It’s no secret that Hot Tools blow dryer brushes are superior at styling thick and unruly hair. But which Hot Tools to choose?
Hot air brushes keep evolving and small details keep changing with every generation they offer. We know that it can seem tricky to find the right one for each individual’s needs.
Hot Tools seems to be the queen of taming unruly hair, creating super sleek results even with the most stubborn hair types. Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step, with its golden barrel surface, provides superior heat conductivity and distributes heat evenly. They recently came up with a new model called Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step. They call it “a revolution in technology”, quite a bold statement.
The barrel size (2.8 inches) and shape (oval) are the same between these two tools, as well as the charcoal-infused bristles and ionic technology. While they seem similar, there are still some interesting differences worth analyzing. We couldn’t help but to compare the two.
After measuring and analyzing every detail, below we share our experiences with “Hot Tools Black Gold” and “24K Gold One-Step Blowout & Volumizer”.
Quick Comparison
Hot Tools 24K Gold One-Step
Model name/ number: HT1076
Price: $75
Barrel size: 2.8″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: low: 130°F / high: 150°F
Hair type/ texture: medium to long hair, fine to normal texture
Pros: provides a gentler session for fragile hair, even heat distribution
Cons: heavy and not versatile
How it stands out: with its gold-infused barrel and low heat settings, it provides a safe and effective styling experience for medium and fine hair
In-depth review: Hot Tools 24k Gold One-Step Review
Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step
Model name/ number: HT1096BG
Price: $90
Barrel size: 2.8″
Barrel shape: oval
Min. / max. heat: low: 175°F / high: 215°F
Hair type/ texture: medium to long hair, thick and unruly hair types
Pros: detachable design, offers extra attachments, lifetime guarantee, has a longer cord, can reach really high temperatures
Cons: does not have a gentle heat setting
How it stands out: The titanium-infused barrel delivers intense heat and quickly recovers lost heat, making it effective for styling unruly hair at high temperatures
In-depth review: Hot Tools Black Gold One-Step review
Barrel Size And Shape
They have the same barrel size and shape. 2.8″ Barrel is great for those with medium to long hair as well as those who would like some extra oomph.
Detachable Design And Attachment Options
If we consider all the qualities that hot air brushes offer, detachable design is one of the most important ones, especially if the brand offers extra attachments that can improve your session.
“24K” fails to provide this option for the users.
“Black Gold”, on the other hand, not only is detachable, but it also offers additional attachments that can be purchased separately.
- Regular oval brush attachment HT1093BG
- Paddle brush attachment HT1094BG
- Small oval brush attachment HT1098BG
- Round brush 1.5″ attachment HT1210BG
If your priority is being compact and having versatile styling options, we recommend considering “Black Gold”.
Bristles
“Black Gold” and “24K Gold” have the same size, flexibility, and density of nylon pin and tufted bristles. These bristles are dense and flexible and can detangle, style, and smooth without breakage on thick or fine hair.
Temperature
– Heat Settings
Hot Tools are known for their high and consistent heat capacity. If you have thick and unruly hair, you’ll definitely benefit from this feature. But you might be in danger if you have fine hair.
There’s a huge difference between “24K” and “Black Gold” when it comes to heat settings.
While “24K” goes only to 150°F, “Black Gold” can go as high as 215°F at high heat setting. Even the low setting of “Black Gold” (175°F) is higher than 24K’s high heat setting (150°F).
Now what does this mean exactly? Hot Tool advertises this high heat capacity as a positive thing. But keep in mind that these tools can burn your hair if they’re not used or chosen wisely. High heat can be very efficient and beneficial for thick and frizzy hair. But it will definitely burn your delicate strands if you have fragile hair.
To sum up, Black Gold works well to tame unruly strands with its high heat, but if you have damaged or fine hair, it’s best to avoid it. The 24K is a gentler option, with a gold surface that ensures even heating and gentler low and high heat settings.
– Handle Temperature
Handle temps are nearly the same, “Black Gold” at 85°F and “24K” gold at 80°F and these values are under average. They are both comfortable to use.
– Cool Tip Temperature
Not to mention the cool tip temperatures which are 110°F (24K) vs 120°F (Black Gold). These are average values when compared to the other hot air brushes on our list. We can easily say they don’t overheat and are comfortable to use.
Performance And Durability
There’s a lot of positive feedback about the quality of the material of both of these products. While they are different from each other, they both provide sleek and shiny results that distribute the heat evenly. They both have charcoal technology, “24K Gold” is plated in gold, whereas the “Black Gold” is coated in titanium and ceramic.
Gold is a better conductor of heat, so the 24K Gold surface heats up evenly without hot or cold spots. This helps prevent overheating and ensures even straightening without the need to go over the same strand multiple times.
Black Gold, on the other hand, recovers lost heat faster, and this may provide long-haired ladies with a faster styling session.
Ergonomics
– Weight
We know that the weight of the tool can be a burden for everyday stylers. While “24K” is 16.8 oz, which is one of the heaviest on our list. It’s definitely something to consider if you experience arm fatigue while straightening your strands.
“Black Gold” ‘on the other hand, is only 15 oz, which is an average weight amongst other hot air brushes on the market.
– Handle Size
Both have the same handle sizes at 5″. Hot Tools brushes have larger handles compared to other models on our list. Those with small hands may not easily grasp without discomfort.
– Length
Both hot air brush lengths measure up the same at 13″. While hot air brushes typically range from 13 to 14 inches, we don’t see this 1-inch difference as either an advantage or a disadvantage.
– Noise Level
The noise levels are about average. We’ve tested many brands of hot air brushes, and we can say these aren’t loud tools.
– Cord:
Hot Tools seems to have listened to the consumer requests because the new “Black Gold” has an 8ft cord while “24K” is only 7ft. Don’t take this lightly, this 1ft can make a big difference in the comfort department, especially if your mirror is not right next to the plug.
Price And Guarantee
Their prices are quite similar; $53 for “Black Gold” vs $40 for “24K”. Now this is a very small difference for the upgrade that “Black Gold” provides. We advise you not to mind the difference and go for whatever is best for your needs.
“Black Gold” provides a lifetime limited guarantee, which is absolutely delightful to hear. It’s the only hot air brush on our list that offers such a privilege. “24K”, on the other hand, offers 7 years limited warranty, which is quite high as well.
