hot plates, it keeps temperatures steady as you move from damp roots to drier ends. That helps reduce the hot-cold fluctuations that can contribute to frizz and color fade. The design feels premium and substantial, with a wide hinge that stays aligned as you pass through each section.

The trade-offs are size and price. The Airstrait is heavier than a traditional flat iron and takes more drawer space. It also costs premium money, hovering around the price of a high-end dryer plus a high-end straightener combined. If your goal is the sleekest, flattest finish in the least time with less risk of singeing, it makes a strong case. If you want bouncy blowouts or waves, this is not designed for curls or volume the way a round brush or curling multi-styler would be.

Who it’s for

Not every tool suits every head of hair. Here is where the Airstrait makes the most sense.

Great for

• Busy people who want a sleek, straight look from wet hair without juggling a brush and dryer.
• Fine to medium textures that frizz easily and scorch under flat irons, but still want a glassy finish.
• Wavy to moderately curly hair that responds to tension and air drying with a smooth, stretched result similar to a salon blowout.
• Color-treated hair that needs controlled heat and fewer passes to stay shiny.

Think twice if

• You love round-brush volume or bend at the ends. The Airstrait aims for straight and sleek, not big and bouncy.
• Your hair is very coarse, tightly coiled, or highly resistant to straightening. You can get a smooth blowout, but for pin-straight press results you may still want a flat iron afterward.
• You travel light. The tool is bulky and most versions are region specific for voltage.
• Your budget is tight. The Airstrait is a premium splurge, not a starter tool.

How it feels and performs

Build and ergonomics. The Airstrait feels substantial in hand. The hinge opens smoothly, and the arms line up evenly so sections feed straight through. The tool is heavier than a typical flat iron, which you notice after several minutes. That weight is balanced, though, and the curved edges keep the tool gliding without snagging. The cord has enough length for bathroom use without feeling tethered.

Noise and heat. It is quieter than a full-size hair dryer on high, but still firmly in the hair tool category. You will not style next to a sleeping partner without some noise. Heat is present but not aggressive. Airflow does the heavy lifting, so you avoid that sizzling plate-on-hair feel. There is no burning smell when you use a proper heat protectant and keep sections moving.

Speed. On fine, shoulder-length hair, the Airstrait can go from towel-damp to sleek in about the time of a TV episode. Medium to thick hair will take longer, but the process is still faster than a separate blow dry and flat iron for most people. You can cut time further by rough drying the roots for 1 to 2 minutes with the root setting before you begin passes along the lengths.

Finish and feel. This is where the Airstrait shines. The finish is flatter and more uniform than you usually get from a round brush and dryer, with less puff at the ends. Shine is high because the airflow aligns the cuticle in one direction. On coarse or curly hair, you can expect a smooth blowout with stretched curls and a soft, swishable finish. For ultra-flat, glassy ends on resistant textures, you may want a quick touch-up with a traditional flat iron on low heat, but many will not need it day to day.

Frizz and humidity. Because you are drying and sealing in one motion, frizz control is solid. In sticky weather, the style holds like a good salon blowout. If your hair swells in humidity, pair the tool with a lightweight heat protectant plus an anti-humidity finishing spray. Avoid heavy oils on fine hair, since they can collapse the airy smoothness the Airstrait creates.

On different hair types.

• Fine and fragile: The gentle airflow and lower temperature settings are a relief. Keep sections small and passes steady, and you get shine without limpness. Lift at the roots with the root-dry mode to maintain body.
• Wavy and medium: Two to three passes per section usually deliver a sleek, lasting finish. S-shape bends smooth out quickly if you keep consistent tension.
• Curly and coily: Start with slightly smaller sections and a bit more root work. Results look like a salon blowout that skims the shoulders, smooth and swingy. For glass-flat strands, consider a final low-heat press, but many will be happy with the blowout-level straightness alone.

How to use for best results

Set yourself up for a fast, glossy finish by following these steps.

