Hair Dryers · owner-verdict comparison

ghd Helios vs Shark SpeedStyle: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 83% of 54 ghd Helios owners recommend it, vs 87% of 47 for the Shark SpeedStyle.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

ghd Helios

83%of 54 owners recommend
83% recommend · 8% neutral · 9% don't
Owners praise
  • Dries hair fast
  • Powerful, strong airflow
  • Smooth, frizz-free salon finish
Owners complain about
  • Feels heavy to some hands
  • Too powerful for fine, fragile hair
  • Loud in use
Full owner report →

Shark SpeedStyle

87%of 47 owners recommend
87% recommend · 9% neutral · 4% don't
Owners praise
  • Dries hair noticeably fast
  • Strong value, much cheaper than Dyson
  • Leaves hair smooth, shiny, less frizz
Owners complain about
  • Louder than the Dyson
  • Diffuser underwhelms on defined curls
  • Big airflow gap between high and medium settings
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the ghd Helios if
  • ✓People with thick or long hair wanting fast drying
  • ✓Anyone chasing a smooth, frizz-free salon result
  • ✓Buyers wanting salon-grade power for less than a Dyson
Skip it if
  • People with fine or fragile hair the power can damage
  • Those sensitive to weight and arm fatigue
Get the Shark SpeedStyle if
  • ✓Shoppers wanting Dyson-like results at a lower price
  • ✓Curly, coily, and afro-textured hair with specialized attachments
  • ✓People wanting faster drying and smooth blowouts
  • ✓Anyone who wants a lighter dryer without a high-pitched whine
Skip it if
  • Those needing the strongest possible airflow, which some found lacking
  • People expecting it to eliminate frizz when straightening

What ghd Helios owners say

“My favourite thing I've bought recently is probably my GHD helios hair dryer. It was expensive but compared to my previous revlon hair dryer it is significantly, noticeably better and has way more control.”
— some__random on Reddit
“I've only used it once and I loc eit already! My hair feels like after going to a salon.”
— zhigita on Reddit
“I have a GHD Helios and it's now too strong for my thin hair, it was causing tugs ans snapping. I've had to swap to the one we use to blow dry the dog”
— Gstrang81 on Reddit

What Shark SpeedStyle owners say

“Your finished look with curls looks great!”
— @cicelybega5419 on YouTube
“it works pretty well for smoothing down flyaways”
— @12rjbs on YouTube
“the dryer stays on for 5 secs! What am I doing wrong”
— @Aircalgal79 on YouTube

ghd Helios vs Shark SpeedStyle: frequently asked questions

Is the ghd Helios or the Shark SpeedStyle better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 83% of 54 ghd Helios owners recommend it, vs 87% of 47 for the Shark SpeedStyle.

Who should get the ghd Helios?

Owners point the ghd Helios at people with thick or long hair wanting fast drying, and anyone chasing a smooth, frizz-free salon result.

Who should get the Shark SpeedStyle?

Owners point the Shark SpeedStyle at shoppers wanting Dyson-like results at a lower price, and curly, coily, and afro-textured hair with specialized attachments.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the ghd Helios is feels heavy to some hands. For the Shark SpeedStyle, it's louder than the Dyson.