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Air stylers are being sold as a one-size-fits-all solution for 'healthy curls' β€” but that's just not accurate, says major haircare brand founder

Air stylers are very much the hot hair tool of the moment. When Dyson's first Airwrap hit the shelves in 2018, it felt like we were immediately hooked. We watched, entranced, as this wand-shaped styler grabbed a limp piece of hair, span it around, and left a perfect curl in its wake. And all without any extreme heat? It felt too good to be true.

The more watched women use this device on social, the more I saw women being very, very upset that they spent $600 on a device that created a curl for maybe a minute.

Dr Julie Chung, T3

And maybe it was. When I spoke to Dr Julie Chung, co-founder of major haircare brand T3, she advised that we take a much more cautious approach to the air styler phenomenon than we're used to hearing.

"This device is not for all hair types," she tells me. "And for any company to say, 'Oh, this is for all hair kind', 'this is for every single woman', it's simply not true."

She talks about how cool air-styler tools look on social media, but how, after the initial curl-creation magic has been captured, many women will find the styles just don't last on their hair.

T3 Aire360 styler

T3 hair an air styler, but Dr Chung is clear it's not suitable for everyone (Image credit: Future)

"The more that I would watch women use this device on social, the more I saw women being very, very upset that they spent $600 on a device that created a curl for maybe a minute. They'd be in the mirror, it looks great, then they turn away for two seconds, look back and the curls have fallen," she recalls of the early days of air stylers.

One size does not fit all

Dr Chung is clear that even T3's own air styler β€” the Aire 360 β€” isn't for everyone. "Curls in general… it depends on the woman's hair type," she explains. "Some women can use a Dyson Airwrap with no product and be able to curl their hair and it'll stay. But that's because these are women whose hair tends to hold a curl really, really well.

"A woman with fine hair, for example, will dm me and say, the Shark didn't work. The Dyson didn't work. Should I get the Aire 360? And I would tell her, no. Just like Brandy Melvilles [a fashion brand that's been criticized for only offering clothing in one, small size] one size does not fit all. I can't even get the shorts over one leg."

A woman with fine hair, for example, will DM me and say, the Shark didn't work. The Dyson didn't work. Should I get the Air360? And I would tell her, no.

Dr Julie Chung, T3

So you might have hair that will naturally hold an air styler curl with no further effort required. Or you might need to add product, and take time to cool and set the air-styler curl.

Alternatively, a curling iron might give you much better and longer-lasting results (Dr Chung is also of the belief that 'heat has been demonized incorrectly β€” but that's a different subject), or you might need to use a curling iron to create ribbon curls. Dr Chung mentions T3's CEO, whose hair won't even hold a curling iron curl, and who needs a hot-roller set.

Your needs will be shaped not just by your hair texture, Dr Chung explains, but all manner of other aspects, from your lifestyle to the kind of climate you're living in, to your hair cut, and whether it's been colored, and the products you're using on it. There's a full spectrum of needs, and a full spectrum of tools.

She adds: "I've always said this to both consumers and editors alike: I can help you find the tool that will work for you, but that one tool that you're looking at, that some companies say it's for everybody. It's not for you. "I'm not going to sell you something that you'll come back and say it didn't work because I knew it wasn't going to work. I don't think that's some mind-blowing concept."

'Curling irons can be just as healthy as air styling' β€” I chatted to a major haircare brand founder about the styling mistakes we're all making

The hot topic β€” no pun intended β€” in haircare gadgets right now is heat. More specifically, the evils of heat, and how it's a one-way street to fried locks and frizz. So when I spoke to Dr Julie Chung, co-founder of haircare brand T3, I was surprised to discover she has a rather different take.

"Heat in general has been sort of demonized incorrectly," she tells me. "Women always think, 'Oh heat is terrible for my hair, I'm just gonna let it air dry, I'm gonna shower and just sleep on it.' Hair is actually in its most fragile state when it's wet. It tends to be much easier to break β€” that tensile strength is decreased and it's more likely to snap. And not to mention when you air-dry your hair, usually the hair is very frizzy and it tends to look even unhealthier if your hair is already in a dried out state."

