With the summer holidays fast approaching, the usual anxieties might be taking hold: pickpockets and touts, lost passport, severe sunburn, holiday tummy, and – perhaps most pressingly – the horrors of the hotel hair dryer. That last one is not to be underestimated: an outdated dryer with one scorching heat setting is a fast track to frizzy, dehydrated, unfabulous hair – not something you want immortalised in your holiday photos.

Worry not, though: Dyson promises to fix that particular woe. The British engineering brand has shrunk its Supersonic into a smaller, lighter, travel-friendly dryer offering the same powerful airflow and heat-control technology as its full-size sibling. So does this admittedly very stylish compact dryer really justify its premium price?

How I tested

I tested the Dyson Supersonic Travel by using it to dry my mid-length curly hair after washing and towel-drying, just as I would on holiday. I noted how long it took to dry my hair from damp to fully styled, and how soft and frizz-free my hair felt afterwards. I tried both a simple blow-dry and a more styled look, and kept a note of how long each style lasted through the day, having fixed it in place with my usual hairspray.

I also considered how its size and weight affected comfort in use. Finally, I measured noise levels, comparing the Supersonic Travel’s volume with a budget hair dryer standing in for a hotel dryer or cheaper travel tool.

Dyson Supersonic Travel: what you need to know

The Supersonic Travel looks just like the original Supersonic, but in miniature. It sports the same hollow-cylinder design, but it’s about a third smaller. It measures 7.1 x 22.2 x 6.8cm (WDH), while the full-size Supersonic is 9.8 x 28.8 x 7.7cm (WDH). The travel hair dryer also weighs just 0.33kg. These petite dimensions mean you’ll easily be able to slip the Supersonic Travel into your main luggage – or even a carry-on, for a weekend away. Note, too, that the dryer features universal voltage compatibility, meaning you’ll get the same-quality performance, no matter where you are in the world. While I wasn’t able to test this from the UK, the concept is attractive.

Like the original, the Supersonic Travel uses a high-speed digital motor to generate strong airflow for fast drying without excessive heat. Paired with Dyson’s heat control system, which monitors air temperature multiple times a second to prevent overheating, this air-first drying helps reduce the risk of dehydration and heat damage.

The Travel also comes with a smoothing concentrator nozzle and is compatible with existing Supersonic attachments, so you won’t need to shell out for new ones if you already own the regular model.

Dyson Supersonic Travel specifications

Power: up to 1,220W
Motor speed: 110,000rpm
Temperature settings: two plus cool shot
Speed settings: two
Weight: 330g
Voltage: universal 100-240V
Attachments: concentrator nozzle

What we love

Design-wise, the Supersonic Travel is an attractive styling tool. It’s compact and comfortable in the hand, and cute in its ceramic matt-pink finish. As described above, it works like the original model: the Supersonic Travel has a digital motor located in the handle that blows air through the ring-shaped head to dry hair using strong airflow rather than high heat.

It has two airflow speeds and two heat settings, plus a cool option – fewer than the full-size Supersonic’s three heat (plus cool shot) and three speed settings, but still flexible enough to allow four styling combinations and a cool blast for setting your style. It took me just under 10 minutes to dry my hair using the Supersonic Travel and my favourite paddle brush, broadly comparable to the time it takes me with a full-size premium dryer but faster than using a basic model.

There’s just one attachment in the box – a smoothing concentrator nozzle – that uses magnets to snap into place, just as with the full-size Supersonic. Indeed, you can use your existing diffuser and gentle air attachments with the Travel model, which saves buying another set. (Note that Supersonic Nural smart attachments will fit the Supersonic Travel, but you won’t be able to use the smart functions.)

You can connect the Travel model to the MyDyson app for styling guides and maintenance advice, but (unlike the Airwrap ID and Co-anda 2x) it can’t be controlled directly from within the app. Instead, both speed and heat are controlled via the well-placed and easy-to-operate manual buttons that sit on each side of the dryer’s head.

Despite the powerful airflow (Dyson states 11.6 litres a second), the Supersonic’s fan isn’t noticeably louder than a lower-powered hair dryer. I measured noise at about 76dB on the lower setting and 83dB on the higher – quieter than my usual hair dryer, and not loud enough to disrupt a normal conversation.

