⭐ Summary Verdict
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 is the more powerful, more durable, and more premium-performing tool, designed specifically for thick, dense, coarse, and hard-to-smooth hair. Its wider 2.8″ barrel, higher heat ceiling, and stronger bristle tension create fuller, shinier blowouts with better control at the root.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS delivers impressive styling for the price. It’s lighter, slightly cooler, more maneuverable, and has more heat setting flexibility. For users with fine-to-medium or medium-thick hair, it offers excellent value and a gentler learning curve.
Quick take:
- Amika 2.0 = premium power, better thick-hair performance, longer cable, stronger smoothing
- Revlon PLUS = best budget performer, easier control, lighter feel, more settings
👉 Want more options? See the Best Hot Air Brush reviews of 2025.
📋 Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 View on Amazon View on Amika 
| Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus View on Amazon View on Revlon 
|
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Thick, dense, coarse hair | Value, fast volume for medium–thick hair |
| Model | HMS0043 | RVDR5298N/ULT |
| Price | $100 | $70 |
| Tool Length | 12.5″ | 13.75″ |
| Cable Length | 9 ft | 6 ft |
| Weight | 16 oz | 15 oz |
| Handle Width | 1.55″ | 1.55″ |
| Control Type | Dial switch | Dial switch |
| Ion Generator | No | No |
| Cool Shot | Yes | No |
| Barrel Shape | Oval | Oval |
| Barrel Width | 2.8″ | 2.4″ |
| Brush Section Length | 3.8″ | 3.75″ |
| Bristles | 1 cm / 1.8 cm | 1 cm / 1.5 cm |
| Measured Heat Range | 190 / 240°F | 185 / 200 / 225°F |
| Handle Temperature | 99°F | 95°F |
| Noise Level | 91 dB | 93 dB |
| Coating / Material | Tourmaline-coated | Ceramic + Titanium + Tourmaline |
| Wattage | 1000 W | 1100 W |
| Voltage | 125V (single) | 125V (single) |
| Warranty | 1 year | 4 years |
| Detachable Filter | No | No |
| Cool Tip / Heat Safety | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Base | Yes | Yes |
| Attachments | None | None |
| Detachable Barrel | No | Yes (but difficult) |
| Auto Shut-off | No | No |
| Heat Settings | 3 heat/speed | 4 heat settings (high/med/low/cool) |
| Styling Notes | Short + long bristles add bounce, shine, and control; excellent for thick/coarse hair | Bouncy volume; detachable design for storage/travel; more versatile temperature options |
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 | 229 Reviews | Check Price |
|
REVLON One Step Volumizer PLUS Hair Dryer and Styler - More Volume, Less Damage, and More Styling... | 479,651 Reviews | Check Price |
🌟 Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0: Powerful Volume & Speed
Best for: Thick, long, or coarse hair types needing rapid drying and smoothing.
👍 Pros:
- Fastest drying performance for thick or long hair.
- Quieter operation (91 dBA).
- Effective ionic technology reduces frizz.
- Longer cord provides greater mobility during styling.
👎 Cons:
- Heavier (16 oz) may cause arm fatigue.
- Non-detachable design less convenient for travel/storage.
- Shorter warranty period (1 year).
👉 Read our full Amika Hair 2.0 Review
💎 Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS: Precision & Versatility
Best for: Short-to-medium hair, precision styling, and customizable heat control.
👍 Pros:
- Precise styling suitable for shorter hair.
- Lighter weight reduces arm fatigue.
- Extended 4-year warranty.
- Detachable design ideal for travel and storage.
👎 Cons:
- Shorter cord length (6 ft) limits mobility.
- Slightly louder operation (93 dBA).
- Less effective grip on thicker hair.
🧩 Design & Build
Both tools use oval barrels, but the Amika 2.0’s larger 2.8″ barrel immediately sets it apart. The wider surface straightens dense hair more efficiently, offering more tension and smoothing power per pass. This is especially helpful for coarse textures, since larger heated surfaces reduce the number of passes required — a behavior supported by Phys.org’s explanation of how heat distribution and surface contact influence the way hair responds to styling.
