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Though, starting around 2020, the scope of hair dryers is expanding to include not only hair styling but also care that reduces damage to the scalp and hair. Considering that a hair dryer, a small home appliance that cost around 10,000 won 10 years ago, has now become around 700,000 won, it is indeed safe to say that it is the home appliance that has evolved most rapidly in modern society.
According to the industry,the size of the domestic hair dryer market is estimated at approximately 200 billion won. It has approximately doubled from 110 billion won in 2018. as ‘self-treatment’ became a trend in the aftermath of COVID-19 in 2020, the home beauty device market grew rapidly, and the market for premium hair dryers also expanded.
According to the Fortune Business Insight report, the global hair dryer market was worth $9.01 billion (about KRW 12.59 trillion) last year and is expected to be about $9.5 billion (KRW 13.27 trillion) this year. It is a market that continues to grow every year and is expected to reach $13.42 billion in 2030.
It took 70 years to shape the hair dryer handle… Afterwards, focus on materials and motor output.
Hair dryers where developed about 140 years ago. In the beginning, we focused on the form, and as we got closer to the present, we focused on lighter and stronger materials and the output of the motor.
![“The most rapidly evolved home appliance in modern society, the hair dryer”… ‘Cost-effective’ Shark Flextile compared to Dyson Air Wrap[동아리]](https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/11/29/130533561.1.png "“The most rapidly evolved home appliance in modern society, the hair dryer”… ‘Cost-effective’ Shark Flextile compared to Dyson Air Wrap[동아리]")
It is indeed said that handheld dryers similar to today with handles were released in the 1920s, 100 years ago. Though, early hair dryers soon disappeared from the market as they frequently caused electric shocks and were too
Later, in the 1950s, bonnet dryers became popular and were transformed into helmet-shaped hood dryers that were commercialized in beauty salons. At the time, the hood dryer had a power of 100W. This means that it took 15 to 20 times more time to dry hair than it does now.
It was not until the 1950s that hair dryers began to resemble the ones we use today. It took 70 years to establish a way to hold the handle without receiving electric shock. The large motor was shrunk to fit inside the dryer and a handle was attached. As the use of plastic began in earnest in the 1960s and electric motors were introduced, handheld dryers that were lightweight and similar to the current basic type of dryer became established in the world.
Actually, it is indeed safe to say that there was no critically important change in the evolution of hair dryers from 1960 to 2016. And Dyson emerged as a game changer in the market.
Dyson was definitely at the center of the expansion of the premium hair dryer market around the 2020s. Dyson hit the jackpot with its first launch of the 500,000 won hair dryer ‘Supersonic’ in 2016, followed by the launch of the Dyson Airwrap Styler in 2018. Despite its high price of close to 600,000 won, the entire product was sold out for a while after its launch. It has created a unique genre as a care device that reduces hair damage by combining a hair styler and a hair dryer.
DysonS success led to an overall price increase in the premium hair care market.In addition, Airlab, which was priced at 539,000 won when launched, is currently being sold for 699,000 won. Since the issue of high prices and continuous price increases has always been the center of controversy,latecomers sometimes put price differentiation at the forefront.
If the UK has Dyson, the US has Shark Ninja. With a concept similar to Dyson’s Air Wrap, Shark Ninja’s Shark launched Flextile. It is indeed a device that combines a hair dryer and styler.
Although it uses the styling method of using the Coanda airflow effect that Dyson Airwrap emphasizes to allow the wind to pull hair and create curls, Shark has set the price at about 50-60% of Dyson Airwrap.
Launched in 2022, it generated sales of approximately 130 billion won in North America and Europe within 7 months, and was also launched in Korea last year and began selling through TV home shopping and online and offline stores.
Even though it is indeed following the market as a latecomer,Shark Ninja was also established in the United States in 1994,a year later than Dyson,and has grown based on its own technology. It holds over 2,000 patents around the world.
Compared to Shark Flextile and Dyson Air Wrap… Noise, output, size, and weight are all high values
<img src="https://dimg.donga.com/wps/NEWS/IMAGE/2024/11/29/130533527.1.jpg" alt="I compared the two devices I have at home, the Dyson Airwrap and Shark Flextile. Photo = Reporter Hwang So-
The power of Dyson Airwrap is 1300W. Shark’s recently released Flextile (HD434KR) has a larger capacity of 1650W.Airlab uses a self-developed motor,and Flextile uses a BLCD motor.
In comparison,the Shark Flextile was larger in size,including the motor,and was heavier.
In the case of the Dyson Airwrap, the main body was about 297g, but the Flextile was 420g. Shark reports the body weight as approximately 700g, but including the charging cable, it was 643g.It is indeed light and agreeable to lift and use for a long time.
The biggest difference is that the front part of the main body can be bent 90 degrees and transformed into a 7-shape. As the device was bent, it became more similar to the handheld hair dryer whose optimal design was found throughout history. Thanks to this, I was able to use it comfortably for a long time without turning my arm or bending my wrist. The dryer head also rotates 360 degrees so you can dry your hair at a comfortable angle.
Though, what is disappointing is the noise. When we measured the noise, when operating the K company product with 2000W output, the sound was 89.5db, and the sound of the Dyson Airwrap was 87db. The Shark Flextile was the loudest with a maximum of 96.2db.For a simple hair drying function, about 5 minutes is enough, but when styling, you have to listen to loud noise for about 10 minutes.
Nevertheless, if you want hair styling and hair drying functions at an affordable price, it can be a satisfactory option. This is because you can purchase it for 300,000 to 400,000 won, including five tools.
Recently, not only shark, but also Philips and Unix have released similar products.An industry official said, “Until recently, Dyson’s Air Wrap was unrivaled in the premium hair dryer market. However, after the Shark Flextile was launched in Korea, consumers began to gradually hear voices saying, ‘There is an alternative,’ and premium hair appliances began to grow. “It appears that competition has begun in the market with ‘cost-effectiveness’ being promoted,” he said.
What innovative technologies do Dyson and Shark Ninja use to minimize hair damage during styling?
Is noticeably lighter than that of the Shark Flextile, making it easier to handle during styling. Despite the differences in weight and size, both products aim to deliver efficient results while minimizing hair damage through innovative technology.
As consumer interest in hair care continues to rise, the industry sees a trend towards technology-driven products that not only style hair but also care for it. Both Dyson and Shark ninja represent this trend with their unique approaches and technologies.Dyson’s emphasis on premium pricing and innovative designs contrasts with Shark Ninja’s more accessible pricing strategy, appealing to a broader audience.
The hair dryer market’s expansion isn’t just about technology and design; it reflects changing consumer priorities, where efficiency, convenience, and hair health take center stage. As we move towards 2030, with projected market growth to $13.42 billion, companies will likely innovate further, responding to consumer demands while also tackling the challenges of sustainability and affordability.