L’Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro review: Faster, lighter and repairable

L'Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro review: Faster, lighter and repairable

AirLight is compatible with iOS 13.0 and later (including iPads), Android 8.0 Oreo and later, and Bluetooth 5.0. It offers 12 presets tailored to four different modes: Standard, Sleek, Curly and Coily. Each preset is adjustable and can be saved for future use, so when you lock your settings, they’re always ready. There is also a fully customizable mode. Another small but welcome feature is the app’s usage tracking, which logs how long you’ve been using the dryer. It sounds trivial, but knowing when to clean the filter can extend the life of the product (more on this later).

The app is clearly in its early stages, but it works well and leaves plenty of room for updates. I can’t help but imagine how much better it could be with features like hot styling tips from professionals, quick video tutorials, or even curated inspiration boards for different hairstyles. L’Oréal has laid the foundation here and I’m curious to see how they build on it in the future.

Hair shown after blow drying with concentrator finish (no brush)

In an industry where many gadgets are destined for the landfill, the AirLight Pro is an outlier. L’Oréal claims the AirLight Pro motor is built for the long haul, with a lifespan that can extend up to 10 years of professional-level use – that’s around two hours a day, five days a week. For anyone who has dealt with cheap hair dryers that barely last a season, this alone is a promising proposition.

What really sets the AirLight Pro apart, however, is its repairability. L’Oréal will make spare parts available starting in early 2025. AirLight Pro also has built-in filter cleaning alarms when cleaning is required. The frequency varies depending on air quality, everyday dust and other particles (eg hairspray). If the filter reaches critical condition, the dryer will shut down until you clean it to avoid motor damage. I haven’t gotten to that point yet, so I can’t vouch for how well it works, but I appreciate the idea of ​​a blow dryer that keeps an eye on its lifespan.

At $475, the AirLight Pro isn’t cheap. But it’s only $45 more than the viral Dyson SuperSonic and has a lot of advantages—it’s quieter than the Dyson, faster to dry my hair, and more customizable with the app. And most importantly, you can repair it if it breaks after the warranty expires. If I’m going to spend almost $500 on a hair dryer, I want to make sure I only do it once. AirLight Pro’s tailored experience is worth it.