✨ 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.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush – Smooth, Shiny Hair with Volume and Less Frizz –... | Check Price |
👍 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 thick or curly hair
- Adds body and soft waves with root access
- Quiet, 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 | $99 |
| 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
✨ Design & Build
The Single Shot features Drybar’s signature matte yellow finish — cheerful, professional, and easy to grip.
It uses a 2″ mid-sized round ceramic barrel, a shape and size that’s ideal for root lift, smoothing ends, and creating soft, loose waves. Ceramic coatings are valued for even heat distribution and fewer hot spots, protecting delicate strands while still delivering enough strength to style textured hair. The mid-size makes it more maneuverable than oversized barrels while still giving body and bend.
Its 3.9″ brush section is long enough to handle medium-length styles efficiently. The bristles measure 1.1 cm (tufted) and 1.7 cm (nylon pins) — the densest configuration we’ve tested. Flexible yet firm, this setup provides excellent grip and tension, ideal for stretching curly or frizz-prone hair smooth, especially near the roots.
The Single Shot is a fixed-barrel tool with no detachable heads or attachments, which limits its styling range — but its focus on grip and control makes it stand out for reliable smoothing.
👉 If you prefer a paddle brush for faster smoothing over larger sections, see the Drybar Smooth Shot review.
💡 Performance & Technology
The 1140W motor is stronger than most hot air brushes, supporting faster drying and styling. It offers three temperature settings: cool, low (~200°F), and high (~225°F). The low setting, while gentler than high, is still hotter than many tools’ high settings, making it effective for smoothing medium-density hair but potentially too warm for fragile or damaged strands.
It uses ionic ceramic coating but not a dedicated ion generator. Even so, frizz reduction was effective on most hair types, especially when paired with heat-protectant sprays and healthy hair care practices.
Scientific research confirms that repeated heat exposure weakens cuticles and alters fiber structure, underscoring the importance of heat protectants when using tools above 200°F — a behavior consistent with findings on hair chemistry and thermal response reported in Phys.org material-science research. Additional analyses of cuticle deformation and internal fiber stress further support this in NCBI’s structural hair-fiber documentation.
In testing, the handle temperature reached 90°F, keeping it safe and comfortable during extended sessions.
👉 If you want a mid-sized oval barrel that balances root lift with volume, check the Drybar Double Shot review.
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience
At 13.75 inches long and 15 oz, the Single Shot is compact and light enough for everyday use. Noise output measured 91 dBA, which is quieter than average, making it more comfortable for prolonged styling or shared spaces.
Its 1.55″ handle diameter is slim and, combined with the matte finish, provides a secure grip. The 9-ft swivel cord — longer than the 7.6 ft average — ensures excellent range of motion. While it lacks dual voltage and a detachable filter, the overall build feels sturdy and salon-quality.
👉 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. |
💡 BeautiLAB Lab Highlights
- Max Temp Tested: 225 °F
- Handle Temp: 90 °F (excellent thermal comfort)
- Noise Level: 91 dBA (slightly below category avg ≈ 92 dBA)
- Wattage: 1140 W | Voltage: 125 V (single)
- Length: 13.75 in | Weight: 15 oz | Handle Width: 1.55 in
- Cord: 9 ft swivel | Barrel Material: Ceramic
- Barrel Shape: Round (2.0 in) | Brush Section Length: 3.9 in
- Bristle Length: 1.1 cm / 1.7 cm
- Built-in Ion Generator: No | Ionic Coating: Yes | ALCI Plug: Yes
- Detachable Filter/Base: No | Warranty: 2 Years
🔄 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.