Hair is in its most fragile state when it's wet. It tends to be much easier to break β€” that tensile strength is decreased and it's more likely to snap

That focus on hair health is nothing particularly new. "Women have always been obsessed with trying to find the healthiest option," Dr Chung tells me. "You know, people pursuing this idea of healthy heat is something I'm seeing [right now], but that's something that I've seen for 20 years."

However, the conversations have been buoyed up by the arrival of air stylers like the Dyson Airwrap. They've been heralded as the solution to all our heat-damage fears, but Julie is skeptical about that, too.

"The air styler category has grown quite big and there's this notion that air curling is better than curling iron curling, which I don't necessarily agree with," she continues. "I think it's right for some women in terms of ease of use, but I think curling irons can be just as healthy as air styling. It really depends on how many passes you go through in the hair, how adept the woman is with her styling."

Close-up of the T3 Aire 360 oval brush attachment, showing the mixed SmoothGrip bristles and white-tipped pins on the CeraGloss ceramic surface

T3's Aire 360 has a proprietary ceramic coating designed to deliver even heat (Image credit: Future)

So hot tools aren't inherently terrible, which is good news, because β€” as Dr Chung is at pains to point out β€” air stylers won't work for everyone. If your hair type isn't the kind to happily hold a curl that's been created by just a waft of a breeze, and you do decide to swap your air curler for a hot tong or enlist the help of a straightener to create ribbon curls, then it's worth finding a good one. Julie suggests paying attention to the kind of heat and how it's being delivered.

"The key there is ceramic. So in our Aire 360, for example, we have a ceramic coating instead of plastic because we know that ceramic is a better conductor of heat," Dr Chung explains. "We have a specific proprietary ceramic blend that evenly heats the plates without any hot spots. So it has a gentle delivery of heat along with far-infrared heat, which is a gentler heat as well."

Big air, better hair

What about hair dryers β€” those are safe, right? Wrong. Here, too, Dr Chung has opinions that seem to butt up against those of other makers, with their fixation on packing the most power possible into their dryers.

The average woman cannot and should not be using high velocity heat every day

"The biggest secret sauce β€” which isn't even a secret because I talk about it so openly, but even now our competitors do not want to embrace β€” is the fact that you do not need heat to be at the highest setting, and you do not need the highest velocity," she insists. "This is something that stylists sometimes need in order to do a quick blowout very quickly, but the average woman cannot and should not be using high velocity heat every day."

Dr Chung talks about how people will often add a concentrator "without really thinking", then use a round brush and really focus the heat in, with the aim of smoothing out the hair. "It's extremely damaging when done repeatedly", she warns.

Similarly, if you regularly pop your dryer on full-blast when rough-drying your hair, so it feels "like a wind tunnel where your hair is flying all over the place", that's not great either β€” and not just because the wind tunnel effect will kick up static.

T3 Afar hair dryer with nozzle detached

(Image credit: Future)

"It'll dry your hair, yes, but will make it extremely dry and not just dry your hair, but take all the moisture out of your hair without sealing the cuticle," she explains.

The brand has found an innovative way to avoid this, without sacrificing efficiency, and the concept dates right back to T3's debut product. "We had this idea called Soft Air, where we delivered a larger volume of air at lower heat, so it would dry your hair very, very quickly, but without stripping it of all its moisture."

She explains how the team shaped the concentrator and the barrel of the dryer so that the air wasn't expelled in a dense stream, but instead came out in a larger volume, occupying a larger space. The idea of Soft Air is that it could still dry hair efficiently, but without the need to max out on power or temperature, and when combined with ions helps to decrease static frizz.

