The Nural is the flagship: a sensor network that detects when the dryer is near the scalp and drops the heat, plus attachment recognition that changes the settings when you click one on. The Supersonic r is the newer, smaller body, built around a folded airflow path that makes it shorter and easier to angle at the roots.
Both sit within about fifty dollars of each other. The choice is scalp protection against size and handling.
Dyson Supersonic Nural
Dyson's intelligent dryer: it senses proximity to the scalp and reduces heat automatically, recognises which attachment is fitted and restores the last setting used with it, and measures air temperature many times a second.
Dyson has no affiliate program on this site, so the link above is plain and earns nothing.
What We Like:
- Drops heat near the scalp
- Remembers settings per attachment
- Full-size airflow
What We Don't Like:
- Around $749, the dearest here
Dyson Supersonic r
The compact version, with the airflow path folded so the body is shorter and lighter in the hand. Sold in a curly and coily configuration with the attachments suited to it.
It is easier to hold at an awkward angle, which is most of the reason professional stylists picked it up, and it is the better shape for reaching the roots at the back.
What We Like:
- Shorter, lighter body
- Easier to angle at the roots
- Around $50 less
What We Don't Like:
- No scalp-proximity sensing
Side by side
| Supersonic Nural | Supersonic r | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $700–800 | $600–700 |
| Scalp proximity sensing | Yes | No |
| Attachment recognition | Yes | No |
| Body shape | Full size | Folded, compact |
| Best at the roots | Good | Better |
| Affiliate link available | No | No |
Figures are from Dyson's Australian product pages. Neither machine earns this site a commission.
What actually differs
Scalp heat. The Nural's sensing is the real feature: heat drops as the dryer approaches the scalp, which is where most heat damage to the root and to the scalp itself happens. Nothing on the r does this.
Handling. The r is shorter and better balanced for reaching behind the head. For long thick hair dried daily, that is a genuine ergonomic gain over a twenty-minute dry.
Who they are built for. The r is sold in a curly and coily configuration, with attachments aimed at that hair. The Nural is the general-purpose flagship.
Price. Close enough that neither wins on cost. This is a feature choice rather than a budget one.
Who each one suits
Supersonic Nural suits anyone worried about scalp heat or heat damage at the roots, and households where several people use the dryer with different attachments.
Supersonic r suits curly and coily hair, long drying sessions, and anyone who finds a full-size dryer awkward to angle.
FAQs
Is a Dyson dryer actually faster?
It moves more air at a lower temperature than a conventional dryer of similar wattage, so drying time is comparable but the heat on the hair is lower. That is the trade being made.
Do these work on Australian voltage?
Both are sold for the Australian market on 240V with an Australian plug.
Why is there no affiliate link?
Dyson does not run a program on any network this site belongs to. The links here go to Dyson's own store and earn nothing either way.
