✨ Quick Take: Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking for a paddle-style hot air brush that can smooth thick, unruly long hair fast, the Drybar Smooth Shot is worth it. Its ceramic barrel gets hotter than most competitors, offering stronger smoothing power for coarse textures. However, it’s not the most versatile or travel-friendly tool.
✅ Best for: Medium to thick long hair, coarse textures, frizz-prone strands
❌ Skip if: You have short, fine, or layered hair — consider The Knot Dr. Smoothing Brush or T3 AireBrush Duo instead.
👍 What We Like
- Reaches 250°F — hotter than most paddle dryers
- Ceramic paddle base smooths thick, coarse strands
- Long bristles offer deep tension and reach
- Wide paddle (2.2″) covers medium to large sections quickly
- 9-ft swivel cord adds flexibility
👎 What We Don’t Like
- No additional attachments (paddle only)
- No digital temperature display or heat lock
- 780W motor underperforms on very dense hair
- No dual voltage for travel
🔍 Key Specs: Drybar The Smooth Shot at a Glance
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Price | $155 |
| Attachments | Paddle only |
| Heat Settings | High / Low / Cool (210 to 250°F) |
| Weight | 15 oz |
| Cord Length | 9 ft swivel |
| Wattage | 780W |
| Voltage | 125V |
| Model | 900-3605-4 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
🎯 Who Should Buy the Drybar Smooth Shot
This is a great pick for:
- ✅ Medium to thick hair types needing strong smoothing
- ✅ Long hair needing faster blowouts
- ✅ Users who prefer simple dial control over digital interfaces
🚫 Skip It If You Have:
- ❌ Fine or short hair (bristles may be too long)
- ❌ Travel needs (single voltage only)
- ❌ Desire for multiple styling heads
✨ Design & Build: Ceramic Base Built for Tension & Control
Its matte yellow finish and streamlined body match Drybar’s signature aesthetic — cheerful yet professional. The Smooth Shot looks and feels like part of a salon-quality lineup, balancing a lightweight build with a durable shell.
The Drybar Smooth Shot stands out for its full ceramic paddle base — the same advanced material used across Drybar’s The Shot collection. Unlike silicone-cushioned paddles like the budget-friendly The Knot Dr. Smoothing Brush, the ceramic surface distributes heat more evenly and holds its temperature longer. This results in faster styling and a noticeably smoother finish on coarse, dense, or frizz-prone hair.
Its 2.2-inch paddle head is wide enough for efficient smoothing, while the 3.5-inch brush section gives strong control without feeling bulky. Long 1.25 cm tufted and 2.5 cm nylon pin bristles — the longest we’ve measured in the hot air brush category — offer excellent grip and tension. This makes the Smooth Shot not only effective for straightening thick or curly strands in fewer passes, but also an excellent detangler for dense, textured hair.
That said, it lacks versatility: there’s no option to switch out attachments like with the T3 AireBrush Duo or CHI Volumizer 4-in-1.
💡 Performance & Technology: High Heat, Lower Wattage
The Smooth Shot operates with 3 heat settings (high, low, cool), maxing out at 250°F — one of the highest in our tests. Combined with its ceramic coating, this heat is effective for smoothing resistant textures like coarse or frizz-prone hair.
However, it’s powered by just 780W — lower than many hot air brushes. While the tool gets hot quickly, its airflow is modest, which can slow down drying on very thick or long hair. If drying speed is your priority, the Drybar The Double Shot 2.0 offers a stronger 1170W motor that dries faster and handles denser hair more efficiently.
In our lab testing, the Smooth Shot’s low heat setting still reached 210°F — higher than the average for most low settings. This may be too intense for users with fine or damaged strands seeking a gentler option.
The handle stays relatively cool at 98°F during extended use, better than the T3 AireBrush Duo (110°F) but slightly warmer than the Amika Double Agent (95°F).
Importantly, it lacks a true ion generator — it relies on ionic ceramic material only, so frizz control may be less pronounced than brushes with active ion tech like the T3 AireBrush Duo.
📊 Performance Breakdown
| CategoryScoreNotes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Heat Power | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5) | 250°F max — excellent smoothing |
| Frizz Control | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.5) | Relies on ceramic; no ion generator |
| Styling Range | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2) | Paddle-only; no volume or curl tools |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Simple controls; great tension |
| Noise Level | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5) | Quiet at 93 dBA |
| Temp Accuracy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4) | Stable ceramic heat |
🔌 Ergonomics & Convenience: Comfortable but Basic
At 13.5 inches long, the Smooth Shot is compact enough for everyday use without sacrificing paddle width. It comes with a 9-ft swivel cord — one of the longest we tested — giving users ample range and flexibility while styling.
