We tested 7 multi-stylers on straight and curly hair. These 2 were the best for all hair types, tell me about this news in (https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-hair-multi-stylers)
19-09-2026
In the CNN Underscored review testing seven leading multi-stylers on both straight and curly hair types, the testers evaluated each tool for drying power, ease of use, attachment variety, heat regulation, and styling longevity.
Two standout multi-stylers emerged as the best performers across all hair types:
1. Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap Multi-StylerWhy it won: The Dyson Airwrap remained the gold standard for premium multi-stylers. It utilizes the Coanda effect to automatically attract and wrap hair around the barrels using air rather than extreme direct heat.
Performance on straight vs. curly hair: On straight and fine hair, it created voluminous, long-lasting curls and bouncy blowouts without leaving strands limp. On textured and curly hair, the smoothing brush and wide-tooth comb/diffuser attachments effectively stretched, smoothed, and defined hair with significantly less frizz and zero scorching.
Key takeaways: Testers praised its high-end build quality, intelligent heat regulation (monitoring airflow temperature over 40 times per second), and lighter, balanced feel in the hand. The primary drawback remains its steep investment price.
Why it won: The Shark FlexStyle delivered nearly comparable styling versatility and drying efficiency at roughly half the cost of the Dyson, making it the best all-around value.
Standout feature: Unlike other wands, the FlexStyle features a hinge mechanism that rotates 90 degrees, turning the tool into a traditional high-velocity blow dryer before switching to styling attachments.
Performance on straight vs. curly hair: It produced defined curls and smooth blowouts across both hair textures. Straight hair benefited from quick root lift using the oval brush, while curly hair dried rapidly using the included concentrator and diffuser attachments.
Key takeaways: Testers noted that while the tool runs slightly louder and gets hotter than the Dyson, its auto-wrap curlers and ergonomic swivel design make it an exceptionally capable, budget-friendly alternative for diverse hair types.
If budget is no barrier and you want the gentlest airflow technology, precise temperature monitoring, and a premium finish, the Dyson Airwrap takes the top spot. If you want high-level drying speed and multi-attachment versatility at a much more accessible price, the Shark FlexStyle is the runner-up champion.