Supersonic hair dryer alternatives built around the same airflow-first idea: a fast, focused stream of air at a temperature low enough to protect the cuticle. The range starts with the HD07 — the original 1,600W dryer with intelligent heat control that reads airflow temperature 40 times a second — and runs through the scalp-sensing Nural HD16 and the smaller, lighter Supersonic r HD17, up to the salon-spec HD18 with its 12.5 ft cord. The Travel version adds universal voltage for 220V countries.
Which Supersonic model is which?
- Supersonic HD07 — the original. 1,600W, 13.3 l/s airflow, three magnetic attachments, 110–120V.
- Supersonic Nural HD16 — adds Scalp protect mode, which uses a time-of-flight sensor to lower the heat as the dryer gets closer to your head, plus attachment memory and pause detect.
- Supersonic r HD17 — the most powerful machine in the range, 30% smaller and 20% lighter than the Supersonic body, with ten heater foils and five RFID-tagged attachments. Uses its own r-series attachment mount.
- Supersonic r Professional HD18 — the salon build of the HD17: 12.5 ft cord, 325 g body with the weight in the plug, and a spare inner filter in the box.
- Supersonic Travel — 32% smaller and 25% lighter than the original, universal voltage across 100–240V, and compatible with Supersonic and Nural attachments.
What to check before you buy
- Voltage. The HD07 is 110–120V and the HD17 and HD18 are 120V. Only the Travel model is universal voltage, so it is the one to take abroad.
- Attachment fit. Supersonic and Nural attachments interchange with each other. The r series has its own mount, so an HD07 diffuser will not click onto an HD17.
- Weight. If you dry your own hair every day, the 20% weight saving on the HD17 does more for you than any extra setting.
- Cord length. The HD18's 12.5 ft cord is made for a salon station. At home it is just extra cable to coil.
Choosing by hair type
Thick or long hair benefits most from raw airflow, which puts the HD07 and HD17 at the front. Curly and coily hair needs a diffuser and gentler heat near the roots — the HD16's Scalp protect mode paired with a wide-bowl diffuser is the combination to look at, and our hair dryer accessories section covers fitment by model number. Fine hair is the easiest to overheat, so a dryer that actively regulates temperature is worth more than one with an extra manual heat setting.
Not sure which model? Our guide to choosing between the HD07, HD16, HD17 and HD18 compares all four side by side, and this breakdown of Scalp protect mode explains what the sensor is actually measuring. If you travel, read the 220V travel dryer guide before you pack.
Every dryer here ships with a 12-month warranty from the day it arrives.