Multi-stylers and curling tools tested across multiple hair types.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

Hair Stylers

Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler

★★★★★ 4.7/5 · 14,580 owner reviews

After 6 months and 90 hours of styling on three hair types, the Dyson Airwrap Multi-Styler earns its $599 price for anyone who blow-dries and curls more than twice a week. We measured a max barrel temperature of 302°F (150°C), well below the 410°F most curling irons hit, and saw measurably less heat damage on our cuticle test strands than any single-tool alternative. It's expensive, but it's the only multi-styler we've tested that legitimately replaces three appliances.

+Pros: Capped 302°F (150°C) heat, far below standard curling irons (410°F) · Genuinely replaces dryer, round brush, and curling iron in one tool · Coanda airflow curls without clamping or pulling on the cuticle

−Cons: $599 price is a serious commitment · Curls drop faster on type 1A pin-straight hair than a hot iron

$599 $699

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RUNNER-UP

Hair Stylers

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling System

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 12,420 owner reviews

After 6 months and 95 hours of styling on three hair types, the Shark FlexStyle is the best Airwrap alternative we have tested at this price. We measured a max barrel temperature of 326°F (163°C), well below most curling irons, and saw no measurable cuticle damage on our color-treated test strand after 30 sessions. It is louder, slightly heavier, and curls do not hold quite as long as the Dyson, but at $279 it is the multi-styler we now recommend to most readers.

+Pros: Capped at 326°F (163°C), measurably gentler than 410°F curling irons · Five attachments cover blowouts, curls, and smoothing without buying a Dyson · Auto-wrap curl barrels work cleanly across types 2A through 3B

−Cons: Motor noise measured 78 dB at the head, louder than the Dyson · Curls relax 1 to 2 hours faster than the Airwrap on type 1A pin-straight hair

$279 $329

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