This week, Dyson announced the launch of its latest innovation, the Supersonic Nural hair dryer.

Ever since the banner launch of its original Supersonic, Dyson has had the haircare industry in its grasp. The dryer was quick, effective and minimised heat-related damage. Then came the Airwrap, a styling tool that made bouncy blow-outs possible at home. It inspired trends like the butterfly cut, 90s blowouts and swooping bangs (we see you, Matilda Djerf). Next, we saw the Flyaway attachment, a genius invention that used directional airflow to smooth frizz. And let’s not forget the Corrale, a straightener that made sleek, glossy hair a cinch.

Now we have Nural, a next-generation version of the Supersonic described as the brand’s “most intelligent hair dryer for healthier scalp and hair”. The main premise of the Nural is that it prioritises scalp health, something that's not previously been called out in the context of heat styling. But how important is it? Is it worth it? Should the Nural replace your original Supersonic? All of this and more below.

What is the Dyson Supersonic Nural?

The Dyson Nural is still very much a hair dryer. It can be used to dry hair before heat styling, or alongside the attachments to smooth, boost volume, add movement or define curls. It comes with five Supersonic attachments, including the new Wave+Curl Diffuser, as well as the Gentle Air Attachment, Styling Concentrator, Wide-Toothed Comb and Flyaway Attachment.

It also still has all the functional aspects of the original Supersonic that I love. It's light in the hand, so your arms don't get tired while styling. The attachments are also just as easily swapped in and out.

How is the Nural different to the original Supersonic?

The key difference between the Nural and original Supersonic is that the new version is designed to protect scalp health. It still has all the original features, but there’s a “scalp protect mode” function where heat is automatically reduced to 55 degrees as it nears the scalp. As per Dyson, this is the optimal temperature for scalp comfort, while also drying the hair.

The reduction in temperature is moderated by an invisible infrared beam that measures the distance between the machine, hair and scalp. The dryer itself even changes colour based on these measurements: Red LED lights indicate high heat, orange medium heat, and yellow or blue to confirm low heat. The Nural also uses AI to ‘learn’ your styling preferences. Genius.

“If you’re able to limit heat damage, you can get a healthier scalp; and healthier hair, founder and chief engineer James Dyson shared in an official statement. "Our new Supersonic Nural has a time of flight sensor which recognises your head and reduces the heat as it gets close to your hair, preventing heat damage to both your scalp and your hair."

The only other key difference is the way it looks. The end cap is clear to show off the tech inside, as well as the aforementioned LED light temperature gauges.

Is the Nural good for scalp health?

The importance of scalp health has been a defining trend that I've seen the wider haircare industry over the last few years. For a long time, it was limited to dandruff. But now the industry is thinking about hair health holistically — a healthy scalp translates to healthier follicles, improved hair growth, strength and shine. Topical formulations like serums and scrubs, as well as shampoos and treatments that nourish the scalp microbiome are now easy to come by, but in my opinion the Nural marks the first real innovation in the styling space.

But reducing heat exposure, the outer layers of the scalp are protected, preventing moisture loss that can translate to damage, flaking and discomfort.

Do I need the Nural? Should I upgrade my original Supersonic?

This comes down to personal preference. The Nural is more intelligent, the technology is newer, and it’s reportedly gentler on the scalp. If scalp health is a priority for you, it’s probably a smart investment.

But if you have the original Supersonic and love it, you probably don’t need to rush out and buy it. If you’re stuck, you can test it out at the Dyson Demo Lab in Sydney CBD before committing, too.

When and where can you buy the Dyson Nural?

The Supersonic Nural hair dryer will be available in Australia from March 11, priced at $749 ($200 more than the original, which currently retails for $549). It comes with five attachments, while other accessories are available to be purchased separately. You can buy the Nural from Dyson’s George Street demo store, or online at dyson.com.au.