We tested the Shark SpeedStyle, and this is what we thought

If you use a hair dryer on a regular basis, you’ll probably want a product that goes beyond the basic model that comes with concentrator and diffuser attachments at most and doesn’t have any smart settings. Shark is known for making top-quality hair tools (like the Shark HyperAir hair dryer or the Shark FlexStyle multistyler) and recently, they launched a new hair dryer, the Shark SpeedStyle. 

This product is special because it combines the power and quick-drying ability of the Shark HyperAir along with some of the attachment versatility and style settings of the Shark FlexStyle. To see if the Shark SpeedStyle lives up to the hype, the folks in the BestReviews Testing Lab put it to the test and were pretty impressed by what they discovered. 

What is the Shark SpeedStyle?

Heat Settings: 4 | Wattage: 1,600  | Attachments: 3 per set for straight/wavy or curly/coily hair, or you can build a custom bundle | Cold Shot: Yes | Power Source: Corded Electric

Weighing just 1.6 pounds and measuring about 6 inches by 8 inches, the Shark SpeedStyle is a compact hair dryer. Though it’s a full-size product, it looks and feels almost like a travel hair dryer, which helps make it easy and lightweight to hold and maneuver when drying your hair. 

Despite its small size, this is a mighty product. It uses 1,600 watts of power for forceful airflow, which amounts to faster drying time. The whole concept of this product is to rely on airflow rather than damaging heat to get your strands dry as quickly as possible. 

Besides its power, the Shark SpeedStyle takes a unique approach when it comes to the included attachments. You can purchase the hair dryer as part of two attachment bundles: one tailored to straight/wavy hair types and the other better suited for curly/coily hair types. Alternatively, you have the option to “build your own” Shark SpeedStyle and choose two attachments from six options to create a custom set (additional attachments can be purchased separately). 

Pros

• Lightweight: At 1.6 pounds, this product is super lightweight and doesn’t take as much effort to hold and maneuver as heavier hair dryers. 
• Compact: It’s just 6 by 8 inches in size. 
• Powerful: The 1,600 watts of power deliver a very strong airflow so you can use less hair-damaging heat. 
• Attachment versatility: We love that there are six available attachments and that you have the option to build your own bundle with the attachments that are best suited for your hair type. 
• Intelligent IQ setting: This setting recognizes the attachment and automatically adjusts the heat and airflow to the ideal settings for that attachment. 
• RapidGloss Finisher tames flyaways and adds shine: Our favorite attachment added a lot of smoothness and shine to the finished look. 

Cons

• Could use more airflow settings: The High setting is powerful, and some users might find it too strong. However, the Medium setting is significantly weaker. We would have preferred a fourth setting between Medium and High. 
• QuickSmooth Brush isn’t as ergonomic as a hot air brush: Though this attachment is useful for people who don’t have a separate hot air brush or multistyler, if you do have one, you might prefer to use it because it’s more ergonomic and easier to maneuver than this attachment. 

Who is it for?

Due to its targeted and customizable attachment bundles, the Shark SpeedStyle is a great choice for people who want only the tools for their specific hair type and don’t need as much versatility when it comes to styling various hair types. This is also a solid purchase option for someone who wants a very powerful yet lightweight product. 

If you like the idea of the various styling options available with a multistyler (such as the Shark Flexstyle or the Dyson Airwrap), but aren’t quite ready to purchase another pricey hairstyling tool, the Shark SpeedStyle might be a good compromise. Although it primarily works as a hair dryer, the two brush attachments work like those found on multistylers. 

How we tested

We tested this product on a reviewer who has fine, dense hair about 22 inches long. The hair was first washed with shampoo and conditioned, then wrapped in a towel for approximately five minutes to absorb excess water, then towel-dried (using the same towel) while separating the strands with the head upside down.

We spritzed the hair with Biolage Styling Smooth Shine Milk, a moisturizing product. We combed the product through and parted the hair. We air-dried the hair for about 10 minutes, which greatly cuts down on blow-drying time and leads to less hair damage overall. 

Before blow-drying, we sprayed the hair liberally with TRESemmé Heat Tamer Spray and combed the product through the hair to protect the strands from heat damage. 

Using the Shark SpeedStyle for Straight and Wavy Hair, we roughly dried the hair on high heat and the highest airflow setting (without any attachments) until it was about 80% dry. Then we used the QuickSmooth Brush to completely dry the hair. At the very end, we used the RapidGloss Finisher attachment to smooth and tame any flyaway hairs. 

