The Best Alternative to Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers

Dyson Airblade and Its Legacy

The Dyson Airblade made “hands-in” hand dryers famous, with an ultra-fast 12-second dry time and HEPA-filtered airflow. This high-speed blade-of-air design is now ubiquitous in modern washrooms. However, Dyson units tend to be expensive (for example, the Dyson AB14 Airblade sold for around £990 in the UK and have some quirks like excess water dripping onto the floor. In fact, Dyson has discontinued the AB14 model, so facilities managers now need alternatives. Fortunately, Dyson isn’t the only game in town – other high-speed “Jet-Blade” dryers from different manufacturers can perform just as well.

Hands-In (Jet-Blade) Dryers: How They Work

“Hands-in” or “Jet-Blade” hand dryers use a slot or cavity where users insert their hands. Powerful jets of filtered air scrape water off both sides of the hands and blow it downward. Because the drying happens inside the machine, all the water is contained (usually in a removable tray) so floors stay dry and the area remains hygienic. Dyson first brought this style into the mainstream in 2006, but today many brands offer similar hands-in dryers The net result is super-fast drying: Dyson’s Airblade V claims a 12-second dry time, and comparable Jet-Blade models typically achieve 10–12 seconds as well.

BlowMotion’s Hands-In Hand Dryers

BlowMotion, a UK specialist in hand-drying technology, offers several “hands-in” (Jet-Blade) dryers as cost-effective alternatives to Dyson. For example, BlowMotion’s top Jet-Blade model – the **Ninja Jet Blade** – is designed to compete directly with the Airblade. It has the same hands-in cavity and dual high-speed jets, so it dries both sides of your hands at once. Excess water is captured in a built-in, hidden tank (holding up to ~500 uses), keeping floors completely dry. The Ninja has an average drying time of about 10–12 seconds (on par with Dyson) and even includes a digital countdown timer. Importantly, the Ninja is very energy-efficient – about 3 pence of electricity per 100 dries (roughly £5 per year of operation) thanks in part to a built-in room-temperature sensor. It also has a HEPA filter and runs at only ~72 dB (quieter than many competitors). All this advanced performance comes at a budget-friendly price: the Ninja costs only £354 (inclusive of VAT), about 50% cheaper than other market-leading models.

BlowMotion’s lineup includes other Jet-Blade options too. A basic **Cyclone Jet Blade** dryer (with water collection) is only £150, making it one of the cheapest hands-in dryers available. There are also mid-range and premium models (for example, the Samurai UVC Jet Blade at £322.80) for those who need extra features. In every case, the emphasis is on combining high-speed drying with hygienic design. Because of this, BlowMotion’s website lists a whole category of hands in hand dryers for easy comparison.

Comparing BlowMotion to Dyson

• Price: Dyson Airblade units (like the AB14) sold for roughly £990. By contrast, BlowMotion’s Jet-Blade models start far lower (the Ninja at £354, Cyclone at £150). In practice, customers report saving hundreds of pounds by switching. One installer noted that using a BlowMotion Ninja “saved over £600 compared to the Dyson”; another said the Ninja was “almost £900 cheaper” than the Dyson they were replacing.
• Drying Speed: Dyson advertises a 12-second dry time. BlowMotion’s Ninja dries in about 10–12 seconds, so you won’t lose any performance – and some users feel it’s just as fast.
• Noise Level: Dyson’s Airblade V runs around 79 dB (and older Airblade models could be louder). The BlowMotion Ninja is quieter at ~72 dB, so in a busy washroom it’s noticeably more pleasant.
• Hygiene & Cleanliness: Both Dyson and BlowMotion use HEPA filtration, so the air blown onto hands is clean. A key difference is water management: many Dyson units (notably the AB14) channel water onto the floor. In contrast, BlowMotion’s hands-in dryers have a drain tray, so “it catches all of the waste water” and you never get puddles on the floor. This makes BlowMotion dryers a more hygienic, no-mess choice.
• Running Cost/Efficiency: Dyson touts efficiency vs towels, and indeed all modern high-speed dryers are more efficient than old warm-air models. BlowMotion points out the Ninja uses so little power that 100 dries cost only a few pence. In practical terms, BlowMotion’s units use up to 1900W at full power, similar to Dyson’s 1000W motor, but the quick dry-time means total energy per dry is low. Either way, BlowMotion’s dryers cost pennies per use.

Why BlowMotion is a Smart Choice

In summary, BlowMotion’s hands-in dryers offer **fast, hygienic hand drying at a fraction of the price** of Dyson’s Airblade machines. They use the same “blade of air” concept to scrape water off hands, but package it in robust, cost-effective units. Customers consistently praise the Ninja, reporting that it dries as quickly as a Dyson, is quieter, and cost far less. One reviewer said switching to the Ninja after their Dyson failed was a “no-brainer” since it “exceeded all expectations” on speed and had no floor puddles. Another noted it “looks more modern, it’s quieter and dries just as quickly” as their old Dyson, at a much lower cost.

If you’re shopping for hand dryers, remember that Dyson isn’t your only option. BlowMotion offers a wide range of high-performance models for all budgets. You can learn more on BlowMotion’s own website: check out their hands in hand dryers section for cavity-style models, or browse the full selection of hand dryers to compare designs. With BlowMotion, you can find a top-quality, energy-efficient dryer for much less than a Dyson Airblade – proving that Dyson really isn’t the only game in town when it comes to fast, hygienic hand drying.