I've been trying out one of the brand's dryers (the T3 Afar) and the air delivery feels noticeably gentler β€” almost unsettlingly so β€” and less concentrated than any other hair dryer I've tested. It's slower to dry my hair than the likes of the Dyson Supersonic Nural, but it does leave my locks feeling softer and with less frizz than usual. So maybe Dr Chung is on to something. Excuse me while I dig my curling tongs out of storage.

"We’re not hiding how things work, we’re expressing it" β€” I sat down with Jake Dyson to talk radical product design, and why your favorite vacuum and hair dryer look like nothing else on the planet

Whether it’s a vacuum cleaner, a hand dryer, an air purifier, or a fan, Dyson products rarely look like anything else on the market β€” and that’s particularly apparent at the company’s campus in Malmesbury, southwest England, where images of recent launches decorate the walls like modern art. The sprawling complex, in a particularly beautiful patch of Wiltshire countryside, is home to Dyson’s global Research, Design and Development (RDD) center, and the Dyson Institute, where students from around the world study while working alongside engineers on live projects. I visited the center to meet the company’s Chief Engineer Jake Dyson β€” son of founder Sir James Dyson β€” and learn more about the company’s approach to design.

Jake Dyson didn’t join his father’s business immediately; instead he set up a workshop and made a name for himself in the world of industrial lighting. Sitting in his office, I asked whether his experience in that sector had contributed to his work at Dyson today.

β€œYes, it comes down to identifying problems and solving them,” he explained. β€œWhen LEDs first entered the market, I realized people weren’t cooling them properly. The promise of LEDs is that they should last a lifetime, but in reality they were being treated like disposable lightbulbs. I visited Osram in Asia, and they explained that if you keep the diode temperature below about 50C [120F, you can maintain brightness, color quality, and lifespan. That became my goal.

Building at Dyson's campus in Malmesbury, with picture of Dyson Supersonic hairdryer on the side

Dyson's unique product designs take center stage at the company's campus in Malmesbury, UK (Image credit: Getty Images / Bloomberg)

β€œI looked at how satellites manage heat. In space, temperatures swing from extremely hot to extremely cold, so they need precise thermal control. I applied similar thinking by designing systems that passively dissipate heat. For example, the heat moves away from the chip and is cooled by airflow, maintaining a stable temperature even at high power. That process, spotting a problem and solving it, is what drives everything.”

That problem-solving approach has always been the driving force behind the Dyson brand, and explains its unusual portfolio of products; its engineers have never been afraid to venture into new areas when there’s a problem to be solved.

β€œSometimes it comes from frustration," said Jake Dyson. "'This product is rubbish, how can we make it better?’ Other times it’s curiosity: β€˜Why does this work the way it does?’”

Problem-first design

James Dyson’s book Invention: A Life of Learning Through Failure, describes how the problem-first process led to the creation of many of the company’s most iconic and recognizable products β€” starting with a humble wheelbarrow. Dyson and his wife Deidre were renovating a house in Gloucestershire, England, and wanted to create a garden, but the traditional tools proved frustrating.

β€œI used a navy barrow in anger and its limitations became increasingly clear,” writes Dyson. β€œCement slopped out of it. Its tubular legs sunk into the ground. It was hard to steer. Its sharp edges damaged doorframes. The more I used it, the more I realized that nobody had really thought about these problems or bothered to fix them.”

After much experimentation with shapes, materials, and manufacturing processes, the result was the Ballbarrow: a molded plastic bucket on a steel frame, with the conventional wheel replaced by a pneumatic ball made from EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate). This spread the weight of the load more evenly on soft ground, and was easier to maneuver than a wheel β€” and in bright orange, it looked unlike anything else at the time.

Dyson Airblade hand dryer

Dyson products are always designed to solve a problem β€” the Airblade hand dryer was created to reduce waste from paper towels in public bathrooms (Image credit: Getty Images, Gado)

The product itself was a success, but due to a series of poor business decisions, Dyson senior eventually lost control of the company he had founded around it, Kirk-Dyson, and was ultimately kicked out by the other shareholders.

