With its oversized oval barrel, ionic tech, and smart bristle combo, this brush is designed to detangle, smooth, and volumize medium to thick hair in one efficient pass.
BeautiLAB Overall 4.1 out of 5
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 takes everything people loved about the original and improves on it with more wattage, better heat distribution, and polished styling performance. Its 2.8″ oval barrel is one of the largest we’ve tested, making it ideal for styling long or thick hair quickly. Tourmaline coating and ionic tech help reduce frizz, while its dual-bristle design smooths and detangles in one go.
👉 Want to see how it compares to other top tools? Check out our full roundup of the best hot air brushes.
Who It’s For
This blow dry brush is best for:
👉 Medium to thick or dense hair types
👉 Long lengths or anyone who wants quick smoothing
👉 Users who love bounce, shine, and volume
👉 Those who need detangling and smoothing in one step
❌ Not ideal for short hair, tight curls, or users needing precision styling
What Sets the Amika 2.0 Apart:
- Consistent heat performance – Despite its 1000W motor, it reaches up to 240°F, delivering enough heat to manage stubborn strands without requiring max wattage
- Second-largest oval barrel we’ve tested (2.8″) – Covers more hair in one pass, making it ideal for fast blowouts on long or thick hair
- Quiet operation – At just 91 dBA, it runs quieter than many similarly sized hot air brushes
- High-performance bristles – Long 1.8 cm nylon pins combined with shorter tufted bristles deliver strong tension for smoother styling without pulling or snagging
Key Specs at a Glance
| RRP: $100 | Barrel shape: oval |
| Barrel width: 2.8″ | Barrel material: tourmaline coated |
| Weight: 16 oz | Cord length: 9 ft |
| Heat settings: 190°F / 240°F | Noise level: 91 dBA |
| Wattage: 1000 watts | Voltage: 125 volts (single voltage) |
| Model name: HMS0043 | Warranty: 1 year |
Performance Breakdown
| Category | Score (1–5) | Notes |
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Strong heat for thick hair, limited settings |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lightweight, compact, and maneuverable |
| Grip & Control | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Firm bristles and slim handle = great control |
| Volume Boost | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adds dramatic lift, especially near roots |
| Noise Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Quieter than average |
| Durability | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Lightweight build, may not hold up for years |
| Portability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Compact, but lacks dual voltage and detachable head |
What We Like ✅
✨ Design & Build
✅ Largest oval barrel (2.8″) – Styles more hair in fewer passes
✅ Tourmaline-coated barrel – Helps reduce static and enhance shine
✅ Long nylon bristles – Create strong tension for smooth results
✅ Compact length (12.5″) – Easier to maneuver than longer tools
💡 Performance & Technology
✅ High max temp (240°F) – Strong enough for thick or frizzy hair
✅ Ionic technology – Reduces frizz and flyaways
✅ Quiet motor (91 dBA) – Lower noise than many competitors
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
✅ Balanced weight (16 oz) – Not too heavy, not too light
✅ 9-ft swivel cord – Professional-grade reach
✅ Velcro strap – Helps with tidy storage
What We Don’t Like ❌
⚡ Power & Heat
❌ No digital heat control – Lacks precision for sensitive hair types
❌ Lower wattage (1000W) – Slower drying compared to high-powered models
❌ “Low” heat setting is still high (~190°F) – Too hot for fine or fragile hair
🔧 Features & Flexibility
❌ No attachments – Fixed barrel limits styling range
❌ Not dual voltage – Not ideal for international travel
❌ No detachable filter – Cleaning may be more difficult long term
❌ Only a 1-year warranty – Shorter coverage than most tools in this price range
✨ Design & Build
The Amika Hair Dryer Brush 2.0 features a 2.85″ oval barrel, making it one of the largest barrel sizes available in the hot air brush category. This generous width, combined with a 3.8″ brush section, helps cover more surface area and style longer sections of hair quickly — ideal for users with medium to long hair looking to add volume, bounce, and polish.
The tool’s 1.8 cm firm nylon pin bristles with 1 cm tufted bristles, providing strong grip and tension for stretching and smoothing thicker strands with ease. The tourmaline-coated barrel helps distribute heat evenly, reduce frizz, and enhance shine — a useful feature for maintaining hair health during frequent styling.
That said, the barrel’s large oval shape isn’t ideal for curling or detailed styling work. It’s designed more for creating smooth, voluminous blowouts, not tight curls or root-lifting on short styles.
