Last updated: 12 October 2026
The Dyson Airstrait smooths your hair with focused air instead of hot plates. Two narrow air slots blow air along your hair at a 45 degree angle, so it dries and pulls straight at the same time. The alternative with the same wet-to-dry principle is the Ace & Taylor AirStraight PrecisionAir.
TL;DR
- The Airstrait straightens wet hair with two air jets at a 45 degree angle, without hot plates.
- Wet-to-dry works because hair takes on and holds its new shape while it dries.
- In wet mode, the Airstrait works with settings of 80, 110 and 140 degrees.
- The Ace & Taylor AirStraight is the wet-to-dry alternative, with a 1300 watt motor and settings from 80 to 160 degrees.
- You try the AirStraight at home for 30 days, with a 2 year warranty.
How exactly does the Dyson Airstrait work?
The Airstrait replaces hot plates with air. Each arm of the device holds a 1.5 millimeter slot. Through those, air is accelerated into two narrow, powerful jets that blow downwards at a 45 degree angle and meet in one focused stream. A fast motor, spinning at up to 106,000 revolutions per minute, delivers the air pressure. As you pull the device through a wet strand, the air dries the hair while the tension of the stream pulls the hairs straight down. In wet mode you choose from three temperatures: 80, 110 or 140 degrees. That is clearly lower than what a classic straightener puts on the hair.
Why does styling on wet hair work so well?
Because wet hair is naturally moldable. In wet hair, the hydrogen bonds, the small connections that give your hair its shape, are temporarily looser. While the hair dries, those bonds re-form in the position the hair is in at that moment. If you keep the hair taut and straight while it dries, it dries straight. That is exactly what a wet-to-dry straightener does: drying and shaping in the same pass, without a hot surface of nearly 200 degrees coming into play. For more background, read what is an AirStraight wet-to-dry straightener.
What is the alternative to the Dyson Airstrait?
The Ace & Taylor AirStraight PrecisionAir works on the same wet-to-dry principle. The device has a 1300 watt motor with an airflow of up to 22 meters per second, temperature settings from 80 to 160 degrees and three modes: Wet, Dry and Cool Shot. Ionic technology helps against frizz and static hair. So you style towel-dried hair in one pass, or use the dry mode for a quick touch-up. And you do not have to buy blind: you try the AirStraight at home for 30 days, with a 2 year warranty and free shipping in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
How do the two compare at a glance?
How do you use a wet-to-dry straightener properly?
These five steps get the best result out of any wet-to-dry straightener:
- Towel-dry your hair. It should be damp, not dripping wet.
- Apply a heat protectant and comb your hair tangle-free.
- Work in sections about three centimeters wide.
- Pull the device calmly and in one fluid motion from root to tip. Going too fast means the hair is still wet when you finish.
- Finish with the cool setting for shine and hold.
Wondering whether this way of styling puts a strain on your hair? Then also read does an AirStraight wet-to-dry straightener damage your hair.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Dyson Airstrait style without heat?
No, it uses warm air. The temperatures are just considerably lower than with a classic straightener, because the airflow and the pulling tension take over part of the work.
Can you also use a wet-to-dry straightener on dry hair?
Yes. Both the Dyson Airstrait and the Ace & Taylor AirStraight have a separate dry mode for touching up your style in between.
Is wet-to-dry styling better for your hair than a regular straightener?
The working temperatures are lower than with classic hot plates, and research shows that hair damage increases with temperature. Do always use a heat protectant and never run a classic hot plate over wet hair.
How long does styling with a wet-to-dry straightener take?
You dry and style in the same pass, so you skip the separate blow-drying. How long it takes in total depends on the thickness and length of your hair.
Sources
- WiFi HiFi, technical explanation of the Dyson Airstrait (air slots, 45 degree angle, motor, temperature settings): wifihifi.com
- Lee, Y. et al. (2011), Hair Shaft Damage from Heat and Drying Time of Hair Dryer, Annals of Dermatology: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Anne Leensen
Want to try wet-to-dry styling yourself? Take a look at the AirStraight PrecisionAir and combine it with the Organicals heat protectant. You test it on your own hair for 30 days, with a 2 year warranty.
