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Tom's Guide
03-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
I swapped my old hair dryer for the Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 — and my hair's never felt this good
I've never been a big fan of drying my hair. In fact, I've actively avoided it. My hair is long, thick, and stubborn — the kind that turns into a frizzy mess if you so much as look at it the wrong way. So when the Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer landed on my radar, I was cautiously optimistic. It promised power without the arm ache, faster drying without the damage, and a bunch of attachments to make styling feel less like a chore and more like... an actual possibility. It's not often I get excited about a hair dryer — and yet, here we are. The SpeedStyle is Shark's answer to high-end styling tools, and while it doesn't come with AI or Bluetooth, it does come with smart attachments that work shockingly well, especially for the price. There's the RapidGloss finisher for flyaways, a quick smooth brush, diffuser, turbo concentrator, and an express touch-up brush for your bangs. And sure, it's not silent. But when something cuts my drying time in half and doesn't leave my hair feeling like straw afterwards, I can live with a little extra noise. So, is the Shark SpeedStyle worth considering over the other hyped-up tools on the market? For me, a former air-dry devotee who's voluntarily blow drying her hair, the answer's a very enthusiastic yes. Here's everything you need to know in this full Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer review. Price $259 / £179 Power 1700 watts Cord length 8 feet Accessories 7 (including dryer) Dimensions 1.97 x 6.50 x 7.87 inches Weight 1.65 pounds Noise (dB) Quietest: ~76 dB Loudest: ~85 dB Heat (°C / °F) Low: ~65 °C (149 °F) Medium: ~80 °C (176 °F) High: ~100–110 °C (212–230 °F) The Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer is $259 from Amazon U.S. and £179 from the U.K. Shark website. However, there are a few different versions you can get, depending on your hair style and the accessories you want. The version I have is the original Shark SpeedStyle hair dryer along with the styling accessories and a storage bag. There's also the Shark SpeedStyle Pro 5-in-1 High-Velocity Hair Dryer, which offers a black and copper design. This model delivers high-velocity airflow reaching up to 100 mph. It incorporates a Scalp Shield Mode to protect new hair growth from extreme heat and features IQ Speed Styling & Drying Suite, which automatically adjusts settings for each accessory to ensure optimal temperature and airflow. You can find this model on Shark for £219 in the U.K. There doesn't seem to be any retailers selling the dryer with all 5 accessories in the U.S. but you can build your own package on the Shark website for just $179 by choosing the 3 styling heads you want. Shark also has two packages available for different hair types. There's one for straight and wavy hair, which comes with the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, and Turbo Concentrator ($159 / £149). The other is for curly and coily hair, which includes the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, and DefrizzFast Diffuser ($158 / £149). Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any Shark-brand accessories for short hair, so keep in mind that the styling heads may be difficult to use if you have shorter locks. The Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer isn't the most expensive hair styling tool on the market but I understand that the price tag is still hefty. If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer & Volumizer is a popular choice at just $32 / £34, offering great styling power at a fraction of the price, though it lacks the multiple attachments that the SpeedStyle provides. The design of the Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer is sleek and modern. With its lightweight build, it's easy to maneuver, even during extended styling sessions. Even the various attachments have been thoughtfully designed for easier styling and storage. However, there are a couple of issues that I had with the dryer and attachments, which I'll get into below. When I first tried the Shark SpeedStyle and its attachments, I was honestly impressed by how well-thought-out the styling heads are. Each one serves its own purpose, and it feels like they really considered every need for different hair types and styles. The Turbo Concentrator quickly became my go-to for sleek, straight hair. The focused airflow does an excellent job of smoothing things out and leaving me with a frizz-free finish. Then, there's the QuickSmooth Brush, which I loved for adding volume to my dull straight hair — it gave me that fuller, polished look without much effort. I was also pleasantly surprised by the RapidGloss Finisher, which tamed my flyaways and left my hair with a shiny, glossy finish. After every use I felt like I had just walked out of the hair salon. For those 'I need to fix this right now' moments, the Express TouchUp Brush has been such a time-saver, especially for smoothing my bangs and ends. I'm often on the go, so that quick fix made all the difference. This