β€œI had lost five years of work by not valuing my creation,” he wrote. β€œI had failed to protect the one thing that was most valuable to me.”

It was a painful experience, but one he learned from as he pressed on with identifying and solving problems β€” starting with the creation of the first cyclonic vacuum cleaner, which he designed after realizing that dust bags don’t just serve to collect dust β€” they also act as filters that block airflow, drastically reducing suction power.

β€œI remembered the same clogging problem on the calico cloth with the powder coating in the Ballbarrow factory and the giant cyclone we had made to solve it,” he wrote. β€œWhat if I could develop a much smaller version and replace the clogging bag in a vacuum cleaner?”

Thousands of prototypes later (5,127 to be precise), he had the world’s first bagless vacuum β€” and a vast collection of patents to protect it.

Rear view of the Dyson Supersonic Nural next to the Supersonic Travel showing rear sensors and controls

The Dyson Supersonic was created to solve the problem of heavy and cumbersome hair dryers, with a lighter motor and a center of gravity that sits in your palm (Image credit: Future)

Dyson’s understanding of airflow and cyclonic technology has informed almost all of the company’s subsequent products; but like the vacuum, each one started with a problem. The Dyson Airblade hand dryer was created to reduce waste paper towels; the Airmultiplier fan solved the issue of β€˜choppy’ air from conventional fan blades; the Pure Hot+Cool purifier was made to tackle indoor air pollution; and the Supersonic hairdryer solved the problem of heavy and uncomfortable hairdryers with weighty motors.

In every case, the form of the finished product was dictated by the problem it was designed to solve β€” even if the result looked totally unlike established versions of the device.

β€œThat’s why Dyson products often look unusual; they’re built around their function,” said Jake Dyson in his Malmesbury office. β€œThey’re also beautiful. A hair dryer has a hole through it because of how the airflow works. Fans and other products expose their engineering principles through the way they look β€” we’re not hiding how things work, we’re expressing it.”

Creative color

Those unusual designs are often set off by equally unusual color schemes, which tend to highlight buttons, switches, removable canisters, and other functional parts.

β€œWe have a team here, CMF, which is colors, materials and finishes, that look into the appearance but also materials of our products," said Jake Dyson.

The CMF team doesn’t just draw on experience from successful projects, but also failed ones like the cancelled Dyson electric car, which provided finish and material ideas for many of the company’s health and beauty devices.

Most recently, CMF lent its expertise to Dyson's first hand-held fan β€” the Dyson HushHet Mini Cool β€” which launched just in time for a series of heatwaves in the UK. It sold out almost immediately, and after testing it myself, I can see why; it’s compact, much more powerful than its closest rival, the Shark ChillPill, and more affordable to boot.

β€œWe’ve seen strong demand [for the HushHet Mini Cool], and it’s one of those products where people don’t initially realize they need it but once they try it, they understand the value,” said Jake Dyson. β€œIt’s designed to be reusable, not disposable like cheaper alternatives. I've seen people with the cheap plastic fans that break very [easily], but we wanted ours to be well engineered, durable, quiet and efficient.

Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan in woman's hand

The Dyson HushJet Mini Cool fan is the company's latest product, and proved enormously popular during a hot British summer (Image credit: Future)

β€œWe’re working on scaling production, but demand has been very strong, so availability can sometimes be limited. That said, it is coming back to market.”

So what does the future hold? The company is investigating ways to use AI where it will actually add value, helping machines interpret data and make better decisions, and Jake Dyson says that "vision systems and new product directions" are the most exciting areas for him.

"We’ve historically been very strong in mechanical engineering motors, airflow, performance. But now, adding cameras and vision systems allows machines to detect what they’re looking at, understand it and act accordingly.

"That opens up entirely new categories of products and capabilities, so we’re moving from purely mechanical devices to machines that can see, think, and respond, and that’s where the next wave of innovation is coming from."

