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 customizable and can be saved for future use. So once you set your preferences, they will always be available. There is also a fully customizable mode. Another tiny but welcome feature is the app’s usage tracker, which logs how long you’ve used 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 obviously still in its early stages, but works well and leaves plenty of room for updates. I can only imagine how much better it could be with features like heat styling tips from pros, short video tutorials, or even curated inspiration boards for different hairstyles. L’Oréal has laid the foundation here and I’m excited to see how they build on it in the future.
In an industry where many devices end up in landfills, the AirLight Pro is an outlier. L’Oréal claims that the AirLight Pro engine is designed for long-term use and has a lifespan of up to 10 years in professional use – that’s about two hours a day, five days a week. For anyone who has ever dealt with cheap hair dryers that barely last a season, this alone is a promising suggestion.
But what really sets the AirLight Pro apart is its repairability. L’Oréal will provide replacement parts from the beginning of 2025. The AirLight Pro also has built-in filter cleaning alerts when cleaning is required. The frequency varies depending on air quality, everyday dust and other particles (e.g. hairspray). If the filter reaches a critical condition, the dryer will shut off until you clean it to prevent engine damage. Since I haven’t reached this point yet, I can’t guarantee how well it works, but I appreciate the idea of a blow dryer that’s built with longevity in mind.
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, dries my hair faster, and is easier to adjust 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 use it once. The tailored experience of the AirLight Pro is worth it.