1. Towel-dry to damp, not dripping. Squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel. If your hair is very dense, rough-dry the roots for 60 to 90 seconds with the root setting to speed up the process.
2. Apply a heat protectant tailored to your texture. Use a lightweight spray for fine hair, a smoothing cream or milk for medium, and a silicone-free serum or cream for dense curls. Comb through to distribute evenly.
3. Section smart. Create ear-to-ear and then temple-to-temple sections. Work in 1 to 2 inch wide slices that are thin enough for air to pass through. Clip the rest away so you can focus.
4. Set your heat and airflow. Start on a moderate heat with medium airflow. If hair feels damp after two passes, raise airflow first before increasing heat. The goal is steady drying with minimal temperature escalation.
5. Use gentle, consistent tension. Place the section between the arms, close lightly, and glide slowly from roots to ends. Keep the tool parallel to the floor for the flattest finish. For face-framing pieces, angle the tool slightly inward to tuck ends without a crease.
6. Handle roots deliberately. For lift, hold the section straight up and work from root to mid-lengths, then finish the ends with a second pass. For ultra-flat roots, press close to the scalp and keep your path very straight.
7. Finish and set. When everything feels dry and smooth, do a final low-heat or cool pass to seal the cuticle. If frizz is your nemesis, mist a light anti-humidity spray at arm’s length. If volume is your goal, avoid heavy finishing oils, especially on fine hair.
8. Maintain the tool. Wipe the arms with a soft cloth after product use, and clean the filter cover regularly so airflow stays strong.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Faster than doing a full blowout plus flat iron, especially on medium and long hair.
• Flatter, glassier finish than a round brush can usually achieve at home.
• More forgiving on fine and color-treated hair than high-heat plates when used properly.
• Root drying mode adds lift so the result does not fall completely flat.
• Excellent cuticle alignment for shine and frizz control.

• Cons: Premium price that rivals buying two high-end tools.
• Bulkier and heavier than a typical straightener, which can fatigue the arm on long sessions.
• Not ideal for round-brush volume or curled ends. It is built to straighten.
• Very coarse or resistant textures may still want a quick flat-iron touch-up for glass-flat results.
• Most models are not dual-voltage, so international travel is tricky.

Final verdict

The Dyson Airstrait lives up to its promise for a very specific goal: sleek, straight styles in less time, with less reliance on scorching contact heat. If you regularly straighten from wet, or you are tired of the dryer-plus-brush routine followed by a pass with the flat iron, this tool is a joy. Hair feels smoother and looks shinier than a typical DIY blowout, and the method is kinder to fine and color-treated strands because airflow does most of the work.

It is not a universal replacement for every styling need. If you prefer big, bouncy blowouts or waves, a dedicated dryer with a brush or a multi-styler is the better buy. If your hair is very resistant to straightening, expect a polished blowout level of smoothness rather than that ultra-sleek press, unless you finish with a quick low-heat iron pass.

For the right person, the Airstrait transforms busy mornings. The combination of speed, shine, and reduced heat exposure makes the price easier to justify, especially if it replaces two tools on your counter. If that sounds like your routine, it is an easy recommendation.

See also

Trying to decide which Dyson tool suits your routine best? Compare the smoothing power here with the sensors and smart airflow in our Dyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer Review, and weigh the straight-only focus of Airstrait against the curl, wave, and volume options in our Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler Review. For technique that keeps frizz down while you straighten, skim Salon Results at Home: Blowout, Curl Definition, and Frizz Control Without Heat Damage.

Protecting your cuticle matters as much as the tool. Pair the Airstrait with a formula from Best Heat Protectants for Everyday Blow Drying (Not Just Silk Presses), and if you have easily weighed-down strands, choose a lightweight shield from Best Heat Protectant for Fine Hair: Shield Without Weight to keep movement and shine.

FAQ

Does the Dyson Airstrait cause less damage than a flat iron?

In our testing, yes, when you use it correctly. The Airstrait relies on regulated airflow plus moderate heat rather than super-hot plates, so you avoid the scorching contact that can cause bubbling, odor, and color fade. It is not a zero-heat device, so always use a heat protectant and keep passes steady. Most people will need fewer passes than with a flat iron to reach the same level of smoothness.

Can the Airstrait straighten type 3 or 4 curls from wet hair?

It can deliver a smooth blowout on tighter curls with the right technique. Start with smaller sections, use the root-dry mode to get lift and reduce moisture at the scalp, then make two to three slow passes per section with consistent tension. Expect a salon-blowout level of straightness. For a glass-flat press on highly resistant hair, you may still want a brief follow-up with a traditional flat iron on low heat.

How long does a style created with the Airstrait last in humidity?

Longevity is similar to a good salon blowout. Because the tool dries and seals in one motion, cuticles lie flatter and resist swelling. In muggy conditions, prep with a humidity-resistant heat protectant and finish with a light anti-frizz spray. Avoid heavy oils on fine hair, which can collapse the finish and make frizz return faster.

Will the Airstrait flatten my fine hair?

It creates a sleek finish, but you can keep body with a few tricks. Use a lightweight protectant, rough-dry your roots briefly on the root setting, and pull sections upward as you glide to preserve lift. Skip heavy serums, and finish with a low-heat or cool pass to set without weighing hair down.

Is the Dyson Airstrait travel friendly?

It is larger and heavier than a standard straightener, and most versions are not dual voltage. If you travel internationally, plan to use a model designed for the region rather than a converter. For quick weekend trips, it can replace a dryer and iron in one, but be prepared to dedicate space in your bag.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on our site.