An in-depth look at Drybar’s second generation “The Single Shot”, which offers the usual high-quality session and material with a round-shaped brush for perfect curls
Drybar The Single Shot Round Blow-Dryer Brush
Model Name/ Number: 900-2840-4 Price: 150$ Heat Settings: Low: 151.5 °F / High: 189.8 °F Best for: All Hair Types What We Like: Durable Material And Versatile Styling What We Don’t Like: Overpriced Rating: 4.6/5
DRYBAR hot air brushes are appreciated for their high-quality materials and design which provides healthy-looking, salon-quality results. The Single Shot, being the second one of the three Drybar The Shot Collection, became the favorite of many very quickly with its round shape that provides intricate curls and smaller sized barrel (2.25”) compared to The Double Shot. This tool is designed for the ones who are looking to get tighter curls instead of beach waves.
The size of the barrel fits almost all hair lengths and provides more versatility. It’s a bit of an investment, considering the other tools in the market are much more affordable, but you will feel the difference in the quality of your session.
We analyzed and compared “The Single Shot” for you to be able to make the perfect decision for your hair type, length as well as budget. Below we share our experiences with “The Single Shot”. If you’re curious about the competition, check out the article about the Best Hot Air Brushes 2023.
The Single Shot, with 2.25”, has a medium-sized barrel which is so perfect that it would fit just about any hair length. While its other sisters are more specified for shorter (The Half Shot) or longer (The Double Shot) hairstyles, this tool is a greater option for the ones who seek versatility.
It’s large enough to cover enough area for fast and effective styling, yet slim enough to come close to the roots and provide sleek results.
While the first of the three series “The Double Shot” is oval, the younger “The Single Shot” comes with a round-shaped barrel that has the capacity to curl the hair. Combined with its medium-sized barrel, round shape is also perfect for bangs.
We know that oval shape is superior at creating volume but this is a great alternative for the ones who also want to be able to have beautiful curls when they feel like. If you prioritize volume and have long hair, you might want to consider an oval-shaped tool with a larger barrel such as Amika Hair Blow Dry Brush 2.0, or Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step for a more budget-friendly option.
Bristles
Like all the Drybar hot air brushes, The Single Shot also has the thickest and the firmest bristles on our list. This quality makes it perfect for styling the hair, providing great grip and capacity to penetrate even thick and unruly hair types.
But hard bristles compromise at detangling the hair as wide-spaced and flexible bristles detangle your hair faster, easier, and with less pain and damage.
Length of the bristles are 0.68” nylon and 0.5” tufted, which is longer than most hot air brushes. This also is not optimal for detangling since you need short bristles to not force your hair too much.
If you prioritize detangling your hair, a tool with softer and shorter bristles such as Conair The Knot Dr. Oval Brush may be a better choice.
Temperature
– Heat Settings
Drybar The Single Shot offers three heat settings starting from high to low and cool. High setting of The Single Shot is 189.8 °F max., which is high enough to tame unruly hair yet not really aggressive so it doesn’t cause damage to most hair. If you have fragile strands on the other hand, the low setting will be safe and efficient for you with 151.5 °F.
And finally, cool shot option is an underrated setting that most people don’t use. But it can change the quality of your session immensely as it seals the session and makes it long-lasting. It’s especially beneficial for home stylists that want to avoid spending time for their hair every day. While this temperature is enough to effectively style most hair, some extra thick and unruly hair types require very high levels of heat and will benefit from a hot air brush such as Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step, which gets up to temperatures such as 213.9 °F.
– Handle Temperature
Handle temperature of The Single Shot is 82.8°F and is a very gentle option for fragile hands.
– Cool Tip Temperature
Cool tip temperature, with 96.1°F. maximum, is also average and safe to use, even for long periods of time.
Performance And Durability
There’s no doubt that Drybar The Single Shot is a top-quality product that has highly sturdy and durable material. It’s a luxury tool that is high priced and you feel the difference the moment you hold it in your hand. Its non-detachable design also contributes to sturdiness and makes it long-lasting.
Its wattage of 1140 W, is above average on our list. This gives it great strength, which reduces hair damage with powerful airflow, as well as provides a faster session. It also comes with ionic technology that considerably affects the speed of the session while eliminating frizz. It creates smooth results and reduces heat damage.
Ergonomics
– Weight:
Home stylists know that hot hair tools can be quite heavy and even if you don’t care in the beginning, it will become quite frustrating if you are a regular user or your session lasts long. With 14.9 oz, The Single Shot is a quite light-weight tool which is below average on our list. It’s a good choice if you want to avoid arm fatigue.
– Handle Size:
The handle is quite slim with 5” and 7” diameters. It’s not a surprise that it fits well with even smaller-sized hands since this tool is very well-designed. It’s also important to mention that The Single Shot is not a detachable tool. While this makes it sturdier, its downsides can’t be ignored. The tool is less compact and also less versatile since it doesn’t have different attachment options.
– Length:
– Noise Level:
Hot air brushes are loud tools, some more than others. The noise level of The Single Shot with 92.7 dBA, is average and as much as it will be loud, it’s a gentler option than many in the market.
– Cord:
It comes with a 9 ft, swivel cord, which is as good as it gets when it comes to length. It’s especially appealing if you don’t have a plug right next to your mirror.
Price
It’s no secret that Drybar is a high-priced brand and The Single Shot is no exception. With a price of $150, it’s a considerably big investment that may not be fit for every budget. But if you want to give yourself a gift that will last you for long years and provide you high-quality results while keeping your precious strands healthy, it’s worth it. If you prefer a more budget-friendly product with similar qualities, you may want to check out Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus that offers similar qualities with 1/3 of the price of Drybar.
Other Models From Drybar
Drybar The Shot series offers 3 different hot air brushes with different barrel shapes and sizes. It simply provides different shapes and qualities for different hair types and lengths so every individual can find one that fits themselves.
The Double Shot: Medium to long hair, volume, and loose waves, thick and fine hair texture
The Single Shot: All hair lengths, bangs, and curls, thick and fine hair texture
The Half Shot: Short hair, intricate styling, fine to medium hair texture
Competition
DRYBAR is one of the most popular hot air brush brands in the market for its durable material and healthy and fast styling. Drybar The Single Shot’s biggest-known competitor is Revlon One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0, which falls behind in the quality department with less sturdy material. But its very affordable price of 42$ make it a highly appealing alternative since not everyone is ready to invest 150$ on a hot air brush.
CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 is another viable option, with a detachable design and different attachment options. It’s also on the safe side since it doesn’t get too hot and it’s more budget-friendly than DRYBAR. It might not be sturdiest and it doesn’t have the design quality of Drybar, but if you prioritize versatility that different attachments bring, it may be the right choice for you.