Overall, the Supersonic Travel is a well-designed, attractive-looking and compact hair dryer that will easily fit into luggage or any drawer at home. It styles quickly and left my hair looking and feeling good.

What we don’t love

There’s no two ways about it: £250 is a lot to spend on a travel hair dryer, even one this stylish. If you’re a frequent traveller, gym-goer or someone who often gets ready on the move, then the outlay may make more sense.

As you’d expect with Dyson, it sits at the top end of the market: it’s pricier than rival travel dryers and full-size premium models such as the GHD Helios (from £149) and the Shark SpeedStyle Pro (£139.99). As such, the Supersonic Travel remains a luxury buy.

In addition, while it’s smaller than the original Supersonic, it’s not the smallest travel dryer available – so if you’re really pushed for space, then there are more compact travel dryers available (see below).

Lastly, while the Supersonic Travel does a fine job of drying, it offers fewer heat and airflow settings than the full-fat version, and if you usually style with a Supersonic Nural, the Travel can’t make full use of the Nural’s smart attachments. So while it’s a decent model for travel, it’s not quite up to being a replacement for your main at-home dryer.

Warranty and repairs

The Supersonic Travel comes with a two-year warranty, under which Dyson will repair or replace the dryer if it develops a fault. Any spare parts or replacement accessories bought separately are covered by a one-year warranty. You can arrange a repair under warranty by phone via the Dyson helpline, which will organise a courier to collect the item for assessment and repair. The MyDyson app also includes practical tips to help keep the dryer in good working order.

Dyson sells refurbished and repaired devices at a lower cost through its Certified Dyson Refurbished programme. At the time of writing, the Supersonic Travel is not yet available in the Refurbished store, but this may change in future.

If you’re upgrading, third-party sites such as Sell My Dyson offer trade-in options for used devices in good, damaged or even non-working condition. Otherwise, electrical recycling schemes such as Recycle Your Electricals will help you to responsibly dispose of non-repairable items.

Should I buy it?

If you’re a frequent traveller or someone who despises hotel (or even gym) hair dryers, then the Dyson Supersonic Travel may make sense for you. It’s stylish, compact and well built; it dries hair quickly and gently without stripping moisture; and the universal voltage compatibility means you can use it anywhere in the world. If you already own a Supersonic, being able to use the Travel with your existing attachments is a bonus.

All of that said, this is still very much a luxury purchase. If you travel only occasionally, then you might be better looking at alternative dryers such as the ones below – or taking your chances with whatever is available at your destination.

For those who don’t already own a Supersonic and have always wanted one, the Travel does come in a smidge cheaper than the original (RRP £280) – but you don’t get quite as many features.

Ultimately, whether or not you choose the Travel will come down to hair health and, of course, your budget. If you have dry, damaged and frizz-prone hair that doesn’t do well with unfamiliar tools, the Supersonic Travel may be the solution to having one less thing to worry about on your holiday.

Not feeling Supersonic? Three of the best alternative travel hair dryers

Bellissima B-travel

In our roundup of the best hair dryers, Sarah Matthews was full of praise for this dinky folding travel dryer from Italian brand Bellissima: “Unlike most hotel hair dryers, which only let out a pathetic trickle of air, this hair dryer provides wind speeds of up to 18.9m/s – faster than some full-size options I’ve reviewed, and highly impressive given the hair dryer’s light weight.”

MDlondon Blow

The Blow isn’t marketed as a travel dryer as such – rather, it’s a compact premium hair dryer that’s small and light enough to fit in your getaway bag. It’s impressively quiet and extremely versatile, with its independently selectable three airspeed settings and three heat settings (plus cool shot). If you’re in the market for a small, premium-quality hair dryer that works equally well at home and on travels, this could be the one for you.

BaByliss Travel Dry 2000

This lightweight and compact travel dryer has a folding handle, so it takes up minimal space in your luggage. The Travel Dry 2000 also has dual voltage, meaning you can use it abroad without worrying about adapters or compatibility. It’s fairly basic, but perfectly adequate for a quick dry on holiday. It’s also a definite step up from most wall-mounted options found in hotels – and £230 cheaper than the Supersonic Travel.

For more, read the best hair dryers and the best hair masks for every budget

Lise Smith is a writer with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty, lifestyle, parenting and the performing arts. She travels quite often and hates hotel hair dryers