Published 2026-04-22 by James Maxwell
Dyson has launched the Supersonic r in the UK, its first major redesign of the Supersonic line since the original debuted in 2016. The “r” stands for rebalanced — Dyson has repositioned the motor inside the handle rather than the head, which changes how the dryer sits in your hand and how it distributes weight during use. This isn’t a spec-sheet refresh. It’s a structural rethink of a product that already cost £299 in its last generation.
The Dyson Supersonic r is Dyson’s new flagship hair dryer, positioned above the standard Supersonic in their lineup and priced at £449.99 at launch. It features a redesigned barrel with the digital motor moved from the head into the handle, which Dyson says reduces the weight felt at the tip by shifting the centre of gravity closer to your wrist. Per Dyson’s press release, this is the same 13-blade brushless motor technology used in their salon-grade tools, now in a consumer retail product for the first time.
The headline spec change is the motor repositioning, but the Supersonic r also ships with a new Thin Concentrator attachment and an updated Flyaway attachment with smoothing features built in. Dyson confirmed via its press materials that the dryer runs at the same 1600W output as the current Supersonic, so the power figures are identical. The difference is in ergonomics and airflow precision, not raw heat or speed.
Colour options at launch are Ceramic Gloss Black and Ceramic Gloss White. No other colourways have been confirmed at the time of writing.
The Dyson Supersonic r is available now through Dyson’s own website at £449.99, and is stocked by John Lewis, Boots, Currys, and Selfridges at the same launch price. At the time of writing, no retailer is discounting below the launch RRP, which is standard for a Dyson product in its first weeks on sale.
John Lewis is worth considering here for one specific reason: they include a 2-year guarantee as standard, versus the 1-year warranty you get buying direct from Dyson. For a £449.99 purchase, that extra year costs you nothing and is worth having.
Boots is stocking it online and in larger stores, and is worth checking if you have Advantage Card points to offset the cost. Selfridges is carrying it in-store for those who want to see it before buying.
We’re tracking prices across UK retailers — compare current deals on Shopping.co.uk.
The current Dyson Supersonic (the model this replaces at the top of the range) retails at £299.99 from Dyson and most major UK retailers, though we’ve seen it drop to around £269.99 at Currys and John Lewis during promotional periods. The Supersonic r therefore carries a £150 premium at launch, which is a significant ask.
Dyson Supersonic | Dyson Supersonic r | |
|---|---|---|
Launch price | £299.99 | £449.99 |
Motor location | Head | Handle |
Wattage | 1600W | 1600W |
Heat settings | 4 | 4 |
Speed settings | 3 | 3 |
Attachments included | 5 | 6 (inc. new Thin Concentrator) |
Warranty (Dyson direct) | 2 years | 2 years |
The power output and core drying performance are, on paper, the same. What you’re paying the premium for is the rebalanced weight distribution and the updated attachment set. Dyson’s own salon research, cited in their press materials, suggests hairdressers preferred the r’s balance in extended use testing , but the average home user typically holds a dryer for 10 to 15 minutes, not the 6-plus hours a session stylist might.
For most people who already own a Supersonic from the last two years, the Supersonic r is not worth £449.99 right now. The drying performance is equivalent, and the ergonomic benefit of the repositioned motor is real but marginal for home use. You’d be spending £150 on a better handle feel and one extra attachment.
The picture changes for two groups. First, anyone buying a premium hair dryer from scratch: the Supersonic r at £449.99 is competitive with the GHD Helios+ (currently £239.99) and the Shark HyperAIR (around £249.99) only if you weight Dyson’s build quality and attachment ecosystem heavily. Both those rivals cost considerably less and dry hair effectively. The Supersonic r’s case rests on longevity, the quality of the included accessories, and the rebalanced feel.
Second, professional stylists or heavy daily users are the obvious target. If you’re blow-drying hair for 30 or more minutes every day, the motor repositioning reduces wrist fatigue in a way that actually accumulates. That’s who this product was designed for, and Dyson isn’t hiding it.
One limitation to flag: the Supersonic r uses the same magnetic attachment system as the current Supersonic, so existing Dyson attachment sets are compatible. That’s useful if you’ve already invested in extras.
At £449.99, the Supersonic r is the most expensive mainstream hair dryer Dyson has ever sold in the UK, sitting £150 above the standard Supersonic and roughly £200 above strong alternatives like the Shark HyperAIR.
Best place to buy: John Lewis , currently matching the £449.99 launch price with a 2-year guarantee included, which Dyson direct doesn’t match on this model at time of writing.
vs. the previous Supersonic: The standard Supersonic at £299.99 (or £269.99 on promotion) remains better value for home users. The r’s improvements are real, but they’re aimed at professional use patterns. If you see the outgoing Supersonic drop below £260 as the r takes over shelf space, that’s the deal to take.
Our take: Buy the Supersonic r if you’re a daily heavy user or starting fresh and want the best Dyson offers right now; wait if you already own a Supersonic from 2023 or later, because the upgrade won’t change your morning routine enough to justify the price.
Is the Dyson Supersonic r available in multiple colours?
At launch, only Ceramic Gloss Black and Ceramic Gloss White are available in the UK. Dyson has not confirmed additional colourways at the time of writing.
Are existing Dyson Supersonic attachments compatible with the Supersonic r?
Yes. The Supersonic r uses the same magnetic attachment system as the current Supersonic range, so attachments bought separately for older models will fit.
Where is the cheapest place to buy the Supersonic r in the UK right now?
All major UK retailers are holding the £449.99 launch price at time of writing. John Lewis offers the best overall package given their 2-year guarantee. Track price changes across retailers at Shopping.co.uk.
How does the Supersonic r compare to the GHD Helios?
The GHD Helios+ retails at around £239.99, making it roughly £210 cheaper than the Supersonic r. It dries hair effectively and has strong reviews, but lacks Dyson’s attachment range and the rebalanced motor design. For home use, it’s a strong alternative at a ly lower price point.