Dyson Airwrap I.D. Styler vs. Laifen SE Hair Dryer: A Curly Editor’s Comparison

I’ve been a Dyson girlie for years and often use my Airwrap’s multiple attachments to dry, straighten or style my hair. However, I’ve been noticing another hair tool brand popping up on my feed more and more lately, and it seems poised to take on the OG. Enter: Laifen. The brand’s SE Hair Dryer is said to be a quicker and more affordable alternative to the Dyson Airwrap, but is it *actually* better? I compared the two to see which one works best for my curls. Let’s find out. 

While both hair tools excel at stretching and styling hair, I focused primarily on drying my curls. I used the diffuser attachment included with both hair tools, analyzing the assembly process, drying time and other major factors (i.e, price, power, and, of course, how my curls looked afterward). Here’s what I discovered, including original photos after using each hair dryer. 

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• Attachments: The Dyson Airwrap I.D. Styler has two models for straight/wavy and curly/coily hair, which reflects in the type of attachments you receive with your set. I opted for the Curly/Coily option, which comes with six attachments: conical airwrap barrel, large round volumizing brush, wide-tooth comb, fast dryer, anti-snag loop brush and a diffuser. Meanwhile, the Laifen SE Hair Dryer comes with two attachments: smooth nozzle and diffuser. (Even if you compare it to the Supersonic, the Dyson still comes with five attachments, so you’re getting more options to stretch, dry, curl or shape your hair.) 
• Weight/Cord Length: The Dyson Airwrap I.D. Styler comes in at 1.4 pounds with an 8.5-foot cord length. Meanwhile, the Laifen is 0.89 pounds with a 8.2-foot cord length. The latter is definitely lighter, but overall I’d say that both tools are lightweight and not bulky at all. It never felt like an arm workout when I was styling my curls—and trust me, I have a thick mane, so that’s saying something. 
• Power/Heat Settings: Dyson has three heat and three speed settings, 120 volts, 1,300 watts and spins up to 110,000 rpm. Laifen also has three heat settings but only two speed settings, along with 120 volts, 1,400 watts and 105,000 rpm. Power-wise, you’re getting a very similar punch with each of these.
• Colors: Dyson comes in six colorways, while Laifen comes in five solid shades. Both brands’ tools are stunningly designed, but I have to go with Laifen’s matte pink that stands out in my collection. 
• Other Features: The Airwrap has a compatible app that I paired with my tool to make the drying/styling process more personalized. It lets you set up a hair profile—asking everything from hair type to styling preferences–and even provides multiple tutorials on how to use the tool. It also comes in a presentation case to store your tool and attachments together. Laifen offers a storage bag at an additional cost or in a bundle for $167. 
• Price: The Dyson is $650 while the Laifen $140—a $510 difference, FYI. 

The Bottom Line: Both Hair Tools Are Worth Trying 

I’ve been a loyal Dyson fan for a while, but the Laifen surprised me. For one, we have to discuss the elephant in the room: It’s a lot cheaper than the Airwrap. But, functionally, it also does a great job of drying hair quickly and is lightweight enough to work on each section without feeling like my arm is falling off. I also noticed that it’s much quieter than the Airwrap, a perk that many reviewers have called out. 

But if you’re looking for more attachments and more impressive schematics, Dyson is worth splurging on. The Coanda airflow has been the leader in hair technology since 2018 and the brand’s signature tech continues to reign supreme when it comes to preventing hair damage and frizz. Dyson also has a great diffuser attachment and I like that it takes it a step further by having two modes to it. I also appreciate having the option to use *all* of its other attachments to straighten or create looser curls in my hair. The presentation case also makes storing it so much easier.

So which one should you grab if you’re in need of a curl-friendly hair dryer? It really depends on what you’re looking for. If you want a simple hair dryer that’s lightweight, affordable and pretty fast, Laifen should be on your radar. If you want a multi-styler and dryer that will surely last you for years to come, invest in a Dyson. At the end of the day, both hair tools helped me achieve bouncy curls sans frizzy strands.