TechRadar Verdict
The LOreal Airlight Pro is a great choice if youre serious about haircare.
The app adds a level of advanced customization and goes some way towards justifying the high price.
That said, its heavier than most dryers and takes some getting used to.
Sleek mode was speedy, but left my hair flat(Image credit: Future)
If you dont need all the advanced features, there are simpler, more affordable options out there.
The process is similar to how the sun evaporates rainwater.
At first glance, the AirLight Pro has a relatively simple and clean design.
Over time, my hair also seemed to get healthier while testing the AirLight Pro, too.
The dryer ships with two magnetic attachments: a diffuser and a concentrator nozzle.
(TheDyson Supersonic Nuralhas similar capabilities, except that dryer remembers your last-used parameters.)
The app doesn’t have a huge number of features beyond these controls, either.
However, I did appreciate the on-screen prompts, including things like filter cleaning alerts.
The Pro model is only available in Salon Centric and partnering Pro retailers.
The AirLight Pro app is free to download from theApple App StoreandGoogle Play.
It’s not as well-balanced, ergonomically speaking, as these other dryers, and feels top-heavy.
It then either uses 11% less energy, or 28% less energy.
Sleek mode was speedy, but left my hair flat(Image credit: Future)
Let’s take a look at the controls.
Long-pressing this button enables the Cool Shot function.
The default Standard setting for the dryer is Medium heat/High speed.
Curly mode worked remarkably efficiently on my naturally curly hair(Image credit: Future)
The presets are then as follows:
The attachments follow suit.
When the diffuser is attached to dry curls, the heat and airflow is automatically set to Low.
The styler itself is not the most intuitive dryer I’ve used, though.
Custom mode(Image credit: Future)
I often changed the temperature with the speed button and vice versa.
The design of the AirLight Pro isn’t perfect.
For all the way it’s functional and professional, it can also be frustrating.
That said, these are relatively minor complaints when you factor in just how well it performs.
Unsurprisingly, my hair dried the fastest with Sleek mode High speed/High temperature was selected.
This mode took my hair from wet to dry in just under five minutes.
However, this didn’t help the lack of volume.
The Curly preset worked much better.
Any hotter and the hair didn’t feel as soft; any cooler and it took longer to style.
In regards noise, L’Oreal claims the AirLight Pro is whisper-quiet, producing just 76dB.
In my tests, the dryer never dropped lower than 85dB.
In terms of noise, L’Oreal claims the AirLight Pro is whisper-quiet, producing just 76 decibels.
In my tests, though, the dryer never dropped lower than 85 decibels.
This was quite a step up not just on what L’Oreal claims but on the o.
It’s just louder than promised.
Should I buy the L’Oreal AirLight Pro hair dryer?
Section
Notes
Score
Value
Premium, but pro-level features and control help justify the price.
3.5 / 5
Design
Streamlined yet heavy and bulky design.
Tons of precise control options, which can be fiddly to use.
Performance
Infrared drying left my hair shiny, soft and feeling healthier.
Fast drying times and great for curls.
You have a sensitive scalp
The L’Oreal AirLight Pro’s infrared technology is designed to protect your scalp.
This is good for everyone, but particularly if you’re prone to scalp irritation, dandruff or sensitivity.
