Over the last decade, Dyson has quietly become one of the most influential names in hair styling. The original Airwrap introduced an unimaginable way to curl hair using air rather than scorching hot barrels. Now comes the latest Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x multi-styler and dryer, a fully re-engineered update that promises faster drying, styling, and smarter controls.
For context, I have long, thick, straight hair. Honestly, I don’t usually style it at all—I blow-dry it and let it do its thing. My hair is heavy and never really holds curls or waves, so I came into this as a total beginner. With that in mind, I tested the Co-anda2x Straight + Wavy set to see if it could actually make styling feel doable, reliable, and whether it’s worth dipping a toe into the world of hair tools at RM2,999.
To compare the previous model, the Dyson AirWrap i.d., which came out in 2024, read our review here.
First impressions: light, slim, not intimidating
Straight out of the box, the Co-anda2x comes in a sleek metallic colour. The colourways available are Amber Silk/Pink Champagne, Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold, and Jasper Plum. Having also picked up the previous model, the Dyson AirWrap i.d., the Co-anda2x feels more compact and refined. The wand is slimmer, lighter in hand, and easier to manoeuvre—something I appreciated during longer styling sessions. It looks and feels like the Airwrap i.d., but noticeably more ergonomic.
As a beginner, what I really learned about styling is that I need patience. Sectioning your hair for the best results is super important, and a tool that feels bulky or awkward can make styling feel stressful before you even switch it on. This one doesn’t.
The Co-anda2x includes six attachments: a fast 2x dryer, two curling barrels in sizes 30mm and 40mm, two brushes, and a new plate-free air straightening attachment called AirSmooth2x.
Styling with air
What sets the Airwrap apart is Dyson’s reliance on heated air rather than direct heat. Instead of clamping hair between scorching plates or wrapping it around a blazing-hot wand, the Co-anda2x styles use controlled airflow.
This means: No burning your fingers or arms, no fear of accidentally frying a section of hair (especially when wet), and no panic mid-style. As someone new to styling tools beyond a basic hair dryer, this was hugely reassuring. I never once felt like I was damaging my hair, even when styling it while it was damp.
Faster drying
The biggest upgrade in the Co-anda2x is the new Hyperdymium 2 motor, which spins at up to 150,000 RPM and delivers significantly more airflow than previous models. After washing my hair, I used the drying attachment to rough-dry my roots—it took less than two minutes—and I didn’t even need to dry my hair completely before moving on to styling. (Drying my hair fully took about three to four minutes, which is great! Actually loving the dryer very much.)
Paired with the updated attachments, the Airwrap Co-anda2x effortlessly wraps, curls, and smooths hair, allowing beginners to achieve polished styles. The Coandă effect still feels almost magical—just hold a barrel near a small section of hair, and it wraps itself around effortlessly. By using air, the barrel does get hot, but not scorching, and that’s a good thing for me, as I’ll have the guts to hold them closer to my scalp and not burn it. (It can still get very hot, at certain angles.)
That’s where the 2x glass bead thermistors come in. It provides intelligent heat control, measuring the air temperature 1,000 times per second and keeping it consistent regardless of how the device is used, ensuring your hair is never exposed to damaging heat.
In short, it’s both a powerful dryer and a styling tool in one. A definite win for anyone easing into the world of hair styling.
Almost foolproof, thanks to the app
One of the most beginner-friendly features is the MyDyson app. You can style manually via the buttons of speed and temperature at the bottom of the wand, but the app allows you to preset heat, airflow, and curl timing based on your hair type and desired look. I specifically like that there was a section that asked, “How does your hair retain styles?” As someone who has hair that does not retain styling well, I felt seen.
Once synced, your settings are saved directly to the device, so there’s no need to reconnect your phone every time. The i.d. curl feature takes things a step further by automating the wrapping, drying and cooling process—ideal if you don’t yet trust your instincts. With everything preset via the MyDyson app, there’s very little to adjust while styling; once it’s set up, you can pretty much forget about the controls and just press the power button.
Each attachment also contains RFID chips that automatically adjust airflow and heat when you snap them on. The app is also very useful in teaching you how to get certain looks. As a beginner, you’re always wondering what to do with each section of your hair, and the app helps with all of that.
How it performed on my hair
I tested the Co-anda2x for close to a month, creating both relaxed daytime styles and slightly more polished looks for evenings out during the holiday season. The results surprised me. My hair still felt soft with a bounce, not dry or overworked. With pre-styling and post-styling creams, the curls last throughout the night—approximately five hours for me. I received more compliments than usual, and that’s always a good sign.
The curling barrels created loose, natural waves. The brushes delivered smoothness and volume without tugging at my roots. As someone easing into styling, I appreciated how forgiving everything felt.
The straightening attachment didn’t give me flat-iron results, but it worked well enough to smooth my lengths and bend the ends softly.
What to know before buying
The Co-anda2x isn’t perfect. Existing Airwrap attachments aren’t compatible, which may be frustrating if you already own older models. Those who are used to traditional heat styling straighteners and curlers might argue that it doesn’t yield the best results—which I do agree with, but for beginners who are nervous about heat damage—this is one of the safest, most intuitive ways to start styling. The whole idea here is to keep things simple, and it doesn’t leave hair feeling compromised.
Final verdict
After speaking to a few friends who own the recent Airwrap i.d., upgrading may not be essential. But if you’re new to styling tools, or you’ve been intimidated by traditional hot tools, the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x makes a compelling case. It’s fast, smart, gentle on hair—and crucially, it makes styling feel approachable—easing you into the world of curls, without fear of burns and breakage. I also realised that by having the Co-anda2x, I’m more open to trying out different styling techniques. Expensive? Absolutely. But as a beginner-friendly gateway into styling, it’s Dyson’s most refined—and confidence-boosting—Airwrap yet.
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