styling is even more effective when I put my bangs in a roller afterwards. Since I don't have curly hair, I didn't need to use the diffuser. However, my colleague Kaycee Hill tested the diffuser, and commented on how easy it was to use to maintain her curls and keep her hair feeling fresh: "The Shark hair dryer and its amazing diffuser transformed my 3B hair into perfectly defined curls that lasted for two days, banishing frizz and enhancing my natural texture." What I really appreciate is how intuitive the attachments are. Unlike other dryers I've used in the past, the SpeedStyle is so easy to navigate, and every piece has a clear purpose. Shark really nailed the convenience factor, and honestly, that makes styling a whole lot easier. I'll dive deeper into how all these attachments performed in the 'Performance' section, but for now, it's safe to say I'm hooked. One thing I really love about the Shark SpeedStyle dryer is how easy it is to handle. It's super lightweight, so I didn't get the dreaded arm ache halfway through styling like I do with heavier dryers. That alone makes a big difference, especially when you're spending a good chunk of time smoothing and curling. Luckily, I have a power strip under my desk where I can plug in multiple things, so I was able to set up my mirror and do my hair at my desk without any trouble. But that's not always the case for everyone. If you don't have a setup like that, the relatively short 8-foot cord could be a bit annoying, since you really do need to be near a plug socket. It's not a dealbreaker, but a slightly longer cord would definitely make the SpeedStyle even more convenient to use. Now I'll walk you through how each attachment performed here, along with photos of my results. For context, my hair type is 1B (naturally straight with a slight wave) and it's highlighted and color-treated, which means it's a little more prone to dryness. Drying my hair with the Shark SpeedStyle was a dream. My long, thick hair normally takes at least 15 minutes to dry with a regular dryer, but with the SpeedStyle, it was fully dry in just 5 minutes using the highest setting. Heaven. I loved being able to tweak the airflow and heat settings depending on how wet my hair was — but for full dryness, I cranked both to high. It's also super gentle: the dryer constantly measures and regulates temperatures 1,000 times per second, never going above 110°C (230 °F), so it doesn't hit the damaging 150°C (302°F) mark like some dryers. In terms of noise, the dryer is more of a smooth, consistent air-whistle instead of a rough, droning sound. It's around 85 dB on the highest power/heat setting, so might be a little louder than dryers like the Dyson Supersonic Nural, but it won't disturb the rest of your house or give you ear ache. Considering my hair was dry within a matter of minutes, I didn't even need to use the dryer for long. The Shark Turbo Concentrator head was pretty much perfect for my straight hair. Since I have naturally straight hair anyway, it helped me achieve a super sleek finish without any flyaways. I tend to get some flyaways if I let my hair air dry, but this attachment concentrated the airflow so precisely that it smoothed everything down. The turbo setting also made my drying time faster, so I didn't have to spend ages fighting with flyaways. It's a perfect match for my hair type and one that I use often when reaching for this product. The RapidGloss Finisher ended up being one of my favorite attachments. After drying and styling, I ran it over the top layer of my hair and was genuinely impressed by how well it smoothed everything down. I usually get pesky flyaways around my part and hairline, but this used a soft, controlled stream of Coanda airflow to tame them without flattening my volume. It added a nice glossy sheen too, which made my hair look way more polished than usual. The QuickSmooth Brush surprised me with how much I ended up reaching for it. It's meant for straight styles with volume, and since my hair is already straight, I wasn't sure how much I'd need it — but it actually gave me that soft, bouncy, blowout look I usually can't be bothered to attempt. It dried and styled at the same time, so I could skip using a separate round brush and dryer. It added just the right amount of lift at the roots and smoothed the mid-lengths and ends without making my hair look flat. The Express TouchUp Brush ended up being the attachment I used the most especially for shaping my bangs. It's small, lightweight, and really easy to rotate, which made it perfect for flicking the ends of my fringe under just the way I like it. I found it worked best when I blasted my bangs with the cool shot option on the dryer to help set the shape after using the attachment. For extra volume and hold, I'd finish by popping my bangs into a velcro roller right after styling them and letting them cool completely before removing it. I also sprayed it with some hairspray for lasting power. That combination gave me smooth, bouncy bangs that actually held their shape all day. It's become part of my go-to routine now, and I love that I can do a little refresh without having to fully rewash or blow dry all of my hair. I didn't use the DefrizzFast Diffuser myself since it's not designed