It'll be fascinating to see which problems the company will be looking to solve with those new technologies, and there's no way of knowing what the next generation of Dyson products will look like as the company expands into new areas. We'll just have to wait and see β€” but it's definitely not going to be boring.

Dyson Supersonic Travel vs Supersonic Nural: I tested the two premium hair dryers to see what you get β€” and don't get β€” for the substantial price difference

Following the launch of Dyson's first ever compact hair dryer, the Supersonic Travel, I spent four weeks putting it through its paces, including during a trip to San Francisco β€” you can read about this in depth in my Dyson Supersonic Travel review.

What I kept coming back to was how similar it seemed to Dyson's Supersonic Nural, despite there being a $150 / Β£150 / AU$300 gap between the two. Both use the same motor and the same intelligent heat control technology. Both use the same magnetic attachment system, meaning any nozzle or diffuser from either machine works on both. And both deliver the same smooth, frizz-free finish that Dyson has become known for.

I've tested many of the best hair dryers on the market, and Dyson consistently sits near the top. So if the technology is this similar, what exactly are you paying the extra cash for β€” and is the Nural worth it? I tested the two side by side. Here's what you need to know.

Dyson Supersonic Travel vs Supersonic Nural dryer: efficiency

On sheer drying power, the Nural wins. It's a full-size dryer with full airflow, and on my fine, mid-length hair it dried in around two and a half minutes on high heat. The Travel took around four minutes in the same conditions.

Four minutes is fast for a travel dryer β€” faster than every hotel dryer I've used and faster than some standard home dryers too. The finish was smooth and shiny every time, which is the more important result. But the gap is significant, and if you have thick or long hair that already takes 15 or 20 minutes at home, you'll feel it a lot more than I did.

Both have a 110,000 RPM motor, and both use a built-in thermistor sensor that continuously monitors air temperature to prevent heat damage and protect your hair's shine.

Interestingly, the cheaper Travel measures temperature more frequently than the pricier Nural β€” over 100 times per second versus 40. However, where the Travel uses it as a protective measure, the Nural uses it in more advanced ways for its Scalp Protect Mode. This mode uses a network of Nural sensors and an infrared beam to measure the distance between the dryer and your scalp in real time, automatically reducing heat and airflow as it gets closer to maintain a consistent 131 F / 55 C at the roots.

Winner: Dyson Supersonic Nural

Dyson Supersonic Travel vs Supersonic Nural dryer: design & comfort

Dyson Supersonic Nural and Supersonic Travel hair dryers compared on a countertop

The size difference is obvious, with the Travel (right) designed to take up much less luggage space than the Nural (left) (Image credit: Future)

Both the Nural and Travel look unmistakably like Dyson products. They have the same cylindrical head, narrow handle, and magnetic barrel as the entire Supersonic range. I tested the Travel in Ceramic Pink/Rose Gold and the Nural in Red Velvet/Gold, and both have a stylish soft matte finish.

The biggest and most obvious design difference is in size.

The Nural weighs 1.5lbs / 684g and measures 3.8 x 3 x 11.3 inches / 9.8 x 7.7 x 28 cm. The Travel is 32% smaller β€” at 2.7 x 2.8 x 8.7 inches / 6.8 x 7.1 x 22.2 cm β€” and almost half the weight. This makes it small and light enough to drop into a handbag without rearranging everything around it and I carried the Travel to San Francisco in a tote bag alongside my laptop and it barely registered.

Rear view of the Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer showing its rear panel

Both models put airflow and temperature buttons on the rear of the barrel (pictured on the Travel) with LEDs above each button showing your current setting. Unlike the Nural through, the Travel model doesn’t include rear scalp protection sensors (Image credit: Future)

Both put airflow and temperature buttons on the rear of the barrel, with LEDs above each button showing your current setting. On the Nural, these LEDs change color as you cycle through settings to make it easier to see, at a glance, what setting you're on. The Travel's stay white, making it harder.