💡 Performance & Technology
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 features three heat settings: cool, low, and high, reaching up to 240°F. While the tool technically offers two true heat settings plus a cool option, they’re well-calibrated for most styling needs. The low setting (~190°F) provides a gentler heat that’s suitable for fine to medium hair, while the high setting (~240°F)delivers strong heat that can effectively smooth thicker, denser strands. In fact, the Amika 2.0 is one of the hottest hot air brushes we’ve tested, making it a great choice for users who need more heat power to achieve sleek, polished results. The cool setting works well for setting styles and sealing the cuticle for added shine.
During testing, the handle reached 99°F on high — comfortably warm but still safe for prolonged use. This temperature is lower than average for hot air brushes, making it more comfortable for those with heat sensitivity in their hands.
Despite its 1000W motor (lower than some pro-level tools), the Amika 2.0 delivers consistent heat output, helping reduce frizz and add shine without relying on extreme temperatures. The tourmaline-coated barrel helps distribute heat evenly for gentler styling, while the built-in ionic technology minimizes static and smooths the cuticle.
Overall, the Amika 2.0 is a reliable performer for everyday blowouts — especially if you’re looking to add volume and shape to longer styles with less effort.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 16 oz, the Amika 2.0 lands in the mid-weight category — not the lightest, but well-balanced for most users. Its 1.55″ handle offers a comfortable grip, even for smaller hands, and the 9-ft swivel cord gives salon-worthy freedom to move around while styling.
Unlike some tools with a bulky feel or top-heavy design, the Amika’s compact 12.5″ length keeps it easy to maneuver — especially helpful when working on the back of the head or close to roots.
One standout feature is its quiet performance. At just 91 dBA, it’s noticeably quieter than many hot air brushes we’ve tested, making it more pleasant to use during early mornings or shared living spaces.
The Velcro strap is a small but handy detail for keeping your cord neatly wrapped, although the tool lacks a detachable filter, which makes long-term maintenance a bit trickier.
🔄 How It Compares
If you’re exploring alternatives to the Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0, a few standout hot air brushes offer different strengths depending on your styling goals.
The Drybar The Double Shot also focuses on volume and smoothing, featuring a 2.4″ oval barrel and strong airflow. It’s ideal for users wanting polished blowouts with more lift at the root. Compared to the Amika 2.0’s larger 2.8″ barrel, the Double Shot feels slightly easier to maneuver, though it delivers less dramatic volume for longer or denser hair. The Double Shot operates at a higher wattage but with lower heat output than the Amika, making it gentler on fine to medium hair, while its firm tufted bristles and stronger airflow provide excellent tension for stretching and smoothing strands quickly without excessive heat.
The Amika Double Agent 2-in-1 Blow Dryer + Straightening Brush is a different type of tool altogether, combining a straightening brush and blow dryer in one. It’s designed more for creating sleek, smooth finishes rather than volume. While it offers strong airflow and heat, it doesn’t deliver the rounded, bouncy blowout effect that the Amika 2.0 specializes in.
The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus offers a similar oval barrel design at a more affordable price point. It’s a great choice for users looking for fast, voluminous styling without spending as much, though its build quality, airflow control, and maximum heat output don’t match the Amika’s premium performance.
The L’ange Le Volume 2-in-1 Titanium Brush Dryer takes barrel size even further, offering an extra-large 2.85″ titanium barrel — slightly bigger than the Amika 2.0. It’s ideal for creating sleek, voluminous blowouts on very long or thick hair. However, its larger size may feel bulky for users with shorter hair, and it doesn’t offer as much tension control as the Amika for shaping layers or adding bend.
👉 Want a full breakdown? Check out our in-depth comparison: Amika Blow Dry Brush 2.0 vs Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS
Each tool has its strengths, but the Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 stands out for users who want maximum volume, strong heat capacity, and full, bouncy blowouts — especially for medium to long, thick hair that needs powerful airflow and extra smoothing tension.
🏁 Final Verdict: Powerful Volume with a Gentle Touch
The Amika Hair Blow Dryer Brush 2.0 is a great pick for anyone who wants to smooth, stretch, and volumize medium to thick or dense hair — fast. With one of the largest barrels on the market, strong tension from long bristles, and consistent heat up to 240°F, it delivers big results with less effort. While it lacks interchangeable heads or tech features, its quiet operation, lightweight feel, and balanced performance make it a reliable everyday tool — especially if you prefer bounce over curls.
If you’re after volume, shine, and speed without sacrificing comfort, the Amika 2.0 gets the job done.
