✨ Quick Take: Is It Worth It?
If you want a lightweight round dryer brush that builds body, waves, and root lift, the Drybar Single Shot is one of the most precise options we’ve tested. Its 2″ ceramic barrel and dense, long bristles deliver smooth, bouncy results with excellent tension and shine.
The trade-off: it lacks digital controls and an ion generator, so it’s less customizable than premium models like the T3 AireBrush Duo.
✅ Best for: Layered, textured, or shoulder-length hair needing volume and wave definition
❌ Skip if: You have very coarse, ultra-dense, or pixie-short hair that demands more heat or airflow
👉 Want more options? See the Best Hot Air Brushes of 2025 reviews.
👍 What We Like
- Unique mid-sized 2″ round barrel for styling control
- Long, dense bristles offer excellent grip on textured hair
- Reaches 225°F — great for medium, wavy, and some curly hair
- Adds body and soft waves with root access
- Lightweight and easy to handle
👎 What We Don’t Like
- No ion generator (just ionic ceramic coating)
- No interchangeable heads or attachments
- Not dual voltage
- Lacks digital temperature control
🔍 Key Specs: Drybar The Single Shot at a Glance
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Price | $155 |
| Model | 900-2840-4 |
| Attachments | None |
| Heat Settings | cool / 200°F / 225°F |
| Wattage | 1140W |
| Weight | 15 oz |
| Cord Length | 9 ft swivel |
| Voltage | 125V (single) |
| Warranty | 2 years |
🎯 Who Should Buy the Drybar Single Shot
Perfect for:
- ✅ Layered and shoulder-length styles
- ✅ Smoothing and stretching textured or curly hair
- ✅ Those who want loose waves with polished volume
🚫 Skip It If You Have:
- ❌ Extra-long or coarse hair (may need more heat or barrel width)
- ❌ Desire for interchangeable or rotating attachments
- ❌ Need for global voltage compatibility
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Drybar Blow-Dryer Shot Collection | Faster Blowouts with Tons of Volume and Less Frizz | Choose The... | 5,994 Reviews | Check Price |
✨ Design & Build
Drybar’s Single Shot is a classic round-brush blowout tool designed for shaping, lift, and soft curls. Unlike the more common oval and paddle hot-air brush designs, true round-barrel brushes are relatively rare in this category. This makes the Single Shot a standout option for users who want curl formation built directly into the blow-dry process, rather than relying solely on smoothing and volume.
Its 2-inch round barrel and 3.9-inch brush section offer a salon-like footprint—large enough to add movement and body, yet still small enough to maneuver around shorter cuts and face-framing pieces. This size naturally encourages loose curls, soft bends, and rounded ends, giving users a more “blowout curl” finish than a straight, sleek result.
The bristle array pairs 1.1 cm tufted rows for grip and tension with 1.7 cm detangling pins, helping guide both fine and thicker strands through the barrel without snagging. The ceramic-coated surface distributes heat evenly across the barrel, reducing heat concentration and supporting consistent curl formation. Overall, the design is ideal for users looking to create movement, shape, and airy blowout curls on a wide range of hair types.
👉 If you prefer a paddle brush for faster smoothing over larger sections, see the Drybar Smooth Shot review.
💡 Performance & Technology
The Single Shot uses straightforward low, high, and cool modes, controlled via a dial. In our lab testing, the low setting reached around 200°F, which is warmer than the low-heat modes on many hot-air brushes. This makes it particularly effective for shaping fine, medium, and wavy hair, though users with very delicate or color-compromised strands may prefer shorter passes, since research on thermal interaction from Phys.org shows how elevated temperatures can accelerate moisture loss in fragile fibers.
The high setting reached roughly 225°F, placing the tool in a moderate-to-warm heat range—not extreme, but effective for forming soft curls, waves, and rounded ends. Because its heat output is gentler than high-wattage oval models, it relies more on airflow-driven styling—consistent with thermal-response patterns documented in the PubMed heat-damage study.
Powered by 1140W, the Single Shot produces strong airflow, giving it more drying power than many mid-wattage tools. This additional airflow helps speed up drying, lift the roots, and enhance curl formation—especially helpful for wavy, curly, or dense hair. It uses basic ionic technology (not a dedicated ion generator), offering mild frizz control without the amplified smoothing effect of active ion systems.
The handle remained comfortably cool at around 90°F, even during extended blowout sessions.
👉 If you want a mid-sized oval barrel that balances root lift with volume, check the Drybar Double Shot review.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 15 oz, the Single Shot sits in a manageable mid-weight zone that users can hold through a full blowout without significant fatigue. Its 13.75-inch length provides comfortable reach at the back of the head, while the 1.55-inch handle width delivers a secure, stable grip suitable for a wide range of hand sizes.