Beyond this, the Nural offers four heat settings plus three airflow speeds. The Travel has three heat settings and two airflow speeds. On the Travel, its cool shot requires sliding the power button upward past its 'on' position. This will be familiar if you own a Dyson Airwrap i.d but if you don't, this feature won't feel obvious the first time you use the Travel.

Close-up of the Dyson Supersonic Nural airflow and temperature control buttons

The Nural offers four heat settings plus three airflow speeds. The Travel has three heat settings and two airflow speeds (Image credit: Future)

The Nural gives you meaningfully more control over both heat and airflow, which matters if you have multiple hair types or needs in your household, or if you regularly switch between drying and styling with different attachments.

Cord length is 9.2ft / 2.8m on the Nural and 6.6ft / 2m on the Travel, and neither folds. The Travel's cord is longer than I'd like for a machine sold primarily on portability but this longer length does make it easier to use in a hotel room when the plug socket aren't always in the most useful places.

Winner: Draw – even though the Nural has some standout design benefits compared to the Travel, they fit different needs: the Nural is better designed for home, while the Travel is better for everywhere else.

Dyson Supersonic Travel vs Supersonic Nural dryer: special features

The Travel's standout feature is auto-voltage. It adapts automatically to any supply between 100V and 240V without the need for a converter or a switch. I used it in San Francisco with a standard plug adapter and there was no drop in power, change in noise or overheating.

The Nural counters with Scalp Protect Mode, which uses proprietary sensors to detect proximity to your scalp and automatically drops the air temperature. When you pull the dryer away, it returns to your selected setting. This setting works in the background, and over months of daily use I haven't once scorched my roots on a high heat setting. For anyone with a sensitive scalp, fine hair, or hair growth concerns, it's a functional benefit rather than a convenience feature.

Dyson Supersonic Nural hair dryer with five magnetic styling attachments on a worktop

For the higher price, the Nural ships with multiple attachments (pictured) compared to the Travel's single nozzle. The specifics of these attachments vary slightly depending on which model you buy (Image credit: Future)

The Nural also has Attachment Learning, which recognises which nozzle is fitted via RFID chips and remembers your preferred settings.

For example, if you swap to the diffuser, the Nural will automatically drop to your usual diffuser heat and speed. The Pause Detect feature then cuts the airflow when the dryer is put down and resumes when you pick it back up.

The Travel has neither of those features but it is compatible with the entire Supersonic and Supersonic Nural attachment range. If you already own the Nural, you can pack your existing nozzles and diffuser and use them on the Travel.

Winner: Dyson Nural – the Travel's auto-voltage is the most widely practical feature across the two dryers but the Nural is a much more advanced choice.

Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer beside a Dyson Nural styling attachment

The Travel is compatible with the entire Supersonic and Supersonic Nural attachment range. If you already own the Nural, you can pack your existing nozzles and diffuser and use them on the Travel (pictured) (Image credit: Future)

Dyson Supersonic Travel vs Supersonic Nural dryer: specs

Model:

Dyson Supersonic Travel

Dyson Supersonic Nural

Wattage:

1,000–1,220W

1,600W

Weight (without cord, appox):

0.7lbs / 330g

1.5lbs / 684g

Size (H x W x L, approx):

2.7 x 2.8 x 8.7 inches / 6.8 x 7.1 x 22.2cm

3.0 x 3.8 x 11.3 inches / 7.7 x 9.8 x 28.8cm

Airflow settings:

2

3

Temperature settings:

3

4

Extra modes:

Cool shot

Cool shot, Scalp Protect Mode, Pause Detect, Attachment Learning

Cord length:

6.6ft / 2m

8.6ft / 2.6m

Should I buy the Dyson Supersonic Travel or Supersonic Nural dryer?

Buy the Dyson Supersonic Travel if...

βœ… You travel frequently and your hair matters to you: Hotel dryers are a lottery. The Travel gives you consistent Dyson-quality results wherever you are.

