Best Dyson Supersonic AlternativesUnder $350
Updated
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Short answer
This page is for anyone who wants a fast, light, high-speed dryer like the Supersonic without paying Dyson prices. My pick is the Laifen SE 2. It weighs 0.8 lb, comes with a diffuser, and is the cheapest of the three.
The three
Laifen
Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer
- 390 g (0.8 lb) without the cord
- Magnetic diffuser and smoothing nozzle included
- 10 drying settings plus a child mode
- 120V only, not dual voltage
- Power
- 1,400 W
- Weight
- 390 g (0.8 lb)
- In the box
- Diffuser, smoothing nozzle
- Price
- $$$
BaBylissPRO
BaBylissPRO The AirSquare High-Speed Hair Dryer
- 2,000 W, the most power here
- Diffuser, concentrator, comb and stand included
- A style-setting mode locks in your heat and speed
- The brand page doesn't list weight or motor speed
- Power
- 2,000 W
- Weight
- Not listed
- In the box
- Diffuser, concentrator, comb, stand
- Price
- $$$
ghd
ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
- 1,875 W with airflow listed at 75 mph
- Variable heat and power with a cool shot
- 2-year consumer warranty
- Reviewers say it is heavy
- Power
- 1,875 W
- Weight
- Not listed; reviewers call it heavy
- In the box
- 1 contoured nozzle
- Price
- $$$
Ratings from the source shown, checked October 26, 2026. Price tiers compare the three; Amazon shows today's price.
Side by side
Swipe to compare →
| Best overallLaifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer | Best for curly hairBaBylissPRO The AirSquare High-Speed Hair Dryer | Best for smooth blowoutsghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer | For referenceDyson Supersonic Nural Hair Dryer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most people who want the Supersonic feel for a third of the price | Curly or thick hair that needs a diffuser and more power | Sleek, salon-style blowouts on medium to long hair | The premium dryer shoppers measure against |
| Power | 1,400 W | 2,000 W | 1,875 W | - |
| Weight | 390 g (0.8 lb) | Not listed | Not listed; reviewers call it heavy | - |
| In the box | Diffuser, smoothing nozzle | Diffuser, concentrator, comb, stand | 1 contoured nozzle | - |
| Warranty | 2-year limited | 2-year limited | 2-year consumer | - |
| Common complaint | 120V only | Few published specs | Heavy; cool shot must be held | - |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | Premium |
The fine print
Watch out for
The most common catch with each, from reviews and specs.
- Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer120V only, not dual voltage
- BaBylissPRO The AirSquare High-Speed Hair DryerThe brand page doesn't list weight or motor speed
- ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair DryerReviewers say it is heavy
Skip it if
Who each one is wrong for
Saves you a return.
- Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair DryerYou travel abroad often and need a dual-voltage dryer.
- BaBylissPRO The AirSquare High-Speed Hair DryerYou want the lightest dryer. BaBylissPRO doesn't publish the weight.
- ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair DryerYou have curly hair and want a diffuser included, or you have a sore wrist.
The details
-
What separates them
The Laifen is the closest to the Supersonic idea: small, light, with magnetic nozzles. It costs about a third as much.
The BaBylissPRO has the most power and the fullest box. If you diffuse curls, you won't need to buy anything else.
The ghd is a classic full-size salon dryer. It's the one I'd pick for a smooth round-brush blowout, but you'll feel its weight.
-
What buyers complain about
ghd reviewers mostly mention weight, plus a cool-shot button you have to keep pressed.
For the Laifen, the main limit is that it runs on 120V only. Laifen's page also lists 2 airspeed numbers, 21.5 m/s and 12.5 m/s, so I left airspeed out of the table.
-
Who should skip all three
If you want a dryer that also curls or waves, look at a hot air styler instead. All 3 of these only dry and smooth.
So which is yours?
Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer
Pick it if you want: most people who want the Supersonic feel for a third of the price.
Skip it if you travel abroad often and need a dual-voltage dryer.
BaBylissPRO The AirSquare High-Speed Hair Dryer
Pick it if you want: curly or thick hair that needs a diffuser and more power.
Skip it if you want the lightest dryer. BaBylissPRO doesn't publish the weight.
ghd Helios 1875W Advanced Professional Hair Dryer
Pick it if you want: sleek, salon-style blowouts on medium to long hair.
Skip it if you have curly hair and want a diffuser included, or you have a sore wrist.
My pick
Laifen SE 2 High-Speed Hair Dryer
A small high-speed dryer that weighs 0.8 lb and comes with a diffuser and a smoothing nozzle.
Also considered
Good options that didn't make the top three.
How I compared
- Checked list prices and specs on the Laifen, BaBylissPRO and ghd product pages on 2026-10-26.
- Compared power, what's in the box, published weight and warranty length.
- Cross-checked ratings on brand sites and Ulta, and read summaries of low-star reviews.
- Used the Dyson Supersonic Nural's Ulta price as the reference point.
Sources: Laifen SE 2 product page · BaBylissPRO AirSquare product page · BaBylissPRO at Ulta · ghd Helios product page · ghd at Ulta · Laifen at Ulta · Dyson at Ulta
Questions
Is a budget high-speed dryer really comparable to a Dyson?
For the basics, yes. The Laifen SE 2 is a small brushless high-speed dryer that weighs 0.8 lb and has magnetic nozzles, for roughly a third of the Supersonic Nural's price.
Which one is best for curly hair?
The BaBylissPRO AirSquare, because it comes with a diffuser. The Laifen also includes one.
Which makes the best gift?
The Laifen SE 2 if you're shopping on a budget. The ghd Helios if they like salon brands.