The 15 oz weight is average — not too heavy, but not as light as the CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 (14 oz).
Handle width is 1.6″, slimmer than the T3 (1.85″), making it easier to hold for medium to large hands. Noise level measures 93 dBA — quiet for this size.
It lacks a removable filter and doesn’t come with travel features or a Velcro cord strap. For a more affordable, travel-ready paddle, consider the Knot Dr. by Conair. It’s one of the most budget-friendly tools in our testing group, with a lighter build and softer silicone-cushioned base — ideal for fine to medium hair and on-the-go styling.
🔄 How It Compares
| Feature | Drybar Smooth Shot | T3 AireBrush Duo | CHI Volumizer 4-in-1 | Knot Dr. Smoothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$$ | $$ |
| Attachments | ❌ Paddle only | ✅ 2 Heads | ✅ 4 Heads | ❌ Paddle only |
| Max Heat | 250°F | 200°F | ~240°F | 235°F |
| Best For | Medium–Thick | Fine–Medium | Fine–Medium | Fine–Medium |
| Digital Control | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Noise | 93 dBA | 90 dBA | 89 dBA | 94 dBA |
| Weight | 15 oz | 17 oz | 14 oz | 13 oz |
💛 Other Drybar Models: How the Smooth Shot Compares
Drybar offers multiple hot air brushes — each with a unique styling focus:
- Drybar The Double Shot: A 2.44″ oval barrel built for volume and bounce. Includes a dedicated ion generator and firm tufted bristles for tension and lift — best for medium to long hair.
- Drybar The Single Shot: Slightly smaller round barrel (2.25″) tailored for curved ends and polished curls on longer lengths. More versatile than the Smooth Shot for styling movement.
- Drybar The Half Shot: A compact 2″ barrel version ideal for shorter hair, bangs, and layering. Easier to maneuver for precision styling and detail work.
The Smooth Shot stands out for its paddle-style design, which prioritizes fast, straight results. It runs hotter (~250°F)than the other models and offers a slimmer handle (1.55″) and lighter build (15 oz) — great for users who want simplicity and speed, but less ideal for adding volume or shape.
📣 User Experiences & Real-World Feedback
- Users with thick hair saw faster smoothing results compared to their previous paddle brushes
- Some noted the lack of digital controls and ion generator but appreciated the high heat
- Comfortable grip for most users — slimmer than bulky digital models
User Quotes:
“Gets hot fast — smooths out my frizz way quicker than my Knot Dr.” – Vanessa L.
“Wish it had a cool tip or detachable head, but it’s solid.” – Lauren D.
“Definitely quieter than my Revlon. Easy to maneuver.” – Kim T.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Drybar The Smooth Shot Paddle Brush Blow-Dryer | Smooths Hair for Easy Blowout, Reduces Frizz, Added... | Check Price |
💬 FAQ: Drybar The Smooth Shot
Q: Is it good for thick hair?
A: Yes, the ceramic paddle and 250°F temp smooth coarse textures quickly.
Q: Does it work for fine hair?
A: It can be too aggressive — opt for something gentler like the T3 Duo.
Q: Is it dual voltage?
A: No — 125V only.
Q: Frizz control?
A: Moderate — the ionic tech helps smooth flyaways, but no ion generator.
Q: Good for frizz?
A: Yes, .
Q: Quiet operation?
A: Yes, at 93 dBA, it’s below average for noise.
Q: Can I use it daily?
A: Yes, though we suggest heat protectant due to high temperature.
🏁 Final Verdict: Built for Fast, Strong Smoothing
With one of the hottest ceramic paddles we tested, the Drybar Smooth Shot excels at straightening thick, coarse, or long hair fast. It’s not the most feature-rich or customizable brush, but it gets the job done — especially if all you want is smooth hair in a hurry.
🏆 Best For:
- ✅ Medium to thick long hair
- ✅ Coarse, frizzy textures
- ✅ Users who want a paddle-only tool
Our Rating: ★★★★☆ 4.1 / 5
See our full guide to the Best Hot Air Brushes of 2025.
Learn how we test at BeautiLAB: Our Methodology