βœ… You already own a Dyson Supersonic or Nural: The attachment compatibility means you're not buying a second set of nozzles – just a travel body for your existing routine.

βœ… You have fine or mid-length hair: The reduced airflow won't be an issue for finer hair types. Four minutes is still fast, and the intelligent heat control means the finish is just as good as you'd get from a full-size dryer.

Buy the Dyson Supersonic Nural if...

βœ… You want the best Dyson for home use: Full airflow, smarter controls, color-coded LEDs and five attachments make this the more complete package for everyday drying.

βœ… You have a sensitive scalp or fine hair at the roots: Scalp Protect Mode works in the background and over months of daily use, the difference in root and hair health is noticeable.

βœ… You dry your hair every day: The Nural's Attachment Learning and Pause Detect are small features that add up to an easier daily routine.

The Laifen T1 Pro is an electric shaver with an Apple-esque aesthetic that isn't backed up by its performance

Laifen T1 Pro: two-minute review

On first impressions, the Laifen T1 Pro wows. Open the box and you're greeted with Apple-inspired packaging, while the shaver itself immediately looks the part. Its CNC-machined unibody aluminium body looks and feels genuinely premium and, if you're used to cheaper shavers like the Philips OneBlade – my usual razor – it's impossible not to grin at the magnetically attached shaving head, which somehow manages to feel genuinely futuristic.

Modern conveniences like USB-C charging, an aeroplane mode to stop the power button being pressed in your bag while travelling and IPX7 waterproofing all add to the premium feel. Based on the spec sheet and those first impressions, you'd be forgiven for thinking the Laifen T1 Pro was one of the best electric shavers on the market.

The problem is that, with a shaver, the only thing that really matters is the shave itself, and that's where the Laifen T1 Po disappoints. I shave twice a week and have fairly coarse stubble, and despite repeated attempts the T1 Pro simply couldn't deliver a comfortable shave and often snagged on my hairs, which was painful and left me with patchy stubble. You have to limit your expectations a bit with single-blade razors, but I've been getting an effective shave with my Philips OneBlade for years, and often I found myself reaching for it to finish up and get the hairs that survived the T1 Pro's efforts.

This leaves the Laifen T1 Pro in an awkward position. It's beautifully designed and genuinely pleasant to use in every respect until it comes to shaving, but if I have to reach for a second razor to finish the job, the premium build and thoughtful features become little more than a nice distraction. I'd love to see Laifen revisit the shaving head in a future model because the engineering elsewhere is genuinely impressive, but as it stands I can't recommend the T1 Pro.

Front-on view of Laifen T1 shaver

(Image credit: Future)

Laifen T1 Pro: price and availability

  • List price: $149 / Β£149 / AU$246
  • Launched: September 2025

The Laifen T1 Pro launched in September 2025. Listing prices vary but are consistent with other premium shavers. In the US it's currently selling for around $129, in the UK it's Β£149 and in Australia it's $239. However, it doesn't come with a case, cleaning materials or anything else so it may feel steep in comparison

  • Value score: 2/5

Laifen T1 Pro: design

  • CNC-machined aluminum feels premium
  • Magnetic head feels futuristic and makes cleaning a breeze
  • USB-C means you're just taking one cable away with you

The Laifen T1 Pro makes an excellent first impression. Unlike the plastic-bodied shavers that dominate the market, the T1 Pro is built around a CNC-machined unibody aluminium chassis that immediately feels more like a premium gadget than a bathroom appliance. The fit and finish are excellent, while the magnetically-attached shaving head snaps satisfyingly into place and makes cleaning refreshingly simple.

Laifen has also packed in plenty of thoughtful features. USB-C charging means one less proprietary cable to keep track of, an airplane mode prevents the power button from being accidentally pressed in your luggage, and the IPX7 waterproof rating means you can use the shaver wet or dry before simply rinsing it under the tap to clean it up.

