We reviewed the viral Laifen SE hair dryer that's hailed as a dupe for the Dyson Supersonic — it's $280 cheaper and works just as well

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If you've had your eye on the Dyson Supersonic but haven't been able to justify the $430 price tag, allow me to introduce you to the Laifen SE. The SE High-Speed Hair Dryer is the brand's most affordable model at $149.99. While that's certainly pricey compared to your average, basic blow dryer, it's a competitive price when compared to other options of the same caliber. 

What is that caliber exactly? Like many other high-speed hair dryers, Laifen promises that the SE will dry hair super fast while also protecting strands from heat damage. This is, in part, possible thanks to the tool's powerful brushless motor that spins at 105,000 revolutions per minute (for context, the Dyson Supersonic spins at 110,00 rpm).

One of the greatest perks of being a product journalist is getting the opportunity to be wowed by truly awesome products. The Laifen SE Hair Dryer is certainly one of the best hair dryers I've tested.

Meet the Laifen SE Hair Dryer

There are two drying speeds to choose from: high and low. While the high speed lets you make full use of the many rotations per minute for quick-drying, the lower setting is great for drying curly hair and preventing fly-aways. 

There are also three main heat settings: cold (room temperature), warm (120℉), and hot (176℉). But there's also a fourth option that lets you utilize all three: temperature cycling mode. If you give the heat button a long press you'll activate temperature cycling mode, which rotates through the three settings to ensure your hair is safe from heat damage. 

This hair dryer comes with two attachments: a standard nozzle for styling and a great diffuser for defining curls, which earned this dryer a place as one of the best hair dryers for curly hair. These attachments are magnetic and click onto the dryer with ease.

The Laifen SE experience 

I've tested a lot of hair dryers over the past few months, but this one is definitely my favorite on the design front. The design is well-executed from both a functionality and aesthetic perspective. At just 0.89 pounds it's super lightweight, making it a breeze to use and travel with. 

Plus, the silhouette is slim, so it won't take up much storage space. More importantly for small-handed folks like me, it's really easy to grasp and control. Visually, I love how sleek and minimal the design is.

As with any technology though, the real value of this product lies in its functionality. For an everyday hair dryer, this is an amazing choice. 

The stream of air that comes out of this dryer is simultaneously powerful and quiet. I'm continually impressed at just how quiet the motor is. I like to use the high air setting, as I'm usually trying to dry my hair as quickly as possible. 

When it comes to heat, I really like to take advantage of the temperature cycling mode. Sometimes with regular hair dryers, if I'm in a rush I will blast my hair with a higher heat setting, realize it's a bad idea, and immediately go back to a cooler setting. The Laifen SE's unique cycling feature helps my hair dry faster by administering some heat, but also ensuring that it's never too hot by constantly switching up the temperatures. 

The standard nozzle is also very, very narrow, which is great for styling as it provides a really concentrated flow of air to every section of your hair. I also love that the attachments are magnetic; it makes using this tool even easier.

I'm always running late to events, so the Laifen SE has become an invaluable asset to my morning routine. After a shower all I need is a few minutes of using this dryer and my hair is shiny, smooth, and dry. I like to use it to enhance my hair's natural waves, rather than go for a complete blowout, and I love the results. 

Laifen SE vs. Dyson Supersonic

I previously reviewed the Dyson Supersonic and, truthfully, I found the differences between the Laifen and the Dyson to be rather minuscule. The Laifen SE and Dyson Supersonic have a similar look, feel, and specs. Both are high-powered, lightweight, and  versatile enough for all types of hair.

However, the Dyson does come with three more attachments — a comb, a flyaway attachment, and a gentle air attachment. It also comes with the backing of Dyson's trusted two-year warranty and promise of a "hassle-free" process that lets you replace parts of the machine or the whole product if anything breaks. Laifen also offers a two-year warranty, but it doesn't have the big Dyson name behind it.

As far as how they actually function, everything feels super similar. But I should note that the Dyson doesn't have the temperature cycling mode, which I found to be one of the best and most helpful features of the SE. And it doesn't hurt that the Laifen SE is significantly cheaper than the Dyson Supersonic.

Is the Laifen SE Worth It?

If you're looking for a high-tech, high-speed blow dryer for a great price, you can't go wrong with trying the Laifen SE High-Speed Hair Dryer. I'm continually impressed with this product and confident this is a brand to watch. If this is what they've been able to make in just three years, I can't wait to see what other haircare wonders they'll share with the world one day.