for my hair type, but my colleague Kaycee — who has beautiful, naturally curly hair (mixture of 3A and B) — was more than happy to give it a go. She loved how easy it was to attach and how lightweight the dryer still felt, even with the diffuser in place. The diffuser works by distributing air evenly and gently through its extendable prongs, which helps to dry curls without disrupting their shape or causing frizz. According to Kaycee, it helped her achieve soft, bouncy curls with great shape and volume, without flattening or puffing anything out. It didn't take her long to dry her hair either, and the ionic airflow seemed to help lock in the shine. It's safe to say she was seriously impressed (and so am I, just looking at the photo). The Shark SpeedStyle comes with a surprisingly roomy and thoughtfully designed storage bag that makes organizing everything way less of a hassle. It's made from soft yet durable neoprene and has enough space to fit the SpeedStyle unit along with all six attachments — or even the FlexStyle and its eight, if you own both. I found it super handy for keeping everything in one place and avoiding the usual drawer chaos. Inside, it's lined with a soft peach-skin fabric that helps prevent scratches, and the bag folds down with snap buttons if you want to save space or carry it by the makeshift handle. There aren't any cleaning tools included, which would've been a nice touch, but there is a clear and helpful guide in the manual on how to clean the unit — especially the filter at the back, which is the main maintenance task. Shark recommends using a toothbrush to gently clean it, and it's easy enough to incorporate into your routine. I'm someone who thrives on routine since I find comfort in doing things the same way every day, so the fact that the Shark SpeedStyle 5-in-1 Hair Dryer has effortlessly become part of my daily lineup says a lot. I used to dread drying my long, thick hair because it took forever and left me feeling overheated and tired before I even started styling. But now, I actually look forward to it. This dryer is fast, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use, and the styling attachments each serve a real purpose (especially the Express TouchUp Brush, which I basically live for). That said, it's not without its faults. The airflow is definitely on the louder side — not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you're noise-sensitive. And while the attachments work beautifully on longer hair, I can see them being a bit trickier to use on short styles. Still, it's earned a permanent spot on my vanity. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
The one Shark hair dryer I swear by is down to its lowest price ever for Prime Day — don't miss out
Prime Day has officially begun, and this deal just might blow you away. Literally. As someone with long, thick hair that usually takes forever to dry, I've tried my fair share of hair dryers, from salon-grade splurges to budget buys that gave me volume... just not the kind I wanted. But the Shark SpeedStyle is the one I actually use (and love) because it dries my hair fast without frying it. Bonus: it doesn't feel like arm day at the gym every time I use it. So when I saw it drop from $229 to just $149 (its lowest price ever) in Amazon's beauty sales, I had to share. This model comes with three styling tools and enough power to tame even stubborn strands. The Shark SpeedStyle hair dryer is designed for fast, powerful drying, perfect for long, thick hair. It comes with three versatile styling tools to help you achieve salon-quality blowouts at home. Lightweight and easy to handle, it reduces frizz and heat damage, making styling quicker and healthier for your hair. If you've got long, thick hair like me, you know drying it can feel like a full workout — hello, sore arms! Enter the Shark SpeedStyle hair dryer, which has basically saved me from endless blow-dry marathons. This dryer is powerful but lightweight, so it dries my hair fast without causing damage. It comes with three styling tools I genuinely use: the RapidGloss Finisher for that sleek, shiny finish, the QuickSmooth Brush for taming wild sections, and the Turbo Concentrator for those moments when I need serious power focused on one area (usually my ends). Plus, it's lightweight, surprisingly quiet, and doesn't roast my scalp like some other dryers I've tried. What really sets the Shark SpeedStyle apart though is its advanced heat control. The dryer uses smart technology to regulate temperature 1,000 times per second, ensuring it stays below 230°F — low enough to protect your hair from heat damage, but still powerful enough to deliver fast styling. Bottom line: this hair dryer has seriously leveled up my routine, and now that it's dropped to its lowest price from $229 to $149, I'm shouting from the rooftops — if you struggle with thick hair, this one's worth every penny. This isn't the only steal, as there are more Prime Day Shark deals worth checking out right now. We're keeping tabs on all the top offers in our Amazon Prime Day live blog. Check back often for the latest deals on kitchen appliances, TVs, and everything in between. Looking for budget-friendly finds? Don't miss our roundup of Prime Day sales under $50.