Laifen T1 shaver charging port

(Image credit: Future)

The compact dimensions work in the T1 Pro's favour. It's comfortable to hold despite the lack of any rubberized grip, and the aluminum body never felt slippery during my testing, even during a heatwave when I was, perhaps a little sweatier than I'd like to admit. Its low weight, just 3.3oz / 93g, makes it easy to use precise movements in the tricky areas like the jawline and around the mouth β€” areas that can be difficult with larger, clunkier, shavers.

It's a minor thing, but I found myself squeaking with joy each time I opened the little cap at the bottom of the razor to reveal the USB-C charging port. It's a small thing, but the cap fits so neatly in and comes away so delicately it sparks joy every time I charged it.

In many ways, the T1 Pro feels like the product of a company obsessed with industrial design. From the premium materials to the magnetic shaving head and clean, minimalist aesthetic, there's very little to criticize about the hardware itself.

  • Design score: 4/5

Laifen T1 Pro: performance

  • Foil snags on coarse hair, which is painful
  • The shave is patchy and inconsistent
  • Long-lasting battery means you'll only need to charge occasionally

Ultimately, the Laifen T1 Pro lives or dies by the quality of its shave, and that's where it struggles. I have fairly coarse facial hair and typically shave twice a week, which proved to be a challenge the T1 Pro never really overcame.

Rather than cutting cleanly through my stubble, the shaver frequently pulled at beard hairs, making each shave less comfortable than it should have been. It also struggled to achieve an even finish. Even after several passes, I was often left with patches of missed stubble that required further attention. The trimmer head was more prone to this snagging, but the shaver head didn't eliminate the problem and also left my skin irritated.

The T1 Pro's light weight makes it easier to use, but its small size means covering your face takes longer than with a larger foil shaver. As a result, multiple passes quickly became the norm, and each additional pass increased the likelihood of the shaver snagging on thicker patches of hair.

Laifen T1 shaver with foil detached

(Image credit: Future)

I repeatedly found myself reaching for another razor to finish the job. Not only did it clean up the areas the T1 Pro had missed, but it also did so more comfortably. That's difficult to overlook given the T1 Pro's premium price.

The 120-minute battery life is excellent and should last most people several weeks between charges.

Unfortunately, The Laifen T1 Pro looks and feels like a premium electric shaver, but in my experience it simply doesn't deliver the shave the design promises, which makes it impossible to travel with because I also have to toss a second razor into my bag.

  • Performance score: 1/5

Should you buy the Laifen T1 Pro?

Laifen T1 Pro score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

A disappointing shave that is often painful.

2/5

Design

Beautifully designed with some thoughtful choices.

4/5

Performance

A premium price backed up by the design but not the shave.

1/5

Buy it if

You want a premium looking shaver

The Apple comparisons hold up; it really is a great looking shaver that feels good in your hand

You hate carrying extra cables

Charging from a USB-C means you've almost definitely got one with you, wherever you are.

Don't buy it if

You want a good clean shave

I feel like I've gone on about this a lot, but honestly it's really annoying to have a shaver that's doesn't give you a clean shave.

You have delicate skin or coarse hair

The Laifen T1 Pro can be quite a harsh shave. I found it struggled with my coarse stubble, catching on it painfully and often not cutting cleanly through. The shaver attachment left my skin sore and irritated after each use.

Laifen T1 Pro: also consider

Philips OneBlade 360

If you have sensitive skin, you'll likely find this versatile shaver a better option. It doesn't offer the closest shave but it's gentle, suitable for wet and dry shaving, and affordably priced too.

Read our full Philips OneBlade 360 review

Braun Series 9 Pro

At the other end of the price scale, we have this premium model, which our reviewer called "the Bugatti Veyron of shavers". It delivers excellent performance, with an ergonomic design and good battery life, and has a price tag to match.

Read our full Braun Series 9 Pro review

First reviewed July 2026

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