Leafless Hair Dryer – a compact "bladeless" hair dryer in Dyson design

It is unlikely that it will be a secret for anyone that there is a whole cohort of Chinese hair dryers that are trying to copy the design of the legendary Dyson Supersonic. From very similar models to almost complete clones. They are actively sold on various platforms, and most likely potential buyers have more than once had the thought of whether it is possible to save money but get a hair dryer like Dyson. We decided to try to answer this question and tested a model called Leafless Hair Dryer, which almost completely copies the Dyson Supersonic. This hair dryer also has a design with a hollow ring instead of the usual fan blades, a compact body and a declared low noise level. So let's try to figure out how it differs from classic hair dryers, how it has proven itself in use and who it can be useful to.

Package contents

In its simplest configuration, the Leafless Hair Dryer is offered with only one nozzle.

Design and materials

The main feature of the Leafless Hair Dryer is its bladeless design. Unlike classic hair dryers, where a large impeller is located in the head and a grill with blades is visible, here the air comes out through a ring in the upper part of the body. The fan and digital motor are hidden in the handle, which makes the design more compact and more futuristic in appearance. A similar approach was first implemented by Dyson at one time, and its hair dryers became popular as stylish and compact devices for quick and safe hair drying. The Leafless Hair Dryer actually copies it completely, but how successfully?

Surprisingly, the materials of the case are quite good, the hairdryer is made of hard matte plastic that does not creak in your hands or get squeezed. The nozzle has a magnetic attachment and holds it in place quite firmly.

The handle also has a magnetic lid with holes that provides access to the filter.

The control buttons are plastic and completely repeat the layout of the buttons in the Dyson Supersonic: the handle has the power slider and the cold air button, and the speed and heating controls are on the main body.

Despite the similar design, if you look at the Leafless Hair Dryer body more closely, it becomes clear why, despite the similar construction, the cost of the hair dryer is more than 10 times less than the Dyson.

The bodywork is less precise, and the magnetic attachment is attached unevenly, leaving a smaller air hole on one side, which can affect drying quality. The control buttons also don't feel as solid as the Dyson.

Due to the absence of a bulky fan, the Leafless Hair Dryer is quite compact and lightweight. The device weighs about 900 grams, which means it does not weigh down your hand when using it. The motor is located in the handle and shifts the center of gravity closer to the palm, so the hair dryer is more comfortable to hold - your hand gets less tired when drying long hair.

It should be noted that this weight balancing was one of the discoveries in using the Dyson Supersonic: the motor in the handle makes the hairdryer more ergonomic, and it is easier to hold it for a long time. Leafless copies this idea, so even after 10-15 minutes of drying, your hands do not get very tired. The dimensions of the hairdryer allow you to easily fit it in a bag or suitcase, which allows you to use it when traveling. Although the design of the model does not provide for the possibility of folding, its thin body takes up less space than standard hairdryers with a long nozzle.

In operation

Despite its small size, Leafless has a motor that rotates up to 106,000 revolutions per minute and a heating element power of up to 1600 W. In practice, this provides a fairly strong and concentrated air flow. Hair dries noticeably faster than from a conventional fan dryer: the device copes with even thick strands without delays. From wet to completely dry, an average length of hair dries in about 7–10 minutes, which is close to the performance of much more expensive models.

The hairdryer offers three heat levels and three air flow speeds. Switching modes is done with buttons on the handle. The hottest mode should be used with caution - it really heats up the air quite a lot, but the manufacturer has implemented heat control: even at maximum, the hairdryer does not burn hair and does not overheat itself. For delicate drying of thin or damaged hair, there are medium and cold modes. It is convenient to start drying at maximum flow to knock out the main moisture, and do the final drying and styling at medium temperature - this way the hair is less exposed to thermal stress. The cold blast button helps to fix the styling.

In terms of drying speed, the Leafless is not much inferior to its expensive competitors. The Dyson dries hair phenomenally fast (twice as fast as standard hair dryers according to some reviews), but the Hair Dryer also shows a decent result. The Dyson's airflow is a little more focused and precise, which is felt when styling individual strands, while the Leafless sometimes disperses the air more widely. However, for normal use, the difference is not critical - both hair dryers dry quickly, it's just that the Dyson does it almost flawlessly, and the Leafless is just okay.

The noise level of both models is low compared to traditional hair dryers. Dyson Supersonic is famous for its quiet motor. Leafless works on a par with fan hair dryers, and although the manufacturer claims a noise level of 59 dB, in reality it is 70-72 dB on medium and 74-76 dB on maximum power. However, the Leafless Hair Dryer sounds without the high-frequency squeak, which is often the case with fan hair dryers.

Another point where expensive brands have an advantage is proven quality and warranty service. It is too early to draw final conclusions about the durability of the Leafless Hair Dryer. Its design seems quite durable, the motor is brushless (and such ones usually last longer than regular ones), but the lack of a well-known brand may mean a certain risk. Judging by the reviews of similar models, some users note that after a year of active use, efficiency may decrease or minor defects may appear. However, given the cost from 1250 to 1600 UAH depending on the configuration, it is difficult to expect a resource for decades, even if the hairdryer lasts 2–3 years, this will justify its lower price. So the model may be of interest to those who are looking for a new hairdryer to replace the old fan-type one, but want a more modern design.