In contrast, the Revlon PLUS uses a slimmer 2.4″ barrel, which hugs the roots more easily and offers better maneuverability around short layers and face-framing pieces.
The bristle configurations reinforce their design purposes:
- Amika: 1 cm / 1.8 cm bristles — longer outer bristles deliver deeper lift and better detangling, while the shorter rows create shine and tension for thick strands.
- Revlon PLUS: 1 cm / 1.5 cm bristles — gentler tension with a smoother glide, better for medium hair but slightly less grip on dense textures.
Both tools use mixed nylon and tufted bristles, but the Amika’s longer bristles and tighter outer rows create more pronounced shaping power for coarse hair. Brush section lengths are almost identical (3.8″ Amika vs 3.75″ Revlon), but Amika’s larger diameter gives each pass more surface coverage.
Winner — Design & Build:
➡️ Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 (stronger detangling, bigger barrel, better for thick/coarse hair)
💡 Performance & Technology
Heat behavior is the key separator.
- Amika 2.0 reaches a measured 190–240°F, making it one of the hotter brushes in the category. This temperature range provides the strength needed to smooth coarse, resistant textures without excessive passes. As Dyson’s Hair Science explains, controlled heat and consistent airflow help align the cuticle and reduce flyaways, which aligns with how Amika produces a glossier finish on dense hair.
- Revlon PLUS offers 185/200/225°F across four settings, giving more nuance but noticeably lower top-end heat.
Although the Revlon PLUS has higher wattage on paper (1100 W vs Amika’s 1000 W), Amika’s heat distribution and barrel width make it feel more forceful in real-world smoothing. The PLUS still dries efficiently, but it’s better suited for medium or moderately thick hair rather than very dense or coarse strands.
Handle temperatures differ as well:
- Amika: ~99°F
- Revlon PLUS: ~95°F (cooler to hold)
Both tools use tourmaline- or ceramic-tourmaline coatings to reduce static, but the Amika’s bristle structure + heat system produces a glossier finish on thick hair, while Revlon tends to create more lift and bounce rather than deep smoothing.
Winner — Performance & Technology:
➡️ Amika 2.0 for heat strength, smoothing ability, and coarse-hair control
➡️ Revlon PLUS only if you need a gentler multi-setting option
💡 Performance & Technology
Heat behavior is the key separator.
- Amika 2.0 reaches a measured 190–240°F, making it one of the hotter brushes in the category. This temperature range provides the strength needed to smooth coarse, resistant textures without excessive passes.
- Revlon PLUS offers 185/200/225°F across four settings, giving more nuance but noticeably lower top-end heat.
Although the Revlon PLUS has higher wattage on paper (1100 W vs Amika’s 1000 W), Amika’s heat distribution and barrel width make it feel more forceful in real-world smoothing. The PLUS still dries efficiently, but it’s better suited for medium or moderately thick hair rather than very dense or coarse strands.
Handle temperatures differ as well:
- Amika: ~99°F
- Revlon PLUS: ~95°F (cooler to hold)
Both tools use tourmaline- or ceramic-tourmaline coatings to reduce static, but the Amika’s bristle structure + heat system produces a glossier finish on thick hair, while Revlon tends to create more lift and bounce rather than deep smoothing.
Winner — Performance & Technology:
➡️ Amika 2.0 for heat strength, smoothing ability, and coarse-hair control
➡️ Revlon PLUS only if you need a gentler multi-setting option
🎯 Which One Should You Buy?
Choose Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 if you:
- Have thick, coarse, or high-density hair
- Want stronger smoothing instead of just volume
- Prefer a wider 2.8″ barrel for fewer passes
- Want deeper detangling and more tension
- Need a long 9 ft cord for styling flexibility
Choose Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS if you:
- Value a 4-year warranty
- Have fine, medium, or medium-thick hair
- Want excellent results at a lower price
- Prefer a lighter, more agile tool
- Want more heat setting options
- Need a tool that’s easier to control around the roots
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