An in-depth look at the two fastest hot air brushes in the market, Amica and Revlon, which both bring the smoothest results
While people look for different things in a hot air brush, the basics usually are fast and sleek results, durable material, and ergonomic design.
Both Amica and Revlon are superior in the speed department and both bring super sleek results. Since these two powerful tools are directly competing with each other and doing so with great success. We needed to measure every single detail and compare the two to find out which one is better for which need.
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Below we share our experiences with Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0 and Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS.
Quick Comparison
Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0
Price: $100
Barrel Size: 2.85″
Barrel Shape: oval
Heat Settings: low: 150°F / high: 195°F
Hair type/ texture: medium to thick textures, medium to long hair
Pros: very long cord, provides better grip on hair, higher high heat setting
Cons: not detachable, cool tip gets too hot, heavier
How it stands out: with its larger barrel and stiff, dense bristles, Amika is a better option for long and thick hair that requires higher temperatures to be managed
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Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0
Price: $70 (usually discounted to $40)
Barrel Size: 2.4″
Barrel Shape: oval
Heat Settings: low: 140°F / medium: 150°F / high: 170°F
Hair type/ texture: medium to thick hair texture, medium to long hair length
Pros: more affordable, detachable design, better detangler, gentler heat settings
Cons: handle is not sturdy, doesn’t get very hot, louder
How it stands out: it has a slimmer barrel and gentler heat settings, making it great for detangling and drying medium hair without putting too much stress on it
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Barrel Size And Shape
Barrel size and shape are usually the most important two components of the decision-making process whilst choosing a hot air brush. They both are oval shaped which makes them great volumizers instead of curlers. This also makes them gentler tools as oval shape pulls the hair much less while styling. While Amika has a 2.85”, Revlon has a 2.4” barrel.
The size of the barrel is associated with the length of hair. The larger the barrel, the easier and faster it gets to style longer hair. Smaller barrels can get closer to the roots, making them better for styling short hair.
So clearly, Amika is a better styler for long hair with its large shape. But it certainly is not fit for short hair.
Revlon, on the other hand, has a medium size. While still being large enough to suffice with longer hair, it’s also a much better fit for shorter styles.
To put it simply, if you have long hair, Amika is what you need, but if your hair is medium to short, definitely go for Revlon.
Detachable Design And Attachment Options
Detachable hot air brushes are known to be less sturdy but it’s a justifiable compromise, especially for the ones who travel often or prioritize versatility.
While Amika is not a detachable hot air brush, Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS, as a second-generation tool, has upgraded to a detachable model. Sturdiness is neither of these tools’ strong suit, and Revlon’s detachable head doesn’t help. But it makes the tool much more compact. Yet Revlon still hasn’t come up with extra attachment options so versatility is still not in the picture.
Bristles
Amika’s bristles are longer and stiffer than Revlon’s, which are the softest and shortest on our list.
These measurements show that Amika offers a stronger grip, making it better for thick and dense hair. Revlon, on the other hand, doesn’t grip as strongly, making it gentler on hair and helping to prevent breakage.
Temperature
– Heat Settings
Amika, like most hot air brushes in the market, comes with 3 heat settings which are high, low, and cool. But Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS, took things to the next level to fit all hair types. It has an extra medium setting that makes it much more desirable for both the most fragile and the unruliest hair types.
When we look at Amika’s maximum heat levels, it goes as 195°F on high setting, which is definitely high enough to tame thick hair. The low setting is 150°F and this number is perfect for delicate and fine strands.
Revlon, with its 3 settings is a little more complicated. 170°F on high, 150°F on medium and 145°F on low. The medium and low settings work great for fragile hair but thick and unruly hair needs much more heat. The high setting is good for normal hair, but it might not be hot enough for unruly, tightly coiled, or dense hair types.
So, Revlon is more convenient for medium hair, but if your hair is difficult to manage, Amika’s higher temperature is a better choice.
– Handle Temperature
The maximum temperatures of their handles are similar with Amika 86°F and Revlon 88°F, which are both comfortable numbers, even for the most delicate hands.
– Cool Tip Temperature
Their cool tip temperatures, on the other hand, are higher as Revlon is 125°F and Amika is even as high as 135°F. While Revlon’s is on the limit of being uncomfortable, Amika may be too hot to touch for long periods of time.
Performance And Durability
These tools are not famous for their durability.
Revlon, with its detachable design, doesn’t have a very sturdy handle compared to many other more expensive brands in the market but with its price of only $40, it’s a great bargain and definitely value for money.
Amika, on the other hand, even though it’s not detachable, is not very sturdy nor durable which can’t be justified with its price as it’s not cheap ($100).
When we have a look at their wattage, we can see that Revlon is 1100w, and Amika is only 950w.
As a matter of fact, when we compare the two in terms of performance, we can see that they’re pretty equal, Revlon might be a bit better.
Ergonomics
– Weight:
The weight of a hot air brush may not seem like a big deal but if your sessions are long-lasting or you don’t have very strong arms, it might get frustrating. Amika is the heaviest hot air brush on our list with 18.5 oz (it says 15 oz on the box which is misleading). Revlon has a weight of 14.8 oz, a fairly average number. So, if you want to avoid arm fatigue, Revlon may be a better option for you.
– Handle Size:
The handles of these hot air brushes are both intelligently designed, both 5”, and they fit even smaller-sized hands.
– Noise Level:
If you are sensitive to sounds or using the tool early morning while family members are sleeping, Amika, with 90 dBA, is a quieter tool compared to Revlon (95 dBA). Revlon is one of the loudest on our list and not ideal for sensitive ears.
– Cord
Both of their cords are swivel but when we measure their lengths, we can see that Amika, with 9ft, is the longest available length in the market while Revlon is only 6ft. This may be important for our readers without a plug close to their mirrors.
Price And Guarantee
Revlon is a budget product with great value. As a matter of fact, it’s the best-value hot air brush on our list, and for good reason. It’s only $40 and if you’ve already done some research about these tools, you know that this is a great price. Amika is $100, considerably more expensive than Revlon.
While Amica has a 2-year guarantee, Revlon provides a 4-year limited. This is also a great plus point for Revlon. After all the measuring and the assessment, we can confidently say that Revlon is a better value product. The results are close to being similar and for a much better price.
