L’Oreal Professionnel AirLight Pro Review: Faster, Lighter, and Repairable

AirLight is compatible with iOS 13.0 and above (including iPads), Android 8.0 Oreo and above and Bluetooth 5.0. It offers 12 presets suitable for four different modes: Standard, Sleek, Curly and Coily. Each preset is adjustable and can be saved for future use. So once you lock in your settings, they’re always ready to go. There is also a fully customizable mode. Another tiny but welcome feature is the app’s usage tracking, which records how long the dryer has been in use. It seems trivial, but knowing when to clean the filter can extend the life of the product (more on that 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 pro styling tips, 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 this in the future.

Hair shown after blow-drying with concentrator finish (without brush)

In an industry where many gadgets are destined for the landfill, the AirLight Pro is an outlier. L’Oréal says the AirLight Pro motor is designed for the long term, with a lifespan of up to 10 years of professional use, or 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 makes for a promising proposition.

What really sets the AirLight Pro apart is its repairability. L’Oréal will offer replacement parts starting in early 2025. The AirLight Pro also has built-in filter cleaning alerts when cleaning is necessary. Frequency varies depending on air quality, daily dust and other particles (e.g. hairspray). If the filter reaches a critical condition, the dryer will turn off until you clean it to avoid damage to the motor. I haven’t reached that point yet, so I can’t vouch for how well it works, but I like the idea of ​​a hair dryer with longevity in mind.

At $475, the AirLight Pro isn’t cheap. But it only costs $45 more than the viral Dyson SuperSonic and has many benefits: it’s quieter than the Dyson, dries my hair faster, and is more customizable with the app. And more 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. The tailored experience of AirLight Pro is worth it.