Price and where to buy

On the Shark website, there are four purchase options for the Shark SpeedStyle, which vary in price and the included attachments. The Shark SpeedStyle for Coily and Curly Hair retails for $200 (currently on sale for $180) and includes the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush and DefrizzFast Diffuser. The Shark SpeedStyle for Straight and Wavy Hair retails for $200 (currently on sale for $180) and includes the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush and Turbo Concentrator. 

If you want to customize your attachment bundle, you can purchase the Build Your Own Shark SpeedStyle for $180 (currently on sale for $150) and select any two attachments from a list of six: RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, DefrizzFast Diffuser, Turbo Concentrator, Lift & Stretch Wide-Tooth Comb and Express Touchup Brush. (Additional attachments can be purchased separately.)

If you want maximum versatility, opt for the Shark SpeedStyle Ultimate Gift Set for All Hair Types, which costs $260. It includes the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush, DefrizzFast Diffuser, Turbo Concentrator, Express Touchup Brush and storage pouch.

Though the customization options are only available through the Shark website, the preset bundles can also be purchased on Amazon, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Nordstrom. 

Shark SpeedStyle attachment reviews

There are six available attachments in total, but we tested the Shark SpeedStyle for Straight and Wavy Hair, which is a preset bundle that includes the RapidGloss Finisher, QuickSmooth Brush and Turbo Concentrator. (The Shark SpeedStyle for Curly and Coily Hair also includes the RapidGloss Finisher and QuickSmooth Brush.)

Turbo Concentrator

This is a standard concentrated airflow attachment, nothing fancy but nothing lacking. Its opening is fairly narrow (comparable to the one included with the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer), resulting in a very strong airflow that’s great for blowing hair over a round brush or paddle brush. 

QuickSmooth Brush

This attachment is unique as far as hair dryers are concerned. It’s similar to what is more commonly found on a hot air brush (such as the Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0) or a multistyler (such as the Shark FlexStyle or the Dyson Airwrap). We were interested to give this attachment a try. 

It is recommended that you get the hair about 80% dry without attachments before finishing with the QuickSmooth Brush, which is how we tested it. Although we liked this attachment and the results, it wasn’t quite as effective as similar attachments on hot air brushes or multistylers. We found this attachment more difficult to maneuver when attached to an L-shaped hair dryer as opposed to using an I-shaped hot air brush or multistyler. 

RapidGloss Finisher

This attachment is designed for use at the end of blow-drying to help tame flyaways and give you an overall smoother and shinier look. It uses Coanda airflow technology (the same technology as the Dyson Airwrap) with two streams of air to smooth flyaway hairs on dry straight or straightened hair.​​ To use it, gently glide the hair dryer with the RapidGloss Finisher attachment over the hair from roots to tips. 

This product was one of our favorite features that set this hair dryer apart from typical hair dryers. It works well to smooth and shine hair and control pesky flyaways for a more polished result. 

How to use the Shark SpeedStyle

Turn on the Shark SpeedStyle by pressing the lowest button on the back of the hair dryer. Shark recommends roughly blow-drying hair to about 80% dry and then finishing the styling with any of the attachments. You can adjust the heat and airflow to your liking by pressing the side-by-side heat and airflow buttons on the back of the hair dryer. The Cool Shot button has a blue dot and is the only button located on the front of the hair dryer. 

To use an attachment, slide and lock it into place. Press the IQ button on the back of the hair dryer, and the Shark SpeedStyle automatically recognizes the attachment and defaults to the ideal airflow and heat settings for that attachment. However, you can also adjust the airflow and heat to your liking by pressing the side-by-side heat and airflow buttons. 

Should you get one?

The Shark SpeedStyle is an excellent product for people looking for a hair dryer bundle that’s a step up from a typical hair dryer that comes with concentrator and diffuser attachments at most and has no intelligent settings. We love that you can choose an attachment bundle that’s best suited for your hair type and not pay for attachments you’ll never use.

If you’d like to enjoy some of the features of a multistyler but don’t want to purchase a separate device, the Shark SpeedStyle is a great compromise. The QuickSmooth Brush works like the brush attachment on a multistyler to help achieve a smooth and straight hairstyle. The RapidGloss Finisher uses Coanda airflow technology (like the Dyson Airwrap) to help tame flyaways for a smooth and shiny finish.