The 9 ft swivel cord offers generous movement, making it easier to rotate the brush when forming curls or smoothing at the crown. The dial control is simple and intuitive, and with no attachments or detachable components, the tool is straightforward to maintain. The non-removable filter limits deep cleaning, but day-to-day upkeep is easy.
Noise measured around 91 dB, which is typical for high-airflow round brushes. The tool uses single voltage (125V), making it best for home use, and its 2-year warranty provides reliable coverage for long-term performance.
👉 If you need higher heat and stiffer bristles for coarse textures, the Hot Tools Black Gold review is a stronger fit.
📊 Performance Breakdown
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drying Efficiency | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Peaks at 225°F on high — strong ceramic heating for compact size, though no digital control or temp lock. |
| Ease of Use & Ergonomics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | Lightweight 15 oz build with slim 1.55 in handle ensures stable control when curling ends or shaping layers. |
| Styling Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | 1140 W motor provides solid airflow for its barrel size; efficient on medium to short hair but slower for long dense hair. |
| Frizz & Finish Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Ceramic + ionic coating reduces flyaways effectively, though absence of a true ion generator limits smoothing potential. |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | Best for bouncy curls, soft waves, and body; limited surface area makes it less ideal for root-to-tip smoothing. |
| Comfort & Safety | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) | 90 °F handle temperature remains cool to touch; ALCI plug ensures safe use near damp environments. |
| Travel-Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) | 9-ft swivel cord allows movement freedom; single-voltage (125 V) restricts international compatibility. |
🔄 How It Compares
| Feature | Drybar Single Shot | Drybar Smooth Shot | Drybar Double Shot | Hot Tools Black Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel Shape & Size | 2″ Round | 2.2″ Paddle | 2.4″ Oval | 2.8″ Oval |
| Heat Range (°F) | 200–225 | 210–250 | 180–210 | 210–260 |
| Weight | 15 oz | 15 oz | 15.5 oz | 16 oz |
| Cord Length | 9 ft | 9 ft | 9 ft | 9 ft |
| Best For | Short–medium hair, waves, layered cuts | Straightening thick/frizz-prone strands | Root lift, volume, soft polished ends | Coarse or textured hair needing max tension |
💛 Other Drybar Models: How the Single Shot Compares
Drybar offers several hot air brush models — each tailored to different needs:
Drybar The Smooth Shot: Paddle-style design ideal for straight, sleek styles. Offers higher heat (~250°F) and the longest barrel (4.5″) but has fewer bristles and less grip.
Drybar The Half Shot: A smaller 2″ oval version of the Double Shot — better for short hair, layers, or fringe detailing.
Drybar The Double Shot: Oval-shaped barrel with strong airflow and dense bristles. Ideal for medium to long hair seeking both volume and smoothness in one step.
Curious how they all compare? Check out our detailed comparison here: Double vs. Single vs. Half Shot showdown.
The Single Shot stands out for curl definition, control, and bounce — particularly on short or layered hair.
📣 User Experiences & Real-World Feedback
- Great for adding body to layers
- Helps stretch curls smooth at the roots
- Lightweight and easier to use than larger round brushes
User Quotes:
“Best brush for smoothing my short layers.” – Tina P.
“Glides close to the scalp, even on textured hair.” – Naomi J.
“No ion generator, but my hair still comes out sleek.” – Lianne C.
💬 FAQ: Drybar The Single Shot
Q: Does it work on short or layered hair?
A: Yes — the 2″ barrel is ideal for volume and shaping layers.
Q: Can it create curls?
A: It creates soft waves and bends, not tight curls.
Q: Is it dual voltage?
A: No — it’s single voltage (125V).
Q: Is the barrel detachable?
A: No, unlike CHI or Revlon tools, it’s fixed.
Q: What’s the bristle grip like?
A: Excellent — among the best for textured or curly hair.
🏁 Final Verdict
The Drybar Single Shot pairs a 2″ ceramic round barrel with long, dense bristles to deliver root lift, smooth stretch, and soft waves—especially on layered or shoulder-length cuts. Heat is strong (~225°F max) and airflow is efficient for the size, though there’s no ion generator, digital control, or attachments. If you want precise, bouncy styling without bulky barrels, this is a standout pick for fine-to-medium and many textured hair types.
⭐ Final Score: 4.3 / 5 ★★★★☆
At BeautiLAB, we buy and test every product independently — no sponsors, no freebies. See our full testing process.
